ESPN.com • 5th December 2024

Ribbit and roll: A viral mascot fuels the Cleveland Cavaliers

Donovan Mitchell takes over down the stretch to help the Cavaliers stave off the Bulls and advance to 14-0. (1:57)The Cleveland Cavaliers had just won their 14th straight game of the NBA season.The victory against the Chicago Bulls marked the longest win streak in franchise history. The Cavaliers became the sixth team ever to start a season 14-0. That swift start followed a busy offseason, which included moves that have ushered in a team that has exuded fun on and off the court.Perhaps there is...

ESPN.com • 5th November 2024

The waterboy can ball: Stories from Adam Sandler's pickup games

THE MOMENT IS still fresh in his mind.It's March 2023 and a Los Angeles-based photographer who goes by the moniker Xavier Luggage is in the middle of his first pickup basketball game at Poinsettia Recreation Center.The park typically fills around 6 p.m. with people arriving to get games in. But it's an hour or so earlier when the attention of the players snaps toward the side of the court.They all see him warming up, seemingly out of nowhere."I was like damn, that looks like Adam Sandler," Lugga...

ESPN.com • 29th July 2024

'We finally made it': Inside Chase Budinger's journey from the NBA to Olympic beach volleyball

Chase Budinger still remembers the feeling.Growing up in Encinitas, California, he would sit on the living room floor with his family in the evening and be glued to watching the Olympics.As athletes would win events, grab their respective country's flag and wear it with pride as they celebrated, those emotions impacted Budinger, even though he sat thousands of miles away.They also inspired him."It kind of just became a dream of mine of wanting to do that someday," Budinger told ESPN. "To kind of...

ESPN.com • 9th July 2024

Hoops and horoscopes: Zodiac GM explores astrology's impact on NBA

Jrue Holiday shuts down Andrew Nembhard with a steal in the final seconds of Game 3. (0:44)LATE IN GAME 3 of the 2024 Eastern Conference finals, the Boston Celtics were fighting.The Indiana Pacers held a 2-point lead with 1:11 remaining in the fourth quarter. A win would cut the Celtics' advantage to 2-1, ensuring the series would return to Boston.After the Pacers missed an opportunity to extend their lead, Jrue Holiday converted an and-one, snatching the Celtics' first lead since the opening qu...

ESPN • 10th June 2024

Twins unveil City Connect uniforms, a celebration of Minnesota's lakes

The Minnesota Twins looked to capture a specific feeling in their City Connect uniforms, which were unveiled on Monday.

It's a feeling one experiences while sitting by the shore of a lake -- the water hitting against the rocks on the shore while hearing the waves ripple in and out as the sun sets.

With the state being covered with lakes, it's a familiar moment for Minnesotans. Prince said it best in the 1984 film "Purple Rain": "You have to purify yourself in Lake Minnetonka."

The Twins' City

ESPN • 24th May 2024

Anthony Edwards' memorable slogan takes over Minnesota

The Minnesota Timberwolves are in the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2004, and a new slogan is taking over the state.

The Timberwolves advanced to the round after defeating the Denver Nuggets in seven games. The series began with Minnesota fans tattooing Naz Reid's name on themselves after Game 2 and ended with Anthony Edwards creating another memorable trend after Game 7.

During a postgame interview on Sunday, TNT's Charles Barkley told Edwards he hadn't been to Minnesota

ESPN • 18th May 2024

'Pulled off the impossible': Behind the scenes of the Chargers' Sims-themed schedule release

Seconds into the Los Angeles Chargers' 2024 schedule release video, one thing becomes abundantly clear -- this won't be your ordinary NFL schedule unveiling.

It's set in the world of "The Sims," a life simulation video game series where players can create characters and control their lives through various objectives and tasks.

In the Chargers' world, there's a scene of John and Jim Harbaugh fighting, reminiscent of the movie "Step Brothers." A portrait of Bill Belichick's dog, who became a sta

ESPN • 29th April 2024

Tampa Bay Rays unveil City Connect uniforms, a nod to the organization's innovative spirit

The Tampa Bay Rays have always been willing to do things differently.

Though they routinely have one of the lowest payrolls in Major League Baseball, the Rays have reached the playoffs in five straight seasons by getting the most out of their roster.

They introduced the idea of an "opener" in 2018, leading to the best ERA in the American League just a month after the strategy, though that is just one part of a long list of Tampa Bay innovations.

The Rays' latest? The reveal of their City Conn

ESPN • 20th April 2024

'This is so exhausting': The Knicks' season as told by Ben Stiller's social media

Ben Stiller's routine is simple. When the New York Knicks are playing, he clears his schedule and tries to be home.

He doesn't make dinner plans on game nights. Stiller guesses that might be the definition of "being maybe a little too into it." When not sitting courtside at Madison Square Garden, his preference is simply watching the team alone.

"I can then ... shout or scream at the screen or whatever," Stiller told ESPN. "And I find when I'm watching the game in public, I start releasing sou

ESPN • 13th March 2024

Miles Myerscough-Harris recreates Swedish soccer team's photo with 127-year-old camera

Miles Myerscough-Harris had a simple task: recreate a 100-year-old team photo of the AIK soccer club. His main piece of equipment, a No. 4 Cartridge Kodak camera made in 1897, added a layer of complexity to that assignment.

Days prior to AIK's match against Örebro SK on Feb. 18, the club released a special kit to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Allsvenskan, Sweden's first division, which AIK plays in. Players donned the kits before the game against Karlberg as Myerscough-Harris prepare

ESPN • 10th March 2024

'Like a store on wheels': Meet Travis Kelce and Dak Prescott's custom suit tailor

After the Cincinnati Bengals clinched a spot in Super Bowl LVI, Tom Marchitelli had one thing on his mind.

"I spent the first 24 hours after he clinched the AFC title, reaching out to everyone I could. How can I get in contact with Joe Burrow?" Marchitelli told ESPN.

In 2014, Marchitelli left his job as a hedge fund accountant to become a custom menswear designer for athletes. By Super Bowl LVI, he had worked with top players such as Travis Kelce, Dak Prescott and Rob Gronkowski, tailoring his

ESPN • 8th February 2024

Artists celebrate Kobe Bryant with 639 (and counting) worldwide murals

LOS ANGELES -- On the day of Kobe Bryant's death in Jan. 2020, the plaza outside of Crypto.com Arena overflowed with people. Fans placed tributes everywhere. Flowers covered the ground. Tears replaced words.

A stunned silence overcame the venue's entertainment complex as it offered a place for Bryant fans to pay their respects and grieve together. In the hours and days after his passing, Los Angeles Lakers and Bryant fans found comfort in another avenue -- art.

In a Miami neighborhood, Gustavo

ESPN • 12th January 2024

Chiefs-Dolphins wild-card game projected to be fourth coldest in NFL postseason history

The Kansas City Chiefs' road to consecutive Super Bowls begins Saturday against the Miami Dolphins in chilly fashion.

The forecast for Saturday night is projected to reach minus-5 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Weather Channel, which would make it the coldest ever football game in Kansas City. If the game were held in Miami, temperatures would reach a low of 62 degrees with a 30% chance of rain.

There's never been a football game in Kansas City that has reached negative temperatures. The

ESPN • 20th December 2023

Who owns the Austin Reaves-jersey wearing courtside pup at Lakers game?

Brodie, a service dog wearing an Austin Reaves jersey, captures the attention of Mike Breen before showing off his dance moves during a break. (0:32)

The Los Angeles Lakers had a furry guest courtside at Monday night's game -- Brodie the dog, an 80-pound goldendoodle.

Wearing an Austin Reaves jersey on-and-off and shifting from sitting in his owner's lap to laying under him, Brodie caught the attention of celebrities and players.

He became the fan of the night at Crypto.com Arena, or as his o

ESPN • 19th December 2023

Meet the artist who designs your favorite goalie's mask in a barn in Sweden

Many years ago, moos and oinks filled this bright red barn.

Set in the countryside of Sweden in Sävsjö, it served as an integral part of a farm owned by Swedish artist David Gunnarsson's grandfather. Now, the barn is the dedicated area where Gunnarsson paints the masks of some of the NHL's top goaltenders.

He's set up over a thousand square feet for his painting supplies. Airbrushes and paint dominate spaces where cows and pigs once roamed. He made it clear that there aren't any animals around

ESPN • 10th December 2023

By the numbers: Jayden Daniels' historic Heisman Trophy-winning season

LSU QB Jayden Daniels is the winner of the 2023 Heisman Trophy and credits his journey to taking home the award. (5:58)

After a historic season, LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels is the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner.

Daniels becomes the third ever Heisman winner from LSU, joining Joe Burrow (2019) and Billy Cannon (1959), and second Tigers quarterback all-time. He had 3,500 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards this season, becoming the first SEC player to do so since Johnny Manziel in 2012.

ESPN • 30th October 2023

Magic Johnson joins Jordan, Tiger and LeBron as fourth athlete to become billionaire

NBA Hall of Famer and businessman Earvin "Magic" Johnson is officially a billionaire, according to Forbes.

Johnson joins Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Tiger Woods as the fourth athlete to earn billionaire status. Earlier this year, he added a minority stake in the Washington Commanders to his portfolio. He also has a 2.3% stake in the Los Angeles Dodgers and minority ownership of LAFC and Los Angeles Sparks.

Forbes estimates Johnson's net worth to be $1.2 billion as a result of his stakes i

USA TODAY • 12th July 2023

Remembering Kobe Bryant's iconic Drew League game: 'It was magical'

Dino Smiley still remembers the details of the 2011 phone call.

Then commissioner of the Drew League, Los Angeles’ top pro-am basketball league, Smiley had seen his fair share of NBA professionals play during the league’s 38-year history.

With the NBA in a lockout and facilities closed, basketball stars had flocked to pro-ams across the country to stay in shape. Kevin Durant and LeBron James had already stopped by the Drew League that summer, putting on memorable performances.

James’ sheer si

USA TODAY • 8th July 2023

No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama has more lows than highs in NBA Summer League debut

No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama has more lows than highs in NBA Summer League debut

LAS VEGAS — It’s been just over nine months since Victor Wembanyama’s eye-opening performances in Henderson, Nevada. His 73 combined points in two exhibition games left scouts' mouths watering over the chance to draft him.

The question then was who would end up selecting Wembanyama with the No. 1 overall pick — the San Antonio Spurs won those honors in the draft lottery — and how good he actually could be in the N

USA TODAY • 17th June 2023

How rookie Bobby Miller saved the Dodgers' injury-riddled starting rotation

LOS ANGELES – When Dodgers pitcher Bobby Miller steps on the mound, there’s a certain aura around him. Each pitch is with confidence. Each step comes with purpose. Each motion of the arm more times than not results in a quality offering.

“Every time he steps on the mound, it's a presence,” Dodgers outfielder David Peralta said. “Like, ‘Hey, I'm the best here.’ And that's the kind of attitude that you have to have.”

So far in his young career, the 24-year-old's production reaffirms that attitud

Lakers Nation • 16th May 2023

Lakers Vs. Nuggets Game 1 Preview: Looking To Steal Another Opening Game On Road

The Los Angeles Lakers open up the 2023 Western Conference Finals on the road against the Denver Nuggets.

It is the Lakers’ 23rd appearance in the Conference Finals, the most in NBA history. Of those appearances, the Lakers have faced the Nuggets three times, their second-most common opponent. L.A. has never lost to Denver on their quest for an NBA Finals appearance.

Everyone is available for the Lakers except center Mo Bamba, who is out with a left ankle injury. For Denver, Jamal Murray is li

Daily Trojan • 2nd March 2023

How Rayah Marshall went from South Central to USC phenom

There’s a summer in Atlanta that Lynwood High School girls’ basketball coach Ellis Barfield can’t get out of his head.

His Nike Elite Youth Basketball Team, the Calstorm Knights, was playing club ball in 2019. It was a grueling trip, with three tournaments in 10 days and a game played almost every day.

The Knights prevailed, advancing to the Nike Tournament of Champions championship game. Playing a physical team from Maryland, Barfield’s team fell behind early.

A future McDonald’s All-America

Daily Trojan • 19th December 2022

USC upsets No. 19 Auburn behind stingy defense

Midway through the first half of USC’s men’s basketball game Sunday, the Trojan Marching Band had one task — play the Fight Song during a timeout.

It’s a simple assignment that the band is fully capable of, having practiced hundreds of times before. There was just one problem: Auburn fans had their own chant to sing.


As the marching band performed Fight On, traveling Auburn fans overshadowed the noise with their War Eagle chant. The uproar dominated Galen Center, as Auburn fans in opposite c

Daily Trojan • 12th December 2022

Caleb Williams wins the 2022 Heisman award

When sophomore quarterback Caleb Williams arrived in Los Angeles last February, much of the USC program was in a crisis.

The Trojans were coming off their fourth-worst winning percentage in 101 seasons. Even with his splashy hire, Head Coach Lincoln Riley was in the midst of a major program overhaul. Roster turnover was imminent and a program that seemed to be losing its fire needed a spark.

In came former five-star recruit Williams, the ultimate firework USC needed to bring it back to relevan