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The Emirates NBA Cup semifinal bracket took shape Wednesday night, and this weekend, the quest for in-season championship gold continues. Although critics of the Emirates NBA Cup concept have their thoughts, fans were treated to a pair of great games en route to Las Vegas for the title game.
The Atlanta Hawks took on the New York Knicks in a game that looked to be going the way of Jalen Bruson and the Bodega Boys until “Ice Cold” Trae Young stepped up to deliver a double-double, pouring in 22 points and 11 assists in a second-half comeback win. The Hawks took the game 108 to 100 at the famed Madison Square Garden, cementing Young’s growing legend as a star in this league. Karl Anthony Towns showed up big for his team with a 19-point, 19 rebounds double-double, but the Hawks’ bench production and efficiency wore down the Knickerbockers.
The surging Houston Rockets faced off against the Golden State Warriors and this game was decided by one point with a last-second miracle shot from Stephen Curry not going his way. The Rockets, a young team full of explosive athletes, relied on their big man Alperen Sengun, who led the Rockets with 26 points and 11 rebounds. The Rockets have lost 15 games straight to the Warriors, snapping it with their 91-90 win in a thriller of a game in Houston.
If the action on the court is any indication, the players are certainly taking things seriously when it comes to the Emirates NBA Cup, which comes with a $500,000 payday for each player and in-season bragging rights.
The bracket and game times are as follows from NBA.com:
Saturday’s Semifinals
East: (1) Bucks vs. (3) Hawks (4:30pm ET, TNT)
West: (1) Thunder vs. (2) Rockets (8:30pm ET, ABC)
Tuesday’s Championship
East Winner vs. West Winner (8:30 ET, ABC)
From our side, we’re liking the top-seeded East team Bucks over the Hawks in the early game this Saturday (Dec. 14). For the West, it’s hard to imagine anyone getting past the stacked and top-seeded Thunder team, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander commanding the point. Don’t take any advice from us, we’re just sharing our opinions! It all goes down this weekend. We can’t wait.
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Photo: Getty
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Source: David Jensen / Getty / LaMelo Ball
Charlotte Hornets superstar LaMelo Ball’s wallet took a hit after the NBA fined him for language it deemed “offensive and derogatory” during a postgame interview over the weekend. He’s adamant there isn’t a hateful bone in his body.
You can bet LaMelo Ball won’t be saying “no homo” during his postgame press conferences ever again. The professional hooper learned the term often associated with “pause” and made popular by rappers like Cam’ron and Ma$e and often used during their sports debate show It Is What Is when trying to signify they are not gay after saying something that would be considered “homosexual” in nature.
“We loaded up,” Ball said before making sure to add in, “no homo,” during the postgame interview following the Hornets thrilling 115-114 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Following Sunday’s 128-114 loss to the still-undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers, Ball told reports that he “really didn’t mean anything” by the remark and doesn’t “want to offend anybody.”
“I’ve got love for everybody,” he added, “and I don’t discriminate.”Before the game, Hornets head coach Charles Lee said Ball was “very apologetic,” adding, “He and I talked about it, and he definitely said going forward, ‘I’m going to be better,’ and I want to see that happen. So for somebody to use those words and say that out of his mouth, we will make sure to hold him accountable to that.”
Ball is not the first player to feel the league’s wrath for using the term. Brooklyn Nets rising star Cam Thomas was fined $40K by the NBA, well below the league maximum fine of $100K Ball was hit with.
Social media also had thoughts on the matter. You can see those reactions in the gallery below.
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Angel Reese came into the WNBA with a flurry of media hype around her and she answered the bell time and again with record-setting performances on the court. However, Angel Reese has admitted that her journey hasn’t been easy and just lost one of her biggest supporters in the league after the Chicago Sky parted ways with its head coach, Teresa Weatherspoon.
The massive swell of media attention that the WNBA garnered this year was no doubt due to the incoming class of rookies that included Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, Kamilla Cardoso, Aaliyah Edwards, and others. The prevailing thought was Reese and Clark were to be mortal enemies at the professional ranks based on the fact that the two faced each other as collegiate players in what many framed as a bitter rivalry.
Reese’s confidence on and off the court has seemingly rubbed fans wrong, especially those who feel Clark was the bigger star. While it is true that Reese talked a big game, she backed it up by setting a rookie record for 15 consecutive double-double games. Clark too has had a stellar season and showed off her scoring prowess at the next level.
This divide in fandom between players is a striking one, considering Reese isn’t the first trash-talker in professional sports. Her intensity on the court drove her, and the support from her coach and teammates translated into good efforts on the court where it counts. Clark, however, has been elevated as a pure basketball player despite having struggles on the court that seemingly weren’t highlighted to the level of Reese’s shortcomings.
Reese, perhaps growing tired of the narrative that she invited the critique or wanted to take a heel turn in the league, has been active on the X platform addressing the chatter in her unapologetic fashion and promised to continue her podcasting journey.
“Y’all know i’ve been going through this for the last 2 years but was told “save the tears’ & “stop playing victim”. Y’all a little late to the party and could have tried to put out this fire way before it started….,” Reese quote tweeted on X, referring to a post by Awful Announcing with ESPN’s Andraya Carter segment on SportsCenter at the centerpiece regarding racially charged statements from fans in the stands towards players on the court.
Y’all know i’ve been going through this for the last 2 years but was told “save the tears” & “stop playing victim”. Y’all a little late to the party and could have tried to put out this fire way before it started…. https://t.co/EuMfYtzgSA
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) September 26, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Reese continued, “I’ve never in my life had privilege but I definitely know the power I have through my platform. That didn’t come overnight. I grew that on my OWN. With that being said, I will continue to use my voice in the right way & say what’s right even though it has backfired on me to be this “villain”. I won’t stop!!”
Also at the root of Reese’s current activity is her comments regarding the firing of her coach, Teresa Weatherspoon, who Reese credited for getting her this far in her rookie campaign, which ended prematurely due to a hand injury.
I’m heartbroken. I’m literally lost for words knowing what this woman meant to me in such a pivotal point in my life. She was the only person that believed in me. The one that trusted me. Many don’t even know what it’s like to be a black women in sports when nobody believes in you,” Reese wrote on X.
She continued, “You had a tough job. All the crazy circumstances that we went through this year & when your back was against the wall, you always believed. I came to Chicago because of YOU. You were an unsung hero in my life. We built a relationship in a short amount of time that will last forever. I’ll never question God why he brings people in my life and takes them away from me in the capacity that I need them but i’ve always believed everyone is in your life for a reason and a season. You were the best reason & season. You didn’t deserve this but I can’t thank you enough. I love you Tspoon. @Finisher_11”
Anytime Angel Reese decides to take to social media, her detractors come out in droves to discredit her game, apply offensive commentary, and flat-out divisiveness becomes the order of the day. We’re sharing some of Angel Reese’s X replies below. Keep scrolling to see replies under her name, which is currently trending on X as well.
For the past 2 years, the media has benefited from my pain & me being villainized to create a narrative. They allowed this. This was beneficial to them. I sometimes share my experiences of things that have happened to me but I’ve also allowed this to happen to me for way too long…
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) September 27, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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Photo: Patrick McDermott / Getty
1. Protected?
3. Basically.
4. This is kind of facts though.
6. People say things in the heat of battle. Some people just sit online all day being jerks. Is what it is.
7. Why tho?
8. (Some) Sports fans are truly the toxic ones.
9. These people don’t know her.
10. Couldn’t wait to kick her back in.
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With the regular season officially over, the 2024 WNBA Playoffs are now locked in with the top eight teams in the league, including New York Liberty, Minnesota Lynx, Vegas Aces, Indiana Fever and others
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The WNBA Playoffs 2024 start on Sunday, Sept. 22 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.
When Does the WNBA Playoffs Start?
The WNBA Playoffs broadcasts live starting on Sunday, Sept. 22 with a triple header tip-off at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. The women’s basketball post-season games air across ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. The playoffs end with the WNBA Finals, which begin on Thursday, Oct. 10.
In addition, the WNBA Playoffs are streamable on WNBA League Pass via Prime Video.
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Where to Watch the WNBA Playoffs for Free
For cord-cutters, there are a few ways to watch the WNBA Playoffs if you don’t have cable — especially if you want to watch for free. DirecTV Stream has a five-day free trial, while other streaming services — such as Hulu + Live TV and Fubo — also offer free trials, so you can watch ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 for free.
Keep reading for more details on how to watch the WNBA Playoffs with DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.
How to Watch the WNBA Playoffs on DirecTV Stream
A subscription to DirecTV Stream — which comes with ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 for the WNBA Playoffs — gets you access to live TV, local and cable channels, starting at $59.99 per month (with the streamer’s current deals). The service even offers a five-day free trial to watch for free, if you sign up now.
You can watch local networks such as NBC, CBS and PBS, while you can also watch many cable networks, including FS1, Lifetime, FX, AMC, A&E, Bravo, BET, MTV, Paramount Network, Cartoon Network, VH1, Fuse, CNN, Food Network, CNBC and many others.
How to Watch the WNBA Playoffs on Hulu + Live TV
The WNBA Playoffs on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 are available to watch with Hulu + Live TV too. Prices for the cable alternative start at $76.99 per month, while each plan comes with Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+ for free.
Hulu + Live TV might be best for those who want all of these streaming services together in one bundle. It also features many other networks, including CBS, Hallmark Channel, BET, CMT, Disney Channel, NBC, Fox Sports and more.
How to Watch the WNBA Playoffs on Fubo
To watch the WNBA Playoffs on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2, Fubo starts at $49.99 per month (the streamer’s current deal) with nearly 200 channels — including local and cable — that are streamable on smart TVs, smartphones, tablets and on web browsers. And with a seven-day free trial, you can watch for free, if you act fast and sign up now.
The service even gets you live access to local broadcast networks including NBC, Fox and CBS, while it also has dozens of cable networks, such as Bravo, CMT, ID, TV Land, VH1, TLC, E!, FS1, MTV, FX, Ion, OWN, Paramount Network and much more.
What Teams Are In the WNBA Playoffs?
The top eight teams of the WNBA qualify for the playoffs, including the New York Liberty, Vegas Aces, Minnesota Lynx, Indiana Fever and others. The first round is a best-of-three series, while the semi-finals and finals are best-of-five. Scroll down for matchups for the first round, below:
New York Liberty (1) vs. Atlanta Dream (8)
Game 1: Atlanta at New York, Sunday, Sept. 22 (1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT, ESPN)
Game 2: Atlanta at New York, Tuesday, Sept. 24 (7:30 p.m/4:30 p.m. PT, ESPN)
Minnesota Lynx (2) vs. Phoenix Mercury (7)
Game 1: Phoenix at Minnesota, Sunday, Sept. 22 (5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT, ESPN)
Game 2: Phoenix at Minnesota, Wednesday, Sept. 25 (9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT, ESPN)
Connecticut Sun (3) vs. Indiana Fever (6)
Game 1: Indiana at Connecticut, Sunday, Sept. 22 (3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT, ABC)
Game 2: Indiana at Connecticut, Wednesday, Sept. 25 (7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m., ESPN)
Las Vegas Aces (4) vs. Seattle Storm (5)
Game 1: Seattle at Las Vegas, Sunday, Sept. 22 (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, ESPN)
Game 2: Seattle at Las Vegas, Tuesday, Sept. 24 (9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT, ESPN)
How to Buy WNBA Playoffs Tickets Online
Want to attend WNBA playoff games in person? There are last-minute tickets available via Vivid Seats (get $20 off purchases of $200 and over with code BB2024), SeatGeek (your first purchases can get $10 off ticket order $250 and with code BILLBOARD10), StubHub and GameTime (score $20 off ticket orders of $150 and over with code SAVE20). Prices vary depending on the city and seats available.
Moreover, you can save $150 off when you spend $500 with promo code BILLBOARD150, or $300 off when you spend $1,000 with promo code BILLBOARD300 at TicketNetwork.com.
WNBA Playoffs 2024 broadcast on across ABC, ESPN and ESPN2, while it’s also available to livestream with DirecTV Stream starting on Sunday, Sept. 22.
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Source: Allen Berezovsky / Getty
NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski announced that he is leaving ESPN and taking a newly created role at his alma mater.
The sports world was shocked on Wednesday (Sept. 18) when ESPN NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski announced that he was retiring from his reporting career. “The craft transformed my life, but I’ve decided to retire from ESPN and the news industry. I understand the commitment required in my role and it’s an investment that I’m no longer driven to make. Time isn’t in endless supply and I want to spend mine in ways that are more personally meaningful,” he said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, ending with: “After all these years reporting on everyone’s teams, I’m headed back to my own.”
The 55-year-old reporter began his career at the Hartford Courant, rising to become a national NBA correspondent with Yahoo Sports. It was there where he delivered some of the more impactful news in basketball, from his coverage of LeBron James and “The Decision” in 2010 and his coverage of the NBA Draft to scooping the league on draft nights, which would be issued in posts to X and come to be known as “Woj Bombs” by writers and the public alike. “What he did so effectively was take a lot of that traditional journalistic insider work and transition and use Twitter,” said Hofstra University assistant professor of radio, TV, and film Laith Zuraikat. “I’m sure others thought of it, but nobody did it as well as he did. He was the guy.”
Wojnarowski is leaving the network that he’s been a part of since 2017 to take a newly created position of general manager at St. Bonaventure University. The reporter is a 1991 graduate of the institution’s Jandoli School of Communication in western New York. “It is a thrill of a lifetime to be able to return to a university and community that I love in a role of service to our student-athletes, coaches and institution,” Wojnarowski said in an ESPN interview on his departure. “I am hopeful that I can bring value in a lot of areas to our basketball program and open doors for our young men’s futures in ways both professionally and personally.” The GM role is a fairly recent position with college basketball, thanks to the creation of the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness deals for student-athletes.
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Team USA‘s Women’s basketball team survived a thriller in their gold medal contest against Team France, and it was far closer than the Team USA Men’s basketball gold medal game. With the victory, the Women’s team became the first team in any sport to win eight consecutive gold medals.
With some of the WNBA’s best talent on the squad, Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson led the team with 21 pints and 13 boards to go along with four crucial blocks. They needed all they could get from Wilson as France’s Gabby Williams, a former WNBA player and past collegiate champion with the University of Connecticut. Williams led the charge for Team France, who wouldn’t go away, and nearly tied the game up at the buzzer with a last-second heave but it was ruled a two-point shot.
From NBC Olympics:
Not without a whole lot of agita first, though. Less than 24 hours after these countries’ men’s teams delivered a fourth quarter for the ages, the women did the same, with six ties and six lead changes over the final 10 minutes of play. France had an answer every time the U.S. looked primed to make a run, taking a two-point lead with just 5:03 to go. But Copper poured in four straight points to put Team USA back ahead, and Wilson hit a circus jumper to stretch the lead to three.
It seemed like the U.S. had finally put things away when Plum cashed two free throws to go up 65-61 with just 11 seconds left. But then Williams almost pulled off a final flurry for the ages, hitting one quick 3 to keep France alive and then, after two more free throws, getting a heave to go that very nearly forced overtime.
It was one of the better sporting events to take place at the 2024 Summer Olympics and proved that the world is indeed catching up with the American basketball stars on both sides. Kudos to Team France for an exciting finish.
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Photo: Getty
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Source: Reebok / Reebok
Angel Reese is having herself a helluva rookie season for the Chicago Sky. While we wait to see if the 6-foot-3 stunner can notch herself the 2024 WNBA’s Rookie of the Year Award, she’ll be debuting her first signature line for Reebok in the meantime.
Source: Reebok / Reebok
On Aug. 23, Reebok will be dropping their “Reebok By Angel“ collection, which will feature the Premier Road VI, BB 4000 II silhouettes, along with some attire such as the Angel Graphic Tee, Angel Vector Track Jacket, and an Angel Lux Bodysuit amongst other apparel.
Styled to showcase Reese’s “powerful feminine energy” (she really does radiate that), the collection is sure to be a hit amongst her day-one fans.
Reebok explained the science behind the “Reebok By Angel” collection a little more:
Paying homage to Reese’s unapologetic nature and explosive energy, the collection features a bold icy color palette of ‘Always Blue’ and ‘Silver Chrome’, plus expressive design details throughout. Including, ‘Unapologetically Angel’ graphics and her mantra “When They Sleep On You…Tuck Them In!”
Check out pics of the collection below, and let us know if you’ll be checking for the “Reebok by Angel” collection in the comments section.
Source: Reebok / Reebok
Source: Reebok / Reebok
Source: Reebok / Reebok
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The WNBA is at an all-time high in popularity with the emergence of rookie phenoms Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. And at the halfway point in the 2024 season, the all-star game will surely be one to remember.
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The WNBA All-Star Game 2024 — which will see the Team WNBA players go up against Team USA — takes place at Footprint Center in Phoenix on Saturday, July 20.
What Time Is the WNBA All-Star Game?
The WNBA All-Star Game broadcasts live on Saturday, July 20, at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT. The women’s basketball game airs on ABC.
In addition, the WNBA All-Star Game Weekend kicks on Friday, July 19, with the Skills Challenge at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT, and the 3-Point Contest afterwards. The events broadcast on ESPN.
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Where to Watch the WNBA All-Star Game for Free
For cord-cutters, there are a few ways to watch the WNBA All-Star Game Weekend if you don’t have cable — especially if you want to watch for free. DirecTV Stream has a five-day free trial, while other streaming services — such as Hulu + Live TV and Fubo — also offer free trials, so you can watch ABC and ESPN for free.
Keep reading for more details on how to watch the WNBA All-Star Game on ABC and ESPN with DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.
How to Watch the WNBA All-Star Game on DirecTV Stream
A subscription to DirecTV Stream — which comes with ABC and ESPN for the WNBA All-Star Game Weekend — gets you access to live TV, local and cable channels, starting at $69.99 per month. The service even offers a five-day free trial to watch for free, if you sign up now.
You can watch local networks such as NBC, CBS and PBS, while you can also watch many cable networks, including FS1, Lifetime, FX, AMC, A&E, Bravo, BET, MTV, Paramount Network, Cartoon Network, VH1, Fuse, CNN, Food Network, CNBC and many others.
How to Watch the WNBA All-Star Game on Hulu + Live TV
The WNBA All-Star Game Weekend on ABC and ESPN is available to watch with Hulu + Live TV too. Prices for the cable alternative start at $76.99 per month, while each plan comes with Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+ for free.
Hulu + Live TV might be best for those who want all of these streaming services together in one plan. It also features many other networks, including CBS, Hallmark Channel, BET, CMT, Disney Channel, NBC, Fox and more.
How to Watch the WNBA All-Star Game on Fubo
To watch the WNBA All-Star Game Weekend on ABC and ESPN, Fubo starts at $79.99 per month with nearly 200 channels — including local and cable — that are streamable on smart TVs, smartphones, tablets and on web browsers. And with a seven-day free trial, you can watch for free, if you act fast and sign up now.
The services gets you live access to local broadcast networks including NBC, Fox and CBS, while it also has dozens of cable networks, such as Bravo, CMT, ID, TV Land, VH1, TLC, E!, FS1, MTV, FX, Ion, OWN, Paramount Network and much more.
Who Is Playing During the WNBA All-Star Game?
In 2024, the format is a little different since it’s also an Olympic year. Instead of East vs. West, this year’s WNBA All-Star Game features Team WNBA vs. Team USA. The last time the format was switched up like this was during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Moreover, the all-star break is extended because the 2024 Olympics take place in Paris later in July. Below, check out a complete roster list of Team WNBA and Team USA.
Team WNBA:
DeWanna Bonner — Connecticut Sun
Aliyah Boston — Indiana Fever
Caitlin Clark — Indiana Fever
Allisha Gray — Atlanta Dream
Dearica Hamby — Los Angeles Sparks
Brionna Jones — Connecticut Sun
Jonquel Jones — New York Liberty
Kayla McBride — Minnesota Lynx
Kelsey Mitchell — Indiana Fever
Arike Ogunbowale — Dallas Wings
Nneka Ogwumike — Seattle Storm
Angel Reese — Chicago Sky
Team USA:
Napheesa Collier — Minnesota Lynx
Kahleah Copper — Phoenix Mercury
Chelsea Gray — Las Vegas Aces
Brittney Griner — Phoenix Mercury
Sabrina Ionescu — New York Liberty
Jewell Loyd — Seattle Storm
Kelsey Plum — Las Vegas
Breanna Stewart — New York Liberty
Diana Taurasi — Phoenix Mercury
Alyssa Thomas — Connecticut Sun
A’ja Wilson — Las Vegas Aces
Jackie Young — Las Vegas Aces
How to Buy WNBA All-Star Game Tickets Online
Want to attend WNBA All-Star Game in person? There are last-minute tickets available with Vivid Seat, SeatGeek, StubHub and Ticketmaster. Prices vary depending on seats available at Footprint Center in Phoenix.
WNBA All-Star Game Weekend 2024 broadcasts on ABC and ESPN, but it’s also available to livestream with DirecTV Stream on Saturday, July 20, at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT.
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Joe Bryant, the father of the late Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant, has died according to reports. Joe Bryant, nicknamed Jellybean, was a Philadelphia native who played basketball and coached in the city reportedly suffered a stroke.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Joe Bryant suffered a stroke based on comments made by La Salle University Men’s Basketball Head Coach Fran Dunphy. Bryant’s passing happened well over four years after the death of Kobe Bryant and his granddaughter Gigi Bryant on January 26, 2020.
According to the Inquirer, Bryant earned the nickname Jellybean due to his love of sweet treats and was a star player at Bartram High School and La Salle University ahead of being drafted in the first round of the 1975 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. After eight seasons in the league, including four with the Philadelphia 76ers, Bryant established himself as a player in Italy and Europe, where a young Kobe picked up the Italian language
The outlet adds that a distance became apparent between Kobe Bryant and his father after being drafted right out of Lower Merion High School by the Los Angeles Lakers. After the death of his son and granddaughter, the elder Bryant never spoke about the loss, signaling just how far the rift between them was.
Joe Bryant was 69.
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Photo: Johnny Nunez / Getty
DeMar DeRozan addressed his controversial “Not Like Us” cameo. During an interview with Sacramento’s Fox affiliate Fox40’s Sean Cunningham, the new Sacramento Kings player talked about how he ended up in Kendrick Lamar‘s video and whether or not the Kings are still allowed to play Drake inside their home arena the Golden 1 Center. “We […]