Phoenix Fuel Masters, led by Coach Willy Wilson, achieved their first win under his leadership with a 109-103 victory over the San Miguel Beermen. Wilson emphasizes ongoing improvement as the team eyes future successes in the season.
Las Vegas Aces clinched their third WNBA title in four years after a commanding 97-86 victory over the Phoenix Mercury, completing a four-game sweep in the Finals. A’ja Wilson led the team with 31 points.
Novak Djokovic was defeated by qualifier Valentin Vacherot in the Shanghai Masters semifinals. The match ended with scores of 6-3, 6-4 in favor of Vacherot. Djokovic, 38, faced health struggles during the game, limiting his performance and preventing him from securing a fifth title in Shanghai.
Olympian Aleah Finnegan hopes the upcoming world championships in November will inspire young Filipino gymnasts. Finnegan, who participated in the Paris Games, emphasizes the importance of exposure to high-level gymnastics to ignite interest and passion among young athletes in the Philippines.
Former NBA star Paul Pierce was arrested on suspicion of DUI after being found asleep at the wheel on a Los Angeles highway. Officers from the California Highway Patrol discovered signs of alcohol impairment in Pierce following a multi-vehicle crash. The Los Angeles city attorney will review the case.
Manchester honored boxing legend Ricky Hatton, who passed away at 46, with a funeral at Manchester Cathedral. Fans lined the streets as the procession moved from Hyde to the cathedral, marking a heartfelt goodbye to the former world champion.
NBA General Managers rank Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama as the best defender in the league according to the 2025-26 GM survey, highlighting his role as a key player for the Spurs.
Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat emerges as the top candidate to coach the U.S. men’s basketball team for the 2027 World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics. Negotiations with USA Basketball are ongoing, with Spoelstra set to succeed Steve Kerr and lead Team USA in pursuit of its sixth consecutive Olympic gold medal.
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers will miss the NBA season’s opening night due to sciatica, with a re-evaluation period set for three to four weeks. The 40-year-old superstar is experiencing nerve irritation, necessitating rest until the end of October. The Lakers emphasize the importance of James’s health as they prepare for the season opener against the Golden State Warriors.
Kevin Durant scored 20 points in 23 minutes during his debut with the Houston Rockets, leading to a 140-127 preseason victory against the Utah Jazz. The game marked Durant’s first appearance for the Rockets after missing the team’s preseason opener.