Jimmy Butler's mother kicked him out of the home when he was 13; years later, he signed a $184 million contract extension with the Heat
Jimmy Butler's NBA journey took a major turn after the Leslie family gave him a place to call home.
Most Improved Player
Why Pelicans’ Jeremiah Fears is ‘legit’ MIP candidate, per public NBA scouting reports
It’s early, and Jamahl Mosley’s upstart New Orleans Pelicans are still very much a work in progress, but it feels like Jeremiah Fears has staked an undeniable claim for the starting lead guard role. Looking at the stat splits and going by what other NBA coaches are saying publicly, the 20-year-old might want to start […] The post Why Pelicans’ Jeremiah Fears is ‘legit’ MIP candidate, per public NBA scouting reports appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Valkyries’ Veronica Burton joins Chelsea Gray in unique WNBA-Unrivaled history
The Golden State Valkyries won their first WNBA title in their second year of existence after beating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in Game 7 to win the series 4-3. Gabby Williams had a historic night as she scored 30 points to lead Golden State, but she was not the only player who had a piece […] The post Valkyries’ Veronica Burton joins Chelsea Gray in unique WNBA-Unrivaled history appeared first on ClutchPoints.
NBA awards races have new favorites, but little separation after one week
The NBA needed only a week to give three awards races a different look. Cameron Boozer, Ime Udoka, and Ty Jerome now lead their respective categories in the BetOnline odds supplied for this update. Their positions deserve attention. The distance between them and their closest challengers deserves just as much. A new favorite makes an […] The post NBA awards races have new favorites, but little separation after one week appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Villanova Star On Watch List for Major College Basketball Award
On Tuesday, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame unveiled its 20-member watch list for the 2027 Jerry West Award. Handed out to college basketball’s top shooting guard, it’s an honor reserved for only for the nation’s elite. Villanova’s Tyler Perkins was one name that stood out on this year’s watch list. Fresh off of a […] The post Villanova Star On Watch List for Major College Basketball Award appeared first on HEAVY.
WNBA Reacts to Chennedy Carter's Return After One Season Away
Chennedy Carter showed the WNBA and the Aces her elite scoring, dropping 18 points against Japan.
Hawks make NBA history with Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s Most Improved Player Award
Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been named the recipient of the George Mikan Trophy as the 2025-26 Kia NBA Most Improved Player, the league announced on Friday night. This marks the first time since the award’s inception during the 1985-86 season that a team has gone back-to-back years with one of its players claiming […] The post Hawks make NBA history with Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s Most Improved Player Award appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Sky’s DiJonai Carrington gets crucial injury update before 2026 WNBA season
Chicago Sky fans will be relieved to hear about the injury progress of one of the team’s newest stars. DiJonai Carrington has apparently undergone a minor surgery to remove hardware from her left foot as the 2026 WNBA season approaches. According to The Athletic’s Annie Costabile, the procedure was an expected follow-up to the surgery […] The post Sky’s DiJonai Carrington gets crucial injury update before 2026 WNBA season appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Celtics Get Notable Neemias Queta Development Ahead of Playoffs
The Boston Celtics closed the regular season at 56-26 after beating the Orlando Magic in a thriller on Sunday night at TD Garden. The second seed is locked. The roster is the healthiest it has been all year.Jayson Tatum returned from a ruptured Achilles and averaged over 21 points per game across his 16 games […] The post Celtics Get Notable Neemias Queta Development Ahead of Playoffs appeared first on Heavy Sports.
Why Pistons’ Jalen Duren is Chandler Parsons’ pick for MIP
It will be fair to say that the Detroit Pistons’ Jalen Durent has had a whirlwind 2025-26 campaign thus far. The 22-year-old earned what was his first All-Star appearance after averaging 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and two assists per game for the Pistons, playing a major role in helping them to the top of the […] The post Why Pistons’ Jalen Duren is Chandler Parsons’ pick for MIP appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Valkyries bring back reigning Most Improved Player on multi-year contract
The Golden State Valkyries on Saturday re-signed guard Veronica Burton to a multi-year contract as WNBA free agency officially opened under the league’s new collective bargaining agreement. Burton, 25, is coming off a historic 2025 campaign in which she earned the Kia WNBA Most Improved Player award, receiving 68 of 72 votes from a national […] The post Valkyries bring back reigning Most Improved Player on multi-year contract appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Alanna Smith says goodbye to Lynx after signing with Wings
The Minnesota Lynx said goodbye on Saturday to Alanna Smith after she agreed to a 3-year max contract with the Dallas Wings in free agency. Smith was one of the best free agents on the market and she gives the Wings arguably the best interior defensive anchor in the league. Alanna Smith had played the […] The post Alanna Smith says goodbye to Lynx after signing with Wings appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Celtics’ Sam Hauser reacts to ‘buttery’ first 3-pointer of Neemias Queta’s career
BOSTON — Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta has grown a lot since he arrived in the NBA. The 7-footer fought for any playing time he could get with the Sacramento Kings, and he was rarely rewarded. He then had to scrap in the G League to make a name for himself, catching the attention of […] The post Celtics’ Sam Hauser reacts to ‘buttery’ first 3-pointer of Neemias Queta’s career appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker reveals when Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got his signature aura
Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker noticed something different about Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at a tender age that separated him from the others. Ahead of leading his team on a journey to win back-to-back championships, Gilgeous-Alexander says 2025-26 was a challenging regular season. It’s hard to tell from the outside. However, Alexander-Walker says […] The post Nickeil Alexander-Walker reveals when Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got his signature aura appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Hawks’ Nickeil Alexander-Walker gets strong ‘he better win’ MIP endorsement from SGA
The Atlanta Hawks made a key free agent signing this past offseason when they acquired Nickeil Alexander-Walker. After seeing how he was able to contribute to the Minnesota Timberwolves, many expected him to have that same impact for a Hawks team looking to take the next step. Not only has he had that impact, but […] The post Hawks’ Nickeil Alexander-Walker gets strong ‘he better win’ MIP endorsement from SGA appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Makes Hawks History Vs. Knicks
Atlanta Hawks star Nickeil Alexander-Walker made a franchise history on Monday.
Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Pushes Underrated Teammate Into Major NBA Award Conversation
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown is backing his teammate for the Most Improved Player award after a standout year.
Pacers Announce Pascal Siakam News After Leaving Hornets Game
Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam left Friday's game against the Charlotte Hornets.
Why Azurá Stevens is ‘uncomfortable’ ahead of 2026 WNBA expansion draft
PHOENIX – The 2026 WNBA expansion draft has arrived, with the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo looking to get a head start on their rosters for the upcoming season. Each WNBA team is permitted to protect five players, leaving many across the league with a feeling of uncertainty as the hours to the draft trickle […] The post Why Azurá Stevens is ‘uncomfortable’ ahead of 2026 WNBA expansion draft appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Lakers Offseason Target Makes Free Agency Statement — And It Changes Everything
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka faces a shifting offseason landscape after their top target made a definitive free agency statement. The post Lakers Offseason Target Makes Free Agency Statement — And It Changes Everything appeared first on Heavy Sports.
Is Dyson Daniels playing tonight? Hawks vs. Kings injury report
The Atlanta Hawks host the Sacramento Kings on Saturday evening, and blossoming young guard Dyson Daniels is listed as questionable on the injury report. Daniels has been dealing with a recent toe injury, although he has played the past eight games for the team after sitting out on March 12. Here’s everything we know about […] The post Is Dyson Daniels playing tonight? Hawks vs. Kings injury report appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Nikola Jokic Sounds Off on Ex-Nuggets Player’s Breakout Season in Phoenix
The Denver Nuggets outlasted the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, with Nikola Jokic hitting the go-ahead bucket in their two-point win. Jokic dropped another triple-double, but he also talked about Collin Gillespie‘s breakout season for the Suns.Jokic had a monster night in Phoenix, finishing with 23 points, 17 rebounds and 17 assists on 9-for-16 shooting […] The post Nikola Jokic Sounds Off on Ex-Nuggets Player’s Breakout Season in Phoenix appeared first on Heavy Sports.
76ers’ Tyrese Maxey makes hilarious confession about ‘cooking’ his heroes
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey has quickly become one of the NBA’s elite players. The potential was clear when he entered the league in 2020, but not many probably predicted that he would be in the position he is today. Maxey is widely considered a top-tier playmaker, usually mentioned alongside Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai […] The post 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey makes hilarious confession about ‘cooking’ his heroes appeared first on ClutchPoints.
How Cade Cunningham’s Injury Could Cost Pistons Nearly $50M
He's four games shy of hitting the 65-game threshold for NBA awards. The post How Cade Cunningham’s Injury Could Cost Pistons Nearly $50M appeared first on Front Office Sports.