In partnership with

Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, All-Star, and certified Bulls legend. Happy retirement, D-Rose. 🌹

ALSO: Check out the latest video on The Check Up about the bright future of French basketball…

Today’s Lineup

NBA News

Kawhi to miss time after offseason knee surgery

The surgery that Kawhi Leonard underwent this offseason is expected to keep him out of training camp and (potentially) the beginning of the 2024-25 season, says Shams Charania. Even if it is just training camp and preseason that Kawhi misses, that might mean it’ll take him a while to get readjusted to the league.

Don’t get us wrong—the Clippers would still have star power in Leonard’s absence. Even though James Harden last year averaged his fewest points per game in a season since his second year in the NBA, a lot of it was due to his decreased role from Philly to Los Angeles. He shot 38.1% from three last year, his second-best such mark in a season since 2012, and settled into a somewhat playmaking point guard role for the Clippers. Nevertheless, losing probably your best offensive AND defensive players

Kevin Knox inks one-year deal with Golden State Warriors

Another season, another team for one of the NBA’s newest and most loved journeyman. Kevin Knox’s will compete for backup forward minutes in training camp with Gary Payton, Kyle Anderson, and Moses Moody after signing a one-year deal with the Warriors, his fifth team in four years.

We’re glad Kevin is still searching for a role on an NBA team, and we hope this new adventure in Golden State finally unlocks the potential that made him a first round pick back in 2018.

Come to think of it…

Derrick Rose Announces Retirement

From the moment he was drafted first overall to his hometown Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose put the NBA world on notice. And while the trajectory of his career was derailed by a variety of factors, he fought through with both determination and heart.

You can’t have enough respect for what Derrick Rose did on the court over 17 seasons in the NBA. From his electric ROTY campaign in ‘08-09 to his record-setting MVP season just two years later to his late-career revival in Minnesota and Detroit, we loved watching D-Rose straight-up hoop.

From us to you: Enjoy retirement, D-Rose!

Goodbye Meal Kits, Hello Hungryroot

Hungryroot is a grocery and recipe delivery service that supports any health needs you and your family might have. Whether you’re looking to incorporate a gut-friendly diet, just trying to eat healthy, or anything in between, Hungryroot makes achieving your goals on your terms easy.

Browse the thousands of groceries and recipes available each week, or have Hungryroot curate a delivery made just for you and your family based on your preferences. Save hours planning, shopping, and cooking each week. Plus pick one free item for life.

Take the quiz and get 30% off your 1st order!

WNBA Semifinals

The first round of the 2024 WNBA playoffs is over, and we’ve got two great semifinal matchups in store. Sabrina vs. A’ja. Minnesota vs. Connecticut. Buckle up, basketball fans!

Semifinal 1: (1) New York Liberty vs. (4) Las Vegas Aces

The Liberty are stacked top-to-bottom, but it’s been Sabrina Ionescu that has led them to the spot they’re in right now. She poured in a playoff career-high 36 points in Game 2 of the Liberty’s first round series against Atlanta, with Jonquel Jones (20 points) and Breanna Stewart (13 points) contributing as well.

As for Las Vegas, it’s been an east ride for A’ja Wilson and company. The MVP led her team in scoring (21 points) in the Aces’ Game 1 victory over Seattle and dropped 24 more in Game 2, although it was Kelsey Plum (29 points) who led the charge in that one. A three-peat is still alive in Las Vegas, but the Aces will have to go through the heavy title favorites first.

Semifinal 2: (2) Minnesota Lynx vs. (3) Connecticut Sun

If one thing is for certain, it’s that there are few offenses in the WNBA that operate like Minnesota’s. The Lynx scored 102 and 101 points in their two games against the Phoenix Mercury, with Napheesa Collier dropping a record-tying 42 points in Game 2. If Courtney Williams can keep diming like she did against Phoenix and Kayla McBride can play an efficient second fiddle next to Phee, this team looks unbeatable…

As for Connecticut, they played two very different games in the first round but still won them both. In Game 1, Marina Mabrey dropped 27 points (including five threes) off the bench for the Sun while two starters scored fewer than five points en route to a huge 93-69 victory over Indiana. But a balanced attack from Connecticut in Game 2, where five of the seven players who logged minutes scored in double figures, also tilted in the Sun’s favor thanks to a huge double-double from Alyssa Thomas (19 points, 13 assists).

Three in the Key

Signing Off

Have a good Friday, y’all! If you live in the part of the country affected by Hurricane Helene, we hope you’re staying safe and in contact with family and friends. See you Monday! 🧡

-Austin Zeglis