The Juice, WNBA Draft, Team USA and More
NBA Play-In gets real, WNBA Draft headlines, Kawhi to Team USA and more pro sports news from the Pacific Time Zone.
Kings send the Warriors Home
The Golden State Warriors were eliminated from the NBA Play-In tournament by the Sacramento Kings. Sacramento got their revenge in their 118-94 win yesterday. Last season, the Kings were eliminated by Golden State.
Golden State has some serious roster moves to figure out. Chris Paul said he’ll return for his 20th year. However, Paul’s contract is non-guaranteed next year. This year’s loss ends Paul’s streak of playing in 14-consecutive postseasons.
Warriors guard Klay Thompson is also headed for free agency. Thompson went scoreless versus the Kings. It was the first time since his rookie season.
PS The Lakers were never going to tank their play-in game. L.A. will take on the Denver Nuggets after advancing into the postseason with a win over the Pelicans last night.
RIP OJ
Love him or hate him, we all know OJ Simpson. Born in the Bay Area, Simpson made a name for himself at USC by winning the Heisman trophy. He went on to be one of the NFL’s greatest running backs with the Buffalo Bills, before ending his career with the 49ers.
Simpson’s infamous murder trial changed news, entertainment and law. For many people, Simpson’s case provided a window into Los Angeles, policing and race.
Cancer claimed the life of the notorious HOFer. He died at age 76 with an estimated net worth over $3 million.
MORE: OJ’s estate won’t fight payouts from the civil lawsuit he lost in connection to the death of his wife, according to recent reports.
USA Basketball Finalizes Squad for Paris Olympics
Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard got the last spot on Team USA. The rest of the roster features Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Warriors star Steph Curry also headlines participants. Southern California’s Jrue Holiday and former Warriors forward Kevin Durant will also play.
UPCOMING: Kawhi and the Clippers take on the Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs. Game One is April, 21 at 12:30 PM PT.
Stanley Cup Playoffs Begin this Week
The Knights take on the Oilers and the Kings take on the Stars.
WNBA Draft
The WNBA Draft was headlined by the selection of Caitlin Clark at No. 1 overall. However, the Los Angeles Sparks walked away with two of the top-five players. L.A. landed Stanford star forward Cameron Brink and Tennessee wing Rikea Jackson.
The Las Vegas Aces selected Dyaisha Fair with the No. 16 pick, Iowa guard Kate Martin at No. 18, Virginia Tech center Elizabeth Ktley at No. 24 and Jackson State center Angel Jackson at No. 36.
Seattle selected guard Nika Mühl from UConn with the No. 14 overall pick, and forward Mackenzie Holmes from Indiana with the No. 26 selection.
West Coast Ties: USC had a couple of players selected. Gonzaga and UCLA had one player each selected.
West Coast Links
National Pro Sports news from the Pacific Time Zone, with a West Coast perspective.
NBA
Blake Griffin official retires
Brooklyn hires Sacramento assistant
More on Jrue Holiday’s extension
Could Dame Lillard get traded again?
NFL
Brandon Aiyuk is not available
Jon Ryan will retire a Seahawk
Colts' DeForest Buckner Lands $46M
Laken Tomlinson joins the Seahawks
Davante Adams not looking for a trade
Andrew Luck opens up about retirement
MLB
Dodgers get hooked up with Kobe 6s
Ohtani cleared, interpreter allegedly sold
Dodgers and Padres get into it
Former MLB Pitcher Ken Holtzman Dies at 78
Trevor Bauer of Sexual Assault Indicted on Fraud Charges
NHL
Knights sign Noah Hanifin to Eight-Year Contract Extension
Ducks’ Jakob Silfverberg retires
Kraken out, Knights and Kings in the Playoffs
Coachella’s live stream went to a new level. Youtube streamed all the stages, all day, for the first time. Thoughts on the best performances? No Doubt, Lana and Tyler the Creator killed it.