Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 women’s league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, closed a Series B that values it at 340 million with Bessemer Venture Partners leading. Serena Williams, Trae Young, Franz and Moritz Wagner, and Alex Morgan’s Trybe Ventures joined, signaling strong investor faith in athlete-driven growth.

The eight-week season paid top salaries with equity stakes, drew 221k average TNT/truTV viewers, and crowned Rose as the first champion. Season 2 tips off January 2026, signaling rising prominence for women’s basketball beyond the WNBA.

Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 women’s league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, closed a Series B that values it at 340 million with Bessemer Venture Partners leading. Serena Williams, Trae Young, Franz and Moritz Wagner, and Alex Morgan’s Trybe Ventures joined, signaling strong investor faith in athlete-driven growth.

The eight-week season paid top salaries with equity stakes, drew 221k average TNT/truTV viewers, and crowned Rose as the first champion. Season 2 tips off January 2026, signaling rising prominence for women’s basketball beyond the WNBA.

On this day in Celtics history, Bill Sharman was traded to Boston from the Fort Wayne Pistons in 1951, marking the beginning of an illustrious ten-year stint that included four championships and a role as the first player to win titles as a player, coach, and executive. A brief look at the 1952 NBA Draft highlights Conley’s selection by the Celtics, who later lost him to the Chicago Packers in the 1961 expansion draft, though he chose baseball instead. The day also commemorates the births of Moritz Wagner and Dwight 'Red' Morrison, both of whom had brief careers in Boston.

Additionally, this date marked the Celtics' seventh title victory in 1964 against the San Francisco Warriors, thanks to notable performances from legends like Bill Russell and Sam Jones. The win solidified the Celtics' dominance in the era and showcased their depth and resilience against one of the league's best in Wilt Chamberlain.

Khris Middleton, a veteran small forward for the Milwaukee Bucks and a former three-time All-Star, will not participate in the game against the Sacramento Kings due to health management. Having undergone two ankle surgeries over the summer, the 33-year-old missed the first 20 games of the season. Coach Doc Rivers emphasized that this decision is part of a broader strategy to maximize Middleton's rest during back-to-back games.

In contrast, Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks' star player, will take the court against the Kings after recovering from patellar tendinopathy. Middleton has returned to form offensively, averaging 12.5 points this season, but his defensive performance has declined, leading to his current bench role.

Paolo Banchero's return to the Orlando Magic after a lengthy 34-game absence due to a torn oblique muscle is a significant moment for the team. The forward expressed his frustration over missing time but is eager to rejoin his teammates on the court. Despite his absence, the Magic have surprised many by maintaining a strong position in the Eastern Conference.

Having dealt with injuries to key players like Franz Wagner and Moritz Wagner, the Magic found a way to rally with a record of 19-11 following a rocky start without Banchero. His enthusiasm for the game remains high, and he’s ready to make up for lost time.