Basketball Intelligence For 6/28/25

The day's best news and reporting.

THE BASKETBALL INTELLIGENCE NETWORK

WNBA

Game 15 wrap: Valkyries pull away late to put away Chicago Sky; Thornton career-high 29; Chen and Martin in double digits and close game
Eric Apricot, Valkyrie Nation

Storm Cruise to 97-81 Win Over the Sun
Jeff Brown, Storm Chaser WNBA Journal

Portland WNBA hires Nike executive Clare Hamill as interim president after firing Inky Son: Source
Ben Pickman, The Athletic

Paige Bueckers commends how Caitlin Clark handles ‘inhumane’ pressure amid her 3-point shooting slump
Lauren Merola, The Athletic

WNBA All-Star 2025 starters predictions: Clark, Collier, more
Kendra Andrews/Michael Voepel, ESPN

TEAM NEWS

BOS: ‘We got lucky:’ Celtics’ lead international scout details pursuit of first-round pick Hugo González
Adam Himmelsbach, The Boston Globe

CHA: How Kon Knueppel plans to help change national narrative about Charlotte Hornets
Roderick Boone, The Charlotte Observer

CHI: Noa Essengue first look
Stephen Noh, Noh’s Notebook

CLE: Why the Cavs drafted Tyrese Proctor and what it means for Ty Jerome and Sam Merrill
Chris Fedor, Cleveland.com

DAL: Cooper Flagg at point guard? A possibility for a ‘sponge’ on a veteran Mavs roster
Christian Clark, The Athletic

GSW: Warriors shockingly gift Kings the ideal center after perplexing trade move
Peter O’Keefe, Blue Man Hoop

GSW: Defensive Versatility a Focal Point of Warriors' 2025 Draft Class
Kalyb Champion, NBA.com

GSW: Jonathan Kuminga wants the chance to chase stardom. Will it be with the Warriors?
Anthony Slater, The Athletic

But Stephen Curry’s hamstring injury changed the landscape and exposed the offensive shortcomings around the star guard. The Warriors had a desperate need for higher level creation, scoring and general offensive talent in the second round. Kuminga busted through the door with 18, 30, 23 and 26 points on 55 percent shooting the last four games against an active group of Minnesota Timberwolves defenders who struggled to stay in front of him or keep him off the free-throw line (25 attempts).

HOU: kevin durant, add to cart
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IND: Pacers add Kam Jones, Taelon Peter in second round of 2025 NBA Draft
Scott Agness, Fieldhouse Files With Scott Agness

MIA: Heat unquestionably got the steal of the draft — and it is not close
Will Eudy, All U Can Heat

MIA: Heat continues to show belief in Kel’el Ware’s potential: ‘We see signs of greatness’
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald

ORL: Orlando Magic's rookies are ready to compete, ready to win
Philip Rossman-Reich, World R Squared

PHI: 76ers land the steal of the offseason before free agency even begins
Jacob Moreno, The Sixers Sense

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