NBA Investigates Clippers; Anisimova Upsets Swiatek at U.S. Open

The NBA has announced an investigation into allegations that the Los Angeles Clippers may have circumvented salary cap regulations through a $28 million endorsement deal involving star player Kawhi Leonard. This inquiry follows a report by journalist Pablo Torre, which pointed to potential links between the Clippers and Aspiration Fund Adviser, LLC, a sustainability services company that recently filed for bankruptcy. Among its creditors, Aspiration listed the Clippers, owed approximately $30 million, as well as KL2 Aspire LLC, which is owed $7 million. Leonard is identified as the manager of KL2 Aspire in California documentation.

In a notable shift on the court, Amanda Anisimova secured a stunning upset against Iga Swiatek at the U.S. Open, winning 6-4, 6-3 in the quarterfinals. This victory is particularly significant as it comes less than two months after Anisimova suffered a demoralizing 6-0, 6-0 defeat to Swiatek in the Wimbledon final. The 24-year-old from New Jersey demonstrated remarkable skill and composure during the match, marking her third appearance in a major semifinal and her first at Flushing Meadows.

The NBA is also reportedly moving towards a new format for the upcoming All-Star Game, with plans for teams composed of both U.S. and international players. According to a source familiar with the discussions, the league is considering a setup featuring two eight-player teams from the U.S. and one team of international players competing in a round-robin tournament. Approximately 70% of NBA players are American, with the remaining 30% representing various countries.

In women’s basketball, Angel Reese has expressed her frustrations regarding the Chicago Sky’s challenging season. With the team struggling at 10-30, Reese indicated she might need to consider her future with the franchise if performance does not improve. The Sky’s recent victory over Connecticut was overshadowed by a record of just 3-15 since the All-Star break, with Reese missing several games due to back issues.

The U.S. Open continues to showcase top tennis talent, as Jannik Sinner advanced to the semifinals after defeating Lorenzo Musetti 6-1, 6-4, 6-2. This victory marks Sinner’s fifth consecutive Grand Slam semifinal, and he aims to maintain his momentum against Felix Auger-Aliassime, who reached the semifinals by defeating Alex de Minaur 4-6, 7-6 (7), 7-5, 7-6 (4).

In baseball, Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers is grappling with a lingering illness that has forced him to skip his scheduled pitching appearance against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Despite this, he managed to contribute with two hits in a 3-0 loss. Manager Dave Roberts has yet to determine when Ohtani will return to the mound, as the team faces challenges with a recent losing streak.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs witnessed rookie pitcher Cade Horton nearly achieve a no-hitter against the Atlanta Braves, but was removed from the game after just 75 pitches despite not allowing any hits through five innings. The Braves ultimately triumphed 5-1 after Horton’s exit.

In a significant move within the NFL, the Koch family has agreed to purchase a 10% stake in the New York Giants, valued at approximately $10 billion. This deal, pending approval from current owners, is notable given that it exceeds the $6.05 billion paid by Josh Harris’ group for the Washington Commanders in 2023.

Finally, Aaron Rodgers, the new quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, downplayed the narrative surrounding his upcoming game against the New York Jets. He expressed enthusiasm for his new role and confidence in the Steelers’ revamped offense, which now includes players like DK Metcalf and Jonnu Smith.