Latest news with #BayArea
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
WNBA Issues Statement on Caitlin Clark, Kate Martin Before Fever-Valkyries Game
WNBA Issues Statement on Caitlin Clark, Kate Martin Before Fever-Valkyries Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports. There are two games on the docket in the WNBA for Thursday night, and there's a lot of attention on the late tip-off from the Bay Area. Advertisement The Golden State Valkyries get to host the Indiana Fever at 10 p.m. ET from Chase Center. All eyes are on Caitlin Clark as she looks to lead Indiana to its third straight win since returning from a three-week injury layoff. One of the biggest storylines in the matchup is Clark's reunion with former Iowa teammate Kate Martin, whom she played alongside for four seasons during their time with the Hawkeyes. Even the WNBA had to jump on the hype train, as they issued a statement on the two former Iowa stars ahead of their highly anticipated matchup. "From Iowa to the W 💪Kate Martin and Caitlin Clark meet for the first time in Year 2 as the Fever take on the Valkyries," the league posted on Instagram. Advertisement View the original article to see embedded media. Martin hasn't exactly been the Valkyries' cornerstone superstar, but she's been able to contribute off the bench. In 10 games played this season, the 6-foot guard has averaged 5.6 points and 2.5 rebounds in 15.6 minutes per contest. It has been a much different story for Clark, though, who has further elevated her game in Year 2. The reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year missed five straight games earlier this season due to a lingering quad injury, but she has since been making up for lost time. Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark and teammate Kate Martin celebrate after defeating the Indiana Watson / IndyStar / USA TODAY Network Clark, who's averaging 21.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 3.7 triples per game, will be the driving force for Indiana on Thursday night as they look to improve on their 6-5 record. Advertisement Related: WNBA Makes Caitlin Clark Announcement After Fever-Sun Game Related: Valkyries Reveal Incredible News Before Caitlin Clark, Fever Game Related: Fever Coach Stephanie White Reveals Concerning Update on Tuesday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Warriors Predicted to Go International in NBA Draft to Address Key Need
Warriors Predicted to Go International in NBA Draft to Address Key Need originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Golden State Warriors have a few pivotal roster holes that need to be filled before entering into next season. The NBA Draft will provide them with an excellent opportunity to address at least one of those needs. Advertisement The Warriors will not have a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. That was handed over to the Miami Heat as a part of the trade that brought Jimmy Butler to the Bay Area. Their draft fortunes will be heavily tied to what they do with their lone selection at 41st overall. There are certainly a number of avenues for them to explore. May 4, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates with forward Draymond Green (23) after a play during game seven of the first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center.© Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Many have prognoses the Warriors to use pick number 41 to address the backup point guard position. A reliable presence off the bench would certainly help Golden State's offense next season. However, another standout need for the Warriors is the frontcourt. Running Draymond Green as the starting center moving forward will quickly wear out the aging star. Advertisement ESPN's most recent mock draft projected the Warriors to ensure that does not happen. ESPN had Golden State selecting Rocco Zikarsky out of the NBL with the 41st overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Zikarsky was once thought of as a potential lottery pick in the early-goings of the draft process for this season. However, an uneventful season, apart from injuries, led to his stock plummeting with the draft date in sight. Zikarsky played 20 games this past season. The Australian big man averaged 4.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 12.1 minutes per game. This potential selection would represent a gamble on the upside that was originally thought to be there with the 7-foot-4-inch giant. Not only that, but the Warriors would be counting on the injury problems to not persist. Advertisement It would ultimately be a high risk, high reward move for Golden State. Related: Warriors Projected to Make 'Bold' 2025 NBA Draft Decision Related: Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga Named 'Fallback Option' For Kevin Durant Suitor This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rising East Team Named Best Fit For Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga
Rising East Team Named Best Fit For Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The story of what happens with Jonathan Kuminga this offseason is one of the most intriguing in the Bay Area. Kuminga's future with the Golden State Warriors is as murky of a situation as one would imagine. Advertisement With Kuminga set to hit restricted free agency, many are prognosing the former 2021 lottery pick has played his last game with the Warriors. After a rollercoaster of a 2024-25 season, that should come as a surprise to no one. If Kuminga does not end up back in Golden State, there is one place that stands out as a natural suitor for the young and athletic free agent. At least, that was the case for Bobby Marks. Golden State Warriors wing Jonathan Kuminga.© David Gonzales-Imagn Images The ESPN writer recently published an article discussing the top free agents in the class and discussing what could happen with them this summer. Marks did have the Warriors as one of the two 'best fits' for Kuminga this offseason. The other team listed was the Brooklyn Nets. Advertisement "Projecting a new contract for Kuminga is like trying to master the Rubik's Cube," Marks joked. "As for his next contract, the only thing guaranteed is that Golden State will tender the forward a $7.9 million qualifying offer before June 29." Marks noted that the deal he would offer the Warriors forward during the summer would be a three-year, $81 million contract. The final season of that deal would include a player option. "A contract that starts at $25 million gives Golden State the flexibility to fill out its roster and remain below the second apron," Marks added. If the Warriors do not bring him back, the Nets could certainly throw a deal at Kuminga that would be worth his time, given their cap space. However, it would not be surprising to see the Nets facilitate a deal to a third team as well. Advertisement Related: Warriors Projected to Make 'Bold' 2025 NBA Draft Decision Related: Warriors Predicted to Go International in NBA Draft to Address Key Need This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Valkyries' Move Before Fever Game Fuels Speculation
Valkyries' Move Before Fever Game Fuels Speculation originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Indiana Fever are headed to the Bay Area to take on the Golden State Valkyries in their first ever WNBA matchup on Thursday. Advertisement Before the matchup with Caitlin Clark and the Fever, the Valkyries raised some eyebrows by signing guard Bree Hall to help replace their six players at EuroBasket 2025. Hall will be available to play against Indiana on Thursday, the team that chose her with the No. 20 overall pick in this year's draft out of South Carolina. She attended training camp with the Fever but did not make the final roster. Despite the immediate possibility of a revenge game, Fever fans found a silver lining in the Valkyries' decision to sign Hall. Former Indiana Fever guard Aari McDonald (2) and Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase (right).Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK; Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Golden State became the latest team to pass up on free agent guard Aari McDonald, who recently impressed with the Fever while Clark missed five games with a quad injury. Advertisement However, she had to be released as soon as Clark and Sophie Cunningham returned from injury and restored Indiana to the 10-player minimum. McDonald immediately became a free agent, allowed to sign with any team besides the Fever before completing a 10-day waiver period. With the Valkyries filling out their roster, the Los Angeles Sparks signing Grace Berger to a hardship contract and no moves from the Chicago Sky — who need a point guard after Courtney Vandersloot's season-ending injury — fans are starting to think McDonald is holding out for a Fever return. "Yeah Aari is definitely ours no way you sign Bree Hall before her," said a Fever fan on X. Advertisement "Aari is ours.. there's no way they signing Bree ahead of her," echoed another. "Aari welcome back in a couple days," wrote one user. "Another day passes by and Aari McDonald has stayed SOLID," said a hopeful fan on Wednesday. "4 more to go." McDonald, 26, averaged 11.0 points, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals in 25.3 minutes while helping the Fever to a 2-1 record in the three games she played. The initial 10-day waiting period is not the only obstacle to Indiana getting her back. Assuming there is not another injury crisis, they would have to free up one more roster spot by releasing or trading a player in order to sign McDonald. Advertisement It would not be an easy decision, but it is one the Fever could only make if another team does not snap up McDonald first. After the Valkyries' latest move, that looks more likely. Related: Caitlin Clark's Teammate Had No Words After Being Released By Indiana Fever Related: Valkyries Coach Sends Strong Message on Kate Martin This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
BBQ Restaurant Chain 'Abruptly' Closes All But One Location
A popular BBQ chain only has one remaining location after shutting down three outposts "abruptly" on Tuesday. The restaurant business can be fickle, and while there were still reportedly nearly 750,000 in operation around the country as of 2023 and thousands more have opened since then, a significant number of places have also closed during that time. Armadillo Willy's, which debuted in 1983 and became a chain throughout the Bay Area, closed three of its locations on Tuesday night, according to the Mercury News. The restaurants were in Santa Clara, San Jose and Sunnyvale, which means the San Mateo location is the only one still in operation. Armadillo Willy's previously closed up shop in Dublin and Los Altos earlier this year. Vice president and COO Matt Granville confirmed the shuttering of the three restaurants in an email to the Mercury News. The original Armadillo Willy's was located in Cupertino. The brainchild of founder John Berwald and his team, the restaurant was inspired by various Texas BBQ haunts Berwald and company visited during a trip to the Lone Star State. "After more than 40 years we have never given up trying to equal the standards of those great Texas legends. We have heard from many of our guests , including Texans, that we have done a damn good job of that!" says the chain's official website. Known for its BBQ by the pound and portion catering menu, including its 18-hour smoked brisket, Armadillo Willy's serves classic Texas-style fare in-house, including ribs, chicken, BBQ sandwiches and sausage with all the fixings available on the side. BBQ Restaurant Chain 'Abruptly' Closes All But One Location first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 18, 2025
