Headline Sports podcast Bruce Macgowan: Suns trade Durant to Rockets; Game 7 NBA Finals deciding game tonight; plus more news

Kevin Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks who joins the Phoenix Suns on Sun Jun 22, 2025 (AP News photo)

Headline Sports podcast Bruce Macgowan:

#1 Kevin Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks. Who got the best end of this trade the Rockets or the Phoenix Suns.

#2 NBA Finals Sunday night game 7 Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder will to Shai Gilegous-Alexander and for the Pacers Tyrese Haliburton.

#3 The Sacramento A’s owner John Fisher is selling his MLS soccer team the San Jose Earthquakes to get the difference to pay for his Vegas stadium and yet their holding a ground breaking on Monday morning at 7:30AM PDT. Can Fisher get a deal done and get the money to pay for the construction costs.

#4 The Las Vegas Aces said they ran out of space and media credentials due to the Indiana Fever and superstar Caitlin Clark who sells out houses everywhere she goes. Clark has been playing in front of sold out arenas and the price of a ticket goes up when the Fever are in town.

Bruce Macgowan is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast Jessica Kwong: Pistons and Timberwolves suspend a total of five players over Sunday brawl; Suns Durant expected to be out a week due to ankle injury; Plus more NBA news

Detroit Pistons forward Ronald Holland (00) and the Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DeVincenzo (0) fight in the first half at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Sun Mar 30, 2025. Both Holland and DiVincenzo along with three other players have been suspended by the NBA for fighting as announced on Tue Apr 1, 2025. (AP News photo)

Headline Sports podcast Jessica Kwong:

#1 As a consequence of Sunday’s brawl between the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves resulted in suspensions three for Detroit and two for Minnesota the NBA announced on Tuesday. The Pistons center Isaiah Stewart was suspended two games, teammates Marcus Sasser and Ron Holland II was suspended a game each. Minnesota’s Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid were suspended one game.

#2  The Phoenix Suns Kevin Durant sprained his ankle against the Houston Rockets on Sunday and is not expected back during the current three game road swing. The Suns began their trip on Tuesday in Miwaukee, Friday in Boston, and on Sunday against New York to close out the road trip. Durant is expected to miss a week.

#3 If things weren’t tough enough for the New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williams and guard CJ McCollum will be out for the rest of the season. Williamson has a lower back injury that he suffered on Mar 19th against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Williamson will now play less than 30 games or fewer this being the fourth time in the last six years. McCollum was injured on Mar 23. McCollum scored 40 points when he got injured and will go through a rehab program of treatment and rest said the Pelicans.

#4 The Boston Celtics set a franchise record going 6-0 on Monday with a 117-103 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. The Celtics have now won eight in a row overall and are 32-7 and are just two wins away from Golden State’s NBA record. The Celtics had that win streak record snapped getting clobbered Wednesday night 124-103.

#5 The Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 27 points, 12 assists, in 27 minutes. The Thunder defeated the Chicago Bulls 145-117 on Monday night for their tenth win in a row. The Thunder are having a great season with a overall record of an impressive 63-12.

Jessica Kwong does Headline Sports podcasts every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: What really went on with Spurs Paul and Suns Durant jawing match; Coach Poppovich not expected to return this season for Spurs; plus more news

Kevin Durant (35) of the Phoenix Suns and Chris Paul (3) of the San Antonio Spurs get into a jawing match during their Thu Feb 20, 2025 contest at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio (Getty photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie, tell us a little more about what went on when the Phoenix Suns primarily mild mannered Kevin Durant went up and gave an earful to the San Antonio Spurs Chris Paul. Also Paul pulled teammate De’Aaron Fox to get between them during the exchange. Was Paul getting a little physical or was it just frustrations coming out in last Thursday’s game?

#2 Gregg Popovich is not expected to return as head coach for the for the rest of this season. Popovich after suffering from a mile stroke in November. Things got even more difficult for the Spurs with 21 year old Vic Wembanyama out for the rest of the season suffering from blood clots in his right shoulder.

#3 The Sacramento Kings try as hard as they can just couldn’t get past the Golden State Warriors at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Friday night they were defeated 132-106. It was a game where the Kings just couldn’t shut down Moses Moody and former King Buddy Hield each scoring 22 points.

#4 Spring training has begun and the Sacramento A’s were clobbered in their first Cactus League game at Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria Arizona 10-3 on Saturday. The A’s scoring for the day saw Tyler Soderstrom in the top of the first with a base hit RBI scoring Lawrence Butler. Later in the game Butler hit a 423 foot sixth inning solo shot to right center. In the seventh Daniel Susac hit a sacrifice fly to center scoring Drew Avans.

#5 Some big questions were raised if baseball is dying? The answer was due to declining TV viewership and attendance. Charlie would you also chalk up in addition MLB’s rule changes and the robo umpire that’s coming and now you have two teams the A’s and Rays playing in minor league parks as reasons that fans are turning off the game?

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors podcast David Zizmor: Why Kevin Durant declined coming back to Golden State

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) said he didn’t want to leave the Suns in the middle of the season to play at Golden State and was happy to be the Suns when the opportunity came up for Durant to return to Golden State. (AP News photo)

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 There was so much talk about why Kevin Durant didn’t want to return to Golden State, there was talk that he didn’t want to have to deal with Draymond Green again or as head coach Steve Kerr said that there was talk that Durant just jumped on the bandwagon when he had signed on as a free agent in 2016.

#2 With Green, Durant and Stephen Curry getting a little older if Durant had returned would age have made a difference or would the Warriors have improved their chances to get a shot at the finals again?

#3 Second half of the season gets underway on Friday night how do you see Jimmy Butler in this line up making a difference and giving Golden State a shot at making the post season.

David Zizmor does the Warriors podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Butler dealt to Golden State from Miami; Durant doesn’t want to come back to Warriors

Newest Golden State Warriors and former Miami Heat Jimmy Butler comes over to San Francisco in exchange for Andrew Wiggins and Kyle Anderson who joins the Miami Heat a deal made on Wed Feb 5, 2025 (ESPN still photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Miami Heat traded Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors. Butler was not happy in Miami and did not get along with Pat Riley team president. Former Golden State Warrior Kevin Durant said he did not want to be traded to Golden State as his current team the Phoenix Suns are searching for a landing place for Durant.

One of the deals was to have Durant come to the Warriors and Butler would go to the Phoenix Suns. The deal now has Butler signing a $111 million two year deal that runs through 2026-27. Butler has declined the player option of $52 million.

The Warriors have sent Andrew Wiggins and Kyle Anderson to Miami that includes a top 10 protected 2025 first round draft pick. Dennis Schroder was traded to the Utah Jazz. The Jazz will now send former Miami forward PJ Tucker back to Miami. Tucker played for the Heat in 2021-22.

Guard Lindy Waters III will go to the Detroit Pistons leaving Golden State and Josh Richardson will go from Miami to the Pistons. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr informed the team of the trades before their game in Utah on Wednesday night.

Wiggins who got dealt to Miami was the team leading scorer with an average of 17.6 points. Wiggins was noted for being one of the best guards on the Warriors who defended both guards and forward and had the ability to play top level offense.

Wiggins was informed of the trade after taking warm ups before the game in Utah and shook hands with security guard, an assistant coach and two Warrior players before packing up his items at his locker in preparation for the trip to join the Heat.

Jerry Feitelberg is an NBA analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Hawks fined $100,000 for benching Young; Bucks Giannis sits out due to knee injury Tuesday; plus more news

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) drives on the Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Tue Nov 26, 2024 (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong:

#1 Jessica, the Atlanta Hawks deliberately benched Trae Young to keep him out of the NBA Cup Game on Nov 12th. The Hawks were fined $100,000 for benching Young. The Hawks claimed that Young was suffering from  tendinitis in his right Achilles. The NBA sited that the Hawks were in violation of the player participation policy. The league said that unless a team seeks approved reason to bench a star player and demonstrate that they would end up being investigated and disciplined.

#2 The Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out Tuesday’s game against the Miami Heat due to a swelled up left knee. Antetokounmpo had been a question mark leading up to Tuesday’s game but after taking pre game warm ups it was decided he would sit this one out. The Bucks still won the game 106-103.

#3 The Houston Rockets have improved immensely thanks to the help from Alperen Sengun who tallied 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists and picking up his third triple double for the season. The Rockets got a 117-111 win in overtime over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Rockets picked another win this time over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night 122-115.

#4 The Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James and the Phoenix Suns Kevin Durant are ageless as both were trading off dunks in their game on Tuesday night in a game the Lakers lost their third straight game. 127-100. Durant scored 23 and LeBron finished with 18. Although neither were the leading scorer that presence that both players bring give their teammates that much more confidence.

#5 Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Lindsey Harding has put in the hard work to get where she is today. Lindsey started out in the WNBA, played in Turkey and Russia, she was a scout for the Philadelphia 76ers, she was an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings 2022-23, then became a head coach for the G League Stockton Kings 2023-24 and won the coach of the year award and now is an assistant coach at the Lakers. She is one of six female NBA assistant coaches. She’s climbing the ladder and someday will become a NBA head coach.

Join Jessica for Headline Sports every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Yankees say ex-teammate Severino was afraid to play them in June; Team USA bounces back after loss to WNBA All Stars; plus more news

New York Mets Luis Severino responded to his old New York Yankee teammates group text saying he was afraid to face them last month in June. Severino replied he wasn’t afraid and that the Yankees only have two good hitters. (AP News file photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 New York Mets Luis Severino said that the New York Yankees have only two good hitters and did not face his former team in June when the Mets faced the Yankees in a two game series at Citi Field in Queens. In a group text with Yankee players that said that Severino was afraid of them. Severino came back and said, “I’m not afraid of you. You guys only have two good hitters .

#2 After taking a loss to the WNBA All Star team at the WNBA All Star break last week Team USA came back and defeated Germany quite handedly 84-57 in US women’s Olympic basketball in London. Germany and Team USA will face off again on Aug 4th in Paris.

#3 The San Francisco 49ers fully intend to sign wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. 49ers general manager John Lynch said he intends to keep Aiyuk. Aiyuk formally requested a trade from the 49ers last week the 49ers are steadfast as Aiyuk is under contract for one more season and hope to get him an extension soon or at least the first pre season game.

#4 LeBron James helped Team USA with a win over Germany 92-88 on Monday night at age 39. He finished with 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists. LeBron said that they have a group of guys, Joel Embiid, Stephen Curry, and when Kevin Durant returns.

#5 Team USA Women’s gets the win over Germany but still does their loss to the WNBA All Stars say they prove that leaving out Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark could have been a bad decision by the coaching staff or was there pressure from the veterans to keep them off because of their rookie status?

Join Jessica every other Wednesday for Headline Sports podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

East Wins 2024 All-Star Game 211-186 In An Unforgettable Evening

NBA West All Star guard Devin Booker (1) representing the Phoenix Suns prepares to throw down against the NBA East All Stars at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis at the 2024 All Star Game on Feb 18, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

This weekend, the basketball world gathered in Indianapolis to enjoy the 73rd NBA All-Star game at the home of the Indiana Pacers the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. This yearly event had even more to offer fans as we all witnessed the first-ever NBA vs WNBA 3-point challenge which featured Golden State Warrior’s Stephen Curry and the New York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu.

This was a landmark event that went miles for not only the young boys but the young girls watching. What a great moment for all of them driving home the fact that boys and girls can live out their dreams. Nothing is impossible.

Curry barely edged Ionescu in this wild event winning with a vintage performance. He caught fire just in the nick of time winning the challenge 29-26. Had Ionescu not slowed down at the end of her round it could have been an entirely different outcome.

This was a powerful and fun event that is sure to continue for years to come. State Farm made a donation for each shot drained to the NBA Foundation to support economic empowerment in the Black community. This was just one of the many highlights at this year’s All-Star event.

It was then on to the major event. This of course was a who’s-who from the 2024 rosters but we saw some superstars in the booth as well from Draymond Green to Candace Parker.

It was an incredible star-studded event from the players to the celebrities in attendance to the artists who performed the National Anthems of the United States and Canada. Baby Face delivered a beautiful rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner and Charlotte Cardin was flawless performing the Canadian national anthem.

All Star game recap: It was then on to the game as the greatest players in the NBA took the court; the West captained by 20-year all-star Los Angeles Laker LeBron James and the East’s Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo looking to push the East past the West in this game. This game was especially memorable for Indiana Pacer Tyrese Haliburton playing in his very first All-Star game.

The East took the opening quarter 53-47. Tyrese Haliburton had an impressive quarter being the only player on the floor shooting in double digits with 15 points. He was sure giving home town fans a real show.

The East continued to extend their lead in the second quarter. The West has won the last five of six but it was the East who won last year’s game 184-175 which was played in Salt Lake City. Prior to that game it has been all Lebron and team.

After leading by six points after the first 12 minutes of play, the East took a 104-89 lead into the locker room at the half. They had more than doubled their first quarter lead.

At halftime Damien Lillard had scored the high for both teams with 22 points. Haliburton finished the first half with 18. The West had some work to do in the second half and Curry who finished the first half with 12 points and Kevin Durant also with 12 points were just the ticket to push the West to a win.

One thing that was apparent was the fun that all of these guys were having. While they were competitive with the win and the MVP at stake they were having a great time putting on an amazing show for everyone present.

The first half were two quarters to remember with play that words cannot even begin to describe and it only got better with an amazing halftime show featuring the incomparable award-winning Jennifer Hudson. It was truly a performance not to be missed.

The third quarter saw the East start to pile on more points. After three quarters they were in the driver’s seat 160-136. It also became apparent that Damian Lillard had his focus on the MVP award with some brilliant play and 33 points to his credit through three.

He also had hit nine three’s. He sure seemed to be on a mission looking to add to his hardware after winning the 3-point contest. He was being challenged in the second half of play by Jaylen Brown also with 33 points.

The fourth quarter was a close one with one point separating the two teams. The East had built an almost unreachable lead. The final was 211-186 in favor of the East a record breaking score. To close out the evening the Kobe Bryant MVP award was presented and it went to the amazing Lillard. “It’s an honor playing against the games best,” he said beaming as he accepted the award.

Now it’s back to business for all of these guys as they settle back into the second half of the season leaving fans with memories to last a lifetime.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Durant says his number 35 should be retired; How big of a mistake was it to let Durant get away?

Former Golden State Warrior Kevin Durant says his No. 35 jersey should be retired and hoisted in the rafters at Chase Center after what he did for the team in his short three years in San Francisco. (SF Gate file photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

#1 Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob said that no other player will ever wear No.35 again after Kevin Durant left Golden State for the New Jersey Nets in Nov 2019.

#2 Durant agreed with Lacob and said his No.35 should be retired. Durant was part of the Warriors for three seasons but was the key player on the team during those seasons and was part of back to back World Championships for Golden State.

#3 You might remember the bench argument between Kevin Durant and Draymond Green. The argument went from the bench and spilled over into the locker room back on Nov 18, 2018. Green yelled at Durant to sign his contract or get off the team on the Warriors bench. Durant’s contract was going to expire after the 2018-19 season. Some fans at the time thought that should be the last straw for Green and the Warriors should have traded him for such a high profile outburst and at Durant the team’s star player. It was Durant who later left for New Jersey.

#4 Durant had 18 points for the Phoenix Suns against his old Golden State teammates Tuesday night at Chase Center in San Francisco. Durant played a key part in the Suns 108-104 defeat over the Warriors.

#5 Jerry, it’s Mike Brown and the Sacramento Kings hosting the Warriors at Golden 1 Credit Union Arena in Sacramento on Fri Oct 27th. The Kings battled Golden State last season in the playoffs but were eliminated by Golden State. How do you see these two teams on Tuesday night matching up?

Join Jerry for the Warriors podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Francona feels ready and healthy for 2023; Jays Schneider saves woman from choking to death; plus more news

Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona makes a pitching change during the team’s baseball game against the Houston Astros, Aug. 4, 2022, in Cleveland. Francona says he feels much better going into a season than he did in 2020 and 2021. (AP News file photo)

On That’s Amaruy News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Cleveland Guardians manager Tito Francona is heading into his 11th season and has his health issues behind him he had the toe and hip surgeries in 2021 and he had the blood clot and gas issues in 2020 and Francona says he’s not hanging it up anytime soon.

#2 Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider’s sixth grade education on the Heimlich maneuver was a life saver last Saturday when Schneider was taking a lunchbreak with his wife Dunedin Florida when a woman at another table started choking the others at the woman’s table didn’t know what to do that’s when Schneider stepped in and performed the maneuver and saved her life. She had been choking on a shrimp.

#3 New York Yankees star Aaron Judge has it all going for him the $360 million contract, the 62 home runs, the team captaincy any pressure for Judge to keep it going for the 2023 season.

#4 As announced by the Toronto Blue Jays their on air broadcasters will do all their road games from a studio as mock up baseball they won’t need to hit two sticks together to make the ball hitting the bat sound but Blue Jays announcer Jerry Howarth said he was “very disappointed” by the decision.

#5 Turning to the NBA Amuary, there is talk about NBA players changing teams like players changing uniforms. If a player doesn’t like where he’s at he just simply gets a trade such as the case as the Brooklyn Nets shipping Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns, Patrick Beverly signed with the Chicago Bulls and Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaruy’s News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com