Phoenix Mercury guard Natasha Cloud took a shot at Elon Musk and other billionaires in posts on social media on Sunday after the passage of a stopgap funding bill to prevent a government shutdown.

Musk and President-elect Donald Trump led the conservative rebellion against the initial plan to avert a partial shutdown, a bipartisan deal that came from negotiations between the top two Democrats and Republicans in both congressional chambers.

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That bill, 1,547 pages, would have extended current government funding levels until March 14. However, GOP hardliners were angered by what they saw as unrelated measures attached to the bill, like a pay raise for congressional lawmakers, health care policy provisions and legislation aimed at revitalizing RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. 

It was scrapped as Trump and Musk threatened to force out of office any lawmaker who did not support pairing a CR with action on the debt limit.

It caused a huge controversy in the political arena hours before the House eventually passed the bill.

Cloud weighed in days later.

CAITLIN CLARK BACKLASH TO WHITE PRIVILEGE REMARKS PROVES THERE'S 'ISSUES WITH RACE' IN US, WNBA GREAT SAYS

"So when y’all gone tell Elon to go back to Africa?" Cloud wrote on X.

"Im so glad ALL these billionaires have no idea how the 3 branches of government work….or how a bill gets passed into law. Shoutout to the 38 Republicans who shot the bill down in the House while being threatened & blackmailed."

All Democrats voted in favor of the bill, except Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, who voted "present."

Cloud has been outspoken about the U.S. in the past. After Trump won the election, she took a swipe at women who voted for the Republican candidate.

"The privilege of celebrating rn is exactly what’s wrong with us as people," she added. "I am truly worried about my fundamental human rights.

"Racism, misogyny, and hatred of women are so deeply rooted into everything that is America. Until we fix the roots…it will never grow."

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A pair of NBA opponents were ejected Thursday night after an altercation.

After the Detroit Pistons got a bucket in the third quarter, Paul Reed bumped into Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz.

Clarkson had some words for Reed, who nudged him out of the way in an effort to get back on defense.

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But Reed's teammate, Ron Holland II, took exception and stepped up to Clarkson. Clarkson pushed Holland, and the two squared up but were separated before either could throw punches.

However, that did not stop referees from ejecting them both from the game.

LEBRON JAMES OFFERS THEORY FOR DECLINING NBA RATINGS: 'WE GOTTA DO SOMETHING'

The Pistons attempted to fight back after trailing by as many as 29 points. They made it a five-point game late in the fourth, but Utah pulled away to take home a 126-119 win.

Collin Sexton scored 30 points and Lauri Markkanen had 27 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Jazz to the victory. For Utah, it was just their sixth victory in 26 games this season. Detroit fell to 11-17.

NBA ratings have declined by roughly 25% from last year.

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Two NBA fans did their part to boost the league’s declining ratings. 

During the New York Knicks’ blowout win over the Minnesota Timberwolves Thursday night, two women were tackled to the ground by security after they ran onto the court. 

The bizarre incident happened with just under three minutes remaining in the second quarter and was captured by the TNT broadcast. 

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Video shows the women running down from the stands. 

One is captured before barely stepping foot on the court, while the other made it to the middle of the court before being taken down. The latter was carried off the court by several security guards. 

One image shared on social media showed Karl-Anthony Towns, who dropped 32 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in his return to Minnesota, staring one of the women down as he stood over her. 

CELTICS HEAD COACH ADMITS HE'D 'RATHER WATCH SOMETHING ELSE' AS NBA RATINGS DECLINE

It wasn’t immediately clear what prompted the women to storm the court, but the incident happened as the league deals with declining viewer ratings.

Ratings for NBA games on ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBA TV were down 25% through Saturday, according to Sports Media Watch. 

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla even recently admitted he would "rather watch something else" when asked about the ratings decline.

Mazzulla played his part in Thursday night’s entertainment when, in Chicago, he launched into an angry tirade directed at referees. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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Trinity Rodman, the daughter of five-time NBA champion Dennis Rodman, called out her father for the "joke" apology he posted on social media after an interview the soccer star gave earlier this week when she spoke out about their strained relationship. 

Appearing on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast, Trinity spoke openly about their relationship and said the NBA Hall of Famer has largely been absent from her life. 

"He’s not a dad. Maybe by blood, but nothing else," she said. 

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The interview prompted the former Chicago Bulls star to issue his own apology on social media, claiming that he’s previously been told not to attend her games and that Trinity had been told to ignore his repeated attempts to contact her. 

"Sorry I wasn’t the Dad you wanted me to be but either way I still tried and I still Try and Never will Stop. I will keep Trying even when you’re being told as an adult not to respond to my phone calls. I will try even when it’s difficult and if it takes a long time. 

"I’m always here And tell you all the time rather it’s your voice or voicemail how proud I am. I always had one wish and it was I wish my kids would call me and come see me. Hopefully one day I can get that. I’m here and I’m still trying pick up the phone you have my number, You see me calling, I’m still here."

DENNIS RODMAN OFFERS APOLOGY TO SOCCER STAR DAUGHTER AFTER SHE RIPS HIM ON PODCAST

Unsurprisingly, the public apology was not received well by the U.S. women’s national team star.

"A joke," she wrote to her Instagram story Thursday. "The response alone. And the attention. Wiping my hands with it and I’m done. Thank you." 

​​Trinity, who also plays for the Washington Spirit in the National Women's Soccer League, called her father an "extremely selfish human being" during the lengthy interview. 

"I think everything has always been about him. He's gone through s---, but at the same time, I'm like, he loves the spotlight. He loves the cameras. He loves bringing his children on stage and being like, ‘Oh, these are my kids.’ All that stuff and even the mind … the mind f---, but like, for me emotionally, he's put me through, like, oh my gosh."

Trinity’s mother, Michelle Moyer, divorced Dennis Rodman in 2012. In the podcast, she said her mother tried to shield her and her brother, DJ Rodman, who plays in the NBA's G League, from their father’s chaotic lifestyle growing up. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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It's no secret the NBA is facing an uphill battle.

The league's declining ratings have stretched far beyond just the first week and have continued as Christmas Day, normally an NBA spectacle, approaches.

Many reasons have been tossed around as to why ratings are down, but the common suggestion is that the regular season is becoming a lot like what the All-Star Game has been recently.

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In recent years, the midseason contest has become full of deep 3-pointers, uncontested dunks and almost zero defense. Now, we are seeing a record pace of 3-pointers made, missed and taken in general, all while a lack of defense has become apparent.

This year, the NBA All-Star Game will be a four-team tournament the league hopes will add some competitive juice.

LeBron James admitted "the last couple of years have not been a great All-Star Game," but he knows the NBA faces bigger issues, and the 3-pointer might be largely to blame.

CELTICS HEAD COACH ADMITS HE'D 'RATHER WATCH SOMETHING ELSE' AS NBA RATINGS DECLINE

"Listen, it's a bigger conversation. It's not just the All-Star Game, it's our game in general. Our game, there's a lot of f---ing threes being shot. So it's a bigger conversation than just the All-Star Game," James said Thursday.

James is averaging 5.7 3-pointers attempted per game; his career-high is eight from the 2021-22 season. He added that "something had to change" regarding the All-Star Game.

"I was not part of the committee. It's different, but I don't know. We'll see. We'll see when we get there. It's different. Obviously, any time you make some type of change, there's gonna be some [blowback]. I don't know. I have my ideas of what could possibly work, but I'm not gonna do that. We gotta do something."

Ratings for games on ESPN, ABC, TNT and NBA TV are down 25% from last year. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver recently pointed at a lack of cable TV in households as a contributing factor.

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If it looked as though Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla was irate with referees at the end of Thursday night’s loss to the Chicago Bulls, that would be incorrect to assume. At least, that is what Mazzulla would like people to think. 

Following the 117-108 loss, Mazzulla charged the court looking to have words with official Justin Van Duyne seemingly in reference to the back-to-back technicals the official gave him and Celtics forward Jaylen Brown in the fourth quarter. 

Several people had to hold Mazzulla back. He was eventually ushered off the court without incident. 

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During his postgame presser, Mazzulla said he received a technical for walking on the court – something he admitted he should not have done. However, when asked what "message" he was trying to deliver at the end of the game, Mazzulla had an interesting explanation. 

"I hadn’t seen them in a while, so just a ‘Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays,’" he said with a serious expression. 

"I wasn’t sure I was gonna see them before the holiday, and you just can’t let a moment go by where you wish someone the best to them and their families."

CELTICS HEAD COACH ADMITS HE'D 'RATHER WATCH SOMETHING ELSE' AS NBA RATINGS DECLINE

Brown, however, was not wishing anyone a happy holiday in his interactions with game officials. 

"I said to (Van Duyne), ‘You called a tech for no reason.’ He said, ‘If you say to it me again, I’m going to call another tech,’" Brown said, explaining that he approached Van Duyne to clarify what Mazzulla’s tech was for.   

"You can’t threaten guys with a technical foul, that’s not part of the game either. If you want to fine guys for gesturing and all that stuff – fine that. That’s some bulls---."

Mazzulla will have the chance to spread some more holiday cheer when the two teams meet again on Saturday. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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Fewer people are watching the NBA than in previous years, including some of the sport's top names.

Ratings for NBA games on ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBA TV are down 25% through Saturday, according to Sports Media Watch, and there are many ideas floating about why.

Three-pointer propensity and lack of defense are the two main bugaboos observers point to.

And it's become clear that players rest more often than they used to, and that the regular season has been watered down in recent years.

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Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla was asked about the declining ratings, and one would think the coach of the reigning champions would defend his game — but that was not the case.

"I add to that I don’t watch NBA games. I’m just as much of a problem as everyone else," Mazzulla admitted, adding he'd "rather watch something else.

"I don't like watching the games."

EX-NBA COACH RICK PITINO FLOATS IDEA TO HELP RATINGS

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver recently pointed to "the decline of cable" TV as a factor in the lower ratings.

"Our young audience isn’t subscribing to cable, and those fans aren’t finding our games," he said.

The league has attempted to rejuvenate the regular season by adding the NBA Cup, which ended this week with the Milwaukee Bucks victorious in Las Vegas. However, most fans don't take the NBA Cup seriously, despite the money at stake.

It should be noted that TV ratings for men's college basketball and the NHL are also down 21% and 28%, respectively, from last season. Women's college basketball is also down 38%, but former Iowa star Caitlin Clark also drew historic numbers that were bound to decline.

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Basketball Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman apologized to his daughter, Trinity, after the soccer player aired out some family issues on a podcast.

Trinity Rodman appeared on the "Call Me Daddy" podcast and called her father an "extremely selfish human being" as she dished about her strained relationship with him.

The former Chicago Bulls star wrote a message directed at Trinity in a post on Instagram.

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"Sorry I wasn’t the Dad you wanted me to be but either way I still tried and I still Try and Never will Stop," he wrote. "I will keep Trying even when you’re being told as an adult not to respond to my phone calls. I will try even when it’s difficult and if it takes a long time. I’m always here And tell you all the time rather it’s your voice or voicemail how proud I am. 

"I always had one wish and it was I wish my kids would call me and come see me. Hopefully one day I can get that. I’m here and I’m still trying pick up the phone you have my number, You see me calling, I’m still here."

He added that he watches her compete in the National Women’s Soccer League.

EX-NBA COACH RICK PITINO FLOATS IDEA TO HELP RATINGS

"FYI: I watch you play All the time actually flew in to watch you play and was told not to show up bc who I was with instead and me just wanting to support you," he added. "So I watched you from my hotel balcony just to make everybody happy. I love All My Kids."

Trinity Rodman spoke at length about the frustrating relationship she had with the former NBA player and expressed frustration about giving him sympathy.

"It's just hard because it's like even now I'm trying to be honest about it, and I'm still giving him sympathy, which is frustrating for me because, in reality, I think he's an extremely selfish human being," she said. 

"I think everything has always been about him. He's gone through s---, but at the same time, I'm like, he loves the spotlight. He loves the cameras. He loves bringing his children on stage and being like, ‘Oh, these are my kids.’ All that stuff and even the mind … the mind f---, but like, for me emotionally, he's put me through like, oh my gosh."

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It is no secret the NBA ratings have fallen on hard times.

Top stars like LeBron James and Kevin Durant are in the twilight of their future Hall of Fame careers, and budding young players like Anthony Edwards, Zion Williamson, Ja Morant have yet to truly capture the fervent attention of a broader basketball audience.

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Rick Pitino, the current St. John’s men’s basketball coach and former head coach of the Boston Celtics, offered his two cents on how to increase ratings.

"It has been reported that the NBA ratings are down 28% this year alone," he wrote in a post on X on Wednesday. "Suggestion, bring back hand checking and more physicality. The players are too strong, too quick, and have become amazing shooters."

Everyone and their mother seems to have an idea about why the game has not drawn as much interest as it once did. The increase in 3-point shooting, stars deciding against playing on back-to-back nights and fans’ interests elsewhere during the regular season have all been named as potential factors.

HORNETS APOLOGIZE FOR TAKING BACK VIDEO GAME CONSOLE AFTER GIVING IT TO YOUNG FAN DURING AN ‘ON-COURT SKIT’

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver seemed to agree with the latter.

"We’re almost at the inflection point where people are watching more programming on streaming than they are in traditional television," Silver told The Athletic. "And it’s a reason why for our new television deals, which will enter into next year, every game is going to be available on a streaming service. 

"And as we move to streaming service, putting aside how the actual game is played on the floor, it’s going to allow us from a production standpoint to do all kinds of things that you can’t do through traditional television. All kinds of new functionality, all kinds of new options and screens that are available.

"The vast majority of people consume us through media, not in person. So we have to pay a lot of attention."

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WNBA legend Sue Bird and former U.S. women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe weighed in on the backlash over Caitlin Clark’s remarks about White privilege in her interview with Time magazine.

The Indiana Fever star spoke about her supposed White privilege as she said the WNBA has been built on the backs of Black players.

"The more we can appreciate that, highlight that, talk about that and then continue to have brands and companies invest in those players that have made this league incredible, I think it’s very important," Clark said in the interview last week. "I have to continue to try to change that. The more we can elevate Black women, that’s going to be a beautiful thing."

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Clark’s reaction sparked a ton of backlash on social media.

Bird said on the latest episode of her podcast with Rapinoe, "A Touch More," that the anger around the White privilege comments proved something about her fans.

"Now this faction of her fanbase which we’ve discussed before that is now disgusted with her acknowledging is just showing they were never really here for basketball," Bird said. "… Which by the way just proves that there are issues with race in this country. Like, to me, that just proves it. And I think where I’ve landed is I’d almost want to pose some questions."

Bird then wondered whether there would have been any outrage about the incidents Clark was involved in during the course of her rookie season if she were Black.

"I personally think she deserves to be Time Athlete of the Year," Bird continued. "I think she earned that, and she’s like, yeah, ‘I’ve done enough to earn this,’ and I agree and also is acknowledging her White privilege and that is something that you know you’re talking about your experience, that’s something I’ve had to acknowledge in my experience. I’ve won the championships, I’ve done the things, and there’s this other part to it that I’m also going to acknowledge. 

"And that to me is just is the world we live in and to say it doesn’t exist is really saying you don’t live in the same world, or you’re not seeing the same things and that’s obviously the root of all the conversations that we see today, not just in women’s basketball, literally in our country period."

Bird added that, at the end of the day, her race did not score points.

CAITLIN CLARK'S JERSEY NUMBER TO BE RETIRED BY IOWA

Rapinoe took a shot at conservatives in her assessment.

"I think what Caitlin did in her quotes, or in the article, was speak explicitly about her White privilege, like and that is what is receiving so much criticism or backlash, and like that is the lesson," the former NWSL star said. "So, you know, for conservative media coming at her now that obviously they’re just showing their whole a--.

"If fans are upset about her saying that and just acknowledging what is true, I think that says a lot. But I think the more that you speak directly to it the clearer it becomes what your stance is, and then you can’t be used in that way. It doesn’t really leave your beliefs or your stance as a white player to any sort of interpretation. 

"You’re taking the space and owning the narrative yourself. I think another thing that I’m constantly trying to think of and be aware of, and I want other people to be aware of also, anytime there is a positive story in women’s sports, the area, the sort of quote unquote area is immediately flooded with divisive narratives.

"But for all of us to just be aware of that, that anytime there’s anything positive or any honestly just any news at all in women’s sports, it’s just like immediately flooded with insanity and really divisive narratives. And I think to that, like when we as athletes are being used, when is your narrative, when is your likes being used, when are the things that you’re saying being used.

"You know the sort of like ecosystem of people in women’s sports that really do care about whether it’s you know athletes, fans, owners, people that work with teams, whatever. Like when are you being used by this like, sort of meta narrative or these like divisive narratives and to be really smart about that."

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American soccer star Trinity Rodman spoke out against her father, former NBA champion Dennis Rodman, during an interview on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast this week. 

Trinity, who plays for the Washington Spirit of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), reflected on the strained relationship she has with her father, despite his efforts to help maintain a close public image. She insisted she finds it "frustrating" whenever she is doing interviews and is asked about her father, due to the "trauma" that she has held inside about him. 

"I think we never want to make him look bad, and that is at the cost of kind of holding in a lot and a lot of issues that we’ve gone through and just trauma per se," she said in the episode. "I just feel like I’ve been in a place of going through interviews where people are like, ‘Oh, was your dad there? What’s your dad feeling?’ and I feel like I try to make it obvious that I don’t know."

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Trinity says she is even frustrated with herself at times for giving sympathy to her father, especially when he tries to flaunt his children in public. 

"It's just hard because it's like even now I'm trying to be honest about it, and I'm still giving him sympathy, which is frustrating for me because in reality, I think he's an extremely selfish human being," she said. 

"I think everything has always been about him. He's gone through s---, but at the same time, I'm like, he loves the spotlight. He loves the cameras. He loves bringing his children on stage and being like, ‘Oh, these are my kids.’ All that stuff and even the mind… the mind f---, but like, for me emotionally, he's put me through like, oh my gosh."

JOEL EMBIID'S SINUS FRACTURE 'NOT NEARLY AS SEVERE' AS PREVIOUS FACIAL INJURIES

Trinity added that she doesn't have her father's number saved in her phone and that they will often go months without talking at all. But despite their long gaps in communicating, she claimed that he will still reach out to her to invite her to appear in a reality TV show alongside him. 

According to her, simply hearing his voice is "painful," and oftentimes when he calls her, he's drunk. 

At one point, Trinity said that her father attempted to call her from a different phone number that was based in Texas, then left her a voicemail that was too long for her to feel comfortable listening to. 

"He’s been trying to call me, and it’s a Texas number. Didn’t know he lived in Texas, so that’s news to me. So, I’m just thinking it’s spam risk, all this stuff and I’m like, ‘Okay. They’re just spam calls. Ignore them.’ I get those all the time, so I was ignoring it, and then I see voicemails from it, and then I look, and I hear it for a second. I was like, ‘F---,’ and I think I heard it for a second because I saw that the voicemail was 40 seconds long. I was like, ‘Nah. I’m not doing that,’ and it’s just like a hit or miss day for me. It’s like if I want to go through that or not, and I’m just like, ‘No," she said.

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The Charlotte Hornets may have misunderstood the purpose of the season of giving. 

The team came under fire this week after someone on social media claimed a young fan involved with an on-court skit during Monday night’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers was tricked out of receiving a new video game console.

Toward the end of the second quarter, the fan’s letter to Santa was read at the arena. In it, he asked for a PS5. In the video shared online, the team’s mascot can be seen handing over a bag containing the gift. 

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The elated fan walked off the court with his gift. But, behind the scenes, the team reportedly took the gift back. According to a post online, the PS5 was taken away, and the young fan was instead given a jersey. 

The post made its rounds on social media Tuesday, and the Hornets issued an apology. 

"During last night's game there was an on-court skit that missed the mark. The skit included bad decision making and poor communication. Simply put, we turned the ball over, and we apologize," the statement, via WCNC, said.  

JOEL EMBIID'S SINUS FRACTURE 'NOT NEARLY AS SEVERE' AS PREVIOUS FACIAL INJURIES

"We have reached out to the family and are committed to not only making it right but to exceeding expectations." 

The Hornets added that the fan will receive the video game console and a "VIP experience" at another game. 

"Our goal is and will remain to elevate the guest experience for every person that enters Spectrum Center and to show our fans how much we appreciate their relentless support." 

The next home game for the Hornets will be Monday, Dec. 23, when they host the Houston Rockets. 

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The Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team announced it will retire Caitlin Clark's jersey Feb. 2. 

Clark's No. 22, which she wears for the Indiana Fever, will hang from the rafters at Carver-Hawkeye Arena after a ceremony honoring the program's most accomplished player. 

Clark is expected to be in attendance, and the event will be broadcast on FOX. 

"I'm forever proud to be a Hawkeye, and Iowa holds a special place in my heart that is bigger than just basketball," Clark said in the announcement. 

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"It means the world to me to receive this honor and to celebrate it with my family, friends and alumni. It will be a great feeling to look up in the rafters and see my jersey alongside those that I've admired for so long."

In four seasons at Iowa, Clark broke the NCAA's all-time scoring record among both men's and women's players, leading the team to the NCAA championship game twice. She was also a consensus National Player of the Year as a junior and senior.

Iowa athletic director Beth Goetz and famed alumni Henry and Patricia Tippie praised Clark's contributions in a joint statement. 

WNBA STAR CAITLIN CLARK NAMED TIME ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AFTER HISTORIC SEASON: ‘JUST SCRATCHING THE SURFACE’

"Caitlin Clark has not only redefined excellence on the court but has also inspired countless young athletes to pursue their dreams with passion and determination," the statement said. 

"Her remarkable achievements have left an indelible mark on the University of Iowa and the world of women’s basketball. Retiring her number is a testament to her extraordinary contributions and a celebration of her legacy that will continue to inspire future generations. Hawkeye fans are eager to say thank you for so many incredible moments."

Clark was selected with the No. 1 pick in this year's WNBA Draft by the Fever after her Iowa career. 

As a WNBA rookie in 2024, Clark set records for the most points and 3-pointers by a rookie in league history, while also becoming the first rookie to record a triple-double, a feat she accomplished twice. Her 337 assists not only were the most by a rookie, they were the most by any player ever in a single season.

Clark's jersey retirement will come just two months after Time magazine named her the publication's Athlete of The Year. The decision prompted praise, but also criticism from some, including Washington Mystics owner Sheila Johnson, who recently wondered in a CNN interview why Clark was chosen for the honor and not the entire WNBA. Johnson suggested it had to do with Clark's race. 

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This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Latvian basketball star Janis Timma, who briefly played in the NBA Summer League with the Orlando Magic, has died, the team said in a statement. He was 32.

Timma died by suicide in Moscow, according to multiple reports.

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"We are saddened to learn of the tragic death of Janis Timma, who was a member of Orlando’s Summer League team in 2021 and spent time with Lakeland (now Osceola) of the NBA G League in 2021-2022," the Magic said in a statement posted on X.

"Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and all that were close to him."

Timma primarily played in Latvia before he was selected in the second round of the NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2013. He also played in Russia, Greece, Puerto Rico, Turkey and Spain.

Timma never got to appear in a regular-season NBA game. The Grizzlies traded him to the Magic in June 2015. He went viral in 2021 when he made his Summer League debut for the Magic.

In 16 minutes, he scored 11 points and grabbed six rebounds.

BUCKS USE 3-POINT BARRAGE TO BEAT THUNDER 97-81 FOR NBA CUP TITLE

"We are all shocked and saddened to learn the tragic news, that our former player, Janis Timma has passed away at the age of 32," Olympiacos said in a statement posted on X. "We will always remember him for his kind heart and his smile.

"Wishing to his family and his loved t strength and peace during this time of grief. Jani, May You Find Eternal Peace. You will be missed."

Timma’s ex-wife Anna Sedokova broke her silence on his death in videos posted to her Instagram Stories, according to Newsweek.

"I have never understood how people who have this in their lives can record stories," she said. "But now I beg you, please, I have a child, he is small, he should not know anything.

"You have no idea what hell I have lived through over the last few years. I just have to save my child from this information. Please, I beg you not to share anything."

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Antetokounmpo inspired the Bucks to defeat Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup final which sets them up well for the rest of the regular-season campaign

Chicago Sky star Angel Reese revealed on the latest episode of her podcast that prisoners found out her mom’s address and started to write her love letters.

Reese, who attended Maryland before transferring to LSU and winning a national championship, said on "Unapologetically Angel" that her mom had to get police involved.

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"When I was in college, somehow, some way, these men in jail used to send letters – like love letters. Somehow, one of them got my address, my mom’s address. And my mom had to like do all that and call the police and all that," she said.

"He talking about, ‘When I get out I’m coming for you. I’m going to be with you. We going to have kids.’ Sir, take a timeout."

Reese’s guest, Coco Jones, joked that the person who sent her the weird message should get an extra two years in prison for "scary behavior."

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"People are crazy," Reese declared.

Reese, who is from Baltimore, played two seasons with the Terrapins before she transferred to LSU for her junior and senior seasons. She led the nation in scoring and rebounding during the 2022-23 season with 23 points and 15.4 rebounds per game.

She averaged 18.6 points and 13.4 rebounds per game.

The Sky selected her with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. She averaged 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per game in 34 games. Her season was cut short due to an injury.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 26 points with 19 rebounds and 10 assists for the Bucks

Phoenix Suns great Dick Van Arsdale, who was the first player picked in the franchise’s expansion draft to build the team, has died, the team announced on Monday. He was 81.

Van Arsdale, who was a second-round pick of the New York Knicks in 1965, played three seasons with the team before he went to Phoenix. He played for the Suns from 1968 to 1977.

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"The first selection in the expansion draft to build the Suns roster and the scorer of the first points in team history, Van Arsdale was a cornerstone of the Suns organization," the team said in a news release. "He earned three All-Star selections, was a member of the team’s first trip to the NBA Finals in 1976 and retired as the franchise’s all-time leading scorer in 1977. 

"Beloved throughout the Suns organization and fanbase, Van Arsdale held several positions with the team, including broadcaster and front office executive, following his 12-year NBA career."

 A team spokesman told The Associated Press that the franchise had received the news from his family. A cause of death was not immediately released.

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 "Our thoughts are with his friends and family, including his twin brother and Suns teammate, Tom, during this difficult time."

Van Arsdale played in 921 games and averaged 16.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in his career.

"We mourn the loss of Knicks alum, Dick Van Arsdale. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the Van Arsdale family," the Knicks added in a post on X.

The "Original Sun" coached the Suns for 26 games in the 1986-87 season and was a radio commentator with Al McCoy.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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The tragic school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin on Monday was top of mind for Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers on Monday, as he addressed the media with an opening statement about the situation. 

"Not a lot to say. Just a shame that this keeps happening," Rivers said about the shooting that left two dead, and six others injured. 

"Kids can’t go to school safe, and it just seems like we don’t do anything about it. I’m not going to get up here on the podium and give a long speech except for it’s just bad. We’re thinking about them."

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Rivers has let his opinion be known on multiple topics other than basketball in the past, including this year’s presidential race. 

But he’s also touched on gun violence in the United States, and it came in 2018 after a deadly shooting in California. 

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"It’s just sad, it really is. It’s sad. The gun violence. …I just don’t know what point [we say enough]," Rivers said, via Yahoo Sports.

"The guns are the terrorist, and until we understand that we’re going to keep having terrorist attacks. It’s sad."

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has also spoken out about gun violence, including recently with his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential race. 

At least two people were killed, and six others were injured in the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison. 

On Monday afternoon, Madison Police Chief Shon Barners said a teacher and a teen student were killed, while noting the shooter’s family has been cooperating with police. Two students remain in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, while a teacher and three others were injured with non-life-threatening injuries. 

Madison Police have not yet released the gender or age of the shooter. They identified a "juvenile" dead at the scene who is believed to be responsible for the shooting, which occurred with a handgun. 

"Every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever. We need to figure out and try to piece together what exactly happened," Barnes said. 

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San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich thanked supporters in a statement on Monday as he continued to recover from a "mild stroke" he suffered in November.

Popovich, 75, has been sidelined indefinitely recovering from the health issue.

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"This has certainly been an unexpected six weeks for my family and me. As we work together on my recovery, I want to take a moment to share that the outpouring of support we’ve received during this time has been truly overwhelming in the best possible way," the statement read. "While I wish I could get back to each one of you, for now, let me say that my family and I are forever grateful. We’re thankful for our wonderful community, the entire Spurs organization, and our family and friends.

"No one is more excited to see me return to the bench than the talented individuals who have been leading my rehabilitation process. They’ve quickly learned that I’m less coachable."

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The team said last month he was expected to make a full recovery. Mitch Johnson has been leading the Spurs in Popovich’s absence. 

San Antonio is 13-13 after losing 106-92 to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night.

Popovich is the NBA’s career leader with 1,401 victories and another 170 postseason wins while winning five NBA titles. He is in his 29th season, all with San Antonio.

Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.

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