The Illini will open the year under the lights on the first Thursday of September, and the stadium should be packed with Illinois fans. Illinois will be one of three Big Ten teams in action that night and should take care of business.
The Illini will be looking to win at least nine games for the third consecutive season. The schedule features a mix of manageable opponents, national championship contenders, and everything in between. Let's take a closer look at the schedule and predict each game.
Opening night should be an exciting one in Champaign as Illinois enters as a heavy favorite against UAB. The Blazers compete in the American Athletic Conference and simply shouldn't be able to match Illinois' talent level. The Illini are a 27.5-point favorite and should have little trouble cruising to a blowout victory. Fans will also get their first look at the new video board inside Memorial Stadium as Illinois starts the season 1-0.
Duke will be Illinois' first Power Four opponent of the season. The Illini will look to build on last year's 45-19 road victory over the Blue Devils.
Duke finished 9-5 last season and captured the ACC ******* le over Virginia, but the Blue Devils are expected to take a step back after quarterback Darian Mensah transferred to Miami along with second-team All-ACC wide receiver Cooper Barkate. Illinois is the better team and should defend its home field to improve to 2-0.

#stadium

Matisse Thybulle is officially headed to the Los Angeles Lakers, the team announced on Monday, giving the team a proven perimeter defender to its reshaped roster.
Thybulle, 29, is a two-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection, adding one of the league's most disruptive defensive players to piece alongside Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and new starting center Walker Kessler.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Thybulle spent last season with the Portland Trail Blazers, playing in 30 games off the bench while averaging 5.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 16.0 minutes per game.
He also shot 39.8% from 3-point range last season, developing into a consistent 3-and-D piece as he shot 41.8% comibied in the last two seasons. The only knock is he only played just 45 games the last two seasons.

#thybulle #team #only

The Portland Trail Blazers have seemingly decided that having too many guards isn't actually a problem.
Ja Morant, Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson are all expected to enter training camp on Micah Nori's roster, with Portland reportedly believing it can make the overcrowded group work.
That's certainly one way to handle it.
But if the Blazers are committed to keeping Henderson despite acquiring another ball-dominant point guard in Morant, then it's time to prove they remain equally committed to his future.
Henderson is eligible to sign a rookie-scale extension until Oct. 19, the day before the 2026-27 regular season begins. If the two sides don't reach an agreement, he'll make $13.6 million in the final year of his rookie contract before entering restricted free agency next summer.

#morant #make

Suzlon Group has been awarded a 201.6MW wind power project in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh by Waaree Forever Energies Private (WFEPL), the independent power producer arm of the Waaree Group.
This marks the Waaree Group's first wind project in the state and is the second consecutive engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) order Suzlon has received in a week under the company's DevCo model.
The project will see Suzlon supply 64 of its S144 wind turbine generators (WTGs), each with a capacity of 3.15MW.
Suzlon Group vice-chairman Girish Tanti said: "This partnership is strategically important as it unites two companies whose growth has mirrored the evolution of India's renewable energy sector.
"Waaree and Suzlon have been trailblazers in solar and wind, respectively, each building world-class manufacturing ecosystems and establishing a strong global presence.

#wind #project #power #andhra

A general view outside Moda Center before the game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 22, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
If Portland offered the Trail Blazers a blank check to stay, how much would be enough?
Next month, when a major deal-cutting deadline hits, the Portland City Council will be faced with that and other hard questions about the future of the Moda Center and its major tenant and financial core, the Trail Blazers. The city is in a tough spot because their negotiating partner has more leverage than they do. Portland may not be prepared for what comes next.
The Blazers, founded in 1970 by Harry Glickman, passed to other owners including Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. After Allen died, his estate in August 2025 sold the team to Dallas businessman Thomas Dundon. The National Basketball ****** ociation Board of Governors approved that sale in March.
When Dundon bought the team, he was not constrained by any requirement that it stay in Portland; major league team purchases occasionally prompt moves to other places. Eager to keep the Blazers, Oregon officials quickly said when the Blazers went up for sale they would work with the new owner.

#allen #dundon

Wright Gazaway: If you're someone anxious to see this done, you likely wanted some finality today. This functionally doesn't change anything. More important vote is 8/12 on a term sheet for the Blazers. This delay doesn't impact that. KATUNews
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: This functionally doesn't change anything. More …

#hype

The Portland Trail Blazers are still trying to find their footing under new team owner Tom Dundon.
Portland made headlines in May after the organization laid off about 70 people as part of a restructuring. The negative press kept coming on Wednesday, when The Oregonian's Joe Freeman reported that longtime broadcaster Kevin Calabro was parting ways with the organization.
Calabro wasn't the only one. He left under his own terms, but Forbes' Maury Brown also reported that "TV **** yst Michael Holton and statistician Tom Haberstroh, as well as TV hosts Neil Everett and Jamie Hudson have all been let go."
Portland released a statement about the cuts to its broadcast teams.
"We are deeply grateful to all the hard-working individuals who have contributed to our award-winning broadcasts over the years. I can't comment on individual personnel decisions, but I can confirm that we are making changes for the upcoming season as we continue to evolve with the changes in the broadcast industry and look to become more efficient in our business operations.

#reported #trail #blazers #wednesday

Eddie A Johnson: What a %#%% Joke! Kevin is Royalty and this New Owner treats him like Garbage. trailblazers
x.com
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: What a %#%% Joke! Kevin is Royalty and this New Owner …

#joke #kevin #royalty #johnson

After 19 seasons with the Blazers broadcast team, TV ****** yst Michael Holton has been let go, as well as statistician Tom Haberstroh, former ESPN legend and Blazers’ TV host Neil Everett, and TV host Jamie Hudson. Several other broadcasters’ contracts have lapsed, with deep pay cuts being expected in some places.
Forbes.com
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: After 19 seasons with the Blazers broadcast team, TV …

#broadcast #team

Tom Dundon continues to apply his Hurricanes playbook to the Trail Blazers.
On Tuesday, the organization laid off the majority of its broadcast team including ***** yst Michael Holton, who has been with Trail Blazers for nearly 20 years. Hosts Neil Everett and Jamie Hudson and ***** ytics expert Tom Haberstroh were also let go.
A spokesperson for the Trail Blazers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The news was first reported by Forbes.
A Portland native, Everett was on ESPN for 23 years and anchored late-night SportsCenter for 12 years before he left the network in 2023; he had featured on Blazers broadcasts from 2021 to 2025.

Haberstroh is a prominent writer with a statistical bent and has run a popular Substack after departing Yahoo Sports.

#everett #tuesday

Lakers six-player trade proposal gives Los Angeles $88M former Luka Doncic teammate originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
With all of the limited ****** ets the Los Angeles Lakers have, they'd have to get very creative in a trade to improve on both sides of the basketball. Right now, the Lakers have made some impressive moves in the offseason, and I think they'll be a lot better than people are giving them credit for, but I still don't really view them as contenders, especially in a strong Western Conference.
The only way to change that now is for them to make a couple more trades. There are still some okay players on the free-agent market, but certainly not as great as the Lakers need.
That's why the most recent trade proposal involving P.J. Washington, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Portland Trail Blazers, which would involve multiple players, would be the right one on paper.
Lakers receive: P.J. Washington
Mavericks receive: Jrue Holiday, Dalton Knecht
Trail Blazers receive: Klay Thompson, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia

#Lakers #trail

Don't forget about Yang Hansen with Trail Blazers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Yang Hansen was one of the most intriguing players chosen during the 2025 NBA Draft. Some even called him a "Chinese Jokic."
And then he spent most of his rookie season with the Portland Trail Blazers out of sight and out of mind.
He couldn't get run at the NBA level, and so a whole season went by where it never really became clear whether Hansen would have a chance to make it or not.
If anything, it sort of just pushed the question off into the future. That brings us to this summer, when Hansen is back at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

The lack of private investment in the Blazers' renovation proposal is a red line for some city councilors. "That is probably my number one issue. I am going to have a hard time agreeing to give public money if I'm not seeing a private investment. That is what public-private investment means, and I will be demanding that that comes true," Councilor Candace Avalos said in a work session in June. Other councilors want the team to pay rent, share arena naming rights revenue, or split money made from non-NBA events at Moda Center to offset the city's investment – like other teams have agreed to in other deals.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: The lack of private investment in the Blazers' …

A new state-commissioned report found most comparable NBA arena renovation deals included significant private investment or long-term revenue sharing — unlike the proposal currently being negotiated for the Moda Center. The report, required by the legislation authorizing Oregon's $365 million commitment to the project, also highlights disagreement between the state's consultant and the Trail Blazers over which NBA cities should serve as the best comparisons for Portland.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: A new state-commissioned report found most comparable …

Manchester United have confirmed their list of new academy scholars ahead of the 2026/27 season. A group of 15 players were officially confirmed to have signed scholar terms this week after having their signing day last week, during which the players were presented with their club blazers and a United shirt bearing their name.
As the group step into the U18s set-up, academy fans will be eagerly looking to see who the next academy stars are. We take a closer look at what can be expected from United's latest class of scholars.
A towering presence, Ford is known for his shot-stopping ability and is also comfortable with the ball at his feet, even playing as a striker for his school team. The only goalkeeper in the group, Ford was often behind Darlington Osuchukwu in the pecking order in recent years, but the latter's expected move to Spain this summer has opened the door for Ford to fight for a spot in the U18s.
He may not see much of the pitch in his first year, though, as he battles with last summer's signing Charlie Hardy.
O'Brien is an industrious left-back who covers every blade of grass up and down the wing.

After being forced to sit out of his first summer league game with the Minnesota Timberwolves due to a pending trade, former Blue Devil Isaiah Evans made his NBA debut Saturday. Unfortunately for the two-year Duke alum, things didn't quite go to plan.
The recent No. 33 overall pick was held to just four points on a rough 2-for-15 shooting night, which included an 0-for-9 performance from beyond the arc. Evans did tally five rebounds, one ***** ist and one block, but his plus-minus was the worst of any player at -27.
Evans will have another chance to impress Monday, July 13, as the Timberwolves face the Portland Trail Blazers and another Duke alum, DJ Steward.
This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Duke alum Isaiah Evans struggles in Minnesota Timberwolves debut

LAS VEGAS – The Phoenix Suns shook off a horrid first half to begin 2026 NBA Summer League play and edged the Portland Trail Blazers, 81-79, July 10 at **** Pavilion.
The Suns shot a mere 21.1% in the first half, missing all 13 of their 3-point attempts and trailing, 38-24, at the break.
"That first half, I was messing with the coaching staff; I don't think I've seen a box score like that, but they got the jitters out," Suns Summer League coach Chaisson Allen said. "It's common. You come into this environment with all these people in the building, nerves.
"To get that out in the first half, and then to respond the way they did? Proud of the guys."
The Suns continue Summer League play Sunday, July 12, against the New Orleans Pelicans at noon at **** Pavilion.

Trade prediction should lead to Lakers landing $134M two-time NBA Champion originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
I don't know how the Los Angeles Lakers would do it, but there is certainly a sense that they need more. Right now, the Lakers are a decent team and will probably win many regular-season games because of how good Luka Doncic is.
There's absolutely no debate that Doncic is one of the best basketball players in the world, as one could even argue that he is the best. However, when it comes to the playoffs, and teams really battle it out defensively, I have my fair share of questions about whether Los Angeles can really do much on that side of the basketball.
Outside of Doncic scoring at an elite level, I'm not sure what this team looks like defensively, and that's a problem.
However, that's why I think Los Angeles should look to make a trade. It was recently predicted that Jrue Holiday of the Portland Trail Blazers would be moved, and I truly believe he'd be a perfect option in Los Angeles.

Former Blue Devil and No. 10 overall selection Khaman Maluach impressed in his first summer league game of 2026, scoring 19 points to lead the Phoenix Suns to an 81-79 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Along with his 19 points, Maluach posted 11 rebounds, two steals and one block.
While Maluach will need to take better care of the ball (seven turnovers), his outside shooting was especially impressive. After shooting just 23.8% from beyond the arc during his rookie campaign, Maluach knocked down three of his seven three-point attempts against Portland, adding a new dimension to his offensive game.
For the Blazers, former Blue Devil DJ Steward stood out as well, scoring 21 points to go along with eight rebounds, two ****** ists, two steals and one block. Both players had support from current Duke head coach Jon Scheyer, while another alum, Luke Kennard, was there to support Maluach following his move to Phoenix.
This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Former Duke top-10 pick showcases new skill at NBA Summer League

According to the New York Post's Brian Lewis, the Brooklyn Nets have cut guard Malachi Smith from the team. The former Gonzaga Bulldog signed a two-year, non-guaranteed deal back in April after two 10-day contracts with the organization. Brooklyn exercised Smith's minimum salary team option in June.
In 15 games (four starts) played with the Nets to close out this past season, Smith averaged 8.3 points on a shooting split of 48.5 percent from the field/43.5 percent on three-pointers/100.0 percent at the free throw line, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 ****** ists per game.
The 26-year-old will most likely have to return to the NBA G League with another franchise. He's had stops with the Portland Trail Blazers' Rip City Remix, Milwaukee Bucks' Wisconsin Herd, Memphis Grizzlies' Memphis Hustle, and the Brooklyn Nets' Long Island Nets over the last three seasons.
Smith started his collegiate career with the Wright State Raiders from 2018-19, transferred to the Chattanooga Mocs from 2020-22, before making his way to Spokane, Washington. He was named the West Coast Conference Sixth Man of the Year in 2023 before entering his name into the 2023 NBA Draft, bypassing his final season of college eligibility. Smith would go undrafted.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X a_cravalho

The Trail Blazers have claimed former Pacers big man Micah Potter off the waiver wire, according to the NBA's official transaction log.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Blazers claim Micah Potter off waivers

LAS VEGAS – A player only gets one chance to make a first impression in the NBA.
Koa Peat is looking forward to doing that in his NBA Summer League debut on Friday, July 10, against the Portland Trail Blazers at ****** Pavilion.
Arizona's Family Sports and ESPNU are televising the 8 p.m. game.
"Just show these coaches and everybody that I impact winning," said Peat, after the team's morning shootaround at ****** Pavilion.
"It's your first NBA game," Peat said. "Trying to leave a good impression for everybody. Just go your hardest."

The Los Angeles Lakers have wasted no time reshaping their roster following the end of the LeBron James era. After adding several free agents and re-signing one of their cornerstone players, the front office appears determined to make one more splash to cap off this NBA offseason. If the latest reports are accurate, that move could dramatically alter the balance of power in the Western Conference.
According to a report, the Lakers are engaged in active discussions with the Atlanta Hawks on a sign-and-trade that would bring Jonathan **** inga to Los Angeles.
MORE: LeBron James looking to turn 2026-27 NBA season into 'Last Dance'-style series
Mar 1, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan **** inga (0) dunks against the Portland Trail Blazers in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The report indicates that **** inga's preferred destination is Los Angeles after receiving an aggressive recruiting pitch from Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick. Landing a player of **** inga's caliber would address what many view as the Lakers' biggest remaining need.

Lakers can fix defensive issues next to Luka Doncic by trading for $134M All-World defender originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
If the Los Angeles Lakers can do anything over the next few months, I'd love for them to go get a POA defender.
The Lakers, at the moment, don't really have much resistance on defense.
Unfortunately, the Lakers really don't have many ******* ets or much money to move on from as well. That's why trading for certain players would be nearly impossible, though I'd love to see the Lakers make a move that could help them win immediately.
One of the players I'd love for them to go after is Jrue Holiday, the Portland Trail Blazers guard who might not be much of a perfect fit in Portland any longer because of the Ja Morant route.

NBA free agency 2026: Trae Young, Neemias Queta highlight best and worst contracts handed out during first week originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 2026 free agency class wasn't a particularly great one. And we're still waiting for the biggest shoe to drop as LeBron James continues to weigh his options on what new team to join.
Despite the lack of headline names, there were still some very good and very bad deals signed this summer. Contracts for role players may not seem like a big deal, but they are oftentimes the biggest value-adds for contending rosters. Saving money on your fourth or fifth-best players are the type of smart moves on the margins that allow teams to get bigger stars on their payroll down the road.
There were several of those types of transactions. Some teams made out like bandits, while others made decisions that are going to cause a lot of pain down the line. Using my salary model, here's what the best and worst contracts of the summer were.
OFFSEASON TRADE GRADES: Giannis to Heat | LaMelo Ball to Wolves | Julius Randle to Nets | Ja Morant to Blazers | Kawhi Leonard to Raptors | Jaylen Brown to Sixers, Paul George to Celtics

Make it six former Michigan basketball players from the national championship team that are now in the NBA Summer League.
Will Tschetter, who recently ended his U-M career after a fifth year and had been tearing it up for the Warwick Senators as part of the NBL1 West in Australia − averaging 28.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.7 ****** ists per game − earned an NBA Summer League invitation and has joined the Portland Trail Blazers.
The team posted pictures with him participating in practice on their social media and his father, Garth, shared the news on X shortly thereafter.
MORE MICHIGAN HOOPS: 5-star Brandon McCoy sticking with Michigan basketball: Report

Damian Lillard walked into the NBA as a grizzled veteran.
The moment he stepped foot in Portland, he was ready to lead and impart wisdom on his teammates.

He’s always had the utmost confidence in himself, and he’s used that excess confidence to embolden those around him.
“I’m not surprised by it,” Lillard said at the news conference following his Rookie of the Year selection. “That’s not meant to be a **** y statement. But I’m not surprised by it at all because I put the work in to put myself in this position.”
Now thirteen years into his NBA career, he’s only refined his leadership skills.

Those will come in handy soon, as the Blazers have traded for the callow yet phenomenal Ja Morant, giving Lillard his tallest task yet.
The Blazers paid possibly the lowest-ever price for a 26-year-old two-time All-Star and Second-Team All-NBA player; Trading away Jerami Grant and Kris Murray was an exchange of bad money for worse money.

Shams Charania: Free agent 7-footer Branden Carlson has agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million deal to sign with the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell ESPN. Portland picks up a big man who has developed in the OKC Thunder system over the last two seasons, finalizing a deal with PrioritySports ' Ross Aroyo and Mark Bartelstein.
x.com
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Branden Carlson signs with Blazers

NBA Free Agency: Celtics' Reported Reunion Target Makes Decision originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
It turns out that there won't be a reunion between the Boston Celtics and center Robert Williams III.
"Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III has agreed to sign a three-year, $44 million contract extension to return to the Portland Trail Blazers through 2028-29, agent Kevin Bradbury of LIFT Sports Management tells ESPN," ESPN senior NBA insider Shams Charania posted on X.
It was reported multiple times recently that the Celtics were being linked to Williams, who was the team's first-round draft pick in 2018 and spent five seasons in Boston.
The "Time Lord" averaged 7.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game across 209 regular season contests (97 starts) with the Celtics before being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in October 2023. Williams earned second team All-Defense honors in 2022 with Boston and finished seventh in the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year voting (an award won by Marcus Smart ) that season as well.

If the Portland Trail Blazers were ever truly serious about trading for star Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown , it appears that such an avenue for the Blazers front office has passed. Echoing similar comments from senior ESPN reporter Shams Charania, Stein Line contributors Jake Fischer and Marc Stein report that Portland is not currently planning to make a run at the former finals MVP.
"They pursued Giannis Antetokounmpo . They've coveted Brown for some time as well. They were expected to chase Davis, too, if extension talks with the Wizards went astray," writes the duo. "Yet that's all off the table now after Portland seized on the opportunity to pilfer Morant from Memphis at such a minimal cost."
But it is not just the Blazers who are reportedly eschewing an opportunity to deal for Brown this summer as Boston seeks to sort out the mess they made in looking to swap the Georgia native for (then) Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, per the Stein Line.
They write that "the Clippers , whether or not their talks with the Raptors progress all the way to a completed deal, have not pursued Boston's Jaylen Brown this offseason."
And in case we were wondering whether this was more an order-of-operations take in terms of when such a pursuit could occur, they also noted that the "Clippers aren't planning to make a run at the Celtics' MVP candidate."