John Wall Announces Retirement
- Five-time All-Star and former No. 1 overall pick John Wall officially announced his retirement from the NBA at age 34. A wizard with the Washington Wizards, Wall averaged 19.0 points and 9.2 assists across 573 games before injuries curtailed his later career. His final stops included Houston and the L.A. Clippers. In his farewell, he conveyed gratitude and reflection on his legacy.
NBA Releases 2025–26 Regular Season Schedule
- The NBA unveiled its schedule for the upcoming 2025–26 season on August 14. Key developments:
- New broadcast model: An 11-year media rights deal brings NBCUniversal and Amazon alongside ESPN and ABC. TNT has exited national coverage.
- Opening night (Oct 21) features a doubleheader: Rockets vs. Thunder and Warriors vs. Lakers on NBC. ESPN coverage starts Oct 22 with Mavericks vs. Spurs.
- Holiday highlights: Kevin Durant returns to Phoenix on November 24; Anthony Davis faces off against his former Lakers on November 28. A potential LeBron James homecoming game in Cleveland is set for January 28, possibly marking his final hometown appearance.
- Schedule quirks noted by SB Nation:
- Disparities in rest days: Denver and Golden State face more back-to-back games; Dallas and Milwaukee have lighter schedules.
- TV exposure imbalance: Lakers, Thunder, Knicks, and Warriors enjoy 34 nationally televised games each. In contrast, Bulls, Hornets, Jazz, and Raptors see minimal exposure.
- The Clippers will host six bobblehead nights; the Celtics get 25 national TV appearances despite Jayson Tatum being sidelined.
Anthony Davis: Analyst Issues Warning
- ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins issued a strong advisory to Davis’s NBA rivals ahead of the 2025–26 season: “Watch the f*ck out for AD.” With Luka Doncic now in L.A., and rookie Cooper Flagg in Dallas, Davis may be overshadowed—but Perkins believes a healthy Davis remains a powerhouse and a central figure in the Mavericks’ campaign.
Damian Lillard Shares Achilles Recovery Progress
- Damian Lillard posted a third video documenting his rehabilitation from an Achilles injury sustained in the 2025 playoffs. The footage shows him walking with a crutch and training, as he steadily rebuilds strength. Lillard—now with the Trail Blazers after signing a three-year, $42 million contract—expressed feeling “underappreciated” and focused on recovery.
At a Glance
| Topic | Summary |
|---|---|
| John Wall Retirement | Stars exit with reflection—end of a notable era |
| 2025–26 Schedule | New TV deals, opening matchups, festive games, and broadcast disparities |
| Anthony Davis Spotlight | Perkins warns that Davis remains elite and a force in Dallas |
| Lillard’s Recovery | Steady rehab progress underscored with resolve |
