Brian Hamilton

Senior writer for @TheAthletic. You can’t have a salad without the sauce. Email: brianhamiltonwrites at gmail

[The Athletic @TheAthletic]

Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom was escorted out of Wintrust Arena on Sunday evening after Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud confronted him at his courtside baseline seat.

Late in the third quarter of a game between the Sky and the Indiana Fever, Cloud scored on a driving layup, prompting a timeout from the Fever. The veteran guard the approached Freedom, who has gained notoriety for his vocal opposition to transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.

https://t.co/GNufb6WuzM

[The Athletic @TheAthletic]

The NHL is on track to award its 33rd franchise to Texas as soon as the end of the year, deputy commissioner Bill Daly told The Athletic.

Friedkin’s Pursuit Sports has already agreed to pay a $2 billion expansion fee to bring a team to either Houston or Austin, pending the ability to build an arena in one of those markets and secure final approval from the NHL’s Board of Governors.

“They’re projecting the ability to start play in 2029-30,” Daly said. “So we will have one down and potentially one to go. We have ongoing discussions both with people in the Phoenix marketplace, but also Atlanta, and then we’ll see what comes of those discussions.”

https://t.co/JmKfJRuwEw

[The Athletic @TheAthletic]

The person who tossed a green sex toy onto the court during the Los Angeles Sparks and Atlanta Dream game on Thursday has been arrested and indefinitely banned from all WNBA, NBA and affiliated league games and events, a source confirmed to The Athletic.

https://t.co/32MvAHRdLf

[Marcus Thompson II @ThompsonScribe]

Minnesota, still the hurdle the Valkyries can’t clear

https://t.co/Br1Kk2ULzT

[The Athletic @TheAthletic]

The Indiana Fever have gone 10-2 during Caitlin Clark’s recent hot streak, and she’s putting up historic numbers and career-high marks.

Still, she hasn’t received the same MVP buzz as Olivia Miles.

Why?
https://t.co/zHVHNhxe4M

[Brian Hamilton @_Brian_Hamilton]

Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd will miss the rest of the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on her right knee, the team announced.

The season is over for the top pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft: https://t.co/rLawH98xOq

[The Athletic @TheAthletic]

Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd will miss the rest of the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on her right knee, the team announced.

The season is over for the top pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.

[The Athletic @TheAthletic]

Nneka Ogwumike is retiring from the WNBA after 15 seasons in the league.

The WNBA champion and league MVP announced on "Boardroom Talks" that the 2026 season will be her last.

https://t.co/dOCp8F2tZK

[The Athletic @TheAthletic]

Two fans were asked by league security to cover their shirts, which bore messages regarding transgender athlete participation in women’s sports, during Sunday’s game between the Indiana Fever and the Atlanta Dream.

https://t.co/Oy7GXuuI6R

[The Athletic @TheAthletic]

In this week’s WNBA power rankings, the Indiana Fever are trending up.

The Fever’s big three has been rock-solid all season, and the never-ending question has been who fills the gaps in Indiana’s best lineups.

Full rankings: https://t.co/XjlxZgXpxa

[Brian Hamilton @_Brian_Hamilton]

Wanted to shout out the amazing illustration that accompanied my Angel Reese story into @nytimes print last week. Stunning stuff from Sam Falconer.

(Story here is free to read, too.)
https://t.co/tmvqESmGPc

[The Athletic @TheAthletic]

As point guard phenoms on the court and the league’s most recognizable names off of it, Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers dueled for just the third time in their WNBA careers: https://t.co/BKOkxxdZES

[Brian Hamilton @_Brian_Hamilton]

Caitlin Clark back on the floor, warming up after tweaking her ankle late in the first half. The Indiana Fever faithful may now exhale.

[Brian Hamilton @_Brian_Hamilton]

Cheers for Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White at the end of pregame intros at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Fans apparently got the message sent by Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, and more.

[The Athletic @TheAthletic]

The Fever are at the center of the WNBA’s chaos. They’re also playing like one of the league’s best teams.

Indiana has looked like a championship threat over the last month, with an offense that could finish as the best in history.

✍️ @_Brian_Hamilton

https://t.co/5ERsTUXbLE

[Brian Hamilton @_Brian_Hamilton]

Another wild thing happened with the Indiana Fever on Thursday: Nothing wild happened.

They're at the center of WNBA chaos, yes. Somehow they’re also playing great and a serious postseason contender.

Free to read column @TheAthletic:

https://t.co/vqqchcHtW0

[The Athletic @TheAthletic]

The WNBA denounced “bad-faith efforts” to demean others during discussions on transgender athlete participation following a task force meeting Wednesday.

No transgender policy decision is imminent, according to a source familiar with the talks.

https://t.co/1TNcqyrYcJ

[The New York Times @nytimes]

From @TheAthletic: Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White fired back at online criticism after some on social media faulted White for not criticizing a flagrant foul committed against Sophie Cunningham in a recent game. https://t.co/FRxEvGNrVN

[The Athletic @TheAthletic]

Michael Blatt was on the verge of becoming the Seattle Seahawks’ GM.

Then a longtime business associate was murdered with a crossbow.

Blatt was charged with murder, but ultimately walked free.

How?

@KatieJStrang, @nathanfenno & @zkeefer investigate: https://t.co/vmbEDONoVY

[Brian Hamilton @_Brian_Hamilton]

"I hated that our fans booed her before the game," Caitlin Clark said. "That made me a little sick, to be honest."

Stephanie White's statement, strong words from a star and a win. Just another night with the Indiana Fever.

Free to read @TheAthletic: https://t.co/RhYEQUKHnO