SOURCE SPORTS: Los Angeles Clippers to Host 2026 NBA All-Star Game in New Arena

Los Angeles Clippers to Host 2026 NBA All-Star Game in New Arena

The NBA has announced the Los Angeles Clippers’ future home, the Intuit Dome, as the home for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed the game at the site, highlighting how impressive the future building is.

“I’ve seen pretty much every major arena in the world at this point, 32 years in the NBA,” Silver said. “And this is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It starts with the fact that Steve Ballmer chose to build a basketball-centric arena … He wanted to build this arena to make basketball the centerpiece. On top of that, of course, he ran Microsoft. He’s one of the world’s great technologists, and he brought all that learning [to this arena]. He also is someone who, at this point in his life, had the time to personally imprint his vision on this building.”

The Clippers will leave Crypto.com Arena for the Intuit Dome beginning next season. The 2026 All-Star Weekend will be the 75th edition.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Los Angeles Clippers to Host 2026 NBA All-Star Game in New Arena first appeared on The Source.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Los Angeles Clippers to Host 2026 NBA All-Star Game in New Arena appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Kawhi Leonard Inks Three-Year, $153M Extension with Clippers

Kawhi Leonard

Back up the Brinks truck to the home of Kawhi Leonard. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Los Angeles Clippers star forward has inked a new three-year, $153 million contract extension with the team.

The new deal will pay Leonard $52 million in the first year and $50 million annually over the following two years. There is no player option included in the deal.

Leonard had until June 30 to sign an extension with a $8.7 million player option for the season. Leonard averaged 23.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game for the season while retaining his health.

“We’re thrilled to continue our relationship with Kawhi,” Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ president of basketball operations, said in a statement. “He is an elite player, a terrific partner and a relentless worker who knows how to win and makes it his first priority. He elevated our franchise from the moment he arrived. We feel fortunate that Kawhi chose to join the Clippers five years ago, and excited to keep building with him.”

Leonard will now be the face of the organization as they head into their new arena for next season.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Kawhi Leonard Inks Three-Year, $153M Extension with Clippers first appeared on The Source.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Kawhi Leonard Inks Three-Year, $153M Extension with Clippers appeared first on The Source.

The Clippers’ Bones Hyland Gets ‘Bizzy’ On The Mic

bones hyland interview
Getty Image/Merle Cooper

It’s a cliche, but it’s true: Rappers want to be hoopers and hoopers want to be rappers. Just look at Drake, J. Cole, Lil Durk, and Quavo — all guys known for melodic gifts who put a lot of free time into showing off on the hardwood. Drake even hosts his own pro-am league at his mansion in Toronto. Meanwhile, we all know about Shaq, Kobe, and Dame DOLLA, professional basketball players who trade Wilson for Shure in their off-hours.

It might be time to add the Los Angeles Clippers’ Bones Hyland to the latter list. The third-year guard is known for his swagger on court, but less known is his affinity for hooks and harmonies. He’s got a couple of excellent clips on YouTube and just dropped a new single, “Skarred,” in September. He’s also self-released three full-length projects since 2020 under the name Bizzy.

Where fellow NBA rap aficionados like Dame reflect the workmanlike focus on punchlines and wordplay of a day-job rapper like J. Cole, Bizzy tends to wear more melodic influences, like those of his favorite rapper Rod Wave, on his sleeve. This approach serves him well, though; in the same way the 6’2 player uses his lanky frame to shift defensive players and slither his way to the rim, something about his vibe suits his singsong delivery.

Uproxx stopped by the Clippers’ practice facility in Playa Vista to chat with Bones about his musical ambitions, what basketball and rap have in common, and his rap-baller starting five.

Tell me how you got started making music.

I experienced a house fire, and it had set me back by eight months. So I was on house rest, chilling, trying to recover from my knee surgery. And I always had a voice to melodize hooks to songs. I would just sing hooks over and over again and I’m like, “Damn, let me try this music thing out.” So a couple of my other friends made music, and I’m just like, “Yeah, I’m just going to do the hooks and y’all got the verses,” and that’s how we would put the songs together.

From there, we were like, “We could do something with this.” We started doing shows around the city, getting paid, and then I dropped a single. Once I dropped my single, that’s when it just blew up like crazy. I’m like, “Yeah, this is something I can do besides basketball.”

You know what they say, that’s what helps you with basketball. If you have something else.

Yep. Facts.

So who are your favorite rappers?

So I would say Rod Wave, NBA YoungBoy, I’d say Lil Baby too, Hurricane Wisdom. But Hurricane Wisdom and Rod Wave, those two are my favorites though. Just the way they make music, the melodies they put into music, how their soul was into the music, how they harmonize with the beats, that’s amazing music that they’re making. So that’s something that those two guys are, for sure.

Because of the overlap between basketball and rap, have you gotten a chance to really hang around in the music world with some of the big-name musicians that you have been a fan of?

Yeah, recently before the season started, I had hung out with Rod Wave and just got to pick his brain and just talk to him. He’s a great, down-to-earth guy and I found out he was a Virgo. I’m like, damn, we’re just alike. It’s just crazy.

Did he give you any advice that you are using now that is helping you?

For sure. Just be yourself. Stay down, because he’s working, but the big thing he said is, “Don’t let the outside world affect you.”

You have to approach it the right way. And that’s something that I had to do with league basketball too. Everything you have to deal with, it’s the same thing. So it’s really dope how me and him connected on that. I’m like, “Damn, that’s really crazy. You connected with me on the fact that you’re going through this for rapping and I got to go through this for basketball.” It’s crazy.

Obviously, a lot of people when they hear a basketball player wants to rap or a rapper wants to play basketball, they’re like, “How do you balance that?” They don’t understand it’s a job. You clock out at the end of the day. You go home every time. So how do you balance that in terms of that expectation from people?

So people just be thinking basketball is something we do all day. We literally clock in the morning till a certain time in the evening and the rest of the day is ours unless we have a game or something. So we have free time where we can literally do what we want to do, enjoy time with family, go make some music, shop, whatever you want to do.

But I usually make my music during the off-season because I like to really focus on just music and enjoying time with my friends and stuff. I feel like that’s when my best music comes out, during off-season. I feel like if I make music during the season, I’m rushed because maybe I go to the studio at 9:00 and I make a song till 11:30, 12:00, I got to get some rest because I got a game tomorrow or something, so I got to get back to the hotel. But if it’s something like in summertime, I don’t have to leave the studio early. I could be in there how long ever I want.

Going back to rappers who ball and ballers who rap, if you had to pick a starting five of rappers who hoop, would be your starting five?

So I haven’t really heard that many rappers who hoop, but I’d say me. I’d say, this is a player that I just heard that raps, Jaren Jackson Jr., Miles Bridges, and Dame. That’s the only four. And Lonzo, yeah. I like Iman Shumpert too.

Have you hooped with any actual rappers like Drake, Lil Durk, J. Cole, or any of those?

I hooped with Rod Wave.

Is he any good?

Nah. Hell, no.

Listen…. Hanging around with you guys makes me so mad because I’ll be like, “Oh, yeah, I’m trash. I’m never going to be good at this ever. You guys set the bar too high.” There are a lot of aspects, I think… We were talking about the overlap. It’s crazy because, like J. Cole, he took the practice aspect of basketball and applied it to rap for The Off Season. Do you ever feel like that’s something that you could do or are you already doing that and how are you doing it?

No, not really. I just think every year I just make better music. It’s kind of crazy. I just recently dropped the tape. It got taken down, but that was my best piece of work so far. But I feel like every year, I really get better at making music. Maybe it’s the music that I’m listening to other than myself that’s helping me make better music. Obviously, my recent past life, what I’ve been through — that helps me make music too, make heart-touching music — but also just stuff that I’ve accomplished during my life now that I overcame… Because maybe some people can’t relate to the stuff that I’ve talked about in the past, but they can relate to the good life that I talk about.

In basketball, of course, you have concrete goals. You have, “Oh, this is the season we’re going to make at the playoffs. This season we’re going to get to the third round. This season we’re going to win the championship. I want to be able to add this to my game.” What in your wildest dreams are the things you want this music thing to be able to do for you?

Really just take off. I feel like my message and my songs are really touching. I feel like a lot of people, once the world really hear my music they’ll be like, “Damn, like how the f*ck did he make music like this and he played basketball?”

I recently dropped a little snippet on my Instagram page and it blew up crazy, but I see a lot of people that’s coming from just everywhere that I’d never seen on my page before. And they like, “Damn, he makes music too?” And then I’m like, yeah, it’s getting to new fans. People are hearing my music, so I know once it touches way more, they’ll be like, “Damn, nah, this dude cold, cold at making music. He really knows how to make music. He really sounds like a rapper.”

In terms of the differences between basketball and rapping, what is the biggest difference between how you approach it and how it feels? What’s the payoff? What’s the difference in the payoff for you emotionally?

I feel like there’s no difference in making music and basketball. It’s literally all the same thing. How the beat is, is how your footwork is. How the song is, is how sweet your jump shot is.

I don’t know. You got teammates out there, the engineer and the producer. So it all goes hand in hand. It’s literally all the same thing, for real.

Russell Westbrook Held Back By Teammates During Exchange With Fans: Watch

Russell Westbrook is someone who has always been adamant about defending his own honor. Unfortunately, over the years, there have been many people who have tried to disrupt his peace. However, he tends to get into it with the fans when he feels like he has to. Whether it be people being racist or derogatory towards his family, Westbrook is known for clapping back at the people who absolutely deserve it.

Well, it seems like that situation transpired on Monday night. The Clippers were taking on the Denver Nuggets in Los Angeles, and the Clips lost. It was a bad loss for them considering the Nuggets were missing their three biggest stars. That said, near the end of the game, Westbrook got into it with some fans courtside. Of course, this was an interesting interaction when you consider how the fans were Clippers fans, supposedly. He had to be held back, and after the game, he revealed how he wanted to defend his family’s honor.

Read More: Russell Westbrook’s Former Teammate Praises Clippers Guard

Russell Westbrook Reacts

“Fans think they can say whatever they want,” Russ said. “I’m not going to say [what they said] now because it’s not appropriate, but I’m just protecting myself. Just unfortunate fans think they can get away with saying anything and, personally, I won’t allow it. Now having kids and understanding how important it is, not just myself but my last name. Understanding what Westbrook means, understanding how important that is to my dad, my grandfather, my family. It’s very important. It’s something I stand on, and the respect is a big thing that I value.”

Overall, Russ has had enough and it is easy to see why this is the case. Hopefully, fans begin to respect him more, going forward. Otherwise, we will continue to see stuff like this. Let us know what you think of the interaction, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from around the sports world. We will continue to bring you all of the latest updates pertaining to your favorite athletes.

Read More: Russell Westbrook Benches Himself As Clippers Keep Losing

[Via]

The post Russell Westbrook Held Back By Teammates During Exchange With Fans: Watch appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

SOURCE SPORTS: NBA Insider Shams Charania Thinks Clippers Should ‘Rip Band-Aid Off’ with James Harden

NBA Insider Shams Charania Thinks Clippers Should 'Rip Band-Aid Off' with James Harden

The Los Angeles Clippers have bounced back after committing James Harden to be their starting point guard and pushing Russell Westbrook to the bench. Since the roster adjustment, the Clippers are 2-0.

Speaking on Run It Back, FanDuel TV’s NBA-centric morning show hosted by Shams Charania, Chandler Parsons, Michelle Beadle, and Lou Williams, Charania spoke on the Clippers.

“They needed to rip the Band-Aid off… They went all in on James Harden…They’re 2-0 with James Harden as their starting point guard,” Charania said.

You can hear it from Shams below.

Harden was traded from the Sixers in exchange for Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, Nic Batum, KJ Martin, a 2028 unprotected first-round pick, two second-round picks, a 2029 pick swap and an additional first-round pick. P.J. Tucker and Filip Petrusev will head to the Clippers. The additional first-round pick will be directed to a third team.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: NBA Insider Shams Charania Thinks Clippers Should ‘Rip Band-Aid Off’ with James Harden first appeared on The Source.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: NBA Insider Shams Charania Thinks Clippers Should ‘Rip Band-Aid Off’ with James Harden appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Patrick Beverley Says the Clippers Will Be An ‘Awful’ Regular Season Team

Patrick Beverley to Join Chicago Bulls After Reaching Buyout

The Los Angeles Clippers are currently struggling after the arrival of James Harden. Speaking on Run It Back, FanDuel TV’s NBA-centric morning show hosted by Shams Charania, Chandler Parsons, Michelle Beadle, and Lou Williams, is former Clipper Patrick Beverley who is currently assessing the team’s state.

“They’re going to be an awful regular season team, they going to be a dangerous playoff team,” Beverley said.

You can hear it from Pat below.

On Sunday, the Clippers lost to the lowly Memphis Grizzlies 105-101, which included some horrible moments from James Harden.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Patrick Beverley Says the Clippers Will Be An ‘Awful’ Regular Season Team first appeared on The Source.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Patrick Beverley Says the Clippers Will Be An ‘Awful’ Regular Season Team appeared first on The Source.

James Harden Traded To The Clippers: Details

James Harden is someone who has gotten himself into his fair share of drama as a player in the NBA. Overall, this usually manifests itself in some trade requests. It happened in Houston and it happened in Brooklyn. Subsequently, it has been happening this year in Philadelphia. He didn’t want to play for the organization anymore, and he was skipping out on practices as a way to protest. Well, now, it seems like he has finally gotten his wish. On Tuesday morning, it was revealed that Harden had been traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Clippers were the main team looking to get involved in a Harden trade. However, there were various people out there who weren’t so sure that it was actually going to happen. Well, it appears as though the Clippers have become the lucky team. It was revealed by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN that despite their reluctance, they finally came to the conclusion that they could make all of this work. As you can see below, this was quite the blockbuster.

Read More: James Harden Returns To Sixers Practice

James Harden In Another Blockbuster

Firstly, the Sixers will be getting back a huge haul that includes draft picks and pick swaps. As for players, they got Marcus Morris, Nic Batum, Robert Covington, and KJ Martin. Meanwhile, the Clippers get Harden, PJ Tucker, and Filip Petrusev. Now, James Harden will get to reunite with Russell Westbrook. Furthermore, he gets to join a team that includes the likes of Paul George and even Kawhi Leonard. It is going to be an experiment, albeit an exciting one. Fans are a bit curious as to how this will all play out. However, Clippers fans are certainly excited to see it.

This is one of those trades that will either be a huge win or a team killer. Only time will tell which option wins out. Let us know what you think of the trade, in the comments section down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the sports world. We will always be sure to keep you informed.

Read More: James Harden Skips Sixers Practice, Hasn’t Been With The Team Since Sunday

The post James Harden Traded To The Clippers: Details appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

SOURCE SPORTS: James Harden Traded to Los Angeles Clippers

SOURCE SPORTS: James Harden Tells 76ers to Build Team and Give Him "Whatever is Left" in New Contract

James Harden is headed to the Los Angeles Clippers. The star guard has been traded from the Philadelphia 76ers overnight, ending a standoff between both sides.

Heading to the Sixers are Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, Nic Batum, KJ Martin, a 2028 unprotected first-round pick, two second-round picks, a 2029 pick swap and an additional first-round pick. P.J. Tucker and Filip Petrusev will head to the Clippers. The additional first-round pick will be directed to a third team.

Harden will partner with Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook. Westbrook partnered with Harden previously on the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: James Harden Traded to Los Angeles Clippers first appeared on The Source.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: James Harden Traded to Los Angeles Clippers appeared first on The Source.

Russell Westbrook Spotted In The Gym

Russell Westbrook is someone who has been hit with a bunch of doubts over the past couple of years. Although a lot of people still think he can play at a high level, there are others who hate him. Overall, much of this has to do with his horrific play as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. The team was terrible with Russ on the roster, and they struggled for much of the season. However, they eventually turned things around as soon as he was traded and made it to the Western Conference Finals.

The point guard ended up finishing the season out with the Los Angeles Clippers. Overall, he was actually quite good in this role. Unfortunately, he was left to his own devices as Paul George and Kawhi Leonard were injured in the playoffs. This led to a quick exit at the hands of the Phoenix Suns. Regardless, Russell Westbrook was able to rebuild his stock. Now, he is a free agent and many are interested to see where he will end up. No matter what, people will be interested in his next move.

Read More: Russell Westbrook Gives Suns Fan A Taking To In Full Uniform: Watch

Russell Westbrook Is Ready For Next Season

Subsequently, with a huge offseason decision on the horizon, Russell Westbrook is putting in work. Recently, he was spotted at the gym where he could be seen doing leg raises with resistance bands. Russ seemed to be in very good spirits, which will make NBA fans happy. It is very clear that he is motivated to show people that he can still accomplish a lot. Whether or not the other teams in the NBA believe that, still remains to be seen.

For now, however, the entire NBA world has its sights set on the NBA Finals. These finals will have a new combatant for the first time since 2019. The Denver Nuggets are in the Finals for the first time in franchise history. Meanwhile, they will either play the Miami Heat or Boston Celtics in the Finals. Although, the Heat seems like the likeliest option. Let us know who you have winning it all, in the comments section below.

Read More: Russell Westbrook’s Air Jordan 3 PE Surfaces Online

Paul George Reveals His Opinion On Westbrook Returning To LA

Paul George was unavailable for the Los Angeles Clippers for the 2023 NBA Playoffs. The Clippers star suffered an injury in late March that sealed his post-season fate. However, George wasn’t the only Clippers star to miss playoff action. A sprained knee sidelined Kawhi Leonard. However, the injuries were insurmountable, as the team was sent home in the opening round by the Phoenix Suns. In a what could have been scenario for a team that has a lot of talent when at full health.

However, one Clippers star gave everything he had in the series. Russell Westbrook was a late addition to the Los Angeles roster. But quickly earned the trust of his teammates in a trying time. While Westbrook’s future with the franchise is uncertain. Although George is strong in his belief on what the team should do with Westbrook. On a recent episode of George’s podcast sponsored by Wave Sports + Entertainment, the former all-star thinks Westbrook has found a home.

Paul George Wants To See Westbrook Return

Here’s an excerpt of what Geroge had to say about the situation. “He proved that he is a leader. He proved that he’s got a lot left in the tank and for a team like us, the more guys that can be versatile, the better for us. To have a playmaker, have a leader, have a score, just a floor general, a rebounder, he just covers so many holes and wears so many hats. He’s everywhere…He’s just so valuable. We saw what it looks like [and] we know it works. We know it can be successful. We gotta get him back. I want him back.”

Westbrook’s effort and talent have never been questioned. As the former Oklahoma City star has the accolades and hardware to prove it. However, since leaving OKC, Westbrook has yet to find a place to fit in. His tenures with the Rockets and Lakers were forgettable moments. But something about the Clippers could be different. George would love to see his friend return next season. Do you believe the Clippers will side with Paul George and bring Westbrook back? Let us know what you think in the comment section. For the latest NBA news, keep it right here with HNHH.