Sunaya Sapurji
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sunayas.bsky.social
Sunaya Sapurji
@sunayas.bsky.social
Hockey writer. Senior editor @TheAthleticNBA
Celtics + Knicks + Pistons + Raptors
Dub Names aficionado. Ex-Toronto Star, Yahoo Sports, CBC News.
Reposted by Sunaya Sapurji
'Topes win. Walk-off block for Scottie Barnes. 110-108.

27 for Ingram, 16/6/6/ for Barnes, 15/10/4 for Quickley.

24 for Knueppel and 22 for Bridges. Hornets wouldn't go away, but Raps stuck with the game. Nice win.
November 18, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Reposted by Sunaya Sapurji
I spoke to Collin Murray-Boyles about what it's like to go on your first real NBA road trip
Collin Murray-Boyles’ first NBA road trip: Overpacking, an illness and a nap’s value
Collin Murray-Boyles' first NBA trip was fraught with challenges, including battling a cold on the road.
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Reposted by Sunaya Sapurji
A dap between Cade Cunningham and Kevin Durant confirmed it: Cade’s signature Nikes are expected to drop in the spring of 2027.

“It’s a dream come true, bro.”

www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
Cade Cunningham becomes sixth active NBA player to get a Nike signature shoe
Cunningham will join LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Devin Booker and Ja Morant as signature Nike athletes.
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Reposted by Sunaya Sapurji
Joe Mazzulla was asked by a Sports Illustrated Kids reporter, who is a child, about how he pushes his players but keeps the game fun. His answer was incredible.
November 17, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Reposted by Sunaya Sapurji
Per league sources, OG Anunoby (left hamstring strain) will be reevaluated in two weeks. OG won’t travel with the team on the upcoming roadtrip.
November 16, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Reposted by Sunaya Sapurji
The NBA has asked multiple teams, including the Lakers, to hand over documents and other property as part of its investigation into illegal sports gambling, sources said. Two LeBron associates have cooperated.

Story with @joevardon.bsky.social + @samamick.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
NBA seeks cell phones from multiple teams, including Lakers, in gambling investigation: Sources
The NBA is continuing its investigation into illegal sports betting after three current or former players were federally indicted.
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Reposted by Sunaya Sapurji
Brandon Ingram and the Raptors are slowly getting to know each other. There are some concerns, but the early results are promising
Brandon Ingram isn’t sleeping on Raptors and neither should the rest of the NBA
“The reality of it is we haven’t really had a player like him with his play style in the past couple years,” says Jakob Poeltl of Ingram.
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Reposted by Sunaya Sapurji
BREAKING: The New Orleans Pelicans have fired head coach Willie Green, the team announced.

Associate head coach James Borrego has been named interim head coach.

🔗: www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
November 15, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Reposted by Sunaya Sapurji
If Scottie Barnes is gonna play like this? Well, the Toronto Raptors might be frisky.
This version of Scottie Barnes makes Raptors dangerous
With others taking on more of the Raptors' half-court offence, Scottie Barnes is free to show off his athletic, physical all-around game.
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Reposted by Sunaya Sapurji
The Grizzlies have turned to stone. The Hornets’ centers are inventing new awards. And a shooter is no longer just shooting.

Your weekly around-the-NBA notebook: www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
November 14, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Reposted by Sunaya Sapurji
Grade-1 is the lowest severity of sprains, for those unaware. Typical recovery is, on average, anywhere from four or five days to three-ish weeks.
Knicks’ Jalen Brunson (right ankle sprain) is OUT for tomorrow’s game against Miami.

It’s a grade-1 sprain, per league sources, and he’ll be evaluated daily going forward.
November 13, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Reposted by Sunaya Sapurji
These may be the same Cavaliers ... but they are not the same Cavaliers.

Story on the Eastern Conference favorites who are tweaking their formula: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
November 13, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Reposted by Sunaya Sapurji
The Pistons believe “what’s brewing in (their) locker room is special.” Here’s more on the brotherhood driving Detroit’s win streak.

“(Tonight) was a testament to how hard we play and how much we care for each other.”

www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Pistons' 8 straight wins show 'what's brewing in that locker room is special'
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Reposted by Sunaya Sapurji
Frog looked at Toad's calendar. The November page was still on top.
November 13, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Reposted by Sunaya Sapurji
Paolo Banchero will undergo an MRI on his groin, Banchero tells @theathletic.com.

More information with Banchero’s perspective in here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
November 13, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Reposted by Sunaya Sapurji
Jalen Brunson left MSG in a walking boot and crutches.
November 13, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Reposted by Sunaya Sapurji
Source tells @theathletic.com that Bradley Beal has been diagnosed with a left hip fracture.

Season ending surgery after only 6 games (all starts)

Recovery: 6-9 months.
November 12, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Reposted by Sunaya Sapurji
BREAKING: The Dallas Mavericks are expected to fire Nico Harrison, sources tell The Athletic.

The former Nike executive drove the decision to trade Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers eight months after Dončić led Dallas to an NBA Finals appearance.
November 11, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Reposted by Sunaya Sapurji
Wrote on a wild Pistons win, Daniss Jenkins’ clutch performance and why the outcome was more important than Cade Cunningham's missed shots during a career night.

“When it’s said and done, he’ll be one of the best Detroit Pistons players of all time.”

www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Cade Cunningham's career-night carrys East-leading Pistons past Wizards
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Reposted by Sunaya Sapurji
The Knicks will play Game 10 tonight, and there’s already a lot to digest.

Here’s my long “What I like and don’t like so far” column on the Knicks, equipped with eye-popping stats (both good and bad), analysis and videos:

Link: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
November 11, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Reposted by Sunaya Sapurji
The Athletic's top 25 NBA players of the 21st century — with stories on each player from our tremendous team of writers: www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
November 10, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Reposted by Sunaya Sapurji
The Pistons are off to their best 10-game start in 20 years and sit atop the Eastern Conference.

I wrote on what’s been driving Detroit’s success, from Cade Cunningham’s continued ascension to Jalen Duren’s fourth-year leap and more:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
How the East-leading Pistons are off to their best 10-game start in 20 years
Ascensions by Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, defensive toughness and other factors have fueled a six-game winning streak.
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Reposted by Sunaya Sapurji
Some pre-game reading for you, if you'd like.
November 8, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Reposted by Sunaya Sapurji
Wrote about the Knicks’ collective offensive weapon, the philosophy behind it and why it’s working so well:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Inside the Knicks' best collective weapon: Offensive rebounding
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:00 PM