New @chron.com -- Azeez Al-Shaair isn’t just a tackling machine & team captain. He’s a social activist & lover of poetry, one of the NFL’s most thoughtful leaders.

Who molded Houston’s star?

Meet James E. Tokley Sr., the Poet Laureate of Tampa, Florida.

🔗➡️ www.chron.com/sports/texan...

🏀Another week, another WNBA-to-Houston update.

Let’s try to keep this straight:

• WNBA halting Sun sale to Boston bid.

• Sun may still go to Boston, may stay in Connecticut (2 separate options).

• 🔑 to Comets revival? WNBA could buy Sun, relocate team to preferred city.

New @chron.com — “Two days after Joe died, we were in the stadium doing Friday Night Fireworks.”

Meet Vicki Walker, her son, Nate, and the whole crew responsible for two decades of joyous summer nights in Houston.

Good folks, enjoyed reporting this one.

🔗➡️ www.chron.com/sports/astro...

New month, new WNBA update for y'all ⬇️

• Connecticut Sun sale to Boston-based group is in no-way finalized.

• Sun will be sold this year.

• Houston’s ownership group, led by Tilman Fertitta, is a top contender to purchase and relocate the Sun. Boston, Hartford other top options.

Had the privilege of attending the annual Juneteenth celebration at Reedy Chapel in Galveston yesterday afternoon.

Saw President Biden speak, too.

Biden’s words were comforting. The people of Reedy Chapel were inspiring.

New @chron.com:

The Rockets were left for dead when they flew home from the Bay. Game 5 revived Houston’s hopes. I’m increasingly convinced a Game 6 upset is possible.

How can Houston bring this series home? We have six notes for Ime Udoka’s team.

🔗 www.chron.com/sports/rocke...

🚀Game 4. Not technically a must-win for Houston tonight, but pretty damn close.

Follow along all night for updates. #LiftOff

Speaking of the festivities in San Francisco, we have quite the fun one on our hands at Chase Center tonight.

Buckle up, folks. Fun 4th coming.

We can already count one Rockets fan in San Francisco: my Lyft driver!

Sedat Celik, 25, moved from Turkey two years ago. Says he went to six Warriors games this year, but no conflict on his rooting interest in Round 1.

“Hadi, Alperen!”

Story @chron: www.chron.com/sports/rocke...

C.J. Stroud, Tank Dell and Joe Mixon on hand at Toyota Center tonight. Hometown heroes not exactly helping Rockets, who trail by 18 midway through the 3rd quarter.

Jalen Green, ready for his playoff debut.

🚀 Game 1. Rockets vs. Warriors.

Buckle up.

^ surprised Rockets have the 8:30 p.m. CT game on Sunday rather than 2:30.

Get ready for some late nights ahead, Houston.

Rockets eyeing their 10th straight win against the Nikola-less Nuggets. West standings entering tonight ⬇

Chance here for Houston to get real separation for the No. 2 seed.

Sunday evening hoops.

Jeff Bagwell back in Houston today for the Jim Crane Celebrity Pro-Am. Asked him to name the most impressive Astros' prospect NOT named Cam Smith at Spring Training.

Bagwell ⬇️

⬆️ multi-mile runs dribbling a ball, YouTube lessons from Derrick Rose and Holger Geschwindner, Amen’s path was clear from an early age. Enjoyed chatting with the Thompson family for this.

“He knows he can be 1 of the top 10 players in the league, maybe the best in the league.”

2 interceptions for Derek Stingley Jr. today in Houston's 20-12 win over Miami. Just how good is Houston's third-year corner? C.J. Stroud wants Stingley to play offense, too.

“Sting is one of a kind, bro. ... How he can play the ball in the air, it’s the best I’ve ever seen in my life.”

Texans. Dolphins. Florida men.

AFC South can be clinched today with a Houston win and Indianapolis loss at Denver.