Caitlin Clark named Time Magazine’s 2024 Athlete of the Year.
WNBA Rookie of the Year, Caitlin Clark has added another milestone to her incredible year: Time magazine’s 2024 Athlete of the Year. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, Clark made history in her first professional season, leading the Indiana Fever to their first playoff berth since 2016 and setting records with her electrifying long-range shooting and playmaking. Her impact extended beyond the court, driving a 48% increase in league attendance, the highest in two decades, and helping the WNBA become the fastest-growing sports brand of 2024. Before her WNBA success, Clark led the University of Iowa to the NCAA championship game while breaking Pete Maravich’s all-time collegiate scoring record. Now, as the face of the league with a landmark Nike deal, Clark celebrates her role in boosting women’s basketball: “I’ve turned so many into fans.”
Caitlin Clark has been named TIME’s Athlete of the Year. pic.twitter.com/nLKFSwACWM
— Pop Base (@PopBase) December 10, 2024
Heat reportedly open to listening to Jimmy Butler trade offers.
Per reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Miami Heat are reportedly open to Trade offers for star wing Jimmy Butler. Butler, 35, is averaging 19 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game on 55.7% shooting this season. With a $52 million player option for 2025-26 looming, Butler is expected to opt out of his contract, prompting Miami to explore options. Butler is reportedly interested in trades to the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, or Golden State Warriors, favoring a move to a title contender. The Warriors are said to be seeking a star playmaker alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. A six-time All-Star, Butler has guided Miami to the playoffs in each of his five seasons, including two NBA Finals appearances. With the trade deadline set for February 6, Miami has time to consider reshaping the title race.
BREAKING: The Miami Heat are open to listening to trade offers for Jimmy Butler, per @ShamsCharania
Butler is open to playing for the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors
“The Heat are open to listening to offers for Butler and making a deal if the… pic.twitter.com/JusPQ4qjVX
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 10, 2024
Real Madrid claim crucial win against Atalanta to keep CL knockout hopes alive.
Jude Bellingham scored the decisive goal as Real Madrid secured a 3-2 victory over Atalanta, reviving their hopes of finishing in the top eight of the UEFA Champions League group stage. Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring in the 10th minute, but an injury forced his early exit, and Atalanta equalized before halftime with a Charles De Ketelaere penalty. Vinícius Júnior, returning from injury, capitalized on a lucky deflection to restore Madrid’s lead, and Bellingham quickly added a third. Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman reduced the deficit and later set up Mateo Retegui for a last-minute equalizer, but the substitute missed from close range. Madrid avoided becoming the first defending champions to lose three consecutive group-stage games, while Atalanta suffered their first Champions League defeat this season. Madrid now sits two points behind group leaders Atalanta, with both teams currently in playoff contention.
FT: Atalanta 2-3 Real Madrid.
MASSIVE 3 POINTS FOR REAL MADRID! 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/ETv7nahLyZ
— TheEuropeanLad (@TheEuropeanLad) December 10, 2024
Giannis and Damian Lillard shine as the Bucks advance to the NBA Cup semis.
The Milwaukee Bucks secured a spot in the NBA’s in-season tournament semifinals, now branded the Emirates Cup, with a 114-109 victory over the Orlando Magic at Fiserv Forum. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 37 points on 15-of-24 shooting, while Damian Lillard added 29 points and nine assists, sinking all 10 of his free throws. Bobby Portis Jr. contributed 22 points off the bench. Despite missing stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner due to injuries, Orlando pushed Milwaukee with four players in double figures. Jalen Suggs scored a career-high 32 points but missed two crucial three-pointers in the final seconds. Anthony Black added 17 points, while Goga Bitadze tallied 12 points and 14 rebounds. The Bucks, now 13-11, advanced as the East’s top seed after a perfect group stage and will face either the Knicks or Hawks in Las Vegas.
Heading to Vegas for the 2nd straight year 🏆
The Bucks ADVANCE to the #EmiratesNBACup Semifinals! pic.twitter.com/Tq2Y69koYj
— NBA (@NBA) December 11, 2024
Liverpool maintains a 100% record in the Champions League, thanks to Salah’s penalty.
Mohamed Salah scored his 50th UEFA Champions League goal as Liverpool sealed a perfect group-stage campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Girona. Salah converted a 63rd-minute penalty, marking his 16th goal of the season and a significant milestone in Europe’s elite competition. Liverpool’s victory owed much to the heroics of goalkeeper Alisson, who returned from injury to make crucial saves during a lively first half. Darwin Núñez also came close to scoring as the Reds pushed for a breakthrough. The decisive moment came when VAR recommended a review of Donny van de Beek’s foul on Luis Díaz, leading to Salah’s match-winning strike. With six wins from six, Liverpool remain top of the standings and are almost guaranteed a top-eight finish. Girona, meanwhile, languishes in 30th. Liverpool now shift focus to a Premier League clash with Fulham on Saturday.
🔴🚀 6 wins in 6 Champions League games for Liverpool! ✨ pic.twitter.com/K7D18aitsl
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 10, 2024