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Back-to-back NHL champs keep team together because winning sells

Sport 2 Mins Read

The Florida Panthers have won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles and have been to the Final three years in a row.

If that doesn’t say start of a dynasty, general manager Bill Zito’s recent magic might have positioned the team for another run and more.

Zito had expressed confidence that he could sell his three key pending unrestricted free agents on a winning culture and get Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand re-signed.

Playoff MVP Bennett was first, agreeing to an eight-year, $64 million extension that was announced before the NHL draft. Then the team announced an eight-year deal for top-pairing defenseman and 2014 No. 1 overall pick Ekblad worth a reported $6.1 million a year on June 30. And reports emerged later in the day that Marchand, who scored 10 playoff goals after arriving in a trade, would be getting a six-year deal worth a little more than $5 million a year. His contract will run until he’s 43.

Zito vowed that the team would spend to the salary cap and it will. And all three are taking under-market contracts to stick around. Also important, they aren’t joining the Panthers’ rivals.

The Panthers now have Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Bennett, Carter Verhaeghe, Marchand, Anton Lundell, Seth Jones, Ekblad and Gustav Forsling signed through at least 2030.

Zito also made a recent trade for goaltender Daniil Tarasov, 26, who will get to learn under veteran Sergei Bobrovsky and possibly be the Panthers’ No. 1 goalie of the future.

The Panthers are like a family. Witness how captain Barkov made sure that all the first-time Stanley Cup winners got to lift the Cup before last year’s winners did.

That camaraderie is a key selling point. So is winning. And the Panthers have put themselves in position to do more.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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Sport

Rookie, MVPs among players named 2025 WNBA All-Star Game starters

Sport 2 Mins Read

The league announced Monday, July 1 the starters for the 2025 All-Star Game, which has a blend of veteran and young stars that will be on the court for tip-off.

Notably making the list is Paige Bueckers, who will be an All-Star in her first season in the league. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft leads all rookies in scoring and assists, and has six games of at least 20 points in her young career. Joining Bueckers are three WNBA champions: three-time MVP A’ja Wilson, two-time MVP Breanna Stewart and three-time All-Star Sabrina Ionescu. Also on the list as a starter, the Seattle Storm’s Nneka Ogwumike, who earned her 10th All-Star selection, tying her for third-most in WNBA history.

Clark and Collier are the captains of the All-Star Game as the leading vote getters, and will draft their teams during ‘WNBA Countdown’ on July 8. They will select among the rest of the starters before picking from the 12 reserves. The reserves will be determined by the league’s head coaches, which will include three guards, five frontcourt players and four players at either position. The reserves will be announced on July 6.

The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game will be held July 19 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, on Clark and the Fever’s home court. The Game will be the centerpiece of All-Star weekend activities, which also includes the 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge on Friday, July 18.

HOW THE PLAYERS RANKED: WNBA All-Star Game voting results

2025 WNBA All-Star Game starters

  • Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever (2nd selection, captian)
  • Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx (5th selection, captain)
  • Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever (3rd selection)
  • Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings (1st selection
  • Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream (3rd selection)
  • Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty (4th selection)
  • Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle Storm (10th selection)
  • Satou Sabally, Phoenix Mercury (3rd selection)
  • Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty (7th selection)
  • A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces (7th selection)

When is WNBA All-Star Game 2025?

The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game take place July 19 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

  • Date: Saturday, July 19
  • Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
  • TV: ABC
  • Stream: ESPN+, Disney+
This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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Sport

Red Sox RF makes HR history with feat not seen in 67 years

Sport 2 Mins Read

Boston Red Sox right fielder Wilyer Abreu had a two home run night, but it was one of the most unique combinations ever as he did something that hadn’t been done in an MLB game in nearly 67 years.

Abreu had an inside-the-park home run against the Cincinnati Reds before he hit a typical homer later in the contest − in grand fashion.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Abreu took Joe La Sorsa’s pitch to center field in the deep corner of Fenway Park. The ball bounced off the wall and took a long bounce along the warning track. Abreu turned on the jets after the wild ricochet, with no Reds player in the vicinity of the ball. The ball was eventually grabbed, but by the time it got to Elly De La Cruz in the shallow part of the outfield, Abreu was sliding home for the inside-the-park homer.

It was the first inside-the-park homer for a Red Sox player at Fenway Park since Jacoby Ellsbury had one on Sept. 19, 2011.

Abreu had another big moment in the bottom of the eighth. With the bases loaded, he hit a moonshot into the Red Sox bullpen for a grand slam.

Wilyer Abreu’s historic home run day

Abreu became the sixth MLB player to hit an inside-the-park home run and grand slam in the same game, according to MLB’s Sarah Langs, citing the Elias Sports Bureau. It’s the first time it’s been done since Roger Maris accomplished the feat on Aug. 3, 1958.

Abreu’s grand slam capped off a 13-6 win over Cincinnati for Boston. He had two home runs and five RBIs on the night.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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Sport

What is BYU’s honor code and its history impacting athletes?

Sport 3 Mins Read

Quarterback Jake Retzlaff is facing a potential suspension for being found in violation of BYU’s honor code.

Retzlaff plans to transfer from the Cougars’ program — according to a report from ESPN — to avoid what would ‘likely’ be a seven-game suspension from the university.

Retzlaff was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at his home, per a civil lawsuit filed in May. Retzlaff’s lawyer, Mark Baute, denied the allegations. The woman who accused Retzlaff withdrew her civil suit on Monday, June 30, per ESPN.

Regardless of the status of the suit, having sexual relations outside of marriage is against the BYU honor code — meaning Retzlaff would still be subject to punishment from the university for being found in violation.

Here’s what you need to know about the BYU honor code, and how it has affected athletes in the past:

What is BYU honor code?

The BYU honor code is a code of conduct to which all members of BYU — faculty, administration, staff and students — voluntarily adhere.

The university, sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, mandates that associates of the university ‘conduct their lives in accordance with the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ’ and ‘strive to maintain the highest standards in their personal conduct regarding honor, integrity, morality, and consideration of others.’

Per BYU, students must:

  • Maintain an Ecclesiastical Endorsement, including striving to deepen faith and maintain gospel standards
  • Be honest
  • Live a chaste and virtuous life, including abstaining from sexual relations outside marriage between a man and a woman. Living a chaste and virtuous life also includes abstaining from same-sex romantic behavior.
  • Abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, vaping, marijuana, and other substance abuse
  • Participate regularly in Church services
  • Respect others, including the avoidance of profane and vulgar language
  • Obey the law and follow campus policies, including the CES Dress and Grooming standards
  • Encourage others in their commitment to comply with the Honor Code and Dress and Grooming standards.

Notable BYU players who have violated honor code

In 2004, BYU officials dismissed or suspended four football players due to actions during an off-campus party, which included alcohol and extramarital sex. Two additional players were placed on probation.

Brandon Davies is another notable example found to be in violation of BYU’s honor code. He was suspended in early March of his the 2010-11 men’s basketball season for having premarital sex with his girlfriend. BYU was ranked No. 3 in the Coaches Poll at the time.

He was later reinstated by the team as a junior, and played two more seasons for the Cougars — seasons in which he was named to the All-West Coast Conference team. He went undrafted in the 2013 NBA Draft.

Running back Jamaal Williams was forced to sit out the 2015 college football season after an honor code violation in which he said he had a girl in his dorm room. Williams opted to stick with the Cougars rather than transfer and proceeded to become a fourth-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Retzlaff in 2024 guided BYU to an 11-2 record, including an Alamo Bowl victory over Colorado. He completed 57.9% of his passes for 2,947 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while also rushing for 417 yards and six touchdowns in his first season a full-time starter.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish at: 800.656.HOPE (4673) and Hotline.RAINN.org and en Español RAINN.org/es.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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Investing

Element79 Gold Corp. Provides Corporate Guidance and Strategic Update for Remainder of 2025

Investing 5 Mins Read

(TheNewswire)

Vancouver, BC TheNewswire June 30, 2025 – Element79 Gold Corp. (CSE: ELEM | FSE: 7YS0 | OTC: ELMGF) (‘Element79’ or the ‘Company’) announces its forward corporate guidance for the remainder of 2025, outlines recent strategic developments regarding its Lucero Project in Peru, and reaffirms its operational focus on its advanced-stage projects in Nevada, USA.

Force Majeure Declared on Lucero Project

The Company formally invoked the force majeure clause under its agreement with Condor Resources Inc. with respect to the Lucero Project due to a combination of social, regulatory, and political barriers which have effectively prevented the Company from lawfully executing planned exploration and development activities, despite holding full mineral rights.

A force majeure event refers to unforeseen circumstances beyond a party’s control—such as acts of government, social unrest, or natural disasters—that prevent contractual obligations from being fulfilled. In the case of Lucero, the following factors have contributed to the declaration:

  • Evolving and inconsistent Peruvian federal policies on small-scale mining formalization, creating uncertainty in legal enforceability and timelines.

  • Political instability and leadership vacuums , with current municipal governance in Chachas in transition and the outgoing mayor largely absent from the community.

  • Legacy community mistrust and unmet promises from prior owners, complicating local engagement efforts.

  • Ongoing unauthorized artisanal mining by community members operating outside legal frameworks and without formalized agreements.

Element79 has spent two and a half years of extensive, evolving efforts to foster community relationships and negotiate access agreements in good faith, and the Company believes in developing a win-win solution with the Chachas community for the restart of the past-producing Lucero mine, the tailings and development of a regional processing plant, and exploring the geological assets inside the Lucero concessions.  The Company and its contracted financial consultants remain staunchly optimistic to fund future development at Lucero as agreements for surface rights agreements are reached.  In the short-term, internal reports and formal feedback from its social engagement team (GAE Peru) and regional mining authorities (DREM Arequipa) suggest that no material progress toward surface rights agreements is likely for the remainder of 2025.

Path Toward Resolution and Reworking Terms with Condor Resources

Over the next 12 months, Element79 will:

  • Continue monitoring regulatory developments, particularly the anticipated implementation of MAPE legislation , which may clarify formalization mechanisms between artisanal miners and mineral right holders.

  • Maintain social outreach campaigns in Chachas through the Company’s social engagement team, GAE Peru, preparing the groundwork for ongoing engagement pre- and post-municipal elections in early 2026

  • Continue ongoing dialogue with Condor Resources to explore restructuring the terms of the original Lucero agreement, with the goal of establishing a more reasonable, flexible and mutually beneficial framework as on-the-ground conditions allow for meaningful work to resume at Lucero.

Strategic Focus Shift to Nevada Projects

In line with this operational pivot, Element79 is reaffirming its near-term focus on its U.S.-based assets:

  • The Company will retain and advance development at the Elephant Project in Nevada. A technical report to formally organize historical work under the 43-101 framework, upcoming work plan and exploration campaign are currently being finalized and will be publicly disclosed shortly.

  • The acquisition of the Gold Mountain Project , a drill-ready asset also located in Nevada, is expected to close as soon as possible, pending administrative timelines surrounding Canada Day and U.S. Independence Day holidays. A comprehensive development plan will be issued thereafter.

Corporate Outlook

As Element79 aligns its capital and human resources to near-term executable projects, the Company remains committed to:

  • Unlocking shareholder value through strategic asset optimization.

  • De-risking its project portfolio by prioritizing jurisdictions with clear permitting paths.

  • Continuing stakeholder engagement to support long-term success at Lucero when conditions become viable.

  • Changes to the board of directors and management to reflect the evolving business model

About Element79 Gold Corp.

Element79 Gold Corp. is a mining company focused on the exploration and development of high-grade gold and silver assets. Its principal asset is the past-producing Lucero Project in Arequipa, Peru, where it aims to resume operations through both conventional mining and tailings reprocessing. In the United States, the Company holds interests in multiple projects along Nevada’s Battle Mountain Trend.  Additionally, Element79 Gold has completed the transfer of its Dale Property in Ontario to its wholly owned subsidiary, Synergy Metals Corp., and is progressing through the Plan of Arrangement spin-out process.

For further information, please visit: www.element79.gold

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

James C. Tworek

Chief Executive Officer, Director

Element79 Gold Corp.

jt@element79.gold

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words ‘anticipate,’ ‘plan,’ ‘continue,’ ‘expect,’ ‘estimate,’ ‘objective,’ ‘may,’ ‘will,’ ‘project,’ ‘should,’ ‘predict,’ ‘potential’ and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the Company’s exploration plans, development plans and the Force Majeure Event. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements because the Company cannot provide assurance that they will prove correct. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include conditions in the duration of the Force Majeure Event, and receipt of regulatory and shareholder approvals. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and, except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

News Provided by TheNewsWire via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Investing

Allied Critical Metals

Investing 9 Mins Read

Investor Insight

With a strategic foothold in Portugal and a commodity focus on tungsten – a metal deemed critical by both NATO and US defense agencies – Allied Critical Minerals is advancing two past-producing projects toward near-term production. Backed by a $4.6 million financing, offtake interest from major buyers, and a leadership team with proven capital markets and operational success, ACM is well-positioned to become the largest tungsten producer outside of China.

Overview

Allied Critical Minerals (CSE:ACM,FSE:0VJ0) is advancing two highly strategic, past-producing tungsten projects – Borralha and Vila Verde – located in northern Portugal. These brownfield assets present a compelling combination of near-term production potential and district-scale exploration upside, positioning the company to become the largest tungsten producer outside of China. With 100 percent ownership of both projects and supportive local communities, ACM is well-placed to contribute to the critically needed supply of this strategic metal to Western markets.

Tungsten is essential for defense systems, electric vehicles, semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI), yet current global supply is dominated by China and Russia, accounting for about 90 percent of production. ACM’s projects are aligned with national security strategies in the US and EU, seeking secure and stable sources of tungsten supply. The company has already signed a letter of intent with Global Tungsten & Powders, a major Pennsylvania-based end-user with ties to the US military and is actively engaging with other global refineries.

To capitalize on these market dynamics, ACM closed a $4.6 million financing to fund an aggressive value creation plan. This includes an ongoing drill program at Borralha aimed at expanding its existing NI 43-101 resource, and the construction of a pilot processing facility at Vila Verde, targeted to begin in Q4 2025 and become operational by 2026. The pilot plant will process tailings and alluvial material from existing deposits, with an estimated annual output of ~250 tons tungsten trioxide (WO₃) and projected revenues of $4 million to $5 million, supporting near-term cash flow with minimal dilution.

ACM differentiates itself from competitors such as American Tungsten and Fireweed through its permitting progress, advanced technical groundwork and strong leadership. CEO Roy Bonnell brings a proven track record of successful exits and rapid value creation, having been instrumental in the success of both Founders Metals (TSXV:FDR) and Thesis Gold (TSXV:TAU) — two of the TSX Venture’s top-performing issuers in recent years.

Company Highlights

  • Strategic Focus on Critical Metals: Allied Critical Minerals is developing two tungsten projects – Borralha and Vila Verde – in mining-friendly northern Portugal, targeting near-term production and long-term scale.
  • Advanced Brownfield Assets: Both projects are historic producers with significant infrastructure, community support and technical momentum. Borralha produced tungsten from 1904 to 1986, and holds a newly updated NI 43-101 compliant resource.
  • Pilot Plant Launch in 2026: A pilot plant at Vila Verde is slated for construction in Q4 2025 with 150,000 tpa throughput capacity, expandable to 300,000 tpa. Target output of ~250 tons WO₃ annually is expected to generate $4 million to $5 million in revenue, funded through non-dilutive financing.
  • Offtake and Government Support: Allied has signed an LOI with Global Tungsten & Powders and is in discussions with additional refineries. Expressions of interest from US and EU defense-linked buyers are ongoing.
  • High Impact Drill Campaign: A fully funded 5,000 meter drill program is currently underway at Borralha, with assays expected to expand resources and define the high-grade Santa Helena Breccia zone.
  • Differentiated from Peers: Allied is one of only a few public companies in the Western world with near-term tungsten production potential, outpacing peers such as American Tungsten and Fireweed, in both timeline and resource readiness.

Key Projects

Borralha Tungsten Project

The Borralha project is ACM’s flagship development-stage asset, located approximately 100 km northeast of Porto in northern Portugal. A brownfield project with a rich production history dating back to 1904, Borralha produced over 10,280 tons of wolframite concentrate at an average grade of 66 percent WO₃, until operations ceased in 1986. Today, the project is advancing rapidly, supported by a Mining Rights Concession License and a newly updated NI 43-101 compliant resource estimate effective July 31, 2024. The estimate defines indicated resources of 4.98 million tons (Mt) at an average grade of 0.22 percent WO₃, 762 grams per ton (g/t) copper, and 4.8 g/t silver, and inferred resources of 7.01 Mt at 0.20 percent WO₃, 642 g/t copper, and 4.4 g/t silver. The project area hosts significant polymetallic enrichment, with tin and copper frequently associated with the tungsten mineralization, adding potential for by-product credits.

The primary zone of interest, the Santa Helena Breccia (SHB), is a subvertical to sub-horizontal breccia pipe-style tungsten system. Historical and recent drilling confirms broad, continuous mineralization with highlight intercepts including 106 m at 0.21 percent WO₃, 114 m at 0.23 percent WO₃, 108 m at 0.22 percent WO₃, and a high-grade zone of 10 m at 1.75 percent WO₃.

The SHB zone accounts for over 70 percent of known mineralization, but only about half of the zone has been drill-tested to date. The current drill campaign is targeting both lateral extensions and higher-grade core zones within the breccia body.

Geologically, the deposit is hosted in metasedimentary rocks intruded by late-Variscan granites, with mineralization occurring predominantly as wolframite associated with quartz-cassiterite veins and breccia infill. Breccia pipe mining techniques – similar to open-pit quarry operations – are anticipated for early-stage exploitation.

The project is currently undergoing an environmental impact assessment under review by Portuguese authorities. The mining license includes provisions for up to 150,000 tons per annum of bulk sampling ahead of full-scale operations, which will be governed by a future feasibility study. The low-cost drill environment (~$235/meter) and excellent infrastructure – including road, power, water and proximity to a skilled workforce – make Borralha a technically robust and strategically significant asset for ACM.

Vila Verde Tungsten-Tin Project

Located approximately 45 km southeast of Borralha, the Vila Verde project is ACM’s pilot production and near-term cash flow opportunity. Historically, this area hosted the Vale das Gatas Mine, which was one of Portugal’s largest tungsten producers prior to its closure in 1986. The project covers a significantly larger land area than Borralha and includes multiple mineralized zones, notably Cumieira and Porqueira. A historical resource estimate from 2020 defined 7.3 Mt of mineralized material above a 0.05 percent WO₃ cutoff, including 4.0 Mt at 0.14 percent WO₃ in the Cumieira zone and 3.3 Mt at 0.10 percent WO₃ in Porqueira. While historical in nature, these figures are supported by 17 diamond drill holes totaling 2,103 metres, which revealed a 2.1 km x 1.0 km mineralized footprint at Cumieira and a 1.0 km x 500 m footprint at Porqueira.

Vila Verde Pilot Plan

Vila Verde is advancing toward the construction of a 150,000-ton-per-annum pilot plant, scheduled to begin construction in Q4 2025 and be operational in 2026. Tailings and alluvial material from the Justes deposit will be used as the initial feedstock, with an average WO₃ grade of ~0.21 percent anticipated. Plant design includes standard crushing and grinding circuits followed by gravimetric and magnetic separation to produce a high-grade wolframite concentrate. Engineering work by GMR Consultores and MinePro Solutions supports an annual output of approximately 250 tons of WO₃ under current parameters. The total estimated CAPEX for the pilot plant is CA$7.9 million, with a proposed expansion to 300,000 tpa requiring an additional CA$2.9 million, both targeted for non-dilutive funding sources.

Permitting is progressing efficiently, with the mineral license being converted from exploration to experimental mining status. This permits early-stage production while full-scale licensing is pursued. The project benefits from pre-existing quarry infrastructure, strong community support, and short timelines to cash flow. A signed LOI with Global Tungsten & Powders in Pennsylvania provides an initial offtake channel, and additional negotiations with global refiners are ongoing. Vila Verde is central to ACM’s short-term revenue plan and is designed to serve as a testbed for scalable production across its broader tungsten portfolio.

Management Team

Roy Bonnell – CEO and Director

Roy Bonnell is a seasoned executive with over 30 years in capital markets, venture finance and natural resources. Bonnell holds an LLB from Western University, an MSc from the London School of Economics, and an MBA from McGill University. He brings deep leadership and financing experience and previously served as a board member for Founders Metals and Thesis Gold – two of the TSXV’s top performers.

João Barros – President and COO

With over 20 years of mining sector experience in Portugal, João Barros specializes in exploration management, environmental impact assessments and feasibility studies. He has held leadership roles at Ascendant Resources and Redcorp, and is a member of the Portuguese Engineers Association.

Sean O’Neill – Non-Executive Chairman

Sean O’Neill is head of securities at Boughton Law with 20+ years in corporate and securities law, including advising mining firms globally. He holds degrees in Chemical Engineering and Law, an MBA, and is a registered professional engineer (P.Eng).

Michael Galego – Director

Michael Galego is the CEO of Apolo Capital Advisory and CLO of LNG Energy, with extensive experience in M&A and corporate strategy. Notably, he advised on the sale of Woulfe Mining (tungsten asset) to Almonty Industries. He is a Lexpert Top 40 Under 40 awardee and member of the TSX Venture Advisory Committee.

Colin Padget – Director

CEO of Founders Metals, Colin Padget brings operational exploration experience across South America. He holds a Masters in Geology and a Bachelor in Business Administration.

Andrew Lee – Director and Corporate Secretary

Former Managing Director of York Harbour Metals, Andrew Lee has 15 years of global exploration experience across gold and phosphate projects in Ecuador and West Africa.

Sean Choi – CFO

A CPA with nearly 20 years in mining finance, Sean Choi has held CFO roles at York Harbour Metals, Ecuador Gold & Copper, and Northern Sun Mining. He holds a degree from the Western University.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Sport

Report: Harden opts out of contract, will sign new deal with Clippers

Sport 2 Mins Read

James Harden will decline the player option on the final season of his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers but intends to re-sign with the team on a new two-year contract, ESPN is reporting.

ESPN reports that Harden’s new contract with the Clippers will be worth $81.5 million. Harden had until Sunday, June 29 to make a decision on his previous contract with the Clippers.

Had Harden exercised his player option, he would have played out the final year of his contract in Los Angeles and would’ve become a free agent at the end of the 2025-26 season.

A new Harden deal also aligns with the contract that his co-star in Los Angeles, Kawhi Leonard, has. Leonard is signed for two more seasons, through 2026-27, keeping the two star players together.

Harden was a reliable presence for the Clippers this year, especially with the prolonged absences of Leonard, who dealt with knee inflammation to start the season. Harden played 35.3 minutes per game and started 79 games. He averaged 22.8 points, 8.7 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game.

Although the Clippers played in just seven postseason games – all in a thrilling first-round series against the Denver Nuggets – Harden’s 9.1 assists per game was the highest individual total for all players who participated in the postseason.

The Clippers were one of the better teams in the NBA down the stretch, winning 18 of their final 21 games in the regular season, including the final eight.

Harden, an 11-time All-Star and the 2017-18 Most Valuable Player, will enter his 17th season in the NBA. He has scored 27,687 career points, which ranks 11th all-time.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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