Basketball: the main stories of 12.09.2026

The women's World Cup final in Berlin will be a repeat of the Paris Olympic final. The United States beat Spain 76-66 in their semi-final. It was closer than the holders would have liked, and they only pulled away in the fourth quarter, when Breanna Stewart finished with 16 points. The four-time defending champions are now one win from a fifth straight title. Their opponents are the side they beat by a single point in Paris: according to one report, France beat hosts Germany 86-64, with Williams on 22 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. A day earlier Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark carried the Americans into the semi-finals. Clark's conduct at the tournament has also won over Jason Whitlock, who called her a faker in the summer.

Serbian clubs could one day play in the VTB United League. Filip Sunturlić, vice-president of the Serbian federation, raised the idea, and 2 outlets carried his remarks. Monaco are going the other way. One outlet reports that the French federation has rejected the club's application for a third-division place, which leaves them without a professional competition after their removal from the EuroLeague. Beşiktaş are still reshaping their squad a day after signing Dakuan Jeffries and suspending Madi Sissoko's contract. By all accounts they have settled the dispute with Murcia and taken David DeJulius on loan.

• Real Madrid are close to signing guard Nick Smith, the 27th pick in 2023, according to insider Chema de Lucas.
• Atlanta have waived Devin Carter, who arrived from Sacramento this summer.
• One report says Byron Scott's rape case has been paused after he filed for bankruptcy.
• NBA expansion is projected to bring in $15-18 billion, and Las Vegas and Seattle lead the race ahead of the governors' meeting on 14-15 September.
• Vernon Carey may leave Roma Maxima by mutual consent.
• Ike Iroegbu has settled in at Zenit, where Zhbanov called this the hardest pre-season under Ivanović.
• In the Rodionov Memorial in Saratov, Dinamo-Vladivostok beat Samara and Avtodor beat Barnaul.
• Ime Udoka says Fred VanVleet is back in contact training, and Rafael Stone welcomed the Smart and Bogdanović signings.
• Chris Finch is handing Minnesota to Edwards and McDaniels.
• Channing Frye doubts that Antetokounmpo can keep dominating in Miami.
• Tomer Azarly says the Clippers would help Derrick Jones move on if he finds a good offer elsewhere.
• Kyle Kuzma hit out at Colin Cowherd over his comment about Sophie Cunningham.