Basketball: the main stories of 13.09.2026

The Americans still have not lost their grip on the women's game. They trailed France by 14 points in the first half and came back to take a fifth straight World Cup title and a 12th overall. Breanna Stewart led the way with 22 points, and Caitlin Clark added 12. The final was the meeting both semi-finals pointed to a day earlier: the USA beat Spain, and France routed Germany. France, led by Gabby Williams, were playing in Berlin for only their second world medal and briefly looked the better side. Then the USA found another gear and France had no answer.

Ettore Messina is leaving Milan for a role across the Atlantic. According to La Repubblica, he will join the Atlanta Hawks as an adviser, a move carried by two outlets. In Miami, Ira Winderman writes that the Heat may look at Devin Carter, whom Atlanta waived on Friday. The same columnist had already reported the Heat were weighing Gabe Vincent or D'Angelo Russell for their last roster spot. One outlet reports that Russia and Dynamo Kursk forward Olga Frolkina has had planned Achilles surgery unrelated to an injury and will miss about two months.

• The NBA has raised its salary cap projection for 2027-28 to $176m, The Athletic reports.
• According to TicketIQ, the cheapest seat for the champion Knicks' season opener costs 526% more than last year.
• The Knicks have signed Igor Milicic to an Exhibit 10 deal, one report says.
• Heavy Sports reports that Boston turned down offers for Derrick White after trading Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia.
• Gary Washburn writes that Payton Pritchard could get an extension worth about $22m a season.
• ESPN's Tim MacMahon says Houston consider Amen Thompson untouchable.
• Tim Kawakami says the Warriors would offer three picks for Devin Booker if he became available.
• Sean Marks explained why Brooklyn drafted Michael Brown at No. 6, and new signing Julius Randle says the Nets will beat expectations.
• Draymond Green questioned whether the league has enough talent for expansion and said all players get the same jersey royalties.
• Former EuroLeague chief Jordi Bertomeu doubts the club valuations in the NBA's European project.
• Panathinaikos have put back Dejan Bodiroga's banner, which came down last March.
• Tyler Dorsey says he wants to be EuroLeague MVP, and Trent Forrest explained his move from Baskonia to Fenerbahçe.
• Glen Davis described the Lob City locker room as toxic, and Joey Linn says the Clippers still live in the Lakers' shadow.
• Norman Powell says Giannis Antetokounmpo's arrival makes the Heat contenders.
• Olden Polynice called LeBron James an underachiever.
• Sophie Cunningham stayed out of the Kanter and White WNBA debate.