Rumors

Harper, a 6-foot-4 guard who is projected to be picked No. 2 overall in next Wednesday’s first round, will throw out the first pitch at Yankees Stadium on Sunday, when the Yankees host the Baltimore Orioles. Bailey, the 6-foot-7 forward whose potential draft position is all over the map, will throw out the first pitch at Citi Field on Tuesday, when the Mets host the Atlanta Braves.

Newark Star-Ledger

Chris Vivlamore: Hawks No. 1 overall draft pick Zaccharie Risacher will throw out the first pitch before Sunday's Braves game against the Pirates.

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Clutch Points: Sixers star and MVP Joel Embiid is in the house tonight for Game 4 of Phillies-Braves 🤩 pic.twitter.com/iMh0uQMMUJ

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A day after announcing her departure from Bally Sports South, reporter Lauren Jbara has joined the talent lineup at NBA TV. Jbara, who served as a reporter and host for the Atlanta Hawks and Braves, will report on-site in Sacramento on Monday, October 2 during NBA TV’s coverage of NBA Media Day.

Awful Announcing

The Dodgers are honoring Kobe Bryant on Friday night, and the late Lakers legend’s oldest daughter will play a key role in the celebration. Natalia Bryant will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Dodgers’ game against the Atlanta Braves as part of the annual Lakers Night festivities at Dodger Stadium.

Los Angeles Times

Wearing an Atlanta Braves hat and a USA Basketball t-shirt, Edwards flashed a smile and said: “He’s probably one of the greatest players (ever), so it’s gonna be tough. But I’m gonna try.” There was a priceless sequence in the third quarter. The Americans had a near breakaway and Edwards was preparing for a crowd-pleasing slam, but Amin Abu Hawwas wouldn’t quite get out of the way. For safety measures, Edwards had to lay it in, and when he landed he looked at Hawwas like “Bro, really? You’re down 35.” Then on the next possession USA stole the ball again, Edwards was fed with no one near him and delivered a tomahawk slam.

The Athletic

The black Bryant jerseys, featuring Lakers gold trim and accents, will be distributed when the Dodgers host the Atlanta Braves on Sept. 1 for fans who purchase their entry through a special event ticket package on the team's website.

ESPN

Overtime is looking to launch new leagues — and now it has an extra $100 million to make it happen. The company raised nine digits in a Series D round led by Formula 1 and Atlanta Braves parent company Liberty Media and Morgan Stanley’s Counterpoint Global team.

Front Office Sports

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been named to the list of the Top 25 Most Innovative Teams in The World for 2022, as announced by Sports Innovation Lab. As part, the team ranks 11th overall and 4th across all U.S. professional sports teams behind just the Philadelphia 76ers (5th), Atlanta Braves (7th) and Dallas Mavericks (9th). In total, the U.S. list included nine NBA teams, three MLB teams, two NFL teams and one NHL team. This is the first time the Timberwolves have been named to this prestigious list.

NBA.com

The King approves. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James tweeted a shout-out at Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña after Acuña borrowed a celebration James frequently uses — the "Silencer" — as he started his trot to first base following a fifth-inning home run against the Milwaukee Brewers. "Yessir!!!!" James tweeted Saturday night. "Went yard then hit the "Silencer"!! Ayyyyyyeee." Acuña hit the 420-foot blast in the bottom of the fifth on a 1-2 count off of pitcher Corbin Burnes, last year's NL Cy Young award winner. As Acuña left the batter's box upon hitting the home run, which sailed into deep left field, he turned to the "Silencer," which is when a person uses both their hands at their side and pushes down, while lifting either knee. The home run opened the scoring in the game and gave the Braves a one-run lead.

USA Today Sports

Andrew Lopez: Memphis just became the fourth team in NBA history to score 55 points in a quarter. - Suns (57, 2Q, 11/10/90) - Warriors (57, 3Q, 3/4/89) - Braves (58, 4Q, 10/20/72)

Twitter

According to WDAF-TV, the shipment included 80 fake Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl rings, 10 Milwaukee Bucks NBA championship rings, 30 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl rings and 110 Atlanta Braves World Series rings.

wokv.com

The Atlanta Hawks plan to celebrate the Atlanta Braves’ 2021 World Series victory by hosting Braves stars and senior-level executives during the Hawks game against Utah on Thursday, Nov. 4. In a one-of-a-kind ceremony at State Farm Arena, the Hawks will honor the World Champion Braves. Expected to attend are Freddie Freeman, AJ Minter and Joc Pederson among many others. Last night, the Braves earned The Commissioner’s Trophy, which the club received as part of a 4-2 series victory over Houston Astros in the 2021 World Series.

NBA.com

Sarah K. Spencer: "I've just got to give a shout-out to the Braves. Congratulations to the Braves and manager Brian Snitker. Just unbelievable. Those guys played great baseball this season and that was beautiful to watch." — Nate McMillan on the @Braves' World Series win

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