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Boston Celtics to Proceed Cautiously Amidst NBA’s Best Record

As the Boston Celtics bask in the glow of clinching the NBA’s best regular-season record, they are adopting a cautious approach heading into the final stretch of games. With six matchups remaining, the Celtics aim to balance maintaining their momentum with ensuring the health and freshness of their key rotation players.

Heading into their clash against the Sacramento Kings at TD Garden on Friday night, the Celtics are keeping a close eye on the injury report.

Jaylen Brown and Derrick White are both listed as questionable, with Brown nursing a left hand sprain and White dealing with a low back contusion. Meanwhile, Jaden Springer remains sidelined with a left knee tendinopathy.

Brown, however, provided reassurance regarding his injury, stating that while he has a ligament sprain or strain in his hand, he does not consider it a significant concern moving forward.

Fortunately, the Celtics have no other players listed on the injury report, ensuring that key contributors such as Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Jrue Holiday are all healthy heading into the postseason. Despite recent minor injuries, these players are expected to be fully available for the playoffs.

With the luxury of playing low-stakes games to close out the regular season, the Celtics can afford to prioritize player rest and injury prevention. While other teams battle for seeding positioning, the Celtics can focus on maintaining readiness for the playoffs.

Expect Boston to continue resting players if there is any risk of potential lingering effects heading into the postseason.

Kylie Was a Student When She Met Jason

And he was right by her side when she graduated from Cabrini University in 2017. No literally, there he is:

While Kylie majored in communications in college, her main passion was field hockey. According to Cabrini Athletics’ page, she played defense and started in all 20 games of 2016. In other words, she was super skilled!

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Point is, Kylie hadn’t entered the work force yet due to focusing on her education and field hockey. Once she met Jason and graduated, she began devoting her time to giving back to their local community. Which makes sense given….

Kylie Is Currently a Philanthropist

Jason actually started a non-profit called (Be)Philly, which is “dedicated to improving the lives” of Philadelphia’s youth by supporting “the most innovative and impactful programs in the city.” And obviously Kylie is involved!

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She’s also integral to the Eagles Autism Foundation and throws events for them every year. In fact, Kylie recently chatted about autism-related advocacy on the Today Show, saying, “I had a neighbor growing up, Tim, who was like my brother. He called me and my sister his sisters, my mom his girlfriend, and my dad “The Boss.” He was just a constant, he was always around, and it was a learning experience that I didn’t even know we were gaining.”

Kylie added that her friendship with Tim “gave me this deep love and appreciation for one person who was on the autism spectrum, and so therefore it sort of just gives you this love. And it definitely fueled my passion.”

She went on to say that when she found out Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie “was using autism as his focus” for the team, she “was all in.”

According to Us Weekly, Kylie initially volunteered for the Eagles Autism Foundation and took on “more of an official” role in recent years.

She Does a Ton of Endorsements

So, how does Kylie make money? Just like all your faves: celebrity endorsements. We’re talking Papa Johns, Lindt, Dove…the world is basically her sponsored post oyster. As for what she earns per post, The Sun reports that Kylie could be making as much as $11,900 a pop given her rapidly growing Instagram following. And that number will only rise as her follower count does.

So What Is Kylie Kelce’s Net Worth?

According to Essentially Sports, she has $1 million to her name—though her and Jason’s combined net worth is sitting at $31 million. Oh, and let’s not forget that these two reportedly own a property in Pennsylvania that they bought for $680,000, as well as homes in Sea Isle City and Cleveland worth several million.

Welp, if you need me I’ll be sitting here patiently waiting for Papa Johns to give me an endorsement as a polite thank you for all the pizza I consume.

Udonis Haslem explained his surprising choice this week on a podcast

 

USATSI

Udonis Haslem may have stopped playing in the NBA, but the former Heat big man and franchise legend is still in and around the game, both as a member of Miami’s front office and as a podcaster. During a recent episode of his show, “The OGs Podcast with Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller,” he made an interesting comment about some big-name former Heat teammates.

According to Haslem, Chris Bosh was the most important player on the Heat during the run of four straight Finals appearances, not LeBron James. Here’s Miller and Haslem:

Mike Miller: “I’m telling you, if [Chris Bosh] stayed healthy, he’d still be playing.”

Udonis Haslem: “Everybody thinks that our most important player was [LeBron James]. Our most important player, not our best player, our most important player was [Bosh]. He was our most important player. If [James] went down, you could bring in [Dwyane Wade]. It’s not the same player, but you’re gonna get similar results of what you’re gonna get out of the player — making plays, he can go for 30.

“We couldn’t simulate — we didn’t have another [Bosh]. If that motherf—– went down and he got hurt, we didn’t have another one of those.”

Mike Miller: “And the way [Erik Spoelstra] started using him too was impossible to guard, like he was shooting 3s. That man was cold, brother. And that’s when no one did that.”

Bosh was an incredible player and his offensive rebound and kickout to Ray Allen in Game 6 of the 2013 Finals is one of the most clutch moments in NBA history. He was a crucial part of those title teams and a deserved Hall of Famer. He was not, however, the most important player on the Heat during those four seasons.

If you want to say he was the X-factor or his impact was overlooked, that’s one thing. But just because the Heat didn’t have anyone to replicate his role or production doesn’t make him more important than the best player in the world at the peak of his powers. In fact, Bosh did get hurt during the 2012 playoffs — he suffered an abdominal strain in Game 1 of the second round and didn’t return until Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals — and the Heat won the title anyway

During that 2012 postseason run, James averaged 30.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game on 50% shooting. When they went back-to-back in 2013, he was at 25.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.8 steals per game on 49.1% shooting.

There’s no replacing that, as the Heat found out during the 2014-15 season when James left and they missed the playoffs.

Porzingis Dominance Propels Celtics to NBA Playoff Pole Position

In a commanding victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Boston Celtics not only secured homecourt advantage throughout the NBA playoffs but also showcased the pivotal role of Kristaps Porzingis in their championship aspirations.

The Celtics’ 60th win of the 2023-24 season was underscored by Porzingis’ dominant display on Wednesday night. The towering 7-foot-3 center delivered a masterful performance, tallying 27 points on efficient shooting, along with 12 rebounds, five blocks, and four assists.

His impact reverberated throughout the game, as he maintained a remarkable plus-19 rating in just 31 minutes of play.

Porzingis exploited the Thunder’s lack of size with ease, capitalizing on every opportunity presented to him in the midrange and paint. His versatility posed a formidable challenge for the Thunder, prompting adjustments from the opposing defense. Even when faced with double-teams, Porzingis exhibited exceptional court vision, facilitating scoring opportunities for his teammates on the perimeter.

Notably, the Thunder’s attempt at employing zone defense proved futile against the Celtics’ strategic prowess. Porzingis’ ability to navigate through the defense from the free-throw line added another dimension to Boston’s offensive arsenal, leaving commentators like JJ Redick to marvel at the team’s execution.

The Latvian center’s proficiency extends beyond traditional post play; his perimeter shooting adds a new layer of complexity to Boston’s offensive scheme.

Despite his towering stature, Porzingis remains a threat from beyond the arc, capitalizing on defensive lapses to stretch the floor and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.

Porzingis’ presence not only simplifies offensive sets for Boston but also complicates defensive strategies for opponents. His multifaceted skill set demands attention from defenders, opening up opportunities for the Celtics’ other offensive weapons to thrive. As the playoffs loom, Porzingis emerges as a crucial asset, offering versatility and reliability in Boston’s quest for an 18th NBA championship.

While the Celtics boast a formidable roster, Porzingis’ health and performance remain paramount to their success. His ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor renders Boston a formidable contender, capable of overcoming any challenge that stands in their path. As the playoffs approach, the Celtics look poised to capitalize on Porzingis’ strategic brilliance, aiming to add another banner to their storied franchise.

 

On Tuesday night, Cardi B shared a seductive new video clip with her 168 million Instagram followers.

 

 

The 31-year-old musician flaunted her well-known curves in a vivid yellow and orange co-ord after revealing she wants to collaborate with Rihanna.

 

 

The rapper, who was born and raised in New York, wowed her followers by showcasing her form in a skimpy skirt and bustier crop top.

 

 

Her body was enveloped by the ruched, color-blocked ensemble as she posed against the backdrop of a lit-up metropolis.

 

 

Her most recent song, Enough (Miami), which she released last week, was playing over the sample.

 

In the eye-catching ensemble, the celebrity, real name Belcalis Marlenis, flaunted her extremely voluptuous chest and tiny waist.

 

 

The bodice’s underpinning matched the orange thong overlay on the two-piece outfit.

 

 

The mother of two proudly displayed her vibrant tattoos, which were visible on her arms, stomach, and back.

 

 

Cardi’s sultry appearance was completed with a set of high shiny gold heels.

 

 

The red hair of the former Love & Hip-Hop star was parted on the side and styled in a long, voluminous bob.

 

 

Her fiery hair was styled in flirtatious, airy curls that touched her shoulders.

 

 

The celebrity changed her naturally brown eyes to blue contacts, which intensified the eye-popping effect.

 

 

She released behind-the-scenes footage from her music video earlier in the day, and it’s currently up on YouTube.

 

She stated in the caption, interacting with her 168 million fans, “FROM THE BLOCK – Enough (Miami) on YouTube now.”

 

 

The Grammy-winning artist can be seen rapping into a hanging microphone in the video while sporting a long, straight yellow wig with a deep center part.

 

 

As she performs, she’s dressed in a form-fitting black Balenciaga small T-shirt dress, opaque black tights, and shoes.

 

 

Cardi confidently embraces black nail lacquer and silver-toned jewelry while modeling the grunge and punk-inspired looks.

 

 

Photo: Amanda Marsalis

When Ayesha Curry first started dating her NBA superstar husband Stephen, his palate was admittedly limited.

“He was a frozen pizza, chicken tenders, alfredo pasta type of guy,” she tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue, on newsstands Friday. After nearly five years of marriage, her skills in the kitchen have opened up a wide range of cuisine for him. “Now he eats sashimi,” she says. “He’s really broadened his horizons. It’s incredible.”

With her first cookbook, The Seasoned Life (out in September), an upcoming Cooking Channel show and a pop-up restaurant in their hometown of San Francisco, Ayesha, 27, is quickly racking up her credentials on the culinary scene. “I am a firm believer that food makes people feel something. It makes people feel good, warm and happy,” she says. “That’s the most rewarding thing for me, when someone takes that first bite and I see a smile. It’s probably the same adrenaline rush Steph gets when he plays a game.”

Amanda Marsalis

Despite her culinary chops, Ayesha considers herself a “relaxed lifestyle expert” who doesn’t obsess over making everything Pinterest-perfect. “Entertaining gives me anxiety,” she admits. “I’m the most disorganized person on the face of the planet but the whole message I’m trying to send is that’s normal. You can have organized chaos and that’s okay.”

Pick up the new issue of PEOPLE to get Ayesha’s easy entertaining tips and recipes for a carefree outdoor brunch — and check out her refreshing mango lemonade recipe below. “Brunching to me is so relaxed and gives you the best of both worlds,” she says. “You get the sweet and savory of breakfast and light and freshness of lunch. And cocktails are completely appropriate.”

 

1 mango, peeled and chopped (about 1 ½ cups)
¾ cup sugar, divided
4 ¼ cups water, divided
1 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 8 lemons)
1 tsp. bitters, such as Angostura

1. Process the mango, ¼ cup of the sugar, and ¼ cup of the water in a blender until smooth. (This will make the puree for the lemonade.)

2. Combine the lemon juice, bitters, and the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 4 cups water in a 2-quart pitcher; stir until the sugar dissolves. Stir in the puree. Serve over ice in tall glasses.

Jason Kelce

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Jason Kelce is officially calling it a career.

The six-time All-Pro Philadelphia Eagles center held a news conference Monday afternoon to announce his retirement, a move that has been expected since Philadelphia’s season ended in January.

 

 

Kelce, 36, wore a cutoff black Eagles T-shirt with a gold wedding band and gold watch visible on his left hand and wrist. He leaves the NFL after 13 seasons, all with the Eagles, marked by dependability, availability, consistency and cerebral, exceptional play. Kelce was selected to seven Pro Bowls in his career, including the most recent five, and his six first-team All-Pro nominations came over the final seven seasons of his career.

“I’ve been asked many times why did I choose football, what drew me to the game, and I’ve never had an answer that gets it right,” Kelce said Monday at his press conference, fighting back tears. “The best way I can explain it is what draws you to your favorite song, your favorite book — it’s what it makes you feel. The seriousness of it, the intensity of it, stepping on the field was the most alive and free I have ever felt.”

After Philadelphia’s season ended with a 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round of the playoffs, Kelce was visibly emotional on the sidelines, and he declined to talk to the media afterward.

All things Eagles: Latest Philadelphia Eagles news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

According to multiple reports, Kelce had told teammates in the postgame locker room after the wild-card loss that it would be his last game as an NFL player.

On Monday morning, Kelce teased the announcement in a social media post, saying there would be “no keg videos this year,” a reference to a social media post last year, when he announced he’d be returning to the Eagles after pouring himself a beer from a keg.

He thanked dozens of family members, coaches, and teammates, some dating back to his days in high school, sharing formative anecdotes that he said made him the player and person he became with the Eagles.

Often, Kelce had to pause his prepared comments so that he could get through his tears.

“The melting pot of geographic location, economic background, race, body type, personality and athletic traits of an NFL locker room is truly remarkable,” Kelce said. “How we all rely on each other and respect one another and each of our difference because we know we’re stronger together. I will always cherish this brotherhood, the relationships it fostered and how unique an experience it has been to enjoy the field with you all. Coming to work every day with a group of men who were driven to be the best in the world at what they do is an environment that will surely be hard to replicate.”

Known for his gregarious nature, Kelce became a social media sensation during the playoffs, when he attended several Chiefs games to watch his brother, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, play. During a divisional round game in Buffalo, Jason Kelce went shirtless and chugged beers from a suite, alongside Taylor Swift.

After that divisional round game, Jason Kelce called it “one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had. From start to finish.”

A sixth-round draft pick out of the University of Cincinnati in 2011, Kelce started for the Eagles from Day 1 – eventually playing in 193 games over his 13 seasons. Kelce leaves the game as one of the most popular players in Eagles history and a likely first-ballot Hall of Famer.

After the Eagles lost to the Buccaneers in the wild-card round, quarterback Jalen Hurts called Kelce a “legend in the city, and really in this league.”

Kelce was instrumental in Philadelphia’s Super Bowl run in 2017, when he helped lead the franchise to its only championship in a 41-33 victory over the New England Patriots. He did his part to try to push the Eagles back to another Lombardi Trophy, but the closest they came was in 2022, when Philadelphia lost to the Chiefs.

“I don’t know what’s next, but I look forward to the new challenges and opportunities that await,” Kelce concluded. “And I know that I carry with me the lessons that I learned here. And they’re forever. In that forever we shall all share the bond of being Philadelphians. That’s all I got.”

Contributing: Steve Gardner

(Getty Images)

In 2018, LeBron James began the third chapter of his career by moving from Cleveland to Los Angeles.

James has accomplished a lot in the six years since, from earning six more All-Star selections to winning the fourth championship of his career. He has also reached several milestones in the purple and gold, including becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.

Despite his success, James has “privately questioned” whether the fan base would fully embrace him, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks and Dave McMenamin. The ESPN report explained James had doubts due to years of on-court battles with Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.

James recently scored his 40,000th career point, a feat only no other player has accomplished. Lakers fans poured in their love and support for their superstar, which wasn’t lost on James.

“Much respect and much loyalty to the Laker fan base for showing me that love,” James said. “Being the first player to do something, that’s pretty cool in this league.”

LeBron James vs. Kobe Bryant history

James and Bryant have established themselves as two of the top NBA players in history, no matter how one ranks them.

The two crossed over between 2003 and 2016, but never played together or even in the same conference. Bryant was on the Lakers for 20 years, and James didn’t transition to the Western Conference until Bryant retired.

James and Bryant matched up 22 times in their careers, with James winning 16 of those contests. Most of the stats across their 22 matchups go in favor of James, too.

While the two had notable head-to-head matchups, they never met in the NBA Finals. Many anticipated that Finals matchup would come true during the 2009 NBA Playoffs when the Lakers made the Finals for the second straight season, but James’ Cavaliers fell to the Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Bryant was back in the Finals in 2010, but the Cavaliers lost to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

James signed with the Heat following the 2009-10 season, but Bryant couldn’t get past the Western Conference Semifinals in the four seasons James made the Finals in Miami.

Here’s how the two currently stack up in terms of accomplishments and accolades:

Will LeBron James get a Lakers statue?

James will almost certainly get a statue in Cleveland and possibly will receive one in Miami as well. He spent nine seasons with the Cavaliers, bringing them their first NBA title, and won two championships with the Heat in four seasons.

While James will likely be remembered most as a Cavalier or Heat, he could end up playing his longest stint with the Lakers.

James is in his sixth season with the Lakers and has a player option in his contract for 2024-25. If he re-signs beyond that, James will enter his eighth season in Los Angeles, surpassing the seven consecutive seasons he spent with the Cavaliers before signing with the Heat in 2010.

Naturally, given his standing in the NBA and what he has accomplished with the Lakers, some have begun wondering if James will also receive a Lakers statue.

First Take’s Shannon Sharpe recently asked Gilbert Arenas about his perspective on the matter on the “Nightcap” podcast, and the former NBA All-Star said “hell no” if his career ended now.

“He don’t have enough accolades in the Laker uniform,” Arenas said. “The closest statue we have with that was Shaq. Shaq [was] eight years, three rings. So, it’s going to be hard to put him in there with six years, 8,000 points, one championship, six All-Stars [appearances]. That’s not good enough for a statue in Los Angeles.”

Arenas added that James would need to win another title to earn a Lakers statue.

The final time Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker played against Kobe Bryant in 2016, the late Los Angeles Lakers star signed a pair of shoes with the message telling Booker to “Be Legendary.”

Now, Booker has a reminder for life.

Booker’s first tattoo is a particularly meaningful one. On the Suns star’s arm is a copy of the message Bryant gave him. Booker shared pictures of it to Instagram on Monday.

Booker was just a rookie in Bryant’s final season, but by the time the Suns and Lakers matched up on March 23 for Bryant’s final game against Phoenix, it was already clear Booker had the talent to develop into an elite scorer.

That night, Booker dropped 28 points on 12-for-22 shooting and had seven assists as Phoenix downed the Lakers.

After the game, the 19- and 37-year-olds talked. Photos remain of Bryant smiling at Booker while icing down.

Devin Booker got “Be Legendary” tatted on him. Kobe wrote the same message on the KOBE XI PEs he gave Book in 2016 💜💛

(via @DevinBook, h/t Sneakercenter/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/D1jgnhcPXs

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 4, 2020

Bryant died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif. on Jan. 26. The crash killed nine people, including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.

The basketball world has mourned since his passing. Different tributes around the league have honored him, including changing the name of the All-Star MVP trophy to the NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant MVP Award.

Booker now has a piece of Bryant with him forever as he tries to honor the legend’s legacy.

How many kids does Jason Kelce have again?

Thanks to Taylor Swift, millions of new fans have gotten to know Travis Kelce. They’ve also met Jason Kelce, his brother and fellow football star.

Jason and his wife, Kylie Kelce, are proud parents. Fans have gotten to know their little family for years on social media.

In addition to the beloved Kelce family dogs, they also have (human) children.

Jason Kelce and Kylie Kelce attend Thursday Night Football Presents The World Premiere of “Kelce” on September 08, 2023. (Photo Credit: Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Prime Video)

Jason Kelce is married to Kylie Kelce

Kylie McDevitt and Jason Kelce met on a dating app. The two ended up marrying in April of 2018.

Now sharing the surname of “Kelce” (which their family pronounces the intuitive KEL-see, unlike their KELss-favoring cousins), they formed their own family unit.

As we have previously detailed, they are a dog-loving couple. But it wasn’t long before this couple began adding human offspring as they grew their family.

Jason and Kylie Kelce have three children

Just a year and a half after Jason and Kylie tied the knot, they welcomed their first child.

Less than a year and a half later, they welcomed their second. Their third child came just after the 2023 Super Bowl, not even a full year after Baby #2. (Incidentally, doctors do not recommend this birthrate)

All three of their children are daughters. Jason Kelce has spoken excitedly about what a privilege it is to be a “girl dad” to his little ones.

Wyatt Elizabeth (October 2, 2019)

In October of 2019, Jason and Kelce welcomed their firstborn daughter, Wyatt Elizabeth Kelce. Just two months later, in December, they brought her to her first football game.

Wyatt was only four months old when she attended her first Kelce Super Bowl. There, her parents cheered on Uncle Travis Kelce as he played. As many Swifties have learned (and are still learning), Travis was fairly famous within the football world years before the two met.

Generally, Travis and Kylie don’t bring their kids to games unless Jason is playing. That year, however, they made an exception.

Elliotte Ray (March 4, 2021)

On March 4, 2021, Wyatt became a big sister with the birth of Elliotte Ray Kelce.

Interestingly, while Wyatt reminds her parents of Jason, Elliotte — according to her family — is constantly “twinning” with Uncle Travis.

Jason has noted that Elliotte seems to be braver than Travis was at her age. These brothers love to tease each other.

Bennett Llewellyn (February 23, 2023)

Jason and Kylie welcomed third child Bennett Llewellyn Kelce on February 23, 2023.

Yes, that means that Kylie was 38 weeks pregnant when Jason and Travis faced off for the 2023 Super Bowl earlier that month.

There were half-jokes about how they might name their third daughter if Kylie went into labor during the game. However, they ended up giving her the middle name of Llewellyn after Jason’s grandmother’s maiden name.