Massive fire engulfs apartment building in Manhattan's Upper West Side

A building in Manhattan caught fire, sending smoke and flames into the air.

On Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 8:20 a.m. local time, the Fire Department of the City of New York received a report of a fire at a 6-story apartment building, which houses 24 apartments in Manhattan's Upper West Side, the FDNY's Chief of Operations Kevin Woods said at anews conferencethe morning of the fire.

Wood states that the fire caused "heavy, heavy damage" to the apartments in the building, the roof collapsed into the top floor and part of the parapet wall, an extension of the exterior wall, collapsed into the street.

FDNY fights a fire in manhattan that caused the roof of an apartment building to collapse.

The fire was placed under control at 10:30 a.m., but photos taken at the scene show fire erupting out of the building as smoke spews into the sky.

On Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 4:36 a.m., over 20 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) units responded to reports of a structure fire at reportedly at the home of Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra,  Fire crews arrived to find two structures on the property fully involved. Due to the need for additional support, the call was upgraded to a second-alarm fire. Because of a partial collapse, firefighters switched to a defensive attack to extinguish the fire.    The fire is out now, and fire crews remain on scene monitoring for hot spots. There are no reported injuries and the home was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation. On Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 4:36 a.m., over 20 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) units responded to reports of a structure fire at a single-family residence near the 4800 block and Davis Road.    Fire crews arrived to find two structures on the property fully involved.     Due to the need for additional support, the call was upgraded to a second-alarm fire. Because of a partial collapse, firefighters switched to a defensive attack to extinguish the fire.     The fire is out now, and fire crews remain on scene monitoring for hot spots. There are no reported injuries and the home was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation. On Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 4:36 a.m., over 20 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) units responded to reports of a structure fire at a single-family residence near the 4800 block and Davis Road.    Fire crews arrived to find two structures on the property fully involved.     Due to the need for additional support, the call was upgraded to a second-alarm fire. Because of a partial collapse, firefighters switched to a defensive attack to extinguish the fire.     The fire is out now, and fire crews remain on scene monitoring for hot spots. There are no reported injuries and the home was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation. On Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 4:36 a.m., over 20 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) units responded to reports of a structure fire at a single-family residence near the 4800 block and Davis Road.    Fire crews arrived to find two structures on the property fully involved.     Due to the need for additional support, the call was upgraded to a second-alarm fire. Because of a partial collapse, firefighters switched to a defensive attack to extinguish the fire.     The fire is out now, and fire crews remain on scene monitoring for hot spots. There are no reported injuries and the home was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation. On Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 4:36 a.m., over 20 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) units responded to reports of a structure fire at a single-family residence near the 4800 block and Davis Road.    Fire crews arrived to find two structures on the property fully involved.     Due to the need for additional support, the call was upgraded to a second-alarm fire. Because of a partial collapse, firefighters switched to a defensive attack to extinguish the fire.     The fire is out now, and fire crews remain on scene monitoring for hot spots. There are no reported injuries and the home was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation. On Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 4:36 a.m., over 20 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) units responded to reports of a structure fire at a single-family residence near the 4800 block and Davis Road.    Fire crews arrived to find two structures on the property fully involved.     Due to the need for additional support, the call was upgraded to a second-alarm fire. Because of a partial collapse, firefighters switched to a defensive attack to extinguish the fire.     The fire is out now, and fire crews remain on scene monitoring for hot spots. There are no reported injuries and the home was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation. On Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 4:36 a.m., over 20 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) units responded to reports of a structure fire at a single-family residence near the 4800 block and Davis Road.    Fire crews arrived to find two structures on the property fully involved.     Due to the need for additional support, the call was upgraded to a second-alarm fire. Because of a partial collapse, firefighters switched to a defensive attack to extinguish the fire.     The fire is out now, and fire crews remain on scene monitoring for hot spots. There are no reported injuries and the home was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation. On Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 4:36 a.m., over 20 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) units responded to reports of a structure fire at a single-family residence near the 4800 block and Davis Road.    Fire crews arrived to find two structures on the property fully involved.     Due to the need for additional support, the call was upgraded to a second-alarm fire. Because of a partial collapse, firefighters switched to a defensive attack to extinguish the fire.     The fire is out now, and fire crews remain on scene monitoring for hot spots. There are no reported injuries and the home was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation. On Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 4:36 a.m., over 20 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) units responded to reports of a structure fire at a single-family residence near the 4800 block and Davis Road.    Fire crews arrived to find two structures on the property fully involved.     Due to the need for additional support, the call was upgraded to a second-alarm fire. Because of a partial collapse, firefighters switched to a defensive attack to extinguish the fire.     The fire is out now, and fire crews remain on scene monitoring for hot spots. There are no reported injuries and the home was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation. On Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 4:36 a.m., over 20 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) units responded to reports of a structure fire at a single-family residence near the 4800 block and Davis Road.    Fire crews arrived to find two structures on the property fully involved.     Due to the need for additional support, the call was upgraded to a second-alarm fire. Because of a partial collapse, firefighters switched to a defensive attack to extinguish the fire.     The fire is out now, and fire crews remain on scene monitoring for hot spots. There are no reported injuries and the home was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation. On Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 4:36 a.m., over 20 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) units responded to reports of a structure fire at a single-family residence near the 4800 block and Davis Road.    Fire crews arrived to find two structures on the property fully involved.     Due to the need for additional support, the call was upgraded to a second-alarm fire. Because of a partial collapse, firefighters switched to a defensive attack to extinguish the fire.     The fire is out now, and fire crews remain on scene monitoring for hot spots. There are no reported injuries and the home was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Massive fire erupts at Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra's Florida home

Three people, including a firefighter, were injured in the fire

Three people, including a firefighter, sustained minor injuries in an apartment fire, officials said.

Paramedics discovered two people inside the building while the fire was ongoing; both were reported to have minor injuries, according to FDNY EMS acting Chief Miano. One firefighter also received minor burns.

The fire came as temperatures were expected to dip below freezing on the night of Monday, Dec. 8, according to the FDNY.

More news:Video captures Bronx car explosion that injured 7 firefighters

What caused the fire?

FDNY Fire Marshals are investigating the cause of the fire.

This story has been updated to add video.

Julia is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers scientific studies and trending news. Connect with her onLinkedIn,X,Instagram, andTikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Manhattan apartment building in Upper West Side catches fire

Massive fire engulfs apartment building in Manhattan's Upper West Side

A building in Manhattan caught fire, sending smoke and flames into the air. On Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 8:20 ...
Illinois enacts immigration protections amid Trump crackdowns

By Jasper Ward

WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Illinois residents can sue federal immigration agents if they believe their civil rights have been violated after ​Governor JB Pritzker enacted a new law on Tuesday in response to ‌the Trump administration's expansion of immigration enforcement nationwide.

The bill, which was sent to Pritzker's desk by the ‌state legislature last month, restricts immigration enforcement efforts outside of state courthouses and allows plaintiffs to sue for damages.

It also prohibits schools from threatening to disclose actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status of an employee, student or a person associated with a ⁠student or employee to an ‌external party.

"With my signature today, we are protecting people and institutions that belong here in Illinois. Dropping your kid off at ‍day care, going to the doctor, or attending your classes should not be a life-altering task," said Governor Pritzker, a Democrat, who some consider a potential 2028 presidential candidate.

The Department of ​Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The law ‌went into immediate effect and is in response to an aggressive immigration agenda launched by the Republican President Donald Trump targeting U.S. cities like Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City.

Trump has also sought to deploy National Guard members to Chicago to enforce what he calls anti-crime efforts. Trump for years has criticized crime in ⁠Chicago, even as city figures show most categories ​of violent crime have dropped this year.

Illinois has ​pushed back against the Trump administration's attempts to deploy the National Guard and ramp up immigration arrests in the state.

"Illinois — in the face ‍of cruelty and ⁠intimidation — has chosen solidarity and support," Pritzker said.

"Donald Trump, Kristi Noem, and Gregory Bovino have tried to appeal to our lesser instincts. But the best ⁠of us are standing up to the worst of them," he added, referring to the president and ‌heads of Homeland Security and U.S. Border Patrol.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward; ‌editing by Susan Heavey and Aurora Ellis)

Illinois enacts immigration protections amid Trump crackdowns

By Jasper Ward WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Illinois residents can sue federal immigration agents if they belie...
NBA Cup Power Rankings: How all 8 teams stack up in the knockout stage, from least to most likely to win the tourney

Welcome back to the world's most accurate power rankings, where this week we will place the eight NBA Cup quarterfinalists into so perfect an order they barely even have to play the tournament to sort it out.

That is right: We ranked the eight teams remaining in the NBA Cup field from from least likely to most likely to win the single-elimination extravaganza. Bet accordingly, or don't. I can't guarantee winnings.

What I can guarantee is that these are the best damn NBA Cup quarterfinal power rankings around ...

8.Phoenix Suns(14-10)

How they got here:PHX 118, UTA 96•PHX 114, MIN 113•PHX 112, SAC 100•OKC 123, PHX 119

NBA Cup quarterfinal: at Oklahoma City (-15.5) on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET,Prime Video)

The Suns are playing better than anyone anticipated, hovering above .500, holding firm to a play-in tournament berth in the crowded Western Conference through the season's first quarter. They are 3-4 in their last seven games, playing more like the team we imagined them to be, with a -4.7 net rating.

Devin Booker missed their last two games, including a blowout loss to the Houston Rockets, with a strained groin. While he is scheduled for reevaluation before Wednesday's Cup quarterfinal game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Booker is unlikely to return in time to help punch Phoenix's ticket to Vegas.

The Thunder, then, will host the wavering Booker-less Suns, and since every team but the Portland Trail Blazers has befallen the same fate against the defending champions, I'm not in love with the Suns' odds.

Nov 28, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA;Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) dribbles down the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

7.Toronto Raptors(15-10)

How they got here:TOR 112, CLE 101•TOR 109, ATL 97•TOR 140, WAS 110•TOR 97, IND 95

NBA Cup quarterfinal: vs. New York (-4.5) on Tuesday (8:30 p.m. ET, Prime Video)

As Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković said, suggesting his team needs a kick in the you-know-what at the campaign's quarter-point, "I'm demanding more urgency from the whole team. I'm demanding more scrappiness. When we do that ... we're a completely different team, and we can compete with anybody."

[Devine: Breaking down the East quarterfinal matchups]

That has been, for the most part, true, as Toronto has held its own in the Eastern Conference, seizing a home playoff seed through the season's first 25 games. Like the Suns, the Raptors have struggled of late, losing five of their last six games, playing more like the team we envisioned, and like Phoenix, Toronto has been missing a key contributor to its rotation, as RJ Barrett (knee) has missed his last eight games.

Statistically, the Raptors have been about as good with Barrett on the court (+2.7 points per 100 possessions) as they have been without him (+2.5), which jibes with what we have seen from them — and what they have said — over their recent rough patch. I think this is a team that needseveryone, and, as Rajaković said, needs everyone pulling in the same direction, away from the lottery, to stay competitive.

6.Miami Heat(14-10)

How they got here:MIA 126, CHA 108•NYK 140, MIA 132•MIA 143, CHI 107•MIA 106, MIL 103

NBA Cup quarterfinal: at Orlando (+2.5) on Tuesday (6 p.m. ET, Prime Video)

The Heat play faster than everyone else, mostly without screens, driving and cutting and rotating and spacing, and this brand of ball has led to significant improvements on the offensive end, where they rank 13th after falling into the bottom 10 last season. The arrival of Norman Powell has helped in that regard.

"You have to learn how to be in the best shape of your life, really," Jaime Jaquez told The Athletic of the requirements necessary to play inside of their new system. "You just have to be really well-conditioned."

Apparently they are. In addition to their freshly learned offensive responsibilities, the Heat are playing the same stout defense they did last season, ranking in the top 10 on that end. The resulting net rating (+3.5) has been good for a 14-10 record and the last guaranteed playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.

There is some question about how well their style travels. They are 4-7 on the road, including a pair of losses in Orlando, where they will travel for Tuesday's Cup quarterfinal. It might be easier for the Heat to run teams out of the gym when they are in Miami, where South Beach serves as a visitor's distraction.

5.Orlando Magic(14-10)

How they got here:ORL 123, BOS 110•ORL 105, BOS 98•ORL 144, PHI 103•ORL 112, DET 109

NBA Cup quarterfinal: vs. Miami (-2.5) on Tuesday (6 p.m. ET, Prime Video)

The Magic were humming in the absence of an injured Paolo Banchero, got the former No. 1 overall pick back and then lost Franz Wagner to what appeared to be a severe injury. It is frustrating beyond words.

"You never want to see anybody go down, butthat hurt my heart watching him hit the floor," said Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley. "I'm just praying everything is going to be OK with him. You just don't like to see that happen to anyone, especially [Franz], who tries to do everything the right way at all times."

The official diagnosis for Wagner: A high left ankle sprain. It looked worse. Scratch him from the NBA Cup moving forward. "His return will depend on how he responds to treatment," the Magic's statement said.

Orlando is +1.3 points per 100 meaningful possessions this season when Wagner is on the floor without Banchero, and they are -6.3 points per 100 non-garbage possessions when the reverse is true,according to Cleaning the Glass. That does not bode well for their chances against Miami, but something tells me Banchero learned from watching Wagner in his absence, and the Magic have enough to get the job done.

4.San Antonio Spurs(16-7)

How they got here:SAS 121, HOU 110•GSW 109, SAS 108•SAS 115, POR 102•SAS 139, DEN 136

NBA Cup quarterfinal: at Los Angeles (-4.5) on Wednesday (10:05 p.m. ET, Prime Video)

Really, the Spurs have yet to show us what they are fully capable of, vacillating between the absences of De'Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama, plus a few other injuries. Still, they are 16-7, squarely in the hunt for a guaranteed playoff seed, and owners of a healthy +3.8 net rating, both good for fifth in the West.

"We're having a good year right now, and we still haven't had our whole team," said Stephon Castle, a Rookie of the Year. "It's a blessing and a curse at the same time. Guys are getting more comfortable and more shots when guys are out. Obviously we want the whole team together to get to our full potential."

That may be possible on Wednesday, when Wembanyama is scheduled to travel to Los Angeles a few weeks removed from straining his left calf. His availability for the Cup quarterfinal remains uncertain.

Nobody but the Thunder has a better defense than when Wembanyama is on the floor for San Antonio, and that defensive rating falls to a bottom-10 figure when he is off the court. The offense has hummed along at a top-10 pace in Wembanyama's absence, but they will need their full complement of defenders — with a healthy 7-foot-5 alien in the middle — in order to send the Lakers packing.

3.Los Angeles Lakers(17-6)

How they got here:LAL 117, MEM 112•LAL 118, NOP 104•LAL 135, LAC 118•LAL 129, DAL 119

NBA Cup quarterfinal: vs. San Antonio (+4.5) on Wednesday (10:05 p.m. ET, Prime Video)

Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and LeBron James form the most dangerous offensive trio in the game, especially since James looked more like himself with a 29-point performance Sunday.

"Just at 40 years old, I mean,it just takes a while for my body to kind of get back into a rhythm," James said upon returning to his All-Star form. "And so it felt good tonight to kind of feel like myself a little bit, being able to run and jump and cut and catch my second wind a lot faster tonight. Hopefully that stays."

Hopefully that stays. A forever mantra in L.A., where James will turn 41 years old later this month. Because, as long as he is on the floor, James provides the Lakers with a third offensive option who could command a double team, and there are not enough defenders to put two on Dončić, Reaves and James.

The defense remains a concern, though, as the Lakers rate 21st on that end (116.2 points allowed per 100 possessions). It is hard to imagine them seriously contending for a title with their existing personnel, but at the same time it is hard to imagine anyone slowing each of the Lakers' three dynamos in a must-win game, because, and this may be oversimplifying it, James and Dončić know how to pull these games out.

2.New York Knicks(16-7)

How they got here:CHI 135, NYK 125•NYK 140, MIA 132•NYK 129, CHA 101•NYK 118, MIL 109

NBA Cup quarterfinal: at Toronto (+4.5) on Tuesday (8:35 p.m. ET, Prime Video)

The Knicks welcomed OG Anunoby back into the fold from a left hamstring strain for a pair of victories against the Magic and Utah Jazz. When he is on the floor with Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks are outscoring opponents by 35.6 points per 100 possessions, operating like the league's best outfit on both ends of the floor, and that is a welcome sign for New York.

Of course, when Towns and center Mitchell Robinson share the floor, the Knicks are also outscoring opponents by 6.1 points per 100 possessions, another healthy number. To have a pair of starting-caliber lineups to choose between is far from the worst problem for Knicks head coach Mike Brown to have.

Either way, the Knicks have lived up to the hype as favorites to emerge from the Eastern Conference. They, too, have defensive concerns, ranking in the middle of the pack on that end, given the limitations of Brunson and Towns, though they have been one of the league's better defenses at home this season.

"We've done a great job of protecting our home court," said Josh Hart, whose Knicks are 13-1 at Madison Square Garden. "This should be the hardest place to play in the NBA, and we want teams to know that."

1.Oklahoma City Thunder(23-1)

How they got here:OKC 132, SAC 101•OKC 144, UTA 112•OKC 113, MIN 105•OKC 123, PHX 119

NBA Cup quarterfinal: vs. Phoenix (+15.5) on Wednesday (7:35 p.m. ET, Prime Video)

There is a lot of lip service in the NBA, and this certainly sounds like lip service ...

"We have a team that over time has formed a belief that you're only as good as you are tonight," said Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault. "Nothing we have done previous to this has helped us tonight."

... but it's not.

Oklahoma City actually believes its mantra. The Thunder wake up each morning in service of performing their jobs, which is to win basketball games, and no previous victory will assure them of the next. So they must give forth a full effort. And their full effort is better than anybody else's almost every single night.

"Our team has been way more of the same than different," Daigneault said of his defending champions. "The only difference might be a little more confidence — internal confidence and assuredness. I think the chemistry and continuity help with that. But it feels the same. The same things we've emphasized."

There is little else to say about this team, other than that they are apace to be the greatest of all time.

NBA Cup Power Rankings: How all 8 teams stack up in the knockout stage, from least to most likely to win the tourney

Welcome back to the world's most accurate power rankings, where this week we will place the eight NBA Cup quarterfina...
Bronx man charged in shooting of New York Jets' Kris Boyd

NEW YORK (AP) — A Bronx man has been charged with attempted murder in the shooting of New York Jets' player Kris Boyd, police announced Tuesday.

The New York Police Department said Frederick Green, 20, was charged late Monday night. Police had revealed Monday that a "person of interest" was in custody but didn't name them. Green is likely to appear in court later Tuesday.

It was not immediately clear if Green has an attorney. He also faces additional charges of assault and criminal possession of a weapon, police said.

Boydwas shot in the abdomen just after 2 a.m. on Nov. 16 in midtown Manhattan, after Boyd, his friend and two other Jets' players, Irvin Charles and Jamien Sherwood, left a club and were approached by a group of men who made fun of their clothing, police told reporters at a news briefing.

A fight eventually broke out between the men and Boyd was shot, police said. Boyd and his friends were not armed.

Boyd was hospitalized after the shooting but a few weeks later visited the Jets' facility, surprising teammates and attending a special teams meeting.

The Jets signed Boyd earlier this year but he was injured during a practice this summer and has not yet played for the team. He played his first four seasons in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings, later signing with the Arizona Cardinals in 2023 and then joining Houston's practice squad later that season.

Bronx man charged in shooting of New York Jets' Kris Boyd

NEW YORK (AP) — A Bronx man has been charged with attempted murder in the shooting of New York Jets' player Kris Boyd...
Aces superstar A'ja Wilson named TIME's 2025 Athlete of the Year

Las Vegas Aces superstar A'ja Wilsonis TIME's Athlete of the Year, because, of course, she is.

The 6-foot-4 South Carolina native earned her second WNBA scoring title, thirdDefensive Player of the Year (DPOY) awardandfourth MVP(the first in league history to accomplish the feat) weeks before winning her third championship. The nowtwo-time Finals MVPand theAces swept the Phoenix Mercuryin the WNBA Finals.

Wilson is the first player in WNBA or NBA history to win a championship, Finals MVP, regular-season MVP and DPOY award in the same season. She's also one of four players in the WNBA or NBA to win four MVP trophies before the age of 30. Fittingly, Wilson wore aThanos-inspired gloveto Las Vegas' championship parade earlier this year to celebrate.

"When you've collected everything, that's Thanos,"Wilson told TIME. "And this year, I collected everything. I don't really talk much s---, I mean crap. I kind of let my game do it. This was my biggest moment of doing it, because no one's ever done what I've done. And I think people really needed to understand that."

Game 2: The Las Vegas Aces' Jewell Loyd (24) and A'ja Wilson (22) celebrate after scoring against the Phoenix Mercury. Game 2: The Las Vegas Aces' A'ja Wilson (22) shoots the ball against the Phoenix Mercury's Alyssa Thomas. Game 2: The Phoenix Mercury's Kahleah Copper (2) drives the ball past Las Vegas Aces guards Jackie Young (0) and Dana Evans (11). Game 2: Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) drives the ball against Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally. Game 2: Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) shoots a layup against Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22). <p style=Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) celebrates with teammates after the Aces defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 89-86, at Michelob Ultra Arena.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Game 1: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces battles for the ball with Alyssa Thomas #25 and Kahleah Copper #2 of the Phoenix Mercury.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) and A'ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces grab a rebound past DeWanna Bonner (14) and Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) looks to tip a loose ball away from Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33).

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Game 1: Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) shoots against Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4).

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Game 1: A'ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates after making a basket against the Phoenix Mercury.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Megan Gustafson (17) of the Las Vegas Aces.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury looks to shoot the ball against NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Game 1: NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts during the third quarter.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts against the Phoenix Mercury during the fourth quarter.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury drives to the basket against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) dribbles against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2).

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) drives against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2).

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Game 1: Kahleah Copper (2) of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates after her 3-point basket.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Game 1: Head coach Nate Tibbetts of the Phoenix Mercury looks on during the first quarter.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Game 1: Maddy Westbeld of the Chicago Sky (left) and Rae Burrell of the Los Angeles Sparks look on.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Game 1: Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts in front of Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Game 1: Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon looks on.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Game 1: Dana Evans of the Las Vegas Aces, shoots the ball between Monique Akoa Makani and Natasha Mack of the Phoenix Mercury.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Game 1: A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces drives to the basket against Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Game 1: Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury grabs a rebound against the Las Vegas Aces.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Game 1: Chelsea Gray of the Las Vegas Aces shoots the ball against Monique Akoa Makani of the Phoenix Mercury.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Game 1: A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces grabs a rebound against Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury.

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The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals

Wilson was part of several TIME honorees for 2025, including KPop Demon Hunters as the 2025 Breakthrough of the Year, YouTube's Neal Mohan as the CEO of the Year and Leonardo DiCaprio as the Entertainer of the Year.

Her ascension to the greatest year in her careerdid not come without some struggles. At the midway point of the WNBA season, the Aces were sitting at .500 and were on the receiving end of a 50-plus blowout loss to the Minnesota Lynx.

Then, a switch flipped. Las Vegas rattled off 16 straight wins to get to the postseason, and endured back-to-back playoff series that required the team to play every game possible (three against the Seattle Stormand five against the Indiana Fever) before getting to the Finals."Sometimes you've just got to get knocked down to get built back up," Wilson said. "I think 2025 was a wake-up call that I needed, to let me know that I can't be satisfied with anything. There's somebody out there that's going to try to take your job. You need to make sure you're great at it, every single day."

Wilson further cemented her legacy and perhaps her TIME Athlete of the Year award when she hit agame-winning shotagainst the Mercury during Game 3 of the WNBA Finals. The shot, released with a fitting 2.2 seconds left on the clock (a subtle ode to her No. 22 jersey), cemented the series for the Aces and catapulted Wilson into the conversations for the WNBA's greatest player of all time. Still, the WNBA star wouldn't quite put herself in that category just yet. That said, she believes that she's making it hard for people to chase after her.

"When you think about a lot of GOATs, they have those career-defining shots that solidify you as the best…", she said. "I didn't really have one of those. I had championships, yeah. But it was never really like a moment of like, 'Whoooooooo. That's why she is who she is. She's exactly who she thinks she is.'"

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson named TIME's 2025 Athlete of the Year

Aces superstar A'ja Wilson named TIME's 2025 Athlete of the Year

Las Vegas Aces superstar A'ja Wilsonis TIME's Athlete of the Year, because, of course, she is. The 6-foo...
Dozens killed in Haiti's capital as armed men break away from gang coalition in bid for power

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Dozens of people inHaiti'scapital have been killed in a clash between a powerful gang coalition and a group of armed men that apparently broke away from it, with 10 children among the victims, a local human rights group said Tuesday.

Among those killed was Dèdè, one of the highest ranking gang members that operates in the Bel-Air slum of Port-au-Prince. He was beheaded, while powerful gang leader Kempes Sanon, a former police officer, was injured, according to the Committee for Peace and Development.

It wasn't immediately clear how seriously Sanon was injured, although many worry the attack that began in recent days will unleash even more violence in a cityalready 90% controlled by gangs.

Sanon has been dethroned while receiving treatment for his injuries by two men who go by the names of Jamesly and Ti Gason, according to the human rights group.

The ongoing attack is unusual because a large number of gangs banded together in September 2023 and announced the formation of Viv Ansanm, or "Live Together," a coalition that led to a drop in violence since armed groups agreed to no longer fight each other.

Before the attack, Sanon and his gang were part of the Viv Ansanm coalition, which the U.S.has designated as a foreign terrorist organization.

So far, the human rights group has counted at least 49 people killed, burned and mutilated since Monday. Among those are 19 gang members, 10 children recruited by gangs and a man in his 60s who was struck by a stray bullet.

Nineteen women whose partners were gang members also were executed by the Krache Dife gang as they sought medical attention for the men at a clinic, the group said.

Krache Dife, which means "Spit Fire," is believed to still be an ally of Sanon and a member of the Viv Ansanm gang coalition.

The number of people killed is expected to rise since the attack is ongoing and no authorities or human rights groups have been able to access the area.

In a recent report, the United Nations noted that Sanon, the injured gang leader, "has played a significant role in consolidating gang power in Port-au-Prince, particularly through his involvement in the Viv Ansanm alliance, which has launched coordinated attacks to expand gang-controlled territories."

"Sanon also maintains a network of individuals within governmental institutions, including security agencies, which enables him to evade arrest and facilitate his criminal activities," the U.N. report stated.

Hundreds of civilians are sheltering in place as the attack continues, with concern growing about their ability to obtain food and other basic goods.

Hunger already was surging in Haiti's slums and beyond before the attack, with more than half of the country's nearly 12 million peopleexperiencing crisis levels of hungeror worse.

The attack also is expected to further destabilize Haitias it prepares for general electionsnext year, with the country's transitional government supposed to step down in early February.

Follow AP's Latin America coverage athttps://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

Dozens killed in Haiti's capital as armed men break away from gang coalition in bid for power

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Dozens of people inHaiti'scapital have been killed in a clash between a powerful gang co...

 

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