GoneTrending

The Minnesota Timberwolves saw another rough night get exponentially worse on Monday when Karl-Anthony Towns went down in the third quarter, falling to the ground and grabbing at the back of his right leg running back up the floor in Washington. Towns was then helped to the locker room by Rudy Gobert and the training staff, not putting any weight on his right leg and clearly in considerable pain.

It wasn’t immediately clear exactly what Towns injured, but he initially grabbed at the back of his right calf as he fell to the ground and there’s always concern when a player goes down with a non-contact injury.

Minnesota can ill afford any extended time without Towns, as they are a team still working their way into form and trying to establish a rhythm with Towns and Gobert together in the frontcourt. Towns has not been able to find his typical elite offensive form so far this season, as he got a late start after dealing with an illness in training camp, averaging 21.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists on 50.8 percent shooting and 32.8 percent from three-point range, which would be a career low.

Towns was quickly ruled out of the game with what the team is calling a right calf strain.

Many musicians have dealt with accusations of queerbaiting, from Harry Styles to Cardi B. Though fans want celebrities to express support for the LGBTQ+ community, they want that without exploitation or profit being made off of a group of which they’re not a part. But sometimes it’s hard to tell where the line is drawn.

Luckily, this new case with Omar Apollo isn’t as complicated. An account tweeted: “is omar apollo another queerbaiting singer? like those type ‘i don’t label myself let me wear cropped and paint my nails and i say i find another guy hot’ cuz i like his song but i don’t like supporting straight men doing queerbating.” Apollo quote-tweeted with a simple answer: “no i b sucking dick fr.” He then added in a thread: “from the back ”

So it’s a good thing we’ve cleared that up. Apollo’s career has been growing exponentially this year, and it looks like nothing will stop that. He just received his first Grammy nomination, for Best New Artist, alongside Anitta, Domi & JD Beck, Latto, Måneskin, Molly Tuttle, Muni Long, Samara Joy, Tobe Nwigwe, and Wet Leg.

Omar Apollo is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

What is Donald Trump’s future with the GOP? For the first time since the aftermath of the Jan. 6 riot, it’s a question without a clear answer. The former president has a giant Scooby Doo sandwich of problems right now: lawsuits, investigations, money problems. He just had the one-two punch of helping snuff the Republican’s desired “red wave” and having dinner with two outspoken anti-Semites. The last two have been enough to cause one campaign to beg him not to help.

Next week Georgians will vote in a runoff between incumbent senator Raphael Warnock and challenger Herschel Walker. It’s a tight race. If this was happening in an earlier time, they would have asked Donald Trump to hold one of his deranged rallies for him (where he’d mostly talk about himself, of course). But as per The New York Times, the opposite is happening: Both Trump and Walker teams agreed he should stay in Mar-a-Lago:

Instead of holding one of his signature campaign rallies, Mr. Trump is planning a call with supporters in the state and will continue sending online fund-raising pleas for Mr. Walker, two people with knowledge of the planning said.

The decision to keep Mr. Trump out of the spotlight was a response largely to the former president’s political style and image, which can energize his core supporters but also motivate Democratic voters and turn off significant segments of moderate Republicans.

As of this writing, Trump has not publicly flipped out about the decision. But it has to hurt that the party he dramatically altered is effectively telling him he’s poison. Should this trend continue, should the GOP continue to treat him like a skunk, he’s likely to take them down with him. Then again, Walker doesn’t need any more help torpedoing a campaign that’s already more successful than it should be.

(Via NYT)

The Lakers are on a 5-1 upswing right now, most recently winning back-to-back games in San Antonio to improve to 7-11 on the season. That’s still good for just 13th in the West and two games behind the Warriors for 10th and the final play-in spot, but it’s a considerable improvement from where they started at 2-10.

As such, the question of what the Lakers front office should do as trade season approaches remains ever present, with the Lakers’ top stars still making it known that they want upgrades, with another report emerging on Monday that the “leaders in the locker room” (not hard to guess who that is) believe they’re only a couple players away from being a contender. The front office is less keen on moving their last remaining draft assets, but the next two-plus weeks will be pivotal in determining their decision-making for this season.

December 15 looms as the unofficial start of trade season in the NBA, as that is the day players signed this offseason are eligible to be dealt, opening up far more possibilities for teams to get involved in deals. If L.A. can continue its run and push towards .500 or better by that time, then Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss may have little choice but to seriously explore the trade market. While Russell Westbrook plus picks for Myles Turner and Buddy Hield remains the most talked about trade that hasn’t happened, L.A. could also start to explore other options to bolster the roster.

According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, one of their biggest additions of this offseason, Patrick Beverley, could be considered in trade discussions by the front office, as his $13 million salary is one of just a few that is above a minimum and could yield a more impactful player in return.

One name to watch is Patrick Beverley, who’s the fourth-highest-paid player on the team at $13 million. Beverley is a still an elite defender and one of the group’s vocal leaders, but he’s averaging a career-low 4.1 points per game and shooting a career-worst 23.8 percent on 3s. Beverley, like Kendrick Nunn, could still have value on teams looking for veteran backcourt help. The Lakers’ needs and glut of guards make both expendable.

While I’d push back on Nunn having much value at this point, Beverley does even though he is among those really dragging down the Lakers’ offensive spacing. There would be plenty of teams willing to overlook that in order to try and add his energy and edge, because, for all his antics — which currently have him serving a three-game suspension for shoving Deandre Ayton — Beverley can bring some needed juice to a team, as evidenced by his one-year in Minnesota where he filled a vocal leadership void that the Timberwolves are still trying to figure out after trading him this offseason.

While dealing Beverley wouldn’t net a Hield or Turner, he could possibly bring in a much-needed 3-and-D wing and allow the Lakers to make a splashier move without dealing their coveted 2027 and 2029 first round picks. Whether that would satiate LeBron James and Anthony Davis is an entirely different question, but it might be something Pelinka is more willing to try.

More and more TikTok features are getting unleashed every day and users sure do love to use them. There are many trends on the app where people use certain filters to trick others — and their reactions often lead to a post getting lots of traction. A fan decided to do this to a bewildered Adele during her current Las Vegas residency, and her reaction was noteworthy.

The filter that the fan used adds a layer of tan to the people in the video. So Adele was immediately puzzled, saying, “Is there a filter on that? Oh my God! What have you done to my face?!” The fan laughed. “Wow, girl! Get that filter off my face,” Adele continued. “We don’t look like that, darling.”

Before her Vegas residency, Adele confessed to feeling very nervous about it. “I’m feeling all sorts as I write this,” Adele shared on Twitter. “I’m highly emotional, incredibly nervous but can’t sit still because I’m so excited. I feel a million miles away from home, I can’t stop thinking about when I was little and saw Tom Jones in Mars Attacks and thought blimey how did he get from Wales to Las Vegas!?” Luckily, it has been going great, and she even made headlines with an incredible vanishing act.

The world cannot get enough of Taylor Swift. This year alone, the pop star has broken Ticketmaster with her tour pre-sale, swept all of the 10 spots on the Billboard Hot 100. Now she’s continuing to hold her No. 1 spot on that chart with her Midnights hit “Anti-Hero.”

On the new Hot 100 dated December 3, “Anti-Hero” remains untouched at No. 1. No other Swift songs are on the chart; Drake and 21 Savage trail her with a collaborative track from Her Loss, there’s Sam Smith and Kim Petras with their ubiquitous “Unholy,” there’s Steve Lacy’s infectious “Bad Habit,” and there’s even Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”

“Anti-Hero” is the singer’s ninth No. 1 song of her career, and it’s her fifth to debut on top. When she occupied all 10 of the top spots, she reacted by writing on Twitter, “10 out of 10 of the Hot 100??? On my 10th album??? I AM IN SHAMBLES.” The rest of her songs were nudged out when Her Loss dropped, and then Drake and 21 Savage took up eight of the remaining spots. Drake not-so-subtly shaded the “You Belong With Me” performer with an Instagram story that blocked out her No. 1 spot on the chart with some emojis. Luckily she doesn’t have to take revenge… she still has the No. 1 spot, the best kind of revenge there is.

Back in 2018, in the early days of the #MeToo movement, Mark Schwahn received his comeuppance. The creator of One Tree Hill was accused by several female cast members of sexual harassment. He still hasn’t apologized. But allegations of bad behavior continue to pour out, including from three alums who have their own One Tree Hill podcast.

As per Variety, Sophia Bush, Hilarie Burton, and Bethany Joy Lenz — who played Brooke, Peyton, and Haley, respectively — spent a recent episode of their podcast Drama Queens talking about an episode that really brings up some bad memories. In the fourth episode of Season 4, Brooke takes pictures of Rachel (Danneel Ackles) for Maxim magazine.

As it happened, the following month Bush, Burton, and Ackles all appeared on the cover of the men’s magazine for real. Bush was not into the idea, especially considering how the show had suddenly started leaning more into sexualizing the female characters. She told the producers she wasn’t into it, which did not go over well.

“I literally got told, ‘If you do not go and shoot this cover with your co-stars, we will guarantee you that you will never be let out for a press day, a movie, an event, any of your charities. We will keep you here for ever,’” Bush recalled.

Burton herself remembered being chewed out by Schwahn. “It was very much a, ‘No one else wants you, the studio wants to cancel your show,’” she said. “You don’t start to generate some buzz and attract these male numbers, we’re dead and all your friends are going to lose their jobs.’”

And so the Maxim shoot happened, but Schwahn, they claimed, tried to punish them by pitting them against each other. Lenz was told about the shoot and informed she hadn’t been invited to participate.

“They told me that they didn’t come to me because I was too fat,” Lenz recalled. “I wasn’t a hot girl on the show anymore.”

At this point during the podcast, both Bush and Burton expressed shock, saying they’d been told Lenz had been invited but turned it down.

“When I said I don’t want to do it, I was like, ‘But Joy’s not doing it! She said no. Why does she get to say no?’ They go, ‘Well she said no, so you have to say yes. She said no first,’” remembered Bush. “They scapegoated you to tell the three of us we couldn’t say no… We weren’t mad at you but we were pissed about it.”

There are more shocking claims in the podcast episode, all of which paint a picture of an unpleasant show to work on.

(Via Variety)

The CEO of Co-op, one of the UK’s largest supermarket chains has made an important statement about excess at a time when many families are struggling in the UK.

The Daily Mail reports that Shirine Khoury-Haq, the head of a company with over 3900 retail locations says she’s giving her twin, six-year-old daughters one present each this Christmas because she could not “in good conscience” give them more while millions of families struggle with inflation and high energy prices.

Khoury-Haq makes over £1 million ($1,190,000) a year after bonuses, so she pledged to give her family’s present money to those in need. “It just feels like excess, given what’s happening in the world. In good conscience, I can’t do that in my own home,” Khoury-Haq said according to The Guardian.

“The rest of our budget will be given to Santa to provide presents for children whose parents can’t contribute to the elves,” she continued. “We’re going to go out shopping for those other presents and [we will] send them to Santa.”

u201cInstead of an ad, this Christmas @coopuk is focussing on supporting @yourlocalpantry, community fridges with @hubbubUK, Caboodle, The Peer Action Collective through @YouthEndowFund and other great organisations that are making a real impact in their communities. ud83dudc99ud83cudf84ud83dudc99u201d

— Shirine Khoury-Haq (@Shirine Khoury-Haq)
1669505085

According to the Sunday Times, one of her daughters would like a Paw Patrol toy and the other, a Barbie.

Much like America, people in the UK are having financial hardships as inflation reaches a 40-year high. They are also dealing with exorbitant energy prices. Through July, natural gas prices in the UK were up 96% and electricity was up 54%.

Khoury-Haq’s company has also made sacrifices this holiday season to help those who are less fortunate. Co-op has decided to hand over all of its holiday advertising budget to Your Local Pantry shops. These community-based pantries across the UK are places where people can pay as little as £3.50 ($4.20) a week to take at least ten grocery items.

“Whilst many of our competitors are also adapting their Christmas ads to reflect the mood of the nation in a cost of living crisis, we are going further by pulling our ad altogether,” Khoury-Haq said according to Retail Gazette.

u201cThis Christmas season, we’re so happy and to be working with @coopuk to support our network of Pantries.u201d

— Your Local Pantry (@Your Local Pantry)
1668688201

“In doing so we will be shining a light on the need to support vital community causes, throughout the year and not just at Christmas, especially with a deep recession looming,” she continued.

Through their partnership, the Co-op and Your Local Pantry hope to help over 32,000 households over the next three years, saving them nearly £5 million ($5,980,000) on shopping bills.

Khoury-Haq’s decision to give her kids one gift each on Christmas may not save everyone in the UK from their financial troubles but it sends an important message that people who are well off should consider. When millions of people are hurting, it’s not the time to flaunt your wealth or spoil your kids. Her gesture is a great reminder that hopefully inspires others to give as well.

When the going gets tough, it’s time for those who can afford it to be a great example to their kids and society-at-large by giving when people need it most. Because in the end, the spirit of giving is the true meaning of the holiday season.

Welcome to SNX DLX, your weekly roundup of the best sneakers to hit the internet. Don’t expect a strong showing this week from the big sneaker brands and while no huge noteworthy drops were released during the Black Friday weekend, that doesn’t mean the big brands aren’t sneaking out a few sneakers worthy of your time. From vintage silhouettes that have been chilling in the vault for decades to a couple of dope jaw-dropping Jordan drops, there are a handful of releases this week that are sure to keep sneakerheads psyched.

So while our list is a bit truncated this time around, there are still plenty of gift-worthy sneakers hitting the internet, whether you’re shopping for a friend or loved one, or just yourself. But be warned, while we are digging on six fresh pairs this week, next week will be jam-packed with a lot of noteworthy sneakers you’re not going to want to miss, so if nothing is speaking to you this time around, just save your money!

Let’s get into the six under-the-radar sneakers from this past weekend!

Nike Terminator High Granite and Dark Obsidian

It’s kind of a shame that the Nike Terminator is dropping in such a quiet week because this is one of the rarest Nike drops of the year. Sure the Terminator doesn’t have the clout of something like a Jordan, but that’s because it’s been locked away in Nike’s vault for so long that most people don’t even know it exists.

The Terminator was designed specifically for the Georgetown University basketball team in 1985 and stands as the first signature sneaker ever made for a school. It’s essentially an altered high-top Dunk and this Granite and Dark Obsidian drop represents what that original pair looked like complete with a crispy premium leather upper.

The Nike Terminator High Granite and Dark Obsidian is out now for a retail price of $125. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app or your favorite aftermarket site.

Women’s Nike Dunk High Burgundy Crush

If the Terminator is look a little too retro for you, Nike is also delivering a high-top Dunk in exclusive women’s sizing. This autumnal Dunk features a white leather upper with Burgundy Crush overlays with a matching outsole and laces. It’s a simple classic Dunk in a colorway that speaks to the season, what more can you ask for?

The Women’s Nike Dunk High Burgundy Crush is out now for a retail price of $125. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.

Nike Air Jordan 4 A Ma Maniére

Your eyes don’t deceive you, if you’re a regular SNX reader you might’ve seen this pair of Air Jordan 4 by A Ma Maniére on our list last week and here it is again. We did that for two reasons, 1). Last week’s drop was ultra limited, this one is dropping via the Nike SNKRS app so you have another chance to cop it, and 2). As we mentioned, it’s a slow week, and this truly is one of the best sneakers to drop this week.

The sneaker features a mixed leather and mesh monochromatic upper over an aged midsole with a black heel piece. We love the way the brown takes on a sort of violet hue, it’s like getting two colorways in one.

The Nike Air Jordan 4 A Ma Maniére is set to drop on November 23th at 7:00 AM for a retail price of $225. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.

New Balance MADE in USA 990v2 White with Blue

New Balance doesn’t have the drop rate of bigger brands like Nike or Adidas but what the brand lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality. Coming out of the MADE in USA line, this week brings two new MADE in USA 990s. Let’s start with the v2.

Featuring a premium full-grain leather upper with mesh details, this v2 sits atop an ABZORB midsole and sports an eye-catching white with blue colorway with USA branding on the heel.

The New Balance MADE in USA 990v2 White with Blue is set out now for a retail price of $194.99. Pick up a pair at the New Balance webstore.

New Balance MADE in USA 990v3 White with Blue

New Balance’s other notable release of the week is another 990, this time a v3 which is good news if you’re into more of a dad-shoe aesthetic. Featuring a full-grain nubuck upper with more prominent mesh details, the v3 features a lightweight ENCAP midsole in place of the ABZORD with more subtle heel branding and hits of grey on the front and heel mudguard.

The New Balance MADE in USA 990v3 White with Blue is out now for a retail price of $199.99. Pick up a pair at the New Balance webstore.

Nike Air Jordan 6 Metallic Silver

We’re not sure why Nike is sneaking out one of the dopest Jordan 6 drops during a quiet week, but hey, we’re not complaining. Featuring a stealthy black upper with glittering Metallic Silver accents on the heel and branding, the Air Jordan 6 Metallic Silver sits atop an icy outsole for an ultra-sleek look.

This sneaker is definitely in the running as one of 2022’s best, it’s a shame it’s being buried in one of the busiest shopping weeks of the year. While everyone is buying TVs and other electronics on the cheap, they’re missing out on a truly great Jordan drop. Nike’s release strategy continues to puzzle us!

The Nike Air Jordan 6 Metallic Silver is set to drop on November 26th at 7:00 AM for a retail price of $200. Pick up a pair via the Nike SNKRS app.

Republicans didn’t exactly get their clocks cleaned at the midterms, but they did find most of their extremist elements rejected by voters. How to get back in their graces? They seem to think the answer is to double down. For instance, one person wants to challenge current chair of the Republican National Committee, arguing the party needs fresh ideas. Unfortunately that person is Mike Lindell.

As per Axios, the MyPillow Guy — who’s gone from successful entrepreneur to conspiracy theorist wacko who’s spent the last two years effectively burning money, and who’s still banned on Elon Musk’s Twitter — went on Steve Bannon’s podcast, where he made an announcement: “I am 100% running for the RNC chairman against Ronna McDaniel.”

The GOP saw one MAGA candidate after another either underperform or flame out. Is the problem Donald Trump? Or is it current chair McDaniel. It could be both, but Lindell — who’s as MAGA as they come — thinks it’s her, not Trumpists like himself.

“You need a different input to get a different output,” Lindell said. “That’s business 101.”

How would Lindell juggle running a bedwear business, spreading unhinged misinformation about a two-year-old election, and lording over a party in trouble? He said he’d focus on the RNC gig full-time. And he’s already reaching out to all 168 members of the committee, listening to their concerns, of which they have, he says, “a lot.”

Would the RNC give Lindell his blessing? According to him they are. He claimed “one of the things that one of the big donors said to me, he said, Mike, everybody wants you to be head of the RNC, some of them just don’t know it yet.” Sounds like something that definitely happened to a guy who keeps claiming he has proof of voter fraud but never delivers.

Anyway, good luck running for office despite claiming that voter fraud is rampant.

(Via Axios)