iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

White Sox infielder Munetaka Murakami, Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai and former MLB player Kazuo Matsui (who played for the Astros from 2008-10) have a pregame chat at Daikin Park surrounded by Japanese media

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Reed Sheppard just made a shot from the bench at the end of Rockets practice (his third or fourth attempt)

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

On Fourth of July, a banner celebrating America’s 250th birthday is unfurled on the field in Houston before a World Cup round of 16 match featuring Canada vs. Morocco.

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

A toddler when you ask “what’s in your mouth?”

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Just chatted with Brazil’s official supporters’ group, Movimento Verde Amarelo. They estimate 500-1000 people are with them today at Brazil-Japan. “Soccer is like a religion for us.” If you’re watching the game, look for the MVA banners three levels above the goal www.usatoday.com/story/sports...

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Cape Verde midfielder Delroy Duarte: “We are a small country but we have a big heart and we showed it on the pitch”

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Cape Verde players hyping up the fans in Houston after punching their ticket to the round of 32 in the country’s first-ever World Cup. The ride isn’t over.

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Almost go time in Houston for Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia, which will help decide who advances out of group H

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Some appropriately dressed Blue Sharks fans in the house for Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Cape Verde team doing their walk-through in Houston to get familiar with the stadium and pitch ahead of Friday’s decisive final group-stage match against Saudi Arabia. Either team can still advance out of Group H, which also features Spain vs Uruguay tomorrow night.

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Cristiano Ronaldo stays in the starting lineup for Portugal against Uzbekistan. Full lineups for both teams:

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Portugal fans have arrived for today’s match in Houston

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

The Netherlands’ Oranje Walk lived up to the hype this morning in Houston! Story and more photos to come at @usatodaysports.usatoday.com

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Calm, storm, etc. (It is actually raining outside)

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Germans in cowboy hats: ✅ Approx 2.5 hours until kickoff of Germany vs. Curacao in Houston

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

In today's @usatodaysports.usatoday.com, my story about the trend of active WNBA and NBA players taking broadcast gigs. As Sophie Cunningham told me, “We’re watching the games or playing different teams, so you’re already doing it, but now I’m just getting paid to talk about it.” (Link below)

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

At a presser introducing the Houston Comets, Rockets president Gretchen Sheirr said, “We feel very good that we’re using Comets” despite the WNBA’s ongoing fight to register a trademark for the name.

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Cutest thing you’ll see today: Rockets guard Aaron Holiday’s son watching his warmups and mimicking his jumper

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

UConn is headed back to the Final Four. Leading the way is Sarah Strong, the Huskies' latest superstar who very seldom lets her mask slip. Read her story in print today or online here: www.usatoday.com/story/sports...

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Two bylines by yours truly on today's @usatodaysports.usatoday.com print front. - On Vic Schaefer, whose Longhorns play in the Elite Eight tonight: www.usatoday.com/story/sports... - On Illinois star freshman Keaton Wagler: www.usatoday.com/story/sports...

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Texas star Madison Booker, the first NIL athlete under Kevin Durant’s Team Durant brand, is wearing the Nike KD19 “Orange Crush” colorway in the Longhorns’ first-round NCAA Tournament game vs Missouri State

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Team Canada is wearing hockey jersey style warmups during batting practice ahead of tonight’s World Baseball Classic quarterfinal vs the USA

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

The College Sports Commission released a new NIL activity report that says so far in 2026, there's been a substantial increase in submitted deals between athletes & associated entities (apparel sponsors, collectives or multimedia partners) compared to the last two months of 2025. It's causing lags.

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Pretty frequent lightning strikes visible outside Daikin Park during the World Baseball Classic as a thunderstorm hits Houston. Centerpoint just texted me that power is out at my house. Stay safe, everyone!

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

One more anecdote from last night: After Brazil’s Lucas Ramirez became the youngest player with a multi-homer game in the WBC, he was asked for a handshake by USA captain Aaron Judge. Then, the 20-year-old asked Judge for a selfie. Part of a dream night for Manny Ramirez’s youngest son.

Lucas Ramirez and Aaron Judge speaking in a hallway after Ramirez hit two home runs in Brazil’s World Baseball Classic loss to the USA. Ramirez is holding his cell phone in his hand because he had just snapped a selfie with Judge, who congratulated him on his performance.

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Against a USA team stacked with big-league talent, two of Brazil’s youngest players – both sons of MLB stars – stole the World Baseball Classic spotlight on Friday. On Lucas Ramirez, Joseph Contreras and the power of visualization: www.usatoday.com/story/sports...

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Rousing cheers in Houston for Alex Bregman as he’s announced with Team USA’s starting lineup for the team’s WBC opener against Brazil.

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

Today’s office: UConn vs. Providence

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Agree or disagree? This contestant on the new “Love Is Blind” season, Connor, is Luka Doncic’s doppelgänger

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

Thanks for following along and reading. Really, it means the world. Please support local journalism and be kind to one another. See ya on the flip side. – 30 –

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

The Rockets’ NBA Cup court is here

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

Free throw practice contracts paying off for Steven Adams (Story: www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...)

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Reed Sheppard warming up ahead of Rockets vs. Wizards. He’s scored 16 points in each of the last two games. How much do you think he goes for tonight?

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

The Rockets' matchup zone has been overall effective at limiting opponent points per possession, but can get ugly quick if Houston doesn't rotate. Asked Ime Udoka about it at practice today. His answer 👇

Rockets coach Ime Udoka: "Some communication that we need to get better at. I think Fred was a big piece of that last year in the top and kind of getting guys set in slots, and it’s not a traditional 2-3. We don’t want it to be like that, so it’s more of a matchup zone. When nobody’s in your area, you need to rotate to find a body, find a man. So there are some unconventional things about it that we showed and walked through, especially in training camp, and we want to keep it that way.”

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

On today's @houstonchronicle.com sports front: How Rockets forward Tari Eason found himself after losing his father www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

Newspaper sports section front page containing an image of Rockets forward Tari Eason and his late father, above an article written by Danielle Lerner

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

Kevin Durant posted this photo of Reed Sheppard on his Instagram story after Sheppard’s clutch defense and timely shot making helped the Rockets beat the Bucks

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

NBA Cup court ready at Frost Bank Center

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

Jock Landale came over and interrupted Jeff Green’s pregame handshake ritual with the Rockets 😂

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Reed Sheppard and Garrett Jackson catching up with ex-Rocket Jock Landale, now on the Grizzlies

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr., listed as questionable to play tonight vs Mavs with an ankle sprain, is on the court shooting free throws after shootaround. We will find out his status for the game from Ime Udoka pregame tonight.

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

ICYMI, story from Boston on Amen Thompson's best all-around game of the season and the motivation that preceded it. Read the complete story: www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

On Friday before the Rockets boarded a plane to Boston, Thompson said he was excited to return to the site of his clutch shot, but there was something else weighing on his mind.

Thompson was disappointed by his lack of aggression in Houston’s consecutive losses to open the season. As the Rockets adjust to life after Fred VanVleet’s injury, Thompson is still learning the point guard position and how to balance setting up his teammates with attacking to create his own shot. In a conversation after the Rockets’ 115-111 loss to the Pistons, Rockets assistant coach Ben Sullivan urged Thompson to trust his speed and instincts.

“He understood we lost a few close ones, and the impact he could have had if he was a little more aggressive,” Udoka said. “He has a lot on his plate offensively being at point guard now.”

In Boston, Thompson found himself again and at the same time put the Rockets one step closer to figuring out how to stifle opponents and sustain an offense that ranks as the NBA’s best five games into the season.

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Rockets practice in Toronto before heading to Boston

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Danielle Lerner @danielle-lerner.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Became a contributor to Canadian society this morning when I voted for my favorite pumpkin carving in my hotel lobby. Happy Halloween!

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