Thuc Nhi Nguyen

Coming out of school, I turned down an agate job at the L.A. Times. Needed to write, see? Figured I’d get there soon enough.

Twenty-six years later…

I’m writing sports columns for the L.A. Times. Surreal.

I love L.A. and I love sports. Let’s rock:

🔗 www.latimes.com/sports/laker...

Maxi Kleber (back soreness) is questionable for tomorrow in Denver.

Lakers hope comeback win over Pelicans gives the team a timely boost The Lakers got some key defensive stops late in a win over the Pelicans Tuesday, a victory they hope breeds confidence and positive momentum.

“Nights like this can change the trajectory for teams and players."

The Lakers won their third game in a row by rediscovering some of their early season mojo. Can they keep it going during this next stretch of important games? www.latimes.com/sports/laker...

After shedding anxiety, American Alysa Liu rides wave of joy to Olympic gold medal U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu smiled through a monster free program, clinching the figure skating gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Milan on Thursday.

"She's not like us."

Alysa Liu made her own path to the top of the Olympic podium. With joy, hair dye and lip piercings, now she's dripping in gold www.latimes.com/sports/olymp...

Amber Glenn hopes she can still experience the Olympic moment of her dreams U.S. figure skater Amber Glenn says she's hoping to achieve something more special to her than an Olympic medal during her free skate.

Amber Glenn wasn't crying for the medal that got away. She just wanted her Olympic moment. Glenn on her short program woe and what she's looking for in her free skate: www.latimes.com/sports/olymp...

Alysa Liu shines, while Amber Glenn is haunted by a big mistake in Olympic figure skating Liu looks to end a 20-year podium drought for U.S. women after finishing third in the short program, while Glenn stumbles into the free skate in 13th place.

Alysa Liu just wants an invitation to the gala. Amber Glenn wants that one jump back. On another pressure-filled night from figure skating www.latimes.com/sports/olymp...

After years of trauma, Amber Glenn and other U.S. stars are grateful skating is changing Amber Glenn recalls struggling with depression and an eating disorder early in her career. She hopes new age restrictions take pressure off young skaters.

The Olympics could have its first 20-something women's singles champion in 20 years. How the ISU's new age limit has impacted the sport and these Games
www.latimes.com/sports/olymp...

Jordan Stolz sets another Olympic record to win his second speedskating gold American speedskater Jordan Stolz sets an Olympic record in the 500 meters to capture his second gold medal of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.

“I think Jordan’s the greatest speedskater of all time."

He's halfway to four gold medals and Jordan Stolz is making it look easy. www.latimes.com/sports/olymp...

Ilia Malinin describes crippling anxiety that cost the favorite a Winter Olympics medal Ilia Malinin could not overcome negative thoughts and mistakes Friday, costing him a figure skating gold medal at the Winter Olympics.

He was supposed to be invincible. But jump by jump, Ilia Malinin's Olympic dream came crashing down.

The 21-year-old said the Olympic nerves "overwhelmed me." www.latimes.com/sports/olymp...

Chloe Kim falls short of historic third consecutive gold at Winter Olympics American Chloe Kim washed out on her final run, falling short of a historic third consecutive snowboard gold medal at the Winter Olympics on Thursday.

"I kind of know how my mentors felt when I came on the stage.”

Chloe Kim loses Olympic gold but passes the torch to 17-year Gaon Choi.
www.latimes.com/sports/olymp...

Ilia Malinin's backflip is a crowd-pleaser. It also might be reviving figure skating Breaking down Ilia Malinin's iconic back flip and how the favorite for gold in men's figure skating learned the move.

The people love Ilia Malinin's backflip. But he's not the first to bring it to Olympic ice www.latimes.com/sports/olymp...

Americans Madison Chock and Evan Bates settle for silver in surprise ice dance finish The American ice dancing duo seemed unbeatable entering the Winter Olympics, but they stumbled and settled for silver Wednesday.

“It was our gold medal performance."

Madison Chock and Evan Bates left with full hearts and teary eyes after another season's best wasn't enough to earn a gold medal. "Mr. and Mrs. America" take home silver as their first individual Olympic medal.
www.latimes.com/sports/olymp...

Chloe Kim must beat her protégés if she wants to make Olympic snowboarding history Chloe Kim, once the fresh-faced star of snowboarding halfpipe is now the veteran of the sport. Can the Torrance native win a third consecutive gold medal?

She was the young one for so long. Now Chloe Kim is the old veteran. How the two-time Olympic champion is chasing history while also supporting the next generation of snowboarders www.latimes.com/sports/olymp...

The 'Quad Maker': Meet the 'genius' architect behind Ilia Malinin's quad axel Rafael Arutyunyan, the coach who mentored "Quad King" Nathan Chen is also the coach to "Quad God" Ilia Malinin. Meet the Irvine-based "Quad Maker."

He's coached the Quad King. He helped the Quad God. Could Irvine-based Rafael Arutyunyan be the "Quad Maker"?

Meet the "dream maker" behind some of the sport's greatest champions: www.latimes.com/sports/olymp...

Ilia Malinin powers U.S. to Olympic gold in team figure skating competition Despite a fall, Ilia Malinin still wins the men's free skate to help lift the U.S. to gold in the figure skating team competition for the second straight Olympics.

"Ilia is amazing. So clutch."

The Quad God saved the United States and secured Team USA's second consecutive team figure skating gold. www.latimes.com/sports/olymp...

'Quad God' Ilia Malinin conserves energy in Olympic debut; U.S. still leads team skate Ilia Malinin fell short of extraordinary expectations in his Olympic debut, but the U.S. still leads the team skate competition.

The Quad God looked mortal in his Olympic debut but the United States still leads the team competition heading into tomorrow's medal event. www.latimes.com/sports/olymp...

The Games are officially open and we are back for the second day of the team event, where the men's short program will decide which five teams advance to the long program portion that starts tonight with the free dance.

Meet the 'Quad God.' Why Olympic star Ilia Malinin might revolutionize figure skating Figure skating star Ilia Malinin is changing the sport in ways that go beyond his status as an overwhelming favorite for Olympic gold in Italy.

Good morning. The Quad God skates today. www.latimes.com/sports/olymp...

Italians embrace unity — except with JD Vance — during Olympics opening ceremony Italy welcomed the world with a snow-capped spectacle during the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Olympics, pushing past pre-Games tension.

It's 1:54 a.m. in Milan. I just housed my leftover pizza from last night. Let's talking about that opening ceremony: www.latimes.com/sports/olymp...

Alysa Liu helps U.S. take lead in Olympic figure skating team competition Alysa Liu finishes second to Japan's Kaori Sakamoto in the women's short program, but it's enough to help the U.S. take lead in figure skating team competition.

Behind 10 points from Madison Chock and Evan Bates and nine from Alysa Liu, the United States leads the team competition after Day 1. Next up: Quad God tomorrow www.latimes.com/sports/olymp...

Alysa Liu 2.0: How retirement, perspective helped the U.S. star reach new heights Gold medal contender Alysa Liu had to step away from figure skating to understand how she could make the sport her own and find fulfillment and purpose.

Alysa Liu barely remembers that girl who competed in Beijing. How the figure skating star who will compete in the team competition today (tomorrow in L.A.) retired, returned and rediscovered a better version of herself.
www.latimes.com/sports/olymp...

Team @latimes.com assembling in Milan! @kbaxter11.bsky.social with Sam Farmer and Robert Gauthier en route.

Lakers' Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves listed as questionable for Friday's game Doncic is dealing with ankle soreness after slipping off Cleveland's raised court Wednesday while Reaves has been updated from out.

Lakers' Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves listed as questionable for Friday's game

Cavaliers court raises safety concerns again as Luka Doncic injures leg Cleveland’s unique 10-inch drop off between the court and the arena floor came into focus again during the Lakers game.

Luka Doncic didn't get seriously hurt from slipping off the edge of Cleveland's raised court, but the threat of injury remains with the setup that JJ Redick called "absolutely a safety hazard." www.latimes.com/sports/laker...

'Like it was yesterday.' Lakers lose in emotional return to Cleveland for LeBron James LeBron James is brought to tears in what could be his final game in Cleveland. Luka Doncic avoids serious injury as Lakers lose.

"I don’t know if it’s my last game here or not at this moment.”

LeBron James' homecoming was more emotional than usual as he weighs his future while staying in the present. www.latimes.com/sports/laker...

'We want Bronny.' Guard Bronny James shines during Lakers' ugly loss to Cleveland Lakers guard Bronny James delivered highlight plays during a loss to Cleveland Wednesday. His coach and teammates praise James' focus amid scrutiny.

“I’m always ready to go out and play, whether that’s when the entire arena is saying ‘We want Bronny‘ or no one is."

Bronny James was "a light" for the Lakers in his Cleveland homecoming www.latimes.com/sports/laker...

'Like it was yesterday.' Lakers lose in emotional return to Cleveland for LeBron James LeBron James is brought to tears in what could be his final game in Cleveland. Luka Doncic avoids serious injury as Lakers lose.

Could this be LeBron's last time in Cleveland? The emotions of the moment and the unknown future surprised even him in the Lakers' blowout loss. www.latimes.com/sports/laker...

NBA trade deadline: What moves might the Lakers or Clippers make? With one week until the Feb. 5 trade deadline, it's unlikely the L.A. teams will make a big splash, but there are some solid role players available to bolster rosters.

The NBA trade deadline is coming. What might the Lakers and Clippers do? @latimes.com's Brad Turner and 🙋🏻‍♀️ discuss www.latimes.com/sports/laker...

Austin Reaves remains out for tomorrow's game in Cleveland

'Just be a good basketball player.' How Rui Hachimura is thriving off the bench Rui Hachimura is rediscovering his early season form that had Lakers coach JJ Redick comparing parts of his game to Michael Jordan.

Rui Hachimura is off the minutes restriction but still on the bench. And he's being more productive than ever?

How he learned to thrive in the new rotation: www.latimes.com/sports/newsl...