Thailand’s Pitchamon Opatniputh (AP Photo)

Teenage Thai badminton player Pitchamon Opatniputh has become the first athlete to be provisionally suspended from the Asian Games 2026 after testing positive for a banned substance, the International Testing Agency (ITA) said on Monday.The 19-year-old, ranked 18th in the world in women’s singles by the Badminton World Federation, returned a positive test for furosemide, a prohibited diuretic. The sample was collected during an out-of-competition test in Nagoya on September 17, two days before the formal opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Games.Opatniputh was scheduled to represent Thailand in the team event against China on Tuesday, but her provisional suspension means she cannot compete in the Asian Games.

Provisional suspension takes immediate effect

The ITA said Opatniputh had been informed of the case and suspended with immediate effect pending its resolution under the World Anti-Doping Code and the Olympic Council of Asia’s anti-doping rules.“This means that the athlete is prevented from competing, training, coaching, or participating in any activity, during the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026,” the ITA said in a statement.Furosemide is a diuretic that increases the excretion of water from the body. It can be used to facilitate rapid weight loss and can also potentially mask the presence of other prohibited substances.Opatniputh, one of Thailand’s leading women’s badminton players, can challenge the provisional suspension. She has the right to request analysis of the B-sample and can also contest the suspension before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.The positive test comes early in the 16-day continental sporting event, which is being held across Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya until October 4.The case remains subject to the anti-doping process, and the provisional suspension does not by itself establish a final anti-doping rule violation. Further proceedings will determine the outcome of the case.

The NBA has witnessed the rise and fall of several dynasties over the years. Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls and Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors are widely considered two of the league’s best during their periods of dominance.

For a team to be considered a dynasty, it needs to have won multiple titles or made repeated trips to the NBA Finals in a short time. Here are the top 10 dynasties that ruled the NBA.

#10 Miami Heat (2011-14)

The Miami Heat welcomed the league’s biggest superstar in July 2010, when LeBron James took his talents to South Beach. The Heat created a star-studded roster around James, pairing him with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

The Heat made four straight NBA Finals appearances. They lost two of those Finals but won back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.

#9 Detroit Pistons (1988-1990)

The Detroit Pistons, led by Isiah Thomas, were dubbed the “Bad Boys” because of their physical style of play.

They used the infamous “Jordan Rules” to limit Michael Jordan’s impact, denying him his first NBA Finals appearance for three straight years (1988, 1989, and 1990). They won back-to-back titles in 1989 and 1990 after losing to Magic Johnson’s Lakers in the 1988 Finals.

#8 Boston Celtics (1980-1988)

The Boston Celtics, led by Larry Bird from 1980 to 1988, dominated the league for about a decade. The core of Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish led the Celtics to five NBA Finals appearances and three titles (1981, 1984 and 1986) in eight years.

This Celtics team is widely considered to have had one of the best frontcourts in the league’s history.

#7 LA Lakers (2000-2004)

The LA Lakers from 2000 to 2004 were one of the most dominant teams in NBA history. Teams had no answer for Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal‘s partnership as they led the Lakers to their first three-peat.

They lost the 2004 NBA Finals to the Detroit Pistons, their only loss in four Finals appearances in five years. After the Finals loss, Shaq was traded to the Miami Heat, ending the dynasty.

#6 Minneapolis Lakers (1949-1954)

The Lakers were in Minneapolis before moving to Los Angeles in 1960 due to financial struggles. Led by George Mikan, they were one of the NBA’s first dynasties.

They won five titles in six years from 1949 to 1954. Mikan established himself as the league’s first real superstar, earning himself the nickname “Mr. Basketball.”

#5 San Antonio Spurs (1999-2014)

The San Antonio Spurs, under head coach Gregg Popovich and star forward Tim Duncan, formed one of the longest-running dynasties in league history. They set the standard for sustained excellence with 18 consecutive 50-win seasons from 1999 to 2017. They won five championships in 15 years.

#4 Golden State Warriors (2015-2022)

From 2015 to 2022, the Golden State Warriors, led by head coach Steve Kerr and the superstar trio of Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson, became the league’s newest dynasty. They revolutionized the game with fast ball movement, off-ball plays, and a heavy reliance on the 3-point shot.

They won four championships in six Finals appearances and set the best regular-season record, 73-9, in the 2015-16 season.

#3 LA Lakers (1980-1988)

From 1980 to 1988, the Lakers became known as the “Showtime” Lakers because of their electric fast-break style of play. Led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Lakers became the first team to win back-to-back championships in decades.

The Celtics had won back-to-back championships in 1968 and 1969 before the Lakers did the same in 1987 and 1988. They went to the Finals eight times, winning five titles.

#2 Chicago Bulls (1991-1998)

The Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan from 1991 to 1998, formed arguably the most popular dynasty in basketball. They won six championships in six Finals appearances in eight years.

They are the only team in league history to three-peat twice. Jordan’s dominance during this period was unparalleled.

#1 Boston Celtics (1957-1969)

The Boston Celtics from 1957 to 1969 were arguably the NBA’s most dominant dynasty. Led by Bill Russell, the Celtics were unstoppable. They won 11 titles in 13 seasons, including eight straight championships from 1959 to 1966.