Candace Buckner

Washington, D.C.

Sports columnist focusing on how sports shape and illuminate our understanding of culture and society.

Education: University of Missouri

Candace Buckner joined The Post in 2016. She has written sports columns and criticism since late 2021. Over her first three years in the role, she has twice earned Top 10 honors in column writing from the Associated Press Sports Editors. Since 2002, Buckner has covered sports at various newspapers, with stops in Macon, Ga.; Kansas City, Mo.; Gary, Ind.; and Vancouver, Wash. and at the Indianapolis Star. Buckner is originally from St. Louis and attended the University of Missouri.
Share confidential news tips with The Post
Latest from Candace Buckner

With their season flickering, the Commanders rediscovered their spark

The Commanders hit the reset button, unleashed their offense and gave their fans a reason to restate the celebrations with a convincing win over the Titans.

December 1, 2024
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and receiver Terry McLaurin connected on two first-half touchdowns against the Titans. (Geoff Burke/Imagn Images)

The Commanders are giving us flashbacks of their unhappy past

The Commanders didn’t look like themselves against the Cowboys. They looked like an ugly vision from a previous era.

November 25, 2024
Dallas Cowboys returner KaVontae Turpin escaped from Jeremy Reaves and ran 99 yards for a pivotal touchdown. (Peter Casey/Imagn Images)

How does a champion motivate itself? The Celtics are figuring it out.

The Boston Celtics, who finally broke through last season, are in search of the same feeling that propelled them to the NBA title.

November 23, 2024

For the Wizards, winning can wait, but trying hard can’t

The Wizards made a delicate bargain with their long-suffering fans. They aren’t holding up their end.

November 21, 2024
OG Anunoby dunks during the Knicks' blowout win over the Wizards. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)

Gregg Popovich never shrank from the moment. We could use him now.

The coach backed up his views with sophistication and conviction that often is missing from today’s public discourse.

November 15, 2024
Gregg Popovich often used interviews to express his worldviews.

This week should be a turning point for the Commanders, but which way?

The Steelers provided a rude awakening, but an NFC East showdown against the Eagles could let the Commanders dream again.

November 11, 2024
Jayden Daniels and the Commanders have a short turnaround before facing the Eagles on Thursday. (Nick Wass/AP)

Jason Kelce and a devilish question for us all: How to respond to hate?

When the world provokes us — and it will, especially now — sometimes we need to just keep walking.

November 7, 2024
Jason Kelce, the former NFL center and current ESPN broadcaster, snapped when confronted with hatred. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The Commanders have graduated to the NFL’s adult table

For the surging Washington Commanders, ‘this is different. This is very different.’

October 31, 2024

This team, this quarterback, this finish — it can’t be real

Jayden Daniels is a fantasy, and the Commanders are basking in it.

October 27, 2024

These Wizards will defy reality in spurts. Better enjoy ’em.

In their season opener, the Washington Wizards played a great first quarter. Then they played three more.

October 25, 2024
Bilal Coulibaly showed some sophomore year growth for the young Washington Wizards. (Simon Bruty for The Washington Post)