Sports News

Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger has two fractured ribs and has been placed on the 10-day injured list, manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday. Bellinger, a two-time All-Star selection, crashed into the center-field wall during Tuesday's game while tracking a fly ball hit by Houston's Yainer Diaz that went for a double and scored Kyle Tucker. He left the game an inning later. Counsell said after Tuesday's game that the X-rays on Bellinger were clean, but a CT scan on Wednesday revealed the injury. A timeframe of his return in unclear, Counsell said. "He woke up feeling good. Unfortunately [the CT scan] just revealed what's there," Counsell said. "... He has to get symptom-free first and then we'll go from there. "... He's bummed out, for sure. Now he starts working on getting back." In a corresponding move, the Cubs called up Pete Crow-Armstrong, their top prospect. Bellinger, in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak, is...

Minnesota forward Naz Reid was named the 2023-24 NBA Sixth Man of the Year on Wednesday night, becoming the first Timberwolves player to win the award.  Reid, 24, averaged career highs of 13.5 points and 5.2 rebounds to help Minnesota finish with the second-best record in franchise history (56-26) and clinch the third seed in the Western Conference. He also became the third undrafted player to win the award, along with John Starks (1997) and Darrell Armstrong (1999). "Blessed to be in this situation," Reid said in an interview on TNT.  "It's special," Reid said of his relationship with the fans in Minnesota, where he's spent his whole career thus far. "It's one of a kind, something that you obviously dream of, especially at the highest level. They've seen me work since Day 1 ... I think just being with me, that's super special." Reid just edged out Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk for second. Reid and Monk had the same number of second-place...

Minnesota Timberwolves center-forward Naz Reid was named the 2023-24 NBA Sixth Man of the Year on Wednesday. He beat out finalists Malik Monk of the Sacramento Kings and the Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis. Reid is the first Timberwolves player to win the award. He is also the third player to be named the NBA's top sixth man after not being selected in the NBA draft, joining John Starks (1996-97) and Darrell Armstrong (1998-99). Reid has developed into one of the top-scoring bench bigs in the league. He averaged 13.5 points and 5.2 rebounds -- both career highs -- to help Minnesota finish with the second-best record in franchise history (56-26) and clinch the third seed in the Western Conference. The Timberwolves currently hold a 2-0 lead on the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Lakers reconvened on Wednesday for the first time since their Game 2 collapse Monday against the Denver Nuggets. As crushing as the Denver's 20-point comeback might have felt in the moment, LeBron James said that Wednesday's film session let the Lakers see some encouraging signs. "We generated some great shots," James said. "We missed a lot of shots at the rim that we've been making throughout the course of this season." James was 4-for-11 at shots at the rim, tied for the most layups and dunks he's missed in a playoff game since joining the Lakers, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. "The film session was very revealing with which side of the ball we struggled at," Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. "We were great defensively. Offensively, there was a lot of shots we wish we could have back." Ham said he likes using film sessions to grow as a team because it removes the "postgame emotions" that can...

Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger has two fractured ribs and is heading to the injured list, manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday. Bellinger, a two-time All-Star selection, crashed into the center-field wall during Tuesday's game while tracking a fly ball hit by Houston's Yainer Diaz that went for a double and scored Kyle Tucker. He left the game an inning later. Counsell said after Tuesday's game that the X-rays on Bellinger were clean, but an MRI on Wednesday revealed the injury. A timeframe of his return in unclear, Counsell said. In a corresponding move, the Cubs called up Pete Crow-Armstrong, their top prospect. Bellinger, in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak, is batting .226 with five home runs and 17 RBIs. Crow-Armstrong, 22, made his MLB debut last September and went 0-for-14 with three walks. He's batting .203 with two home runs, five doubles and seven RBIs at Triple-A Iowa this season. Field Level Media...

A civil lawsuit that accused former  Texas Tech basketball player Richard "Pop" Isaacs of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl during a team trip to the Bahamas in November has been dismissed, according to attorneys for both Isaacs and the parents of the girl.  In addition, Isaacs was found "not responsible" by a panel following a Title IX hearing Wednesday morning, The Field of 68 reported, citing Kimberly Simon, Texas Tech's assistant vice president for compliance and Title IX.  "The parties to the lawsuit and Title IX complaint have agreed to dismiss all claims that have, or could have been, alleged as against one another," an attorney for Isaacs said in a statement. "Pop loved his time in Lubbock and being part of the Red Raider family. He thanks Coach [Grant] McCasland, the entire staff, and everyone involved with the university for supporting him throughout his time at Texas Tech." The lawsuit, filed in January by the parents of the...

CINCINNATI -- Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson wants out. The Pro Bowl edge rusher requested a trade Wednesday, one day before the NFL draft, a league source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Hendrickson is looking for more long-term security despite reworking his deal less than a year ago. Last year, Hendrickson received a one-year contract extension worth $21 million, which included an $8 million signing bonus, according to Roster Management System. After another season in which he was one of the league's best defensive ends, Hendrickson is looking to cash in again. Cincinnati is not interested in trading Hendrickson, a source told Schefter. In 2023, Hendrickson finished the season with 17.5 sacks, which was second in the NFL behind the  Pittsburgh Steelers'  T.J. Watt. It is the highest total for the Bengals since sacks became an official statistic in 1982. The advanced metrics were equally as impressive. Hendrickson finished 11th in pass rush...

CHICAGO -- The Bears unveiled a nearly $5 billion proposal Wednesday for an enclosed stadium next door to their current home at Soldier Field as part of a major project that would transform the city's lakefront, and they are asking for public funding to help make it happen. The plan calls for $3.2 billion for the new stadium plus an additional $1.5 billion in infrastructure. The team and the city said the project would add green and open space while improving access to the city's Museum Campus and also could include a publicly owned hotel. "This is not an easy project, but Chicago doesn't like it easy," Bears president Kevin Warren said. The announcement at Soldier Field comes during a busy week for the Bears. They are expected to take 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick in the draft Thursday night and bank on the USC quarterback to solidify a position that has long been a sore spot for the founding NFL franchise. The team said...

Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger has a fractured right rib and has been placed on the 10-day injured list, manager Craig Counsell told 670 The Score on Wednesday. Bellinger, a two-time All-Star selection, crashed into the center-field wall during Tuesday's game while tracking a fly ball hit by Houston's Yainer Diaz that went for a double and scored Kyle Tucker. He left the game an inning later. In a corresponding move, the Cubs called up Pete Crow-Armstrong, their top prospect. Bellinger, in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak, is batting .226 with five home runs and 17 RBIs. Crow-Armstrong, 22, made his MLB debut last September and went 0-for-14 with three walks. He's batting .203 with two home runs, five doubles and seven RBIs at Triple-A Iowa this season. Field Level Media contributed to this report.

Xavi Hernández has agreed to remain as Barcelona coach until the end of his contract in 2025, a source confirmed to ESPN, reversing his decision to step down in the summer. Xavi, 44, announced in January that he would walk away from the post at the end of the season following a string of bad results, saying that the job had also taken its toll on him mentally. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, NWSL more (U.S.) However, following a meeting with president Joan Laporta on Wednesday, the former Spain international has decided to fulfil his contractual commitment with the Catalan club. Xavi was appointed as Barça coach in 2021, leading them to their first league title in four years last season and signing a contract extension until June 30, 2025, with an option for an additional year, in September. The team ran into difficulties in December and January, though, when they conceded four or more goals in defeats to Girona, Real...

The San Jose Sharks have fired David Quinn after a season that saw San Jose finish with the second-fewest points in the salary cap era. Quinn's firing after two seasons Wednesday came less than a week after the Sharks (19-54-9) lost three straight games and five of their last six and ended the regular season with the worst record in the NHL. "After going through our end of the season process of internal meetings and evaluating where our team is at and where we want our group to go, we have made the difficult decision to make a change at the head coach position," Sharks general manager Mike Grier said in a statement. "David is a good coach and an even better person. I would personally like to thank him for his hard work over these past two seasons. He and his staff did an admirable job under some difficult circumstances, and I sincerely appreciate how they handled the situation." Quinn oversaw the New York Rangers for three seasons but was fired after the 2020-21...

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Wide receiver Rashod Bateman is staying in Baltimore, after all. Bateman reached a two-year extension with the Ravens on Wednesday, which keeps the former first round pick in Baltimore through the 2026 season, the team announced. This surprising move was made eight days before the Ravens had to make a decision on whether to exercise Bateman's fifth-year option. There had been speculation that Baltimore might trade Bateman during the draft like the Ravens did with wide receiver Marquise Brown two years ago. Instead, Bateman made team history, becoming the Ravens' first first-round wide receiver to sign a second contract with Baltimore. "Congratulations to 'Bate' and his family," Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said in a statement. "This is a good day for the Ravens." Bateman, 24, has had a challenging start to his career since being the No. 27 overall pick of the 2021 draft. In three seasons, he's totaled 93 catches and four...

Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and other PGA Tour stars are about to receive massive bonuses for their loyalty. The Telegraph reported Wednesday that Woods will receive up to $100 million in equity as part of the newly created for-profit PGA Tour Enterprises, with McIlroy getting about half that amount. The payouts, which are set to be disclosed to the players by PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan on Wednesday, are a way to thank players for sticking with the PGA Tour instead of jumping to the rival LIV Golf League and huge paydays from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. Nearly 200 players will receive a stake, with $750 million of it going to the top 36 players based on a formula that weighs career success and cultural popularity, according to The Telegraph. Other notable payouts include $30 million each for  Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, while $75 million is targeted to go to notable retired players. To receive the money, players would have to...

DETROIT -- The Lions agreed to massive extensions with two of their top offensive stars Wednesday. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension, a source confirmed to ESPN, and offensive tackle  Penei Sewell is signing a four-year, $112 million deal, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. St. Brown's contract includes $77 million guaranteed, the source said. That's the most guaranteed money for a wide receiver in a single contract in NFL history, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. Sewell's contract includes $85 million guaranteed, the source told Schefter, the most for an offensive lineman, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The $28 million annual average salary in his contract is also the largest for an offensive lineman. In a video posted to his Instagram story from Ford Field, St. Brown said, "I can't wait. I'm here, four more years." The Lions can now turn their attention to getting an extension...

NEW YORK -- New Brooklyn Nets coach Jordi Fernandez wasted no time making his feelings known about the roster -- and, specifically, the status of unrestricted free agent center Nic Claxton, who Fernandez said was a "priority" to retain in free agency. "Nic is a quote-unquote big that has defensive versatility," Fernandez said at his introductory news conference at the team's practice facility overlooking New York Harbor on Wednesday morning. "I believe he'll be Defensive Player of the Year. For us, he's a priority in this summer, and the way we can play through him -- obviously he's great in pick-and-roll, he's quick to the rim, he puts pressure on the rim -- but also his ability to play the dribble-handoff game which, as you guys know, lately in the NBA is a style that is very efficient. "When everybody touches the ball and everybody's involved, everybody's happier. You're harder to guard because there's more ... you're not that predictable to just play...

The San Francisco Giants scratched left-hander Blake Snell from his scheduled start Wednesday and placed the two-time Cy Young Award winner on the 15-day injured list with a left adductor strain. Right-hander Landen Roupp was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento by the Giants, who tabbed right-hander Ryan Walker (2-2, 3.46 ERA) to make his first start of the season Wednesday against the visiting New York Mets. Walker, 28, worked a scoreless inning of relief in San Francisco's 5-2 win over New York on Monday. Snell, 31, is 0-3 with an 11.57 ERA in three starts. He has yet to recapture the form that allowed him to secure his second Cy Young Award while pitching for the San Diego Padres in 2023. Snell owns a 71-58 record with a 3.30 ERA in 194 career games (all starts) with the Tampa Bay Rays, Padres and Giants. Roupp, 25, has registered a 4.35 ERA without recording a decision in eight relief appearances this season with San...

CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Bengals made perhaps the easiest decision they'll have all week, picking up the fifth-year option on wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase's rookie deal. The deal, announced one day before the NFL draft, ensures Chase's fifth-year salary for the 2025 season will be fully guaranteed. The option year will carry an estimated value of $21.8 million, according to a projection from OverTheCap.com. Chase, the fifth overall pick in the 2021 draft, has proved not only that Cincinnati made the right choice in pairing him with Joe Burrow, his college quarterback at LSU, but also that he is among the league's best receivers. Chase has reached the Pro Bowl in each of his first three NFL seasons, which has led to an extra $7.5 million on his rookie option. Since the start of the 2021 season, Chase is tied for third in the league in receiving touchdowns (29) and is seventh in total receiving yards (3,717), according to ESPN Stats & Information data. He...

Oakland transfer Trey Townsend, the Horizon League Player of the Year, has committed to Arizona, he told ESPN. "Arizona checked all the boxes I was looking for during this process," Townsend told ESPN. "I look forward to getting to Tucson and playing for coach Tommy Lloyd, who has a proven track record of producing NBA players similar to me." Townsend, who is from Oxford, Michigan, outside of Detroit, said he picked Arizona after visiting Ohio State and Michigan, while also considering Michigan State. Townsend was one of the breakout stars of the NCAA tournament, helping No. 14 seed Oakland upset No. 3 seed Kentucky, posting 17 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists, including some crucial late plays. Two days later, in the round of 32, he scored 30 points with 13 rebounds in an overtime loss to NC State, who went on to make the Final Four. Townsend was considered one of the best power forwards in the transfer portal after a decorated four-year career at Oakland,...

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker has been demoted to the minor leagues after a slow start to the season. The Cardinals announced before Wednesday afternoon's victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks that Walker and left-handed pitcher Zack Thompson were optioned to Triple-A Memphis. Infielder Jose Fermin and left-hander John King were recalled from Memphis in corresponding moves. Walker, 21, is batting .155 with no home runs, 4 RBIs and a .497 OPS in 20 games this season, his second with the Cardinals. The former top prospect had been mired in a 3-for-27 slump over his past 11 games. The 6-foot-6 Walker is one of several players struggling offensively for the Cardinals (10-14), who entered Wednesday with just 16 homers as a team -- second worst in the majors behind only the Chicago White Sox -- and rank in the bottom five in MLB in most major categories, including batting average (.218), runs (82), slugging percentage (.336) and...

DETROIT -- The Lions and star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown have agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension, a source confirmed to ESPN. The contract includes $77 million guaranteed, the source said. That's the most guaranteed money for a wide receiver in a single contract in NFL history, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. In a video posted to his Instagram story from Ford Field, St. Brown said, "I can't wait. I'm here, four more years." The Lions can now turn their attention to getting an extension done with veteran quarterback Jared Goff. Both parties have also entered discussions about an extension, but nothing has been reached yet. Goff is entering the final year of his contract and has expressed interest to remain with the Lions after being traded from the Los Angeles Rams in 2021. St. Brown, 24, was selected as a first-team All-Pro last season when he set career bests with 119 catches, 1,515 yards and 10 touchdown...

Reggie Bush has his 2005 Heisman Trophy back, as the Heisman Trust announced Wednesday the formal "reinstatement" of the trophy to Bush amid what it calls "enormous changes in the college football landscape." The Heisman Trust's decision comes after Bush forfeited his Heisman Trophy in 2010 in the wake of significant NCAA sanctions for USC, which included Bush receiving improper benefits during a Trojans career that spanned from 2003 to 2005. As part of the decision Wednesday, the Heisman Trust is returning the Heisman Trophy to Bush and a replica to USC. Bush will again be invited to all future Heisman Trophy ceremonies, beginning in the 2024 season. "Personally, I'm thrilled to reunite with my fellow Heisman winners and be a part of the storied legacy of the Heisman Trophy, and I'm honored to return to the Heisman family," Bush said in a statement to ESPN. "I also look forward to working together with the Heisman Trust to advance the values and mission of the...

Former Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook settled a lawsuit in which his ex-girlfriend accused him of battery and false imprisonment in his Minnesota home in November 2020. A hearing scheduled for Tuesday was canceled with the case closed and settled, according to court documents. Details of the settlement were not available.  In a lawsuit filed more than two years ago, Cook was accused of abusing his former girlfriend and causing a concussion during an altercation. In a statement released in 2021, Cook's attorney said his client was assaulted by the woman after she broke into his residence, saying that she later tried to extort him of millions of dollars. Cook has filed a lawsuit for fraud and defamation against the firm Eckland and Blando, which represented his ex-girlfriend, according to Cook's agent. Cook, 28, is a four-time Pro Bowl running back who is a free agent. He was one of the most productive backs in the league from 2017 to 2022, rushing for...

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are not expected to pick up quarterback Justin Fields' $25 million fifth-year option, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. A first-round draft pick in 2021, Fields was traded to the Steelers by the Chicago Bears last month for a conditional sixth-round pick. By not picking up Fields' fifth-year option, the Steelers have a quarterback room where their top two players are playing out the final year of their contracts. Prior to trading for Fields, the Steelers signed Russell Wilson to a one-year deal for the league minimum. Wilson is expected to start offseason workouts in "pole position" in the quarterback room, but Fields will be given a chance to compete when appropriate, coach Mike Tomlin said at last month's annual league meetings. "We've been very transparent about the pecking order, at least to start," Tomlin said in Orlando, Florida. "I just think that provides clarity for all parties involved....

Reggie Bush is getting his 2005 Heisman Trophy back, as the Heisman Trust announced Wednesday the formal "reinstatement" of the trophy to Bush amid what it calls "enormous changes in the college football landscape." The Heisman Trust's decision comes after Bush forfeited his Heisman Trophy in 2010 in the wake of significant NCAA sanctions for USC, which included Bush receiving improper benefits during a Trojans career that spanned from 2003 to 2005. As part of the decision Wednesday, the Heisman Trust is returning the Heisman Trophy to Bush and a replica to USC. Bush will again be invited to all future Heisman Trophy ceremonies, beginning in the 2024 season. "Personally, I'm thrilled to reunite with my fellow Heisman winners and be a part of the storied legacy of the Heisman Trophy, and I'm honored to return to the Heisman family," Bush said in a statement to ESPN. "I also look forward to working together with the Heisman Trust to advance the values and mission of the...

NEW YORK -- Washington Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said his star captain Alex Ovechkin is "struggling" in their opening round playoff series against the New York Rangers. "I thought the first two games he looks a little bit off. He's struggling. It's hard. It's the playoffs, on the road. He's getting a tough matchup," Carbery said after the Capitals' 4-3 loss in Game 2 on Tuesday night to go down 2-0 in the series. Ovechkin, 38, doesn't have a point in the series. He registered his first and only shot on goal in Game 2. But it was his turnover on a power play that led to the Rangers' eventual winning short-handed goal and was Ovechkin's most glaring misstep in the loss. With the Rangers leading 3-2, Ovechkin took a cross-ice pass from center Connor McMichael near the Capitals' defensive zone. The puck hit the boards and as Ovechkin attempted to play it down the ice, Rangers center Mika Zibanejad stole it, finding defenseman ...

Liverpool have opened talks with Feyenoord in an attempt to negotiate a deal for the club's head coach, Arne Slot, to become Jürgen Klopp's successor as manager at Anfield, sources told ESPN. ESPN reported on Tuesday that Slot, 45, had emerged as the leading contender for the Liverpool job following Xabi Alonso's decision to remain at Bayer Leverkusen and a cooling in the Premier League club's interest in Sporting CP coach Ruben Amorim. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) But with Liverpool aware of rival interest in Slot from Bayern Munich and Barcelona, contact has been made with Feyenoord in an effort to win the race for the former AZ Alkmaar coach. Slot rejected approaches from Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur last year -- Chelsea also expressed an interest in him -- and chose instead to sign a new three-year contract with the Rotterdam team, having led the club...

Erik ten Hag will face a 25% pay cut as Manchester United manager next season if he holds onto his job in the wake of the failure to qualify for the Champions League, sources told ESPN. Ten Hag, who signed a three-year contract at Old Trafford after leaving his position as Ajax head coach in May 2022, is under mounting pressure at United with the team in seventh position in the Premier League, 16 points adrift of a top-four spot, ahead of Wednesday's Old Trafford clash with bottom-placed Sheffield United. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Although United secured a place in the FA Cup final for the second successive season by defeating Championship side Coventry City on penalties last weekend, the manner of the team's progression -- United surrendered a 3-0 lead by conceding three goals in the final 20 minutes at Wembley -- has further intensified the scrutiny on Ten Hag. Sources told ESPN that United's new...

LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman said Wednesday he is open-minded about the idea of moving to a traditional 72-hole format, though he explained that the Saudi-backed circuit would need to evaluate the impact of adding an extra round to its 54-hole, no-cut events. Former Masters and U.S. Open champion Jon Rahm, who announced  his decision to leave the PGA Tour and join LIV in December, has said he hoped LIV would move to a 72-hole format, as it would help unite the tours. Norman said at a news conference Wednesday ahead of LIV's event in Adelaide, Australia, that they were open to the idea of changing the format but noted there was an "economic impact about putting television on for 72 holes." "It's a great conversation to have," he said. "We will continue to have that conversation going forward. But we sit back and say, what value do we get on putting on television on Thursday? How do we build out in the future? "There are things that we sit back and look at to...

LOS ANGELES -- The  Dallas Mavericks' series-tying 96-93 win over the LA Clippers in Tuesday's Game 2 featured a couple of typical Luka Doncic moments down the stretch, displays of his extraordinary skill and intense passion. Doncic swished a pair of critical step-back 3s from the top of the arc in the fourth quarter, punctuating both by looking toward the stands and shouting in exhilaration. The first, which was contested by Kawhi Leonard, gave the Mavericks the lead for good with 7:03 remaining. The second, which was over James Harden, served as a dagger with 1:26 left. Doncic finished with 32 points and 9 assists, numbers near his norms, but he might have been more impactful on the other end of the floor. Considered a defensive liability at times in his career, Doncic spearheaded the Mavericks' smothering effort Tuesday night against the Clippers, who shot 36.8% from the floor, their lowest field goal percentage of the...

LOS ANGELES -- Kawhi Leonard spent the previous 22 days trying to rehab the inflammation in his surgically-repaired right knee and get back on the floor. Cleared to play for the first time since March 31, Leonard had 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals but was missing his usual rhythm as the  Clippers dropped Game 2 of their first-round playoff series with the Dallas Mavericks  96-93 at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night. Leonard shot 7-of-17 but missed all five of his 3-point attempts, the most without a make in the two-time Finals MVP's playoff career. But the most important thing for the Clippers was that Leonard reported his knee felt good after logging 35 minutes. "Just keep trying to get a rhythm back and obviously try to win a basketball game," Leonard said his return. "We got pretty stagnant tonight in that fourth quarter. I want to just be able to get a rhythm with the team and get a win." While the Clippers watched Luka...

After the Avalanche evened their first-round series with the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night, Colorado's Alexandar Georgiev praised his teammates for the support they've shown him, with coach Jared Bednar also defending his goaltender. Georgiev, who gave up seven goals on 16 shots in the Avs' Game 1 loss on Sunday, responded by stopping 28 of the 30 shots he faced in his team's 5-2 win at Canada Life Centre. "They've shown so much support to me over the last couple days," Georgiev said. "Very rough first game, obviously. I just felt so much trust in the room from everybody. I appreciate it so much. It helped me reset and I know that they got my back. I know I'll help them out as well during these playoffs. It was huge from them. I appreciate it." Entering Game 1, the Avalanche were already facing questions about how they would fare against the Jets. They were 0-3 in the regular season against Winnipeg, with their most recent meeting on April 13 a 7-0...

MILWAUKEE -- Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton said his younger brother was called the N-word by a fan while sitting in the stands during Game 1 of Indiana's first-round playoff series with the  Bucks in Milwaukee. Haliburton discussed the incident during his postgame news conference that followed the Pacers' 125-108 win in Game 2 on Tuesday night. "My little brother in the stands the other day was called the N-word," Haliburton said. "It was important for us as a family to just address that. And that was important for us to talk about because that just didn't sit right with anybody in our family. It's just been important to have my family here right now. My little brother has handled that the right way." Haliburton was born about 90 miles from Milwaukee in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He has three brothers (two older and one younger) and said his immediate family had been in town with him for the start of the playoffs. This is his playoff debut in his home...

MILWAUKEE -- Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton said his younger brother was called the N-word by a fan while sitting in the stands during Game 1 of Indiana's first-round playoff series with the  Bucks in Milwaukee. Haliburton discussed the incident during his postgame news conference that followed the Pacers' 125-108 win in Game 2 on Tuesday night. "My little brother in the stands the other day was called the N-word," Haliburton said. "It was important for us as a family to just address that. And that was important for us to talk about because that just didn't sit right with anybody in our family. It's just been important to have my family here right now. My little brother has handled that the right way." Haliburton was born about 90 miles from Milwaukee in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He has three brothers (two older and one younger) and said his immediate family had been in town with him for the start of the playoffs. This is his playoff debut in his home...

ANAHEIM, Calif. --  Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington was hoping to get a spark by putting Mike Trout in the leadoff spot. It worked.  Hitting at the top of the order for the first time since 2020, the three-time American League MVP drove a fastball from Baltimore's Grayson Rodriguez off the auxiliary scoreboard above the wall in right-center field in the first inning to give the Angels an early 1-0 lead Tuesday night. They ended up winning 7-4 to end a five-game losing streak.  It was the sixth leadoff homer of Trout's career and first since Sept. 28, 2012. Trout's ninth home run of the season tied for the major league lead. "I'm just trying to shake things up and trying to see if I can get some different cohesiveness with my lineup," Washington said before the game. Trout's solo home run was his lone hit Tuesday night.  In his past eight games, he's now 4-for-31 with 10 strikeouts, including getting caught looking for the final...

ANAHEIM, Calif. --  Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington was hoping to get a spark by putting Mike Trout in the leadoff spot. The three-time AL MVP quickly obliged. Hitting leadoff for the first time since 2020, Trout drove a fastball from Baltimore's Grayson Rodriguez off the auxiliary scoreboard above the wall in right-center field in the first inning to give the Angels an early 1-0 lead Tuesday night. It was the sixth leadoff homer of Trout's career and first since Sept. 28, 2012. Trout's ninth home run of the season tied for the major league lead. "I'm just trying to shake things up and trying to see if I can get some different cohesiveness with my lineup," Washington said before the game. The Angels entered it on a five-game losing streak. Trout struggled at the plate over the previous seven games. He had gone 3 for 27 with eight strikeouts, including getting caught looking for the final out with the bases loaded in Monday night's 4-2...

NEW YORK -- Washington Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said his star captain Alex Ovechkin is "struggling" in their opening round playoff series against the New York Rangers. "I thought the first two games he looks a little bit off. He's struggling. It's hard. It's the playoffs, on the road. He's getting a tough matchup," Carbery said after the Capitals' 4-3 loss in Game 2 on Tuesday night to go down 2-0 in the series. Ovechkin, 38, doesn't have a point in the series. He registered his first and only shot on goal in Game 2. But it was his turnover on a power play that led to the Rangers' eventual winning short-handed goal and was Ovechkin's most glaring misstep in the loss. With the Rangers leading 3-2, Ovechkin took a cross-ice pass from center Connor McMichael near the Capitals' defensive zone. The puck hit the boards and as Ovechkin attempted to play it down the ice, Rangers center Mika Zibanejad stole it, finding defenseman ...

MINNEAPOLIS --  Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen aggravated the sprained right ankle he suffered in the playoff opener, forcing him to hobble off in the third quarter of Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first-round series on Tuesday. The Suns later ruled him out for the remainder of the game before losing 105-93. Minnesota leads the series 2-0. X-rays were negative and Allen will be day-to-day, coach Frank Vogel said afterward. With Game 3 set for Friday, Allen said afterward that he wasn't sure how his ankle would respond after two days of treatment but that he was glad to have the time. He said the way he hurt the ankle Tuesday was similar to what happened in Game 1. "Just a little bit tougher since I was in the air and landing, but when I watched the replay, it looked like I just landed on someone's heel and rolled it pretty hard," Allen said. Allen was guarding Mike Conley on a drive to the lane when he went airborne...

LOS ANGELES -- LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard will return for Game 2 of the team's first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night, coach Ty Lue said. Leonard missed the final eight games of the regular season and Sunday's Game 1 win over Dallas with inflammation in his surgically repaired knee. Leonard has not played since March 31. He has participated in practices, including Monday's. Asked if Leonard had gone through contact before returning, Lue said his star checked off all the boxes for a safe return but added that the contact will come in Game 2. Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank had described Leonard's inflammation as "unpredictable" and "stubborn" last week. Leonard went into Tuesday night averaging 32.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists in the playoffs against Dallas. He played in 68 games this season, his most since the 2016-17 season with the Spurs.

NEW YORK -- DJ LeMahieu's return to the New York Yankees from a fractured right foot encountered a setback Tuesday night. The veteran infielder exited the first game of his rehab assignment with soreness in the foot, the Yankees announced. According to the team, he will return to New York to be re-examined by a Yankees physician. LeMahieu struck out leading off the game for the Double-A Somerset Patriots. He then played third base in the bottom of the first inning but didn't take the field for the bottom of the second. A few hours earlier, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said there was a chance LeMahieu could rejoin the Yankees next week in Baltimore. The plan, Boone explained, was for LeMahieu to play in games Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. But that likely won't happen now. LeMahieu, the oldest player on the Yankees' 40-man roster at 35, sustained the injury when he fouled a pitch off his foot in a spring training game March 16. He missed the 2022...

Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey was named the NBA's most improved player Tuesday night, beating out  Chicago Bulls guard  Coby White and  Houston Rockets center  Alperen Sengun.  Maxey, 23, had a breakthrough season with the Sixers, averaging career highs in points (25.9), rebounds (3.7), assists (6.2), steals (1.0) and 3-pointers made (212). He also became an All-Star for the first time as he transitioned into playing point guard full-time following James Harden being traded to the LA Clippers. "I have had to take different steps," Maxey said during an interview with TNT before the Minnesota Timberwolves played the Phoenix Suns in Game 2 of their first-round series Tuesday night, when he was presented with the award. "In the offseason I didn't know what the situation was going to be with James, so my thing was I have to work on pick-and-roll every day, working on passing, working on reads ... Those...

In its Last Two Minute Report for the New York Knicks' miraculous 104-101 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series Monday night, the NBA ruled that Tyrese Maxey was fouled multiple times during a frenetic defining sequence, and that 76ers coach Nick Nurse called for a timeout but the referees didn't see it. The league said Jalen Brunson grabbed Maxey's jersey before the ball was inbounded after Brunson's 3-pointer cut Philadelphia's lead to two, and that Josh Hart then bumped Maxey as he caught the inbounds pass, sending him falling to the ground. Maxey then committed a turnover trying to pass the ball after he fell to the ground, which led to Donte DiVincenzo missing a potential go-ahead 3-pointer and then making one that proved to be the winning shot with 13 seconds remaining. "[Maxey] did his job," Joel Embiid said after the game, when asked whether he needed to say anything...

FRISCO, Texas -- Why haven't the Dallas Cowboys been able to sign Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb or Micah Parsons to long-term extensions just yet? Owner and general manager Jerry Jones said blame him. "If you've got trouble with when the timing is around here," Jones said, "it's because I'm not ready to go." Prescott's contract runs out after the 2024 season and he said last week that negotiations have not really started. Lamb is set to make $17.99 million this year on the fifth-year option and is eligible for the franchise tag next offseason. Parsons is under contractual control through 2025 and then eligible for the franchise tag. "You may be working on [contracts] and not moving anything but your eyebrows," Jones said. "Who in the world would think that we're not working on it? I work on it. It pops up at 2 in the morning sometimes. What you're actually questioning is why don't you have something done and negotiated and put in the drawer? Well, we'd...

OKLAHOMA CITY -- More than an hour after the  New Orleans Pelicans' practice ended at the Paycom Center on Tuesday afternoon, Zion Williamson was still in the weight room lifting and working on his conditioning. Tuesday marked a week since Williamson strained his left hamstring in the Pelicans' play-in tournament loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. With Williamson out, his team advanced to the playoffs with a play-in win against the Sacramento Kings on Friday. In his first comments to the media since the injury, Williamson spoke about the timing after playing a career-high 70 games this season. "Super demoralizing at first, can't lie," Williamson said. "The season had been going so well, so for that to happen, it definitely was demoralizing. But I took a day or two to get past that, and now I'm back on what I've been saying all year, stacking my days and getting back on the court." Williamson said he felt the injury occur late in the fourth quarter...

DETROIT -- Lions quarterback Jared Goff on Tuesday clarified his comments from earlier this month about the Detroit media being overly negative. "There's been a ton of positivity. It may have got twisted a little bit, as things do. I was speaking in reference to the question I was asked at that press conference," Goff told ESPN. "I was answering that question. I was not saying there aren't any positive news, I wouldn't really know, but they have been positive to me. I was saying that I think sometimes, some of the people, enjoy the negative news and I don't think that's necessarily specific to Detroit. "I was speaking about our local guys, but I think that's kind of the world," he said. "Not to get really grand right now, but it wasn't necessarily specific to Detroit, it was the world media, sports media, certainly the NFL media and the roller coaster that is and what sells clicks. But, yeah, maybe I should've been a little more specific with that." Goff made his...

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Bears general manager Ryan Poles knows which player Chicago is going to select with the No. 1 overall pick, but he's not ready to divulge particulars two days ahead of the 2024 NFL draft. "Unfortunately, it's one of those things I think everyone's got to tune in on Thursday to watch and figure out, but I feel really good about our process and where we are and where we're headed," Poles said during his pre-draft news conference. "We know what we're going to do, but everyone is going to have to wait until Thursday to go there." The No. 1 pick, which the Bears earned from a trade with the Carolina Panthers, is expected to be  USC quarterback Caleb Williams. The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner was the only quarterback prospect hosted by the Bears this month on a top-30 visit. Conversely, Williams made only one visit -- to Halas Hall -- during his pre-draft process. After trading  Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh...

Las Vegas Aces star guard Kelsey Plum and New York Giants tight end Darren Waller filed for divorce in Clark County District Court in Las Vegas on Tuesday. Plum, 29, and Waller, 31, were married in March 2023 after dating for reportedly one year. "I'm devastated," Plum wrote on social media. "I walked through fire for that man, but now I see it's time to go. God has given me such an incredible life, and I'm truly so grateful for the profound love from my family and friends. One day I'll share my story, today is not that day." A two-time WNBA champion with the Aces, Plum began dating Waller while the latter played for the Las Vegas Raiders. Plum was the first overall pick of the 2017 WNBA draft. She also won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in women's 3x3 basketball. Waller made the Pro Bowl in 2020 while playing with the Raiders. He reportedly has yet to decide whether to play in the 2024 season or retire from professional football.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The NFL's investigation into alleged tampering by the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles remains ongoing and will not be concluded this week, the league said Tuesday. So if either team is found to have violated league tampering rules and loses draft picks, those selections will not come from this week's draft. The Eagles and Falcons each have eight picks in the 2024 draft. The Falcons are being investigated for allegedly being in direct contact with Kirk Cousins, formerly with the Minnesota Vikings, before they were legally allowed to according to league rules. Cousins ended up signing with the Falcons on a four-year contract worth up to $180 million on the first day of official free agency last month. The Eagles are being investigated for alleged tampering regarding their signing of Saquon Barkley, who had previously played for the New York Giants. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday that the Falcons...

The NFL on Tuesday reinstated Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Sr. from his yearlong suspension for violating the league's policy on gambling. Rodgers was with the Indianapolis Colts when he was suspended on June 29 but was released by the team later that day. He then signed with the Eagles in August. Earlier this year, Rodgers told ESPN's John Barr that while bets were made from his account, they were made for others and not himself. Rodgers said the wagers, including some smaller ones and a $1,000 prop bet, were placed from his online sports gambling account. He said they were made for people who lived in Florida, where online sports betting at that time remained illegal. At the time of his suspension, ESPN's David Purdum reported that Rodgers had placed more than 100 bets -- including on Colts games -- and most were in the $25 to $50 range. One wager, in particular, stood out: a $1,000 prop bet on the over/under on rushing yards by Colts...

LSU running back John Emery Jr., a former top-15 recruit who saw the field in spurts with the Tigers, entered the transfer portal Tuesday as a graduate student. Emery, ESPN's No. 11 overall recruit in the 2019 class, had 1,062 career rushing yards and 14 touchdowns with the Tigers, starting five games and appearing in 37. He saw his most extensive action in 2021 and 2022, logging 75 and 76 carries, respectively. Emery missed all of the 2021 season because of academic reasons and also was away from the team to work on his academics early in 2023, but returned and did not miss any games. The Destrehan, Louisiana, native appeared in seven games last season, logging 23 carries for 121 yards and a touchdown. He will have one year of eligibility remaining. LSU is losing quarterback Jayden Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, who led the team in carries (135), rushing yards (1,134) and rushing touchdowns (10). Running back Logan Diggs, who had 653 rushing...

DENVER -- After a heartbreaking 101-99 loss in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets on Monday, LeBron James was one of several Los Angeles Lakers players to criticize the officiating during his postgame comments. "I don't understand what's going on in the replay center, to be honest," James said. James has voiced his displeasure with the league's replay process several times this season, such as when his foot was ruled to be on the 3-point line in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves and out of bounds in a loss to the Golden State Warriors. On Monday night in Denver, he specifically took issue with a shooting foul called against Michael Porter Jr. on  D'Angelo Russell late in the third quarter that was overturned after Nuggets coach Michael Malone challenged the call. "D-Lo clearly gets hit in the face on a drive," James said. "What the f--- do we have a replay center for if it's...