SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 14: Christian McCaffrey #23 and Bobby Turner of the San Francisco 49ers in the locker room before the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium on January 14, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers defeated the Seahawks 41-23. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 49ers weren’t sure if Kaelon Black would last until the 4th round of the NFL Draft “The fourth round was allegedly a sweet spot for running backs. Arkansas’s Mike Washington was popular among the draft community for his ability to rip off the big play. He was one of the worst pass-protecting backs I can remember watching. If you can’t block, you can’t play.
I felt like Jonah Coleman and Emmett Johnson were good fits. Nicholas Singleton would’ve been a dart throw. Black has the speed edge on the first two and has an argument for being superior in pass protection than any other back in this class. Even in hindsight, Johnson would’ve been fun in Shanahan’s offense.“
2026 NFL Draft’s best UDFA fits: 1 undrafted free agent to watch on each roster (paywall) “Kamara (6 feet, 250, with sub-32-inch arms) does not have NFL size, and he’s not very fast. He does, however, have terrific short-area quickness with outstanding hands and a high-powered motor that never seems to slow down. He constantly got the job done at Indiana (and at James Madison before that), be it rushing inside or off the edge.”
HOUSTON (AP) — When leading scorers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were both injured in an April 2 game, coach JJ Redick admitted things felt bleak for the Los Angeles Lakers.
But instead of feeling sorry for themselves, the Lakers banded together to fight through the adversity and beat the Houston Rockets in six games to move on to face top-seeded Oklahoma City in the Western Conference semifinals.
Los Angeles has advanced to the second round for the first time since 2023 when it lost to Denver in the West final.
LeBron James had 28 points in Game 6 on Friday night and the Lakers used a tenacious defense to hold the Rockets to their fewest points of the season in the 98-78 victory.
“It speaks to his greatness,” Redick said. “To me, he’s had the greatest career of any NBA player. You can argue all you want and I really don’t care to postulate on who’s the greatest of all time, but he’s one of, if not the greatest of all time.”
“And for him to do it again and answer the bell again, it’s really -- it’s baffling in some ways,” Redick continued.
Los Angeles raced out to a 3-0 lead in the series before losing two games to force Game 6 in Houston against a Rockets team that was missing Kevin Durant for five of six games.
The Lakers played the entire series without Doncic, but Reaves returned for the last two games to help them advance.
There was a chance their series with the Thunder would have started Sunday. But Game 1 was pushed back until Tuesday night when the Raptors beat the Cavaliers 112-110 in overtime thanks to RJ Barrett’s 3-pointer in the final seconds to force Game 7.
“Thanks to Toronto,” James said. “Thank you, RJ Barrett. Appreciate it. Haven’t seen a shot in Toronto like that since Kawhi (Leonard).”
The 41-year-old James was thrilled to get a couple of extra days to rest and recover after averaging 38.5 minutes a game for his injury-plagued team in this series.
“Heck yeah,” he said. “I can go on the golf course now. That’s what I’m thinking about.”
He said he’d start delving into preparation for the Thunder by Sunday.
“It’s the defending champion,” he said. “So, it’s a tall task.”
And the Thunder will be plenty rested after finishing their sweep of Phoenix on Monday night.
Redick credited the leadership of not only James but fellow veteran Marcus Smart for helping steady his team after the injuries to Doncic and Reaves, who combined to average more than 56 points in the regular season.
“For us to be written off a few weeks ago and to win a playoff series is a big deal,” Redick said. “And it just speaks to the character of our team and the leaders of our team that they didn’t let go of the rope.”
Smart, who is in his first season with the Lakers, is so proud of the Lakers for fighting through the injuries to win this series. And he thinks that togetherness will help them as they continue their postseason run.
“It means everything,” he said. “It shows our resilience and it shows the belief that we have our next man up… and it just shows that no matter how depleted we are, we’re always going to go out there and compete and give it everything we got.”
STILLWATER, OK - AUGUST 31: Wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling #1 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys leaps to make a seven-yard catch in bounds against safety Cale Reeder #25 of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits at the six-yard line in the first quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium on August 31, 2024 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State won 44-20. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Why did 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan sound upset no one tried trading for Mac Jones? (Paywall) “Shanahan’s reaction to the lack of trade interest in the backup QB strongly suggested the 49ers were willing — perhaps eager — to discuss a draft-day deal. Shanahan said he expected to receive Jones-related trade calls on the first day of the draft, but no team inquired. And Shanahan didn’t sound overly happy while saying how happy he was the 49ers didn’t trade Jones.
“That kind of blew my mind,” Shanahan said on KNBR. “Definitely someone I would be sick (about) if we lost. But we also understand how good of a quarterback he is. So it definitely surprised me a lot. I know what I would have done. But not everyone did that. So good for us that we still get to hold on to a really good quarterback.”
Good for the 49ers. And too bad for the rest of a league that was too dim-witted to pick up the phone? Yes, there was at least a touch of condescension in Shanahan’s answer.
Shanahan’s apparent eagerness to at least entertain trade offers for Jones before or during the first round makes sense when connecting some dots. Jones would likely net a second- or third-round pick in a deal, and the 49ers thought the strength of this year’s draft was “the second round to the end of the third,” as Shanahan said Thursday on “The Rich Eisen Show.”
Stribling averaged 15.5 yards per reception and did not have a drop on 16 targets on third down in 2025. He turned 70% of those catches into a first down or touchdown.
The thing that could help Stribling play early is his run blocking prowess. Shanahan noted Stribling jumped out on the tape in that area, something the 49ers struggled with in 2025.”
49ers Film Breakdown: 3 passing concepts for De’Zhaun Stribling in his rookie season “While Stribling is being labeled a Jauan Jennings “replacement,” the comparison is really about body type. The juice Stribling has is different than Jennings, and while people are worried about his route tree, I blame Lane Kiffin’s brutal offense at Ole Miss. Pop on Stribling’s Oklahoma State tape, and you’ll see a guy capable of running more than digs (15% of his routes at Ole Miss), nines, aka go routes (26%), and curls (25%).
While the rest of Stribling’s route tree develops at the NFL level, the rookie can benefit from Shanahan’s offense, which routinely schemes guys open. Early on, Stribling should be used as Jennings was in 2023 as a third-down option with way more speed.
I’ve found three concepts used to spring Jennings open that Stribling can benefit from as a rookie. All three concepts and clips are from the 2024 matchup with Seattle at Levi’s Stadium……
Bang/Stutter Rail: The fast motion creates a 1×3 and allows McCaffrey to run the stutter rail from the backfield. With the motion and bunch, the backside routes can be sprung open against man coverage. It can create communication issues with natural picks and rubs. Deebo’s motion actually springs Juice on the return. Samuel takes the nickel and the corner with him as his wide release is meant to interfere with the corner’s angle defending the return.
Seattle is in a two-high safety look, and the Will LB drops into the window for the bang route. The outside cornerback takes the stutter rail away on the outside. The route underneath Jennings is open because of this. The route is deeper than a “shallow” cross, but it’s not quite a “jerk” route either. Jennings is isolated on the Mike LB, and it’s easy money.
Stribling will be in good hands if the 49ers can use him situationally like this early on.”
Oct 8, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Myles Murphy (99) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Bengals’ Myles Murphy contract decision another sign of progress Makes sense. Murphy didn’t show major signs of development until last year, and even then, the smallish sample size of 682 snaps isn’t a sure thing of future performance one way or another. He posted 5.5 sacks and 41 pressures, earning a 64.2 PFF grade (67th out of 115 edge defenders).
Re-grading 2023 Bengals draft class: Some really good grades and one F DJ Turner II #20 of the Cincinnati Bengals breaks up a pass intended for Zay Flowers #4 of the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter in the game at M&T Bank Stadium on November 27, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Bengals Floated as Trade Landing Spot for Giants Star Edge Rusher The Cincinnati Bengals have made a lot of additions to their roster, specifically on defense, over the course of the offseason. As a result, that phase of the game looks better than it has in years. But they might not be done adding after trading for Dexter Lawrence.
Non-linebacker free agents Bengals should sign after NFL Draft This is the first time in a long time (ever?) that the Bengals have truly spent to the salary cap hilt and may have forced themselves to (EUREKA!) restructure Joe Burrow’s contract. Who would’ve thought? Not me!
Bengals Called ‘Super Bowl Long Shot’ After Impressive Offseason “Cincinnati already has the bones of a Super Bowl contender, with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins headlining the offense. They slip just under our guidelines, however, because that pesky defense — coupled with poor injury luck — has kept them from reaching their full potential in the Burrow era,” Sullivan wrote.
How Cincinnati Bengals’ Dexter Lawrence trade became about team ownership Then, on April 6, defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence went public asking for a trade from the New York Giants, and the tone of the conversation — and public perception of what Bengals ownership is capable of doing — changed forever.
And very much alive and confident after beating the Lakers 99-93 on the Lakers homecourt in a pivotal Game 5 to extend the best-of-seven first round playoff series by at least one more game, with the series shifting back to Houston with the Lakers leading 3-2.
“You gotta give them a lot of credit,” coach JJ Redick said. “They made shots, including some guys who normally don’t make 3s. Our defense, you hope 99 is enough to win, and we just couldn’t make shots. Missed some layups. Certainly had some good looks from 3 that didn’t go down. But we’ll take a look at the whole process, take a look at the substitution patterns and figure out where we can be better in Game 6.”
Even with star guard Austin Reaves making his return to the lineup after being sidelined since April because of a left oblique strain, the Lakers once again struggled offensively for the second consecutive – and 2 ½ games going back to the miraculous Game 3 comeback victory in Houston.
Austin Reaves drives to the basket against the Rockets. AP
Reaves finished with 22 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds in 34 minutes in his first game since suffering a Grade 2 oblique strain in the April 2 loss to the Thunder, but struggled with his shooting and finishing, going 4 of 16 from the field. He made 12 of his 13 free throws.
“I missed a lot of easy looks,” Reaves said. “We didn’t shoot it great as a team. We’ll watch film [on Thursday], get better. We’ll go try to win a game Friday.”
LeBron James led the Lakers with 25 points and 7 rebounds, but missed a pull-up 3 with 12 seconds left that would’ve cut the team’s deficit to one point.
Marcus Smart had 6 of the Lakers’ 15 turnovers.
“Take care of basketball, we’ve been through this,” Smart said. “We understand this team and how they play, and they’re very aggressive and we got to take care of basketball. Myself, I had six turnovers and that’s unacceptable for me, especially with only two assists. Especially against this team. So we definitely got to take care of the ball. We got to do a better job, all of us, and collectively, and that’ll help us for sure.”
LeBron James goes up for a layup. AP
Deandre Ayton added 18 points and 17 rebounds.
Jabari Smith led the Rockets with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and a pair of blocked shots.
Alperen Sengun puts up a hook shot in the paint. AP
What it means
The Rockets are one of just nine teams to force a Game 6 after dropping the first two road games and first home game consecutively under the 2-2-1-1-1 playoff format since the league went to a 16-game playoffs in 1984.
Of the previous eight teams, only two have forced a Game 7.
Overall, the Rockets are the 16th team in NBA history to force a Game 6 after trailing 0-3 in a playoff series.
Luke Kennard reacts to a foul call. Getty Images
Turning point
When Smart overhelped off Amen Thompson in the left corner on a Reed Sheppard drive to the late in the shot, opening up a drive-and-kick opporunity that the Rockets took advantage of, with Thompson making the corner 3 to put the Rockets up 79-69 early in the fourth.
After Reaves missed a layup on the Lakers’ ensuing possession, Jabari Smith hit another to put the Rockets up by a game-best 13 points.
The Lakers kept the game close but didn’t cut their deficit to any closer than three points.
Smith led the Rockets in scoring. Getty Images
MVP: Alperen Sengun
Sengun recorded a series-high 8 assists to go with 9 rebounds and 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting in Game 5.
The Rockets All-Star center made the Lakers pay for sending extra help his way.
Stat of the game: 7
That’s how many more 3s the Rockets made than the Lakers.
The Rockets shot 14 of 40 from beyond the arc compared to the Lakers’ 7-of-27 shooting on 3s.
Sengun goes to work in the paint. AP
Up next
Game 6 of Lakers-Rockets is scheduled for Friday at Toyota Center.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 16: New England Patriots defensive end Keion White (99) looks on after the NFL preseason game between the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings on August 16th, 2025, in Minneapolis, MN. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The New England Patriots made a deadline deal with the San Francisco 49ers in 2025, sending Keion White to the West Coast. It was one of two moves that saw the Patriots move on from former starters alongside safety Kyle Dugger, who was traded to the Steelers.
White played a bunch of snaps under the old defensive scheme from Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo and showed. some serious promise, but didn’t fit the mold Mike Vrabel was looking for after transferring to the edge in 2025.
Knowing all that, how did the Patriots do in the trade? Let’s take a look.
Original terms for the Keion White trade from the Patriots
Even though White had been one of the Patriots’ most disruptive defenders in 2023 and 2024, he fell out of favor under Mike Vrabel and his staff in 2025. When he was traded, he yielded little more than a sixth-round selection.
49ers receive: ED Keion White
Patriots receive: 2026 sixth-round pick (No. 198)
The Patriots eventually decided to repurpose the selection in a draft day trade with the Vikings.
What did the Patriots do with the pick from the Keion White trade?
Pick 198 took quite a journey. It was originally Minnesota’s pick and the Vikings traded it in 2024 for Cam Akers. The Texans traded it back to Minnesota for guard Ed Ingram. It was sent to San Francisco as part of the Jordan Mason trade. San Francisco then traded it to New England for Keion White.
During the 2026 NFL Draft, the Patriots traded it for pick 234 sending it back to Minnesota. The Vikings also gave up a sixth-round pick in 2027. Their preliminary haul from the Keion White trade therefore looks as follows:
QB Behren Morton (via 7-234)
2027 sixth-round pick
It remains to be seen where that 2027 pick ends up landing, but it could come fairly early in the round. At the moment, the Vikings hold the 10th worst Super Bowl odds for this comingsesaon.
How was Keion White’s performance for the 49ers in 2025?
White was arguably San Francisco’s most disruptive pass rusher last year, at least on the interior after coming in during the trade deadline. He was a versatile piece, being used both on the edge and the inside, and had 24 pressures in 11 games, ranking third overall on the team.
White’s 12.5% pass rush win rate was third among defensive linemen behind Yetur Gross-Matos and Bryce Huff, and he also had more than one year of team control.
He has a cap hit of just $1.8 million for the upcoming year, and should fit in better in more of a rotational role for the 49ers this season. Currently, they have Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams, and White as the team’s top edge rushers for 2026.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 26: Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla talks to Jayson Tatum #0 and Jaylen Brown #7 during the second half of game four of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Eighty-one seconds into the fourth quarter of Game 4, Jayson Tatum dribbled passed midcourt and with the help of a Neemias Queta screen, walked into a three-pointer. Kelly Oubre walked into his landing space for an and-1.
With that, the lead ballooned to 30 points and statistically, it was proof positive of Boston’s priorities this season: limiting turnovers, attacking the offensive glass for additional possessions, and generating good shoots, preferably threes.
“It comes down to controlling the game, having an understanding of what’s going on. We did a good job managing the game even though our shots weren’t going down,” Joe Mazzulla said after the Celtics took a 3-1 lead with their second win in Philadelphia.
“Our offensive rebounds and our turnovers. Obviously, they’re going to make a run, but we were able to manage that with getting to the free throw line, being disciplined defensively, and some good offensive execution. We just gotta manage the game, being disciplined.”
With the game out of hand and Gino dancing somewhere near North Station, the scoreboard was obvious bottom line, but dig deeper into the box score and it was a game won in the margins.
Despite the return of big man Joel Embiid, Boston held Philly without an offensive rebound until midway through the third quarter. Andre Drummond, who once admitted that he intentionally missed shots to pad his rebounding numbers, didn’t grab any in Game 4.
After allowing a Game 2 blip — the 76ers hit 19-of-39 from behind the arc — the Celtics have absolutely used the three to bury Philadelphia. In a tightly contested Game 3, they were a +24 from 3 and with 10:39 left in the 4th of Game 4, they were already a +27 after hitting 17 of 38.
The turnover differential has not exactly been the edge they held in the regular season. With the Sixers packing the paint, Brown and Tatum have been drawing pesky double teams as soon as they get anywhere near the paint and that’s generated several loose balls and points on the other end. However, Boston leads the East in assists-to-turnovers ratio at 1.96. Comparatively speaking, the conference has been an absolutely slugfest; the Magic took a 3-1 lead over the one-seed Pistons shooting 32.6% from the field; the Raptors made just 32% of their shots to knot up their series with the Cavaliers. The Celtics, on the other hand, having been moving the ball well and so far, been making shots.
The postseason is all about making adjustments, but for the most part, Boston has stuck to their core principles and are on the brink of winning their first round series tonight for the same reasons they finished with 56 wins in a gap year.
