The NBA got a little spicy in the Thunder’s 127-121 win over the Nuggets on Friday night in Oklahoma City.
The two teams got into a heated scrum in the fourth quarter after it appeared Oklahoma City’s Lu Dort tripped Denver star Nikola Jokic, leading to a heated scene at center court with both teams pushing and shoving.
Things all started after Jared McCain hit a two-point bucket for OKC, and on the ensuing inbound, Dort appeared to make an intentional step — almost like a hip check — into Jokic as he made his way back up the court.
Lu Dort was ejected after appearing to trip Nikola Jokic on this play.
Nikola Jokic was not happy with Lu Dort after the trip. ESPN/XThe Nuggets and Thunder got into it on Friday night. ESPN/X
Jokic immediately fell and tumbled onto the floor at Paycom Center. But that’s only where the fun began.
Dort was called for a foul, and he didn’t appear to agree with it, and as Jokic got back to his feet, he immediately got in his opponent’s face, eyes wide as he was incensed over what had just taken place, bumping Dort’s chest before anyone could step in.
The teams converged but officials eventually calmed things down before things could really escalate.
After reviewing the play, Dort was assessed a flagrant 2, meaning he was ejected from the game.
Jokic and the Thunder’s Jaylin Williams also received technicals in the bizarre scene in Oklahoma City.
Dort finished his night with eight points and six rebounds.
Roger Goodell is pictured during his Feb. 9 press conference.
The NFL salary cap broke the $300 million barrier.
Free agents and their representatives had plenty to celebrate Friday when the NFL announced that the salary cap per team in 2026 is $301.2 million.
That figure represents a 7.9 percent year-over-year increase, a 65 percent increase over 2021 when league revenues were down because of COVID-19, and nearly double what the cap was a decade ago ($155.2 million in 2016).
Since every team got the same boost, the teams with the most to spend didn’t change.
Roger Goodell is pictured during his Feb. 9 press conference. AP
The tweaks were made to teams’ cap space, which now has the Jets (No. 3) with $88.7 million and the Giants (No. 20) with $978,921, according to OvertheCap.com.
The Giants’ cap space is expected to grow exponentially via salary-cap casualties and contract restructures before the March 9 start of free agency.
After the Patriots’ NFL-high $364 million free-agent spending spree last offseason helped fuel a turnaround from 4-13 to AFC champions under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel, other teams with new head coaches flush with cap space could be contenders to overspend for a quick fix.
Look no further than Robert Saleh’s Titans ($94.7 million) and Klint Kubiak’s Raiders ($89 million) — the only two teams with more flexibility than the Jets.
With the new salary cap set, the franchise tag cost for a running back — the Jets’ Breece Hall, for example — is $14.2 million.
The transition tag is $11.3 million.
Teams also will spend $77.6 million each in player benefits, according to the league.
The Jets would be happy to show off this report card.
The 2026 NFL Players Association team report cards showed significant improvement for the Jets across the board, according to results that were obtained by ESPN.
The Giants saw several changes in their grades, including improvements in “Treatment of Families,” “Food/Dining Area,” “Training Staff” and “Team Ownership,” to name a few.
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn Bill Kostroun / New York Post
Woody Johnson and Jets ownership saw a significant increase, going from an F to a B, and the franchise saw a jump in head coach from B to an A after Aaron Glenn replaced Robert Saleh. “Locker Room” received an A- grade after being a D+ in 2025.
Both the Jets and Giants earned an F- grade for “Home Game Field.” The teams share MetLife Stadium.
The report cards were based on survey responses from 1,759 players across the NFL, all of whom were on a team roster during the 2025 season. The results were collected from Nov. 2-Dec. 11.
The NFLPA did not make this year’s report cards public after the NFL filed a grievance against the union over them, claiming that they violated the collective bargaining agreement.
An arbitrator landed on the side of the owners last month and stated that the report cards went against the CBA by “disparaging NFL clubs and individuals.”
Jets owner Woody Johnson and general manager Darren Mougey. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
A memo sent out by the league Thursday, and obtained by multiple outlets, advised teams to “refrain from commenting or engaging publicly on the alleged survey and Report Card results,” while describing the report cards as an “agenda-driven exercise.”
“We continue to recommend that Clubs prioritize feedback and information provided directly by their own players rather than relying on the NFLPA’s agenda-driven exercise,” the memo states. “We further recommend that Clubs refrain from commenting or engaging publicly on the alleged survey and Report Card results. Doing so only provides credibility to the union’s media campaign.”
SAN ANTONIO, TX - OCTOBER 26: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a three point basket during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on October 26, 2025 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The San Antonio Spurs will be on the second game of a back-to-back after a tough win against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night. The Spurs needed a fourth-quarter comeback to take down Toronto, and will now be on short rest against the Brooklyn Nets.
Brooklyn and San Antonio’s records are almost exactly flipped: the Spurs are chasing the number-one seed in the West, and the Nets are looking to secure the number-one pick in the draft. Brooklyn is on a five-game losing streak, while the Spurs have won ten games in a row. On paper, this is a game the Spurs should win handily, but anything can happen on a back-to-back on the road.
San Antonio beat Brooklyn 118-107 in their home opener earlier this season. A lot has changed for the Nets since then. Exciting young players like Nolan Traore and Drake Powell have emerged, and Cam Thomas, who scored 41 points against the Spurs earlier this season, is not on the team. The Nets have enough talent to make things interesting, but if the Spurs continue their streak of stellar play, they should be on their way to an 11-game winning streak.
Nets Injuries: Tyson Etienne – Out (G League), Chaney Johnson – Out (G League), E.J. Liddell – Out (G League), Josh Minott – Questionable (G League), Ben Saraf – Out (G League)
What to watch for:
Physicality inside
The blueprint for guarding Victor Wembanyama these days is simple: be as physical as possible and don’t let him get into any position. It’s the defensive style that the Detroit Pistons and Raptors used to slow him down in the Spurs’ last two wins. Brooklyn has the necessary bigs to enact this strategy on Thursday night. Nic Claxton is a strong, mean defender inside, and Day’Ron Sharpe is a good interior defender and rebounder. This will be another good test for Wembanyama against a physical front court.
Creating defensive havoc
The Nets are a young team that makes young team mistakes. They don’t really have a true point guard besides Traore (who is only a rookie), so they tend to turn the ball over a lot. The Nets cough it up 15.5 times per game. San Antonio’s aggressive perimeter defense with Wembanyama patrolling the paint should give them an advantage against the young Nets. Look for De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle to get out into the passing lanes early to help the Spurs build a lead.
Devin Vassell’s shooting
Vassell has been red hot lately. He followed his 28-point night against Detroit with a 21-point performance against the Raptors on Wednesday. The wing has shot 12-17 from three in those two games. Vassell has been taking advantage of teams overindexing on Wembanyama, or trying to take away driving lanes from the Spurs’ guards. He’s gotten a ton of open looks and is making teams pay. Watch for San Antonio to get Vassell involved early as he looks to keep his hot streak going against Brooklyn.
“Really, where (trade discussions) happen typically is once the workouts start,” he said. “Everybody’s sitting in their suites, GMs kind of walk suite to suite. So I’m sure there will be interest. He’s a really good player.”
Hunter would step in as an immediate contributor on first and second downs. He has the tools to improve as a pass-rusher and ultimately become a three-down player on the defensive line.
Hunter showed his immense talent during the week of practices at the Senior Bowl, where he established himself as one of the standout players.
49ers insider addresses Trent Williams release vs. trade debate
“I would think that, for teams out there interested in him, they would realize that they would have to also — if they give the 49ers, say, a first-round draft pick for Trent Williams, or a second and a third, or whatever the case may be — they also have to meet his contract demands,” Maiocco explained. “And so, there might be a little bit of reluctance for teams like that….so, yeah, there would be plenty of teams, I would think, that could feel like they could use Trent Williams in their starting lineup,” Maiocco added.”
While the anticipation for a primetime heavyweight bout was warranted, the Knicks never came close to resembling a threat to the Cavaliers with crucial playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference at stake.
The fatal combination of poor three-point shooting, costly turnovers, and jumbled defense knocked the Knicks out early on Tuesday night at Rocket Arena, and head coach Mike Brown didn't bother to describe the 109-94 loss with any fancy adjectives. He cut right to the chase.
"An ugly game, obviously. We didn't do much right defensively, we didn't do much right offensively," Brown said. "Our turnovers in the first half really put a damper on things we were trying to do... We had some decent looks throughout the course of the game, but we couldn't knock a shot down."
Held below 100 points for just the sixth time this season, the Knicks couldn't buy a bucket from beyond the arc, and that start-to-finish cold spell heavily influenced their pace and cohesion. They shot a measly 27 percent from three (10 of 37), their fourth-worst mark of the 2025-26 campaign.
To make matters worse, the Knicks struggled to score from anywhere on the floor during the third quarter, as the Cavaliers held them to a season-low 11 points. It was the Knicks' worst shooting quarter (3 of 20) since 2018, and also their worst third-quarter points output since 2022.
"One of the things we have to do better, especially offensively, is play with pace," Brown said. "Our pace isn't good. We have to do a better job of getting to the corners, we have to do a better job of playing with pace in the frontcourt."
Now, the turnovers. The Knicks committed 11 in the first half, finishing with 16 that produced 17 points in transition from the Cavaliers. The sloppiness disrupted their rhythm and thwarted any chance of a late comeback -- akin to what the Knicks showed the same Cavaliers on Christmas Day.
Rightfully so, the Knicks directed most of their attention toward stars Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, who combined for a tolerable 43 points. But they didn't have much of a plan for Jarrett Allen, who caused fits down low with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Brown didn't see the Knicks defending "on a string," with sharp attention to the Cavaliers' ball movement.
Jalen Brunson scored a quiet 20 points on 6 of 19 shooting, and Mitchell Robinson was the Knicks' lone bright spot with 16 boards -- eight came on offense -- and 11 points in 19 minutes off the bench.
But the most confounding performance belonged to Karl-Anthony Towns. Despite scoring 14 points, he attempted just a single shot in the second half, finishing a perfect 5-for-5, and was responsible for five giveaways. A far cry from the stellar 28-point, 11-rebound double-double he delivered against the Bulls on Sunday.
"There were some things we could've done better defensively, but our offense was non-existent, in terms of pace, the ability to touch the paint, and spray the ball," Brown said. "All that stuff came to play in that third quarter."
Now tied with the Cavaliers for third in the East playoff picture -- although New York has the tiebreaker -- the Knicks (37-22) will wrap up their brief Midwest road trip on Friday night against the Bucks. They're 2-2 since the All-Star break, and of their five-worst shooting displays from three this season, three have come in February.
In addition, the 49ers don’t have a replacement on the roster after not drafting an offensive tackle since 2021. Their top option is Austen Pleasants, 28, who has been waived eight times since he went undrafted in 2020.
It’s possible the 49ers haven’t made heir-apparent plans because they have confidence that Williams can reach his oft-stated longevity goal. Williams wants to join a select group of by playing in 2028 when he’s 40. Only six offensive linemen have played into their 40s since 1925: Andrew Whitworth, Jason Peters, Jackie Slater, Bruce Matthews, Jeff Van Note and Ray Brown.”
49ers select ‘most natural left tackle prospect’ in Bucky Brooks’ latest mock draft
“The most natural left tackle prospect in the draft could give the 49ers an enviable long-term plan at the crucial position,” Brooks wrote. “Lomu’s nimble feet and quick hands would make him the perfect eventual replacement for Trent Williams on the blind side.”
The War Room: It’s Combine Week (paywall)
“Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State: This is one of the sharpest running backs I’ve watched. He has an elite tempo to his runs. He handles small spaces in flow, and follows his blockers with outrageous patience and intelligence. He might not have the top-tier measurables, but I think he’s quick enough. On early watch, this is a guy who can start Day 1.
Chris Brazzell III, WR, Tennessee: He’s WR2 for me right now, and that’s from someone who is typically lower on big receivers. He has no business moving the way he does at 6’5” and while he’s not a wide-framed player, he blocks his tail off. His deceleration is astonishing. His route distribution at Tennessee didn’t allow him to show off his full tree, but I see the route craft and movement skills. He also Mosses people. The only thing I really dislike is his inability to toe tap. He’s lazy/inconsistent dragging his feet along the sidelines a la Brian Thomas Jr. last year.”
49ers add developmental prospect in Mel Kiper’s latest 2026 mock draft
“From an analytics standpoint, Proctor closed his collegiate career on a strong note. According to Pro Football Focus, he posted career-best marks in 2025 with an 86.1 overall offensive grade, an 81.1 run-blocking grade, and an 84.2 pass-blocking grade. He surrendered 21 pressures and two sacks across 611 pass-blocking snaps.
At 6-foot-7 and 366 pounds, Proctor possesses rare size, so the upside is apparent.
“So, Proctor could develop in Year 1 while kicking inside to guard and/or playing a swing tackle role before perhaps taking over for Williams in 2027,” Kiper added. “He has 40 career starts — all at left tackle — and is reliable in pass protection. This would be an upside pick for GM John Lynch.”
Will QB Mac Jones be on the 49ers’ roster next season?
“Among those who could be in need of a quarterback, Jones would make the most sense in Minnesota, Miami and Arizona, all of whom employ head coaches or offensive coordinators with a background running at least a version of Shanahan’s offensive scheme.
While Jones won’t have full say in a potential trade, his relationship with the Niners is strong enough that if multiple offers were on the table, he’d get some say in where he lands. And it’s a safe bet that his preference would be to land in a place that most closely resembles what he’s had in San Francisco both culturally and in terms of offensive system.”
Bar patrons watch the YouTube TV telecast of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers on September 05, 2025 in Buffalo, New York.
Football fans better be ready to watch more games on YouTube in the future.
The platform is the favorite to land a four-game slate of regular-season contests that the NFL kept as part of an equity deal with ESPN, Sports Business Journal reported.
The report dubbed YouTube the “early leader” for the package, though there are still several parties reportedly interested in it.
The four games in the package were part of the recently greenlit deal between ESPN and the NFL that will see the former take ownership of NFL Network while the league gets a 10 percent stake in ESPN.
Bar patrons watch the YouTube TV telecast of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers on September 05, 2025 in Buffalo, New York. Getty Images
It wasn’t immediately clear what games would be part of the package, though one could envision that some of the league’s international games could end up on the digital platform.
“Beyond an international element, other games that could go to YouTube could be for exclusive windows elsewhere on the calendar, such as later in the season when streamers such as Peacock or ESPN+ have picked up games in the past,” Sports Business Journal wrote. “Other sources have told SBJ that the NFL could be interested in expanding its Black Friday slate, which has been a sole Prime Video game thus far.”
The slate of games would signal a growing relationship between the NFL and YouTube as digital platforms and streaming services become more prominent when it comes to the NFL’s media rights deals.
The NFL aired its first game on YouTube this past season when the Chargers and Chiefs played during Week 1 in Brazil.
The game drew an audience of 18.5 million viewers in the United States.
There were an additional 1.1 million fans who tuned in abroad to watch the Chargers defeat the Chiefs.
Feb 20, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick at a press conference at the Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images NBA: Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers
The franchise’s past and present had collided, with the 41-year-old hot shot hoping to one day mirror the accomplishments of the 80-year-old legend.
Ever since Redick was hired to take over the Lakers’ helm in June 2024, he has drawn comparisons to Riley.
Luka Doncic talks to JJ Redick against the New Orleans Pelicans. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
They’re both former players. After they retired, they both became broadcasters. Riley hardly had any coaching experience (two years as a Lakers assistant from 1979-81) before being handed one of the most prestigious jobs in the league in 1981. Redick had no coaching experience. They both have strikingly slick personas.
And they both were tasked with leading the team through major transitions. Riley helped the Lakers pass the baton from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Magic Johnson, while Redick is overseeing the Lakers’ passing of the guard from LeBron James to Luka Doncic.
When Redick was hired, he knew the franchise was hoping he’d fill the Armani shoes of the legendary coach. The question on everyone’s mind was obvious: Could he be the next Pat Riley?
“Pat, to me, sort of set the standard for modern NBA coaches,” Redick said.
For Riley, the respect is reciprocated.
“He’s a fiery guy,” Riley said of Redick. “He could shoot the hell out of the ball. He was tough as nails, you know. I don’t know. Sometimes I look back and I remember myself at that time and I looked at JJ and I think they picked the right person. There’s just a quality about him I think that goes above and beyond.”
Redick is still evolving into who he is as a coach. He’s still finding his style. His voice. But this much is for sure: He’s an incredibly hard worker. His basketball IQ is respected by everyone in the locker room. After games, Redick locks himself in a dark basement and pores over film. He’s a basketball sicko.
He undoubtedly can be described as intense, a quality for which Riley was infamous.
Magic Johnson gave a handful of reporters a glimpse into how Riley ran his teams after the 8-foot, 510-pound statue of his former coach was unveiled in a star-studded ceremony Sunday.
“He didn’t let us take a day off or a play off or a moment off,” Johnson said.
Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick speaks with the team during the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers. Getty Images
Johnson praised Riley for his masterful in-game adjustments, calling him “a visionary.” He also pointed out how much courage it took for Riley to make Johnson the team’s No. 1 offensive option while he was still sharing a uniform with Abdul-Jabbar, who turned 35 in Riley’s first season as Lakers head coach.
“Hold on, wait a minute, huh?” Johnson recalled his reaction being at the time. “A dude who was the greatest player at that time that ever played the game and you’re going to go to him and say somebody else is going to take the bulk of the offense now?”
Johnson called Riley fearless and extremely tough.
He’d make the Lakers run for 40 minutes straight at practices. He’d make them do three-man weaves without letting the ball touch the ground. Over the summer, he’d send each player a letter telling them how much he wanted them to weigh. Then he’d weigh them publicly when they reported to training camp.
Riley especially knew how to get under Johnson’s skin. He’d show him highlights of Larry Bird and Michael Jordan and say, “What are you gonna do?”
“Soon as he did that, the button was going to go off on me and I’m going to have a triple-double,” Johnson said. “That’s all he had to do, just put those two dudes up there and he knew I was going to go to another level.”
Riley led the Lakers to four championships from 1982-1988, and he ushered in the Showtime era. Under him, Johnson became a three-time MVP. Johnson called him “one of the greatest coaches who ever lived,” as well as “the coolest man that’s ever put on an Armani suit.”
Former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Pat Riley poses after the unveiling of his statue at Crypto.com Arena on February 22, 2026. Getty Images
Redick, meanwhile, is just in his second season as coach of the Lakers.
He’s still getting his feet wet. Last season, he vowed to evaluate himself by growth instead of metrics. He led the Lakers to third place in the Western Conference at 50-32 before they were eliminated by the Timberwolves in the first round.
Afterward, Redick was far from patting himself on the back.
“I know I can be better,” he said. “And I know I will get better. I don’t necessarily take any satisfaction from how the year went. That’s not to say I’m not proud of what the group was able to do and how we were able to figure out things on the fly and put ourselves in a position to have homecourt in the first round. But there’s always ways to get better. And I can get a lot better.”
This season, Redick has led the Lakers to fifth place in the West despite James, Doncic and Reaves only playing 12 games together because of injuries.
Redick is still becoming Redick.
But his potential is unquestionably through the roof. His analysis of the game is incredibly sharp. When he was still hosting the “Mind the Game” podcast with James before he was hired by the Lakers, he’d dissect players and their moves with surgeon-like precision.
Players respond to him. They respect him.
And he has navigated the tricky line of helping the 26-year-old Doncic become the face of the team while the 41-year-old James is still the face of the league and one of the greatest players of all time.
Whether Redick can become a Riley-esque figure is still unknown.
Perhaps it’s an unfair comparison, one that would set up any fledgling coach for disappointment.
But for now, Redick is going to have a reminder of who he aspires to be every time he shows up for work.
It stands tall in between bronzed figures of Johnson and Abdul-Jabbar. It has slicked-back hair, a tailored designer suit and is the ultimate example of greatness.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 27: General manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers speaks to the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 27, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
49ers free agency: Jauan Jennings’ projected market value “According to Spotrac, Jennings’ projected market value sits at $22.6 million annually, which would rank 18th among NFL wide receivers. The salary cap tracking site estimates he could command a three-year, $67.8 million contract on the open market.”
The 49ers must race to find Christian McCaffrey help before it’s too late (paywall) “The optimal path forward involves pairing McCaffrey with a bona fide receiving threat. Pittsburgh’s Kenneth Gainwell and the New York Jets’ Breece Hall, both of whom made the YPRR leaderboard above, are both scheduled to be free agents next month. Kenneth Walker III, who won Super Bowl MVP at Levi’s Stadium, might also become available because Seattle likely won’t slap the franchise tag on him.
Is it time for the 49ers to go all-in on offense, spending be damned? Fans might prefer that route to, say, drafting another running back in the third round. None of those experiments have worked and McCaffrey is still waiting for a credible counter-threat.
Isaac Guerendo, who’s endured some ball security issues, is still on the team. So is Jordan James, who enters his second season as a back with adaptable potential.
But unless the 49ers are sure one of those players can reliably move the needle in 2026, they can’t wait around forever. McCaffrey’s 30th birthday is a looming reminder of that. So is the fact that he’s only under contract with the team for two more seasons. That means 2026 almost certainly marks a defining inflection point.
History tells us that McCaffrey’s versatility can be the lynchpin that pushes a properly stocked offense over the top. His jaw-dropping volume of production in 2025 indicates that there’s still gas left in the tank.”
NFL wide receiver Rondale Moore, who died on Saturday at the age of 25, was drafted by the Cardinals in 2021 and spent his first three NFL seasons in Arizona. The news of his death hit the Cardinals organization hard.
"We are devastated and heartbroken by today's news concerning Rondale Moore," the Cardinals said in a statement. "Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family, friends, teammates, and everyone who loved him and had the privilege of knowing such a special person."
Moore played three years for the Cardinals and had 135 catches for 1,201 yards and three touchdowns, 52 carries for 249 yards and one touchdown, 22 punt returns for 182 yards and 13 kickoff returns for 291 yards.
In 2024 Moore was traded to the Falcons but missed the entire season with a knee injury. In 2025 he signed with the Vikings but again missed the entire season with a knee injury.
CHONBURI, Thailand (AP) — World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul justified her top billing in emphatic fashion after edging Japan’s Chizzy Iwai by one stroke to capture and claim her home LPGA Thailand tournament for the first time.
Buoyed by raucous home support, the Thai star kept her composure under sweltering conditions and intense pressure to card a closing 4-under-par 68, finishing on 24-under-par 264.
The victory marked her eighth LPGA Tour title and her first triumph on home soil.
“I would rate it A triple-plus," said the 23-year-old. “I know it’s not as big as the majors, but winning in my home country means so much to me — sometimes even more than a major.”
Thitikul became the third Thai winner of the tournament, following Ariya Jutanugarn in 2021 and Patty Tavatanakit in 2024.
The win was made even more special with her mother watching in person after the Thai had made eight previous attempts at the event.
“My mom came up to me after I finished 18 and she cried a lot,” Thitikul said. “I told her I finally won in front of you. She was emotional, and that made me emotional too.”
World No.19 Iwai mounted a strong challenge, drawing level briefly after rolling in her second eagle of the day on the par-5 10th.
However, the Japanese added no further birdies and signed for a 66 to finish runner-up on 23-under-par 265.
Korea’s Kim Hyo joo, the world No.9, posted a 68 to take third at 22-under-par 266, while compatriot Lee Somi, the opening-round leader, finished fourth on 21-under-par 267.
Former world No.1 Lydia Ko carded a 68 to tie for fifth alongside Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen, who produced the lowest round of the day with a scintillating 63 as both ended the week on 20-under-par 268.
The tournament about 125 kilometers (75 miles) east of Bangkok was the first of three events in Asia in consecutive weeks, to be followed by those in Singapore and China in the so-called early Asian swing on the LPGA Tour.
Like the Patriots a year ago, the Giants have a promising quarterback entering his second NFL season in Jaxson Dart. Like the Patriots, the Giants just hired a proven, veteran head coach in John Harbaugh.There are questions in New York, whether it’s the health of players like running back Cam Skattebo and wide receiver Malik Nabers, the impending free agency of important contributors like wideout Wan’Dale Robinson, or a less-than-ideal salary cap situation. But teams with no cap space annually create loads of it with restructures and releases. New York quietly boasted a top-10 offensive line in 2025. And there are pieces on defense—especially up front.
The Patriots weren’t the only four-win team to make the postseason in 2025—the Jacksonville Jaguars did it too. In 2026, it could be the G-Men’s turn.
Support Jaxson Dart. Amid 13 losses— seven by a single score— it’s easy to forget the Giants lost their bona fide number one receiver in Malik Nabers (and their sparkplug starting running back in Cam Skattebo) to injury. Per NFL Pro, they did not have a single receiver with 50+ targets and a positive catch rate over expected, as Wan’Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton and even tight end Theo Johnson struggled to log consistent production with Nabers sidelined. New York also surrendered the seventh-highest pressure rate in the league (37.8%) and right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, who allowed the most pressures and sacks on the team, is an impending free agent. This team could take a major leap if they build better around promising young QB Jaxson Dart — and that probably means a legitimate WR2 and a new right tackle. Perhaps Ohio State wideout Carnell Tate or Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa in the draft or names like Alec Pierce and Braden Smith in free agency.
Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely offered high praise for John Harbaugh, describing the new New York Giants head coach as a “great culture piece.”
“I feel like Harbaugh has a great mantra; a great culture. I feel like he’s going to tell the Giants— I mean, he’s going to have to call it something else— but ‘Play like a Raven’ was definitely like his mantra,” said Likely. “When you played the Ravens, when you suited up as a Raven, you understood what it meant to wear that black and purple. And that was, you’re going to play violent, you’re going to be disciplined, and you’re going to get after it, snap in and snap out.”
Jermaine Eluemunor on the importance of tape study
#Giants OT Jermaine Eluemunor talks about facing Micah Parsons and Aidan Hutchinson this past season and how he’s turned himself into a film junkie, watching pass rushers he faces nonstop to pick up on every little detail.
NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah believes help for the Giants’ secondary could be waiting in the second round. Jeremiah spoke with the media Thursday to talk about his latest mock draft and preview the 2026 NFL combine. When asked about secondary help that could be available in the second round, 37th overall, Jeremiah liked who could still be on the board. The first player he discussed was Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell.
Other defensive backs Jeremiah mentioned included South Carolina cornerback Gerald Kilgore, who he said could be available if the Giants moved down a couple of spots in the second round. He also mentioned Arizona’s Treyvon Stukes as a possibility if the Giants acquired a pick in the third round.
Giants Receive: CB Marlon Humphrey. Ravens Receive: 2026 fourth-round pick (No. 105), 2026 sixth-round pick (No. 191). The secondary is a specific unit that could use some veteran leadership. Cordale Flott, Paulson Adebo and Andru Phillips were the mainstays at cornerback this season. None are exactly foundational pieces moving forward. Humphrey might be on the tail end of his peak. He’s 29 and his 2025 campaign didn’t live up to his All-Pro 2024 season. However, his versatility as someone who can play in the slot and outside along with his experience with Harbaugh could make him a strong addition to New York’s secondary.
Three other trades involving Giants currently on the roster were: Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux to Tampa Bay for a 2026 third-round pick (No. 77); CB Deonte Banks to the Green Bay Packers for 2026 sixth-round pick (No. 200); and DT Dexter Lawrence with a 2026 sixth-round pick (No. 192) to Cincinnati for a 2026 second-round pick (No. 41), and 2027 fifth-round pick.
The New York Giants will not receive any compensatory selections in the 2026 NFL draft when the league makes the announcement next month, projects Over the Cap. Their 2025 free-agent spending spree will prove to be even more costly as they signed six qualifying free agents and lost only one last season.
The Giants brought in cornerback Paulson Adebo, safety Jevon Holland, offensive lineman James Hudson III, linebacker Chauncy Golston, and quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, and lost only linebacker Azeez Ojulari in free agency.
Los Angeles, CA - February 20: Guard Marcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with teammate guard Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers after a basket against the LA Clippers in the second half of a NBA basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Friday, February 20, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
LOS ANGELES — With just 28 games left to play coming out of the All-Star break, the Lakers are entering the final phase of the season.
That means every game becomes increasingly important as teams jockey for playoff positioning and attempt to set themselves up for postseason success.
In the Lakers’ first game back from the All-Star break, they faced a tough opponent, taking on the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard. They passed the test, beating their rival 125-122.
While the game was far from easy, the Lakers had everyone available to take on the challenge. LA had a clean injury report, allowing them to play their entire rotation, a rarity for the purple and gold this season.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick took this opportunity to begin the game with a new starting lineup featuring LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Luka Dončić, Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart.
The result? The Lakers’ offense came out blazing, scoring 41 points, knocking down eight 3-pointers and missing just two shots in the opening quarter.
“I think in the first quarter, we were playing good defense, and we were playing with a lot of pace,” Luka said postgame. “We were able to create some different looks, and I think that is how we should play.”
Despite the good start, challenges came LA’s way. Kawhi Leonard was incredible, scoring 31 points. And the Clippers had a 17-1 run in the third quarter that turned the Lakers’ 14-point advantage into a one-point deficit.
With the talent in the Western Conference, games like these are commonplace. How teams respond to this type of adversity is what separates the good teams from the bad ones.
On Friday night, the Lakers demonstrated they are the former.
Luka and LeBron were generating looks for their teammates. Both players had 11 assists. In the fourth, Smart stepped up, and the defensive specialist added some scoring to his performance.
Midway through the fourth Smart scored five straight points to even the game up. Not only were these crucial baskets down the stretch of a close gcontest, but it was the first time Smart had shot the ball all night long.
With under two minutes to go, LA led by just three points and the game could’ve gone either way.
While LA’s offense was humming and their stars were played well, it was a charge that secured the result.
With under two minutes to play and the Clippers down by three, Bennedict Mathurin was pushing the ball up the court and appeared destined to make it a one-point game.
Reaves did what he always does which is whatever it takes to win. He stood in Mathurin’s way and absorbed the contact as he got steamrolled in the paint. The foul was called, which not only gave the Lakers possession, but took Mathurin out of the game.
“That play right there changed the whole momentum,” Ayton said. “That just got everybody fired up and even more locked in down the stretch.”
The win wasn’t easy and it defintely wasn’t pretty. In fact, the Lakers almost gave up the game with a late turnover that gave Nic Batum a chance of tying it with a last-second three. But it rimmed out and the Lakers won.
In the end the win-loss column cares not about context and with the Lakers needing to increase their win total as high as possible with what’s left in the season, earning the victory is all that matters.
“Obviously, want to go game by game, but it was important to start like this,” Luka said.
With the win in hand, a new starting lineup revealed and some impressive performances by the Lakers’ most important players, the time it’s now or never for LA to show the NBA just how good they can be.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has played three years of his rookie contract, which means he's now eligible for his second contract. He wants it to be a big one.
Smith-Njigba said in an interview with Jonah Javad of WFAA that he expects a new deal for the right money at the right time, and he expects it to be the most lucrative deal any wide receiver has ever signed.
"I'm really not too pressed right now to get it done," Smith-Njigba said. "I know my time is coming and when we get it done it's gonna be a great deal. God's timing is perfect timing, so whenever that may come we'll be ready for it. I think I deserve to be the highest-paid at my position, just what I give to the game and the community, I give it my all. And I think that's worth a lot, lot more. I would play this game for free, I love this game so much, but you don't have to. I'm learning to be a good businessman, and we need that check at the end of the day."
Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase currently has the biggest contract for a wide receiver in NFL history, the four-year, $161 million deal he signed 11 months ago. Smith-Njigba will be looking for a contract that averages more than $40.25 million per year.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 09: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Miami Dolphins enters the field prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Miami Dolphins are entering another rebuild mode and it seems like we just got done with the last one. Back in 2019 when the Dolphins decided they needed to tear it all down and start over, Minkah Fitzpatrick was in his second year with the team. He was unhappy with his role with the team and requested a trade, which ended with him heading to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a first round pick. Now after being back with Dolphins for another year, Fitzpatrick will probably be on the move again. It was reported the Dolphins are looking for a trade partner for the safety and it would be wise to get the maximum value for him while he is still in his prime. It will hurt to lose a good player like him, but
You can check out that story here, and the rest of the day’s round-up below.
Jan 21, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson (20) drives in as he is defended by Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) during the second half at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers are on the second night of a back-to-back against the Charlotte Hornets. Cleveland returned from the All-Star break last night with a big win over the Brooklyn Nets.
It’s been a good two months for the Cavs. They’ve turned the corner in 2026 and are back to being an elite team. Cleveland is 13-2 over their last 15 games and have worked back into the top 10 for both offensive and defensive ratings.
The Cavs began trending in the right direction even before the James Harden trade, but his arrival has only made them more dangerous. This is a team that’s playing with a newfound confidence. They could carry that into a big run in the playoffs, if all goes as planned.
Meanwhile, Charlotte has been a pleasant surprise. Kon Knueppel is right in the mix for Rookie of the Year, while LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller have helped lead one of the league’s best offenses in February.
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, FanDuel Sports Network App, NBA League Pass
Point spread: Cavs -5.5
Cavs injury report from last game vs. Nets: Max Strus – OUT (foot), Nae’Qwan Tomlin – OUT (calf soreness), Emanuel Miller – OUT (G League), Tristan Enaruna – OUT (G League), Riley Minix – OUT (G League)
Hornets injury report: Not Yet Submitted
Cavs expectedstarting lineup: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Hornets expected starting lineup: Kon Knueppel, Grant Williams, Ryan Kalkbrenner, LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell hands the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Jody Allen of the Seahawks after their Super Bowl win over the Patriots on Feb. 8, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif. Getty Images
In a statement announcing the news, the Allen estate said the sale of the Seahawks is “consistent with Allen’s directive to eventually sell his sports holdings and direct all Estate proceeds to philanthropy.”
“The Estate has selected investment bank Allen & Company and law firm Latham & Watkins to lead the sale process, which is estimated to continue through the 2026 off-season.
NFL owners must then ratify a final purchase agreement,” the statement continued.
Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft, purchased the Seahawks in 1997 for around $200 million.
The team’s current home, Lumen Field, was built, and Seattle won its first Super Bowl (2014) during his tenure and made another Big Game appearance the following season.
Allen died in 2018, and his younger sister, Jody Allen, has been the chair of the franchise since.
Seahawks owner Paul Allen on the field before their win over the Giants on Oct. 22, 2017, at MetLife Stadium. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
At the time of his death, Allen owned the Seahawks, Trail Blazers and a 25 percent stake in the Sounders.
As part of his will, Allen directed his sister to eventually sell off his sports holdings and use the proceeds for charity.
The Seahawks were valued at an estimated $6.59 billion last year by Sportico. Forbes valued the team at $6.7 billion.
The sale of the Seahawks is expected to set a new NFL record, with some suggesting they could sell for as much as $8 billion.
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 14: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 14, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Winslow Townson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning, it’s Thursday, February 19th. The Cleveland Cavaliers are 34-21 and finally play basketball again for the first time since last Wednesday.
A lot has happened since we last previewed a Cavs game. I totaled my car. Jaylon Tyson and Donovan Mitchell competed in All-Star weekend. And, Cleveland went a few days in a row without snowing or dipping below freezing. All in all, not too bad.
The Cavs will host the Brooklyn Nets tonight at 7 PM. Cleveland is 1-0 against the Nets this season.
Today’s Game of the Day
Detroit Pistons at New York Knicks – 7:30 PM, Prime Video
There’s a power vacuum in the East this season. And even with the best record in basketball, the Pistons are still trying to prove that they belong at the top of the conference. A showdown with the Knicks could help them earn some more goodwill.
But, as Cavs fans know, the only way to beat the ‘regular season merchant’ accusations is to prove it in the playoffs. A win tonight won’t cement the Pistons. But it could be a fun statement game regardless.
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - NOVEMBER 21: Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers take the field before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Estadio Azteca on November 21, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
49ers returning to Mexico City for second international game of 2026 NFL season
“The 49ers are designated the home team for the game in Mexico City, while the Rams are the home team for the game in Melbourne, Australia. San Francisco will play eight games at Levi’s Stadium, seven true road games and two international games to comprise its 17-game regular season schedule.
The 49ers’ opponent in Mexico City, as well as the date and kickoff time, will be announced when the full schedule is released in the spring, according to the NFL.”
More man coverage and Cover-6, with a heavy lean on Renardo Green. That’s a pure guess because we won’t have a real clue until they add new players. Morris is a polyglot of scheme.
But Green, I think, is the ideal person to want to coach up, and the 49ers’ frustrations are, in large part, due to Green’s upside. I think he’s a much better corner than Deommodore Lenoir, or at least, can be. I think they’ll want to get the best out of him, specifically.
Duxstar-Niners on YouTube asks: If the niners realized they needed to actually invest in the Oline this year and take a Tackle is there any worth taking if they fall ? Also do you think the Niners should take a safety in the first round if available?
1. Yes. I could see a few scenarios where they have viable options. Buuuut, they’d all have to be tackle/guard viable. They’re picky. They need to have tackle upside but immediate guard utility. That’s not Monroe Freeling, though he’s typically fit the mold of their tackles. The options are Caleb Lomu and Kadyn Proctor. 2. I would probably lean no in this class. I like Thieneman, but I’m not sure he shifts the paradigm enough. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is sick, but I’m not convinced he’s a true single-high player.”
49ers mailbag: How can they catch Seahawks, Rams? How to help Nick Bosa? (Paywall)
“Yes, the 49ers have a type — big and brawny — when it comes to their defensive ends. They want them to be sturdy enough as run defenders to “set the edge” — not allowing running backs to get to the sideline by fending off perimeter blocks by tackles and tight ends.
Bosa is 6-foot-4, 266 pounds. Yetur Gross-Matos: 6-5, 265. Clelin Ferrell: 6-4, 265. Sam Okuayinonu: 6-1, 269. See a pattern?
That said, Shanahan never sounded more willing to tweak his defensive philosophy last month before replacing coordinator Robert Saleh with Raheem Morris, who doesn’t have a background in the 49ers’ 4-3, Seattle-style scheme. Notably, he hired Morris instead of in-house candidate Gus Bradley, who helped popularize the system the 49ers have run since Shanahan was hired.
“That’s how this league works now,” Shanahan said of becoming less predictable on defense. “Offensive coaches know how to attack things too much and so you have to (increase) the variables on what they know they’re going to get.”
It’s possible tweaks to the defensive front could prompt the 49ers to cast a wider net when it comes to edge rushers, allowing them to increase their draft odds on hitting on the right prospect.”
Maxx Crosby to 49ers? Adam Schefter reveals the likely trade cost
““I was told that the Raiders don’t want to trade [Maxx Crosby], and if they even contemplated it, then it would take a Micah Parsons-type package. That’s what I was told,” Schefter said on Philadelphia area radio station 97.5 The Fanatic while discussing a potential Crosby-to-Eagles scenario. “Do I think they are getting two firsts and a player? No. Do I think they want to trade him? No. Do I think he’ll be traded like A.J. Brown [could be]? That’ll change by the week.”
Joey Porter Sr.’s blistering attack on Ben Roethlisberger’s character isn’t the belief of all his former teammates.
James Harrison, who was Roethlisberger’s teammate from 2004-2012 and again from 2014-2017, defended the quarterback during his podcast that was posted this week, saying that “I do not think Ben is a bad teammate.”
Porter also went after Harrison with his comments, accusing both players of breaking the “brotherhood” over their criticisms of former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.
“That was a pure-out attack on Ben’s character, and what I said about Mike was an attack on his coaching,” Harrison said on the “Deebo and Joe” podcast. “Two different things. That’s more breaking the brotherhood than what Ben said. Ben said, ‘I think I feel like maybe Tomlin should move on.’ Like, come on, bruh. That’s what he said.”
James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks onto the field before the start of the game against the Oakland Raiders at Heinz Field on November 8, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Getty ImagesBen Roethlisberger, former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback participates in a ceremony at halftime of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Pittsburgh, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. AP
“I went way harder than that,” Harrison added. “But [Porter] went on [the attack] because he, obviously, has a personal issue with Ben that hasn’t been resolved.”
During the scathing commentary against Roethlisberger, Porter specifically mentioned instances where the QB refused to sign gear for teammates.
Harrison acknowledged that Roethlisberger’s ego may have impacted the way he handled himself early on in his career.
Joey Porter Sr. speaks on SiriusXM at Super Bowl LIX on February 05, 2025. Getty Images for SiriusXM
“Hell yeah, that’s going to stroke my ego and give me delusions of grandeur. But over time, [Roethlisberger] has matured and grown up,” Harrison said. “You don’t value the same things you did at 23 as you do at 30. Hell, I’m a different person at 47 than I was at 45. And I’m a far worse person at 40 than I was at 45.”
Roethlisberger has not publicly responded to Porter’s comments.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 12: Dallas Mavericks have officially won the in NBA Draft Lottery with 1.8% pre-lottery chance to win the pick in Chicago, Illinois, United States on May 12, 2025. San Antonio Spurs got the second pick, Philadelphia 76ers got 3rd and Charlotte Hornets got the 4th pick in the lottery. (Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images) | Anadolu via Getty Images
It’s that time of year again. It’s tanking season. And it’s bigger and better than ever. There are seemingly more teams tanking than ever before, and they are doing it earlier and bolder and in more innovative ways. Everybody is talking about it, so why not Fear The Sword? There have been lots of crazy proposals to fix tanking thrown around. Even odds. Rookie free agency. The Wheel.
Here’s one more: Let’s try just forcing teams to win games.
I know this sounds crazy, but I believe basketball is the most fun to watch when teams are trying to win. And I also believe that the answer to what is wrong with basketball is usually more basketball.
Here’s the proposal:
You hold an eight-team tournament before the playoffs to determine draft order.
Lowest seeds gain entry, with the exception that every playoff team and play-in teams that reached the second round from last year are not eligible. No gap years. If one of those teams is at the bottom, take the next lowest seed.
Just like the player awards season, if you don’t play, you can’t play. Let’s set a low bar and focus on the stretch run. If you haven’t played > 1,230 minutes (15 minutes per game all year) or > 15 mpg post-All-Star break, you’re out (this can be fine-tuned for role players, but you can see the point). No miraculous recoveries for the draft tournament allowed.
Draft tournament winner gets the number one pick. Trades be damned.
That’s it. That’s the whole idea. Play basketball. Win. Get rewarded.
Why is this a good idea? Let’s break it down.
The Draft Lottery is the worst. There is no fixing it. We have this many teams tanking and piling picks because the draft is unreliable. Every time a San Antonio or a Philly gets lucky in the lottery, every time an Indiana takes a gap year, a team that has been tanking for years signs up for yet another year of tanking. The lottery is why we have so many teams tanking at once. It makes the draft unreliable. That’s bad. Not good.
The goal of a draft should not be to create middle-class citizens. It should not be to let the Chicago Bulls hang around near .500 forever. That isn’t parity. The goal should be to create contenders. The draft needs to help teams on the outside-looking-in become truly competitive. You can grow to Play-In status with picks five through 10 and shrewd acquisitions. It’s the leap that requires a top-four pick.
Even if teams figure out how to game the system and gain entry in nefarious ways, it’s largely a one-and-done scenario. They’ll do well, they’ll get a good pick, and they will graduate to a competitive level. That’s the goal. No tanking for half a decade or more.
The top-two picks landing in the worst situations is also the worst. What are our favorite stories? It’s rookie Kobe playing with Shaq. It’s rookie Tim Duncan playing with David Robinson. It’s Wemby being competitive *right now*. It is not Kevin Garnett dragging Sprewell to the Western Conference Finals or LeBron dragging Larry Hughes to the Finals before they inevitably leave the team that drafted them because they were too good for the team to build around them. The best-case scenario is that you get your second or third-best player, and then you get your generational talent. Not the other way around.
A draft tournament is still high variance. In a single-elimination format, anything can happen. You get that excitement. Whether your team is awful or your pre-season expectations are falling apart, you get that hope. And as a fan, you get to hope your team wins important ball games rather than hope they lose 75 meaningless ones.
It incentivizes teams to try to win. Think about what a draft tournament does to a rebuild cycle. Right now, when a team thinks they are close, they worry that if they get too good, too soon, then they might never get good enough. The entire young core could be wasted. They worry they should tank for one more high pick. With a draft tournament, you can go for it. You can try. You can bring in vets. Maybe you’re right, and you’re in the playoffs. Maybe you’re wrong, and you’re in the draft tournament with the best chance of winning it. Either way, the current core has a future.
It revitalizes the NBA middle class. No more player purgatory. No more players that are too good to tank with and not good enough to win with. These players instantly have value because even if they can’t help you win the NBA championship, they can help you win the draft tournament. Shout out to Georges Niang. Pay the Miini-van.
So that’s it. That’s the pitch. Structure everything so that in order to accomplish your goals, you have to win basketball games. Always.
And if you like that, just let me know. Because we can keep going with this concept. More tournaments, all with critical team-construction rewards. The rewards are the key. If the tournament helps a team build and helps a player get paid, everybody cares. Teams, GMs, players, fans. That adds value. That drives interest. That drives revenue. And that, ultimately, is the only way we ever get to shorten the regular season, which is what the sport truly needs. But that’s a story for another day.
