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March 28

Michael Porter Jr. defends brother Jontay amid betting probe

Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. said Wednesday night that he's sure younger brother  Jontay would never do anything to jeopardize his budding NBA career. Jontay Porter, a forward for the  Toronto Raptors, is under investigation by the NBA following multiple instances of betting irregularities over the past several months, sources told ESPN earlier this week. At issue are prop bets involving Porter from games on Jan. 26 and March 20, sources said. An NBA spokesman told ESPN that the league is "looking into it." Michael Porter Jr. took the podium following the Nuggets' loss at home to the  Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night and was asked about the probe involving his brother. Michael Porter Jr. said he has no more details than the media does but he vouched for his brother, who at 24 is a year younger than him, saying, "Jontay loves the game of basketball" and has been thrilled to play for Toronto on a two-way contract this...
March 28
March 28

LeBron James being 'strategic' with health vs. Lakers' seeding

MEMPHIS --  LeBron James says he will prioritize his health over the chase for the Los Angeles Lakers' playoff seeding down the stretch of the regular season. "I got to be smart with it," James said after the Lakers' 136-124 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. "If I'm not healthy, or [anywhere] close to being healthy, then it's not good for our ballclub anyway. It's not good for me." James returned from a one-game absence because of his sore left ankle -- something that has been an issue for the 21-year veteran for months -- to log his fourth triple-double of the season with 23 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists against the Grizzlies. L.A. extended its winning streak to a season-best five games and is currently No. 9 in the Western Conference standings with nine games remaining in the regular season. However, James said the fact that he rested his ankle the night before in the Lakers' 128-124 double-overtime win against the ...
March 28
March 28

Chimaev vs. Whittaker tops UFC Saudi Arabia card June 22

The UFC will put on its first event in Saudi Arabia on June 22 with a card headlined by a middleweight bout between Khamzat Chimaev and  Robert Whittaker, Dana White, the promotion's president, announced Wednesday night. The UFC Fight Night card will air for free on ABC. Chimaev and Whittaker will fight to determine the No. 1 contender for middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis, White said. Chimaev (13-0) hasn't fought since he defeated former welterweight champion  Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 in October. He had pushed for a title bout with Du Plessis at UFC 300 in April, but Du Plessis injured both legs when he took the championship from Sean Strickland in their January UFC 297 fight. Du Plessis told ESPN earlier this month that he is expecting to be ready by mid-2024. Whittaker (26-7), a former middleweight champ, is coming off a unanimous-decision win over  Paulo Costa in February. It was his first fight since a TKO loss to Du...
March 28
March 28

Refs admit missed foul on 76ers' final drive in loss to Clips

PHILADELPHIA -- Following the LA Clippers' 108-107 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night, crew chief Kevin Scott said in a pool report that there should have been a foul called on a drive by 76ers forward  Kelly Oubre Jr. on the game's final play. "On the last play on the floor, in real time the crew interpreted that play as the defender jumping vertically," Scott said. "However, in postgame video review we did observe some slight drift to his left by the defender  [Paul] George, and a foul should have been ruled." The play capped a chaotic final minute of action, one that saw multiple reviews, a wedgie that resulted in a jump ball, two costly 76ers turnovers, a pair of and-1s by Clippers star Kawhi Leonard and, ultimately, Oubre's drive that resulted in him lying on the ground as the Clippers celebrated a needed victory in James Harden's first game in South Philly since being traded.  Nurse stormed onto the...
March 28
March 28

Stephen Curry 'lets out steam,' lifts Dubs after Green tossed

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Since  Draymond Green returned from his indefinite suspension in January, the Golden State Warriors have applauded the way he has maintained his fire while managing not to cross the line. He would bark at officials and play with physicality but did so without taking it too far. Until Wednesday night. Green was ejected less than four minutes into the Warriors' eventual  101-93 win over the Orlando Magic. He had been chirping at official Ray Acosta after being called for his first personal foul. A few plays later, after Stephen Curry was called for a shooting foul, Green approached Acosta and began yelling at him. Acosta issued a technical foul, and when Green didn't stop, Acosta gave him another, ending his night at the 8:24 mark of the first quarter. "We need him. He knows that. We all know that," Curry said of Green. "So whatever we need to do to keep him on the floor and be available, that's what's got to happen....
March 28
March 27

Sources: Florida Atlantic hiring John Jakus as next head coach

Florida Atlantic is hiring Baylor assistant John Jakus as its next head coach, sources told ESPN on Wednesday. Jakus is replacing Dusty May, who left last week to become the head coach at Michigan. May led FAU to the 2023 Final Four and back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances. Jakus has been on Scott Drew's staff for seven seasons, helping lead Baylor to the national championship in 2021 and back-to-back Big 12 regular-season titles in 2021 and 2022. He also spent three seasons on Mark Few's staff at Gonzaga as director of basketball operations and began his college coaching career as a graduate assistant at Baylor. He also has coaching experience overseas, as the head coach of ABA Strumica in Macedonia and Agape Bulgaria. Drew's coaching tree has produced several head coaches, including Kansas State's Jerome Tang, Texas Tech's Grant McCasland, Wichita State's Paul Mills and North Florida's Matt Driscoll.
March 27
March 27

SMU targeting USC's Andy Enfield for coaching job, sources say

SMU is targeting Andy Enfield for the school's basketball job, sources told ESPN. Enfield has been the focus of the search for days, but sources indicated that a deal isn't expected to be finalized imminently. Sources indicated that SMU's search is solely focused on Enfield at this point, as the school isn't engaged with other candidates. It could take days to resolve and finalize the hire. SMU initially reached out to Enfield over the weekend, as the school has been looking to make a splashy hire in the wake of firing Rob Lanier after just two seasons. Lanier went 20-13 this season, but SMU's brass wanted someone who could deliver an immediately competitive team in the ACC. Enfield has been the coach at USC for 11 seasons, going 261-175 with five NCAA tournament appearances. Enfield's profile includes the power conference résumé that SMU is seeking, as he had reached three straight NCAA tournaments before going 15-18 this season. SMU will enter the ACC next season, a...
March 27
March 27

D.C. mayor, Leonsis announce Caps, Wiz to stay in Washington under new deal

WASHINGTON -- The NBA's Washington Wizards and NHL's Washington Capitals are staying in the District of Columbia for the long term after ownership and the city reached an agreement on a $515 million arena project. Owner Ted Leonsis and Mayor Muriel Bowser signed a letter of intent on Wednesday for the deal, which keeps the teams in the district through 2050. They announced the development at a joint news conference at Capital One Arena minutes later. "It's a great day, and I'm really relieved," Leonsis said. "This was not only the right thing for the community, the right thing for the city, the right thing for us, it's a really smart business deal." The project is set to include 200,000 square feet of expansion of the arena complex into the nearby Gallery Place space, the creation of an entertainment district in the surrounding Chinatown neighborhood and safety and transportation upgrades. "We are the current home and the future home of the Washington Capitals and...
March 27
March 27

Warriors' Draymond Green ejected after arguing with official

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green was ejected less than four minutes into Wednesday night's game against the Orlando Magic. Green had been chirping at official Ray Acosta after being called for his first personal foul. A few plays later, after Stephen Curry was called for a shooting foul, Green approached Acosta and began yelling at him. Acosta issued a technical foul, and when Green didn't stop, Acosta gave him another, ending his night at the 8:24 mark of the first quarter. As Green made his way off the court, Warriors coach Steve Kerr voiced his displeasure with the referees. During the subsequent timeout, Curry paced back and forth while shaking his head. The Warriors went on to win 101-93. It was Green's career-high fourth ejection of the season. He is the first player to be ejected at least four times in a season since Kevin Durant was tossed five times in 2017-18, according to ESPN Stats & Information...
March 27
March 27

Sixers' Joel Embiid likely back in regular season, Nick Nurse says

PHILADELPHIA --  Sixers coach Nick Nurse expressed optimism that reigning MVP  Joel Embiid will be back on the court before the end of the regular season.   "I think there's a very good likelihood that he will return before the play-in, playoff," Nurse said before the Sixers' game Wednesday night against the  LA Clippers. Embiid hasn't played since Jan. 30, when Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga inadvertently fell on his leg in the fourth quarter of a loss to the Warriors in San Francisco. Since then, the 76ers have gone 10-16, the 10th-best record in the Eastern Conference over that span, and have fallen into the play-in tournament mix in the Eastern Conference standings. Things would change in a hurry if Embiid, who was leading the league in scoring at 35.3 points per game before getting hurt, is able to return sometime over the next 10 games. Embiid is seven weeks removed from having surgery on the lateral meniscus in his...
March 27
March 27

Dan Hurley: UConn 'manifested' tournament home-court advantage

BOSTON -- In a quest for back-to-back national titles,  UConn coach Dan Hurley saw a competitive advantage for the Huskies soon after they cut down the nets in Houston last year. Way back then, he saw UConn's potential path back to the Final Four only requiring bus trips. And with the Huskies handling business in the first two rounds of the men's NCAA tournament in Brooklyn against No. 16 Stetson and No. 9 Northwestern, Hurley said his team has earned an expected home-court advantage in Boston this weekend. "We hope the crowd can be a Storrs North for us," Hurley said, referencing the school's home in Connecticut. "Maybe feel a little bit like [Madison Square Garden] does for us when we play there [in] the Big East tournament and during the Big East regular season, too." He estimated that 60% of the crowd could be wearing UConn blue when the top-seeded Huskies play No. 5 San Diego State in a rematch of last year's national title game. UConn is the...
March 27
March 27

Jayden Daniels honors teammate with cancer at LSU pro day

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Jayden Daniels was true to his word. The LSU quarterback and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner worked out in front of NFL teams at LSU's pro day after declining to do so during the NFL scouting combine in February. Daniels was wearing a long-sleeved purple shirt with the name and number of former Tigers teammate Greg Brooks Jr. on the back. Brooks missed most of his senior season at LSU last fall after he was diagnosed with a brain tumor in September. "Obviously, if Greg were here, he'd be a part of this. He's not here, but he's here in spirit, and I'm here to rep him," Daniels said. "My teammates who didn't get an invite to the combine, obviously they had multiple eyes out here, all 32 [NFL teams] and more, so it was beneficial to go out there and showcase their talent, showcase how they move, write their own journey. If they get an opportunity, I know they're going to crush it." LSU coach Brian Kelly said Daniels' tribute to Brooks...
March 27
March 27

Yankees' Juan Soto feeling 'at home' ahead of season opener

On the eve of the  New York Yankees' season opener at Minute Maid Park against the Houston Astros, manager Aaron Boone had a simple directive for his new slugger: It's your team, too. Asked how Juan Soto will fit into a team with Aaron Judge as the acknowledged superstar and Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton entrenched as veteran leaders, Boone said on a Zoom call with reporters Wednesday, "My message to him is: It's his clubhouse, too, and we want to learn and grow from you and want you to feel empowered to say and do whatever you feel like you need to do." Acquired from the San Diego Padres in a blockbuster offseason trade, Soto brings his powerful bat, elite on-base ability and Soto Shuffle to a lineup that struggled to score runs in 2023. With the Padres, there were reports during the season as the team's playoff hopes slowly disintegrated that some of the egos in the San Diego clubhouse -- Soto, Manny Machado...
March 27
March 27

Dodgers, catcher Will Smith agree to 10-year, $140M extension

Catcher Will Smith and the Dodgers signed a 10-year, $140 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, the latest deal in an offseason of massive spending by a Los Angeles team that is locking up its core members. Smith, who turns 29 on Friday, was due to hit free agency following the 2025 season. Los Angeles prevented that by giving him a deal that will run through the 2033 season and keep him in the middle of one of baseball's most dangerous lineups. The $140 million is the third-highest guarantee ever for a catcher, behind Joe Mauer's eight-year, $184 million contract with Minnesota and Buster Posey's nine-year, $167 million deal with San Francisco. The deal, negotiated by Apex Baseball, includes a $30 million signing bonus -- to be paid in two installments by January 2025 -- and around 30% of the remaining salary deferred, sources said. After debuting in 2019, Smith almost immediately established himself as one of the best-hitting...
March 27
March 27

Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ruled out vs. Rockets

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Superstar guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will sit out the Thunder's home game against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday due to a right quadriceps contusion. Gilgeous-Alexander originally suffered the injury during a March 20 win over the visiting  Utah Jazz. He played in the Thunder's next three games but didn't perform up to his MVP-contender standards, averaging 19.7 points on 44.2% shooting during that stretch. "He's banged up, for sure," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault told reporters after Gilgeous-Alexander hobbled noticeably at times while scoring 24 points in 38 minutes during Tuesday's road win over the New Orleans Pelicans. "He's not 100 percent. We're monitoring it." Gilgeous-Alexander, who has missed only one previous game this season, ranks third in the league with 30.4 points per game on 54.0% shooting. He has led the Thunder to a 50-21 record, putting Oklahoma City a half-game behind the defending champion...
March 27
March 27

Panthers to sign pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney, sources say

Free agent pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney has agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract with the Carolina Panthers, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Wednesday. Clowney's contract can be worth up to $24 million, the sources said. Clowney gives the Panthers another pass-rusher to help fill the void left by the trade of Brian Burns to the New York Giants earlier this month. The Panthers also signed free agent D.J. Wonnum earlier this month. It will be a homecoming for Clowney, who is from Rock Hill, South Carolina, and played collegiately for South Carolina. Besides the Panthers, Clowney also received interest from the New York Jets, visiting the team last week. Clowney, 31, got his career back on track last year, becoming one of the bigger surprises on the Baltimore Ravens with his pass rush and durability. He proved he can still impact games by getting to the quarterback with 9.5 sacks, which tied a career high. In the...
March 27
March 27

Panthers reach deal with pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney

Free agent pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney has agreed to a contract with the Carolina Panthers, the team announced Wednesday. Terms were not disclosed but sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Clowney agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract that can be worth up to $24 million. Clowney will receive bonuses for reaching 8, 10 and 12 sacks in each season, a league source told ESPN's David Newton. For Clowney, this is a homecoming. He is a native of Rock Hill, South Carolina, about 25 minutes south of Charlotte where he starred at South Pointe High School. He also attended the University of South Carolina, about 90 minutes south of Charlotte. Clowney was the top pick of the 2014 draft by the Houston Texans. For the Panthers, this fills a huge need after they traded two-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Brian Burns to the New York Giants. They signed D.J. Wonnum and K'Lavon Chaisson during free agency, with Chaisson brought in more...
March 27
March 27

Sophia Smith signs new Thorns deal, becomes NWSL's highest paid

United States women's national team forward Sophia Smith has signed a new contract with the Portland Thorns that ties her to Portland through the 2025 season, with an option to extend the contract through 2026, the National Women's Soccer League ( NWSL) announced Wednesday. Smith's new deal makes her the highest-paid player annually in the NWSL, the team told ESPN. Sources later confirmed that information to ESPN. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, NWSL more (U.S.) The record for the highest-paying cumulative contract in NWSL history was set on multiple occasions this past offseason. Chicago Red Stars forward Mallory Swanson, Bay FC forward Racheal Kundananji, and Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda all signed multiyear deals worth between $2 million and $2.5 million in total. Smith signed a shorter-term deal but will be paid higher annually, the Thorns said, although general manager...
March 27
March 27

Sources: Dodgers, Will Smith close to 10-year, $140M deal

Catcher Will Smith and the Los Angeles Dodgers are finalizing a 10-year, $140 million contract extension, sources told ESPN, the latest deal in an offseason of massive spending by a Los Angeles team that is locking up its core members. Smith, who turns 29 on Friday, was due to hit free agency following the 2025 season. Los Angeles prevented that by giving him a deal that will run through the 2033 season and keep him in the middle of one of baseball's most dangerous lineups. After debuting in 2019, Smith almost immediately established himself as one of the best hitting catchers in baseball. With an elite eye and 20-plus-home run power, Smith spent most of last season hitting third for Los Angeles and made his first All-Star team. The addition of Shohei Ohtani this winter pushed Smith down to the cleanup spot, behind the three former MVPs at the top of the Dodgers' lineup: Mookie Betts, Ohtani and Freddie Freeman. Smith's extension follows...
March 27
March 27

Sophia Smith signs new Thorns deal, becomes NWSL's highest-paid

United States women's national team forward Sophia Smith has signed a new contract with the Portland Thorns that ties her to Portland through the 2025 season, with an option to extend the contract through 2026, the National Women's Soccer League ( NWSL) announced Wednesday. Smith's new deal makes her the highest-paid player annually in the NWSL, the team told ESPN. Sources later confirmed that information to ESPN. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, NWSL more (U.S.) The record for the highest-paying cumulative contract in NWSL history was set on multiple occasions this past offseason. Chicago Red Stars forward Mallory Swanson, Bay FC forward Racheal Kundananji, and Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda all signed multi-year deals worth between $2m and $2.5m in total. Smith signed a shorter-term deal but will be paid higher annually, the Thorns said, although general manager Karina LeBlanc...
March 27
March 27

Sources: Lakers' LeBron James expected to play vs. Grizzlies

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- LeBron James is expected to be available Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies after sitting out the Los Angeles Lakers' 128-124 come-from-behind win in double overtime Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks, sources told ESPN. James was sidelined in Milwaukee because of left ankle soreness, something that he has been playing through for several months. The Grizzlies matchup is the second leg of Los Angeles' six-game road trip that continues against Indiana, Brooklyn, Toronto and Washington. The Lakers (40-32) are currently No. 9 in the Western Conference standings with 10 games remaining.
March 27
March 27

Messi visit set to break New England's 61k attendance record

The anticipated visit of Lionel Messi to Gillette Stadium next month is set to break the New England Revolution's long-standing single-game attendance record with over 60,000 tickets already sold for the matchup with Inter Miami, New England announced Wednesday. Less than 5,000 tickets remain for the April 27 MLS clash, the Revs said. The figure is well on track to surpass the club's previous attendance record of 61,316 set for the 2002 MLS Cup, when New England hosted the LA Galaxy. The previous regular-season attendance record for a Revolution home game dates back to 1997, when New England hosted the Tampa Bay Mutiny in a doubleheader with a World Cup qualifying match between Mexico and the United States. Gillette Stadium, which also hosts six-time Super Bowl winners the New England Patriots, opened in 2002. The record for a Revolution regular-season match at the stadium was 42,947 in 2015. Last season,...
March 27
March 27

Source: Broncos signing ex-Lions WR Josh Reynolds to 2-year deal

Free agent wide receiver Josh Reynolds is signing a two-year deal worth up to $14 million with the Denver Broncos, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Wednesday. Reynolds' addition comes after the Broncos traded wide receiver Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns earlier this month. Reynolds joins a depth chart that includes Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Tim Patrick and others. Reynolds has provided a veteran presence within the Detroit Lions' receiving corps as a consistent target for quarterback Jared Goff over the past few seasons. In 2023, he finished with 608 yards on 40 catches with 5 touchdowns. The yardage total, which he reached on the final drive of the regular-season finale, was significant because it triggered a $250,000 bonus clause for surpassing 600 yards for the season. His total was third highest on the team. At the NFL's annual league meetings this week in Orlando, Florida, Lions...
March 27
March 27

It was a good day: Ice Cube's Big3 extends $5M offer to Caitlin Clark

Iowa women's basketball star  Caitlin Clark has been offered $5 million to play in the Big3 league, co-founder Ice Cube confirmed on social media on Wednesday.  "We intended the offer to remain private while Caitlin Clark plays for the championship," Ice Cube wrote on X. "But I won't deny what's now already out there: BIG3 made a historic offer to Caitlin Clark. Why wouldn't we? Caitlin is a generational athlete who can achieve tremendous success in the BIG3. "The skeptics laughed when we made Nancy Lieberman the first female coach of a men's pro team, and she won the championship in her first year. Then Lisa Leslie won it all in year two. With our offer, Caitlin Clark can make history and break down even more barriers for women athletes." Clark, who will be playing in the NCAA tournament Sweet 16 this weekend in Albany, New York, was not available for comment Wednesday morning. ESPN reached out to her agency, Excel, for comment. ESPN also reached out to the...
March 27
March 27

David Rubenstein unanimously approved as new Orioles owner

Major League Baseball's owners have unanimously approved private-equity billionaire David Rubenstein as the new owner of the Baltimore Orioles. The accelerated sale, which will eventually give Rubenstein and his ownership group 70% of the Orioles, transferred control of the team to him less than two months after he agreed to buy it from the Angelos family. "On behalf of Major League Baseball, I thank the Angelos family for their many years of service to the game and the communities of Baltimore," said Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. in a statement. "Peter Angelos loved Baseball, loved Baltimore and was an important part of MLB for more than three decades. "I congratulate David Rubenstein on receiving approval from the Major League Clubs as the new control person of the Orioles. As a Baltimore native and a lifelong fan of the team, David is uniquely suited to lead the Orioles moving forward. We welcome David and his partners as the new stewards of the...
March 27
March 27

Sources: Louisville targeting Pat Kelsey for basketball coach

Louisville is targeting Charleston's Pat Kelsey as its next head coach, sources told ESPN on Wednesday. Kelsey is coming off his second consecutive NCAA tournament appearance, leading Charleston to back-to-back CAA regular-season and tournament championships. He brings a career 261-122 record over 12 seasons as a head coach at Charleston and Winthrop. The Cougars went 31-4 during the 2022-23 season, winning 21 of their first 22 games. They took eventual national runner-up San Diego State to the wire in the first round of the NCAA tournament before falling. Kelsey's hire brings to an end a whirlwind search for athletic director Josh Heird, who fired Kenny Payne just over two weeks ago. Heird first pursued Baylor coach Scott Drew, who opted to return to Waco, and then targeted Florida Atlantic's Dusty May, who ultimately chose Michigan. This all played out amid a backdrop of uncertainty in the ACC, as last week...
March 27
March 27

Reds 2B Matt McLain has shoulder surgery, out indefinitely

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain underwent surgery Tuesday on his left shoulder and will be out indefinitely. The Reds announced Wednesday that McLain had successful surgery to repair his labrum and address cartilage damage. The team said there is a "wide range of possibilities" regarding McLain's timeline to return, adding that they "hope to have Matt back this season." Reds manager David Bell said last week that McLain, 24, would start the season the injured list. McLain, who was Cincinnati's first-round draft pick in 2021, batted .290 with 16 home runs, 50 RBIs and 14 steals in 89 games last season, finishing fifth in NL Rookie of the Year voting. He missed three weeks in spring training with a sore right oblique muscle. The Reds are also starting 2024 without third baseman Noelvi Marte, who will serve an 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, and center fielder T.J. Friedl, who broke his right wrist this...
March 27
March 27

NCAA president Charlie Baker calls for ban on college prop bets

NCAA president Charlie Baker is calling for a ban on college prop bets in states with legal sports wagering. Prop bets -- short for proposition bets -- are wagers not related to the final score of a contest. An example of such a side bet would be an over/under on how many 3-pointers an individual player will make in a game. "Sports betting issues are on the rise across the country with prop bets continuing to threaten the integrity and competition and leading to student athletes and professional athletes getting harassed. The NCAA has been working with states to deal with these threats and many are responding by banning college prop bets," Baker said in a statement. His request comes on the heels of ESPN reporting that the NBA is looking into betting irregularities involving Raptors forward Jontay Porter. At issue were two games in which prop bets on Porter were the two biggest winners on prop bets in the NBA on those respective evenings.  On both occasions, Porter left the game...
March 27
March 27

Miguel Rojas on Jazz Chisholm criticism: 'You don't even know me'

Miguel Rojas admitted being bothered by recent criticism from former teammate Jazz Chisholm Jr., saying "you don't even know me," and implying that the Miami Marlins star should "respect everybody" in the clubhouse. Rojas, in an appearance Tuesday on "The Chris Rose Rotation" podcast, responded to explosive comments that Chisholm made on a different podcast last week. Rojas and Chisholm were Marlins teammates for parts of three seasons from 2020 to 2022, which were Chisholm's first three years in the major leagues. During an appearance on "The Pivot" podcast, Chisholm referred to that period as the "worst three years of probably my life" and took multiple shots at an unidentified team "captain," an apparent reference to Rojas, who was the Marlins' de facto captain at the time. "You can't be a team leader when you've got guys that's been in the clubhouse that's been in there nine or 10 years even though they suck," Chisholm said. "They've been there...
March 27
March 27

'Unpredictable' Lakers rally from 19 down to beat Bucks in 2OT

MILWAUKEE -- Exhausted from logging 52 minutes, 51 seconds -- the most playing time of his career and most by a Los Angeles Lakers player since Kobe Bryant in 2012 -- and hobbled by a sore knee that required treatment during the game, all Anthony Davis could do was smile after outlasting the Milwaukee Bucks  128-124 in double overtime on Tuesday. "It was fun," Davis said after the Lakers, playing without LeBron James because of a sore left ankle, trailed by 19 points in the fourth quarter before storming back. "Let's line up and do it all over again tomorrow." Indeed, L.A.'s reward for its fourth win in a row -- drawing the team two games behind the Phoenix Suns for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference with 10 contests remaining -- is the second night of a back-to-back Wednesday at the Memphis Grizzlies. And the upset win over the Bucks -- during which Davis put up 34 points and 23 rebounds,  Austin Reaves tallied...
March 27
March 27

Coyotes legend Shane Doan watches son score 2 in NHL debut

TEMPE, Ariz. -- With his parents at the top of Mullett Arena in a suite, Josh Doan scored two goals, including the go-ahead tally, in his first NHL game, and the Arizona Coyotes defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2 on Tuesday night. Doan, son of the Coyotes' longtime captain and all-time goal leader Shane Doan, scored an unassisted goal in the second period to put Arizona ahead 2-1, backhanding the puck past Columbus netminder  Elvis Merzlikins at close range. He scored the winner in the third period, deflecting the puck past Merzlikins right in front of the crease at the 8:29 mark. "I almost missed it," Shane Doan, speaking on the Coyotes' postgame telecast on Scripps Sports, said of his son's first goal. "It's so cool." Josh Doan, from nearby Scottsdale, is the first Arizona native to play for the franchise. The 22-year-old played collegiately at Arizona State. He was called up Monday from Tucson of the AHL after leading the Roadrunners...
March 27
March 27

Men accused of intimidating, using racial slurs against Utah women's basketball team

The head coach called the incident "distracting and upsetting."
March 27
Utah head coach Lynne Roberts speaks during a press conference after a second-round college basketball game against Gonzaga in the NCAA Tournament in Spokane, Wash., March 25, 2024.
March 27

Dodgers see 'more engaging' Ohtani with Mizuhara gone

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Ippei Mizuhara wasn't just Shohei Ohtani's interpreter, he was a middleman for coaches and teammates, a facilitator for everything the two-way star needed within a ballpark, not to mention away from one. Given that, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked if he was concerned about Ohtani no longer having a person like Mizuhara in his life. "Actually, I would argue that it's going to help relationships internally, because there's no longer a buffer," Roberts said Tuesday, prior to the Dodgers' final spring training contest against the crosstown Los Angeles Angels. "I've already seen it. The last couple days, I think Shohei's been even more engaging with his teammates, and I think there's only upside with that." Mizuhara, who came with Ohtani to the United States more than six years ago and became one of his closest friends, was fired by the Dodgers last Wednesday in the wake of media inquiries surrounding at least $4.5 million...
March 27
March 27

Michael Ajayi transferring from Pepperdine to Gonzaga

Pepperdine transfer Michael Ajayi has committed to Gonzaga, he announced Tuesday via social media. Ajayi, from Washington, entered the transfer portal this month. The 6-foot-7 wing only spent one season at Pepperdine after transferring from Pierce College (Washington), but he earned first-team All-West Coast Conference honors after averaging 17.2 points and 9.9 rebounds while shooting 47% from 3-point range. He was terrific down the stretch of the season, going for 30 points and 17 rebounds in a win over Pacific in late February. In the WCC tournament, Ajayi had 21 points and 17 boards in a win against Pacific and then 14 points and 15 rebounds in a loss to San Diego. He also held his own against quality opposition in the nonconference portion of the schedule, scoring 31 points against UNLV and 25 against Indiana State. In two losses to Gonzaga, Ajayi averaged 10.0 points and 8.5 rebounds. Ajayi is one of three Pepperdine starters to leave the program, with ...
March 27
March 26

John Calipari to return as Kentucky men's basketball coach

Despite another early exit from the NCAA tournament, Kentucky men's basketball coach John Calipari will return for his 16th season in 2024-25, according to athletic director Mitch Barnhart. Calipari's future seemed cloudy following the Wildcats' first-round loss to  Oakland, a 14-seed, in the NCAA tournament last week. It was the latest upset on the program's résumé; two years ago, Kentucky was a 2-seed when it lost to 15-seed  Saint Peter's in the opening round of the 2022 tournament.  "As we normally do at the end of every season, Coach Calipari and I have had conversations about the direction of our men's basketball program and I can confirm that he will return for his 16th season as our head coach," Barnhart wrote Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter.  Calipari, speaking Monday on his season-ending radio show, said he understood that the standard at Kentucky -- the winningest program in men's college basketball history and an eight-time national...
March 26
March 26

New York Rangers first NHL team to clinch playoff berth

NEW YORK -- Adam Fox scored 36 seconds into overtime and the New York Rangers became the first NHL team to clinch a playoff spot this season, beating the Philadelphia Flyers 6-5 following a wild third period Tuesday night. Alexis Lafreniere had two goals and Igor Shesterkin made 36 saves for the Rangers, who lead the league with 100 points after giving coach Peter Laviolette his 800th career win. New York technically secured its third consecutive playoff berth just by getting to overtime and earning one point after Detroit lost to Washington in OT. But after the teams traded seven goals in a frenetic third period, it didn't take long for Fox to finish the night in style with a wrist shot from the high slot for his 15th goal, adding to the star defenseman's career high. "For us to stay as consistent as we have says a lot about our group,'' said Fox, who has points in eight straight games. "It's big for us to clinch that playoff spot. It's...
March 26
March 26

Shohei Ohtani's reps decline to say which authorities contacted to report theft

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar  Shohei Ohtani's representatives declined again Tuesday to answer ESPN's questions about which authorities they have contacted to report their allegation of theft against Ohtani's former interpreter. ESPN has been asking repeatedly for the information since Ohtani's lawyers first issued a statement last week alleging that "Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft, and we are turning the matter over to the authorities." When asked Tuesday to provide proof that Ohtani or his representatives have reported the theft to an investigating agency, a spokesperson for Ohtani declined to comment. ESPN received no confirmation from any of the likely local, state or federal agencies that could investigate allegations of theft that they received a report from Ohtani's camp. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday that it is working with the IRS to investigate Ohtani's ex-interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, but would not...
March 26
March 26

Sources: Diamondbacks, Jordan Montgomery agree on 1-year deal

Left-hander Jordan Montgomery and the Arizona Diamondbacks are in agreement on a one-year, $25 million contract that includes a vesting player option for a second season, sources told ESPN on Tuesday night, bolstering the National League champions' rotation with the postseason standout from the team that beat them in the World Series. The deal, which is pending a physical, ends Montgomery's free agency two days before Opening Day and could include a second-year player option at $20 million if Montgomery makes 10 starts. The option would be for $22.5 million if Montgomery reaches 18 starts and $25 million at 23 starts, sources said. After entering the winter with hopes of a nine-figure deal, the 31-year-old Montgomery signed for a fraction of that, a coup for a Diamondbacks team whose big offseason acquisition, Eduardo Rodriguez, hit the injured list this week with a lat strain. Montgomery will join a rotation that includes top starters Zac Gallen and...
March 26
March 26

Source: Diamondbacks, Jordan Montgomery agree on deal

Left-handed starter Jordan Montgomery and the Arizona Diamondbacks are in agreement on a free agent deal, pending a physical, a source told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Tuesday night. Montgomery, 31, started 32 games this past season while compiling a combined 10-11 record with a 3.20 ERA in 188.2 innings for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers. He threw another 31 innings in the postseason, helping the Rangers to their first World Series championship. Montgomery's best moments last season came down the stretch for the Rangers, where he started 11 times and produced a 2.79 ERA -- though his team only won four of those games. His best game came in the wild-card round when he shut out the Tampa Bay Rays over seven innings. Montgomery is joining his fourth team since 2022 after being traded from the  New York Yankees to the Cardinals that summer. He was dealt along with Chris Stratton to the Rangers in exchange for three players ...
March 26
March 26

Sources: Tre'Davious White intends to sign with Rams

Former Buffalo Bills All-Pro cornerback Tre'Davious White intends to sign a one-year, $8.5 million deal with a max value up to $10 million with the Los Angeles Rams, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Tuesday. White's agents, Kevin Conner and Robert Brown of Universal Sports Management, confirmed the deal, which boosts a team that lost in the wild-card round last season to the Detroit Lions. White, who was designated as a post-June 1 release by the Bills in a move that saved the team $10.2 million in cap space, continues his rehabilitation from a torn right Achilles. The 2019 All-Pro cornerback was the Bills' first draft pick after Sean McDermott became coach. White, 29, has dealt with unfortunate circumstances, tearing his left ACL on Thanksgiving 2021, returning for six regular-season games and two playoff games in 2022, and then tearing his Achilles four games into 2023. Before the injuries, the 2017 first-round pick and two-time Pro Bowl...
March 26
March 26

Stars of the NCAA women's basketball tourney heading for a showdown

The Panel discuss the play of star players like JuJu Watkins and Caitlyn Clark. Both players, among others, have led their teams to the Sweet Sixteen.
March 26
VIDEO: Stars of the NCAA women's basketball tourney heading for a showdown
March 26

Georgia's Trevor Etienne could face suspension for DUI arrest

ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia running back Trevor Etienne faces disciplinary action from both the university and athletic department following his DUI arrest over the weekend, coach Kirby Smart said Tuesday. Under athletic department policy, Etienne will miss 10% of Georgia's season -- which equates to at least one game under the Bulldogs' 12-game schedule -- if found guilty of DUI. The Bulldogs open the 2024 season Aug. 31 in Atlanta against Clemson. Etienne was traveling 80 to 90 mph in a 50-mph zone at approximately 1:50 a.m. Sunday and twice crossed over a double yellow line to pass vehicles, according to an Athens-Clarke County Police Department report. Etienne, a transfer from Florida, told police he was trying to get home and admitted to drinking three beers "way earlier." Etienne, the younger brother of  Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne, was driving a 2024 Audi RS7 and declined to consent to a field...
March 26
March 26

Mudryk nets Ukraine winner to qualify for Euro 2024

Ukraine's tears of despair turned to joy after qualification for the Euro 2024 soccer tournament was achieved with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Iceland in their playoff final held in Wroclaw Stadium in Poland on Tuesday. Viktor Tsygankov and Mykhailo Mudryk scored second-half goals as it was mission accomplished in a campaign where Ukraine have been forced to play "home" fixtures in Slovakia, Czechia, Germany and Poland following Russia's February 2022 invasion of the country that sparked a war which still rages. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, NWSL more (U.S.) Albert Gudmundsson had put Iceland ahead in the first half, but they surrendered possession and the initiative as they struggled to contain Ukraine for much of the contest. It is a fourth straight visit to the continental finals for Ukraine, who take their place in Group E with Belgium, Slovakia and Romania, against whom they open their campaign on June 17. "Thank...
March 26
March 26

Manchester United want Gary O'Neil talks over possible coaching role - sources

Manchester United want to speak to Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Gary O'Neil about a role in a potential new coaching setup at Old Trafford, sources have told ESPN. With Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos group now in charge of football operations at United following the completion of their purchase of a 27% stake in the club in February, sources have said that the new regime, led by Ineos director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford, are attempting to build a new coaching structure led by a head coach. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) And while no final decision has been made on Erik ten Hag's future as manager, sources have told ESPN that United have already assessed England manager Gareth Southgate, Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi and Brentford's Thomas Frank as potential successors. O'Neil, who was appointed manager at Molineux last August following the departure of Julen Lopetegui, has guided Wolves into...
March 26
March 26

Sources: Steelers to sign ex-Falcons RB Cordarrelle Patterson

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Hours after the NFL adopted a new kickoff rule, the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to a two-year, $6 million contract with versatile return man Cordarrelle Patterson, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. After a historically low rate of kickoff returns in the 2023 season, the amended rules are expected to emphasize the return game, making Patterson's role a crucial one. Patterson, who played under now-Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith with the Atlanta Falcons, has nine career kick return touchdowns since entering the NFL in 2013 to make him the NFL's all-time leader in the category. He has three times as many kick return touchdowns as any other player in that timespan, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The Steelers last scored a touchdown on a kick return when JuJu Smith-Schuster took one 96 yards to the end zone against the Cleveland Browns in 2017. The team has struggled to find a consistent return man,...
March 26
March 26

NFL approval of Tom Brady's purchase into Raiders 'making progress'

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The NFL has yet to approve Tom Brady's bid for Las Vegas Raiders minority ownership, but commissioner Roger Goodell is not concerned. "I wouldn't say it's a delay," Goodell said Tuesday from the NFL's annual league meeting at the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes. "We go through a very thorough process. ... We're just going through our process. We've been in touch with their side. I think it's been making progress." Last May, the Raiders reached an agreement with Brady for him to join the organization's ownership group, pending league approval. "We're excited for Tom to join the Raiders," owner Mark Davis told ESPN's Paul Gutierrez then. "And it's exciting because he will be just the third player in the history of the National Football League to become an owner." George Halas and Jerry Richardson are the other two. League approval requires a supermajority vote of at least 24 NFL owners. Membership did not vote on the matter this week. It is scheduled to...
March 26
March 26

Matt Eberflus on Caleb Williams: Teammates 'love, respect' QB

ORLANDO. Fla. - Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus's biggest takeaway after watching  Caleb Williams throw at USC's pro day centered on a major aspect behind what makes the quarterback the presumptive No. 1 pick in the draft. "You can see the arm talent on the film, and you can see it there in person," Eberflus said Tuesday at the NFL's league meetings. But what left perhaps the biggest impression on the Bears coach was how Williams engaged with his teammates at a dinner Chicago hosted for the quarterback and his receivers and during on-field workouts.   "What I loved to see was the interaction with the other players," Eberflus said. "You can see that, and we talked to every person that was on that team. At the Senior Bowl we interviewed them and interviewed them at the pro day. We talked to those guys at the dinner and you can certainly see those players love him and respect him and what he's brought to that program." Eberflus spent around 80 minutes...
March 26
March 26

Matt Eberflus on Caleb Williams: Has teammates' 'love, respect'

ORLANDO. Fla. -- Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus's biggest takeaway after watching  Caleb Williams throw at USC's pro day centered on a major aspect behind what makes the quarterback the presumptive No. 1 pick in the draft. "You can see the arm talent on the film, and you can see it there in person," Eberflus said Tuesday at the NFL's league meetings. But what left perhaps the biggest impression on the Bears coach was how Williams engaged with his teammates at a dinner Chicago hosted for the quarterback and his receivers and during on-field workouts.   "What I loved to see was the interaction with the other players," Eberflus said. "You can see that, and we talked to every person that was on that team. At the Senior Bowl we interviewed them and interviewed them at the pro day. We talked to those guys at the dinner, and you can certainly see those players love him and respect him and what he's brought to that program." Eberflus spent around 80 minutes...
March 26
March 26

NFL to play two games on Christmas Day Wednesday in 2024

NFL games on Christmas Day remain the gifts that keep on giving for the league, and that will continue in 2024 with two matchups despite the holiday falling on a Wednesday, it was announced. Matchups for the games, which will include teams that play on the previous Saturday to account for the recovery window, have yet to be determined. "When we saw the viewership from this past year, really our fans spoke," NFL executive vice president of media distribution Hans Schroeder said. "We certainly saw and believe that they are very much enjoying and wanting NFL football on Christmas." The NFL played three games on Christmas Day 2023, with the Baltimore Ravens- San Francisco 49ers, New York Giants- Philadelphia Eagles and Las Vegas Raiders- Kansas City Chiefs matchups all being played on a Monday. The Christmas Day games have generated massive television ratings, with ESPN's Ravens-49ers telecast having more than 27.2 million viewers,...
March 26
March 26

NFL moving trade deadline back, expanding replay assist

ORLANDO, Fla. -- NFL owners agreed Tuesday to move the trade deadline back one week to the Tuesday after Week 9 and authorized a significant expansion to the league's replay assist program. Three penalty categories -- intentional grounding, roughing the passer and hits out of bounds -- were added to the list of plays replay assist can advise officials on. In addition, they also agreed to allow teams to use a practice squad player as their emergency No. 3 quarterback on game days, after requiring that player to be an existing member of the 53-man roster last season. The flurry of moves came on a day when they also approved a massive revamp of the kickoff. The NFL will now allow replay officials to move into the area of penalty enforcement for the first time. They will not be allowed to initiate a formal review on intentional grounding, roughing the passer or hits out of bounds. Nor can they suggest a flag be thrown. But they will be authorized to suggest a real-time reversal of a...
March 26

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