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Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown is not satisfied with an apology he received from the city of Beverly Hills on Thursday, days after police shut down an event he was hosting in the city's Trousdale Estates neighborhood.
The apology was not for shutting down the event. Instead, it was for including what the city called "inaccurate information" in its initial statement about the event.
Brown told ESPN's Andscape he is considering legal action against the city after it "embarrassed my brand and my team" and then continued "to tell untruths in [its] apology statement."
The promotional event for Brown's performance brand, 741, was held last weekend at the home of Oakley founder Jim Jannard on the eve of the NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome. It was scheduled to include a panel discussion featuring National Basketball Players Assn. president Andre Iguodala followed by an after-party with around 200 invited guests.
Read more:Beverly Hills police shut down Jaylen Brown's brand event during NBA All-Star Weekend
In an X post after his event was stopped, Brown wrote, “300k down the drain.” On Thursday, in response to the city's statement, Brown wrote on X: "You targeted me and my @741Performance event based on biased information then you give a half a— apology after the damage is already done."
The Times reached out to the city of Beverly Hills on Friday for a response to Brown's comments concerning the incident, including his mention of possible legal action. A representative referred The Times to the statement released the previous day.
The city's first statement, issued Sunday, said that "an event permit had been applied for and denied by the City due to previous violations associated with events at the address" and "organizers still chose to proceed with inviting hundreds of guests knowing that it was not allowed to occur."
On Thursday, the city issued a second release saying that upon further internal review it had determined that "no permit application was submitted nor denied for the event and the residence does not have any prior related violations on record."
Read more:Photos: Highlights from NBA All-Star Game weekend in Inglewood
The release included a statement from city manager Nancy Hunt-Coffey, who apologized for the inaccurate information but asserted that the city still had reason to shut down the event.
“The City’s previous statement about the weekend event at the Trousdale home was inaccurate, and on behalf of the City, I would like to apologize to Jaylen Brown and the Jannard family,” Hunt-Coffey said.
“The City has a responsibility to its residents and neighborhoods to ensure adherence to established regulations for events held at private residences. These are designed to support the safety and welfare of neighbors and attendees. City staff observed circumstances that are believed to be City code violations and for that reason alone, the event was ended.”
Brown was far from satisfied with the apology.
"The city has now stated the event was shut down because officials believed codes were being violated," he said in a statement released by Jalen Brown Enterprises Inc. "A private gathering cannot lawfully be terminated based on assumption alone, particularly when no official ever entered the residence to observe conditions or verify any alleged violation.
My response to @BeverlyHillsPDpic.twitter.com/cFmIMRJuTu
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) February 20, 2026
"This was a private, invitation-only gathering at a private home among friends and partners, not a public or commercial event requiring a permit. ... No proof of any alleged violation was ever produced to the homeowner, our team, or legal counsel. Without observation, documentation or confirmed violations, enforcement action based on belief alone raises serious due-process concerns.
"Jalen Brown Enterprises Inc. supports lawful compliance and cooperative engagement with municipalities wherever we operate. However, this private residential gathering was interrupted without substantiated cause, resulting in significant financial and reputational harm."
"We remain open to a constructive resolution with the city of Beverly Hills."
Brown had more to say on the matter after the Celtics' 121-110 win over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night in San Francisco.
Read more:Lon Rosen to take over business operations for the Lakers
"This is All-Star Weekend at 7 p.m. I just wanted to enjoy myself. And I feel like that got taken away, and I got embarrassed to some degree," said Brown, who was named an All-Star starter for the first time this year. He added, "I feel like that apology, you know, even in the statement they put out, they included some stuff that wasn't true, even in an apology. So I don't think that apology was acceptable.
"I lost a lot of money ... and then people were making assumptions, like we didn't go through the proper protocols. So that's just all around a bad look, leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I'm extremely offended. My team is offended still. I'm not sure what the conclusion is going to be. All I know is that, that was some bulls—."
Brown said he heard about the city's most recent statement on his way to the game and that it fueled his third triple-double of the season (23 points, 15 rebounds, 13 assists).
"I wasn't even thinking about the game," said Brown, who will be back in Los Angeles when the Celtics play the Lakers on Sunday. "I was pissed. I was still pissed."
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
BILBAO, Spain (AP) — A second half double from Gorka Guruzeta gave Athletic Bilbao a 2-1 win over Elche in an action-packed La Liga encounter on Friday.
It was a third consecutive league win for the Basque club and the first time it has put together three straight league wins since August.
It was also the second time in three games that Guruzeta has scored a brace, following his double in the 4-2 win over Levante on Feb. 8.
His first at San Mames Stadium was a fine finish to convert a low cross from Yuri Berchiche and his second came from the penalty spot after a controversial award in the 89th minute.
In between, André Silva converted a penalty for Elche after being forced to retake his spot kick due to a double touch.
“Little by little things are starting to go our way,” said Guruzeta, who missed the only other penalty he took for Athletic.
It was another agonizing reverse for Elche, which has gone eight games without a win. The result left it in 16th place, just one point above the relegation zone.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
The Atlanta Hawks will be taking on the Miami Heat tonight at State Farm Arena. The Hawks are currently 27-30 after a recent win over the Philadelphia 76ers, 117-107.
Atlanta is the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference while Miami is in eighth place. The Heat haven’t played a game since February 11th, when they beat the New Orleans Pelicans, 123-111. With the All-Star Break, the Heat may be rusty since it’s their first game back while it’s the Hawks’ second.
The Hawks have made some moves recently, including the trade of Kristaps Porzingis and others. But they’ve been able to maintain their offensive prowess with players like forward Jalen Johnson, who’s averaged 23.5, 10.6 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game as part of being named to the All-Star team.
Miami has won two out of their last four games as they continue to make a playoff push. Heat guard Norman Powell has been quite the addition to the team since leaving the Clippers, averaging 23 points per game for the Heat. Star center Bam Adebayo has been able to put up 18.4 points and 9.9 rebounds, leading the team on the boards. This will be the third matchup between the two this season, with them tying at 1-1, but the Hawks won their last game against the Heat in early February.
The Hawks will win against the Heat tonight, 110-104 in a close game.
For more sports content, be sure to follow me on X(Twitter) and Instagram @BJT_ERA
MILAN (AP) — US defeats Slovakia 6-2 in men's hockey to set up Olympic gold medal matchup with Canada.
The Washington Wizards play the Indiana Pacers at 7 p.m. tonight at Capital One Arena. Watch the game on Monumental Sports Network.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are coming off an impressive win against the Brooklyn Nets. We’ll see if they can keep that going as they take on a surging Charlotte Hornets squad.
I’ll be in the comments throughout the game sharing my thoughts. Come talk with me and the rest of your fellow Cavs fans there.
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Go Cavs!
MAINZ, Germany (AP) — Nadiem Amiri scored his seventh goal in seven games for Mainz while a deflected second half goal from Hamburg's Fabio Vieira ensured they drew 1-1 in the Bundesliga on Friday.
Mainz was looking to get back to winning ways after a 4-0 defeat by Borussia Dortmund last week . It took the lead through Amiri’s crisp volley three minutes before halftime.
However, 19 minutes into the second period Vieira’s free kick took a nick off the Mainz wall, giving goalkeeper Daniel Batz no chance.
The point helped Mainz climb one place to 13th.
Hamburg was unbeaten in six games and sat in ninth.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
BREST, France (AP) — Habib Beye’s reign as Marseille coach got off to a losing start as Ligue 1's top goal-scorer Mason Greenwood missed a penalty in Brest’s 2-0 win on Friday.
Beye replaced Roberto De Zerbi last week after a miserable run that saw Marseille exit the Champions League and lose to archrival Paris Saint-Germain 5-0.
But the former Newcastle and Aston Villa defender could not stop the rot that threatens Marseille's hopes of a European spot next year.
Two first-half headers from Ludovic Ajorque put Brest in the driving seat and he could have had a third had a fierce shot not rattled the bar.
Marseille came into the match more in the second half but Greenwood missed a golden chance to pull it back into the game seven minutes from time.
He was brought down by Daouda Guindo but his spot kick was well saved by Brest goalkeeper Gregoire Coudertt.
The result left Marseille winless in four Ligue 1 games and in fourth place, five points behind Lyon, which has a game in hand against Strasbourg on Sunday.
Brest climbed one place to 11th.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar’s bid for an injunction that would have enabled him to continue playing for the Volunteers this fall was denied on Friday by a Knox County Chancery Court judge.
Aguilar was arguing that he should be allowed a fourth year of playing Divisional I football rather than having the years he spent in junior college count against his eligibility. Chancellor Christopher D. Heagerty instead dissolved the temporary restraining order he had granted in the case on Feb. 4 and denied Aguilar’s request for an injunction.
Aguilar played at Diablo Valley (California) Community College from 2021-22 before transferring to Appalachian State, where he spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Aguilar then transferred to Tennessee and completed 67.3% of his passes for 3,565 yards with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this past season.
He also redshirted at City College of San Francisco in 2019 before the 2020 season was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Although Aguilar has been invited to next week’s NFL draft scouting combine, he had filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in an attempt to return to Tennessee to play one more season.
Heagerty said the factors Tennessee courts consider before deciding to grant a temporary injunction are the threat to irreparable harm to the plaintiff if an injunction isn’t granted, the balance between this harm and any injury that granting the injunction would inflict on the defendant, the probability the plaintiff would succeed on the case’s merits and the public interest.
Heagerty noted that Aguilar’s lawyers pointed out the quarterback could lose $2 million to $3 million in name, image and likeness opportunities by not playing. But the judge also pointed out that granting an injunction “could cause sweeping implications and cause significant ambiguity and uncertainty regarding the eligibility rules of the NCAA.”
While Aguilar’s lawyers said an injunction would apply only to their client, Heagerty believed granting an injunction “could impact much broader issues and have a much more far-reaching effect than the plaintiff suggests.”
Heagerty also said the evidence before the court at this time indicated Aguilar “has a low likelihood to succeed on the merits of his claim.”
“The NCAA is thankful for the judge’s decision today, which demonstrates the court’s consideration of eligibility standards and protecting access to the collegiate experience for current and future student-athletes," the NCAA said in a statement. "We will continue to defend the NCAA’s eligibility rules against attempts to circumvent foundational policies and hinder fair competition to all student-athletes. The NCAA is making changes to deliver more benefits to student-athletes and will continue to work with Congress to provide stability for all college athletes.”
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The All-Star break wasn’t long enough for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Ajay Mitchell all start the second half on the injured list.
Although OKC is a massive 18-point favorite on Friday, February 20, there’s plenty of value in the Brooklyn Nets keeping it close in the first half.
My Nets vs. Thunder predictions and NBA picks break down why there are too many points for OKC to cover with so many key players sidelined tonight.
Nets vs Thunder best bet: Nets +10.5 first half (-110)
The Oklahoma City Thunder are just 2-3 SU and 2-2-1 ATS in the five games without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, dropping to 18th in net rating over that span.
Missing the reigning MVP is one thing, but with Jalen Williams also out, this is a different challenge.
Make no mistake, the Brooklyn Nets aren’t a strong team, but given who’s out for OKC, it could take a quarter or two for them to get going.
There are just too many points here, so I’ll take the Nets to keep it close in the first half.
Nets forward Danny Wolf has eclipsed 1.5 threes in each of his last four games and grabbed more than 5.5 rebounds in six of his last seven.
Oklahoma City has only hit the 1H moneyline in seven of its last 14 home games (-27.50 Units / -42% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Nets vs. Thunder.
| Location | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK |
| Date | Friday, February 20, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | YES, FDSN Oklahoma |
Not intended for use in MA.
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SASSUOLO, Italy (AP) — Sassuolo scored twice in the five minutes before halftime to pave the way to a 3-0 victory that deepened Verona's already considerable relegation woes in Serie A on Friday.
Verona was without a win in 11 league games and in last place, equal on points with Pisa.
Both clubs were nine points from safety, and Pisa faces a crunch match on Monday against Fiorentina, the team six points above them both in the third relegation spot.
Andrea Pinamonti got Sassuolo’s opener with a deflected strike then four minutes later Domenico Berardi added a second. Although the Verona goalkeeper stopped his penalty kick, Berardi was quickest to the follow up and buried the rebound.
Berardi completed the scoring 17 minutes into the second half when he finished off a rapid counterattack.
Completing Verona’s misery, Al Musrati was sent off for a second bookable offense five minutes from time.
The result extended Sassuolo's recent good run; it has taken 12 points from its last 15. It jumped two places to eighth.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg said Friday there were circumstances surrounding his altercation with a court-storming Iowa fan that people viewing viral social media videos might not fully understand.
The videos showed Hoiberg making a swiping motion at a person pointing a camera toward him during the handshake line after his ninth-ranked Cornhuskers lost 57-52 to the Hawkeyes on Wednesday night. In doing so, Hoiberg accidentally struck a member of Iowa’s staff.
Hoiberg said he fully relies on a pacemaker. He said his reaction stemmed from awareness that close contact with cell phones can interfere with the heart device.
“I am 100% reliant on a pacemaker," Hoiberg said. "I’ll never forget a conversation with my doctor. A cell phone can put it off. If anything ever happens, I’m done. I will not survive if something ever happens to a pacemaker. I’m very cognizant of that, so when somebody rushes up on me with a cell phone, of course I’m going to react.”
Hoiberg said the probability of anything happening was unlikely, but the chance of him developing heart block in his first open heart surgery was also slim.
He recounted the situation and explained that while he doesn't have a problem with court storms, he's against putting players and coaches in danger.
“It was a heated moment,” Hoiberg said. “I was going through the handshake line congratulating Iowa coaches on a hard-fought win, and all of a sudden, out of nowhere, this kid rushes up on me, and I reacted to it. I think anybody in my position, after a game like that, would’ve reacted in a similar way.”
The seventh-year Nebraska coach said he apologized to the Iowa staff member whom he struck both in the moment and in the days following. The staff member was understanding and said he would've done the same, Hoiberg said.
Iowa released a statement apologizing for the lack of security.
“We apologize for this incident and will conduct a review of our procedures and security measures to determine what adjustments may be needed to further strengthen our protocols and help prevent similar incidents in the future," the statement reads.
Hoiberg said he appreciated Iowa's statement and that it's a learning opportunity.
Nebraska hosts Penn State on Saturday.
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UPDATE: Lakers fans can breathe a sigh of relief as LeBron James has been upgraded from questionable to available for the team’s game against the Clippers.
During his pregame media availability, Lakers head coach JJ Redick said that LeBron felt some soreness in his knee after Thursday’s practice and was a game-time decision.
With LeBron ready to go, the Lakers have a clean injury report, which has been a rarity this season. Now, Redick will have every option at his disposal and can find out just how good his team can be.
Original story follows.
Well, so much for the Lakers being fully healthy coming out of the All-Star break. On Thursday, LA had an empty injury report heading into their contest against the Clippers.
But on Friday afternoon, the team added LeBron James to the list, placing him as questionable to play due to left knee soreness.
If LeBron misses this contest, it’ll be another game in which the team will play without one of its top three players.
Luka Dončić missed the last four games on the Lakers’ schedule due to a hamstring strain, and while Austin Reaves was back from his calf injury, he was still on a minutes restriction.
LA’s game against the Clippers is set to be the first time this calendar year that Reaves is going to play without a minutes restriction.
So, hearing that LeBron might be out when his two co-stars are finally fully healthy is frustrating for Lakers fans.
Until we hear more about the injury, it remains unclear what caused the soreness, how serious it is, and whether he could miss not only this Clippers contest but also upcoming matchups.
The last time LeBron played was on Sunday in the All-Star Game, representing Team Stripes. His importance to the team can’t be understated. James is still one of the best playmakers on the roster and is averaging 22 points, 5.8 assists and 7.1 rebounds per game.
Without him on the court, beating the Clippers gets that much harder. It also means the chemistry between him and Luka and Austin won’t be further developed on Friday.
There’s also still a possibility that LeBron plays in this matchup. However, being downgraded to questionable on the afternoon of a game isn’t a sign that things are heading in that direction.
If LeBron is out, then it’ll be the Luka and Austin show in LA, and they’ll have to hope that’s enough to beat their Western Conference rival.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.