Category: NBA

Globe‘We’re real excited’: Ron Harper Jr. shares Jayson Tatum looked like himself in recent practice

10 Celtics stats that should show encouragement and discouragement entering All-Star break

Tanking has been a problem for years, and the NBA may finally be making teams pay the price

Also forever connected to the Bay Area, Celtics legend Bill Russell posthumously honored by the University of San Francisco

Jason Collins strives to make a difference amid fight of his life against brain cancer

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Celtics Wire Reggie Miller concurs Vucevic trade signals Tatum return for Celtics

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Celtics’ Ron Harper Jr. shares how Neemias Queta is helping him work his way to the NBA

Boston Celtics jersey history No. 77 — Vincent Poirier (2019-20)

Celtics history: Larry Bird’s left-handed game; Edney, Babb born

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The AthleticThe 3-point contest turns 40. What we love, and what we’d like to see again

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CBS Sports/YouTube Ranking the Best and Worst NBA teams heading into the All-Star break | NBA Midseason Tiers

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Basketball Network Kenyon Martin urges Jayson Tatum to put his career over the Celtics’ title hopes: “Don’t want him to rush it back and risk something”

Celtics RoundtableJayson Tatum ‘Looked Like Jayson Tatum’ During Practice With Maine Celtics

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Celtics Digest/YouTubeThis is GREAT News for the Celtics…

In this week’s Tuesday Tracker and our SB Nation Reacts survey, results are in from fan polling about the NBA trade deadline. Here are the highlights:

• Perhaps influenced by Giannis’ social media activity after the deadline, 57% of Bucks fans believe he will sign an extension with the team once he becomes eligible on October 1st, in a bit of a reversal from last week: seven days ago, 74% believed that the Bucks would still trade him this offseason, though most of those votes came in before the deadline.
• Another way of looking at this shift: 52% of respondents believe that the deadline’s circumstances increased the likelihood that Giannis will remain in Milwaukee next year, at least slightly. Compare that to 42% of those polled who believe it didn’t change anything.
• There is widespread satisfaction with the Cam Thomas signing, with 83% of Bucks fans in favor his minimum deal for the rest of the season.
• Even stronger is support for acquiring Ousmane Dieng in exchange for Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey, which is viewed favorably by 93% of voters.
• In light of this, Jon Horst’s approval rating rose above his disapproval rating for the first time since January 9th, with 44% approving and 36% disapproving. A week ago, those numbers were 25% and 50%, respectively.

Thanks again for voting! Check back on Tuesday for another slate of questions.

Check out FanDuel, the official sportsbook of SB Nation.

EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — England's 12-test winning streak was shattered by Scotland pulling out an astonishingly one-sided 31-20 victory at Murrayfield in the Six Nations on Saturday.

England was favored to win at Murrayfield for the first time since 2020, having developed a mighty bench and become well-drilled and confident during its longest winning run in nine years.

But English set-piece dominance was undone by sloppy handling in Scotland's 22, under pressure from having to play catchup after a scintillating Scottish start.

Conducted by a masterly Finn Russell, Scotland blasted off to 17-0 after 14 minutes, its speed and slickness twisting an overburdened England into knots.

“I thought that was some of the best rugby we’ve every played,” Scotland coach Gregor Townsend told ITV. “It’s all you want as a coach. I thought that was one of Finn Russell’s best games for Scotland and the work rate of our forwards was superb.”

England winger Henry Arundell received a 20-minute red card but his first yellow card was the most damaging. Scotland, emotionally up for the match against its oldest rival and out to redeem for a woeful loss to Italy last weekend, exploited Arundell's absence in the fast start.

It was too much for England to overcome. By the time of Arundell's second yellow card right on halftime, leading to the automatic red, Scotland was still up by 14. In his second absence, Scotland out-scored England only 7-3 though it was a second try for center Huw Jones and Scotland's bonus-point fourth and last try.

“We are bitterly disappointed at that first 20 minutes, the lead Scotland got ahead of us and playing for such a long period with 14 men,” England coach Steve Borthwick told the BBC.

“The way Scotland can move the ball to the edges without our winger it exposed us there and it gave us too much to do.”

Scotland and Townsend, on the occasion of his 100th test, were under fire all week after Italy humbled them 18-15 in Rome.

A sixth win (plus the epic draw in 2019) against England in nine matchups, all under Townsend, will quieten the growing clamor for him to resign, at least until Scotland's final position in the championship becomes clear.

“There has been a lot of talk about Gregor Townsend but his players really showed up today, they really performed and really played for Gregor today,” Borthwick said. “They don’t play like that in every single game."

Beating England has given Townsend's Scotland a best placing of only third, leading supporters to believe the victories, while celebrated, have been used by the team to gloss over poor campaigns.

Townsend didn't deny it: “We've given them something to shout about for the next 12 months.”

Russell in charge

Against Italy, Scotland made no line breaks. Against England, it made 10 in the first half alone.

Arundell was coming off a hat trick against Wales but after he was sin-binned early for not releasing, Russell's one-handed flick on with Tom Roebuck in his face set up the opening try for Jones.

A Russell line break was followed by captain Sione Tuipulotu's huge pass to unmarked flanker Jamie Ritchie to stroll over.

Arundell returned from the sin-bin to score thanks to George Ford, who added a conversion and penalty, and England looked to be finding a foothold.

But Russell then switched the attack, stepped two defenders and chipped ahead. England prop Ellis Genge made a mess of grabbing the ball and Scotland scrumhalf Ben White took the gift over the tryline.

Right on halftime, Arundell took out leaping opposite Kyle Steyn and his second yellow card became a 20-minute red.

Ford started the second half with a penalty; he was perfect off the tee. But his drop goal attempt was charged down by Matt Fagerson, who collected the ball and let Jones race to the posts at the other end. It made Jones Scotland's top try-scorer in Six Nations history since 2000 (18), and the leading try-scorer against England (8) in the same period.

Russell went five for five in goalkicking, a year after his late missed conversion cost Scotland a fifth straight win over England.

England was consoled by a late converted try to No. 8 Ben Earl.

___

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

Before the 2026 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, All-Star Saturday will bring in three promising events that will gather past, present and future superstars in the NBA.

Start time and TV schedule

What: State Farm Three-Point Contest, Kia Shooting Stars Challenge, AT&T Slam Dunk Contest

When: 2 p.m. PT p.m. PT, Feb. 14

Where: Intuit Dome

Watch: NBC, Peacock

This year’s All-Star Saturday night festivities have the case to arguably be the most exciting part of the All-Star Weekend. Perhaps it’s the star-studded lineup for each category that makes these events worth the watch. The 3-point and Dunk Contest as well as the Shooting Stars Challenge will test each contestant’s skill, endurance and hang time.

To tip off an action-packed night, the 3-point contest — which has been the most entertaining event for All-Star Saturday night over the years — will be held first. There will be eight players competing in this one, five of which are All-Stars, who will also be suiting up for Sunday’s main event. These marksmen are Devin Booker, Kon Knueppel, Damian Lillard, Tyrese Maxey, Donovan Mitchell, Jamal Murray, Bobby Portis Jr., and Norman Powell. As it has been over time, the contestant who makes the most threes wins.

Then, there’s the Shooting Stars Challenge, which was brought back this year after an 11-year hiatus. Unlike how it was done from 2004 to 2015 though, this year’s tournament has a revamped format. Four teams consisting of two current NBA players and one retired NBA legend will rotate through designated shooting locations and the team that racks up the most points before time expires wins. The four teams are:

• Team All-Star: Scottie Barnes, Chet Holmgren, Richard Hamilton
• Team Cameron: Jalen Johnson, Kon Knueppel, Corey Magette
• Team Harper: Dylan Harper, Ron Harper Jr., Ron Harper Sr.,
• Team New York Knicks: Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Allan Houston

Last but not least is the Slam Dunk Contest, where Laker Jaxson Hayes will take part. As it has been over the years, the hope for this tournament is to outdo the previous ones, which honestly isn’t that difficult to achieve.

This year, though, the contest will no longer include Mac McClung, so there will be a new dunk champion crowned for the first time in three years. Along with Hayes, the participants are Carter Bryant, Keshad Johnson and Jase Richardson. They will be judged by Dominique Wilkins, Dwight Howard, Nate Robinson and Brent Barry, who all have left their mark in the competition during their time in the league.

Speaking of leaving a mark, it’ll be interesting to see how this year’s All-Star Saturday night will be remembered. Will it stand out as the most entertaining one in years? Or be another version of what we’ve watched in the past?

Regardless, it’s still going to be worth tuning if only because we get it just once a year. Hopefully, it’s going to be an event that’s worth talking about.

You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.

Piotr Zielinski scored a last-minute winner as Serie A leader Inter Milan beat Juventus 3-2 to stay eight points ahead of second-placed AC Milan on Saturday.

Juventus twice came from behind and overcame a red card but finally capitulated in the 90th when Zielinski drove in a low shot after being set up by Yann Bisseck near the penalty area.

The defeat dropped Juve one place to fifth behind Roma, which has a better goal difference and can move into third spot if it wins at defending champion Napoli on Sunday.

Juventus left back Andrea Cambiaso scored at both ends in the first half.

He inadvertently deflected Luis Henrique's cross past his goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio in the 17th minute, then latched on to a right-wing cross from American midfielder Weston McKennie in the 26th.

Juve's chances were hampered when defender Pierre Kalulu was sent off for a second yellow card late in the first half after fouling Alessandro Bastoni, who moments earlier had missed a golden chance from close range.

Inter regained the lead in the 76th when forward Pio Esposito headed in powerfully from Federico Dimarco's left-wing cross. Manuel Locatelli equalized from another McKennie cross in the 83rd to ensure a tense finish.

Zielinski ensured Inter notched a sixth straight win overall.

Como loses ground to Atalanta

Como's hopes of securing Champions League qualification were dealt a blow by visiting Fiorentina.

Nicolo Fagioli and Moise Kean scored in 2-1 win for Fiorentina at Como's Guiseppe Sinigaglia stadium.

The day got worse for Como as Champions League-chasing rival Atalanta won 2-0 at Lazio to move one point above in sixth place, thanks to a penalty from midfielder Ederson in the 41st minute and a second-half effort from Poland’s Nicola Zalewski.

Como's defeat came days after it advanced to the semifinals of the Coppa Italia for the first time in 40 years by beating Italian champion Napoli.

An impressive campaign could yet see it secure a place in next season's Champions League, but the loss to relegation-fighting Fiorentina was a setback.

Fagioli put Como ahead in the 26th from close range after his first effort was blocked. Kean scored from the penalty spot nine minutes into the second half.

Como created a number of chances as it tried to get back into the game and the pressure told when Fabiano Parisi fired into his own net in the 77th. But it couldn't find an equalizer and ended the game with 10 men when Alvaro Morata was sent off in the 89th.

On Friday, Luka Modrić scored a late winner for AC Milan to beat Pisa 2-1.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

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Prepare to pick your jaw up off the floor.

The NBA’s 2026 All-Star Saturday Night gets underway this evening at 5 p.m. ET at Inglewood, CA’s Intuit Dome a.k.a. the Clippers’ home.

Things kick off with the high-profile 3-point shootout, which features household names Devin Booker, Donovan Mitchell and Damian Lillard, who is sitting the 2025-26 season due to an Achilles injury.

Then, for the first time since 2015, the Shooting Stars competition returns. Four teams comprised of three players (two current and one retired “legend”) will attempt to score from seven assigned spots on the floor. Legends set to play include 47-year-old Richard “Rip” Hamilton, 46-year-old Corey Maggette, 62-year-old Ron Harper Sr. (playing with his sons Ron Jr. and Dylan) and 54-year-old Allan Houston who joins “Team Knicks” with Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.

Finally, the main event, the Dunk Contest, closes the night. Carter Bryant (Spurs), Jaxson Hayes (Lakers), Keshad Johnson (Heat) and Jase Richardson (Magic) are set to participate.

Whoever wins the Dunk Contest will be taking home their first title; three-time winner Mac McClung who was victorious from 2023-25 is sitting this year out.

Want to watch?

Here’s everything you need to know to tune in to the 2026 NBA All-Star Saturday Night.

NBA All-Star Saturday start time:

NBA All-Star Saturday tips off at 5 p.m. ET today (Feb. 14).

How to watch NBA All-Star Saturday for free:

If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to stream the game for free.

Sling TV is an affordable way to watch TV live and stream NBA games; its Select plan includes NBC, where All-Star weekend is airing, and starts at $19.99/month.

DIRECTV is another great service to try — its five-day free trial includes NBC (plus every other channel you’ll need for the NBA season).

NBA All-Star Saturday events

As noted above, there are a trio of competitions taking place tonight. To make sure you’re in the loop, here’s whose taking the hardwood for each of them.

3-Point contest

• Devin Booker, (Phoenix Suns)
• Kon Knueppel, (Charlotte Hornets)
• Damian Lillard, (Portland Trail Blazers)
• Tyrese Maxey, (Philadelphia 76ers)
• Donovan Mitchell, (Cleveland Cavaliers)
• Jamal Murray, (Denver Nuggets)
• Bobby Portis Jr., (Milwaukee Bucks)
• Norman Powell, (Miami Heat)

Shooting Stars

• Team All-Star:
  • Scottie Barnes(Toronto Raptors)
  • Chet Holmgren(Oklahoma City Thunder)
  • Richard Hamilton(NBA Legend)
• Team Cameron:
  • Jalen Johnson(Atlanta Hawks)
  • Kon Knueppel(Charlotte Hornets)
  • Corey Maggette(NBA Legend)
• Team Harper:
  • Dylan Harper(San Antonio Spurs)
  • Ron Harper Jr.(Boston Celtics)
  • Ron Harper(NBA Legend)
• Team Knicks:
  • Jalen Brunson(New York Knicks)
  • Karl-Anthony Towns(New York Knicks)
  • Allan Houston(NBA Legend)

Slam Dunk contest

• Carter Bryant, (San Antonio Spurs)
• Jaxson Hayes, (Los Angeles Lakers)
• Keshad Johnson, (Miami Heat)
• Jase Richardson, (Orlando Magic)

NBA All-Star weekend rolls on this Saturday with the Slam Dunk Contest, 3-Point Contest, and brand-new Shooting Stars Contest.

Our experts deliver their best NBA All-Star Saturday Night predictions and NBA picks from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, CA.

NBA All-Star Saturday Night predictions

• K. Johnson to win Dunk Contest (+320 at bet365)
• Lillard to win 3-Point Contest (+450 at bet365)
• Team Knicks to win Shooting Stars Contest (+170 at bet365)

NBA All-Star Saturday Night best bets

Slam Dunk Contest best bet: Keshad Johnson to win

+320 at bet365

Andrew Caley makes his case for Keshad Johnson to win the 40th annual Slam Dunk Contest.

"[Johnson] has seen limited minutes with the Miami Heat. Still, the 6-foot-6 forward boasts a ridiculous 42-inch vertical."

3-Point Contest best bet: Damian Lillard to win

+450 at bet365

Douglas Farmer values Damian Lillard's experience in the 3-point contest coupled with his being super-fresh after not playing all season.

"A skeptic might wonder if Lillard will be rusty. The better thought is to expect Lillard to be peaking. No one else in this contest has as much experience in it as he does, and no one else has circled this Saturday night as the highlight of their season."

Shooting Stars best bet: Team Knicks to win

+170 at bet365

Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns can hit shots from anywhere, and Allan Houston is one of the great pure shooters the Knicks have ever had. There are no holes to poke in this roster compared to the other three, so give me Team Knicks as a favorite that should be shorter.

NBA All-Star Saturday Night info

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

In a world where nobody agrees on anything, politics, movies, or whether pineapple belongs on pizza, there is one thing that has brought rare, almost suspicious unity to Timberwolves fans:

Tim Connelly absolutely cooked at the 2026 NBA trade deadline.

For a fan base that has spent the better part of two decades oscillating between hope and existential dread, the deadline was a moment of collective head-nodding. The Wolves entered the season with a very obvious, very uncomfortable roster flaw: the point guard position. It wasn’t subtle. It wasn’t nuanced. It was the basketball equivalent of a check engine light that had been on since October.

You had Mike Conley Jr., beloved, steady, respected, and clearly battling Father Time in a league that moves at warp speed. And then you had Rob Dillingham, the eighth overall pick in 2024, who had shown flashes but not nearly enough consistency to justify being the primary organizer of a team with championship aspirations. That pairing of aging veteran plus unproven youth felt fragile for a team coming off back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances and openly chasing its first NBA title.

The fan base noticed. The murmurs began.

As free agency came and went and experienced point guards found homes elsewhere, the question grew louder: what’s the plan here? Was Donte DiVincenzo really going to be the long-term answer at the point? Donte is talented. He’s tough. He can shoot. But he is not a pure table-setter. And at times this season, that lack of a steady hand has shown up in the worst possible moments with late-game stagnation, stalled possessions, hero-ball spirals that felt avoidable.

By early February, with Minnesota hovering around the six seed and flirting with the play-in, it was clear something had to give. The Wolves were too good to stand pat. Too close to the second apron to be reckless. And too asset-strapped to swing wildly without consequences.

The obvious minor-move pieces were there: Rob Dillingham. Maybe Terrence Shannon Jr. Mike Conley’s expiring contract had value, but moving him risked destabilizing the locker room. There were also whispers of a gentleman’s agreement that Connelly wouldn’t trade Conley out of respect for his desire to retire in Minnesota.

And then, just as the trade deadline approached, the rumor mill went thermonuclear.

Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Suddenly, this wasn’t about shoring up the point guard spot. It was about seismic, league-altering tectonic plates. A potential all-in move that would have sent shockwaves from Minneapolis to Milwaukee and coast-to-coast. If you squinted, you could see it: Ant and Giannis, the most explosive duo in the NBA. But if you looked closer, you also saw the cost. Jaden McDaniels? Naz Reid? Rudy Gobert? Julius Randle? Probably multiple of the above.

You’d get the league’s most terrifying two-man wrecking crew… and a skeleton roster behind them.

The fan base was split. Some wanted to push every chip into the middle of the table. Others understood that you don’t casually detonate a Western Conference Finals core when you’re already in the contender tier. Anthony Edwards is 24. His window isn’t closing tomorrow. There’s a difference between aggressive and reckless.

In the end, Giannis stayed put. The earthquake never hit.

Instead, Connelly went surgical.

First, he moved Mike Conley to Chicago, using his expiring deal as leverage. Then came the real strike: Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and second-round picks to the Bulls for Ayo Dosunmu.

It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t Giannis. But it was exactly what this team needed.

Dosunmu immediately addresses the Wolves’ most glaring weakness. He’s a legitimate ball-handler. He can get downhill. He can organize an offense without hijacking it. He fits next to Anthony Edwards rather than duplicating him. He gives Minnesota the kind of backcourt stability that’s been missing during those fourth-quarter offensive droughts that have cost them winnable games.

And then came the quiet genius part.

Conley was rerouted to Charlotte. A buyout loomed. And by all indications, Minnesota is positioned to bring him back into the fold after the All-Star break. Which means Connelly may have upgraded the position, used Conley’s contract as a tool, and honored the veteran’s wish to retire as “Minnesota Mike.”

That’s not just cap management. That’s relationship management. That’s culture building.

It’s no surprise his approval rating around Canis Hoopus is hovering in the plus-90’s. The few remaining Giannis dreamers can still cling to the possibility that the book isn’t fully closed this off-season, but realistically? Connelly just reinforced the current contender instead of tearing it apart.

The Western Conference Finals core remains intact.

Anthony Edwards is still the franchise centerpiece.

Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, and Julius Randle are all still here.

And now there’s Dosunmu in the mix, adding the type of guard play that could be the difference between another deep run and finally breaking through the glass ceiling.

The Wolves didn’t detonate their future chasing a headline. They patched the leak in the hull while keeping the ship seaworthy.

In a league where panic trades and ego-driven swings often dominate February, Minnesota played this one with discipline and vision.

So hats off to Tim Connelly. Not for the biggest move of the deadline, but for the smartest one. And as the Wolves head into the stretch run, they do so with something they didn’t fully have a few weeks ago:

Clarity.

The roster is set. The smoke has cleared. No savior is coming from the outside.

This is the group.

And thanks to one calculated, well-timed move, that group suddenly looks a little more complete, and a lot more dangerous, when June rolls around.

P.S. – The Wolves currently sit at +3000 to win the NBA Title on FanDuel Sportsbook, so now may be the time to pounce if you think Dosunmu can be the difference-maker this team needed to finally make it past the Conference Finals.

If there is one thing the Phoenix Suns have done this season, it is make their fan base proud, and that pride comes from the way they play, the way they compete, and the way they have pushed past expectations in a way that feels honest and earned. As a fan, you feel it. Because the last two seasons trained a lot of us to brace for disappointment, to disengage a little, to skip podcasts you knew would only mirror what you were watching night after night. It was a disconnected team playing disjointed basketball that made even SportsCenter feel pointless because there were no highlights worth sticking around for.

That feeling is gone.

Now the Suns keep rolling out moments that demand attention, sequences that make you sit up, rewind, and send a text. Around the league, respect has followed, not because of hype, but because of how this team operates together. Opposing fan bases see it too, the speed of the turnaround, the clarity of the identity, and more than a few of them wish their team could flip the switch the same way Phoenix has.

Friday night followed the same rhythm, with the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game tipping off and the Phoenix Suns being represented by their owner, Mat Ishbia, lacing them up for Team Anthony. Yes, that Anthony, Anthony Anderson. On the other sideline was Team Giannis, which meant one team had an actual NBA player attached to it and the other was captained by the Burger Shack employee from Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle, which honestly felt like a fair snapshot of the entire event.

The word “celebrity” always gets stretched pretty thin in these games, and I will openly admit I did not recognize about three-quarters of the people on the floor, which probably says more about my age and priorities than it does about the lineup. That said, I knew exactly who Mat Ishbia was, and watching him out there ended up being genuinely fun.

His team took the loss, but Ishbia brought energy and leaned into the moment. Mat took the court rocking a pair of Book 2 Fragments, a pair that All-Star guard Devin Booker debuted a few nights ago against the Dallas Mavericks.

He delivered the highlight of the night, a running jumper over 7’6” Tacko Fall (who casually dropped a 20/20 because, of course he did).

If you were searching for the clip that summed up the entire evening, that was the one. The Suns’ owner flying through the lane, letting it go, and reminding everyone that sometimes the most entertaining part of All-Star Weekend comes from the places you least expect.

Oh, and he outrebounded Fall, too.

He was out there playing Phoenix Suns basketball, pressing for 94 feet. Phoenix Suns basketball personified.

Once again, you cannot help but puff your chest out a little. Be proud of the Phoenix Suns fan in you. Mat Ishbia had himself a solid night, throwing behind-the-back passes, jumping passing lanes, and flashing that Michigan State DNA, the kind of edge and competitiveness that still traces back to his time under Tom Izzo and never really leaves you.

Night one, in the books.

Night two brings Devin Booker in the three-point contest. It has not been his best individual season, but it has been a strong year for the Suns, and that matters. Even sitting at +600, that is where I am putting my money. Booker.

And for the record, way to go, Mat Ishbia. Respect.

MILAN (AP) — Jordan Stolz wins his 2nd Olympic speedskating gold medal by adding the 500-meter title to the 1,000.

DUBLIN (AP) — Ireland got relief from a 20-13 home win over Italy in the Six Nations on Saturday, coming from behind at halftime and grinding out an unconvincing result.

Coach Andy Farrell wanted his slumping side to muzzle the doubters and make a statement after being blown away by France 36-14 last week, Ireland’s worst Six Nations loss in 16 years.

Instead, Italy reaffirmed it is no longer the tournament doormat, backing up its 18-15 opening win over Scotland by contributing daringly to a compelling match and being unfortunate. Italy had a try ruled out and another try missed by an unlucky bounce of the ball.

Way past 80 minutes, Italy's last attack was broken by an intercept by James Lowe, who took it to the Italy 22 and got a penalty. But instead of taking three points to rob Italy of a losing bonus point, Ireland went for a bonus-point fourth try and kicked the ball dead, ending the match.

Ireland's performance won’t worry England before their clash at Twickenham next weekend, when Italy goes to title favorite France.

From the kickoff, Ireland showed the intent that Farrell wished he'd seen more of in Paris last week. The attack flowed with wingers Robert Baloucoune — playing his first test in more than three years — and Lowe prominent.

Italy's defense was equal to the task, making two ruck turnovers. An Irish tap penalty was wasted when hooker Dan Sheehan was penalized for a high jump.

It took Italy winger Louis Lynagh's yellow card for a so-called deliberate knock-on to open a gap that Ireland exposed. Center Stuart McCloskey offloaded for fullback Jamie Osborne to score untouched. The easy conversion attempt was badly missed by Sam Prendergast.

As much as Ireland dominated the first 20 minutes, the second 20 was Italy's.

Fullback Lorenzo Pani spoiled a beautiful chip and chase when he offloaded too low for Michele Lamaro, who had only grass between him and the tryline.

After Ireland scrumhalf Craig Casey took a yellow card and bloodied nose from a passive high tackle on Italy's Lorenzo Cannone, Italy kicked to the corner, mauled the lineout and hooker Giacomo Nicotera scored. Paolo Garbisi's sideline conversion gave them a 10-5 lead.

Italy tighthead Simone Ferrari continued to have the edge on Ireland loosehead Jeremy Loughman and, near halftime, Italy's scrum shattered Ireland's. Italy waived the three points to gamble on seven. But the maul was stopped and the attack held up.

Still, Italy led at halftime in Dublin for the first time ever and was halfway to a first Six Nations win in the Irish capital.

The halftime lead lasted less than three minutes. Ireland sent a kickable penalty into the left corner and the lineout ball was used for Jack Conan to burrow over. Prendergast missed the conversion attempt badly again.

Italy should have retaken the lead thanks to sublime back play. Osborne had to make a try-saving tackle on counterpart Pani, then a Lynagh try was canceled after center Tommaso Menoncello ruined his lovely break with a forward pass.

That was Ireland's cue to send on Jamison Gibson-Park followed by Jack Crowley. The new pivots were decisive and sparked Ireland to attack from all parts. They earned the lead for the first time in 25 minutes when Baloucoune backed himself to beat two defenders to the tryline.

Crowley converted, added a penalty and Ireland was 20-10 up and rampant.

But Italy rallied again, and the scrum produced the rare sight of lifting Irish and Lions tighthead Tadhg Furlong off his feet.

Nothing else by Italy in the last 14 minutes was as stunning, and the visitor fell to its narrowest loss in Dublin in 18 years.

___

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

MADRID (AP) — Borja Iglesias scored in stoppage time, after having another seemingly good goal ruled out through VAR, to salvage a 2-2 draw for Celta Vigo at Espanyol in the Spanish league on Saturday.

A rueful Iglesias shook his head and smiled after having a 77th-minute goal disallowed when a long check determined there had been an offside infringement.

His frustrations grew when Ramón Terrats pulled the ball back for fellow substitute Tyrhys Dolan to score what he thought was the winner for Espanyol in the 86th minute.

But Iglesias equalized in the third minute of stoppage time when Pablo Durán set him up with his heel after a good run from Sergio Carreira.

“I think we’re doing a lot of things well,” said Iglesias, who felt he should have been awarded a penalty for the goal he had ruled out.

Celta’s Ferrán Jutglà broke the deadlock in the 38th after being set up by right back Javi Rueda, and Espanyol ’keeper Marko Dmitrovic made a flying save to thwart Carreira after the break.

Espanyol coach Manolo González made a triple substitution to rejig the home team, and it paid off when substitute Kike García equalized with a brilliant strike inside the post.

Terrats and Dolan thought they’d engineered a memorable comeback only for Iglesias to have the final say.

Espanyol remained sixth and Celta a point behind in seventh.

Real Madrid is hosting Real Sociedad later and aiming for an eighth successive league win to pressure Barcelona before the leader’s match at Girona on Monday.

After 23 rounds, Barcelona is leading Madrid by a point.

Also Saturday, fourth-place Villarreal is playing at mid-table Getafe, and Sevilla faces Alaves in a duel between two strugglers.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

The recurring question of the season surrounding Kansas basketball has become the availability of freshman star Darryn Peterson.

The projected top pick in the 2026 NBA draft has missed 11 games this season for the Jayhawks, including missing the Monday, Feb. 9 win over No. 1 Arizona. Questions have been raised about Peterson's presence on the team's bench against the Wildcats, despite being listed out due to flu-like symptoms.

Bracketology: Latest March Madness projection a month away from Selection Sunday

When the freshman guard has seen action this year, he has been fantastic: In 13 games this season, he is averaging 20.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game on 48.9% shooting. 

Here's the latest on Peterson's playing status as the Jayhawks go for their second top-five victory of the week:

With the NBA All-Star Game this long weekend, fans get to see an exhibition of the biggest stars in the league. As Washington Wizards fans, well, we know that our team won’t be in it. But at least it’s an interesting game to watch when players choose to put forth a decent effort.

Anyway, this week’s SB Nation Reacts survey was about how you felt about whether you understand the tournament format of the game. Only 42 percent did.

This year’s format is a four team affair with three teams, two made up of American players (Stars, Stripes) and one of non-Americans (World). There is a round robin before the final match.

I like the format of USA vs. the World, especially with the NBA’s best players all coming from outside the USA. But I agree that the format is confusing.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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