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Six players ejected from St. John's-Providence game after scuffle

St. John's vs. Providence turned chippy early in the second half of their men's basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 14,.

The two teams got into a scuffle after St. John's forward Bryce Hopkins — a former Providence standout — received a pass during a fast-break opportunity with 14:26 remaining in the second half. When he went to the rim, he was met with a hard foul by Providence's Duncan Powell, who rammed into Hopkins while attempting the transition block.

Hopkins quickly hopped off the floor and got in Powell's face before multiple players started a scuffle, delaying play.

REQUIRED READING: NCAA tournament bracketology: Latest projection a month away from Selection Sunday

Six players were ejected, including Powell, who was called for a Flagrant 2 foul and later threw a punch at Dillon Mitchell. Two Providence players — Powell and Jaylin Sellers — and four St. John's players — Mitchell, Kelvin Odih, Ruben Prey and Lefteris Liotopoulos — were removed from the game.

The game marked Hopkins' first game against the Friars since transferring away from the program after last season. Hopkins is averaging 13.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game this season and was the subject of multiple chants from Providence's student section.

Powell is in his first season with Providence after transferring from Georgia Tech. He started his career at North Carolina A&T and also spent a season at Sacramento State.

St. John's (19-5, 12-1 Big East) hasn't lost in over a month, last losing a game to Providence on Jan. 3. The Red Storm have won 10 straight games and are looking for their 11th in a row — and revenge against the Friars.

Providence (11-14, 4-10) is essentially eliminated from NCAA Tournament contention, barring an unlikely bid-stealing run with a Big East Conference Championship. Losing Sellers certainly won't help the cause, though, as he's averaging a team-high 17.4 points per game this season.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: St. John's, Providence basketball get into scuffle after hard foul

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Punch, Edwards lead TCU to 95-92 OT victory over Oklahoma State in game it never trailed

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — David Punch had 19 points, Xavier Edmonds posted a double-double and TCU never trailed but had to work overtime before beating Oklahoma State 95-92 on Saturday.

Punch and Micah Robinson both scored four, and Jayden Pierre hit a 3-pointer to help the Horned Frogs (16-9, 6-6 Big 12 Conference) prevail in the extra period after Parsa Fallah tipped in a missed 3-pointer by Jaylen Curry at the regulation buzzer for the Cowboys (16-9, 4-8) to tie it 84-all.

Punch added six rebounds and three steals before fouling out for TCU. Edmonds totaled 15 points and 10 rebounds. Pierre hit four 3-pointers and scored 16, adding six rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots. Harding hit three 3-pointers and scored 15 as the Horned Frogs sank 12 of 25 from distance. Robinson and reserve Tanner Toolson both scored 11.

Fallah made 10 of 13 shots and scored 27 to lead Oklahoma State in a third straight loss. Anthony Roy had 16 points and Kanye Clary totaled 13 points and nine assists before fouling out. Christian Coleman also scored 13 and Curry added 12 off the bench.

TCU came in averaging seven 3-pointers per game, but Pierre and Harding each sank two and the Horned Frogs hit seven in the first half to take a 39-34 lead at the break.

TCU, which has won three straight and was coming off a 62-55 victory over No. 5 Iowa State, led the whole second half until Fallah's tip-in tied it.

Pierre buried a 3-pointer following a layup by Robinson for a 91-86 lead and TCU held on.

Up next

TCU: At UCF on Tuesday.

Oklahoma State: Hosts No. 9 Kansas on Wednesday.

___

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Yankees Notes: Chase Hampton working his way back after Tommy John, Carlos Lagrange's 'bright future'

Yankees manager Aaron Boone spoke to the media following Saturday's workouts in Tampa…

Chase Hampton working his way back

It wasn't long ago that Hampton was the top pitching prospect in the Yankees system and the hype around the right-hander was at an all-time high. Unfortunately, Hampton had a flexor strain in spring training last year and underwent Tommy John surgery. That procedure took out a year of Hampton's career as he was making waves in the minor leagues.

Now, Hampton has returned to spring training looking to show the Yankees that he is on his way back to recapturing the form that made him a top prospect.

Boone was asked about Hampton's progression, and while vague, the Yankees skipper offered some encouraging signs.

"I don’t know his progression, so to speak. I’ve seen a couple of his bullpens now and it keeps ticking up," he said after Saturday's practice. "I know he is chomping at the bit for a little bit more because he is feeling really good as well. 

"Sometimes, when you’re a big prospect and you have a surgery that knocks you out, you get off that 'word of mouth' list as prospects are building their value. It’s important to remember how big of a year he had back in ‘24, and there’s still a lot of reason to be excited as he gets closer to being back to full bore. He looks pretty good right now."

In 2024, Hampton made seven starts between Low/High-A and Double-A as he returned from multiple injuries. He did end his year on a high note, allowing just four hits and no runs across 5.2 innings (two starts) and striking out four batters. 

When Boone was asked if Hampton could potentially pitch in spring training games, the longtime manager didn't want to "speak out of turn" and put a timeline on the youngster. 

Carlos Lagrange's 'bright future'

Usurping Hampton's spot as the Yankees' top pitching prospect is Lagrange. The team's No. 2 prospect -- behind only George Lombard Jr. -- is a non-roster invitee this spring and has already begun impressing Boone.

The Yankees skipper was asked what he thinks when he sees Lagrange pitch, and Boone listed off what the 6-foot-7 righty brings to the table.

"Sometimes, as a hitter, I struggle sometimes when a guy was big and had that downhill tilt," he said. "Freddy Garcia comes to mind from my era. I never liked the angle that he’s able to create. But it’s a big arm, he’s going to walk out there and throw 100 mph and the changeup is really good. It’s a hard changeup, downward action on it. A big guy like that, it’s about repeating the mechanics. I think he does a good job of that already as a young player."

Boone continued talking about Lagrange and made an interesting comp to another big righty who came through the Yankees system.

"Think back to when Dellin [Betances]was at his best…when he was on, you can see some consistently really bad swings against him. I think Carlos has a very bright future."

Lagrange had a solid 2025 between High-A and Double-A. He made 24 appearances (23 starts) and pitched to a 3.53 ERA while striking out 168 batters across 120.0 innings. Those numbers catapulted Lagrange to the top of the Yankees prospects list, and sits at No. 74 in all of baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. 

Paul Blackburn being built up as starter... for now

The Yankees' bullpen is one of the few unknowns going into spring training, which means Blackburn's role could be an evolving one in the next couple of months. 

The Yankees re-signed Blackburn and Ryan Yarbrough this offseason to fill almost the same role. They both have starting and bullpen experience, and they were both used in those roles in 2025. 

Boone was asked if they plan to build Blackburn up as a starter.

"He’ll get built up. We’ll build him and then keep evaluating, middle of spring, middle of March, where we’re out," he said. "Just depending on everything that’s happened, but we’re planning on building him, yes."

A season ago, the Yankees picked up Blackburn in August and used him as the long man in the bullpen. He made eight relief appearances, and after a couple of shaky starts to begin his tenure in the Bronx, Blackburn allowed just two runs in his final seven regular season appearances (12.0 IP).

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Padres add much-needed bat: Nick Castellanos

Potential San Diego Padres trade target Nick Castellanos of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images

According to New York Post national baseball writer Jon Heyman, the San Diego Padres and Nick Castellanos have agreed on a one-year deal. The move comes after the Philadelphia Phillies released the outfielder a few days ago. 

Castellanos was owed $20 million for the 2026 season. The Padres will pay the veteran’s minimum of $780K, and the Phillies will pick up the remainder of the salary. 

The right-handed slugger has played primarily as an outfielder in his 13-year major league career, but Castellanos has been seen working out at first base this winter, and the Friars are expected to play him at the position once he arrives in Peoria, Ariz.

He is coming to San Diego with some baggage, as his time in Philadelphia ended with controversy. The dispute stems from Phillies manager Rob Thomson’s decision to bench Castellanos following a dugout confrontation last season. The skipper removed the veteran for a defensive replacement late in a game against the Miami Marlins. 

Castellanos proceeded to confront Thomson about his decision in the dugout.

The 33-year-old posted a social media comment earlier this week to provide further clarification on the incident. Castellanos admitted to bringing a beer into the dugout after being taken out of the game. His teammates took the can away before he could open it.

Also, Castellanos confirmed that he apologized to the organization for his dugout actions in a postgame meeting with Thomson and Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski. 

The veteran outfielder batted .250 with 17 HR and 72 RBI in 147 games.

After trade negotiations failed to gain traction this offseason, the Phillies released Castellanos before the start of full-squad workouts.

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2026 NBA All-Star Saturday Night results: 3-Point Contest, Shooting Stars, Dunk Contest winners, best moments

INGLEWOOD, Calif. —It's All-Star Saturday night, which has become the most highly anticipated part of All-Star Weekend (as the All-Star Game itself has slid toward unwatchability — maybe USA vs World will change that). This year featured Damian Lillard winning the 3-Point Contest, the Knicks taking Shooting Stars, and a young Heat forward dancing his way to a Dunk Contest win.

Takeaways from All-Star Saturday Night — It’s Dame Time

Damian Lillard, a man who has not stepped on an NBA court all season but remains a fan favorite, won All-Star Saturday night.

Lillard won the 3-Point Contest, bringing smiles to everyone's faces.

The 3-Point Contest has become consistently the best part of All-Star Saturday night — it has the biggest names and it has the drama. It delivered on both of those things this year, with it coming down to Lillard — who is out for the season with a torn Achilles but recovered enough to participate in this event — and the Suns' Devin Booker. And it came down to the final shots.

After that high, the night lost a little momentum.

Team Knicks won the return of the Shooting Stars competition, giving them two trophies this season (they also won the NBA Cup), but not the one they are still aiming for. The keys to the win were twofold. First, they had the clutch Jalen Brunson shooting shots.

The other key, the Knicks "celebrity" passer was Rick Brunson, Jalen's father and a long-time NBA assistant coach, who knows how to throw a pass into a shooter's pocket. Other teams were not so lucky.

Inside the Intuit Dome, the energy was flat most of the night. The fans on the famed "Wall" — a group now called The Swell — tried, but even a nothing-but-the-hits, high-energy set from Ludacris could not get most of the fans to stand or make much noise. It was a passive crowd.

A good, but not great, Dunk Contest did not help that. Miami's Keshad Johnson was a deserving winner — he should have won it for the dancing alone.
Hopefully this year, with the USA vs. World format, will be the year that the actual All-Star Game is a better show than All-Star Saturday night. But if so, it's got some work to do.

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Lillard said entering 3-Point Contest started as joke

Entering the 3-point Contest on All-Star Saturday night was not on Damian Lillard's radar.

He was planning a vacation, and made a joke to his agent, and one thing led to another.

"It started off as kind of a joke. I was just like -- I was talking to (Michael) Levine about vacation and where I was going and stuff like that, and I was like, if y'all need somebody to shoot, I'm available to do it," Lillard said after his win. "We laughed about it, and he was like, it's full right now, but if something opens up I'll let you know. Something opened up, and he was like, you know, were you serious about that? And I was like, you know that I'm always serious. If there's a spot, sign me up. He was like, are you serious? I was like, yeah."

Lillard is out for the season after tearing his Achilles last playoffs, but he is at the point in his recovery that he is already shooting a lot of stand-still jumpers, just like the ones you take during the 3-point Contest.

"It didn't really take much," Lillard said of his prep. "I think I've done it enough times. I think this was my sixth time."

And he is now a three-time winner.

50! Best dunk of night was this from Carter Bryant

San Antonio's Carter Bryant had the best dunk of the night — it got 50s across the board from the judges.

Bryant just needed a good, last second-round dunk to win the contest, but he tried to go between the legs, off the backboard, and missed it a couple of times. By the time he threw down a simple reverse dunk just to get one up before the clock ran out, he had blown his chance to win it all.

Miami’s Keshad Johnson dances way to Dunk Contest title

Every time he threw it down, Miami's Keshad Johnson did a little dance to get the crowd hyped. It got him hyped and the young Heat player is your new Dunk Contest Champion.

This was the Oakland native's best dunk of the night, his first of the second round.

This is the dunk that finished it off for him.

Carter Bryant vs Keshad Johnson in Dunk Contest Finals

This is the dunk that got Johnson to the Dunk Contest Finals (a "safe" dunk after he missed a couple).

This dunk was impressive, not good enough for Hayes to advance

The Lakers' Jaxson Hayes did not advance to the final round, but this was still an impressive second dunk by the big man, tapping it to himself then going between the legs.

This dunk got Keshad Johnson first-round lead

After one round of dunks, it's the Heat's Keshad Johnson in the lead after this dunk.

The only thing holding back his score was that it was his second attempt (which is not an official penalty, but judges tend to penalize first dunk misses).

Windmill from Carter, reverse off the bounce from Richardson

The first two dunks of the All-Star Dunk Contest were scored almost the same by the judges — and both were impressive.

From Carter Bryant.

And from Jase Richardson.

Ludacris got everyone to stand up at Intuit Dome

Ludacris brought the energy — and it got Intuit Dome on its feet (as much as one can do with any LA crowd).

Dunk Contest participants, format

We will have a new Dunk Contest champion this year because three-time winner Mac McClung has hung up his dunking shoes (for now, at least).

Format: Same as it ever was. Each player gets two first-round dunks, and the two players with the highest combined score advance to a Finals round where they can do two more dunks.

The participants: Carter Bryant (Spurs), Jaxson Hayes (Lakers), Keshad Johnson (Heat), Jase Richardson (Magic)

It’s worth noting that Jase's father, Jason Richardson, won this event twice and is mentoring his son for the competition.

The judges for this year’s Dunk contest are: Dominique Wilkins, Brent Barry, Dwight Howard and Corey Maggette. Barry and Maggette are both former Clippers.

Team Knicks takes home Shooting Stars title

After watching Team Cameron put up 38 points, Team Knicks scored 47 to win the second event of NBA All-Star Saturday Night. Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and Allan Houston handled the shooting, while current Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson handled the passing.

Team Knicks, Team Cameron advance to Shooting Stars final

It's New York vs. Duke alums in the finals of the Shooting Stars.

With Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson firing pinpoint passes to his son Jalen Brunson, plus Karl-Anthony Towns and Allen Houston, Team Knicks had the best first-round score in Shooting Stars with 27. They advance to the Finals, going against Team Cameron (as in Cameron Indoor Stadium) made up of Duke Alums.

Team Cameron starts hot in Shooting Stars

Duke guys can shoot. Team Cameron started out hot with Kon Knuppel, Jalen Johnson and the old head Corey Maggette
knocking down shots and putting up 24 in the first round of the Shooting Stars. Those Blue Devils will advance to the final round.

Team All-Star stumbled to 16 points in the first round. Team Harper did better with 18.

Shooting Stars returns to All-Star Saturday

After an 11-year absence, the Shooting Stars competition is back on All-Star Saturday night (replacing the Skills Competition, which is on hiatus).

Format: It’s pretty straightforward, four three-man teams shoot jump shots worth a designated amount of points from different spots around the court, with each team getting 70 seconds to score as many points as they can. The top two finishers then compete in a final round.

The four teams are:

Team All-Star: Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors), Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder) and Richard Hamilton

Team Cameron: Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks), Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets) and Corey Maggette

Team Harper: Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs), Ron Harper Jr. (Boston Celtics) and Ron Harper Sr.

Team Knicks: Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Karl-Anthony Towns (New York Knicks) and Allan Houston

Who won Shooting Stars the last time it happened back in 2015? Chris Bosh, Dominique Wilkins and WNBA legend Swin Cash.

It’s always Dame Time: Lillard wins State Farm 3-Point Contest

Despite not playing in a game this season as he recovers from a ruptured Achilles tendon, Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard reminded the masses what they've been missing. After scoring 27 points in the first round, he put up 29 in the final round, outlasting Phoenix's Devin Booker.

Booker went into his money rack with a chance to win the title but missed his final three attempts to finish on 27. Lillard is now a three-time champion of the event, joining Larry Bird and Craig Hodges.

Damian Lillard advances with 27, hot Devin Booker takes lead

Damian Lillard still knows how to shoot.

He hasn't set foot on an NBA court this season due to a torn Achilles, but he walked out on the Intuit Dome court, got hot at the end and finished with 27 points, enough to advance to the Finals.

Devin Booker looked composed as he just drained shot after shot to get to 30 points.

Jaylen Brown wants to add 1-on-1 to All-Star Weekend

The Unrivaled 1-on-1 competition this week has been compelling, prompting more people to float the idea of adding it to the NBA All-Star Weekend.

Boston's Jaylen Brown is in.

"I'm actually a big fan of the one-on-one..." Brown said. "I actually love watching it, because it reminds me of the purity of the game. Like, it's just mano y mano. You got people on the court talking trash. You've got to play two sides. You got to be an offensive and a defensive player. I think that will be great.

"And then you could do it like boxing, like you can call a guy out and challenge some people. There are some people I would love to challenge. Some people that are here this weekend I would love to challenge. All of them, Luka, Shai, Brunson, Donovan. I would challenge all them guys, one-on-one. We could donate to whatever charity. Let's set it up."

If the league could get the stars to sign up — unlike the Dunk Contest — this would be awesome.

Kon Knuppel starts 3-point contest out hot

Everyone's favorite sharp-shooting rookie showed why Hornets fans love him — Kon Knuppel put up an impressive score of 27 in his first-round outing. Damn.

Donovan Mitchell was good with 24 points, going 9-of-10 from the corners.

Adam Silver: Vote on expansion coming in 2026

Adam Silver was vague on details when it came to NBA Expansion, but he said that a decision will be made in the 2026 calendar year — just not in March when the Board of Governors (the owners) next meet. But at some point.

If (when?) the owners vote to expand, Silver said the next step is to go to the marketplace to determine which cities and who might be interested in owning those teams in those cities. As if we don't already know that — it will be Seattle and Las Vegas. Ownership groups are quietly lined up in both cities. But the league continues to take the process slowly.

One thing is clear, Silver said, "Relocation of franchises is not on the table."

3-Point contest participants, format

It has become the signature event of NBA All-Star Saturday — it has the big names, it has the drama — and this year it's batting leadoff. Here's what you need to know about the 2026 NBA 3-Point Contest.

Participants: Devin Booker (Suns), Kon Knuppel (Hornets), Damian Lillard (Trail Blazers), Tyrese Maxey (76ers), Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers), Jamal Murray (Nuggets), Bobby Portis (Bucks), Norman Powell (Heat).

Format: Nothing has changed here. There are five racks of five balls spaced around the 3-point arc, and one rack contains nothing but red, white and blue “money balls” that are worth two points (regular balls are worth one). There are two “from the logo” balls set up further back (on either side of the halfcourt logo) worth three points. There are two rounds, everyone shoots in the first round and the three highest scores advance to a championship round (scores are not cumulative).

Two-time 3-Point Contest winner Damian Lillard may be out for the season with a torn Achilles suffered in last season's playoffs, but he is well enough to take the court for this year's contest. He is a legit threat to take the whole thing.

Adam Silver, is tanking worse this year? “Yes”

The first question for NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in his annual All-Star press conference was about tanking, and part of that question was whether tanking is worse this year:

"Yes, is my view," Silver said. " Which was what led to those fines [of Jazz and Pacers], and not just those fines but to my statement that we're going to be looking more closely at the totality of all the circumstances this season in terms of teams' behavior, and very intentionally wanted teams to be on notice."

He later added, "It's so clear that the incentives are misaligned."

Later, in a question about parity, he said, "We need a new way of looking at things... we are looking at every possible answer."

That said, he admitted this season — with a particularly deep draft and what is projected to be a couple of soft drafts after it — has made things worse. He was vague when discussing what could be done about it, which is understandable because there is no simple, clean answer to solve this (or it would have already been done).

Antetokounmpo on calf: “I feel good. I feel 100%"

Giannis Antetokounmpo will not be playing in the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday due to a calf injury, but he still spoke to the media on Saturday and said he felt fine.

"I feel good. I feel 100%, to be honest with you..." Antetokounmpo said. "When you come back from an injury and you go through the rehab, you gotta check the boxes, right? So I gotta do things. I feel like the break doesn’t help, because now I gotta get on the court, I gotta play some 1-on-1, 3-on-3, 5 vs. 5. Players are on vacation right now, so it’s kinda hard for me to do that.

"So once I check all those boxes, I’m ready to go. I feel like I can play a game today."

Calf strains, like hamstring and groin strains, are tricky. Players feel fine, but the muscle isn't fully healed, and it's easy to not only re-injure it but also make things worse. The Bucks medical staff is protecting Antetokounmpo from himself. However, he is expected to return soon after the All-Star break, and with that, the Bucks could push up into the play-in tournament.

Jase Richardson found Dunk Contest coach — his father, who won it twice

Jase Richardson may play in the NBA, but he is like every other 20-year-old in America in one crucial way: His eyes roll back into his head whenever his father is giving him advice.

It doesn't matter that Jase's dad is Jason Richardson, 13-year NBA veteran.

Except, it's a little different this week because Jase is participating in the AT&T Dunk Contest on All-Star Saturday Night — an event his father won. Twice.

"He's listening to me. It's like the first time in 20 years he's actually listening to what I had to say when it comes to basketball," Jason told NBC Sports with a laugh. "So it's actually pretty cool that he is asking me questions, coming up with a game plan."

Check out the full story here.

How to Watch All-Star Saturday Night

When: Saturday, February 15
Where: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Time: 5:00 PM ET
Live Stream: NBC and Peacock

LeBron James not at All-Star media day. Again.

As has been the case for four years now, LeBron James is taking All-Star Saturday off. He will do a separate press conference on Sunday.

The media's reaction is largely a shrug. It was expected.

As a reminder, LeBron holds the record for All-Star selections (22), All-Star starts (20), and points in the All-Star Game (434).

Cade Cunningham gives Isaiah Stewart his flowers

Cade Cunningham is back for his second All-Star Game, and teammate Jalen Duren is in Los Angeles for his first, a deserving representation for the No. 1 seed in the East. But who on that team is going unheralded?

"First name, Isaiah Stewart," Cunningham said. "He was the first one. He's the longest-tenured Piston so far right now. He's just been through the mud with the team. Never changed. Just continued to work. He's had so many different roles that he's had to play, but every year he just works his tail off and then he finds a way to contribute. Isaiah Stewart is by far the first name to come to mind."

Stewart is currently serving a seven-game suspension for coming off the bench into a fight with the Hornets. DeMarcus Cousins, sitting in the front row at Cunningham's press conference, asked him whether he would pick up some of those fines for Stewart (who will lose more than $700,000 in salary while out). Cunningham paused and smiled.

"No, I would, though. I would," Cunningham said, noting Stewart is doing just fine financially. "That's my brother, man. Like you said, he's just the ultimate competitor. He's somebody that's going to have your back like nobody else. I mean, it's costly. It's costly. But he's the man. I wouldn't trade him for the world. He's the best teammate you could ask for."

Who is Tyrese Maxey’s All-Time Kentucky Starting 5

DeMarcus Cousins was sitting in the front row of Tyrese Maxey's press conference and asked the former Wildcat guard what his all-time Kentucky starting five would be.

"I'm just going to go Coach Cal era... I'm definitely going to go to a taller lineup. I'm going you [Cousins] at the five. I'm going AD [Anthony Davis] at the four, I want to go D-Book [Devin Booker] at the three. I'm not going to put myself in there [smiling]. I'm going to go Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander] at my one, and then I want to say, I'm going to go Jamal [Murray] — I got John Wall too? I got to go John Wall.... I was John Wall when I was a kid.

"So John Wall, Shai, D-Book, you and AD. That's going to be my five."

NBA All-Star Saturday Night event schedule

State Farm 3-Point Contest - First Event - 5 p.m. ET

Damian Lillard appears on the court for the first time this season — he tore his Achilles during the playoffs last year and is out for the year, but is moving well enough and is back for this event. Lillard is a two-time winner but this is a stacked competition including Devin Booker (Suns), Kon Knuppel (Hornets), Tyrese Maxey (76ers), Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers), Jamal Murray (Nuggets), Bobby Portis (Bucks), Norman Powell (Heat).

Kia Shooting Stars - Second Event

An oldie and a goodie is back after an 11-year absence. For those that don't remember, current NBA players team up with legends of the past in three-man teams who shoot jump shots worth a designated amount of points from different spots around the court. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns highlight Team Knicks, with Alan Houston, for example. Dylan Harper and Scottie Barnes will also be out on the court.

AT&T Slam Dunk Contest - Third Event

We will have a new champion this year as three-time champion Mac McClung is taking the year off. This year's winners will come from Carter Bryant (Spurs), Jaxson Hayes (Lakers), Keshad Johnson (Heat). Jase Richardson (Magic, who is being coached by his father Jason Richardson, who won this event twice).

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Discover what to watch at the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics with OLI, NBCUniversal’s AI guide for events, athletes, schedules, medal counts, and personalized highlights.

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Will USA vs. World spark competitive All-Star Game? Victor Wembanyama thinks so

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Everyone wants the same thing: A competitive All-Star Game.

Fans want it. Adam Silver desperately wants it (remember the eye roll while handing out the trophy a year ago?) Media (and media partners) want it.

Will a new USA vs. World format finally give everyone what they want?

While the timing of the 2026 NBA All-Star Game falling during the intense international competition at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics was fortuitous, the idea of a USA vs. World format for the All-Star Game has been around for years.

The hope is that playing for their countries might spark a competitive fire under otherwise apathetic players at the All-Star Game. It was something the NHL got last year with its Four Nations Face-Off, and the NBA was envious.

When the idea of a USA vs. World game was floated after last year's defense-free All-Star Game, it was the international players who seemed more into the idea.

That remains the case.

"I'm never stepping onto the court to lose, you know, or not caring," said the Spurs Victor Wembanyama, who was voted a World starter by the fans. "Just like at home, I'm never stepping into a board game, not caring or thinking I'm gonna lose or I'm thinking it's okay to lose.

"So I'll be out there, might as well win."

The old heads of the NBA are not on the same page. Told of what Wembanyama said, USA All-Star Kevin Durant's response was cynical and telling.

"We'll see…

"You should ask the Europeans and the World team if they're going to compete," Durant said with a laugh to reporters Wednesday night. "If you look at Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic now, let's go back and look at what they do in the All-Star Game. Is that competition? So we haven't questioned what they've been doing. But we're going to question the old heads, and the Americans.

"But these two dudes out there, Luka and Jokic, they don't care about the game at all. These dudes be laying on the floor. They're shooting from half court. But you've got to worry about the old heads playing hard? I can read between the lines, bro. It's just an overall topic that everybody's been talking about."

Will it work?

There is hope — if Wembanyama leads a couple of other guys to play hard, maybe things catch on.

"I just talked to Scottie [Barnes], and we said all this stuff and all that. I told him, 'Listen, I want to win. I'm here. We here, so let's win...'" Philadelphia's Tyrese Maxey said. "[Barnes is] the type of guy that'll pick up full-court. If you bring that type of energy, I'm pretty sure the rest of us young guys will do the same, you know what I'm saying? I want to have fun and make it competitive and do those different things.

"I don't want to lose to the OGs, you know what I mean? That gives them the trash-talking in the world. I'm just competitive like that in that aspect, you know what I'm saying? If I see these guys in two weeks when we play against them, those are bragging rights, those are fun to have. I think it gives a fun viewership for our fans if we're out there competing."

Nikola Jokic, like Durant, is less sure.

"For me, I'm going to play like I played every year..." Jokic said. "I'm not sure that it is going to bring another fire to me, no, because I play every game same. So to me, not."

USA Stripes coach Mitch Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs said it will come down to the players.

"I think there can be a level of competitive and playing hard that can strike a balance in a game like that, where it doesn't feel, maybe like it's too unserious, I guess," Johnson said. "I don't know what that balance is, and I think the players have to be the ones that set the tone in a situation like that.

"And I think they also deserve the right, they've earned the right to set that tone, whatever that tone might be. Those guys are there during a break for everybody else. They give a lot of time and a lot of sacrifice to be there. And I think they all are very, very deserving to be able to voice whatever they think that experience or weekend should look like."

Jokic has an idea of how it might shake out.

"We are going to have OGs [USA Stripes], maybe they're going to play the most," Jokic said. "They're going to try to prove they can still be in this league. They are really good players. Probably all of them are Hall of Famers... I think Europeans are going to probably pass the ball a lot and have fun out there. OGs is probably going to win it, and the third team is probably going to dunk the most times."

USA vs. World format

The format for the USA vs. the World is necessarily unique.

Three teams of eight (or nine for the World, if Luka Dončić plays) will compete in a round-robin format, culminating in a championship game. The teams are:

USA Stars: Scottie Barnes, Devin Booker, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Anthony Edwards, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Johnson, Tyrese Maxey

USA Stripes: Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Kevin Durant, Brandon Ingram, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Donovan Mitchell, De'Aaron Fox

World Team: Deni Avdija, Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, Alperen Sengun, Pascal Siakam, Karl-Anthony Towns, Victor Wembanyama, Norman Powell

(Note: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were voted in as starters by the fans but are out due to injuries. They have been replaced on the rosters.)

Those three teams will play in a round-robin tournament:

Game 1: USA Stars (younger) vs. World
Game 2: Winner of Game 1 vs. USA Stripes (older)
Game 3: Loser of Game 1 vs. USA Stripes
Game 4: Championship game featuring top two teams from first rounds. (If all the teams are tied 1-1, it comes down to point differential.)

Will having the World Team and Wembanyama play first increase the intensity in this game? Tune in at 5 p.m. Sunday on NBC and Peacock to find out.

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Cole Certa scores career-high 37 points and Notre Dame tops Georgia Tech 89-74

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Cole Certa scored a career-high 37 points, including a career-high seven 3-pointers, and Notre Dame rolled past Georgia Tech 89-74 on Saturday to snap a five-game losing streak.

Certa made 12 of 20 shots and was 7 for 11 from distance to go with 6-for-6 at the free-throw line. It was the sophomore's second-career 30-point game, the other coming five games prior when he scored 34 against Virginia. He averages 10.9 points per game and has only one other game with as many as 20 points.

The Fighting Irish made their first four shots of the second half and extended their 12-point halftime lead to 53-35. Later in the half, Certa scored 12 consecutive Notre Dame points, and the Fighting Irish led 80-59 with three minutes remaining. They scored their last 11 points at the free-throw line.

Braeden Shrewsberry scored 20 points, and Logan Imes had 14 for Notre Dame (12-14, 3-10 ACC). Imes and Carson Towt each had nine rebounds.

Baye Ndongo had 14 points and 12 rebounds for Georgia Tech (11-15, 2-11). Kowacie Reeves Jr. scored 16 points, Jaeden Mustaf 14 and Akai Fleming 13.

Notre Dame buried 11 3-pointers in the first half, including five from Certa and four from Shrewsberry. Notre Dame led 45-33 at halftime.

For the game, Notre Dame made 14 of 28 3-point tries, and Georgia Tech made 11 of 30.

The win was Notre Dame's 12th in a row at home against Georgia Tech, and the Irish lead the overall series 20-14.

Georgia Tech has now lost six in a row.

Up next

Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets head home to play No. 15 Virginia on Wednesday.

Notre Dame: at Pitt on Saturday.

___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

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Montgomery signed, Kent DFA’d

PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 01: Jordan Montgomery #52 of the Texas Rangers celebrates after winning against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 5 of the 2023 World Series at Chase Field on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The Texas Rangers officially signed Jordan Montgomery on Friday. To make room for him on the 40 man roster, the team has designated pitcher Zak Kent for assignment.

We discussed the Montgomery addition earlier in the week when the news that he would be coming back to Texas was first reported. He will start the season on the injured list, and will presumably be on the 60 day injured list at some point when the Rangers need to open up a 40 man roster spot. He will presumably start a rehab assignment in June, and if all goes well, could be part of the Rangers’ rotation at some point in July. With Nathan Eovaldi and Jacob deGrom as part of the Rangers’ rotation currently, Texas has the rare opportunity to have three two-time Tommy John surgery guys in their rotation this year.

Zak Kent, meanwhile, will presumably be put on waivers, with an eye towards trying to get him outrighted. Originally drafted by the Rangers, he was purchased by Cleveland at the end of spring training in 2024, claimed on waivers from Cleveland by St. Louis in December, and then claimed by the Rangers from St. Louis last month.

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Ryan Weathers opens up to The Post about what it means to be a Yankee and his ‘bulldog mentality’

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows serbyqnaweb
serbyqnaweb

New Yankees starting pitcher Ryan Weathers, who arrived in a January trade with the Marlins, takes a swing at some spring training Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby. 

Q: When you think of the New York Yankees, what do you think of? 

A: Did you ever watch the movie “Everyone’s Hero”? When I was younger, it’s an animated movie and he wanted to play for the Yankees (laugh). That’s the movie I think of. 

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Q: What do you think of when you think of the Yankees’ tradition and former players, etc.? 

A: Oh, I mean, it’s awesome. When you think about what that logo carries, I mean, that New York logo. It hasn’t been changed since they became the New York Yankees, and it’s just a logo that’s recognized throughout the whole world, the pinstripes. … Every team tries to emulate the pinstripes and it never looks the same, it’s like you can’t get away from like the classic pinstripes the Yankees carry. It’s just cool for my name to be even associated with the New York Yankees. 

Q: Have you actually put on the pinstripes? 

A: I’ve put on the pants, I haven’t put on the full uni, but I got to put on the pants for the last couple of days, and it just feels so cool and just it’s such an honor to be able to wear ’em. 

Q: What do you remember about the first time you pitched at Yankee Stadium, April 10, 2024? 

A: One, just the crowd, just how into the game they were. Obviously I was pitching with the Marlins, but you know, getting chirped in the bullpen … that stuff just doesn’t leave your brain. You walk in the Stadium and you see in right center George Steinbrenner’s mural, you got the Judge’s Chambers. It’s such a cool ballpark, it’s just an ode to history of the Yankees. It’s just really cool to pitch there. I cannot wait to be on the home team pitching there. 

New York Yankees pitcher Ryan Weathers watching a workout at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Q: When you were getting chirped, what did you hear? 

A: (Laugh) Just normal banter, just whatever, but it just shows you just how into the game the crowd is. What’s cool about Yankee fans is they understand the game, and they want to be a part of the game and it’s just a very neat atmosphere. 

Q: What will it be like pitching on the big stage under the bright lights? 

A: I could not be more excited to pitch, because at the end of the day, you’re either going to throw the ball well or you don’t. If you start worrying about being in New York and … if you let that stuff creep into your mind, it’s just going to take you away from doing your job. My job is go out there and do the best that Ryan Weathers can do and help the New York Yankees win games. Thankfully I’ve been in the big leagues for a couple of years, and I thank the Marlins for letting me get my feet under me, and they let me fail at that level and learn from it. So I cannot be more excited to pitch for the Yankees. 

Q: How does failure weigh on the mind of a pitcher? 

A: If you’re a bullpen guy, you have to have the ability to flush it because you could be in the ballgame the next day. As a starter, it can be tough sometimes because you want to get back out there so bad, but you have to wait four or five days to get back out there. I think the biggest thing I learned from failure was just it’s three games in a row you’ve gotten hit the same way or given up runs the same way, are you going to continue to pitch the same way, or are you going to try to change it up and learn from staying out of a certain part of the plate? I really leaned on my dad a lot just with the failure. Anybody can prep for your whole life, but until you actually have to face failure yourself and look yourself in the mirror … The thing that got me through it is everybody loves you when you’re doing well, and when you’re doing bad, you’re the only person that can bring yourself out from that hole, and you just learn how to just scratch the bottom of the barrel and work yourself out and just put your nose to the grindstone. 

Q: How would you describe your mound mentality? 

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Ryan Weathers throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Sept. 24, 2025, in Philadelphia. AP

A: When the game starts I would definitely say I’m a pitcher that sees red. My biggest goal is it’s good to have the bulldog mentality. There’s times you use it. And then there’s not letting one pitch bleed into the next. That’s what I’ve really been working on the last couple of years. I want when somebody looks out there on the mound, if there was no scoreboard, I don’t want them to know if I’ve been pitching seven shutout or if I’m in the second inning getting crushed. I want to keep the same even keel the whole time I’m out there. 

Q: Never let them see you sweat in other words. 

A: For sure. 

Q: A pitcher who sees red? 

A: I don’t know what it is, but when I get on the mound, I think you just kind of black out and you’re really focused on the task at hand … just want to be aggressive in the zone, want to pitch at 130 pitches (chuckle) whatever it may be, you just want to stay out there. 

Q: What drives you? 

A: I would definitely say my wife [Thayer]. I have a baby boy coming in April. What’s incredible about this game and this job is when you treat it like a job, you can set up generational wealth for your family, you can put your kids through college, sometimes at the age of 40 you can be done, and you can just watch all of your kids play every sport. That’s what my dad [ex-Yankees pitcher David] did for me. I saw the toll that it took off of my mom, and I just want to be able to do the same for my wife. Family drives me in everything. 

Q: Would you want your son to be a pitcher one day? 

A: I want my son to be whatever he wants to (chuckle), but I wouldn’t mind a left-handed pitcher, a switch-hitting catcher though (laugh). 

Miami Marlins pitcher Ryan Weathers throws a pitch during the first inning. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Q: The Padres drafted you seventh overall in 2018. Was there pressure? 

A: My 19-, 20-year-old year, I kind of had a quick buildup to the big leagues, so I didn’t really have time to listen to any of that, or worry about any of that, because at the age of 20 I just got thrusted into the division series [2020 against the Dodgers] and didn’t really have time (laugh) to worry about any of that. But no, I don’t think it creates any pressure or anything like that. I got teammates from the first round all the way to the 25th round, coming from junior college, high school … you name it. Baseball’s baseball, and it’s always going to be baseball. 

Q: Has your career been what you expected of yourself so far? 

A: I feel like when I’m on the field I feel like that I can help the team win ballgames. Problem is the past year-and-a-half is I haven’t been on the field [left forearm and left lat strains]. I want to pride myself on being available. Recently I have not been available. But hopefully that all changes this year. The Yankees have me on a really good program. We were trending really good in the offseason. We’re trending really good right now in spring training, and hopefully I can stay on the field. 

Q: Why do you believe the best is yet to come for Ryan Weathers? 

A: I can’t really answer that, only the Good Lord knows that. I just know that the Yankees are putting me in a good spot to be healthy. I don’t care what my numbers are, I just want to go out there and be available for [manager Aaron] Booney and the Yankees, and whatever capacity they need me, I just want to be able to pitch from March all the way until whenever our last game is. 

Q: What is your best baseball moment? 

A: If he ever sees this or anything, he’ll kill me, but one of my buddies with the Marlins, Brax Garrett, in 2021 I hit a homer off him in Miami to dead center, and when I got traded [from the Padres on Aug. 1, 2023], we ended up being really, really good friends (laugh). Now that I know him really well, that’s one of the coolest moments I’ve had because he’s a really good dude. We just had so much banter about that in the clubhouse, and it was definitely one of the coolest things. 

Q: Worst baseball moment — would that be catcher Nick Fortes accidentally hitting you last June in the back of the head with a warmup throw to second base? 

A: (Laugh) I wouldn’t say that’s the worst moment. Fortes is one of my boys, we eat breakfast together, we’re hanging out in the locker room all the time playing pool, whatever it may be. That was tough all around, because it was totally unintentional and he didn’t mean to do that. … I would say my worst baseball day was probably … the turning point in my mental part of the game in my career. I just got traded to the Marlins, and I didn’t pitch for about 12 days, and then I got recalled to pitch against the Rangers and I came out of the bullpen, and I got whacked all over the ballpark. I got optioned after the game, and I remember going to my hotel room being like, “I cannot do this game anymore, this is brutal.” I remember my wife told me, she goes, “Are you going to go back to school?” And I was like, “You know what? I’m going to figure this out. I am not going back to school (laugh).” That really gave me perspective in the game, and I went down to Triple-A, and that Triple-A team in Jacksonville made me re-love the game. If I wouldn’t have went through that worst day of my entire career, I don’t think I could be where I’m at now. 

Q: Was that a bigger adversity for you than the injuries? 

A: For sure. The injuries were just so weird. You couldn’t really label them as major injuries. They were in between minor and major just to the point where like I could not pitch through them. I had the finger injury in 2024, the injury only happens in rock climbers, and somehow on a baseball field that happened. … I did not want to not pitch last year, I did not want to have [just] eight starts. 

Q: Do you remember running around the 2004 clubhouse when your father pitched for the Mets? 

A: (Laugh) I very vaguely remember the Mets. That was when I was about 3 and 4 years old. I remember most of my time in Cincinnati. 

Q: Did your father show you his 1996 Yankees World Series ring? 

A: I’ve seen his ring from ’96 and I’ve seen his Toronto one, I think, from ’91. 

Q: Did he tell you stories about the ’96 Yankees? 

David Weathers of the New York Yankees throws a pitch during a game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. Getty Images

A: He told me it’s one of his favorite moments was when he punched out Javy Lopez [Game 6]. He said it was one of the moments in his career that was like, “Holy cow!” Like the whole Yankee Stadium erupting. 

Q: Whatever comes to mind: Aaron Judge. 

A: MVP … Captain. You’re not the Captain of the Yankees by accident. It’s been cool seeing from not being on his team what he’s done for the game of baseball and then being on his team, just how he carries himself. He’s a first-class human being. He’s awesome. Just a really good dude. 

Q: Have you picked Max Fried’s brain yet? 

A: We have these spin balls that we use, you color the ball where you can see your four-seam spin and your breaking ball spin, and he’s got me hooked on those playing catch. 

Q: Gerrit Cole. 

A: Just from my interactions with him and talking to him, like a really, really good knowledge for the game. Obviously Cy Young pitcher, really good dude, really controls the pitching staff, just a good leader for us. His body of work speaks for itself, and it’s cool getting to watch him do that. 

Q: Describe your wife, Thayer, and mom, Kelli. 

A: My wife, she played volleyball at the University of Florida. She’s an athlete. I watched her play on two torn hip labrums. I’ve seen her go through that pain. She’s a rock star, she’s the rock of our family. She’s a wonderful human being, one of the best cooks I know in the entire world. She takes care of the house. She is just a hard worker. … And when I think of my mom, my dad in summer couldn’t be at all of my games, and I remember her taking me every day, every other Tuesday, Thursday in Florence, Kentucky. I played in the machine pitch league one year that when we were in Cincinnati, and her running me around Florence, Kentucky, just playing all these games. 

She’s been the rock of our family. I was always her travel buddy when Dad played. I got to play hoops when I was in high school, and that was what she played when she was in college. So it was cool getting to share that with her. I’m her only son, so that mother-son bond, it’s awesome, and as I get older the more I appreciate what she did for me in my younger years and through high school and even through now … when we’re going from the house and her taking care of our house. She’s a mother, and I love her. 

Q: Other than your dad, who were your favorite baseball players growing up? 

A: Clayton Kershaw’s definitely one, being a left-handed pitcher, first time I had seen him in person I was like a kid in a candy shop, it was so cool. Position players, I loved watching Ken Griffey Jr. Joey Votto was always fun to watch. 

Q: You played basketball in high school. 

A: I was a shooter. I didn’t really play a whole lot of defense. Just put me in the corner and let me fling it. 

Q: Three dinner guests? 

A: Jesus, Tiger Woods, FDR [Franklin Delano Roosevelt]. I’d like to know how he got us though in the ’40s, that’d be cool. 

Q: Favorite movie? 

A: “Sweet Home Alabama.” 

Q: Favorite actor? 

A: Vince Vaughn. 

Starting pitcher Ryan Weathers #35 of the Miami Marlins throws against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Coors Field on September 17, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. Getty Images

Q: Favorite actress? 

A: I love Debra [Patricia Heaton] of “Everybody Loves Raymond.” 

Q: Favorite entertainers” 

A: Toby Keith and Morgan Wallen. 

Q: Favorite meal? 

A: Steak, all day every day of the week. 

Q: How hungry are you to win a World Series? 

A: That’s the pinnacle of the sport. It starts with all of us, one person can’t do it. This is a really fun team to be a part of, really good team camaraderie, and I look forward to pitching for these guys and having them play behind me, and hopefully we can win some ballgames, and just see where it takes us.

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Bell, Camden combine for 10 3-pointers, help Cal cruise past Boston College 86-75

BOSTON (AP) — Chris Bell made six 3-pointers and scored 22 points to help California cruise past Boston College 86-75 on Saturday.

Cal (18-8, 6-7 Atlantic Coast Conference) never trailed against BC, and led by as many as 20 points in each half. The Golden Bears ended a two-game skid that included a 107-100, double-overtime loss to Syracuse.

Bell shot 8 of 13 from the field and 6 of 10 from long range. John Camden made four 3s and finished with 15 points. Dai Dai Ames also scored 15 points and Justin Pippen chipped in with 12. Cal shot 56% overall and 48% (14 of 29) from beyond the arc.

Fred Payne scored 16 points to lead Boston College (9-16, 2-10), which has lost six straight games. Chase Forte added 14 points, and Luka Toews and Jayden Hastings scored 12 each.

With 4:18 remaining, Toews hit a 3-pointer to spark a 10-3 spurt that pulled the Eagles to 80-71 with 2:16 left. Camden answered with a 3 and BC didn't get closer.

Cal used a 19-8 run, capped by Camden's 3-pointer, for a 20-point lead late in the first half. Payne's 3 helped pull the Eagles to 43-28 at the break. In the second half, another Camden 3 stretched the Golden Bears' lead to 55-35 with 16:32 to play.

Up next

Cal: The Golden Bears face Stanford at home on Saturday.

Boston College: The Eagles are at Florida State on Saturday.

___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

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Boston Celtics Daily Links 2/14/26

BROOKLYN, NY - JANUARY 23: The sneakers worn by Baylor Scheierman #55 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 23, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

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 Fans Are On Jayson Tatum Watch After NBA Announces Schedule Change

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Are we worried about tanking and gambling? Is All-Star broken? Expansion coming?

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

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Gambling! Expansion! Tanking! Everything the NBA is talking about

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CLNS Media/YouTubeCarmelo Anthony: Jayson Tatum Return “SCARES THE NBA” | NBA All-Star 2026

Ron Harper Jr on His Brother Dylan Harper Hitting Game Winner: “Weak A*$ Bump.” | Rising Stars

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

NBA All-Star Preview: Will players finally compete? | Damien Lillard’s return, Dunk Contest drama

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”

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Heavy Celtics Get Notable Jayson Tatum News During All-Star Weekend

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Celtics Digest/YouTubeThis is GREAT News for the Celtics…

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Unsung Blueshirts Of The Past: Frank Eddolls

Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK
Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK

In the summer of 1948, Rangers manager Frank Boucher pulled off one of the "steal deals" of all-time. "Boosh" obtained center Buddy O'Connor from the Montreal  Canadiens in exchange for a few minor leaguers who never amounted to much.

O'Connor went on to win the 1949 Hart Trophy as well as the Lady Byng award; quite a gem for practically nothing.

But there was more to the deal. In addition, the Blueshirts also obtained defenseman Frankie Eddolls who then was called the "best defenseman outside the NHL."

Eddolls would become a blue line star and was a key figure in the spring of 1950 when Frankie helped the Blueshirts to the seventh game of the Stanley Cup Final vs. Detroit.

Unfortunately, the Red Wings won the Cup in double overtime.

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Milwaukee Bucks Poll: Fans more optimistic about Giannis extension

Giannis Antetokounmpo at The 2026 Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game held at the Kia Forum on February 13, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images) | Billboard via Getty Images

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.

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Scotland stuns England 31-20 at Murrayfield and snaps a 12-test winning streak

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.

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