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Lindsey Vonn says her latest surgery after Olympic crash 'went well' and she can return to US

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Lindsey Vonn's latest surgery on her left leg that she broke in the Olympic downhill “went well” and now she “will be able to finally go back to the U.S.,” the American skiing standout said Saturday.

The 41-year-old Vonn is being treated at a hospital in Treviso.

She crashed 13 seconds into her run during last Sunday’s race and was airlifted off the course by helicopter. She said Monday she had suffered a “complex tibia fracture that is currently stable but will require multiple surgeries to fix properly.”

She said on Wednesday that she had a “successful” third surgery.

Nine days before Sunday’s crash, Vonn ruptured the ACL in her left knee in another crash. Even before then, all eyes had been on her as the feel-good story heading into the Olympics for her comeback after nearly six years of retirement.

“I have been reading a lot of messages and comments saying that what has happened to me makes them sad,” Vonn said on Instagram. “Please, don’t be sad. Empathy, love and support I welcome with an open heart, but please not sadness or sympathy. I hope instead it gives you strength to keep fighting, because that is what I am doing and that is what I will continue to do. Always.

“When I think back on my crash, I didn’t stand in the starting gate unaware of the potential consequences. I knew what I was doing. I chose to take a risk.”

Vonn’s father, Alan Kildow, told The Associated Press on Monday that his daughter will no longer race if he has any influence over her decision.

But Vonn concluded her latest message by saying she is “still looking forward to the moment when I can stand on the top of the mountain once more. And I will.”

___

AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

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Padres, SP Griffin Canning agree on 1-year deal

San Diego Padres SP Griffin Canning (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Griffin Canning has found a new baseball home, as the veteran right-handed starting pitcher has agreed to a one-year deal with the San Diego Padres, per Robert Murray of FanSided. 

The 2026 campaign will mark his seventh season in the majors, as Canning is coming off an outstanding year on the hill for the New York Mets. The 29-year-old posted a 7-3 record with a 3.77 ERA in 16 starts. Unfortunately, his season was cut short after rupturing his Achilles tendon during a late June start.

Despite the disappointment, Canning put up terrific statistical numbers. He struck out 70 batters in 76.1 innings pitched and posted a 21.3% strikeout rate, which was his best mark since the 2023 season (25.9%) with the Los Angeles Angels.

He was once regarded as the Angels’ top starting pitching prospect. His best season with the ball club came in 2020, as Canning authored a 2-3 mark with a 3.99 ERA in 11 starts. 

The Angels traded the right-hander to the Atlanta Braves for Jorge Soler. He signed with the Mets as a free agent before the start of the 2025 season.

Canning will compete for the fifth starter’s role with the Friars this spring.

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Edwin Díaz responds to Steve Cohen’s comments about leaving Mets

Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz and Mets owner Steve Cohen

PHOENIX — Mets owner Steve Cohen said this week he found it “perplexing” that star closer Edwin Díaz left New York for the Dodgers this winter.

But on Saturday, in his first media session of spring training, Díaz made the decision sound simple when asked about Cohen’s comments.

“I was a free agent, so I got the chance to talk with everyone, and I think the Dodgers did a great job recruiting me,” said the 31-year-old right-hander, who signed a three-year, $69 million deal with the Dodgers that includes the highest annual salary for a reliever in MLB history. 

02/13/26: Former New York Mets relief pitcher and now Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Edwin Diaz throws during day one of spring training workouts at Camelback Ranch Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, Friday, February 13, 2026. Photo By: JASON SZENES/ NY POST JASON SZENES FOR THE CALIFORNIA POST

“At the end of the day, I chose to be here. I have a lot of respect for the Mets organization, players, staff, ownership. They treated me really good. I don’t have anything bad to say about them. But at the end of the day, I’m here.”

And, based on his early comments this spring, happy to be so.

After the Dodgers’ second workout of camp Saturday, the three-time All-Star praised his new surroundings, speaking highly of not only the Dodgers’ talented roster but also a clubhouse culture that has immediately embraced him.

“Everyone welcomed me really good,” said Díaz, who cited “clubhouse chemistry” when asked what has stood out to him so far during his time at Camelback Ranch.

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“I think that’s how they’ve been so good. They have a really good clubhouse,” he said, later adding: “Every player has a different personality in the clubhouse. They have different players from different countries, and they all get together and have fun.”

11/3/25 – Washington Wizards vs. New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden – New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and his son Joshua Cohen sit court side during the first quarter. Photo by Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Cohen, the deep-pocketed Mets owner, made news this week when he told Howie Rose he was surprised to see Díaz leave this winter.

Though the Mets reportedly offered Díaz, a longtime fan favorite in Queens, $3 million less in guaranteed money than the Dodgers did, they were also believed to have wiggle room to go higher.

“I’m not sure exactly how Edwin arrived at that decision (to leave the Mets),” Cohen said. “Obviously, it’s a personal decision on his part. and I thought we made a pretty respectable bid.”

When Díaz signed with the Dodgers, he said the opportunity to compete for a World Series — something he has never won before — was one of his main draws in coming to Los Angeles.

And on Saturday, he reiterated that goal multiple times, looking perfectly at peace with his free-agent decision.

“This is a new journey for me, and I’m happy to be with the Dodgers,” he said, “so let’s see how it goes.”

Dodgers’ Brusdar Graterol might miss start of season

Though Dodgers reliever Brusdar Graterol said at last month’s Fanfest event he was hopeful of being ready for Opening Day this season, after missing all of 2025 recovering from shoulder surgery, manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that the right-hander will be slow-played in his ramp-up this spring –– leaving his chances of starting the season on-time in doubt.

“Coming back from the shoulder, it’s gonna take some time,” Roberts said. “We’re gonna slow-play him. Yesterday, he threw off the mound and still the velocity is not near where it’s gonna be. So I think it’s a slow progression. I just don’t know where that puts us. It’s a slow process for Brusdar.”

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Chris Paul deserved a better ending than this

Jan 2, 2026; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chris Paul in attendance during the HoopHall West Tournament at Skyline High School. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

As All-Star Weekend was preparing to kick off in Los Angeles, inside the Clippers’ building of all places, some unfortunate news slipped out ahead of the festivities. And when the notification hit my phone, my first thought was simple and immediate: the NBA did him dirty. I am talking about Chris Paul, who had been traded by the Clippers to Toronto last week, only for the Raptors to waive him yesterday, which ultimately led to Paul deciding it was time to retire.

The timing was brutal, the setting felt ironic, and the whole thing landed with a strange finality, one of the most influential point guards of his era exiting the league quietly while the circus of All-Star Weekend warmed up around a place he called home for 7 of his 21 years.

It is hard to come up with a more unceremonious exit for a player of this magnitude, especially when you stack it against the career Chris Paul put together and the imprint he left on the league. The way this ended feels heavy, awkward, and deeply unsatisfying, like the lights got shut off in the middle of a sentence.

21 years. 7 teams. 23,058 points (41st all-time). 12,552 assists (2nd all-time). 2,728 steals (2nd all-time). 1 NBA Finals appearance.

LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 30: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns holds the Western Conference Finals trophy after Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals of the 2021 NBA Playoffs on June 30, 2021 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 2021 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

What the Clippers did here feels dirty, and it deserves to be called that. This was not some forgettable stop late in a career, not a jersey he barely wore. This was the franchise that had no pulse, no credibility, and no real identity for decades until Chris Paul arrived in 2011 and dragged them into relevance. He changed how they were viewed, how they were covered, and how they carried themselves.

Yes, there were playoff disappointments, and yes, there were moments that still sting, but the idea that his final chapter with that organization would end in a quiet transaction and a shrug is something they should be embarrassed by.

Paul came back this past offseason after a year in San Antonio with the understanding, spoken or not, that this was a farewell lap. A chance for fans in Los Angeles and around the league to acknowledge what they were watching for the last time. Instead, he gets rerouted, waived, and left to make a retirement decision in the shadow of All-Star Weekend. That is not closure. That is avoidance.

And sure, plenty of people never loved Chris Paul. He annoyed opponents. He pushed buttons. He lived in the margins of the rulebook and made a career out of being smarter than the moment. But he also left something real everywhere he went. New Orleans. Los Angeles. Houston. Oklahoma City. Phoenix. Golden State. San Antonio. He built a trail of fans who appreciated the way he saw the game and the way he competed.

In a league that has drifted almost entirely toward scoring guards and highlight hunting, Chris Paul was a reminder of something older and more deliberate. A distributor. A tactician. A point guard who controlled tempo, space, and emotion. Watching him work felt like watching a craft that fewer and fewer players bother to learn anymore.

He and head coach Ty Lue reportedly did not see eye to eye, and at some point, the lines of communication went quiet. So the organization made the decision to send him home, one of those situations where the room suddenly felt too small for two strong personalities who both believed in their vision of the game.

The team moved forward without him, found some success along the way, even though Paul’s role had already been reduced to 14.3 minutes per game across 16 appearances, and eventually chose a different direction entirely at the trade deadline. James Harden was sent to Cleveland. Ivica Zubac went to Indiana. The message was clear. Eyes forward. Build toward what comes next.

What makes it linger is that there was also a chance to look backward, to acknowledge what had been given, to honor a career that shaped not only franchises but eras of basketball. I understand the business side of it. I understand the constant push to balance short-term decisions with long-term planning. I understand that Chris Paul is a big personality, one shaped by experience, conviction, and having seen nearly every version of the league over two decades.

The Clippers have been a public relations mess all season, and this only adds another layer to it. Allegations of salary cap circumvention tied to dealings with Aspiration and back-channel payments to Kawhi Leonard have been hanging over the organization like a low cloud. Everyone is waiting with bated breath to see whether there is any real accountability attached to it. Because if there is not, then what exactly are we doing here? At that point, Mat Ishbia might as well start handing out United Wholesale Mortgage stock to free agents and call it innovation.

This organization had a chance to look like the good guy in this moment. A chance to handle a legend with care, respect, and a little self-awareness. Instead, in classic Clippers fashion, they managed to walk away looking like the clown, fumbling optics, legacy, and basic decency all in one motion.

After 21 years in the NBA, one of the defining point guards of his generation fades into the sunset without ceremony, without a moment that fits the weight of the career, and that part sits heavy. Not because it ended, but because of how quietly it was allowed to slip away.

So, from a Phoenix Suns fan, I say thank you, Chris Paul. Thank you for what you gave this league over so many years.

When you arrived in Phoenix in 2020, something shifted immediately. The culture changed. The expectations changed. You showed this fan base that the franchise was not destined to live in the basketball wilderness forever. That Devin Booker was not empty calories or wasted talent. That his gravity meant something, and that winning could exist here again. You gave the Suns credibility, structure, and belief, all at once.

Yes, there were injuries. There always were. But there was also an NBA Finals run, a moment etched into the history of this organization, one that many great point guards who wore this uniform never reached. That matters. It always will. And it’s why you’re in my Phoenix Suns All-Time Pyramid.

So thank you, Chris Paul, for what you meant to the game, for what you meant to Phoenix, and for the standard you brought with you every night. And when the time comes, we will be watching, proud and appreciative, as you take your place in the Hall of Fame.

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Want Hope for 2026? Look at the 1985 St. Louis Cardinals

ST LOUIS, MO - CIRCA 1984: Manager Whitey Herzog #24 of the St. Louis Cardinals looks on walking back to the dugout during a Major League Baseball game circa 1984 at Busch Stadium in St Louis, Missouri. Herzog Managed the Cardinals from 1980-90. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I have been rightly accused of being over optimistic about the St. Louis Cardinals and I want to be clear this is not something I share with the intention of inferring that the upcoming 2026 season will turn out this way. However, if you’re looking for just a tiny glimmer of hope that the upcoming season may not be the catastrophe that it’s projected to be, take a look back 41 years to the 1985 St. Louis Cardinals team.

I know what nearly all of the projections say about the upcoming St. Louis Cardinals 2026 season and I’m not debating their potential accuracy. What I think is worth a look, though, is what the “experts” thought would happen to the 1985 St. Louis Cardinals team that one of my friends reminded me of. Spoiler Alert: they nearly won the World Series if not for a missed call at first base.

Many have forgotten that the 1985 St. Louis Cardinals were predicted to finish in last place in their division. The reasons for those low projections were based on reasonable questions. Future Hall of Fame closer Bruce Sutter left the Cardinals for the Atlanta Braves which meant the St. Louis bullpen had a hole in it. Many pundits didn’t see a clear dominant starter on the roster. On February 1, 1985, the St. Louis Cardinals traded for Jack Clark from the San Francisco Giants which was viewed as risky due to his past injury issues. There was also a bombshell report from The Washington Post that 11 St. Louis Cardinals in the early 1980’s that were heavy users of cocaine. To say the 1985 Cardinals had challenges was an understatement. Oh, and Whitey Herzog was in the middle of a rebuild after the Cardinals missed the playoffs in 1983 and 1984 after winning the 1982 World Series. Sound somewhat familiar?

There are some big differences between that 1985 St. Louis Cardinals team and the state of the 2026 squad. First, the St. Louis Cardinals were carrying momentum from the previous season. The team closed out the 1984 campaign on a 37-25 run. Whitey Herzog was also actively adding pieces to the roster with the intention of building a winner meant to contend as soon as possible. The “rebuild” of 1985 was of the major league roster and not prospects in the farm system. Also, the 1985 team were only 3 years out from winning the World Series while the current Cardinals squad has not seen a World Series banner since 2011.

The projections of last place in 1985 were based on valid questions and uncertainties, but what the “experts” could not predict were some pleasant surprises. 1985 was the rookie season for Vince Coleman who was not expected to be an immediate star, but he proceeded to steal 110 bases. The prognosticators also didn’t foresee Willie McGee having an MVP year leading the league with a scorching .353 batting average. John Tudor became the St. Louis Cardinals ace notching 21 wins. The team that was projected to finish last instead ended the 1985 season with the best record in baseball. What followed during the playoffs were some of the most iconic St. Louis Cardinals moments including Ozzie Smith’s “go crazy” walk-off home run and Jack Clark slamming the door on the Dodgers.

To reiterate, I’m not projecting a best record in baseball kind of season for the 2026 St. Louis Cardinals. My point is that a good or even great season isn’t impossible. The roster does have young players who could surprise and have breakout years. I fully admit that the roster as it looks at the start of Spring Training has a LOT more questions than answers, but I’m not surrendering the upcoming season until we play the games. Yes, the odds say we’ll struggle, but there is precedent for the St. Louis Cardinals shocking the world. It’s happened before and it’s not impossible that it could happen again.

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Aston Villa 1-3 Newcastle: FA Cup fourth round – as it happened

On a night when VAR – or the lack of it – came under serious scrutiny, Newcastle came from behind to beat their hosts with three second-half goals

1 min: Tammy Abraham gets the ball rolling, playing it a few yards backwards to Amadou Onana. Within seconds it finds its way to the feet of Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot.

Not long now: Kieran Trippier and Lucas Digne skipper the sides, which are led out on to the Villa Park pitch by referee Chris Kavanagh and his team of match officials soundtracked by Ozzy Osbourne’s Crazy Train. Kick-off is just a couple of minutes away.

Continue reading...
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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.

Want to watch the Winter Olympics after Dunks? Ask OLI!

After the Dunk Contest: tune into Primetime tonight—and check out OLI for Olympic schedules + what to watch next.

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).

Looking where to watch the Winter Olympics this weekend? Ask OLI!

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.

___

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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.