Posts

Posted on

He played 10 games in NBA, now he wants back in college basketball

College basketball's eligibility saga has its next addition.

Former UCLA men's basketball guard Amari Bailey is attempting to return to college basketball after playing 10 games in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets during the 2023-2024 NBA season, according to ESPN's Dan Murphy.

"Right now I'd be a senior in college," Bailey told ESPN in a statement. "I'm not trying to be 27 years old playing college athletics. No shade to the guys that do; that's their journey. But I went to go play professionally and learned a lot, went through a lot. So, like, why not me?"

BRACKETOLOGY: Big Ten dominates NCAA tournament projection as Purdue slides

Per ESPN's report, the 6-foot-3 guard has already hired an agent and an attorney to represent him in his case, in which he is looking for the NCAA to give him the right to play one more season.

"It's not a stunt," Bailey continued. "I'm really serious about going back. I just want to improve my game, change the perception of me and just show that I can win."

The Chicago native joins a growing list of players to re-enter college basketball, though unlike the others, he has NBA regular-season experience. His request also comes at a time when the NCAA is currently in court fighting against the temporary restraining order that former Alabama and G-League forward Charles Bediako received from Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court Judge James H. Roberts Jr. to return to play for the Crimson Tide.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), NCAA senior vice president of external affairs Tim Buckley said that the NCAA "has and will not grant eligibility to any players who have signed an NBA contract."

Buckley's statement follows in line with what NCAA president Charlie Baker said in December when the college eligibility saga started to pick up.

"@NCAA has not and will not grant eligibility to any prospective or returning student-athletes who have signed an @NBA contract (including a two-way contract)," Baker wrote in a statement posted on social media. "... Rules have long permitted schools to enroll and play individuals with no prior collegiate experience midyear. While the NCAA has prevailed on the vast majority of eligibility-related lawsuits, recent outlier decisions enjoining the NCAA on a nationwide basis from enforcing rules that have been on the books for decades -- without even having a trial -- are wildly destabilizing. I will be working with DI leaders in the weeks ahead to protect college basketball from these misguided attempts to destroy this American institution."

Bailey was a one-and-done at UCLA, where he started 28 games during the 2022-2023 season. In 30 games for the Bruins, Bailey averaged 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 49.5% from the field and 38.9% from beyond the arc.

He declared for the NBA draft after the Bruins were upset 79-76 by Gonzaga in the Sweet 16 of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. He was drafted by the Hornets with the No. 41 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, where he'd play in just 10 games that NBA season.

Bailey spent most of the 2023-24 NBA season with the Hornets' G-League affiliate, Greensboro Swarm, before spending the entire 2024-25 season with the Long Island Nets, the G-League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets. He's on a G-League roster this season, according to his G-League profile.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Amari Bailey played in NBA. He now seeks a college basketball return

Posted on

First Fangraphs 2026 projections disagree with Yankees’ run-it-back plan

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman speaking at a press conference at Yankee Stadium
brian cashman

Early forecasts from the stat nerds aren’t bullish on the Yankees’ American League East chances. 

FanGraphs released its first ZiPS projections earlier this week, and it’s not looking pretty for the Bronx Bombers if no more moves are coming this offseason. 

Access the Yankees beat like never before

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.

Try it free

The Yankees are projected to have 87 wins in 2026, the second-fewest in the division behind the Blue Jays (90), Red Sox (90) and Orioles (88). 

Only the Rays (75) are being pegged for fewer victories. 

That number would be the Yankees’ fewest over a full season since 2023, when they went 82-80 and missed the postseason, and second-fewest over the last decade. 

Fangraphs is giving them just an 18.9 percent chance to win the division and a 41.4 percent chance at grabbing one of the three AL wild-card spots. 

The underwhelming win estimate comes after a relatively quiet offseason for the Bombers. 

The Yankees re-signed Cody Bellinger to a five-year, $162.5 million deal and brought back Trent Grisham after he accepted the qualifying offer, but did little else to improve the lineup. 

New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman speaking at a press conference at Yankee Stadium. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Left-hander Ryan Weathers, acquired in a trade from the Marlins, will provide rotation depth, though being able to stay on the field has been a question for most of his career. The starting staff has plenty of other questions elsewhere, with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon and Clarke Schmidt all coming off surgeries and returning at various points post-Opening Day. 

In the bullpen, the Yankees lost Devin Williams and Luke Weaver in free agency to the Mets. 

Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger will both be in the Yankees’ outfield in 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Earlier this week, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman expressed confidence in his team’s roster. 

“I’ve been openly willing to challenge anybody that we don’t have a championship caliber roster [and] team,’’ Cashman said. “And it’s our job to try to make it better along the way.”

Posted on

Why The Ottawa Senators Should Call Up Top Prospect Carter Yakemchuk

Let’s be honest. The Ottawa Senators have one of the worst prospect pools in the NHL. Trading top picks in 2022 and 2023 is starting to rear its ugly head, as the cupboards are bare when it comes to high-end talent. 

But Carter Yakemchuk, the 7th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, represents the slightest glimmer of hope. He has the potential to be a top-pair offensive defenseman in the NHL if he develops properly.

Consensus seems to be that the 20-year-old needs time in the American Hockey League with the club’s affiliate team, the Belleville Senators, to work on his defensive game.

But Yakemchuk, who recently returned from an injury that kept him out of the lineup for 13 games, might actually be better served developing in the NHL.

Let me make the case.

Before diving into why the Senators should get Yakemchuk to the NHL sooner rather than later, I want to make it clear that his development is critical for the future of this roster. 

There isn’t much top-end help coming in the pipeline, but if he pans out and reaches his potential, the Senators could be set on the blueline for years to come with Jake Sanderson and Yakemchuk leading the way. 

So the pressure is on GM Steve Staios and his front office to find the right path for Yakemchuk, who was this regime’s first official draft pick.

The easy answer is patience. The organization has predicated itself on making calculated moves during Staios’ tenure, earning him the nickname Steady Steve. 

It would feel out of character for the Senators to hand the keys to Yakemchuk and let him figure things out at the NHL level, instead of being patient and letting him get reps in the AHL while adapting to playing professional hockey.

On the surface, it looks like he has struggled to start his professional career. He is a -24 on the season with 19 points in 31 games. When a player is that far in the minuses, it raises eyebrows.

But the stout defensive game that the NHL team has developed under head coach Travis Green is not quite trickling down the 416 and the 401 just yet.

Belleville is dead last in goals against in the AHL, despite having a team save percentage of .894. The BSens give up way more shots than the NHL team, which leads us back to Yakemchuk.

Is it smart for a player who has undeniable offensive talent but needs to work on his defensive game to be on a team that struggles to defend?

-24 is an ugly stat line for a rookie defenseman, but +/- needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Jake Sanderson was -14 last season, yet no Senators fan was saying he needed to work on his game defensively.

I’m not pretending I’ve seen every single shift Yakemchuk has played in Belleville. The organization is obviously monitoring him closely, given his importance to the Senators’ future.

But it’s important to remember what Yakemchuk was drafted for. He is an offensive defenseman with skills that could help the NHL team today. I look at the Senators’ quietly struggling power play, which is ranked 31st in the NHL since Christmas.

Would it be crazy to get Yakemchuk on the first power play unit right away?

Sanderson’s game has reached a new level this season, and reducing his minutes with the man advantage would allow the Senators to use him at even strength more often, and could rejuvenate that area of the Sens’ game offensively.

The power play just so happens to be where Yakemchuk has excelled in his first professional season, helping lead a top-5 power play in the AHL. Despite missing time with an injury, Yakemchuk ranks 8th in the league in power play assists, leading all rookies.

And with the way the Senators defend as a team, there might not be a better situation for a young defenseman to work on his defensive game. 

His minutes could be sheltered behind Artem Zub and Jordan Spence, who have been excellent this season and would likely see more time at even strength than Yakemchuk.

He is also a 7th overall pick from two years ago. It’s fair to assume a player drafted that high can make an impact in the NHL at a young age. 

It’s worth noting that during his midseason media availability in December, Staios said Yakemchuk would likely have been called up by that point had he not been injured.

So maybe we will see him in Ottawa sooner than we think.

The bottom line is the Senators probably need to make an upgrade on veteran defenseman Nick Jensen if they want to push for a playoff spot, and the solution might be right under their noses.

They need to take a look at Yakemchuk in the NHL before shipping out assets to acquire another right-shot defenseman.

Jack Richardson
The Hockey News - Ottawa

This article was first published at The Hockey News. Read more from The Hockey News Ottawa:

Linus Ullmark’s Former Goalie Coach Now Part Of Senators’ Coaching Picture
One-On-One With Senators Captain Brady Tkachuk
Next Level: Ridly Greig 'Does Whatever Needs To Be Done To Win'
Jake Sanderson's Blunt Goaltending Critique Hits Hard In Ottawa
Time Is Running Out For The Senators... And Steve Staios Knows It

Posted on

'He Does All The Right Things': Why Marshall Rifai Is Making His Season Debut With Maple Leafs Against Canucks

Days after being called up from the AHL's Toronto Marlies, Marshall Rifai will make his season debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night against the Vancouver Canucks.

"(It's) obviously exciting," Rifai said after Friday's practice in Vancouver. "Just any other game, though. I've got to come in and prepare the way I always do. And that's what I plan to do."

This'll be the first time Rifai dresses for an NHL game with the Maple Leafs since Feb. 21, 2024 — almost two years ago — against the Arizona Coyotes.

Yeah, it's been that long.

(He was called up several times last year but never got into Toronto's lineup.)

The 27-year-old defenseman missed a good chunk of the season after undergoing wrist surgery in September, following an injury in a preseason game. Rifai returned to the Marlies' lineup on Dec. 27 and has since played 12 games with the club.

"It's one of those things when you don't get to do what you love every day, and you have to take a step back, it just leaves room for gratitude," Rifai said of missing three months.

"And when I came back, I was fresh, which I think is a big thing in a long pro season and played a lot of pro hockey here. And I try to use that to my advantage instead of thinking it was a disadvantage.

"I get to come in fresh in the middle of the season and provide a boost for my team." 

Rifai will line up alongside Troy Stecher on Toronto's third defense pairing on Saturday against the Canucks (Simon Benoit will come out of the lineup for Rifai). The two defensemen share something in common: both went undrafted, with Stecher coming out of the University of North Dakota and Rifai out of Harvard.

What makes Rifai an interesting player for Toronto is his untapped potential. With only two games played (both under former head coach Sheldon Keefe), there still isn't much known about what he could do at the NHL level.

"What I've seen since I've been here, from last year to this year is how he prepared," said head coach Craig Berube. "You notice little things with some of these guys: how early they get to the rink every day and their preparation. He's a good pro.

"He does all the right things, and a lot of times it's important that these guys do take the mental side approach. That's definitely going to help their game."

With the Marlies, Rifai is a strong skater who can move the puck and is quite the physical player. He won't always put points on the board, but he can play in most defensive situations.

"I’d just say I'm smart, make a simple play, use my feet when I can," he added. "If I have a chance to be physical, I'm going to try to hit and go from there."

William Nylander Ready To Help Maple Leafs Against Canucks, Details Recovery From Groin Injury And Excitement For Olympics William Nylander Ready To Help Maple Leafs Against Canucks, Details Recovery From Groin Injury And Excitement For Olympics Although Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said there's a "good chance" William Nylander will return against Canucks, the star declared himself fully healthy to play.

What Berube appreciates about Rifai is his competitiveness. The head coach added that the trait is one of the biggest separators between being a consistent AHLer and a consistent NHLer.

"To play in the NHL, you have to be highly competitive," Berube continued. "It's just all that preparation that goes into what's needed daily to play in the NHL. I'm not sure everybody's cut out for that. It's a grind."

Rifai has over 200 games of pro experience, mostly all with the Marlies. He understands what's needed of him in every game. And just because Rifai is up in the NHL, it doesn't mean he's going to try to change how he plays.

After all, that's what got him to this point in his career.

"Everyone's got a role on a team," Rifai said, "and you've got to lean into your role at whatever level it is, and that's the mindset coming in here."


Posted on

The Hockey Show: On Location For NHL Stadium Series In The New Official State of Hockey

The Hockey Show is on the road this week.

That’s because the focus of the NHL is once again on the state of Florida, so naturally the two Florida boys who host The Hockey Show, Roy Bellamy and David Dwork, are in the middle of all the fun.

This time it’s for the 2026 NHL Stadium Series which is taking place in Tampa, less than a month after the league held the 2026 Winter Classic in Miami.

Yes, you are reading that correctly. Outdoor hockey in Florida is officially a thing.

On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Lightning will host the Boston Bruins on top of a giant treasure map inside Raymond James Stadium.

If its anything like what we saw for the Winter Classic, fans are in for a major treat.

This week on The Hockey Show, Roy and Dave went on location in Tampa after being granted access to the stadium a couple days early.

Joining the show this week was Lightning beat reporter for The Hockey News Diandra Loux to provide insight into Tampa Bay’s excellent season, how they’ve found success despite dealing with a plethora of injuries and whether this will be the season Jon Cooper finally wins the Jack Adams Award.

They also chatted about Florida being the official State of Hockey and some of the pirate-related events happening around Tampa this weekend. 

You can check out this week’s full show and interview in the videos below:

LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA

Panthers' Brad Marchand Sustains An Undisclosed Injury Against Blues; Set To Re-Evaluated

Three Takeaways: Panthers Giving Maximum Effort, Costly Errors Difficult To Overcome

Panthers Give Up Power Play Goal With 8.4 Seconds Left, Lose 5-4 In St. Louis

Anton Lundell Will Be Out As Panthers Face Blues; Daniil Tarasov To Start

Panthers look to continue recent road success during quick trip to Matthew Tkachuk's hometown of St. Louis

Posted on

CSR Weekend Warriors: 1/30-2/1

Greetings, Panthers fans. Welcome to the weekend.

Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the site’s ToS, it’s fair game here.

You know the drill.

This is now an open thread

Posted on

How to watch Warriors vs. Pistons

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 08: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 8, 2025 at Chase Center in San Francisco, 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Golden State Warriors will play their 50th game of the season with Friday night’s home matchup against the Detroit Pistons. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM PT in San Francisco and can be watched on ESPN and NBC Sports Bay Area.

Previously with the Warriors:

Golden State finished its recent four-game road trip on a high note after defeating the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night, 140–124. After sitting out a game in Minnesota, several Warriors veterans — including Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Al Horford, and De’Anthony Melton — returned in a big way. Curry led the team with 27 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the field, while Moses Moody benefitted from the extra attention paid to Curry, knocking down 5-of-9 three-pointers on his way to a 26-point night. Moody has done his part to keep the Warriors afloat recently, making over 50 percent of his threes over his last five games.

What to watch for tonight:

The Warriors return to the Chase Center tonight, where they are 17–7 this season. However, they’ll be tested by a tough Pistons team that currently holds the best record in the Eastern Conference at 34–12.

Detroit gets the job done defensively, ranking second in the league in defensive rating (108.9). While the Pistons are more middle of the pack offensively (11th in offensive rating), they’re led by Eastern Conference All-Star starter Cade Cunningham. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft is showing his superstar potential this season, nearly averaging a double-double with 25.3 points and 9.7 assists per game, along with 5.7 rebounds.

Although the Warriors lack elite point-of-attack defense to slow Cunningham down, they’ll look to make up for it on the weakside. Steve Kerr recently said he’s leaning toward keeping Horford in the starting lineup at center, which places another high-IQ help defender alongside Green to compensate for the loss of Jimmy Butler. Horford had a strong showing Wednesday against the Jazz — which included three blocks and one steal on defense — and will look to continue that upward trend against Detroit.

Enjoy the game Dub Nation. GO WARRIORS!!! 

Projected Starters

Warriors: Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Draymond Green, Al Horford

Pistons: Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

How to watch Regular Season Game 50

Who: Golden State Warriors (27 – 22) vs. Detroit Pistons (34 – 12)

When: Friday, January 30th, at 7:00 p.m. PT

Where: Chase Center, San Francisco, California

TV: ESPN and NBC Sports Bay Area (available on fuboTV)

Posted on

Athletics, All-Star shortstop Jacob Wilson agree to seven-year, $70 million contract

The Athletics took another step Friday toward securing their potential opening-day Las Vegas lineup in 2028 by reaching an agreement with All-Star shortstop Jacob Wilson on a seven-year, $70 million contract.

That contract takes Wilson through the 2032 season with a club option for 2033.

By signing him now, the A’s avoid salary arbitration after the 2027, 2028 and 2029 seasons. Wilson also would have been eligible for free agency after the 2030 World Series.

Wilson and A’s management scheduled a news conference for Monday in Las Vegas to sign the deal.

The 22-year-old is the fourth player the A’s have signed through at least 2028 when the ballpark is scheduled to open on the Strip.

The usually economical A’s have signed some notable deals going back to last offseason. Those include a seven-year, $86 million contract for left fielder Tyler Soderstrom, a five-year, $60 million contract with designated hitter/outfielder Brent Rooker and a seven-year, $65.5 million deal with outfielder Lawrence Butler. Soderstrom’s deal is the richest in team history.

Manager Mark Kotsay signed an extension that takes him through 2028 with a club option for 2029.

This offseason, the A’s traded with the New York Mets for veteran second baseman Jeff McNeil.

The A’s will play at least the next two seasons at a Triple-A stadium in West Sacramento, California.

Wilson hit .311 with 13 home runs and 63 RBI last season and was the first fan-elected rookie All-Star starting shortstop. He finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting behind teammate Nick Kurtz, who was a unanimous selection.

The A’s selected Wilson sixth in the 2023 amateur draft.

Posted on

Former Yankee David Robertson announces retirement from baseball

Oct 3, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher David Robertson (30) reacts as catcher Gary Sanchez (not pictuted) is hit by a foul tip against the Minnesota Twins during the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins during the 2017 American League wildcard playoff baseball game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Earlier today, former Yankees reliever David Robertson took to his social media platforms to officially announce his retirement from baseball. At 40 years old entering what would have been his age-41 season, this news hardly comes as a surprise, especially considering how the past few years went for the former Olympian. Still though, for anyone that’s familiar with me, this news is devastating.

Robertson was first drafted by the Yankees in the 17th round of the 2006 MLB draft and worked his way through the minors before eventually making his MLB debut in 2008. In 2009 is when he truly made his mark during that playoff run when he pitched out of a bases-loaded-nobody-out jam in the 11th inning of the ALDS against the Twins. I remember telling someone then “this guy’s going to be good.” And my love affair had begun.

Since that playoff run, I was D-Rob’s #1 fan and maintain that title to this day. His best season came two years later in 2011 when he finished with a 1.08 ERA, earned his only All-Star nod, and received down ballot Cy Young and MVP votes. He was the heir apparent to Mariano Rivera, the greatest closer ever, and he served that role well for one year before Brian Cashman ruined my life. He finished his first stint with the Yankees with a 2.81 ERA across 402 games before joining the White Sox in the South Side of Chicago in his first dalliance with free agency.

He spent two and a half seasons there before Brian Cashman made attempted to make amends with me personally and brought him back for the 2017 playoff push and run. That postseason we saw something truly remarkable out of Robertson when he came in and pitched 3.1 scoreless innings as the Yankees clawed their way back to steal victory out of Luis Severino’s hands in the one-and-done Wild Card game. His second stint in the Bronx ended after the 2018 season when Brian Cashman once again ruined my life.

His first stint with the Phillies would also be quickly forgotten as injury forced his two-year deal come down to just seven games in 2019 before he was shutdown and unable to return to the mound until 2021, missing the COVID-shortened 2020 season completely. However, he had an opportunity to suit up for Team USA at the Olympics, where he appeared in three games and helped the US Team earn the Silver Medal after losing to Japan in the finals.

His Olympics stint and overall resume was enough to earn him a flyer from the Rays to help bolster their bullpen for their own playoff push and run. Unfortunately, that Rays stint did not go great for him, but he was able to secure a free agent contract for his second stint in the city of Chicago, just this time he’d pitch for the Cubs. They eventually traded him to the Phillies for his second stint there and since then he’d bounce around to the Mets, Marlins, and Rangers until ultimately signing a midseason contract with the Phillies in 2025, which we now know would end up being his final season as a major leaguer.

The tail end of his career will likely soil some memories of him, but he really should be remembered fondly for a truly impressive career. It’s not often that someone gets drafted with the pedigree of a reliever and actually makes it to have a 15-year career. Not only that, but he’s a World Series champion, a World Baseball Classic gold medalist, and an Olympic silver medalist. He finishes his career with a 2.93 ERA, an ERA+ of 143, 179 saves, and 1176 strikeouts across 881 games. He’s not going to be a Hall of Famer (though he’d have my vote….which is only partially why I don’t have a vote), but he’s the pinnacle of what a truly good and stable relief pitcher should be.

Sure there were some bumps, but overall more good than bad and again a 15-year career as solely a relief pitcher is something truly remarkable in my books. That’s the most volatile position in the game and for him to have done that for as long as he did should be remembered fondly. I wrote his entry into PSA’s Top 100 Yankees series as well, and every year I’d show back up to plead my case to Brian Cashman to either sign him in free agency or trade for him at the deadline. This is why, even though I don’t show up often around here anymore, I jumped at the chance to write his retirement post. He helped me fall in love with the game when I was just getting into it, and he’s why relief pitchers are my favorite players and why I’ve been obsessed with them.

Thank you, D-Rob, for letting this one baseball fan fall in love with you. I’ll cherish the memories of wearing my socks high during those playoff runs you were part of, and sometimes even channeling your spirit for the ones you weren’t a part of as well. I’ll miss my annual tradition Congratulations on an amazing career and I wish you nothing but the best in retirement and on your next venture.

I knew this day would come, but I still think back to just commenting about D-Rob in the old PSA comments section before I even joined the staff year. Age comes for us all, I guess. But today we wear our socks high with pride for this Yankee that was, tomorrow, we hang them up even higher.

Posted on

Espanyol stunned by Alaves comeback victory in La Liga

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Espanyol was stunned by visiting Alaves 2-1 to extend its run of winless games to five in La Liga on Friday.

Lucas Boyé finished from close range a counterattack to complete a comeback by the visitor.

Roberto Fernandez headed in the opening goal for Espanyol and Alaves captain Antonio Blanco equalized with a deflected left-foot shot from outside the area.

Espanyol was fifth but the loss was a blow for its European hopes with Real Betis and Celta Vigo trailing by two points.

Alaves was previously just a point outside the relegation zone and has jumped to 10th in the table.

___

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

Posted on

Spurs vs. Hornets start time moved up to 11 a.m. CT due to weather conditions

HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 28: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets on January 28, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Spurs’ Saturday game against the Hornets will start earlier than originally scheduled, the league announced. Due to the weather conditions in Charlotte, the league has moved up the tip-off time from 2 p.m. CT to 11 a.m. CT.

The National Weather Service has placed a winter storm warning affecting Charlotte, with heavy snow expected on Saturday. The extreme weather conditions that have been affecting the East Coast have already resulted in rescheduled games, so this is not the most surprising news.

By moving the matchup to earlier in the day, the expectation is that the Spurs should have an easier time getting out of the city in time to return to San Antonio for the second game of a back-to-back against Orlando on Sunday, according to The San Antonio Express-News’ Jeff McDonald:

Early starts can often have unpredictable results, and the Hornets have been playing well lately, so it could be a tough game for the Silver and Black. Fortunately, they landed in Charlotte on Friday with enough time to have a workout and will be well rested since they last played on Wednesday against the Rockets.

The game will be televised by KENS 5 and Prime Video.

Posted on

Red Sox sued by own fans over alleged ‘bait-and-switch’ ticket tactics

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows A general view during the game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Saturday, September 13, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts
Red Sox lawsuit

A trio of Red Sox fans has filed a class-action lawsuit against the team for alleged “junk fees” and “drip pricing” on ticket purchases. 

A suit filed in Massachusetts earlier this month accuses the franchise of false advertising to “bait-and-switch” ticket buyers for games and events at Fenway Park from 2022 to at least 2024. 

“Specifically, the Red Sox would advertise illusorily low prices for their tickets,” the lawsuit alleges. “When purchasers attempted to buy those tickets, however, the Red Sox would add mandatory fees at the last minute, such as ‘Per-Ticket Fees’ and ‘Order Fees,’ that could increase the cost of a purchase by as much as 150 percent.

“In other words, the Red Sox’s advertised tickets were not actually available for purchase at the advertised prices.”

A general view during the game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Saturday, September 13, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. MLB Photos via Getty Images

The plaintiffs allege the practice has cost purchasers millions of dollars. 

“The Red Sox’s use of drip pricing and junk fees was both unfair and deceptive,” the lawsuit states. “It was also illegal under the consumer protection laws of Massachusetts and other states.”

The Red Sox gave a short statement to WCVB Channel 5 in Boston, stating, “While we don’t comment on pending litigation, we have always complied with applicable state and federal laws.”

Boston is one of three Major League Baseball teams to be dealt a similar lawsuit in the past few months. 

In September, the Nationals were accused in federal court of cheating “customers out of millions of dollars” through junk fees. 

The Giants were handed a similar lawsuit earlier this week. 

The Red Sox celebrate a win over the Yankees at Fenway Park in 2025. Jason Szenes / New York Post

“Rather than disclosing the full cost of purchasing tickets upfront, the Giants tacked on last-minute “Service” fees, “Convenience” fees, “Handling and Convenience” fees, and “Order” processing fees that increased the cost of the purchase, exceeding the price initially advertised to the consumer, often by more than $50 per transaction,” the lawsuit against the San Francisco franchise read. 

Posted on

Injury Update: Jalen Green available to play against Cavaliers

Jan 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) drives to the basket against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Last Friday was a tough one for Jalen Green. After returning the game before against the Philadelphia 76ers, he suited up in Atlanta for the Suns’ final stop on that road trip. It lasted 4:14. Then came the exit. Hamstring tightness. Precautionary, we were told. The contrast was immediate. Back on the floor one night, back in street clothes the next. And we have not seen him since.

That appears ready to change tonight as the Suns take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on the second night of a back-to-back.

That is real news. The good kind. For Green, and for the organization. We do not know the minutes. We do not know the workload. We do not know how much stress that hamstring will see. But suiting up a week later matters. It signals optimism. It signals confidence.

Because hamstrings carry ghosts. A tweak, a return, another tweak, weeks lost, then doubt creeping in. That cycle can linger. It can mess with rhythm and trust.

This does not feel like that. This feels measured. It feels controlled. And if he is available tonight, it suggests the Suns believe it is stable. Calm after concern. Availability after uncertainty. And for a team that needs continuity, seeing Jalen Green back on the floor is a step in the right direction.

Posted on

Wizards vs. Lakers discussion

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 30: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on January 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. 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. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Washington Wizards play the Los Angeles Lakers at 7 p.m. tonight at Capital One Arena. Watch the game on Monumental Sports Network.

Posted on

Cataldi's stoppage-time penalty snatches Lazio win over Genoa in Serie A

ROME (AP) — Danilo Cataldi converted from the spot 10 minutes into stoppage time to lift Lazio 3-2 over Genoa in Serie A on Friday.

Lazio was cruising after taking a 2-0 lead early in the second half. Pedro converted a penalty for the opener and Kenneth Taylor doubled the advantage.

Although Lazio is one of three teams in Serie A with the most clean sheets — 11 — Genoa was unbeaten in its previous five games and came back to tie the score. Ruslan Malinovskyi scored from the spot and Vitinha leveled 15 minutes before the end.

Lazio moved up one place in the standings to eighth.

Genoa, despite having one of the worst defenses in Serie A, was 13th and tied on points with Cremonese, Parma and Torino.

___

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