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PGA Tour star Jordan Spieth isn't happy that he's not playing as well as his longtime friend Scottie Scheffler, but he's hoping to use the world No. 1 golfer's success as inspiration. Spieth, a three-time major championship winner, said he used last week as a reset after a so-so start to the 2024 season. He has three top-10 finishes in 10 starts but had a disqualification and three missed cuts, including at The Players and Masters, in his past seven. He is hoping to turn things around, starting at The CJ Cup Bryon Nelson, which tees off Thursday at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas. "I think I kind of wanted to hit the reset button this last week and I took more days off than I usually do," Spieth told reporters Wednesday. "Got a little burned out trying to find stuff. I wanted to take some time off, clear my mind, and then get back to it. "... Kind of looking at this as kind of a restart. I haven't had the year I wanted to have after getting off to a...

The panel discusses the various prospects for the 2024-25 NFL season and what Commissioner Roger Goodell thinks about the Super Bowl being played on Presidents Day.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- As revenue sharing with college athletes becomes a growing possibility, some bowl leaders are already hoping for a collective bargaining agreement with the players that would help significantly lower the number of postseason opt-outs. Nick Carparelli, executive director of Bowl Season, told ESPN at the Fiesta Bowl Spring Summit this week that his understanding from speaking with conference commissioners and NCAA president Charlie Baker is that NIL collectives are destined to be brought in-house and there have been discussions about contracts in exchange for NIL payments. "If you sign a contract and receive compensation, you're obligated to perform certain duties -- in this case, play 12 regular-season games and a bowl game or a bowl game and the playoff," he said. "That's logical to expect. It's the way the rest of us working folks operate." Fiesta Bowl executive director and CEO Erik Moses agreed, adding that he isn't insensitive to the risks the players and...

The Bundesliga will have five teams in the Champions League next season after  Borussia Dortmund's 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain ensured Germany second place in UEFA's coefficient table for this season. Two leagues will be rewarded with an extra place through the European Performance Spots, given to the two leagues with the best average performance across the three European competitions each season and comes as part of the revamp to expand the Champions League to  a 36-team competition. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Serie A had already sealed the first place last month, and Dortmund's victory now means Germany cannot be overtaken by the final remaining contenders, England and France. "We wanted to qualify for the Champions League through the Bundesliga and not this way," Dortmund manager Edin Terzic said after beating PSG. "But the fact that it will be enough to qualify as fifth is...

Colorado coach Deion Sanders and his son, quarterback  Shedeur Sanders, have gone on the offensive on social media after a story ran about how former Buffaloes players fared after many were run off following the arrival of "Coach Prime." Former Colorado safety Xavier Smith told the Athletic in a story published Monday that Deion Sanders "never even tried to get to know me," and that he "was destroying guys' confidence and belief in themselves." Shedeur Sanders posted to X, formerly Twitter, that he didn't remember who Smith was. "Bro had to be very mid at best," Shedeur Sanders posted, insinuating Smith was only an average player. Smith, who had injury trouble in his short time at Colorado, earned freshman All-America honors at FCS Austin Peay in 2023 and has since followed coach Scotty Walden to UTEP. After Shedeur Sanders' tweet, things escalated into a series of back-and-forth trash talk. Colorado receiver Kaleb Mathis...

LOS ANGELES -- Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic declared himself ready for Wednesday's pivotal Game 5 against the LA Clippers but acknowledged that he would "probably not" be playing on his sprained right knee if this were the regular season. "Not good," Doncic said when asked how his knee feels. "Could be way better, but it is what it is." Doncic, who injured the knee in the first quarter of Game 3, said he hasn't made any explosive movements since playing 45 minutes in Sunday's Game 4 loss. He said he received "a lot of treatment" over the past two days, when his basketball activity was limited to primarily shooting. Doncic has also been dealing with an illness for several days. He was coughing and congested at Wednesday morning's shootaround. "I'm fine," Doncic said. "I'll be ready for this game." Doncic has struggled by his MVP-candidate standards in the first-round series, which is even entering Game 5. He's averaging 29.0 points, 9.8 rebounds...

Three Milwaukee Brewers, including manager Pat Murphy, and  Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Jose Siri received suspensions for their roles that led to a bench-clearing incident between the two teams in the eighth inning of their game Tuesday night. Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta received a five-game suspension for intentionally throwing at Siri during the top of the sixth inning of the Brewers' 8-2 victory while reliever Abner Uribe received six games after he and Siri squared off against each other two innings later. Siri received a three-game suspension -- that was later reduced to two games -- while Murphy will miss two games as a result of Peralta's actions in addition to his inappropriate conduct toward umpires. All four were also fined. Siri's penalty was reduced when he reached an agreement with Major League Baseball after he appealed. He served the first game as the Rays lost 7-1 Wednesday. Milwaukee said Uribe and Peralta plan...

RIVERSIDE, R.I. -- Veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots in March worth a base value of $8 million, said Wednesday that he looks forward to competing with No. 3 pick Drake Maye for the team's starting job. "That's all out of my control, so I don't really worry about that. I'm excited to have him on the team, and the other guys as well that we drafted and picked up. I think it's going to be good," he said. "Competition brings out the best in all of us, so I'm excited about that part." Brissett already had a connection with Maye, having previously met him through former Washington Commanders teammate Sam Howell (who was a teammate of Maye's at North Carolina). "I'm a little bit familiar with him, and obviously talking to each other now that we are on the same team. So I'm sure that relationship will grow," Brissett said. First-year head coach Jerod Mayo has said that part of the...

Dayton transfer Koby Brea, considered the best shooter in men's college basketball and coming off a historic season, has committed to Kentucky, he told ESPN on Wednesday. "Growing up, I was told I was dreaming too big whenever I'd say my dream was to play for the University of Kentucky," Brea said. "I feel like God does everything for a reason, and He has put me in a position where I'm able to play for my dream school in my last year of college, while playing for something bigger than myself." Brea picked Kentucky over a list of schools that included Duke, North Carolina, Kansas and UConn. "In this process, everything moves so quickly," Brea said. "It was important for me to take my time and prioritize what I needed to take this next step in my career. I feel fortunate to have had these incredible schools recruit me to be a part of their program. And I am proud to commit to my dream school and become a Kentucky Wildcat." Brea hit...

Jevon Porter, a former Pepperdine standout and the younger brother of  Denver Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr., was arrested Friday night in Missouri on suspicion of DWI, Missouri State Sgt. Kyle Green confirmed to ESPN. Porter, 20, was released on summons and not booked into jail in Boone County, where the incident occurred, according to Green. The news of Porter's arrest was first reported by Power Mizzou. According to Green, Porter was stopped for speeding before his DWI arrest. Porter, a 6-foot-11 forward, recently transferred from Pepperdine to Loyola Marymount. He averaged 16.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game last season. Loyola Marymount said it is looking into Porter's situation. "We are aware of recent reports in the media and are gathering information about the matter," the school said in a statement to ESPN. The arrest comes two weeks after Porter's older brother, Jontay Porter, a two-way player for the Toronto Raptors, was...

MIAMI -- Majority control of the  Dolphins is "not for sale," a source told ESPN, after USA Today reported that owner Stephen Ross turned down a $10 billion offer for control of the team, the Formula One Miami Grand Prix and Hard Rock Stadium. According to USA Today, Ross "entertained" an offer that would represent, by far, the largest team sale in American sports history. He turned down the offer in order to keep team control of the Dolphins within his family; Ross made his daughter, Jennifer, his successor in 2022. Ross purchased a controlling share of the Dolphins in 2009 and spent $500 million on significant renovations to Hard Rock Stadium in 2015. Ross and Dolphins CEO Tom Garfinkel were instrumental in bringing the Miami Open tennis tournament to the Hard Rock Stadium grounds in 2019 and built the Miami International Autodrome around the stadium three years later to host the Miami Grand Prix in 2022. Hard Rock Stadium is one of the most versatile sports...

Tiger Woods remains hopeful he can play one tournament per month for the rest of the 2024 season. Woods, appearing on the "Today" show Wednesday morning, said he is still following the calendar he mapped out before the season began. But physical limitations continue to give the 15-time major winner pause. He completed the Masters last month but requires a "cold plunge every day, religiously" to get his body going and was "extremely sore" when he left Augusta National. Woods shot a 16-over 304 at the Masters and finished last among the 60 golfers who made the 36-hole cut. "I have basically the next three months -- three majors -- and hopefully that works out," said Woods, who last won a major in 2019. Up next is the PGA Championship at Valhalla in two weeks. The U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 begins June 13, and the Open Championship at Royal Troon in Scotland begins July 18. Woods has not played all four majors in a year since 2019. Woods, 48, said he hopes to capture his 16th...

Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois said that he's "very hopeful" the team can re-sign captain Steven Stamkos, as the Lightning star approaches unrestricted free agency this offseason. "Obviously Steven Stamkos needs a contract, and we want him part of that group," BriseBois said, two days after the Lightning were eliminated by the Florida Panthers in five games. The general manager indicated he has started "very preliminary" talks with Stamkos and his agent, calling it a priority to get the deal done. Stamkos' future with the Lightning has earned leaguewide attention ever since he expressed frustration about his contract status in September. This was the final year of his eight-year, $68 million contract. Stamkos, 34, said he had been "disappointed in the lack of talk" about an extension, having expressed a desire to get something done before the regular season started. BriseBois said before the season that it wasn't just a matter of bringing...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Travis Kelce informed the Kansas City Chiefs he wanted a pay raise for the two seasons remaining on his contract but knew he was making the request at a major negotiating disadvantage. Kelce wasn't going to hold out to get it. He wasn't even going to threaten a holdout, and the Chiefs, after 11 seasons with Kelce, were well aware. "I'm not a guy that sits out," Kelce said on the "New Heights" podcast with his brother, Jason. "I'm not a guy that holds out. I'm a guy that loves coming into the building, and the Chiefs know that. So, for them to want to get this done for me knowing how much blood, sweat and tears that I put into this thing, I'm extremely grateful." The Chiefs this week gave Kelce the raise, one that makes him the highest-paid NFL tight end with an average salary of $17.125 million over the next two seasons. Kelce had been scheduled to make $12 million next season and $16.25 million in 2025. "I'm so excited and so thankful...

United States defender Sergiño Dest has confirmed he has torn his ACL and is facing a lengthy spell out of action, ruling him out of this summer's  Copa América.  Dest picked up the injury in training with  PSV Eindhoven on April 20. The club originally described it as a serious knee injury. But Dest, 23, has since confirmed on social media that he has suffered a torn ACL, an injury that will likely rule him out for the rest of the calendar year. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) "I want to give you an update on the injury myself," Dest said. "I tore my ACL. Hearing [the news] was very painful. I will be out for a long period of time. "Soon I will be operated on and then I will work on my recovery. It will be tough for me. I know that I will come out of this stronger, that's for sure. For the rest, it is now to hope for the best and find the old version of myself again." It is a bitter blow for Dest,  ...

United States women's national team legend Carli Lloyd announced she and her husband, Brian Hollins, are expecting their first child. Lloyd, 41, made 316 appearances for the USWNT, second behind Kristine Lilly (354), during which she won two Women's World Cup titles and two Olympic gold medals in women's soccer. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) "It has been a rollercoaster of a journey to get to this point. We are beyond excited to be parents! I couldn't have gotten through this without my amazing husband, Brian. He truly kept me going," Lloyd said in an Instagram post on Wednesday. "We are so grateful for all the love and support we had from our family and friends. "My story is currently a happy one, but I know there are other women who are facing challenges in their pregnancy journey. I see you and I understand your pain. My hope is that more and more women will speak up about this topic, because their stories helped me. I...

United States women's national team legend Carli Lloyd announced she and her husband, Brian Hollins, are expecting their first child. Lloyd, 41, made 316 appearances for the USWNT, second behind Kristine Lilly (354), during which she won two Women's World Cup titles and two Olympic gold medals in women's soccer. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) "It has been a rollercoaster of a journey to get to this point. We are beyond excited to be parents! I couldn't have gotten through this without my amazing husband, Brian. He truly kept me going," Lloyd said in an Instagram post on Wednesday. "We are so grateful for all the love and support we had from our family and friends. "My story is currently a happy one, but I know there are other women who are facing challenges in their pregnancy journey. I see you and I understand your pain. My hope is that more and more women will speak up about this topic, because their stories helped me. I...

RJ Davis, an All-American and Wooden Award finalist last season, is returning to North Carolina for a fifth season. Davis announced his decision in an Instagram post early Wednesday morning with the simple caption: "I'm back." The runaway winner for ACC Player of the Year, Davis averaged 21.2 points and 3.5 assists per game last season while shooting 39.8% from 3. He was North Carolina's first Associated Press All-American since 2017. Davis' freshman year came during the 2020-21 season played amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with players competing that year getting an additional year of eligibility. He has 2,088 career points to rank fifth on the school's career record list. If he matches last season's output (784 points), he would tie Tyler Hansbrough for the ACC career scoring record (2,872). His anticipated return had the Tar Heels at No. 8 in ESPN's Way-Too-Early Top 25. North Carolina won the ACC regular-season title in 2023-24 and received a No. 1 seed in...

RJ Davis, an All-American and Wooden Award finalist last season, is returning to North Carolina for a fifth season. Davis announced his decision in an Instagram post early Wednesday morning with the simple caption: "I'm back." The runaway winner for ACC Player of the Year, Davis averaged 21.2 points and 3.5 assists per game last season while shooting 39.8% from 3. He was North Carolina's first Associated Press All-American since 2017. His anticipated return had the Tar Heels listed at No. 8 in ESPN's Way-Too-Early Top 25. North Carolina won the ACC regular-season title in 2023-24 and received a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, reaching the Sweet 16 before falling to No. 4 Alabama. Information from ESPN's Jeff Borzello was used in this report.

MILWAUKEE -- As the final seconds ticked off the clock of an emphatic 115-92 Milwaukee Bucks victory in Game 5 to avoid elimination, Malik Beasley threw his hands in the air and welcomed the love from the crowd. Patrick Beverley yelled along with fans in the front row near the Bucks bench. Khris Middleton even acknowledged the cheers as he walked up the floor to come out of the game. A sold-out crowd, emboldened by the unlikely performance they had witnessed, chanted "Bucks in seven." The Bucks won Tuesday night with both of their two top scorers, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, out of the lineup, making them the first team in NBA history to win a playoff game while missing their top two scorers from the regular season. Middleton and Bobby Portis led all scorers with 29 points each and, along with Beverley, became the first trio in Bucks history to all post a double-double since 1981, according to research...

NEW YORK -- After the New York Knicks completed a miraculous comeback in Game 2 of their first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden last week, Sixers guard  Tyrese Maxey vowed to make up for his turnover and missed shot in the closing moments that helped cost his team that game. Tuesday night, with Philadelphia's season seemingly over, Maxey not only made up for it -- he somehow did something even more absurd. Thanks to his seven points in the final 28.9 seconds of regulation -- back-to-back 3-pointers, the first of which he was fouled on by Mitchell Robinson for a four-point play -- the 76ers erased a six-point lead inside the final 30 seconds and went on to claim a 112-106 overtime victory in Game 5, somehow sending this series back to Philadelphia with the Knicks up 3-2. "What was going through my mind was trying to survive," said Maxey, who had 46 points in 52 minutes. "Our season is on the line. I trust...

After their Game 5 victory, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brady Skjei noted the key difference between his team and the New York Islanders, the team it eliminated Tuesday night. "Those lucky bounces went our way," he said after the Hurricanes' 6-3 win in Raleigh. The Hurricanes' Jack Drury and Stefan Noesen scored eight seconds apart in the third period, the fastest two goals in a playoff game in franchise history. That broke their previous record of nine seconds between goals, which was set in the third period of Game 2 against the Islanders. Drury's goal came on a deflected puck that the Islanders couldn't clear from their zone. Noesen scored eight seconds later on a bounce off the side boards that sailed directly to the Islanders' net. "It sucks that we're done playing. It's just a tough way to lose a game like that," Islanders captain Anders Lee said. "We were grinding back. Stayed in the fight all night. We believed we were...

MILWAUKEE -- Punches were thrown when a brawl broke out between the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers during the eighth inning of Tuesday night's game.  The fracas ensued after Jose Siri grounded out against Brewers pitcher Abner Uribe leading off the inning. Uribe and Siri exchanged words near first base and things quickly became heated. With an umpire standing between them trying to keep the peace, Uribe threw a punch at Siri, who then took a wild swing at the reliever. Siri claimed Uribe escalated the exchange with a shoulder bump. Uribe said it began with some "unnecessary" words from Siri. Milwaukee first baseman Rhys Hoskins tried to break up the fight but was knocked to the ground as both dugouts and bullpens emptied quickly. "I don't know who said something first but I saw them talking to each other somewhat discreetly and then off it went," Hoskins said. The animosity between Siri and the Brewers had been building all night,...

PHOENIX -- A swarm of bees created quite a baseball buzzkill in the desert -- and gave Arizona Diamondbacks fans a new hero. The start of Tuesday night's game between the Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers was delayed nearly two hours after a bee colony swarmed the top of the protective netting behind home plate. Matt Hilton turned into the star of the night for removing the bees, earning a brief slice of stardom and the nod to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Chase Field. "Minor leagues to the big leagues now," said Hilton, branch manager for Blue Sky Pest Control's Phoenix office. "It's pretty cool." The buzz started about five minutes before first pitch. Mike Rock, the Diamondbacks' vice president of baseball operations, got a call from the senior manager of events telling him a growing colony of bees was collecting atop the netting. "She doesn't usually call me about that time. I knew something was odd," Rock said. "She said we have bees...

The series of $500,000 payments Ippei Mizuhara sent from Shohei Ohtani's bank account to an illegal bookmaking operation were forwarded to California and Las Vegas casinos, where the money was deposited in gambling accounts, converted to playing chips and later cashed out to pay the bookie, multiple sources with direct knowledge of the operation told ESPN. The description of what happened to Ohtani's money sheds new light on the ongoing federal probe that drew global attention after his interpreter, Mizuhara, was accused of stealing $16 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers slugger to feed what he has called a gambling addiction. Mathew Bowyer, the California bookmaker who took Mizuhara's bets, was a frequent customer at Las Vegas casino Resorts World. The sources told ESPN that Mizuhara paid his losses to Bowyer's associate, who forwarded the money to his own "marker" accounts at Resorts World and Pechanga Resort Casino in Southern California. The men then...

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos have been busy since they acquired quarterback Zach Wilson in a trade last week to beef up their impending competition for the starting job. Thursday, they selected Oregon quarterback Bo Nix in the first round of the NFL draft (12th overall), and sources said the Broncos have informed Wilson and his representatives that they will not pick up the fifth-year option in Wilson's contract. As the No. 2 pick of the 2021 draft by the New York Jets, Wilson's rookie deal included a fifth-year option for the 2025 season. The option would have been for a guaranteed $22.408 million. By league rules, the deadline to pick up the fifth-year option for 2021 first-round picks is Thursday, and it puts Wilson in a position to try to make the most of the 2024 season with the Broncos before he hits free agency in March. The Broncos have already engaged the fifth-year option on cornerback Pat Surtain II's contract for $19.8...

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Mike Trout, the Angels' superstar center fielder who has been hampered by a litany of injuries in recent years, suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee that will require surgery. The Angels did not announce a timetable for Trout's recovery while revealing the injury Tuesday, but sources familiar with the situation said a best-case scenario could be four to six weeks. A true timeline, however, can't be determined until doctors take a closer look at Trout's knee. Surgery is expected to take place at some point this week, with a source indicating it could happen Friday. Trout, considered one of the game's best players before injuries continually sidelined him over the past three seasons, was on the verge of tears while addressing the media. "It's just frustrating," Trout said, getting choked up. "But we'll get through it." Most frustrating to Trout, 32, is that he can't pinpoint the moment the injury took place. He played the entirety of Monday's...

Vinícius Júnior said Toni Kroos "makes things easy" after the veteran midfielder provided the pass for the first of the Brazilian's two goals in Real Madrid's 2-2 draw at Bayern Munich on Tuesday. Vinicius opened the scoring in the 24th minute, converting Kroos' pinpoint throughball, before goals from Leroy Sané and Harry Kane put Bayern ahead. Vinicius then converted a late penalty to leave the Champions League semifinal all square ahead of the second leg in Madrid next week. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) The Brazil international has now scored five goals in eight Champions League appearances this season. But, speaking after the game, he highlighted the contribution of Kroos, 34, instead. "Toni always makes things easy," Vinicius told Movistar. "He gifted me a goal. We practice a lot together in training. I know Toni very well, and he knows me. I'm very happy to have scored two goals. Now we...

ANAHEIM, Calif. --  Angels superstar Mike Trout, hoping for a fully healthy season after being significantly limited by injury the past three years, needs knee surgery, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. The procedure, which is believed to be scheduled for Friday, isn't considered to be season ending. At this point, it is not known how long Trout will be out. Trout played the entire game Monday, a come-from-behind, 6-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, and even stole a base. A follow-up MRI, however, revealed an issue with his knee.

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is expected to miss a minimum of several games with a right soleus strain suffered in Game 4, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Tuesday. The Celtics said the star big man will be out for Wednesday's Game 5 in Boston because of the injury but did not offer a timetable beyond that.  The soleus (calf) strain is the same injury that has kept Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo out this postseason.  Porzingis suffered the injury in the first half of Monday's Game 4 win in Miami. He appeared to tweak something after catching a pass from Jaylen Brown late in the second quarter. Upon getting the ball, he started driving toward his left, then grimaced before quickly giving the ball back to Brown and coming up lame in the middle of the play. Porzingis didn't appear to be touched by anyone on the play in which he was hurt. Following the game, he slowly walked out of the visiting locker room area wearing...

HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros will option slumping first baseman Jose Abreu to their spring training facility to try to get the 2020 American League MVP back on track. General manager Dana Brown made the announcement Tuesday, saying that they'd make the move Wednesday. The 37-year-old will report to the Astros complex in West Palm Beach, Florida. Brown said the decision was made after a meeting that included himself, Abreu, coaches and front-office personnel. Abreu, in the second season of a $58.5 million, three-year contract, is hitting .099 with just one extra-base hit and three RBIs. In 77 plate appearances across 22 games this season, Abreu has seven hits. "You know what's been the hardest thing for me? And I say this from the bottom of my heart -- I feel embarrassed," Abreu said in Spanish during last weekend's series vs. the Colorado Rockies in Mexico. "The people in this organization brought me here to do a good job. I haven't done that. The hard...

Real Madrid's  Vinícius Júnior scored twice, including an 83rd minute penalty, to snatch a 2-2 draw at Bayern Munich in an entertaining Champions League semifinal, first leg on Tuesday, leaving the tie wide open. The Brazil international struck against the run of play when he slotted in to give the visitors the lead from Toni Kroos' defence-splitting pass after 24 minutes. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Bayern had struck twice in four minutes early in the second half to turn the game around before Vinícius' spot kick. Facing each other for a record eighth time at this stage of the competition, it was Bayern who got off to a strong start, racking up half a dozen attempts on goal by the 15th minute with Leroy Sané and Harry Kane coming close. Real needed only one chance to score though, stunning the home crowd against the run of play when Kroos sliced open the Bayern defence with a through ball...

New York Knicks forward Bojan Bogdanovic will miss the rest of the season because of left foot surgery, the team announced. Bogdanovic, who turned 35 last week, had already been dealing with a wrist issue before he injured his foot almost immediately after checking in to Sunday's Game 4 win over the Philadelphia 76ers for the first time at the start of the second quarter. Bogdanovic got tied up with 76ers forward Nicolas Batum while both were chasing a loose ball, and Bogdanovic immediately went to the ground in a lot of pain. He slowly limped off the court and was ruled out a short time later. Bogdanovic was acquired from the Detroit Pistons at the trade deadline, alongside Alec Burks, to bolster New York's depth for the stretch run, and he has played a reserve role for the Knicks throughout the first four games of this series. That included a critical pair of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter of New York's Game 1 victory at Madison Square...

PLAYA VISTA, Calif. -- LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard will miss his second straight game and remain out for Wednesday's Game 5 against the Dallas Mavericks, according to coach Ty Lue. Lue said Leonard would not practice Tuesday as he continues to treat the inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee. Leonard did not play Sunday when the Clippers won Game 4 in Dallas 116-111 to even the best-of-seven series at 2. Paul George and James Harden shouldered the load, combining for a total of 66 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds. After missing the final eight regular-season games and Game 1 of the series, Leonard returned and logged 35 minutes, scoring 15 points in Game 2. But Leonard said his knee did not respond the way he had hoped. Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said Leonard experienced swelling. The two-time Finals MVP gutted out 25 minutes and had nine points and nine rebounds but clearly did not move...

Cornerback  Chris Harris Jr., a four-time Pro Bowl selection in 12 NFL seasons, announced his retirement Tuesday. Harris, 34, last played in the NFL in 2022 with the New Orleans Saints, and he told the Denver Gazette that after not receiving interest from teams this offseason, he made the decision to retire. "I just waited a year, and I stayed in shape, but I realized that everybody was pretty much moving on with the younger players, the younger wave,'' Harris told the Gazette. "So, I thought it would be great to just call it an end." Harris signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2011 and played his first nine seasons with Denver, during which he was selected to his four Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl after the 2015 season. He was a first-team All-Pro selection in 2016 and was named to the 2010s All-Decade Team in 2020. "I was able to accomplish pretty much everything,'' he told the Gazette. "... Getting All-Decade was the top...

NEW YORK -- Both Joel Embiid and Kelly Oubre Jr. missed shootaround for the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday ahead of Game 5 of their first-round series against the New York Knicks. Embiid missed it with a migraine, while Oubre had an illness. Embiid, who was already questionable with left knee injury management, remains so, while Oubre was put on the injury report as probable to play. Philadelphia enters Game 5 trailing 3-1 in this best-of-seven series, and on the verge of being eliminated in the first two rounds of the playoffs for a seventh consecutive season, despite being outscored by a total of four points over the first four games of the series, thanks in part to blowing a 5-point lead in the final 30 seconds of Game 2 here last week. Embiid, who is less than a month into his return from a procedure on the lateral meniscus in his left knee, is averaging 35 points, 9 rebounds and 5.5 assists through the first four games, while Oubre has been one...

A clash between former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and undefeated contender Jared Anderson is being planned for Aug. 3 in Los Angeles, Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, announced Monday evening on social media. Wilder (43-3-1, 42 KOs) will first face China's Zhilei Zhang on June 1 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The 39-year-old from Alabama is coming off a lopsided decision defeat to Joseph Parker in December in Riyadh. It was a major upset that cost Wilder a March fight with Anthony Joshua. Wilder is a +190 underdog against Zhang, per ESPN BET. Alalshikh said Wilder will be Anderson's opponent "if he's ready by then to fight." If Wilder doesn't perform well, Anderson could face a different foe on the stacked Terence Crawford-Israil Madrimov undercard, Saudi Arabia's first boxing event outside the Kingdom. "I always believe that boxing would be at its peak when you have young American heavyweights like Jared Anderson, which I also...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jaguars released receiver Zay Jones on Tuesday morning, less than a week after drafting a receiver in the first round of the NFL draft. The Jaguars save $4.49 million against the salary cap by releasing Jones, who signed a three-year contract with the team in March 2022. His release was among a list of moves the team made Tuesday, which included releasing kicker Joey Slye. The Jaguars drafted LSU receiver Brian Thomas Jr. with the 23rd overall pick Thursday. Thomas led FBS with 17 touchdown catches in 2023. In addition, veteran receiver Jarvis Landry, a five-time Pro Bowl selection who did not play in the NFL last season, will be participating in the Jaguars' May 10-11 rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. Jones caught 116 passes for 1,144 yards and seven touchdowns in two seasons with the Jaguars, including career highs in receptions (82) and receiving yards (823) in 2022. Jones missed eight games in 2023 because of a...

NEW YORK - Both Joel Embiid and Kelly Oubre Jr. missed shootaround for the Philadelphia 76ers Tuesday ahead of Game 5 of their first round series against the New York Knicks. Embiid missed with a migraine, while Oubre had an illness. Embiid, who was already questionable with left knee injury management, remains so, while Oubre was put on the injury report as probable to play. Philadelphia enters Game 5 trailing 3-1 in this best-of-7 series, and on the verge of being eliminated in the first two rounds of the playoffs for a seventh consecutive season, despite being outscored by a total of four points over the first four games of the series, thanks in part to blowing a 5-point lead in the final 30 seconds of Game 2 here last week. Embiid, who is less than a month into his return from a procedure on the lateral meniscus in his left knee, is averaging 35 points, 9 rebounds and 5.5 assists through the first four games, while Oubre has been one of the...

Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch will undergo surgery to repair a right patellar tendon Wednesday, and it remains unclear whether he'll be able to open the franchise's Western Conference semifinal series against the Denver Nuggets on the bench, sources told ESPN. In the early stages of his rehabilitation, Finch will be required to keep right leg immobilized in a brace. If Finch isn't able to park on the sidelines to start the series, assistant Micah Nori will coach Game 1 on Saturday, with Finch likely communicating to the bench from the locker room, sources said. Barring complications from the procedure Wednesday, Finch -- who finished third in the NBA's Coach of the Year voting -- should be able to travel to Denver with the team Friday, sources said. The Nuggets are the NBA's defending champions and the No. 2 seed in the West; the Timberwolves are the third seed. Finch suffered the injury in the final moments of a Game 4 victory Sunday over the ...

DENVER -- LeBron James said he is undecided on his NBA future following the Los Angeles Lakers' 108-106 loss in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. James, 39, who finished his 21st season with 30 points, 11 assists, 9 rebounds and 4 steals in L.A.'s season-ending loss to the Nuggets, said his immediate focus will be on his family and that his sights then will shift to training camp for USA Basketball ahead of the Paris Olympics this summer.  Asked how he would approach his decision about Year 22, James replied, "I don't have an answer ... to be honest. I haven't given it much thought." He said he would eventually sit down with his agent, Rich Paul, and family to evaluate "what's best for my career." "We'll cross that when we need to," James added. When asked if he considered whether Monday's game could be his last with the Lakers, James said, "I'm not going to answer that." James has...

NEW ORLEANS -- Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault took the postgame podium on Monday night with his hair a bit more damp than usual. When the NBA's Coach of the Year walked into the visitors locker room following OKC's  97-89 win in Game 4 to clinch a first-round sweep of the New Orleans Pelicans, he was met by players dousing him with water -- because there was a lot to celebrate. The Thunder became the youngest team in NBA history to capture a playoff series, and they did it in convincing fashion as the top seed in the Western Conference. Daigneault said there's a difference between a young team and a mature team and that his Thunder are a mature group. "We have a committed team," Daigneault said. "I think a lot of times the age of the team, you can make assumptions about the stage that the players are in their careers. But I've said all along, we have an uncommon group of people and players, and I think that's a huge reason why we're able to...

DENVER -- LeBron James said he is undecided on his NBA future following the Los Angeles Lakers' 108-106 loss in Game 5 on their first-round series against the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. James, 39, who finished his 21st season with 30 points, 11 assists, 9 rebounds and 4 steals in L.A.'s season-ending loss to the Nuggets, said his immediate focus will be on his family and then his sights will shift to training camp for USA Basketball ahead of the Olympics in Paris this summer. Asked how he would approach his decision about Year 22, James replied, "I don't have an answer ... to be honest. I haven't given it much thought." He said he would eventually sit down with his agent, Rich Paul, and family and evaluate "what's best for my career." "We'll cross that when we need to," he added.  When asked if he considered if Monday could be his last game he ever plays with the Lakers, James said, "I'm not going to answer that." James has until June 29 to...

Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper was highly critical of two goalie interference calls that went against his team in its Game 5 loss to the Florida Panthers, which eliminated the Lightning from the Stanley Cup playoffs on Monday night. "This is clearly a turning point in the game. If anyone's going to talk about this game, they're going to talk about the goals that were taken away," Cooper said after the 6-1 loss to Florida, a score inflated by two empty-net goals by the Panthers. The first goalie interference review was a coach's challenge initiated by Florida at 13 minutes of the first period. Video review determined that Tampa Bay's Anthony Duclair impaired Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky's ability to play his position in the crease prior to Anthony Cirelli's goal. Cooper felt that Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling was holding Duclair on the play. "You saw our reaction. It's just one of those ... it's very frustrating," Duclair said....

DENVER -- Jamal Murray overcame a strained left calf, management's suggestion he sit this one out and another haymaker from the Los Angeles Lakers to score 32 points and sink the game winner with 3.6 seconds left Monday night. That sent LeBron James to his earliest playoff exit and the Denver Nuggets tottering into Round 2 with a 108-106 win in a Game 5 that featured 16 lead changes and 10 ties and was secured only when Taurean Prince's half-court heave fell short as time expired. "Shoutout to the Lakers, they gave us a great series," said Murray, who also hit the franchise's first playoff buzzer-beater in Game 2 of the Western Conference first-round series. "Those are shots that you dream of as a little kid," said Murray, who called this one just "a little better." The Nuggets point guard is the first player in the past 25 seasons with multiple go-ahead shots in the final 5 seconds of a single playoff series, according to...

DENVER -- Jamal Murray scored 32 points despite a strained calf and sank the game-winner with 3.6 seconds left as the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets bounced LeBron James from the playoffs again with a 108-106 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 Monday night. James' two free throws tied it at 106 with 26 seconds left and the Nuggets, just as they did in Game 2, eschewed the timeout and Murray took the ball on a high screen and roll to his left, shaking Austin Reaves and he crossed through the lane and swished the 14-footer. It was Murray's buzzer beater that won Game 2. The Nuggets point guard is the first player in the last 25 seasons with multiple go-ahead shots in the final 5 seconds of a single playoff series, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. He's the fourth player to do it multiple times across a single postseason.  "This one was a little better," Murray said as confetti swirled around him and his celebrating...

NEW ORLEANS --  Jalen Williams highlighted a 24-point performance with a backbreaking 3 with three minutes left, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the New Orleans Pelicans 97-89 on Monday night to complete a four-game sweep of their first-round playoff series. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 24 points and 10 rebounds for Oklahoma City, which trailed by five in the fourth quarter before suddenly seizing control with a combination of stifling defense and opportunistic shooting. "Our energy, focus, commitment and togetherness were all on display," said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault. "We had never been here. I was curious to see which version of ourselves we would get, and we were very much in character. "It was just a great defensive series by everyone that stepped on the court. I thought throughout the series our defense was consistent. We didn't allow even parts of games to get away from us." New Orleans led 80-75 and had a chance to take what would...

Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper was highly critical of two goalie interference calls that went against his team in its Game 5 loss to the Florida Panthers, which eliminated the Lightning from the Stanley Cup playoffs on Monday night. "This is clearly a turning point in the game. If anyone's going to talk about this game, they're going to talk about the goals that were taken away," Cooper said after the 6-1 loss to Florida, a score inflated by two empty-net goals by the Panthers. The first goalie interference review was a coach's challenge initiated by Florida at 13 minutes of the first period. Video review determined that Tampa Bay's Anthony Duclair impaired Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky's ability to play his position in the crease prior to Anthony Cirelli's goal. Cooper felt that Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling was holding Duclair on the play. "You saw our reaction. It's just one of those ... it's very frustrating," Duclair said....

MIAMI -- The Boston Celtics took one more step toward eliminating the rival Miami Heat with a convincing 102-88 Game 4 victory Monday to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. But the win might have come with a cost, as Kristaps Porzingis, the team's starting center, hobbled off the court with a calf injury just before halftime and didn't return. Porzingis will undergo imaging Tuesday, but early indications are that he didn't sustain an Achilles tendon injury, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Following the game, Porzingis slowly walked out of the visiting locker room area wearing a gray walking boot on his right foot. Porzingis appeared to tweak something after catching a pass from Jaylen Brown late in the second period. Upon getting the ball, Porzingis started driving toward his left, then grimaced before quickly giving the ball back to Brown and coming up lame in the middle of the play. Porzingis didn't appear to be touched by anyone on...

MIAMI -- Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis hobbled off the court before halftime of Monday night's 102-88 Game 4 win over the  Miami Heat and did not return with what the team said was a right calf injury. Porzingis will undergo imaging Tuesday, but early indications are that he didn't sustain an Achilles tendon injury, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Porzingis appeared to tweak something after catching a pass from Jaylen Brown late in the second period. Upon getting the ball, Porzingis started driving toward his left, then grimaced before quickly giving the ball back to Brown and coming up lame in the middle of the play. Porzingis didn't appear to be touched by anyone on the play during which he was hurt.   As he walked to the locker room with a support staffer, Porzingis briefly held his jersey over his face in apparent frustration. The Celtics quickly released an update, saying Porzingis was suffering from right calf...