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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants declined an invite to the quarterback party at the top of the 2024 NFL draft when they passed on Michigan's  J.J. McCarthy, among others, before selecting LSU wide receiver  Malik Nabers with the sixth overall pick. Quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr., McCarthy and  Bo Nix were available when the Giants were on the clock Thursday night in the first round of the draft. They were all eventually taken within the first 12 picks -- Penix at No. 8 to the Atlanta Falcons, McCarthy at No. 10 to the Minnesota Vikings and Nix at No. 12 to the Denver Broncos. Caleb Williams,  Jayden Daniels and  Drake Maye were selected Nos. 1-3 to the Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders and New England Patriots, respectively, tying a record for the most first-round quarterbacks since the legendary 1983 draft. Giants general manager Joe Schoen confirmed that there were conversations with teams in...

The Atlanta Falcons pulled off the biggest shocker of the early part of the NFL draft Thursday night, taking Washington quarterback  Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick. And that stunned feeling extended to incumbent quarterback Kirk Cousins, too. The Falcons made the pick despite signing veteran quarterback Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract last month in free agency. Cousins' agent, Mike McCartney, told ESPN's Pete Thamel that the Falcons only notified the QB that they'd pick Penix while the team was on the clock. McCartney said there is frustration and confusion coming from Cousins' camp because Atlanta did not use its first-round pick to make the team better in 2024. Instead, the Falcons used their selection on Cousins' apparent successor before Cousins played a single down for the team. McCartney said Cousins understands the business of football and is ready to move on, but there was indeed surprise about the Falcons' decision. Penix,...

EAGAN, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings have their new quarterback. Six weeks after bidding farewell to veteran Kirk Cousins, the Vikings moved up one spot in the 2024 NFL draft and selected Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy at No. 10 overall on Thursday night. McCarthy provided an attractive consolation prize after the team tried and failed to acquire the No. 3 overall pick, where they hoped to draft North Carolina's Drake Maye, and were rebuffed by the Los Angeles Chargers in a long-shot attempt to trade for veteran Justin Herbert. McCarthy was one of at least five quarterbacks the Vikings conducted private workouts and meetings with over the past month, a list that also included Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr., Bo Nix and Maye. All but Nix were off the board by the eighth pick of the draft, leaving the Vikings to sweat out a few picks before they swapped spots with the New York Jets. The Vikings gave up the No. 11 pick, a fourth-round...

The Denver Broncos' decision-makers said over and over again in the weeks leading up to Thursday's first round of the NFL draft they would not "force'' a decision at quarterback. Whether or not the Broncos indeed forced the issue remains to be seen, but what the Broncos did do is make history when they made Oregon's  Bo Nix the sixth quarterback off the board Thursday night. Nix's selection tied the record of six quarterbacks selected in the first round, set in 1983 when Broncos Hall of Famer John Elway was the No. 1 pick of the draft (by the Baltimore Colts). Nix's selection with the No. 12 pick was the highest the Broncos have selected a quarterback in the first round since they drafted Jay Cutler at No. 11 in 2006. "When you look at their scheme, there's a lot of concepts, a lot of things I've run in the past,'' Nix said. Nix said he believed the Broncos had some interest in him during the pre-draft windup, but that "you never know until you get the phone...

COSTA MESA, Calif. -- In the weeks leading up to the NFL draft, the Los Angeles Chargers received trade inquiries for star quarterback Justin Herbert from the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings but quickly turned down both requests, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz confirmed Thursday that he fielded inquiries about Herbert but did not specify which teams contacted him, adding "they were quickly shot down." "Justin who?" Hortiz said with a smile. "No. No, at the combine I had some people ask me would we consider it, and they were quickly shot down. No, that is never an option." The potential blockbuster trade would have been a costly one for the Chargers, who would have had to take on a $63.5 million salary cap charge for the 2024 season if they traded Herbert. The Chargers signed Herbert last July to a five-year, $262.5 million extension that included $133.7 million in full guarantees and $193.7...

EAGAN, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings have their new quarterback. Six weeks after bidding farewell to veteran Kirk Cousins, they Vikings moved up one spot in the 2024 NFL draft and selected Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy at No. 10 overall on Thursday night. McCarthy provided an attractive consolation prize after the team tried and failed to acquire the No. 3 overall pick, where they hoped to draft North Carolina's Drake Maye, and were rebuffed by the Los Angeles Chargers in a long-shot attempt to trade for veteran Justin Herbert. McCarthy was one of at least five quarterbacks the Vikings conducted private workouts and meetings with over the past month, a list that also included Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr., Bo Nix and Maye. All but Nix were off the board by the eighth pick of the draft, leaving the Vikings to sweat out a few picks before they swapped spots with the New York Jets. The Vikings gave up the No. 11 pick, a fourth-round...

The Atlanta Falcons selected quarterback  Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday. The Falcons made the pick despite signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in free agency. Penix went through the draft process as one of the players with the most medical questions. In his four seasons at Indiana, before his transfer to Washington, Penix tore his right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) twice and suffered injuries to each shoulder, including his left (throwing) shoulder. He missed 25 of his possible 51 games at Indiana and did not play more than six games in any of his four seasons with the Hoosiers. However, he played the last two seasons at Washington with 4,641 yards and 4,903 yards passing, respectively, to go with 67 passing touchdowns combined. At the Senior Bowl, Penix told ESPN his knee had been evaluated by noted orthopedist Neal S. ElAttrache from the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los...

Despite the speculation that the Arizona Cardinals could trade the fourth overall pick in the NFL draft, Arizona stood pat Thursday night and selected former Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The son of Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, the younger Harrison became just the third receiver taken by the Cardinals in the first round in the past 20 years, joining Larry Fitzgerald, who went third in 2004, and Michael Floyd, the 13th pick in 2012. Harrison was widely considered the best receiver prospect in this year's draft after an accomplished college career that saw him finish fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting. He was a two-time unanimous All-American for the Buckeyes and finished his career with 155 catches for 2,613 yards and 31 touchdowns. Harrison raised eyebrows earlier this year when he opted to not work out at the NFL scouting combine but met with teams, and then again when he didn't work out at Ohio State's pro day. Cardinals general manager Monti...

The New England Patriots, who previously were "open for business" to trade out of the third pick in the NFL draft, stayed put and selected North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye. Patriots owner Robert Kraft had referred to this year's draft as the most anticipated in his 31-year tenure, and in Maye, the Patriots believe they've landed the "top-rate, young quarterback" he desired. The 6-foot-4, 223-pound Maye will initially compete with veteran free agent signing Jacoby Brissett for the starting job. The Patriots also have 2022 fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe and second-year player Nathan Rourke on the quarterback depth chart. Maye is the third quarterback the Patriots have drafted in the top 10 in the common draft era, joining Drew Bledsoe (1993) and Jim Plunkett (1971), who both went No. 1 overall. The process that led the Patriots to Maye -- just the seventh player from North Carolina who New England has drafted in its 64-year history --...

The Washington Commanders once again have turned to a dual-threat quarterback coming off a Heisman Trophy to help revitalize their franchise. The Commanders selected LSU's Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft Thursday, ending months of speculation -- and intense privacy by the organization. It is the highest Washington has drafted a quarterback since Robert Griffin III was picked with the second selection in 2012. Like Griffin, Daniels also won the Heisman Trophy and will enter the NFL as a threat to hurt teams with his arm and legs. Washington also considered North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye and Michigan signal-caller J.J. McCarthy. As the draft drew closer, it became clear that Daniels was Washington's favorite; multiple league sources expected him to go at No. 2, and team sources anticipated it as well. But Daniels wasn't sure what to expect. "They did a pretty good job of not showing their hand too much," Daniels said...

The Chicago Bears hope their decades-long search for a franchise quarterback ended Thursday night when they selected USC's Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft. Williams, 22, won the Heisman Trophy in 2022 when he threw for 4,537 yards, 42 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions in 500 pass attempts. He is the second Trojans quarterback to be selected with the first pick during the common draft era (Carson Palmer in 2003) and the sixth USC player to be taken at the top of the draft. Williams has been labeled a generational talent and has widely been considered the top quarterback prospect in the 2024 draft class, which includes LSU's Jayden Daniels and North Carolina's Drake Maye. "I didn't know how I was going to react in the moment," Williams said. "I was trying to think through it in my head throughout the process, but nothing feels better than actually being in the moment, actually getting that call. You know, I don't feel...

Five-star guard Boogie Fland, who decommitted from Kentucky earlier this month, is following coach John Calipari and committing to Arkansas. While Fland originally chose Kentucky over Indiana and Alabama, it was the Razorbacks who had emerged as the favorite immediately after Fland announced his decommitment. "Boogie has a high level of confidence in Coach Cal that he developed over the last two years. Coach Cal also had a great relationship with his mom and dad," said Fland's high school coach, Archbishop Stepinac's Pat Massaroni. "Coach Cal pushes and demands the best from his players. John Calipari's former players speak and think so highly of him. Tyrese Maxey showed up to Boogie's announcement at Stepinac back in the fall. That meant a lot to Boogie." Fland is on a visit to the Razorbacks' campus, his first trip since reopening his recruitment. "He told me his visit was amazing," Massaroni said. "Arkansas is a great college town, and their...

PHILADELPHIA -- The Eagles and A.J. Brown have agreed on a three-year, $96 million extension that includes $84 million guaranteed, the star wide receiver's agent told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The $84 million is the most guaranteed money in NFL history for a wide receiver, surpassing the $77 million guaranteed that Amon-Ra St. Brown recently received from the Detroit Lions. The $32 million average annual value of the three-year extension also is the highest for any receiver in the NFL. The Eagles announced the deal Thursday night but did not disclose financial terms. Philadelphia now has its two star receivers under contract for the foreseeable future. Earlier this month, the Eagles signed DeVonta Smith to a three-year extension worth $75 million with $51 million guaranteed. Smith's deal runs through 2028 and Brown's through 2029. Brown's deal comes nearly two years after the Eagles acquired the three-time Pro Bowler from the Tennessee...

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry was named the NBA's Clutch Player of the Year on Thursday night, finishing ahead of Chicago Bulls guard DeMar DeRozan and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Curry, 36, finished with the most clutch points scored (189) in the league this season, while Golden State played in more clutch games (48) than any other team. The NBA defines "clutch" time as the final five minutes of games played within a five-point margin. "You've got to be able to deal with failure," Curry said. "You have to be OK with the shot you miss, and have a short memory with it. I don't know if anything clicked other than you know how much time you've put into the game and with that comes deserved confidence of, 'OK, I'm ready for whatever moment you find yourself in, or whatever shot you need to take.' "Everybody remembers the highlights and whatnot, but there's plenty of shots that you miss where...

Seton Hall star Kadary Richmond entered the transfer portal Thursday afternoon, potentially becoming the best player available in the portal. Richmond had long been rumored to be considering a transfer, with Big East and area rival St. John's a potential landing spot for the Brooklyn native. A 6-foot-6 guard, Richmond earned first-team All-Big East honors after averaging 15.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists and leading Seton Hall to an NIT championship. He had 20-plus points nine times in Big East play, including a triple-double against  Creighton, when he finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Richmond was terrific in the postseason, posting 21 points, 13 rebounds and five assists in the NIT title game against Indiana State. He averaged 13.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists in five NIT games. After spending one season at Syracuse in 2020-21, Richmond transferred to Seton Hall. He started 85 games over three years, but his...

MILWAUKEE --  Milwaukee Bucks forward  Khris Middleton's is questionable for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series with the Indiana Pacers after he hurt his ankle in the last game and didn't practice Thursday. Middleton was limping in the first quarter of the Bucks' 125-108 Game 2 loss on Tuesday and briefly went into the locker room, but he returned after getting his right ankle re-taped and ended up playing 36 minutes. Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Middleton didn't practice at all on Thursday and was unsure of the three-time All-Star's availability for Friday's game in Indianapolis. "It's another holding-our-breath situation," Rivers said. "Honestly, I don't know." The Bucks and Pacers are tied 1-1 in the best-of-seven series. Middleton has averaged 19 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5 assists through the first two games. Milwaukee already played the first two games of this series without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who also...

Miami freshman Kyshawn George, a projected first-round pick, told ESPN he is forgoing his remaining college eligibility, hiring an agent and submitting paperwork to become eligible for the 2024 NBA draft. "I decided to follow my basketball dream and make it a reality," George said. "I did not expect anything from this season besides working on my game and getting better every day." George, born in Switzerland, arrived in Florida as an unheralded recruit from the French second division but became one of the most heavily scouted prospects in the ACC, posting 7.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 41% for 3. He is the No. 24 prospect in ESPN's draft projections. At 6-foot-9, George was often tasked with playing point guard for Miami, showing dynamic perimeter-shooting ability and polished basketball instincts on both ends of the floor. A late bloomer who grew 10 inches in the past five years, George has significant potential to tap into with the development...

MILWAUKEE --  Milwaukee Bucks forward  Khris Middleton's status for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series with the Indiana Pacers is uncertain after he hurt his ankle in the last game and didn't practice Thursday. Middleton was limping in the first quarter of the Bucks' 125-108 Game 2 loss on Tuesday and briefly went into the locker room, but he returned after getting his right ankle re-taped and ended up playing 36 minutes. Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Middleton didn't practice at all on Thursday and was unsure of the three-time All-Star's availability for Friday's game in Indianapolis. "It's another holding-our-breath situation," Rivers said. "Honestly, I don't know." The Bucks and Pacers are tied 1-1 in the best-of-seven series. Middleton has averaged 19 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5 assists through the first two games. Milwaukee already played the first two games of this series without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who...

TORONTO -- Boston Bruins coach Jim Montgomery thinks goaltender Jeremy Swayman's dominance against the Toronto Maple Leafs -- before and during their current first-round Stanley Cup playoff series -- has started to rattle some players. Montgomery made that suggestion in reference to an incident late in Boston's 4-2 victory over the Leafs in Game 3 on Wednesday, when Toronto forward Max Domi appeared to seek out Swayman -- owner of a 5-0-0 record versus the Leafs this season -- during a TV timeout. "Normally, I don't think that [a goalie has one team's number]," Montgomery said Thursday. "But when Domi goes off the bench and bumps [Swayman] on purpose, makes me think that maybe he's in their head a little bit." Boston forward Trent Frederic -- who got the Bruins on the board with a first-period goal in Game 3 -- saw the interaction between Domi and Swayman, too. He agreed with Montgomery it might have revealed some mounting exasperation from...

Arne Slot has said he wants to leave Feyenoord to take on the job of succeeding Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager and expects a resolution to negotiations between the two clubs in "the coming days." Liverpool opened talks with Feyenoord on Wednesday after identifying Slot, 45, as their No. 1 choice to replace Klopp, who will stand down from his position at the end of the season after almost nine years in charge at Anfield. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Slot signed a three-year contract with Feyenoord last year after guiding the Rotterdam-based club to the Eredivisie title. The former AZ Alkmaar coach rejected offers from Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur to commit his future to Feyenoord. But speaking to ESPN Netherlands ahead of Thursday's Eredivisie game against Go Ahead Eagles, Slot said he wants to take the opportunity to move to the Premier League with Liverpool. "The only thing...

Charlie Woods, the 15-year-old son of Tiger Woods, failed in his first attempt to qualify for a U.S. Open, shooting a 9-over 81 on Thursday. The teen's scorecard included one birdie, four bogeys and three double bogeys at the Legacy Golf & Tennis Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida. He shot a 40 on the front side and 41 on the back nine. Woods finished 61st in a field of 74. Only the top-five finishers and two alternates advance out of local qualifying. The U.S. Open is scheduled for June 13-16 at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club No. 2 in North Carolina. Players who aren't tour pros can attempt to enter the tournament through local qualifiers. It's been a busy stretch of golf for the younger Woods. He won a state high school championship with his team in Florida last fall. In February, he failed to advance in a qualifying event for the PGA Tour's Cognizant Classic, shooting a 16-over 86. He also has played the 36-hole PNC Championship with his father the last four years in a...

Adrian Newey, Formula One's most sought-after designer, wants to leave champions Red Bull, according to media reports on Thursday. A Red Bull spokesperson said Newey was contracted until at least the end of 2025 "and we are unaware of him joining any other team." The BBC reported, however, that the 65-year-old believed he could negotiate an exit to work for another team from next season. Newey, whose cars have won 25 drivers' and constructors' championships for Williams, McLaren and Red Bull, could not be immediately reached for comment. The BBC and Germany's Auto Motor und Sport both reported that the Briton had told Red Bull he wanted to move on after allegations about team principal Christian Horner. Horner was cleared in February of alleged misconduct toward a female employee, who has lodged an appeal against the outcome. Red Bull are currently dominant with triple world champion Max Verstappen, but Newey has been a regular target for top teams. He has...

For the first time since 2019, MLB will dedicate three days in August to players, focusing on showcasing them beyond their stats and on-field performances, according to a release distributed Thursday. From Aug. 16-18, a different aspect of players' lives will be highlighted through in-stadium events, game broadcasts and social media. Day 1 (Aug. 16) will feature their personalities, friendships and off-the-field interests. Day 2 will focus on their charitable causes, and Day 3 will celebrate the people who helped them on their path to the big leagues, including parents, coaches and other mentors. During the weekend, players will wear special New Era caps featuring each players' uniform number on the side panel in a "youthful design," according to the release. Players also will be able to use customized bats during the games and can wear cleats with personalized designs as well. MLB is calling the three days a "reimagined Players' Weekend" as its previous incarnation, from 2017 to...

AS Roma and relegation-threatened  Udinese are to play out the final 18 minutes of their Serie A clash on Thursday, nearly two weeks after Evan Ndicka's on-pitch collapse caused the game to be suspended. Unlike in other leagues, where the full match would have to be replayed, Serie A dictated that the match at the Bluenergy Stadium can be resumed from the moment it was stopped.  Luton Town's Premier League fixture with Bournemouth was suspended after Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest in December, and the teams returned to play out the match in full on March 13. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) The game in Udine will resume with the score tied 1-1, with Roma's Romelu Lukaku having equalised after  Roberto Pereyra's first-half opener. Serie A regulations stipulate that the clubs are allowed to select entirely different players for the remainder of the match,...

Quarterback Jaden Rashada is committing to play for Georgia after spending one season at Arizona State, according to his agent, Henry Organ of Disruptive Sports. Rashada will join the Bulldogs after appearing in three games for the Sun Devils last season, passing for 485 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions. ESPN's No. 31 overall recruit in the 2023 class initially signed with Florida but was released from his national letter of intent after a $13 million name, image and likeness agreement fell through with the school's Gator Collective. The Pittsburg, California, native eventually signed with Arizona State, where his father, Harlen, played defensive back from 1992 to 1994. Rashada, who has four years of eligibility left, opened the 2023 season as Arizona State's starter but missed most of the year with a knee injury. The 6-foot-4, 185-pound Rashada missed spring practice with the Sun Devils following offseason thumb surgery. Georgia...

Wrexham have added fixtures against Bournemouth and Vancouver Whitecaps to their preseason "Wrex Coast Tour," the Welsh club announced Thursday. Having previously confirmed a match against Chelsea on July 24 in Santa Clara, California, Wrexham will now face Bournemouth four days earlier on July 20, in Santa Barbara, and the Whitecaps in Vancouver on July 27. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) "After another successful campaign, we're delighted to be heading to the West Coast again this summer, and we're also looking forward to venturing up to Vancouver and spreading the Club's footprint into Canada," Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said in a statement. The matches will form part of Wrexham's preparations for their first season in League One -- English football's third tier -- having secured a second straight promotion by beating Forest Green 6-0 on April 13.  Wrexham, owned by Hollywood actors Ryan...

Xavi Hernández said Thursday that he has unfinished business at  Barcelona after backtracking on his decision to step down as head coach at the end of the season. Xavi announced in January that he would leave the job in the summer, despite having a contract until 2025, but sources told ESPN on Wednesday he had agreed to stay on after defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid in the past week effectively ended Barça's hopes of silverware this season. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) - How Barça's rescheduled match helps Real Madrid in Champions League Speaking in a news conference Thursday, he said the support of the club and a desire to finish the project he inherited in 2021 were among the reasons for his U-turn. "I love Barça and I always try to do what is in the club's best interests," Xavi said. "In these three months [since announcing my departure], I have...

ASHBURN, Va. -- When Josh Harris purchased the Washington Commanders last summer, one of the first calls he made was to Darrell Green, a player he grew up cheering for during the organization's heyday. So it's no surprise that Harris made Green the first player whose jersey he wanted to retire. Green will become the fifth player in franchise history to have his number retired, the Commanders announced Thursday, joining Sammy Baugh, Bobby Mitchell, Sonny Jurgensen and Sean Taylor. Green wore No. 28 and played 20 seasons in the NFL -- all with Washington. "It means a ton to me," Green said. "I never thought about this, never dreamed about it, never asked about it, whatever. But when it was spoken to me, it blew me away. It caught me. It touched something down on the inside of me that I didn't know was there. So now I'm very humbled by this, but this is huge. This is a big deal, and I'm grateful for that. And I'm that guy that played the whole career here, wasn't chasing the...

Toronto Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe called it "unbelievable" what Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand was able to do in the visiting Bruins' 4-2 win in Game 3 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series on Wednesday. Keefe was asked about an apparent non-call for interference that happened in the first period, when Marchand tripped up Leafs' forward Tyler Bertuzzi before Boston forward Trent Frederic tied the score 1-1. Boston went on to secure a victory and take a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven series. "He gets calls," Keefe said of Marchand. "It's unbelievable, actually, how it goes. You've got to play through that stuff. I don't think there's another player in this series who gets away with taking out Bertuzzi's legs the way that he does. It's an art and he's elite at it." Marchand was a significant factor throughout the contest for Boston, finishing with two goals and one assist and depositing the winner midway through the third...

BOSTON -- The day before his short-handed Heat sought to even the score with the heavily favored Celtics, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra made an intriguing comment about his team's identity. After being deluged by Boston's 3-point shooting in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round series, Spoelstra said his team needed to do a better job of letting it fly to keep pace. "I understand the math of it," Spoelstra said, before adding, "We're not going to shoot 50 of them. That's not realistic." Maybe 50 3-point shots wasn't quite realistic, but the upset-minded Heat did just fine with 43 attempts Wednesday night. And by finishing with a playoff franchise-record 23 treys, the Heat beat the Celtics 111-101 on the road in Game 2 to even the series at 1-1. The series moves to Miami for Game 3 on Saturday. The sheer nature of Wednesday's upset is one of the reasons Game 2's outcome was remarkable. Miami trailed by as much as 34 in Game 1, prompting many to...

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- A sparse afternoon crowd at Angel Stadium gathered enough voices to produce a surprisingly loud "safe" chant as Wednesday's contest neared its conclusion, hoping to prolong a game that still seemed undecided. The news, relayed from home-plate umpire Lance Barksdale, disappointed them: Replay review of an initial out call on Jo Adell's attempted steal of second base, which would have put the tying run in scoring position with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, was not overturned. The Los Angeles Angels' late comeback hopes had fallen just short. They absorbed a 6-5 loss to the visiting Baltimore Orioles, their sixth defeat in seven games. And afterward they lamented what could have been. "I was in there," Adell said. "That call goes our way, we have [ Luis] Rengifo up with a runner on second and we're ready to tie the game." The Angels, seeking their first series win since the start of April, trailed 6-0 midway through...

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- A sparse afternoon crowd at Angel Stadium gathered enough voices to produce a surprisingly loud "safe" chant as Wednesday's contest neared its conclusion, hoping to prolong a game that still seemed undecided. The news, relayed from home-plate umpire Hunter Barksdale, disappointed them: Replay review of an initial out call on Jo Adell's attempted steal of second base, which would have put the tying run in scoring position with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, was not overturned. The Los Angeles Angels' late comeback hopes had fallen just short. They absorbed a 6-5 loss to the visiting Baltimore Orioles, their sixth defeat in seven games. And afterwards they lamented what could have been. "I was in there," Adell said. "That call goes our way, we have [Luis] Rengifo up with a runner on second and we're ready to tie the game." The Angels, seeking their first series win since the start of April, trailed 6-0 midway through the sixth...

CINCINNATI -- Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson requested a trade Wednesday, his agent, Harold Lewis, confirmed to ESPN. Lewis told ESPN that Hendrickson's request is about a long-term investment from the franchise after the two sides settled on a one-year extension last year. "Our No. 1 goal is to get a long-term commitment from them," Lewis said on the eve of the NFL draft. "If we can't, then we're asking for a trade. And hopefully if he gets traded, that's what we do -- get a long-term commitment with somewhere else." Last year, Hendrickson received a one-year contract extension worth $21 million, which included an $8 million signing bonus, according to Roster Management System. After another season in which he was one of the league's best defensive ends, Hendrickson is looking to cash in again. Lewis said he and Hendrickson met with the Bengals in a two-hour meeting in March to discuss the possibility of a potential trade. Hendrickson's agent said that...

Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger has two fractured ribs and has been placed on the 10-day injured list, manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday. Bellinger, a two-time All-Star selection, crashed into the center-field wall during Tuesday's game while tracking a fly ball hit by Houston's Yainer Diaz that went for a double and scored Kyle Tucker. He left the game an inning later. Counsell said after Tuesday's game that the X-rays on Bellinger were clean, but a CT scan on Wednesday revealed the injury. A timeframe of his return in unclear, Counsell said. "He woke up feeling good. Unfortunately [the CT scan] just revealed what's there," Counsell said. "... He has to get symptom-free first and then we'll go from there. "... He's bummed out, for sure. Now he starts working on getting back." In a corresponding move, the Cubs called up Pete Crow-Armstrong, their top prospect. Bellinger, in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak, is...

Minnesota forward Naz Reid was named the 2023-24 NBA Sixth Man of the Year on Wednesday night, becoming the first Timberwolves player to win the award.  Reid, 24, averaged career highs of 13.5 points and 5.2 rebounds to help Minnesota finish with the second-best record in franchise history (56-26) and clinch the third seed in the Western Conference. He also became the third undrafted player to win the award, along with John Starks (1997) and Darrell Armstrong (1999). "Blessed to be in this situation," Reid, one of six players to win the award before the age of 25, said in an interview on TNT.  "It's special," Reid said of his relationship with the fans in Minnesota, where he has spent his whole career thus far. "It's one of a kind, something that you obviously dream of, especially at the highest level. They've seen me work since Day 1. ... I think just being with me, that's super special." Reid just edged out Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk,...

Minnesota Timberwolves center-forward Naz Reid was named the 2023-24 NBA Sixth Man of the Year on Wednesday. He beat out finalists Malik Monk of the Sacramento Kings and the Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis. Reid is the first Timberwolves player to win the award. He is also the third player to be named the NBA's top sixth man after not being selected in the NBA draft, joining John Starks (1996-97) and Darrell Armstrong (1998-99). Reid has developed into one of the top-scoring bench bigs in the league. He averaged 13.5 points and 5.2 rebounds -- both career highs -- to help Minnesota finish with the second-best record in franchise history (56-26) and clinch the third seed in the Western Conference. The Timberwolves currently hold a 2-0 lead on the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Lakers reconvened on Wednesday for the first time since their Game 2 collapse Monday against the Denver Nuggets. As crushing as the Denver's 20-point comeback might have felt in the moment, LeBron James said that Wednesday's film session let the Lakers see some encouraging signs. "We generated some great shots," James said. "We missed a lot of shots at the rim that we've been making throughout the course of this season." James was 4-for-11 at shots at the rim, tied for the most layups and dunks he's missed in a playoff game since joining the Lakers, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. "The film session was very revealing with which side of the ball we struggled at," Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. "We were great defensively. Offensively, there was a lot of shots we wish we could have back." Ham said he likes using film sessions to grow as a team because it removes the "postgame emotions" that can...

Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger has two fractured ribs and is heading to the injured list, manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday. Bellinger, a two-time All-Star selection, crashed into the center-field wall during Tuesday's game while tracking a fly ball hit by Houston's Yainer Diaz that went for a double and scored Kyle Tucker. He left the game an inning later. Counsell said after Tuesday's game that the X-rays on Bellinger were clean, but an MRI on Wednesday revealed the injury. A timeframe of his return in unclear, Counsell said. In a corresponding move, the Cubs called up Pete Crow-Armstrong, their top prospect. Bellinger, in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak, is batting .226 with five home runs and 17 RBIs. Crow-Armstrong, 22, made his MLB debut last September and went 0-for-14 with three walks. He's batting .203 with two home runs, five doubles and seven RBIs at Triple-A Iowa this season. Field Level Media...

A civil lawsuit that accused former  Texas Tech basketball player Richard "Pop" Isaacs of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl during a team trip to the Bahamas in November has been dismissed, according to attorneys for both Isaacs and the parents of the girl.  In addition, Isaacs was found "not responsible" by a panel following a Title IX hearing Wednesday morning, The Field of 68 reported, citing Kimberly Simon, Texas Tech's assistant vice president for compliance and Title IX.  "The parties to the lawsuit and Title IX complaint have agreed to dismiss all claims that have, or could have been, alleged as against one another," an attorney for Isaacs said in a statement. "Pop loved his time in Lubbock and being part of the Red Raider family. He thanks Coach [Grant] McCasland, the entire staff, and everyone involved with the university for supporting him throughout his time at Texas Tech." The lawsuit, filed in January by the parents of the...

CINCINNATI -- Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson wants out. The Pro Bowl edge rusher requested a trade Wednesday, one day before the NFL draft, a league source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Hendrickson is looking for more long-term security despite reworking his deal less than a year ago. Last year, Hendrickson received a one-year contract extension worth $21 million, which included an $8 million signing bonus, according to Roster Management System. After another season in which he was one of the league's best defensive ends, Hendrickson is looking to cash in again. Cincinnati is not interested in trading Hendrickson, a source told Schefter. In 2023, Hendrickson finished the season with 17.5 sacks, which was second in the NFL behind the  Pittsburgh Steelers'  T.J. Watt. It is the highest total for the Bengals since sacks became an official statistic in 1982. The advanced metrics were equally as impressive. Hendrickson finished 11th in pass rush...

CHICAGO -- The Bears unveiled a nearly $5 billion proposal Wednesday for an enclosed stadium next door to their current home at Soldier Field as part of a major project that would transform the city's lakefront, and they are asking for public funding to help make it happen. The plan calls for $3.2 billion for the new stadium plus an additional $1.5 billion in infrastructure. The team and the city said the project would add green and open space while improving access to the city's Museum Campus and also could include a publicly owned hotel. "This is not an easy project, but Chicago doesn't like it easy," Bears president Kevin Warren said. The announcement at Soldier Field comes during a busy week for the Bears. They are expected to take 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick in the draft Thursday night and bank on the USC quarterback to solidify a position that has long been a sore spot for the founding NFL franchise. The team said...

Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger has a fractured right rib and has been placed on the 10-day injured list, manager Craig Counsell told 670 The Score on Wednesday. Bellinger, a two-time All-Star selection, crashed into the center-field wall during Tuesday's game while tracking a fly ball hit by Houston's Yainer Diaz that went for a double and scored Kyle Tucker. He left the game an inning later. In a corresponding move, the Cubs called up Pete Crow-Armstrong, their top prospect. Bellinger, in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak, is batting .226 with five home runs and 17 RBIs. Crow-Armstrong, 22, made his MLB debut last September and went 0-for-14 with three walks. He's batting .203 with two home runs, five doubles and seven RBIs at Triple-A Iowa this season. Field Level Media contributed to this report.

Xavi Hernández has agreed to remain as Barcelona coach until the end of his contract in 2025, a source confirmed to ESPN, reversing his decision to step down in the summer. Xavi, 44, announced in January that he would walk away from the post at the end of the season following a string of bad results, saying that the job had also taken its toll on him mentally. - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, NWSL more (U.S.) However, following a meeting with president Joan Laporta on Wednesday, the former Spain international has decided to fulfil his contractual commitment with the Catalan club. Xavi was appointed as Barça coach in 2021, leading them to their first league title in four years last season and signing a contract extension until June 30, 2025, with an option for an additional year, in September. The team ran into difficulties in December and January, though, when they conceded four or more goals in defeats to Girona, Real...

The San Jose Sharks have fired David Quinn after a season that saw San Jose finish with the second-fewest points in the salary cap era. Quinn's firing after two seasons Wednesday came less than a week after the Sharks (19-54-9) lost three straight games and five of their last six and ended the regular season with the worst record in the NHL. "After going through our end of the season process of internal meetings and evaluating where our team is at and where we want our group to go, we have made the difficult decision to make a change at the head coach position," Sharks general manager Mike Grier said in a statement. "David is a good coach and an even better person. I would personally like to thank him for his hard work over these past two seasons. He and his staff did an admirable job under some difficult circumstances, and I sincerely appreciate how they handled the situation." Quinn oversaw the New York Rangers for three seasons but was fired after the 2020-21...

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Wide receiver Rashod Bateman is staying in Baltimore, after all. Bateman reached a two-year extension with the Ravens on Wednesday, which keeps the former first round pick in Baltimore through the 2026 season, the team announced. This surprising move was made eight days before the Ravens had to make a decision on whether to exercise Bateman's fifth-year option. There had been speculation that Baltimore might trade Bateman during the draft like the Ravens did with wide receiver Marquise Brown two years ago. Instead, Bateman made team history, becoming the Ravens' first first-round wide receiver to sign a second contract with Baltimore. "Congratulations to 'Bate' and his family," Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said in a statement. "This is a good day for the Ravens." Bateman, 24, has had a challenging start to his career since being the No. 27 overall pick of the 2021 draft. In three seasons, he's totaled 93 catches and four...

Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and other PGA Tour stars are about to receive massive bonuses for their loyalty. The Telegraph reported Wednesday that Woods will receive up to $100 million in equity as part of the newly created for-profit PGA Tour Enterprises, with McIlroy getting about half that amount. The payouts, which are set to be disclosed to the players by PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan on Wednesday, are a way to thank players for sticking with the PGA Tour instead of jumping to the rival LIV Golf League and huge paydays from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. Nearly 200 players will receive a stake, with $750 million of it going to the top 36 players based on a formula that weighs career success and cultural popularity, according to The Telegraph. Other notable payouts include $30 million each for  Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, while $75 million is targeted to go to notable retired players. To receive the money, players would have to...

DETROIT -- The Lions agreed to massive extensions with two of their top offensive stars Wednesday. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension, a source confirmed to ESPN, and offensive tackle  Penei Sewell is signing a four-year, $112 million deal, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. St. Brown's contract includes $77 million guaranteed, the source said. That's the most guaranteed money for a wide receiver in a single contract in NFL history, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. Sewell's contract includes $85 million guaranteed, the source told Schefter, the most for an offensive lineman, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The $28 million annual average salary in his contract is also the largest for an offensive lineman. In a video posted to his Instagram story from Ford Field, St. Brown said, "I can't wait. I'm here, four more years." The Lions can now turn their attention to getting an extension...

NEW YORK -- New Brooklyn Nets coach Jordi Fernandez wasted no time making his feelings known about the roster -- and, specifically, the status of unrestricted free agent center Nic Claxton, who Fernandez said was a "priority" to retain in free agency. "Nic is a quote-unquote big that has defensive versatility," Fernandez said at his introductory news conference at the team's practice facility overlooking New York Harbor on Wednesday morning. "I believe he'll be Defensive Player of the Year. For us, he's a priority in this summer, and the way we can play through him -- obviously he's great in pick-and-roll, he's quick to the rim, he puts pressure on the rim -- but also his ability to play the dribble-handoff game which, as you guys know, lately in the NBA is a style that is very efficient. "When everybody touches the ball and everybody's involved, everybody's happier. You're harder to guard because there's more ... you're not that predictable to just play...

The San Francisco Giants scratched left-hander Blake Snell from his scheduled start Wednesday and placed the two-time Cy Young Award winner on the 15-day injured list with a left adductor strain. Right-hander Landen Roupp was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento by the Giants, who tabbed right-hander Ryan Walker (2-2, 3.46 ERA) to make his first start of the season Wednesday against the visiting New York Mets. Walker, 28, worked a scoreless inning of relief in San Francisco's 5-2 win over New York on Monday. Snell, 31, is 0-3 with an 11.57 ERA in three starts. He has yet to recapture the form that allowed him to secure his second Cy Young Award while pitching for the San Diego Padres in 2023. Snell owns a 71-58 record with a 3.30 ERA in 194 career games (all starts) with the Tampa Bay Rays, Padres and Giants. Roupp, 25, has registered a 4.35 ERA without recording a decision in eight relief appearances this season with San...

CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Bengals made perhaps the easiest decision they'll have all week, picking up the fifth-year option on wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase's rookie deal. The deal, announced one day before the NFL draft, ensures Chase's fifth-year salary for the 2025 season will be fully guaranteed. The option year will carry an estimated value of $21.8 million, according to a projection from OverTheCap.com. Chase, the fifth overall pick in the 2021 draft, has proved not only that Cincinnati made the right choice in pairing him with Joe Burrow, his college quarterback at LSU, but also that he is among the league's best receivers. Chase has reached the Pro Bowl in each of his first three NFL seasons, which has led to an extra $7.5 million on his rookie option. Since the start of the 2021 season, Chase is tied for third in the league in receiving touchdowns (29) and is seventh in total receiving yards (3,717), according to ESPN Stats & Information data. He...