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1 hour ago
Lakers ready for Nuggets rematch as Ham rejects talk of alternative path
NEW ORLEANS -- The Los Angeles Lakers' prize for beating the New Orleans Pelicans 110-106 in the play-in tournament to secure the No. 7 seed is a first-round playoff matchup with the defending champion Denver Nuggets.
L.A. won 12 out of its last 15 games to make it happen, sealing its fate in a rematch against last year's Western Conference finals opponent that swept the Lakers out of the playoffs and that has won eight straight overall against the purple and gold.
A loss Tuesday in New Orleans would have set up a do-or-die game on Friday for the Lakers, hosting the Sacramento Kings, with the winner earning the No. 8 seed and a first-round series against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. And the loser's season would be over.
Despite the inherent risk in the second scenario, there was talk on various sports media programming in the days leading up to the Pelicans game that playing the second-seeded Nuggets would mean...
1 hour ago
2 hours ago
Woman who accused Trevor Bauer of sexual assault indicted for fraud in Arizona
A woman who accused former major league pitcher Trevor Bauer of sexual assault has been indicted by a grand jury in Arizona on felony charges of fraudulent schemes and theft by extortion.
Darcy Adanna Esemonu "knowingly did obtain a benefit from ... Trevor Anthony Bauer by means of fraudulent pretenses, representation, promises, or material omissions," according to an indictment dated March 19 and filed Monday in the Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County. Esemonu also "knowingly did obtain or sought to obtain property or services ... by means of a threat to in the future expose a secret or an asserted fact in a social media message or in any other manner" involving another individual, according to the indictment. That individual is not associated with Bauer, his attorney told ESPN.
Esemonu did not respond to messages seeking comment. The prosecutor listed on the indictment could not be reached late Tuesday for comment.
An arraignment hearing in the case is scheduled...
2 hours ago
3 hours ago
Kings oust Warriors from play-in, advance to face Pelicans
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The chants of "Light the Beam!" started midway through the fourth quarter as the Sacramento Kings kept piling on the Golden State Warriors.
A year after having their season ended by their neighbors, the Kings dealt the Warriors a bit of payback in emphatic fashion with a victory that might have signaled the end of a dynasty.
Keegan Murray scored 32 points, De'Aaron Fox added 24 and the Kings stayed alive in the play-in tournament, eliminating the Warriors with a 118-94 victory on Tuesday night.
"We knew what was on the line," Fox said. "This was just another obstacle in our way. We have to get over this hump. Obviously, losing to this team last year and obviously facing this team now, it's like, of course we have to face this team."
Sacramento advanced to play at New Orleans on Friday night with a chance to return to the playoffs as the eighth seed in the Western Conference after snapping an NBA-record 16-year playoff drought...
3 hours ago
3 hours ago
Zion's night ends with late injury in Pelicans' loss to Lakers
NEW ORLEANS -- Toward the end of one of the best games of his young career, Zion Williamson grabbed a towel and flung it down at the New Orleans Pelicans' bench.
With 3:13 left and the Pelicans attempting a furious comeback, Williamson's night was over, the frustrating result of a left leg injury.
Williamson had 40 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists and had just tied the score at 95-95 with a layup against Los Angeles Lakers center Anthony Davis.
Lakers coach Darvin Ham called a timeout, but as Williamson walked to the Pelicans' bench area, something was off. He briefly sat down, threw the towel and walked back into the tunnel, ending his night.
With Williamson out of the equation, the Pelicans couldn't hang on and the Lakers left the Smoothie King Center with a 110-106 victory and the No. 7 seed in the playoffs.
The Pelicans will face the Sacramento Kings on Friday night, but Williamson's status is unclear. Following the loss to...
3 hours ago
April 16
Jeremy Roach to enter draft, 5th Duke player to enter portal
Duke senior guard Jeremy Roach plans to enter the transfer portal and the NBA draft, he announced Tuesday.
Roach made the announcement in a post on Instagram.
Roach started 106 games in four seasons with the Blue Devils, earning third-team All-ACC as a senior and honorable mention All-ACC as a junior.
A former McDonald's All-American in the 2020 class, Roach was immediately thrust into an extended role in Durham. He averaged 8.7 points as a freshman and 8.6 points as a sophomore, coming on strong down the stretch of the 2021-22 season to help lead Duke to the Final Four.
Roach enjoyed a true breakout season as a junior, boosting his numbers to 13.6 points and 3.1 assists and again playing some of his best basketball late in the season. He had 23 points against Virginia in the ACC title game and then scored 23 against Oral Roberts in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
As a senior, Roach averaged 14.0 points and 3.3 assists while shooting 42.9% from 3-point...
April 16
April 16
Lakers survive Pelicans' rally, advance to matchup vs. Nuggets
NEW ORLEANS -- LeBron James, Anthony Davis and their supporting cast have the Los Angeles Lakers looking like a tougher out in the playoffs than they appeared to be just a few weeks earlier.
The New Orleans Pelicans, meanwhile, find themselves on the brink of elimination and wondering about the health of star power forward Zion Williamson, whose dominant NBA postseason debut was cut short by an injury in the final minutes of a tight game.
James had 23 points, 9 assists and 9 rebounds, and the Lakers secured a playoff berth with a 110-106 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans in the Western Conference play-in tournament on Tuesday night.
"Tonight we showcased what we were able to do both offensively and defensively," said James, whose team enters the NBA playoffs having won 12 of 15 games. "We've got a good group going right now, good rotation, good plan and guys are coming in ready to go."
Williamson had 40 points and 11 rebounds in his NBA...
April 16
April 16
Lakers survive Pelicans rally, advance to matchup vs. Nuggets
NEW ORLEANS -- LeBron James had 23 points, 9 assists and 9 rebounds and the Los Angeles Lakers secured a playoff berth with a 110-106 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans in the Western Conference play-in tournament on Tuesday night.
Zion Williamson had 40 points and 11 rebounds in his NBA postseason debut. But shortly after tying the game at 95 on a driving layup with 3:19 to go, Williamson went to the locker room, throwing a towel to the floor in disgust as he walked into the tunnel with an apparent injury.
Soon after, James hit a jumper, Anthony Davis dunked Austin Reaves' alley-oop lob, D'Angelo Russell hit a 3 and Davis grabbed a crucial offensive rebound, after which he hit two free throws to help the Lakers hold off New Orleans.
Davis had 20 points and 15 rebounds. Russell scored 21, hitting five times from deep.
The Lakers advance to face defending NBA champion Denver in the first round in a rematch of last season's...
April 16
April 16
Braves' Ozzie Albies fractures big toe after hit by pitch
The Atlanta Braves placed second baseman Ozzie Albies on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a fractured big toe on his right foot.
In another move, the Braves finalized a minor league deal with former American League batting champion Yuli Gurriel, who was assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett.
Albies, 27, was hit by a pitch in the second inning by Houston Astros rookie Spencer Arrighetti on Monday but continued playing in the 6-1 victory.
"It's a freak injury, and there's nothing I can do it," Albies said. "Just makes sure I heal fast, and I'm ready to go."
Manager Brian Snitker didn't give a timetable for Albies' return, but he said surgery wasn't necessary.
"Normally, when stuff like this happens, three or four innings in, it goes away," Albies said. "This one stayed, so I was like, 'Uh, it's not feeling right.' I didn't expect it to be broken."
Albies wore a walking boot Tuesday. He said he didn't realize he was injured until he took off his...
April 16
April 16
Trevor Bauer accuser indicted for fraud in Arizona
A woman who accused former major league pitcher Trevor Bauer of sexual assault has been indicted by a grand jury in Arizona on felony charges of fraudulent schemes and theft by extortion.
Darcy Adanna Esemonu "knowingly did obtain a benefit from ... Trevor Anthony Bauer by means of fraudulent pretenses, representation, promises, or material omissions," according to an indictment dated March 19 and filed Monday in the Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County. Esemonu also "knowingly did obtain or sought to obtain property or services ... by means of a threat to in the future expose a secret or an asserted fact in a social media message or in any other manner" involving another individual, according to the indictment. That individual is not associated with Bauer, his attorney told ESPN.
Esemonu did not respond to messages seeking comment. The prosecutor listed on the indictment could not be reached late Tuesday for comment.
An arraignment hearing in the case is scheduled...
April 16
April 16
Caitlin Clark helps WNBA shatter draft viewership record
The Caitlin Clark experience delivered another television milestone as ESPN's coverage of the WNBA draft on Monday night averaged a record 2.45 million viewers.
Viewership peaked at 3.09 million, ESPN said in a release Tuesday.
The audience was more than four times as many viewers when compared to the 2023 draft, which drew 572,000. The previous draft record was 601,000 in 2004, when UConn's Diana Taurasi went No. 1 overall.
Monday's viewership was the highest for any WNBA telecast since 2000, when NBC averaged 2.74 million viewers for a Memorial Day contest between the New York Liberty and now-defunct Houston Comets.
The reason for such a high audience on Monday was Clark, a generational player from Iowa who has brought thousands of new fans to the sport.
Clark and Iowa played against South Carolina in this year's women's NCAA championship game, and the telecast on ESPN averaged a record 18.7 million viewers.
Clark...
April 16
April 16
Xavi: 'Disaster' of a referee killed Barcelona's UCL hopes
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández fumed about the decision to send Ronald Araújo off as his side were eliminated from the Champions League after Tuesday's 4-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at the Olympic Stadium.
Xavi said Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs was a "disaster" and that showing a red card to Araujo for a last-man challenge on Bradley Barcola with Barça leading 1-0 on the night in the 29th minute, 4-2 on aggregate, killed the quarterfinal.
- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, NWSL more (U.S.)
A Kylian Mbappé brace and goals from Ousmane Dembélé, on his return to Barcelona, and Vitinha saw PSG turn the tie around, sealing a 6-4 aggregate win and setting up a semifinal against Borussia Dortmund.
"We are annoyed," Xavi said. "The red card marked the tie. We were well organised 11 vs. 11. It completely changed everything. For me, it's too much to send [Araújo] off there.
"The referee was...
April 16
April 16
Sources: Clippers' Kawhi Leonard to get final Team USA spot
LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard will get the 12th and final roster spot on Team USA for the 2024 Olympics, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Tuesday.
USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill met with most of the 12 invitees on the 2024 Olympic team over the past few days, and it wasn't until Tuesday that Team USA officials were able to firm up Leonard's acceptance to join the roster for Paris, sources told ESPN.
The other 11 players on the Team USA roster have yet to be officially announced, but sources told ESPN on Monday that it would be composed of LeBron James ( Lakers), Stephen Curry ( Warriors), Kevin Durant ( Suns), Joel Embiid ( 76ers), Anthony Davis (Lakers), Devin Booker (Suns), Anthony Edwards ( Timberwolves), Jayson Tatum ( Celtics), Jrue Holiday (Celtics), Bam Adebayo ( Heat) and Tyrese Haliburton...
April 16
April 16
Mbappé seals PSG comeback to eliminate 10-man Barcelona
Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappé scored twice in the second half to help guide his side to a 4-1 comeback win at 10-man Barcelona in their Champions League quarterfinal second leg to wrap up a 6-4 aggregate victory on Tuesday.
PSG took advantage of a first-half red card to Barcelona defender Ronald Araújo to keep their hopes of the trophy alive in what is set to be Mbappé's last season in Paris.
- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, NWSL more (U.S.)
Barcelona had gotten off to a good start and opened the scoring with a goal by Raphinha in the 12th, but the visitors took control with the man advantage and didn't let Barcelona get back into the game.
The Catalan side made it to the knockout stage of Europe's top club competition after two consecutive eliminations in the group stage.
In the other quarterfinal on Tuesday, Borussia Dortmund defeated Atletico Madrid 4-2 at home to advance 5-4 on aggregate.
Mbappé...
April 16
April 16
Braves' Ozzie Albies suffers fractured big toe after hit by pitch
Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a fractured big toe on his right foot, it was announced Tuesday.
In another move, the Braves finalized a minor league deal with former American League batting champion Yuli Gurriel, who was assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett.
Albies, 27, was hit by a pitch in the second inning by Houston Astros rookie Spencer Arrighetti on Monday but continued playing in the 6-1 victory.
"It's a freak injury, and there's nothing I can do it," Albies said. "Just makes sure I heal fast, and I'm ready to go."
Manager Brian Snitker didn't give a timetable for Albies' return, but he said surgery wasn't necessary.
"Normally, when stuff like this happens, three or four innings in, it goes away," Albies said. "This one stayed, so I was like, 'Uh, it's not feeling right.' I didn't expect it to be broken."
Albies wore a walking boot Tuesday. He said he didn't realize he was injured until...
April 16
April 16
Dodgers great Carl Erskine dies at age 97
Carl Erskine, who pitched two no-hitters as a mainstay on the Brooklyn Dodgers and was a 20-game winner in 1953 when he struck out a then-record 14 in the World Series, died Tuesday. He was 97.
Erksine died at Community Hospital Anderson in Anderson, Indiana, according to Michele Hockwalt, the hospital's marketing and communication manager.
Among the last survivors from the celebrated Brooklyn teams of the 1950s, Erskine spent his entire major league career with the Dodgers from 1948-59, helping them win five National League pennants.
The right-hander had a career record of 122-78 and an ERA of 4.00, with 981 strikeouts.
Erskine had his best season in 1953, when he went 20-6 to lead the National League. He won Game 3 of the World Series, beating the Yankees 3-2 at Ebbets Field. He struck out 14, retiring the side in the ninth, for a World Series record that stood until Dodgers ace Sandy Koufax got 15 in 1963. The Dodgers went on to lose the 1953 series in six games as...
April 16
April 16
Cowboys VP Stephen Jones on roster: 'We max out our salary cap'
FRISCO, Texas -- So far in free agency, the largest two payouts the Dallas Cowboys have made total just under $6 million, to cornerback Jourdan Lewis and linebacker Eric Kendricks.
According to the NFL Players Association's website, the Cowboys have $7.4 million in salary space and have yet to fill vacancies created by the departures of left tackle Tyron Smith, center Tyler Biadasz, running back Tony Pollard and defensive end Dorance Armstrong.
"We spend max, max money year in and year out. All 32 can only spend the same amount of money over a five-year stretch," executive vice president Stephen Jones told 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. "When we're all said and done, we max out our salary cap every year. We will have done that and what comes with having a good roster, which we do, we also are looking towards signing our own guys. It doesn't mean it happens overnight. But when you're wanting to sign players like Dak [Prescott] and...
April 16
April 16
Oumar Ballo, top player in transfer portal, picks Indiana
Arizona transfer Oumar Ballo, the No. 1 player in the transfer portal, committed to Indiana Hoosiers on Tuesday, he told ESPN.
Ballo visited the Hoosiers' campus the past couple of days and opted to end his recruitment before taking any other visits. Louisville, Kansas State, North Carolina, Florida and Arkansas had all pursued Ballo prior to his commitment.
A 7-foot center from Mali, Ballo entered the transfer portal last week and immediately became the best player available. He's a two-time first-team All-Pac-12 selection and also earned all-defensive team honors this past season.
Ballo averaged 12.9 points and 10.1 rebounds this season, tallying 20 double-doubles and shooting nearly 66% from the field. He went for 15 points and 15 rebounds against Clemson in Arizona's season-ending Sweet 16 loss in the NCAA tournament.
During his breakout 2022-23 campaign, Ballo averaged 14.2 points and 8.6 rebounds, shooting nearly 65% from the field.
He began his...
April 16
April 16
More must be done to combat 'massive' racism problem - Bellingham
Jude Bellingham said Vinícius Júnior and other Black players need more support in dealing with the "massive problem" of racism in Spanish football, describing the abuse some players receive as "disgusting."
TV images showed a fan making racist gestures toward Bellingham's Real Madrid teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni after scoring in Saturday's 1-0 LaLiga win at Real Mallorca, with the home side saying they are working with police to identify the individual responsible.
- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
Vinícius has been targeted with racist abuse by opposition fans on numerous occasions, including during a league game away at Valencia last season that sparked a global outcry on the issue.
"I didn't even know [about the Tchouaméni incident]," Bellingham said when asked about the problem during a news conference Tuesday. "In games when we go away in LaLiga, you almost get so used to it that I wasn't...
April 16
April 16
Michigan reaches settlement with NCAA for recruiting violations
Michigan will serve three years of NCAA probation, pay a fine and face recruiting restrictions after the university and five current or former football employees reached an agreement with the NCAA's enforcement staff on recruiting violations and coaching activities by noncoaching staff members, the NCAA announced Tuesday.
The agreed-upon penalties also include a one-year show-cause order for the participating individuals.
The portion of the case that involves former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, who was hired by the Los Angeles Chargers in late January, will be considered separately by the Committee on Infractions, and then it will determine its full decision, according to a release from the NCAA.
Tom Mars, Harbaugh's attorney, told ESPN that neither he nor Harbaugh knew about the agreement to the case until seeing media reports Tuesday. Although Mars doesn't know whether Harbaugh would have participated, they were unaware about the discussions to resolve the...
April 16
April 16
Caitlin Clark’s starting salary reveals major pay gap in women’s sports
The No. 1 draft pick is slated to make a little over $76,000 during her rookie season with the Indiana Fever — just quarters on the dollar compared to her male counterparts.
April 16
April 16
Blake Griffin announces retirement from NBA after 14 years
Six-time All-Star forward Blake Griffin announced his retirement from the NBA on Tuesday.
Griffin was selected first overall by the LA Clippers out of Oklahoma in the 2009 draft. His time in Los Angeles got off to a rough start, as he broke the patella in his left knee during the preseason.
Griffin came back the following season and won the 2010-11 Rookie of the Year Award and made the first of five straight All-Star appearances. He also won the Slam Dunk Contest that season after slamming over a parked car.
His high-flying highlights became the calling card of the Clippers, who really took off in the 2011-12 season with the addition of point guard Chris Paul.
The acquisition of Paul and his penchant for alley-oop passes to Griffin and center DeAndre Jordan transformed the Clippers into Lob City, and ushered in the most successful era in franchise history.
"Blake was a big part of the turnaround here," said Tyronn Lue, the current...
April 16
April 16
Rory McIlroy dismisses report of $850M offer by LIV Golf
Four-time major championship winner Rory McIlroy on Tuesday said he plans to finish his career on the PGA Tour, denying a published report by a London newspaper that he had been offered $850 million and an equity stake in the LIV Golf League.
McIlroy said neither he nor his agents have ever discussed a potential deal to lure him to the LIV Golf League, which is being financed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF).
"I honestly don't know how these things get started," McIlroy told Golf Channel while on the practice range at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina, the site of this week's RBC Heritage. "I've never been offered a number from LIV, and I've never contemplated going to LIV. Again, I think I've made it clear over the past two years that I don't think it's something for me.
"It doesn't mean that I judge people who have went and played over there. I think one of the things that I have realized over the past two years is that people can make...
April 16
April 16
Sources: Suns coach Kevin Young finalizing deal to lead BYU
Phoenix Suns associate head coach Kevin Young is finalizing a long-term deal to become the next men's basketball coach at Brigham Young University, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.
Young -- the highest-paid assistant in the NBA -- had been a candidate for NBA head-coaching jobs in the past two hiring cycles, but BYU landed him with a sizable commitment to lead the Cougars into their second Big 12 Conference season and beyond.
Young replaces Mark Pope, who left for the Kentucky job after delivering BYU an NCAA tournament bid in its inaugural Big 12 season.
Young, who was born in Salt Lake City, will continue working with the Suns in the playoffs, but will begin assembling a coaching staff that'll immediately start recruiting for BYU, sources said.
Young spent eight years coaching in the NBA G League -- including head-coaching jobs with the Utah Flash, Iowa Energy and Delaware 87ers. Young began to gain momentum as a head-coaching candidate a year ago, interviewing...
April 16
April 16
Hall of Fame manager Whitey Herzog dies at age 92
NEW YORK -- Whitey Herzog, the gruff and ingenious Hall of Fame manager who guided the St. Louis Cardinals to three pennants and a World Series title in the 1980s and perfected an intricate, nail-biting strategy known as "Whiteyball," has died. He was 92.
"Whitey spent his last few days surrounded by his family. We have so appreciated all of the prayers and support from friends who knew he was very ill. Although it is hard for us to say goodbye, his peaceful passing was a blessing for him," his family said in a statement released by the Cardinals.
Herzog had been at Busch Stadium on April 4 for the Cardinals' home opener.
A crew-cut, pot-bellied tobacco chewer who had no patience for the "buddy-buddy" school of management, Herzog joined the Cardinals in 1980 and helped end the team's decade-plus pennant drought by adapting it to the artificial surface and distant fences of Busch Memorial Stadium. A typical Cardinals victory under Herzog was a low-scoring, one-run game,...
April 16
April 16
Agent dismisses report of Rory McIlroy to LIV Golf for $850M
The agent for Rory McIlroy dismissed rumors of a pending move to LIV Golf for $850 million, calling it "fake news" Tuesday.
"Fake news. Zero truth," agent Sean O'Flaherty told the Irish Independent in an email.
O'Flaherty was responding to a sourced report by City A.M., a London financial paper, that said McIlroy, the No. 2 player in the world, "could" make the jump to LIV Golf from the PGA Tour after an offer of $850 million and "about 2 percent equity in the competition."
McIlroy, 34, had been one of the most prominent critics of the Saudi-backed breakaway circuit since it launched in 2021, but then described himself as the PGA Tour's "sacrificial lamb" when it announced a partnership with LIV Golf in June 2023.
LIV Golf lured then-world No. 3 Jon Rahm into its ranks in December with a deal reportedly worth more than $350 million.
In February, McIlroy's former agent fueled speculation that the Northern Irishman was possibly softening...
April 16
April 16
Several linemen among Colorado Buffaloes players in portal
Colorado had several players with starting experience enter the NCAA transfer portal Tuesday as the spring transfer window kicked off around college football.
As of early afternoon, eight players had entered the portal.
Among the players exiting: right tackle Savion Washington started nine games and appeared in 10 after transferring in from Kent State, where he started in 2022; defensive tackle Chazz Wallace, a transfer from Old Dominion, started the Buffs' final four games last season and finished with 11 tackles and 1.5 sacks; safety Myles Slusher started the 2023 opener against TCU; and wide receiver Tar'Varish Dawson, an Auburn transfer, started four games last season and was dismissed from the team in February.
Offensive lineman Isaiah Jatta, a juco transfer who appeared in 11 games last season, starting one, also entered the portal, along with reserve offensive lineman David Conner and receiver...
April 16
April 16
Sources: Bucks preparing to be without Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Milwaukee Bucks are preparing to be without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo for the start of their Eastern Conference first-round series against the Indiana Pacers but are hopeful treatment on his left calf strain will allow him to return sometime later in the series, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.
Antetokounmpo has been undergoing around-the-clock treatment on the calf, sources said.
"Until we know if he's playing or not, we're going to prepare as if he's not playing," Bucks forward Khris Middleton said after practice Tuesday. "Simple as that."
Antetokounmpo was not the only Milwaukee star that did not practice on Tuesday. Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Damian Lillard sat out Tuesday's practice after dealing with groin and adductor injuries near the end of the season. Rivers said Lillard received an MRI that came back clean.
Lillard said following Sunday's regular-season finale in Orlando that he would...
April 16
April 16
Sabres fire Don Granato as record playoff drought continues
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres fired head coach Don Granato on Tuesday, making him the seventh coach to be ousted during what's grown into an NHL-record 13-season playoff drought.
The move was announced by the team after the Sabres closed their season Monday with a 4-2 win at Tampa Bay. They finished with a 39-27-6 record and had been eliminated from playoff contention last week.
Granato completed his third full season in Buffalo after taking over on an interim level during the COVID-19 pandemic-shortened 2021 season when Ralph Krueger was fired. And the move comes with the 56-year-old Granato still having two seasons left on his contract, which featured an extension that kicked in to start next season.
Buffalo stumbled through a season in which the team won three straight games just twice and were often unable to overcome slow starts.
This was not the expectation for a team that opened the season with general manager Kevyn Adams declaring the window of contention...
April 16
April 16
O.J. Simpson lawyer says Fred Goldman's claim 'will be accepted'
The executor of O.J. Simpson's estate has reversed his stance on working to prevent a payout of a $33.5 million judgment awarded by a jury to the families of Simpson's ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Attorney Malcolm LaVergne had told the Las Vegas Review-Journal late last week that his hope was "that the Goldmans get zero, nothing" and that he would "do everything in my capacity as the executor or personal representative to try and ensure that they get nothing."
However, on Monday, in a telephone call to The Hollywood Reporter, LaVergne changed his opinion.
"I can tell you in advance, Fred Goldman's [Ron Goldman's father] claim will be accepted. And his claim will be handled in accordance with Nevada law," LaVergne told The Hollywood Reporter.
Simpson died Wednesday without having paid the lion's share of the civil judgment that was awarded in 1997 after jurors found him liable. With his assets set to go...
April 16
April 16
Katie Taylor will face Amanda Serrano in July 20 rematch
The biggest fight in the history of women's boxing will have an even bigger rematch.
Two-weight undisputed champion Katie Taylor will once again face Amanda Serrano on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, as the co-main event of the boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, officials told ESPN.
The card, promoted by Paul's Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), will air live on Netflix globally with no added paywall. It's the first live combat sports event distributed by the streaming service and has a chance to be one of the most watched fight cards of the modern era.
Taylor is promoted by Eddie Hearn's Matchroom and Serrano by MVP.
"This is the rematch the world has wanted to see, and I'm delighted that it's finally happening," Taylor said in a statement. "The first fight in New York was obviously an epic occasion and it more than lived up to the billing, and I'm sure the rematch will be no different."
Taylor vs. Serrano will be for the undisputed super lightweight...
April 16
April 16
Jacoby Mathews enters transfer portal, latest to leave Texas A&M
Texas A&M safety Jacoby Mathews entered his name in the transfer portal Tuesday, becoming the 19th scholarship player to enter the portal for the Aggies since November.
Tuesday is the first day of the spring transfer portal window that allows players to enter their names in the database to receive communication from coaches to potentially transfer. Mathews is a 6-foot-2, 215-pound sophomore safety who was an ESPN 300 prospect in the 2022 class out of Louisiana.
He played in 10 games his freshman season in 2022 and played in 11 games last season, tallying 42 total tackles, an interception and four pass breakups.
New coach Mike Elko and his staff have been working to transform the roster to build the team they believe can compete in the SEC.
Since November, the Aggies have seen some big names and starters on the defensive side enter the transfer portal.
Among other players who left the program were defensive tackle Walter Nolen, the former No. 1 prospect overall...
April 16
April 16
McDavid becomes 4th player in NHL history with 100 assists
Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid notched his 100th assist this season against the San Jose Sharks on Monday night, becoming just the fourth player in NHL history to hit triple digits for helpers.
McDavid returned to the Edmonton lineup after missing three games because of a lower-body injury, entering the home game against San Jose with 99 assists in 74 games. He picked up the primary assist on Zach Hyman's second-period goal, the winger's 54th goal of the season.
Hockey Hall of Famers Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Bobby Orr are the only other NHL players to eclipse 100 assists in a season.
"It means a lot. Those three are obviously three of the greatest players to ever play. To share a little something with them, it means a lot to me," McDavid said. "It has been a different type of year, but everybody stuck with it, and we've put ourselves in a good spot heading in to when it matters most."
Orr did it once, becoming the first NHL player to achieve...
April 16
April 15
Sources: Nets prepared to hire Kings' Jordi Fernandez as coach
Jordi Fernandez has emerged as the Brooklyn Nets' choice to become the franchise's next coach, separating himself amid a wide, monthlong search that now has the Nets prepared to hire the Sacramento Kings' top assistant, sources told ESPN on Monday night.
Fernandez, 41, has been a fast-rising coaching candidate in the past two years and will land the Nets' head-coaching job, sources said.
Fernandez will take over a Nets franchise that completed a 32-50 season under interim coach Kevin Ollie -- its fifth coach since 2020.
Brooklyn is reshaping its team in the post- Kevin Durant- Kyrie Irving era and is hiring Fernandez to reinvigorate a roster that includes Mikal Bridges, Cam Thomas, Nic Claxton, Cameron Johnson and Noah Clowney.
Nets general manager Sean Marks met with dozens of candidates in recent weeks and Fernandez advanced to meet with owner Joe Tsai recently, sources said.
Fernandez will...
April 15
April 15
Michael Lorenzen goes 5 innings, gets win in Rangers debut
DETROIT -- Michael Lorenzen pitched five scoreless innings in his Texas debut and three relievers completed a five-hit shutout as the Rangers topped the Detroit Tigers 1-0 on Monday night.
Lorenzen, signed to a $4.5 million, one-year contract as a free agent late in spring training, gave up three hits and walked five while notching four strikeouts against his former team. Lorenzen represented the Tigers at the All-Star Game last season before he was traded to Philadelphia.
"Everything about Detroit I really enjoyed. The guys over there are great," Lorenzen said. "I tried not to talk to them at all because I wanted to beat them. I'll catch up with them [Tuesday]."
The right-hander, who had been on the 15-day injured list due to a neck strain, made three rehab appearances at Triple-A Round Rock before he was activated.
"You saw a guy with poise," Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. "He's got the experience. He knows how to make pitches when he has to....
April 15
April 15
Indiana Fever select Iowa's Caitlin Clark No. 1 in 2024 WNBA draft
NEW YORK -- Caitlin Clark is officially a pro.
Clark, the record-breaking face of women's college basketball, was selected No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA draft Monday night at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
The draft was held with fans for the first time since the 2014-2016 iterations of the event. Tickets for 1,000 spectators sold out within 15 minutes of going on sale a few months ago.
Clark's coronation was long anticipated after she announced in late February she was headed to the league instead of using her extra year of collegiate eligibility.
But that didn't make the moment any less special for Clark, her loved ones, her Iowa family and the ecstatic fans who packed Gainbridge Fieldhouse back in Indianapolis to see her hold up a Fever jersey on the jumbotron.
"When you're just sitting at a table waiting for your name to be called, that really allows the emotions to feed you," Clark said. "You're with your family. Obviously, playing a...
April 15
April 15
Sources: U.S. basketball finalizing '24 Paris Olympics roster
Team USA is finalizing a 2024 Paris Olympics men's basketball roster that includes several of the generation's iconic players, including the Lakers' LeBron James, Warriors' Stephen Curry, Suns' Kevin Durant and 76ers' Joel Embiid, sources told ESPN on Monday.
Team USA managing director Grant Hill is keeping one roster slot open ahead of a July training camp and exhibition games in Las Vegas, sources said.
U.S. basketball is planning to formally announce this 11-man roster that also includes Lakers forward Anthony Davis, Suns guard Devin Booker, Minnesota guard Anthony Edwards, Boston forward Jayson Tatum, Boston guard Jrue Holiday, Miami center Bam Adebayo and Indiana guard Tyrese Haliburton, sources said.
Team USA coach Steve Kerr will be coaching Curry -- his four-time championship and two-time MVP guard -- in his first Olympic appearance.
Kerr will also be reunited with Durant, who is one...
April 15
April 15
Sources: USA Basketball finalizing '24 Paris Olympics roster
USA Basketball is finalizing a 2024 Paris Olympics men's basketball roster that includes several of the generation's iconic players -- including the Lakers' LeBron James, Warriors' Stephen Curry, Suns' Kevin Durant and 76ers' Joel Embiid, sources told ESPN on Monday.
Team USA managing director Grant Hill is keeping one roster slot open ahead of a July training camp and exhibition games in Las Vegas, sources said.
USA Basketball is planning to formally announce this 11-man roster that also includes Lakers forward Anthony Davis, Suns guard Devin Booker, Minnesota guard Anthony Edwards, Boston forward Jayson Tatum, Boston guard Jrue Holiday, Miami center Bam Adebayo and Indiana guard Tyrese Haliburton, sources said.
Team USA coach Steve Kerr will be coaching Curry -- his four-time championship and two-time MVP guard -- in his first Olympics appearance.
Kerr will also be reunited with Durant, who...
April 15
April 15
WNBA's Engelbert 'confident' expansion to 16 teams possible by 2028
NEW YORK -- WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert is "pretty confident" the league will expand to 16 teams by 2028 and that the goal is to bring in a 14th team for 2026, she told reporters Monday.
With women's basketball booming in popularity, players and fans alike have called for expansion, as the WNBA's current footprint of 12 teams, each with 12 roster spots, means the league can accommodate a maximum of 144 players.
The WNBA announced late last year it is adding a 13th team that will be owned and operated by the Golden State Warriors. It is the league's first new franchise since the Atlanta Dream in 2008.
"It's complex because you need the arena and practice facility and player housing and all the things you need, committed long-term ownership groups," Engelbert said before Friday's WNBA draft. "And so, the nice thing is we're getting a lot of calls, we're continuing to engage with cities."
Engelbert mentioned cities such as Philadelphia, Toronto, Portland,...
April 15
April 15
Women's NCAA tournament stars expected to go early in WNBA Draft
L-S-U'S Angel Reese, South Carolina's Kamila Cardoso and Iowa's Caitlyn Clark are heading to the pros. They're expected to be drafted into the WNBA in the leagues first round draft.
April 15
April 15
Pochettino slams Chelsea kids for penalty feud in win over Everton
A 6-0 win -- including a four-goal night by one of his star players in Cole Palmer -- should have left Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino with no issues following the game.
But that was far from the case, as the Argentine coach took his team to task for an incident regarding who would take a penalty kick in the second half with Chelsea already up 4-0 on Everton on Monday night at Stamford Bridge.
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Captain Conor Gallagher had to intervene to shove away Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke as they squabbled for the ball after the latter was brought down in the box. Gallagher secured the ball then handed it to Palmer, the team's designated penalty taker.
"The players and staff know that Cole Palmer is the penalty taker," said a furious Pochettino after the game. "I am so, so upset about the situation. Discipline is the most important thing in our...
April 15
April 15
Zvonimir Ivisic to transfer from Kentucky to Arkansas
Kentucky freshman Zvonimir Ivisic announced Monday he will follow John Calipari and transfer to Arkansas.
Ivisic entered the transfer portal over the weekend, becoming the first Kentucky player to leave the program after Mark Pope was named head coach. He's now the first player to follow Calipari to Fayetteville.
Ivisic said in a post on social media that he met with Pope on Monday but informed him he would not be returning to Kentucky.
"I made the lifetime decision to come to college for [a] few reasons," Ivisic wrote. "Main ones to win a national championship and go to the NBA. Monumental part of that decision was coach Cal, and no one does both of those at the same time than him. That's why I am excited to announce that I am committing to coach Cal and Arkansas Razorbacks."
Ivisic, a 7-foot-2 center from Croatia, had one of the most anticipated debuts of any newcomer this past season -- and then "Big Z" produced an eye-opening display in his first college...
April 15
April 15
Lawsuit seeks millions from Chiefs' Rashee Rice, SMU's Teddy Knox
Rashee Rice and Teddy Knox are being sued in Texas for over $1 million in actual damages and $10 million in punitive damages by two people who say they were injured in a six-vehicle crash March 30 in Dallas.
The plaintiffs, Edvard Petrovskiy and Irina Gromova, allege Rice and Knox deliberately raced their vehicles at speeds well beyond the posted limits and caused the six-vehicle crash that led to their injuries.
Rice, a wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs, was the leaseholder of both vehicles and was driving one at the time of the crash. Knox, a football player and former teammate of Rice's at SMU Mustangs, was driving the other.
Rice, 23, and Knox, 21, are each facing one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and six counts of collision involving injury, according to police.
In the lawsuit, Petrovskiy and Gromova claim injuries that include brain trauma, cuts to the face requiring stitches, bruises,...
April 15
April 15
John Sterling, 85, Yankees' longtime radio voice, retires
John Sterling, the longtime radio voice of the New York Yankees, has decided to retire, effective immediately, the club announced Monday.
Sterling, 85, joined the Yankees' broadcast in 1989. He went on to call 5,420 regular-season and 211 postseason Yankees games. Sterling had taken on a reduced role in recent seasons and traveled less often because of health concerns. This season was his 36th in the booth and 20th working alongside Suzyn Waldman.
"I am a very blessed human being," Sterling said in a statement. "I have been able to do what I wanted, broadcasting for 64 years. As a little boy growing up in New York as a Yankees fan, I was able to broadcast the Yankees for 36 years. It's all to my benefit, and I leave very, very happy."
Known for his individualized home run calls and signature Yankees victory call, Sterling was in the booth for 5,060 consecutive games from September 1989 to July 2019, when he missed a series with an illness. The native New Yorker was on the...
April 15
April 15
DeMeco Ryans on Texans' expectations: 'Talk doesn't win games'
HOUSTON -- Coach DeMeco Ryans made it clear he isn't paying attention to the hype the Houston Texans are receiving.
"We don't care about expectations," Ryans said Monday. "Talk doesn't win games. We have to go out and play good football when the time comes."
The Texans spent $178.5 million this offseason in guaranteed money, according to Roster Management System, the fourth most in the NFL.
That includes a reworked contract for newly acquired All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs. The Texans sent a 2025 second-round pick (via the Minnesota Vikings) to the Buffalo Bills for Diggs and voided the final three years of his deal before increasing his base salary to $22.52 million guaranteed. He's now set to become a free agent in 2025.
"The guy's been an All-Pro player, been a Pro Bowl player, over 1,000 yards for multiple seasons," Ryans said. "So, we're excited about adding Diggs to our team."
The Diggs trade capped the Texans' aggressive...
April 15
April 15
Vikings' T.J. Hockenson says NFL needs to look into low hits
EAGAN, Minn. -- Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson has had a long time to think about the controversial hit that ended his 2023 season and could keep him out from the start of 2024. Speaking publicly Monday for the first time since, Hockenson's mood boiled down to seven words.
"Obviously," he said, "I wasn't too happy about it."
As he continues his rehabilitation from torn ACL and MCL ligaments in his right knee, an injury he suffered from a direct hit by Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph in Week 16, Hockenson had plenty more to say. While stopping short of accusing Joseph of intending to injure him -- or Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee on an identical play in the playoffs -- Hockenson said that players should protect one another as much as possible.
He called on the NFL to address why defenders can hit pass-catchers low in those situations, but offensive players can't cut-block in similar areas and said he would have preferred...
April 15
April 15
Chiefs expect Rashee Rice to take part in virtual meetings
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs expect wide receiver Rashee Rice to participate as they began their offseason program Monday with virtual meetings, coach Andy Reid said.
Reid wouldn't say whether the Chiefs were planning on having Rice participate later in the spring when they move the program to Kansas City.
"I want to keep gathering the information from the law enforcement people,'' Reid said. "We'll just see where everything goes from there [and] let the process take place.''
Otherwise, Reid said little about Rice's situation but did say he has spoken with the wide receiver.
Rice, the Chiefs' leading wide receiver last season, is facing one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and six counts of collision involving injury, according to Dallas police, for his involvement in a six-vehicle car crash last month.
Rice turned himself in to police last week and was later released on bond. On April 3, he said...
April 15
April 15
Kentucky freshman D.J. Wagner entering transfer portal
Kentucky freshman D.J. Wagner, a former top-five recruit in the 2023 class, entered the transfer portal Monday.
Wagner, a 6-foot-4 guard from Camden, New Jersey, immediately becomes one of the more intriguing backcourt players in the college basketball portal.
The son of former high school phenom and NBA player Dajuan Wagner, D.J. Wagner was considered the top player in the 2023 class for much of his high school career. He was one of the best scorers on the Nike EYBL circuit and led Camden High School to the New Jersey state title.
Wagner also earned MVP honors at the McDonald's All American Game.
He finished his high school career ranked No. 4 in the ESPN 100 and entered Kentucky with first-round NBA draft projections. After a couple of early 20-point efforts against Saint Joseph's and Marshall, however, he was inconsistent on the offensive end.
Wagner finished the season scoring in single-digits in 10 of his final 13 games, including a scoreless outing...
April 15
April 15
Sisay Lemma wins Boston Marathon men's race in runaway
BOSTON -- Sisay Lemma scorched the first half of the Boston Marathon course Monday, setting a record pace to build a lead of more than half a mile.
Then the weather heated up, and the 34-year-old Ethiopian slowed down.
After running alone for most of the morning, Lemma held on down Boylston Street to finish in 2 hours, 6 minutes, 17 seconds -- the 10th-fastest time in the race's 128-year history.
"I decided that I wanted to start fast early," said Lemma, who dropped to the pavement and rolled onto his back, smiling, after crossing the finish line. "I kept the pace and I won."
Lemma, the 2021 London champion, arrived in Boston with the fastest time in the field -- just the fourth person ever to break 2:02:00 when he won in Valencia last year. And he showed it on the course Monday, separating himself from the pack in Ashland and opening a lead of more than half a mile.
Lemma ran the first half in 1:00:19 -- 99 seconds faster than Geoffrey Mutai's course record pace in 2011, when...
April 15
April 15
Eagles extend WR DeVonta Smith through 2028 season
PHILADELPHIA -- The Eagles and DeVonta Smith have agreed to a three-year extension that ties the wide receiver to the team through the 2028 season.
Terms were not disclosed, but a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter that the contract is worth $75 million, with $51 million guaranteed.
The team also exercised Smith's fifth-year option, which will pay Smith a salary of around $16 million for the 2025 campaign.
Smith becomes the fifth receiver in the NFL with a contract averaging $25 million or more per season, joining Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins ($30 million), Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders ($28 million), Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams ($26.7 million) and Smith's teammate, A.J. Brown ($25 million).
Smith and Brown became the first receiver tandem in Eagles history to each reach 1,000 yards receiving in 2022 and they repeated the feat last season. Teamed with quarterback Jalen Hurts,...
April 15
April 15
Sources: Five-star Boogie Fland requests release from Kentucky
Five-star guard Boogie Fland has requested his release from Kentucky and will reopen his recruitment, sources told ESPN.
Fland becomes the fourth member of what was the No. 2-ranked recruiting class in the country to decommit from the Wildcats, following five-star forward Jayden Quaintance and ESPN 100 prospects Karter Knox and Somto Cyril. These decisions come in the wake of John Calipari's decision to leave Kentucky for Arkansas and the Wildcats hiring Mark Pope to replace Calipari.
When Fland originally committed to Kentucky in October, he chose the Wildcats over Indiana, although Alabama was also on his final list of three. The Hoosiers were in the lead entering the final weeks, but Calipari and Kentucky finished strong to overtake Mike Woodson's program.
"He is a Hall of Fame coach who cares about his players," Fland told ESPN at the time about Calipari. "When he gave his Hall of Fame speech, his former players and coaches were...
April 15