Category: Sports

With less than a week remaining in the 2026 Winter Olympics, the stakes are just about as high as ever Monday.

The U.S. women’s hockey team beat Sweden in the semifinals, setting up a possible rematch against Canada in the gold medal game.

The U.S. will also look to keep the momentum going against Italy in women’s curling. The Americans are 4-1 in round-robin play.

In women’s monobob, Americans Kaillie Armbruster Humphries, Elana Meyers Taylor and Kaysha Love have their eyes set on a medal, with Armbruster Humphries looking to defend her Olympic title.

World silver medalists Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin lead by nearly five points in pairs figure skating as they head into the free skate Monday night.

Key events (all times ET)

MORE: Medal tracker | Full schedule of events | Olympics 101

Here’s a live look at the best moments from Monday’s Olympic action.

NBA legend LeBron James reignited speculation over his retirement when he refused to rule out whether his 23rd NBA season would be his last.

“When I know, you guys will know,” James told reporters Sunday after arriving at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles for the All-Star game.

“I don’t know. I have no idea. I just want to live. That’s all.”

Much of the talk going into the weekend had been over James’ future, after the 41-year old played in a record-breaking 22nd All-Star game.

He has already missed 18 games due to various health concerns, including sciatica that sidelined him for the Lakers’ first 14 games.

Yet he still headed into this break by becoming the oldest player in NBA history to record a triple-double against the Dallas Mavericks last week.

The Lakers small forward recently appeared to be emotional during a pre-game tribute video in what could have been his last game in his hometown Cleveland – where he spent 11 years of his illustrious NBA career.

“I’m just trying to take everything in, not take the moments for granted,” LeBron said of Cleveland’s tribute.

“It could be [my last season]. I obviously haven’t made a decision on the future, but it very well could be.”

He holds the record for most All-Star game inclusions, surpassing Hall-of-Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record of 19, but was originally selected as a reserve for this year’s contest before the new format was announced.

James already boasts the longest NBA career in history, but his most recent comments will only add fuel on the fire as his uncertain future takes the spotlight as the end of the regular season approaches.

FRISCO, Texas — Starting Tuesday, NFL teams can begin placing the franchise tag on players.

For the Dallas Cowboys, it is a certainty that they will use the tag, which figures to be around $27-28 million, on wide receiver George Pickens by the deadline at 4 p.m. ET on March 3.

Since there have been zero discussions to this point on a long-term deal, connecting the dots to the franchise tag is easy to do.

Acquired in May from the Pittsburgh Steelers, along with a 2027 sixth-round pick, for a 2026 third-round and 2027 fifth-round pick, Pickens put up career highs in catches (93), yards (1,429) and touchdowns (nine) last season.

He was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time and earned second-team All-Pro honors.

At every turn, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones and executive vice president Stephen Jones have said they want Pickens long term. Pickens, too, has said he wants to stay in Dallas. Quarterback Dak Prescott and receiver CeeDee Lamb don’t want him anywhere else, either.

The franchise tag is not desirable for players — despite being fully guaranteed — because there is no long-term security.

Teams say they use it as a stepping-stone to a long-term agreement, although that does not always happen. And since the tag is guaranteed, the entire $28 million will count against the Cowboys’ cap, which chews up a lot of space for a team with numerous needs. A long-term deal would eat up considerably less.

As the tag beckons, here are some frequently asked questions related to the Cowboys and Pickens:

What happens after Pickens is tagged by Dallas?

If Pickens signs the tender right away, he is guaranteed to make at least $28 million in 2026. But it is not likely he signs the tender immediately and gives up even his tiny bit of leverage on a long-term deal. The Cowboys have used the NFL scouting combine as the jumping-off point in most negotiations, so they will likely meet with Pickens’ agents, Trevon Smith and David Mulugheta, on Jones’ luxury bus in Indianapolis.

The deadline that matters, however, is July 15. Without a long-term agreement by then, Pickens would have to play on the tag in 2026. As has become customary with the Cowboys, this could go to the wire if they get down the road at all.

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What are the chances of completing a long-term deal?

History is not on that side. The last time the Cowboys worked out a long-term deal with a first-time franchise tag player was receiver Dez Bryant in 2015 when he signed a five-year, $70 million deal that included $45 million guaranteed minutes before the July 15 deadline was about to hit.

The Cowboys were able to put together deals with defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and Prescott after they were tagged the second time. Tight end Dalton Schultz and running back Tony Pollard played out the 2022 and 2023 seasons on the franchise tags and left in free agency the following year.

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Possibly.

Here’s a quick recap on Parsons: The former Cowboys edge rusher entered 2025 on the fifth-year option. Jones believed he and Parsons worked out an agreement on a deal. Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta, balked on the deal, and the sides never really got close after that.

Parsons attended the mandatory minicamp and training camp but did not practice, essentially going through a hold-in. The relationship frayed and, ultimately, Parsons was traded to the Green Bay Packers a week before the season started.

Mulugheta is one of Pickens’ agents.

Pickens would not be considered a holdout or subject to a fine if he skipped the minicamp and training camp if he did not sign the tender. But if he opts to wait to return until the start of the season, he runs the risk of hurting himself if he doesn’t put up commensurate numbers in 2026, which could impact his ability to get paid in 2027.

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Will Jones attempt to negotiate directly with Pickens?

It’s always possible but it’s not as likely as you might think.

Pickens has been a Cowboy for less than a calendar year. He does not have the same relationship with the owner as Parsons, who played for four years with the Cowboys. The players Jones has had a history of talking deals with — Parsons, Prescott, Zack Martin, Jason Witten, DeMarcus Ware, Tony Romo — were drafted and developed by the team.

Jones spent considerable time with them over the years, and that dynamic is not in play with Pickens.

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Is it possible to trade him?

Yes. Remember the Cowboys traded two first-round picks in 2000 to the Seattle Seahawks for their franchise player, wide receiver Joey Galloway. For Pickens to be traded before working out a deal with a new team, he would have to sign the franchise tender first, which would give him some control over where he would go.

It’s also possible to rescind the tag. In 2016, the Carolina Panthers rescinded the tag on cornerback Josh Norman before the draft after then-general manager Dave Gettleman came to the conclusion the club would not be able to reach a long-term agreement. Norman signed a five-year deal worth $75 million with Washington.

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What would a long-term deal look like?

Large. Very large. But what will be the difference between what Pickens’ representatives will be looking for and how high the Cowboys will be willing to go?

In 2024, they signed Lamb to a four-year, $136 million contract with him set to play that season on his fifth-year option. At the time, his $34 million annual average was second most in the NFL.

It’s now No. 3, with Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase topping the market at $40.25 million.

Can the Cowboys top Lamb’s average? Sure. Would they want to? Lamb produced at a higher level in his first four seasons than Pickens.

Would Pickens be OK being the secondary option to Lamb like Tee Higgins is to Chase? The Bengals signed Higgins last year to a deal worth $28.75 million annually. The Bengals also have quarterback Joe Burrow making $55 million a year.

The Cowboys could tag Pickens again in 2027 at a cost of 120% of the 2026 tag figure. Sticking with $28 million as the figure for 2026, then that would be $33.6 million in 2027. Add up the two tenders and that is $61.6 million. That would appear to be the starting point on a multiyear deal.

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Why are the Cowboys the best fit for Pickens?

Pickens put up solid numbers in three seasons with the Steelers despite quarterback issues in Pittsburgh, but he had only one 1,000-yard season and no Pro Bowls. With Prescott, he flourished on the field.

But there’s this too: The questions about him in Pittsburgh — maturity, timeliness — weren’t as much of a problem for the Cowboys. That doesn’t mean those issues disappeared when he arrived in Dallas. Coach Brian Schottenheimer alluded to Pickens still being late to things, and multiple sources said Pickens was fined during the season.

Real Madrid‘s Víctor Valdepeñas is among Arsenal‘s favored options to strengthen their defense, while Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have an interest in signing Bayern Munich center back Kim Min-jae, and Juventus want to renew Weston McKennie‘s contract but won’t double his wages.

Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

Transfers home page | Men’s winter grades | Women’s grades

TRENDING RUMORS

– Real Madrid‘s Víctor Valdepeñas is among Arsenal‘s favored options as Mikel Arteta aims to further reinforce his back line in the summer transfer window, as reported by AS. Even so, the Gunners will face competition to land the 19-year-old — who plays at either left back or center back for the Castilla side and has made one appearance at senior level — with several other top clubs in Europe interested. AC Milan have a longstanding desire to sign him, while the Spain U19 international has also caught the eye of clubs in the German Bundesliga.

– Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have an interest in signing Bayern Munich center back Kim Min-jae and have him on their respective summer shortlists, reports Bild’s Christian Falk. Spurs’ move would largely depend on who their next permanent manager will be, while the Blues have good options in defense already but want to add to Liam Rosenior’s squad after missing out on Liverpool-bound Jérémy Jacquet. Kim, 29, is happy to stay at Bayern but is currently third choice behind Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah.

– Juventus would like to speed up the process of renewing Weston McKennie‘s contract, but the USMNT midfielder’s agents have asked for his wages to be doubled, with his current earnings being between €2.5 million-€3 million per season, reports Gazzetta dello Sport. Juve are willing to offer the 27-year-old a pay rise, with his deal expiring in the summer, but not enough to reach his agent’s demands. Other European clubs have shown an interest in signing McKennie as a free agent, but he wants to stay with Juventus.

– Chelsea and Liverpool have put in the most groundwork for a possible move to sign Nottingham Forest center back Murillo, as reported by TEAMtalk. Chelsea are ready to listen to offers for defensive trio Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoît Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah, while there is uncertainty around the futures of Ibrahima Konaté and Joe Gomez at Liverpool. Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all extensively monitored Murillo amid an expectation that the 23-year-old Brazil international will push for a summer move.

– Bayern Munich are closely following RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande and keen to remain informed on his situation, as manager Vincent Kompany likes the 19-year-old, says Fabrizio Romano. There will still be competition to sign the Ivory Coast international as Paris Saint-Germain are monitoring him, while Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have also sent scouts to watch him. Diomande has also been linked with Liverpool and recently said that clarified that they are his father’s favorite club.

EXPERT TAKE

ESPN’s Madrid correspondent Alex Kirkland looks at Real Madrid’s Víctor Valdepeñas.

It was a surprise when Valdepeñas made his Real Madrid debut earlier this season, but the young defender did well in the team’s 2-1 LaLiga win at Alavés, even if then-coach Xabi Alonso singled him out — a little unfairly — for a mistake in Alavés’ equalizer. Otherwise, the teenager excelled, filling in capably and proving he’s a useful option at left back when Álvaro Carreras, Fran García and Ferland Mendy are all unavailable.

Otherwise, Valdepeñas has spent this season impressing with Madrid’s reserve team, Castilla, where he tends to play as center back alongside another highly-rated prospect, Joan Martínez.

The defender’s biggest asset is his pace: he’s been known to match Vinicius Junior in sprint tests in training. For months now there have been links with Arsenal and Bundesliga clubs in the Spanish press, and that’s no surprise: Madrid’s academy is a consistent source of top talent, even if that talent doesn’t always find its way into the first team. Just look at Nico Paz’s impact at Como, or Chema Andrés’ form with Stuttgart.

Valdepeñas has a contract at Madrid until 2029, and his development between now and May will dictate whether Madrid see his future at the Bernabéu, or elsewhere.

OTHER RUMORS

– AC Milan are open to offers in the region of around €80 million for USMNT winger Christian Pulisic amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Manchester United. (Caught Offside)

– Despite offers from the Premier League and Saudi Pro League, Scott McTominay‘s priority is to stay at Napoli, with talks regarding a contract extension progressing well. (Nicolo Schira)

– Manchester City are plotting a £70 million summer move for Nottingham Forest attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, who also continues to be subject of interest from Tottenham Hotspur. (Football Insider)

– Arsenal sent a scout to monitor Pio Esposito in Internazionale’s 3-2 win over Juventus, in which the 20-year-old scored. (Nicolo Schira)

– Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Crystal Palace have all initiated discussions regarding a possible move for Real Madrid center back Antonio Rudiger. (Caught Offside)

– Chelsea, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig are ready to rival Barcelona for 18-year-old Twente center back Ruud Nijstad. (TEAMtalk)

– Al Ahli striker Ivan Toney has refused to rule out a return to the Premier League after turning down January offers in favor of staying in Saudi Arabia. (Sky Sports)

– Barcelona could let Marc Casado leave as the midfielder is “a victim of the competition” at the club. (Sport)

– Atlanta United will sign 34-year-old winger Fafa Picault, who is a free agent and last played for Inter Miami. (Tom Bogert)

Fernando Alonso is in no doubt that Aston Martin will “eventually have the best car” in F1 with Adrian Newey at the team but says they are first braced to be on the “back foot” in the first part of the 2026 season.

Aston Martin have made no secret after F1’s first two 2026 tests that they are lacking pace compared to the leading teams they hope to be challenge in F1’s new era of car and engine rules.

After a late arrival to the Barcelona test, when the new AMR26 completed just 65 laps, Aston Martin completed the fewest laps and set the slowest times at last week’s first Bahrain test as they continue to learn about not only their maiden Newey design, but also the team’s first Honda engine and in-house gearbox too.

Asked by Sky Sports F1 what the legendary Newey, who has taken on team principal duties this season in addition to the technical role he took up when he joined last spring, was providing, Alonso said: “All the things we need.

“He has the experience. He has been in better times, tougher times, and I think we have a clear path of improvement.

“There are a lot of things that we need to unlock. For us, it’s really the first test, to be honest, because missing Barcelona was not ideal. So, we are still going step by step, unlocking performance, and we’ve identified some areas that we need to improve.

“We said at the launch of the car that we go from maybe a little bit more difficult start on the back foot to a much better second part of the season, and I still think the same. The second part of the season is when we need to be where we want to be.”

Before then, Newey has already promised the car Aston Martin take to the season-opening Australian Grand Prix from March 6-8 will be much changed from the model they’ve run at the first pre-season tests.

“Melbourne’s car is going to be very different,” confirmed Alonso. “I saw some pictures, and Adrian said at the launch as well.

“Not only Melbourne, we have a guy that after 30-plus years in Formula 1 has been dominating the sport all of those, so eventually we will have the best car. It’s a matter of time, but we want to have that as soon as possible.

Lance Stroll, Alonso’s team-mate, said during the first Bahrain test that Aston Martin were up to four and a half seconds off the leading pace.

And while Alonso says the car, which completed jus over 200 laps last week, is running well, there are clear areas to focus on to find improvement.

“I think everything is running smoothly in that regard,” he added.

“Surely, we need to integrate a little bit the power unit and the very first gearbox for Aston Martin. But I think the aero performance and the engine performance will still dominate the lap time, so it’s where we need to unlock more performance.

“We still don’t know exactly where we are, maybe next week we have a clear picture, but at the moment those are the two areas that we are concentrated on.”

Sky Sports F1’s Bahrain Testing schedule

Test Two: Wednesday 18th, Thursday 19th, Friday 20th February

• 6.50am-11.05am: Morning session Live
• 11.55am-4.10pm: Afternoon session Live
• 8pm: Testing Wrap

Watch every race of the 2026 F1 season live on Sky Sports, starting with the Australian Grand Prix from March 6-8. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime

NEW YORK — The Brian Flores-led discrimination lawsuit against the NFL can proceed to open court and avoid the league’s arbitration process, a federal judge ruled Friday.

Flores, who is joined in the lawsuit by Steve Wilks and Ray Horton, sued the league and three teams in February 2022 after he was fired the previous month by the Miami Dolphins. Now the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator, Flores alleged in his original suit that the league was “rife with racism” regarding its hiring practices when it comes to Black coaches.

The NFL argued Flores should go through the league’s arbitration process rather than the legal system, but Judge Valerie Caproni of the Southern District of New York sided with the plaintiffs.

“The court’s decision recognizes that an arbitration forum in which the defendant’s own chief executive gets to decide the case would strip employees of their rights under the law,” Flores’ attorneys Douglas H. Wigdor and David E. Gottlieb said in a statement. “It is long overdue for the NFL to recognize this and finally provide a fair, neutral and transparent forum for these issues to be addressed.”

The NFL did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A pretrial hearing has been set for April 3.

Flores was fired after going 24-25 record over three years without a playoff appearances. The Dolphins did have back-to-back winning seasons before Flores was dismissed.

He sued the NFL as well as the Denver Broncos, New York Giants and Houston Texans. Flores interviewed with the Broncos in 2019 and the Giants and Texans in 2022.

Wilks, who was fired in December as the New York Jets defensive coordinator, joined the lawsuit by claiming the Arizona Cardinals in 2018 hired him as a “bridge coach” and didn’t provide him with a realistic chance to succeed.

Horton, who last coached in the NFL in 2019, alleged the Tennessee Titans didn’t offer him a genuine interview for the head coaching position in 2016.

The 2026 NBA All-Star Game, taking place at the Intuit Dome near Los Angeles, tipped off Friday with a plethora of superstar players arriving for a jam-packed weekend.

Some fresh new faces of the league got things started with the Rising Stars showcase Friday. With No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg out through the All-Star break with injury, the young troupe was headlined by Rookie of the Year contender VJ Edgecombe, who took home MVP honors.

On Saturday, the league’s top-tier talents demonstrate their skills in the 3-point contest, Shooting Stars competition and dunk contest. Most notably, Damian Lillard took home the 3-point contest despite an Achilles injury that has kept him out the entire season. Team Knicks (Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and Allan Houston) followed up Lillard’s performance by winning the Shooting Stars competition before the Miami Heat‘s Keshad Johnson won the dunk contest.

Finally, on Sunday, three star-stacked teams took the court in a new format that rosters American players against international players. However, the youth-filled Team Stars came out on top, defeating Team Stripes handily in the final game of the star-studded weekend, with Anthony Edwards taking the All-Star MVP award home.

Our NBA insiders gave a sneak preview of what to watch heading into the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend and their biggest takeaways from each day.

Expert picks were voted on by a panel of NBA insiders.

Previews: Rising Stars | Saturday skills | USA vs. World tournament
Saturday’s takeaways | Saturday’s results
Sunday’s takeaways | Sunday’s results

Sunday’s All-Star Game takeaways

Team Stars dominates Team Stripes in All-Star Weekend final

The NBA faces perilous headwinds.

The LA Clippers, the host for All-Star Weekend, are under investigation for possible salary cap circumvention. Several teams are tanking their seasons for better draft picks. Too many stars are injured or sitting out due to load management. And don’t forget the October 2025 federal investigation into illegal gambling — with links to organized crime — that ensnared current and former NBA players and a coach.

Given everything that has collectively threatened the integrity of the league, the NBA desperately needed a win, and it received one over All-Star Weekend.

The new format for the All-Star Game itself, featuring three teams in four-game round-robin play, proved an undisputed success.

Players hustled on defense, fought for calls and scrapped for rebounds. For the most part, the games were razor close as the seconds ticked down. There were buzzer-beaters that fell and others that barely missed. Most of all, the energy returned to a game — even if there were four of them — after being absent for some time.

Yes, it’s a minor victory amid all the tumult facing the league, but give credit where it’s due: The new format worked.

The championship matchup was the least competitive, with the veteran-laden Team Stripes seemingly running out of gas early in its third game, especially as the more youthful Team Stars jumped out to a 16-3 lead.

Five straight points from Minnesota star Anthony Edwards ballooned the lead to 26-9 with 6:02 left, putting the game out of reach. By then, Team Stripes had missed 13 of its 16 shots.

From there, Team Stars cruised to a balanced 47-21 win, led by nine points from Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey and eight each from Edwards and Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren. — Baxter Holmes

Hometown hero Kawhi Leonard leads Team Stripes to the final

The stakes were obviously lower, of course. Still, the Team Stripes-Team World matchup carried echoes of the 2024 Paris Olympics, where some of the NBA’s most established veteran stars — Kevin Durant, LeBron James, et al. — faced off against a Victor Wembanyama-led squad.

Wembanyma had already established in the first game of the evening that these contests mattered to him, and he continued to showcase effort, energy and emotion, encouraging his teammates on every play while fighting for calls from the officials. He made four of his first five shots — half of them dunks — and scored 11 of his team’s first 27 points to take a comfortable lead.

But then Clippers star Kawhi Leonard — playing in his home gym as a late addition to All-Star Weekend — turned it on for Team Stripes, hitting four straight buckets while “M-V-P” chants rained down as he gave his squad a 31-29 lead with 4:51 left.

And Leonard’s hot streak continued from there — much as it has throughout his recent production in the regular season.

Leonard finished with a blistering 31 points on 11-of-13 shooting, including 6-of-7 from 3-point range, carrying Team Stripes to a 48-45 win and establishing himself as a front-runner for the All-Star Game MVP. — Holmes

De’Aaron Fox and Team Stripes hit buzzer-beater over Team Stars

There have been plenty of theories as to why the competitiveness of the All-Star Game has fallen off in recent years. Most of those correspond with the careers of the players on the Stripes, the so-called old-heads team.

Whether that’s fair is a matter of debate. But from the moment LeBron James tossed his chalk up in the air before the start of this game against the Stars — the younger-generation United States team — it was clear that the veterans intended to put a little respect on their names. Kevin Durant hit a 3-pointer to open the scoring, Kawhi Leonard stole the ball from Devin Booker and ran to the corner to hit a 3 of his own. Durant stole the ball from Jalen Duren and fouled him. (Let’s stop there to point out: Fouls were committed! Real fouls! Steals were made! Real steals!)

Sometimes the person committing the foul stopped to apologize, like Tyrese Maxey to Donovan Mitchell at one point. And through it all, Jaylen Brown kept shooting, finishing with a team-high 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting. At 29, Brown is one of the youngest players on the veteran team, so it made sense for him to play nine of the 12 minutes. And Durant, James and Mitchell swinging the ball to 28-year-old De’Aaron Fox for the game-winning 3-pointer as time expired? Score one for the old guys. — Ramona Shelburne

Team Stars takes Team World in OT

Victor Wembanyama vowed to make the All-Star Game more competitive and backed up his words with his play, scoring the World team’s first seven points against the USA Stars to start off Sunday’s new format.

With Luka Doncic — playing for the first time in more than a week after a four-game absence because of a mild hamstring strain — limited to two points in five minutes, Karl-Anthony Towns gave the World a boost off the bench with 10 points, including a deep 3 that forced the Stars to call a timeout and regroup.

In Wembanyama’s second shift of the period, he pinned a Cade Cunningham layup attempt against the glass for his third blocked shot of the game. Anthony Edwards (13 points) hit a 3 with 14.3 seconds left to tie it at 32-32 to force overtime. The OT period was first to five points, and Wembanyama hit a 3 to give the World a 3-2 lead, but Scottie Barnes made the one shot he took count, nailing a 3-pointer from the left wing to give the Stars the 37-35 opening win.

Wemby (14 points, 6 rebounds) didn’t get the win but got credit from Edwards during the guard’s on-court interview for “setting the tone” at the event that already looked vastly different from the defense-optional games in recent years. — Dave McMenamin

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Sunday’s results

Game 1: Teams Stars 37, Team World 35 (OT)
Game 2: Team Stripes 42, Team Stars 40
Game 3: Team Stripes 48, Team World 45
Game 4: Team Stars 47, Team Stripes 21

All-Star Saturday’s takeaways

Overall takeaways

Damian Lillard’s triumphant return to the NBA stage captured the essence of what All-Star Weekend has always been about: Entertaining the fans and doing it with some flair.

Lillard was last seen on the court clutching the back of his leg during the NBA playoffs last season, knowing his Achilles tendon was ruptured when he was a Milwaukee Buck.

The last thing anyone expected was him winning his third 3-point contest title less than nine months later, and doing it back in that Portland Trail Blazers uniform he’s become so synonymous with.

He defeated Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker and Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel in the finals to take home the trophy and tie Larry Bird and Craig Hodges for most 3-point contest wins.

In the aftermath, he spoke about doing this for the fans, prompting a roar from the still-arriving crowd.

As has become routine over the last decade, the 3-point contest brings out the best names, storylines and drama — relative to the perpetually underwhelming Slam Dunk Contest because the stars won’t agree to compete.

Miami Heat second-year forward Keshad Johnson was giddy to be there and used every bit of his 15 minutes of fame to etch his name in history with a dunk contest victory, beating San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant. Bryant had some flair of his own but didn’t have enough energy to put down his final dunk — which ranked high in difficulty.

The New York Knicks contingent of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Allan Houston and Rick Brunson took home the Shooting Stars trophy with a last-second win over a group that featured Knueppel, Hawks forward Jalen Johnson and former NBA player Corey Maggette.

The day felt a bit awkward given the early start on the west coast, but the crowd was engaged by the end, even if there weren’t big stars delivering on the growing atmosphere. Perhaps it’s something the NBA, forever willing to tinker with its midseason showcase, will take a look at before next season in Phoenix. — Vincent Goodwill

Slam dunk contest

The Miami Heat’s Keshad Johnson looked happiest to be at the dunk contest — an event that sometimes lacks energy as the premier event of All-Star Weekend — on Saturday night and perhaps that was fitting, as he eventually walked away from the trophy.

The second-year forward defeated San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant in the final, when Bryant couldn’t convert a creative between-the-legs, over-the-head dunk. The two advanced to the final over Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes and Orlando Magic guard Jase Richardson.

Richardson had a scary moment when he fell flat on his back during a dunk attempt, getting a bit stuck on a 360 dunk. Luckily, he popped back up and completed his next chance — nearly capturing the spirit of the dunk contest his dad, Jason, did as a two-time winner of the contest in the early 2000’s.

Johnson brought out rapper E-40 in his introduction and ultimately leapt over him while cupping the ball on his first dunk, surprising many in the crowd who hadn’t seen or heard much from him before.

And even though it took him a couple of tries in the final, he put his last dunk away with ease, earning a close to perfect score from the judges.

It put the pressure on Bryant, who couldn’t complete his attempts in the allotted time before putting away a basic dunk just so he could register a score.

In the end, Heat czar Pat Riley stood to his feet while Johnson danced in celebration as the winner. — Goodwill

Shooting Stars

Team Knicks had its work cut out for it, with Team Cameron (Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson, Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel and former NBA player Corey Maggette) hitting a bevy of half-court shots to put the pressure on Allan Houston, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns to beat the clock and hit deep shots of its own. Team Knicks needed four half-court shots to win, and Towns unleashed from 30 feet to bring the team closer, while Brunson played the finisher to clinch the Shooting Stars competition.

“I felt very confident in our team, especially Allan Houston,” Towns said afterward.

The NBA has tried various versions of this, at times using WNBA players and most recently, deploying a skills competition that didn’t return after last year’s debacle in San Francisco.

This competition had a twist, with Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson, Jalen’s father, delivering passes to the shooters. Houston, now in the Knicks’ front office, was one of the most prolific 3-point shooters during his NBA days and showed his skills from midrange, while the current Knicks hit from deep to seal the victory. — Goodwill

3-point contest

The 3-point contest came down to two repeat winners and one new kid on the block — it did not disappoint.

Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard won for the third time in the last four years — becoming the third three-time winner since the competition started in 1986 — to thwart the Phoenix Suns‘ Devin Booker from winning his second and Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel from winning his first.

This win might have been the most impressive of his three, as Lillard entered the shootout despite not playing a game all season for the Blazers as he recovers from a torn Achilles.

“To get some competition, feel a little pressure, get in front of the fans again is a great experience,” Lillard told NBC on the court after receiving the trophy.

Booker went last in the final round and had a shot at beating Lillard’s score of 29, but he missed his final three “money ball” shots — which would have been worth two points apiece — to stall out at 27 points and fall two points short of Lillard. — McMenamin

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Saturday’s results

3-point champion: Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers)
Shooting Stars champion: Team Knicks (Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and Alan Houston)

Knueppel and Queen usher in the next wave of Rising Stars

There will be a Cooper Flagg-shaped void in this event, with a foot sprain sidelining 2025’s No. 1 pick for the duration of the weekend. Plus, former No. 2 pick Alex Sarr will be absent from Friday’s faceoffs after sustaining a right hamstring strain, which will keep him out for two weeks. The game should still be a fun spotlight for the strong 2025 draft class, with Kon Knueppel, Dylan Harper and VJ Edgecombe all on different teams. Stephon Castle, reigning Rookie of the Year, is one of the top second-year players involved. Originally, I would have picked Flagg’s team to win the mini-tournament, but with him sidelined, I suppose I’ll take Team Vince, which includes Edgecombe, Derik Queen and Matas Buzelis. Whether I’m right or wrong, I’m willing to bet history won’t remember in this case. — Jeremy Woo

Game 1: Team Melo 40, Team Austin
Game 2: Team Vince 41, Team T-Mac 36
Game 3: Team Vince 25, Team Melo 24

Winner: Team Vince

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Celebrity takeover!

Friday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)

The celebrity game returns with familiar faces on the court, but what stands out this year is the fact that two current NBA governors will participate — the Phoenix Suns‘ Mat Ishbia and the Charlotte Hornets‘ Rick Schnall, who have a combined age of 103.

However, history says when it comes to the celebrity game, age is just a number. Former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan routinely showed up while playing in his late 40s/early 50s (he won MVP in 2014 at 49).

NFL star wide receivers Keenan Allen and Amon-Ra St. Brown will take the court, too, as well as ESPN’s own NBA insider Shams Charania. Luckily, the trade deadline is behind us, meaning Charania can play phone-free. — Anthony Gharib

Introducing the 2026 @NBAAllStar #RufflesCelebGame rosters

🏀 Friday, Feb. 13 | 7p ET | ESPN

More: https://t.co/wCR9iDfnJB pic.twitter.com/RMttC7dOmg

— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) February 3, 2026

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Legendary team-ups, high-flying dunks and Dame Time for All-Star Saturday

Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock)

Can Spida spoil Dame Time?

Any of the eight 3-point contestants could get hot for a minute and produce the winning score. But based on each participant’s 3-point percentage on wide-open 3s this year, according to NBA Advanced Stats, the favorites should be Donovan Mitchell (50% on wide-open 3s), Norman Powell (49%) and Jamal Murray (48%). Bobby Portis, Kon Knueppel and Tyrese Maxey are in the lower 40s, while Devin Booker is all the way down at 31%.

The eighth contestant is the wild card: Damian Lillard hasn’t played an NBA game since tearing an Achilles in the 2025 postseason. But Lillard won this event in 2023 and 2024, and he could become the first three-time winner in the 21st century. (Larry Bird and Craig Hodges each won three times in the 1980s and 1990s, respectively.) — Zach Kram

Expert picks: Damian Lillard

New faces and a family affair for the dunk contest

This isn’t the most star-studded field in the dunk contest’s history, and three of the four contestants have scarcely dunked in NBA games. Jaxson Hayes is a seven-year veteran with his fair share of slams from the center position, but second-year forward Keshad Johnson and rookies Carter Bryant and Jase Richardson have recorded single-digit dunk tallies this season.

At least there’s star lineage in this field. Richardson’s father is Jason Richardson, who won back-to-back dunk contest crowns in 2002 and 2003 — a few years before Jase was born. — Kram

Expert picks: Keshad Johnson

When you wish upon a shooting star(s)

In place of the skills challenge, the NBA is bringing back the shooting stars competition, which previously ran from 2004 through 2015 and featured three-person teams: a current NBA player, an NBA legend and a WNBA player.

There’s no WNBA presence in the renewed competition, with a second current player joining the three-man teams instead. Two aspects of this year’s teams stand out: Team Harper — with Ron Harper as the NBA legend and Dylan and Ron Jr. as the current NBA players — offers a compelling family element, while first-time All-Star Jalen Johnson‘s presence on Team Cameron is ironic, given that Johnson controversially left Duke University in the middle of his freshman season to focus on his preparation for the draft. — Kram

Expert picks: Team Knicks

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International vs. homegrown? What to watch in the All-Star game

Sunday, 5 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock)

In its latest attempt to inject some life into the NBA’s midseason showcase, the league is leaning into NBC’s Olympic coverage by deploying a Team USA versus The World format. Sadly, though, the three-team round-robin tournament has already lost some significant participants, with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Stephen Curry ruled out for the All-Star Game, with others to potentially follow.

Still, there’s at least some hope this format could inspire some interesting moments this weekend. The World roster features only one guard (Jamal Murray), and he’s the only player below 6-foot-8. This also could be the final All-Star appearance for LeBron James, so perhaps he’ll show up to play, wanting to go out with a bang. Either way, it will serve as another referendum on Adam Silver’s ongoing attempts to salvage the event into something more competitive to watch. — Tim Bontemps

Game 1: Stars vs. World
Game 2: Stripes vs. Game 1 winner
Game 3: Stripes vs. Game 1 loser
Game 4: All-Star Championship

Expert picks: Team World

The top stories and transfer rumours from Monday’s newspapers…

PREMIER LEAGUE

Mikel Arteta admitted he’s worried Arsenal’s quadruple bid could falter due to another injury crisis striking his midfield – Daily Mail

Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford has opened up about his return to the club, admitting that his lack of action “wasn’t what I expected” – Daily Mail

EFL

Ex-Premier League star Gary Caldwell appears to have seen his new job leaked…on fitness app Strava – The Sun

Bristol Rovers boss Steve Evans savaged his own player Jack Sparkes as he slammed his “atrocious” display in their defeat to Cambridge – The Sun

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL

Derek McInnes says Hearts lost a fight at Ibrox – but not the Premiership war – Daily Record

Delighted Danny Rohl hailed hat-trick Youssef Chermiti’s big-match mentality – then told his team’s critics to quit questioning Rangers’ bottle for the title race – Daily Record

WORLD FOOTBALL

Raheem Sterling’s new club Feyenoord have set up an emergency training camp in Belgium so the winger can train with his new team-mates – Daily Mail

Como manager Cesc Fabregas brutally suggested one of his big-name stars should stop playing football after his red card against Fiorentina – Daily Mail

Marseille have been plunged deeper into crisis after their director of football Medhi Benatia announced his resignation – Daily Mail

Oleksandr Zinchenko suffered a nasty injury just over two minutes into his Ajax home debut – The Sun

Sunday is the final preliminary day of the men’s ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Olympics in Milan Cortina.

On Wednesday, Slovakia stunned the hockey world by defeating Finland 4-1 in the first game of the tournament. Then, Sweden survived a spirited effort from the host Italians, winning 5-2 after allowing the opening goal in the first period.

Thursday’s four games included lopsided wins for the U.S. (5-1 over Latvia) and Canada (5-0 over Czechia).

Friday’s slate featured another convincing win for Canada (5-1 over Switzerland), as well as victories for Finland, Czechia and Slovakia.

Saturday had Team USA’s dramatic 6-3 win over Denmark, along with victories for Sweden, Finland and Latvia.

Sunday’s slate includes Switzerland-Czechia, Canada-France, USA-Germany and Denmark-Latvia.

Read on for the current standings, schedule of games for the day, leading goal scorers and goaltenders, best bets from Sean Allen and Victoria Matiash, along with the latest Olympic men’s hockey headlines.

Jump ahead:
Standings
Sunday’s games
Stat leaders
Best bets

Current standings

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Sunday’s schedule

Note: All times Eastern.

Group A

Switzerland 4, Czechia 3 (OT)
Canada 10, France 2

Group C

USA vs. Germany, 3:10 p.m. | USA/Peacock
Denmark vs. Latvia, 3:10 p.m. | Peacock

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Stat leaders

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Sunday’s best bets

Note: Odds by DraftKings Sportsbook, subject to change.

Same-game parlay +214 (United States -3.5 puck line +105 and Over 6.5 goals -162)

The United States wants the No. 1 seed headed into the playoff rounds of the tournament. They’ll know exactly what they need at puck drop, but it won’t be a small number. The United States and Canada enter the day into a direct head-to-head for the top seed, with the winner decided by goal differential. Canada has the early lead with plus-9 to the Americans’ plus-7, and the Canadians have an easier assignment in France in the afternoon. So the Americans are going to be incentivized to pile on the goals… if they can. — Allen

Kyle Connor anytime goalscorer +265

Auston Matthews has the shortest goalscorer odds at +105 for an implied probability of 48.8%. He’s the captain and skates on the top power play. Connor doesn’t have quite the same power-play access here, but over the past two NHL seasons the two have scored at nearly identical rates: 0.50 and 0.48 goals per game. Connor, however, carries an implied probability of just 27.4%. That’s a wide gap for players with comparable scoring profiles. When everyone is a superstar, no one is a superstar. — Allen

Frederik Tiffels anytime goalscorer +850

The loss to Latvia was a bit of a shocker, but the German team has plenty of NHL firepower and won’t be just accepting their fate in this game with the United States. Leon Draisaitl has a long history of clutch performances. But he can’t do it all by himself. His childhood friend, Frederik Tiffels, has been skating on the top line and, while he was quiet on scoring chances in the game against Latvia, Tiffels fired five shots in the opener against Denmark. — Allen

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Latest Olympic hockey headlines

Eichel, Tkachuk rally unbeaten U.S. past Denmark

Late goal in loss aids Slovakia; Finland rolls

Finland outduels Sweden; Canada wins

U.S. men’s hockey dominates Latvia in opener

Celebrini leads Canada’s rout in Olympic hockey

Slovakia stuns Finland to open men’s hockey play

Canada, U.S. top men’s gold medal betting odds

Matthews named U.S. captain for men’s hockey

Czechia loses injured Bruins center Zacha for Games

BOSTON — New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs pleaded not guilty Friday to felony strangulation and other criminal charges stemming from an alleged dispute with his personal chef.

The arraignment at Massachusetts’ Dedham District Court had been postponed until after Super Bowl LX so Diggs could play in the NFL championship game.

At the arraignment, Diggs was scheduled to next appear for a pretrial hearing April 1.

According to court records, the chef told Dedham officers that she and Diggs argued about money he owed her for her work. During the Dec. 2 encounter at his home, she said, he “smacked her across the face” and “tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck,” leaving her feeling short of breath.

Diggs’ attorney has said he “categorically denies these allegations,” calling them unsubstantiated and motivated by a financial dispute. The Patriots released a statement saying they support Diggs.

“I don’t think there will be a [plea] deal because I don’t think he is liable or guilty in any way, shape or form,” said Mitchell Schuster, Diggs’ attorney.

Schuster said he is very confident that the facts will present “a very different picture” of the incident between Diggs and his former chef.

“He is completely innocent. … He will be completely exonerated.”

Investigators said the woman first reported the incident to police on Dec. 16, two weeks after it occurred; she initially hesitated to file charges but later chose to do so, according to court documents.

The arraignment Friday was the first court appearance in the case. The judge was expected to address bail conditions and set future hearing dates.

Information from ESPN’s Dan Murphy and The Associated Press was used in this report,

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:

1. Offseason remodeling: With the sting of a decisive loss in Super Bowl LX lingering, coach Mike Vrabel widened the lens with his message to players in their final meeting last Tuesday. He told them it was a “disappointing finish to a phenomenal, exciting, enjoyable year.”

Then he turned to a home analogy. He told players a solid foundation has been built in his first year. And now they will focus on tweaking it, much like finishing a basement or adding space to the existing structure.

“I like the foundation of it, and we’ll try to improve on it,” Vrabel said.

The construction plan will have to come together quickly. The NFL combine begins Feb. 23, so expect a sudden pivot to draft-based chatter, with the Patriots owning the No. 31 overall pick and 11 selections overall. Then the legal negotiating period in free agency starts March 9.

“There’ll be some difficult decisions that we’ll have to make, and we’ll try to do them with the team’s best interest in mind. As always, that’ll never change,” Vrabel said.

Here is a snapshot of the three key areas that will shape the initial part of the Patriots’ offseason:

Christian Gonzalez extension: For the first time in his career, Gonzalez — who is coming off an exemplary performance in Super Bowl LX — is eligible for a new deal. He said Tuesday, “This is where I got drafted. I don’t want to be anywhere else.”

Gonzalez’s situation is similar to Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.’s last March. Stingley was entering his fourth season in the NFL and signed a three-year, $90 million extension that included $89 million in bonuses and guarantees.

Stingley’s historic mark didn’t last long either. The New York Jets gave Sauce Gardner a four-year, $120.4 million extension shortly after as he was set to enter Year 4, as well.

A potential Gonzalez extension will be in the same financial ballpark. And with quarterback Drake Maye eligible for an extension at this time next year, those two financial dominoes would be the richest to fall and have been at the core of the team’s longer-range planning.

Pending free agents on roster: Pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson, safety Jaylinn Hawkins, defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga, tight end Austin Hooper and offensive tackle Vederian Lowe are the team’s top players scheduled for unrestricted free agency. All made significant contributions in 2025, with Chaisson and Hawkins at the head of the class as starters. Both are in line for a significant salary increase.

Existing players and contracts: The Patriots have approximately $40 million in salary cap space, per Over the Cap. Some players have contracts that potentially put them on shakier ground to return, or potentially have their deals extended/adjusted — with Vrabel touching on the financial realities facing every team.

“As I was taught, we talk about the business of the NFL, we’re looking for the better, younger, cheaper player every day, and the players that we have are trying to not let that happen,” he said. “And that’s the dynamic. That’s the business of the National Football League.”

For example, receiver Stefon Diggs‘ salary cap charge increases from $9.5 million to $26.5 million, and his base salary spikes from $2.9 million to $20.6 million. Defensive tackle Christian Barmore is due $10 million guaranteed if he’s on the roster on the third day of the league year. Right guard Mike Onwenu‘s base salary bumps to $16 million and his cap charge to $25 million, and he has no remaining guaranteed money on his deal.

Speaking in general about relational bonds formed over the course of the year, and not specifically about any player’s individual situation, Vrabel said: “We know there’s going to be transactions that take place … we may disagree, but I think there’s a level of respect there.”

2. Needs list: One view of the Patriots’ top five “needs” entering the new league year:

• Offensive line: Super Bowl LX left a glaring mark on the unit, particularly with more aggressiveness needed up front.

• Edge rusher: There was a drop-off after Chaisson and Harold Landry III, who accounted for 19 of the team’s 48 sacks, and there’s no certainty Chaisson returns.

• Explosive receiver: They might have one in 2025 third-round pick Kyle Williams, but at this point it’s hard to say for sure with Williams only receiving 21 targets this season.

• Tight end: No. 1 option Hunter Henry is 31 years old and could benefit from a counterpart who excels as a blocker at the line of scrimmage.

• Safety: Craig Woodson and Hawkins were an effective 1-2 punch — but Hawkins is a free agent.

3. Gonzalez’s leadership: Gonzalez was selected as a game captain in Super Bowl LX and noted after the game how he’s been working with Vrabel on elevating himself in that area.

“Been trying to find my voice, my leadership,” Gonzalez said. “Everyone knows I’m not much of a gather the team up and give them a speech [type of leader]. Vrabes has been helping me with that, talking with me about it. Trying to grow.”

4. Cash spending: One of the impressive parts about the Seahawks’ championship season is that they ranked 31st in cash spending this season, at $251,535,888, according to Roster Management System. Only the Los Angeles Rams were lower in cash spending ($239,067,863). The Patriots finished the year 17th in cash spending at $301,373,803.

It is a good reminder that it isn’t necessarily what teams spend, but how they spend it.

5. Hawkins’ future: Hawkins had a breakthrough in his sixth NFL season, playing 85.8% of the defensive snaps over 19 games and totaling 86 tackles and a team-high four interceptions.

He was playing on a one-year, $1.8 million deal that included a modest $350,000 signing bonus, and he shared that he appreciated coaches allowing him to compete for a job even though he wasn’t a highly paid option.

Of his future as he heads to free agency, he said: “I want to remain here for sure. It’s home. What we built here, I feel it’s special.”

6. Chaisson, too: Chaisson, like Hawkins, had a breakthrough in his sixth NFL season by playing 64.9% of the defensive snaps over 20 games while totaling 43 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 28 QB hits and three forced fumbles. Chaisson shared his appreciation for being part of the Patriots’ revival and its role in his career, saying ideally he doesn’t want to leave but will trust in wherever the free agent process leads.

7. Woodson’s rise: The rookie (fourth round, Cal) safety led the Patriots in defensive snaps played (93.7%), proving to be one of the steals of the 2025 draft after totaling 103 tackles, nine passes defended, one interception and three fumble recoveries. Woodson, 24, has bigger goals ahead, saying the experience helped him “trust what I see.”

“I want to take next steps to be a better safety,” Woodson said. “To be able to play as many games I did, not having an injury, learning from the things I did wrong early in the season and be able to play my best ball in the playoffs, was a great thing.”

8. Jones’ favorite: Asked what he’ll cherish the most from the 2025 season, captain/cornerback Marcus Jones noted it began in the offseason.

“I would say the 4 H’s,” said Jones, referencing Vrabel’s team-building project that had every coach and player sharing their history, heartbreak, hope and hero. “We got to know what everyone has going on off the field, their families and stuff. That was a situation where we had a bigger bond when it came down to it.”

9. Landry lookahead: Landry, who never seemed to be the same after injuring his knee Week 6 at New Orleans, hinted at offseason surgery.

His $11 million base salary is guaranteed for 2026, which will be his ninth in the NFL.

“I’m going to get my knee right, and we’re going to get right back to it,” he said.

10. Did you know? Maye was the second-youngest starting quarterback in Super Bowl history (23 years, 162 days). The youngest was Miami’s Dan Marino (23 years, 127 days) in Super Bowl XIX.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Saturday that tanking has been “worse this year than we’ve seen in recent memory” and he’s considering “every possible remedy” — including taking away draft picks — to stop the type of overt behaviors he fined the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers for this week.

“In the old days, it was just sort of an understanding among partners in terms of behavior,” Silver said before Saturday’s All-Star Saturday events. “I think what we’re seeing is modern analytics where it’s so clear that the incentives are misaligned. … Are we seeing behavior that is worse this year than we’ve seen in recent memory? Yes, is my view. Which was what led to those fines, and not just those fines but to my statement that we’re going to be looking more closely at the totality of all the circumstances this season in terms of teams’ behavior, and very intentionally wanted teams to be on notice.”

Silver began his news conference by saying he had recently talked to 97-year-old Bob Cousy about the first All-Star Game in 1950, and they had both remarked at how far the game had come since then. That framed Silver’s line of thinking that after 75 years, it might be time to rethink how the league runs its draft, just as the league continues to experiment with its All-Star Game format.

Silver noted that in conversations with general managers and other members of the league’s competition committee, the incentive structure of the lottery has made it unclear that the worst teams are actually the teams with the worst records.

“If teams are manipulating their performance in order to get higher draft picks even in a lottery, then the question becomes … are they really the worst-performing teams?” Silver said. “It’s not clear to me, for example, that the 30th-performing team is that much measurably worse than the 22nd-performing team, particularly if you have incentive to perform poorly to get a better draft pick.

“It’s a bit of a conundrum. As I’ve said, the All-Star [Game] is 75 years old. The league is 80 years old. It’s time to take a fresh look at this to see to whether that’s an antiquated way of going about doing it.”

On several occasions Saturday, Silver reflected on the conundrum between the short-term incentives teams might have to lose games to improve their draft position and the long-term best interests of the league.

“It’s the whole community coming together and deciding what’s in the best interest,” Silver said. “It’s part of my job to remind everybody. … I understand what your short-term interests may be, but we’d better not lose sight of our fans here. We’d better not lose sight of the people who support this league day in and day out.”

Silver noted that last point as part of an answer to a question about the ongoing investigation into whether the LA Clippers circumvented the NBA’s salary cap in an endorsement deal between then-team sponsor Aspiration and star forward Kawhi Leonard.

Silver said he had no updates on the investigation, which is being conducted by Wachtell Lipton in New York.

“It’s enormously complex. You have a company in bankruptcy. You have thousands of documents, multiple witnesses that have been needed to be interviewed,” Silver said.

“I will say, just in case anyone is wondering, the fact that All-Star [Weekend] is here this weekend has had no impact on the timeline of the investigation. Our charge to the Wachtell law firm is to do the work and then come back and make recommendations to the league office, and that’s where things now stand.”

Silver said he had no timeline on when that investigation might conclude.

He did, however, provide an update on the NBA’s plans for expansion, noting that he expected the board of governors to discuss the issue at its next meeting in March and then start reaching out to potential expansion cities and owners to gauge interest. He noted that the league was not considering a relocation of any of its current franchises.

“I think the logical next move would be to say, ‘All right, we’ve had those discussions internally, we’ve made decisions about cities to focus on and what the opportunity is, and now, we’ve got to go out into the marketplace,’” Silver said. “I think that’s probably the most important step, to find out who is potentially interested in owning a franchise in particular cities, what’s the value of that franchise. There’s some work to do in terms of potential conference realignment. That’s the next step there.”

It’s all about Newcastle today, with Silky Lass and Lakota Chief headlining the feature race at 4.42pm.

4.42 Newcastle – Silky Lass and Lakota Chief contest interesting novice

There’s an open feel to this Win £250,000 With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Restricted Novice Stakes at Gosforth Park, which sees Silky Lass and Lakota Chief clash.

Karl Burke fields Silky Lass, who has a rating of 63 after four starts to date. She ran a creditable third on her last start here and would have claims if able to replicate that run under Jack Nicholls.

Lakota Chief was sent off favourite when fourth on debut at Newcastle last month and shaped nicely despite running green. This extra furlong may suit, and he can go close under William Cox.

Cork winner L L Koulsty is the pick of the others, with Oisin McSweeney coming in for the ride. Lorton Valley is also of interest on debut for the Julie Camacho stable, and should be watched in the market prior.

4.12 Newcastle – Tasever bids to follow up recent success

The 2025 Horse of the Year Tasever seeks another success in the Always Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap over seven furlongs.

The Patrick Morris-trained six-year-old has recorded all six career wins at this course and rallied well to land a mile contest here on Tuesday. He is up another 5lbs but is sure to be in the mix.

Flowstate saw off the reopposing Front Runner over this course and distance last week and that pair cannot be ruled out in this similar heat. David O’Meara’s recent upturn in fortunes is also a positive for Flowstate backers, with the trainer operating at a 25 per cent strike rate over the last two weeks.

2.12 Newcastle – Tarbat Ness and The Craftymaster feature

Recent winners Tarbat Ness and The Craftymaster headline a field of six in this Make The Move To Midnite Handicap.

The Craftymaster snapped a long losing run when comfortably claiming a Chelmsford handicap seven days ago and he should remain competitive under this 7lb penalty.

Tarbat Ness arrives having won his last three starts on the level and, given the way he defied a mark of 60 here last month, he ought to prove a tough nut to crack with the scope to improve further in this sphere.

Clansman and Billy Bathgate head the opposition, with Arcimboldo and Sovereign Applause also in the mix.

The 2026 NFL offseason is in full swing, which means it’s time for every team to finally address its glaring holes. Whether it be through remaining hirings, free agency (March 11 at 4 p.m. ET) or the draft (April 23).

Teams looking for a quarterback might have a hard time, but other position groups offer a great variety of trade candidates. Will some team pick up Maxx Crosby from the Raiders or A.J. Brown from the Eagles? Which teams might make big moves in the draft? What improvements will the Broncos and Chiefs make in time for their injured QBs to return?

We asked our NFL Nation reporters to take a close look at the biggest question each team will face this offseason and give their insight into what could happen over the next few months.

Jump to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH

AFC EAST

How will the defense be built under new coordinator Jim Leonhard?

Former coach Sean McDermott’s vision guided the defense for nine seasons, but the unit should look different under Leonhard. Free agency and the draft will reveal which players he wants to build the defense around for years to come. Leonhard was formerly the defensive pass game coordinator for the Broncos, who allowed the second-fewest yards per game (278.2) with a true shutdown corner in Pat Surtain II. — Alaina Getzenberg

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How critical is it for Miami to find a quarterback this offseason?

Tua Tagovailoa is still under contract, yet the Dolphins are reportedly looking to trade their former franchise quarterback. But first-year general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said the team will first focus on its infrastructure around its next quarterback before even finding him — which could suggest either a season of a bridge veteran or 2025 seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers under center. Either way, Miami isn’t likely to find a long-term answer this offseason due to the lack of impactful options in free agency and the draft. But it’s still important for the Dolphins to have a proper support system in place before identifying their next franchise quarterback. — Marcel Louis-Jacques

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What is Christian Gonzalez‘s approach with a possible contract extension?

This is the first time in his career that he is eligible for an extension, even though he is technically under contract for one more season. So does Gonzalez force the issue? Or will he be patient and let the process play out? Gonzalez (four tackles, three passes defended) reminded everyone in Super Bowl LX that he is still an elite talent and critical to the Patriots’ success. — Mike Reiss

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How will the Jets reset at quarterback?

This could be a make-or-break question for coach Aaron Glenn. Justin Fields and Brady Cook are under contract, though neither is guaranteed to be on the roster because both played poorly in 2025. The Jets will look to acquire one, possibly two veterans. Names to watch include Malik Willis, Kirk Cousins, Kyler Murray and Jacoby Brissett. The latter three are under contract, but could become available through a trade or release. If they add the best bridge QB available for 2026, they can hope to find their long-term answer in the 2027 draft — New York will have three first-round picks next year. — Rich Cimini

AFC NORTH

How will the Ravens upgrade quarterback Lamar Jackson‘s supporting cast?

Baltimore needs to get a new deal done with Jackson to lower its $74.5 million salary cap number and create between $25 million and $30 million in cap space. This will allow the Ravens to address their offensive line and Jackson’s targets in the passing game. Last season, Jackson was sacked on 9.8% of his dropbacks, the worst rate of his career. Baltimore will look to re-sign Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, who is the team’s top free agent, and upgrade at both starting guard spots. The Ravens also need to help Jackson in the passing game, where he had only one target average over 25 yards receiving per game (wide receiver Zay Flowers). — Jamison Hensley

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How will Cincinnati fix the defense?

The Bengals got worse defensively in 2025 despite making a change at coordinator. Under Al Golden, Cincinnati surrendered big plays at an alarming rate and didn’t do a good enough job of helping QB Joe Burrow and the offense. With Burrow now entering his seventh season and the team in a three-year playoff drought, the Bengals need to add defensive playmakers in free agency and also develop players they’ve drafted. Both of those aspects have been lacking in recent years. — Ben Baby

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How will the Browns remake their offense?

Cleveland hired Todd Monken as coach to help lift an offense that has ranked last in scoring (averaging 14.5 points per game) over the past two seasons. Now the spotlight turns to general manager Andrew Berry to infuse that side of the ball with the talent needed to compete in the AFC North. The Browns, stocked with two first-round picks and 10 total selections in the 2026 draft, will have to replace as many as four offensive linemen, add playmakers and decide how to approach their quarterbacks room. — Daniel Oyefusi

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Who will be the Steelers’ starting quarterback in 2026?

The question the Steelers have consistently faced since Ben Roethlisberger retired in 2021 remains most pressing because it will dictate the ceiling of new coach Mike McCarthy’s team. Aaron Rodgers returning appears to be an option, but if the veteran doesn’t come back, will the Steelers draft their next signal-caller? Or will Pittsburgh start Mason Rudolph while developing Will Howard? What about signing a free agent or making a splash trade? All options are on the table. — Brooke Pryor

AFC SOUTH

How can Houston improve around quarterback C.J. Stroud?

The Texans had a good base of rookie talent around Stroud last season in wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, running back Woody Marks, and left tackle Aireontae Ersery. So don’t expect them to overspend in the offseason. But Houston still must make shrewd moves to help improve around Stroud — specifically on the offensive line — to get him back to producing like he did during his rookie season. Last season, the O-line was tied with the Lions’ for the NFL’s second-worst pass block win rate (55.5%). — DJ Bien-Aime

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How much work does the Colts’ defense need?

The Colts showed signs of improvement on defense last season, but the consistency wasn’t there. Late in the season, things broke down, and Indianapolis finished 21st in scoring defense (24.2 points per game) and 23rd in yards allowed (349.8 per game). Look for some moves this offseason to invigorate the pass rush and bolster an underwhelming linebacker unit. General manager Chris Ballard made an admission at the end of the season, conceding, “We’ve got to get faster on defense.” — Stephen Holder

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How will the Jaguars address their pass rush?

The Jaguars must make getting the quarterback on the ground a priority; they ranked third in QB pressures (222) but 27th in sacks (32) in 2025. This year’s class of edge rushers is regarded to be pretty deep, which is good since Jacksonville doesn’t have a first-round pick because of the Travis Hunter trade last year. Could the Jags get involved in the pursuit of the Raiders’ Maxx Crosby? — Michael DiRocco

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Can quarterback Cam Ward take the next step under Brian Daboll?

Ward closed the season on a high note before suffering a shoulder sprain to his throwing arm. Perhaps that injury hasn’t impacted his offseason training since he’s been working mostly on footwork? But his rehab paired with learning a new offense led by new-to-Tennessee coordinator Daboll will likely be a challenge for Ward. Daboll most notably helped Bills QB Josh Allen go from a raw rookie to an All-Pro passer. The Titans are banking on a similar jump for Ward that would help turn the franchise around. — Turron Davenport

AFC WEST

What will the playbook look like when quarterback Bo Nix returns?

Start with whether coach Sean Payton or new offensive coordinator Davis Webb will call plays in 2026. Payton hasn’t surrendered full-time playcalling duties as a coach, but it’s difficult to believe he’d keep Webb if some more responsibility didn’t come with it. Then add Nix’s recovery from a broken ankle into the mix. He expects to be ready by the start of the offseason program. But Nix has now had ankle surgeries in the past two years, as well as multiple fractured transverse process bones in his back in 2024. Should the Broncos keep him heavily involved in their run game in 2026? They had Nix throw the most pass attempts (612) in the NFL last season, but he lacked efficiency (minus-2.1% in completions over expectation, ranked 26th). — Jeff Legwold

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Can the Chiefs offense make sizable improvements while quarterback Patrick Mahomes rehabs?

Once again, the Chiefs will likely have to release some veterans to create salary cap space. While Mahomes continues to recover from a torn ACL, Kansas City must find a way to improve the running back depth, and it would be wise to find a difference-making pass catcher in the draft. Plus, the Chiefs are hoping to re-sign tight end Travis Kelce. When the offseason is over, success will be determined by whether coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach acquired talented skill-position players to help Mahomes once he returns. — Nate Taylor

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Will the Raiders actually trade defensive end Maxx Crosby?

New coach Klint Kubiak and owner Mark Davis made it clear that they want Crosby to remain in Las Vegas. At the same time, Crosby turns 29 in August, is set to play for his fifth non-interim coach since entering the league, and is still determined to win at the highest level. Las Vegas has a long way to go before being considered a contender, so it could make sense for both sides to go their separate ways. If the Raiders receive a strong offer for Crosby, it will help their rebuild while giving the All-Pro edge rusher a fresh start elsewhere. — Ryan McFadden

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Will Mike McDaniel unlock something in quarterback Justin Herbert?

As Herbert heads into his seventh season, McDaniel will be his fifth playcaller. None of the previous four has propelled one of the league’s most talented players to a playoff win. But the Chargers’ playoff blunders haven’t all been on the playcallers, as Herbert performed below his standard in his three playoff losses. McDaniel said in his introductory news conference that he hopes to make life easier for Herbert. L.A. is betting that this is the playcaller who finally helps Herbert realize his potential when it matters most. — Kris Rhim

NFC EAST

How will the Cowboys fix their defense?

It’s one thing to feel confident in a first-time defensive coordinator like Christian Parker and a new staff. It’s another to give Parker more pieces to work with after Dallas allowed the most points in franchise history in 2025 (511). That means doing more in free agency and not just relying on the draft, even with two first-round picks. The Cowboys have not been big spenders in free agency in more than a decade. Owner Jerry Jones said he would be willing to “bust the budget.” Will his actions follow his words? — Todd Archer

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How will new coach John Harbaugh reshape the roster?

Harbaugh is running the show, as evidenced by the team’s fresh reporting structure. He will tweak the roster to his desires. With that come some significant roster decisions on whether to re-sign free agents Wan’Dale Robinson, Jermaine Eluemunor and Cor’Dale Flott, or cut middle linebacker Bobby Okereke ($9 million in cap savings). Also, how will the Giants reshape their offensive line and find another playmaker to supplement WR Malik Nabers? There is lots of work to do. They didn’t go 7-27 over the past two seasons by accident. — Jordan Raanan

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Will the Eagles trade WR A.J. Brown?

Brown has made his mark as arguably the best receiver in Philadelphia’s history, posting two 1,400-plus-yard seasons and reaching two Super Bowls since joining the team in 2022. His frustrations with the offense have been well documented, however, and it’s fair to wonder whether that impacted his play in 2025. The front office will have to decide whether it can get Brown to buy in or it’s better to move on from him. “It is hard to find great players in the NFL, and A.J.’s a great player,” general manager Howie Roseman said in January. — Tim McManus

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Can the Commanders build a strong defense?

The Commanders started the defensive rebuild process by hiring Daronte Jones at coordinator, but they need a talent boost as well. Over the past two seasons, Washington was a combined 24th in scoring defense (24.8 PPG) and 28th in yards allowed per game (355.6). They’re top six in available cap space and have the No. 7 pick, so they have premier spots to add talent. The Commanders need an impact player or two; they need youth along the front, as only one rotational player was under 25 this season. A strong defense with a healthy Jayden Daniels at quarterback can lead to a quick resurgence. — John Keim

NFC NORTH

How will the Bears add to their pass rush?

This was one half of the Bears’ biggest offseason question a year ago. Chicago ranked 31st in pass rush win rate (29%) despite making pricey additions last free agency (DE Dayo Odeyingbo and DT Grady Jarrett) and using a second-round pick on DT Shemar Turner. Injuries played a role in the Bears not seeing a return on investment in 2025, but Chicago needs to land a dominant edge rusher to play opposite DE Montez Sweat. Until that happens, the Bears will continue to struggle generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks. — Courtney Cronin

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How will the Lions adjust to new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing?

Out of all the offseason coaching candidates who were available, Petzing wasn’t necessarily an eye-popping choice among Lions fans. However, after Detroit missed the playoffs in 2025, all eyes will be on Petzing as the Lions try to get the ground game going more consistently and reshape the offensive line. Petzing has spent the past three seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Cardinals, who ranked second in the NFL in rushing average (4.92) and were ninth in rushing yards (6,399) during his time there. — Eric Woodyard

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How can the Packers upgrade their roster?

This offseason could be one of Brian Gutekunst’s biggest challenges since he took over as general manager in 2018. He doesn’t have a first-round pick after giving it up (and next year’s as well) in the Micah Parsons trade, and the Packers aren’t exactly flush with salary cap space. Yet there are positions in desperate need of an upgrade — with cornerback being at the top of the list — if they’re to go from being a one-and-done playoff team to a legitimate Super Bowl contender. — Rob Demovsky

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What will become of quarterback J.J. McCarthy?

The firing of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah raised the stakes on the 2026 season and made McCarthy’s immediate future less certain than ever. At 23, McCarthy might be ready for a big career jump after a mostly disappointing first two seasons. But can Minnesota’s decision-makers, most notably coach Kevin O’Connell, stake their careers on it? While no one expects the Vikings to give up on McCarthy, the Vikings should acquire a QB who is at least a credible hedge against McCarthy’s progress. McCarthy could win the starting job in training camp, or he could find himself on the bench in a playoffs-or-bust season. — Kevin Seifert

NFC SOUTH

What will the Falcons do with James Pearce Jr.?

The new Falcons regime — president of football Matt Ryan, coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Ian Cunningham — have their first crisis just days into being hired. Pearce, who led the team with 10.5 sacks as a rookie, was arrested Feb. 7 on five felony counts. How will they handle such a situation? Pearce was a crucial part of a much-improved defense that set a franchise record in sacks (57). It’s premature to say how Pearce’s legal issues will go. But in any kind of absence, fellow 2025 draftee Jalon Walker might need to increase his production and — yet again — Atlanta will likely be in the market for another edge rusher this offseason. — Marc Raimondi

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Will Carolina take a big swing on a linebacker?

General manager Dan Morgan admitted after the season that the pass rush was “not acceptable.” It’s time to spend big money to fix that. Cincinnati’s Trey Hendrickson is the most notable free agent edge rusher, but he’s 31. Philadelphia’s Jaelan Phillips, 27, makes more sense as a fit for the Panthers, given his experience in the 3-4 scheme. Also, don’t forget the need for a middle linebacker who can cover. Cleveland’s Devin Bush is coming off a career-best 125 tackles. He’s a bit undersized at 5-foot-11, but Panthers legend Sam Mills played the role at 5-9. — David Newton

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Do the Saints extend wide receiver Chris Olave?

Olave is coming off a career-best season in which he caught 100 passes for 1,163 yards in 16 games played. His big season came only a year after he pondered retirement because of sustaining several concussions in 2024. The 2022 first-round pick will now play on his fifth-year option unless the Saints give him a long-term extension. New Orleans lacked other offensive playmakers in the second half of the 2025 season, so reaching a long-term contract with Olave could be one of its big priorities this spring as it looks to build around quarterback Tyler Shough. — Katherine Terrell

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Will wide receiver Mike Evans and linebacker Lavonte David return?

These two Hall of Fame-caliber players have given a combined 26 seasons to the Buccaneers and will both wind up in the team’s ring of honor one day. Neither player has discussed his future with the team yet, and both are unrestricted free agents. David has already said he won’t play anywhere else, so it’s Tampa Bay or retirement. Evans, 32, is less likely to retire, based on conversations with those closest to him. But how much does being left out of the 2025 playoffs eat at Evans, knowing he has only so much time left? — Jenna Laine

NFC WEST

What will the Cardinals do with quarterback Kyler Murray?

Now that Arizona has a new coach in Mike LaFleur, all of the team’s focus turns to Murray. Will the Cardinals keep him for at least another season, or will they trade/release him? That question will likely have to be answered by March 16, because that’s when Murray will be guaranteed his $19.5 million base salary for the 2027 season whether he’s on the team or not. (He has already been guaranteed $39.8 million for 2026.) But another question looms large: Who will decide Murray’s future? Will LaFleur have a say on whether Murray is the right fit for his West Coast scheme? Or will owner Michael Bidwill make the decision without LaFleur’s input? — Josh Weinfuss

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What does making “the most of the time we have” with quarterback Matthew Stafford look like?

In his end-of-season news conference, general manager Les Snead said that if Stafford returns, Los Angeles would want to “take advantage” because “the type of season [Stafford] had, the type of season that he’s still showing that he can have, there are only so many of those left.” The Rams know how to go all-in, having traded for Stafford and outside linebacker Von Miller in 2021. Snead did say the team would look to find the balance of helping its long-term future as well. So L.A. going all-in could mean using its two first-rounders (No. 13, 29) to trade up in the draft or as capital to trade for a veteran. — Sarah Barshop

play

Nacua on Stafford’s return announcement: ‘I almost did a front flip’

Puka Nacua joins “The Pat McAfee Show” to discuss his relationship with Matthew Stafford and the veteran’s return at QB for the Rams.

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How aggressive will the 49ers be in adding to the roster?

The Niners should be motivated to make some big moves this offseason, especially since so many of their key veterans are closer to the end of their careers than the beginning. In what San Francisco viewed as a reset year in 2025, it still managed to go 12-5 and nearly earned the NFC’s No. 1 seed. The good news is the 49ers appear to be a bit ahead of schedule after last offseason’s roster makeover. The bad news? They play in a division with the Seahawks and Rams, both of whom don’t appear to be slowing down any time soon. — Nick Wagoner

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How much can the Super Bowl champs stay intact?

Super Bowl teams are impossible to keep together, and the Seahawks already lost a big piece in offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak (hired by the Raiders). Running back Kenneth Walker III headlines Seattle’s list of unrestricted free agents. The Seahawks want the Super Bowl MVP back, especially with Zach Charbonnet (knee) likely out until the second half of next season. But Walker’s strong finish to 2025 means they’ll have competition. Seattle’s other big-name free agents are on defense — cornerbacks Riq Woolen and Josh Jobe, safety Coby Bryant, and outside linebacker Boye Mafe. Coach Mike Macdonald’s top-ranked scoring defense is guaranteed to look different in 2026. — Brady Henderson