OKLAHOMA CITY — Josh Giddey scored 24 points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 23 and the Oklahoma City Thunder overcame a 23-point deficit to beat the Toronto Raptors 135-127 in double-overtime Sunday night.
Chet Holmgren and Lu Dort each added 22 points and Aaron Wiggins had 20 to help Oklahoma City improve to 35-15. The Thunder tied a team record with 23 3-pointers on 63 attempts.
“They made us uncomfortable in the first half,” Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault said. “You never know how a team’s going to play you, so it took us obviously a little bit to calibrate that. It was an impressive show of confidence by our team … to go out there and get that one.”
RJ Barrett led Toronto with 23 points. Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl and former Thunder guard Dennis Schroder each scored 19 points. The Raptors made 14-of 35 3-pointers.
Dort scored six points in the second overtime, hitting a 3-pointer to put the Thunder ahead 121-118 and converted a 3-point play later to make it 127-123.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who failed to score at least 30 points for the first time in 10 games, made a 3 to tie it 118 in the first overtime. He then blocked a shot by Gary Trent just before the buzzer that would have won it for Toronto (17-32).
“It was a gutsy win for sure,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “What we brought in the second half was needed. In order to win in a sustainable way requires you to trust each other. The guys that we have in the locker room trust each other, so because of that we were able to win.”
Aaron Wiggins’ layup following a turnover by Barrett tied it at 110 with 4.7 seconds left in regulation, and Barrett missed a 3-pointer as time expired.
“Played on the road against a really good team, “Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic said. “I thought that the first half we did an outstanding job, both on offense and defense.”
The Thunder missed 18 of 25 3-point shots in the first half and trailed by 16 points at the break. The Raptors led 76-53 in the third quarter before the Thunder went on a 17-2 run to pull to 78-72 with 3:02 remaining.
Oklahoma City played without forward Jalen Williams (sprained right ankle) and guard Isaiah Joe (bruised sternum) for the third straight game. Williams is the team’s No. 2 scorer and Joe leads the Thunder in 3-pointers.
Adam Friedman joined Rivals.com as the East Coast Recruiting Analyst in 2012 and covers D1 CFB recruits from SC to Maine & out to PA & WV. Media requests- RivalsFriedman@gmail.com
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Rich Cimini is a staff writer who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Rich has covered the Jets for over 30 years, joining ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He previously was a beat writer for the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Syracuse University. You can follow him via Twitter @RichCimini.
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — A look at what’s happening around the New York Jets:
1. Front-office casualty: Folks in the scouting community were stunned by the news assistant general manager Rex Hogan is no longer with the Jets.
It broke on Wednesday, with the NFL world stationed in Mobile, Alabama, for the Senior Bowl, but his departure actually occurred immediately after the season, according to people familiar with the situation. That it stayed quiet for three weeks fueled an air of mystery. Curiosity was sparked when Hogan didn’t show up for the Senior Bowl, one of the biggest scouting events on the pre-draft calendar.
Hogan worked alongside GM Joe Douglas for nearly five years and was an important voice in draft and pro personnel decisions. Hogan was the Jets’ director of college scouting from 2015 to ’17, under former GM Mike Maccagnan, then returned after a two-year stint with the Indianapolis Colts to work as the No. 2 person in the football operation. In his season-ending news conference, Douglas made no reference to potential changes, but he emphasized the need for “reflection” and “learning from some of the decisions that didn’t work out.”
One was the decision to draft former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick in 2021. Hogan, who developed scouting connections at BYU while working years ago as the director of football operations at the University of Utah, was known to be a strong advocate for Wilson during the draft process. An executive from another team, who knows Hogan personally, theorized it may have been a factor in letting him go.
Chances are, it was more than that. Teams make changes when seasons go wrong; it’s a fact of life in the NFL. The Jets haven’t had a winning season since 2015. Hogan’s ouster — one source described it as mutual — certainly reinforces the message everybody in the organization is on notice in 2024.
If the Jets replace Hogan, they likely will stay in-house. It’s late in the game to bring in someone from the outside. They could also wait until after the draft.
2. Willing his way: After a non-descript rookie season that caused extreme frustration at times, defensive end Will McDonald vowed to crush the offseason and return in 2024 as a different player. It wasn’t just lip service. McDonald, drafted 15th overall in 2023, already is back in Florham Park working out at the team’s facility. When the season was over, he went home to visit family in Wisconsin, took a brief vacation to Miami and flew back to New Jersey.
This is a pivotal offseason for McDonald, who played 192 defensive snaps as a rookie — tied with Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Nolan Smith for the fewest offensive or defensive snaps among 2023 first-round picks. In fact, it was the fewest by a Jets first-round pick since defensive end Vernon Gholston (2008).
The Jets want McDonald to get bigger and stronger. He finished the year at 237 pounds, and his goal is to be at least 250 by the season. The team is hoping he can pull a Jermaine Johnson, meaning a giant leap from Year 1 to Year 2.
“Will is a hell of a player; that’ll always be the fact,” Johnson said. “So now, just kind of similar to what I did, I recognized what gifts God blessed me with. I recognized that the only thing that could stop me was what’s in here (points to his heart) and what’s in here (points to his head).
“I just went with that into the offseason and it ended up working out pretty good. I think if Will makes sure his heart and his mind are on the right thing this offseason, he’ll be just fine.”
Coach Robert Saleh said McDonald has “superstar” potential. Buried in a deep defensive-line rotation, McDonald’s opportunities were limited but he had three sacks. After four productive seasons at Iowa State, the lack of playing time was a shock to his system. It got to a point where he wondered if the Jets were the right fit. He hit the reset button and now is looking forward to a significant role. The Jets will be relying on him, especially if they lose edge rusher Bryce Huff in free agency.
3. Back to work: Saleh’s staff returns to work Monday after an extended break. There will be at least two new faces among the coaches — Tony Dews (running backs) and Shawn Jefferson (wide receivers). It’s a return engagement for Jefferson, who served as Adam Gase’s receivers coach and assistant head coach in 2019 and 2020.
4. Looking for bigs: The tackle-needy Jets, picking 10th overall, have been linked to Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu in many mock drafts, but there are two other tackles that bear watching: Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga and Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton, both of whom impressed in Senior Bowl practices.
Douglas has been talking up Fuaga for months, according to a person familiar with his thinking. This doesn’t mean he’s going to pick Fuaga because you never know how the draft will shake out, but it’s an intriguing option in a deep tackle class.
One school of thought making the rounds is Douglas could trade down, take Fuaga or Guyton in the middle of the first round and recoup a second-round pick. Currently, the Jets don’t have a second rounder, a big hole in their draft. It belongs to the Green Bay Packers from the Aaron Rodgers trade.
5. Another Brock Purdy? The Jets will receive three seventh-round compensatory picks in the upcoming draft, according to a projection by Over The Cap. The NFL uses a complicated formula based on free-agent losses and gains to determine compensatory picks.
If this projection holds, the Jets will have the last pick (256). They’ve never had a “Mr. Irrelevant” pick in the post-merger era (since 1970).
6. Super sleepers: Two of the key players in Super Bowl LVIII — San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco — were seventh-round steals. Which triggers a question: When was the Jets’ last impactful seventh-round pick?
You have to go back to nose tackle Jason Ferguson (1997), who started seven years before signing a big free-agent deal with the Dallas Cowboys.
7. Did you know? 49ers backup Sam Darnold, drafted third overall by the Jets in 2018, became the first quarterback in his star-studded draft class to reach the Super Bowl. His classmates include Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson.
8. Super connections: Other than Darnold, former Jets in the Super Bowl are wide receiver Mecole Hardman, defensive tackle Mike Pennel and running back La’Mical Perine — all on the Chiefs’ roster. Safety Trey Dean, who spent the season on the Jets’ practice squad, belongs to the Chiefs’ practice squad.
9. Four! Rodgers, who won the amateur portion of the 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, returned this weekend with a noticeably lower handicap. There was some grumbling among competitors when he won last year with a 10-handicap. This time, he played to a 4-handicap and didn’t come close to winning.
10. The good doctor: Many of the foursomes in the pro-am field included two celebrity athletes, but not Rodgers’ group. His fellow celeb was Neal ElAttrache, the man who performed his Achilles surgery in September.
Iowa got a big-time addition to its 2025 recruiting class when four-star athlete Thomas Meyer committed to the program. Meyer will play tight end for the Hawkeyes and look to continue their great t…
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Stephen joined ESPN in 2022, covering the Indianapolis Colts and NFL at large. Stephen finished first place in column writing in the 2015 Indiana Associated Press Media Editors competition, and he is a previous top-10 winner in explanatory journalism in the Associated Press Sports Editors national contest. He has chronicled the NFL since 2005, covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2005-2013 and the Colts since 2013. He has previously worked for the Miami Herald, Tampa Bay Times, Indianapolis Star and The Athletic.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, still reeling from losing in the NFC divisional round two weeks ago, initially had mixed feelings about appearing in the Pro Bowl Games.
“To be honest with you, I didn’t know how to feel about it until I got on the bus and saw everybody on there,” Mayfield said. “Just seeing the faces, all the national names and all that, it really is an honor.”
And over the course of four days, Mayfield seemed to embrace the event quite well, with a strong showing in Thursday’s precision passing competition and, on Sunday, winning the offensive MVP award following the NFC’s victory over the AFC.
Mayfield completed 9 of 13 passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns in the flag-football affair before 55,709 at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium. The NFC won with a cumulative 64-59 score, stopping the AFC’s fourth-down play at the 3-yard line with 4 seconds remaining.
It was all something of a culmination of Mayfield’s comeback season, with the former No. 1 overall pick resurrecting his career with the Buccaneers after changing teams three times in the past two seasons. Mayfield led Tampa Bay to an unlikely NFC South title and set career highs in passing yards (4,044) and touchdown passes (28).
“A lot of guys made plays today,” Mayfield said. “It was honestly so much fun. I got to watch the whole first half, stay a little loose a little bit, stay involved and take advantage of the opportunities. I’m just happy to be here.
The Pro Bowl Games, now in the second year of the flag-football format, was again seen as a success. Just like last year, what began as a not-so-serious competition grew increasingly competitive over the course of the day, from the flag football to the skills competitions. Points are accumulated throughout all events and calculated toward a total score.
“It’s a flag game but, man, it’s a bunch of competitors out there competing,” said New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis, the defensive MVP.
The flag format has been mocked in some corners, but the event has arguably been more competitive because playing flag football drastically reduces the chances of injury compared with the tackle-football version that was played until 2022.
Anyone who questioned whether winning mattered should have heard Davis recount the defensive adjustments by his team to slow the AFC’s high-powered passing attack.
“We had to make a crucial switch,” he said.
Asked whether he was being serious, Davis made himself unmistakably clear. Going up against the AFC’s head coach, Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, and defensive coordinator, Ray Lewis, another all-time great, required actual strategy, Davis said.
“We’re going against Peyton, man,” he said. “We’re going against Ray Lewis. And they are at the top of the universe when it comes to being competitive.”
The AFC had been moving the ball successfully behind the efforts of Houston Texans rookie C.J. Stroud, who led all passers with 173 yards and two touchdowns on 18-of-22 passing. Los Angeles Chargers receiver Keenan Allen caught three touchdowns for the AFC and threw a fourth as a passer.
Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson, however, defended Stroud’s fourth-down attempt to Allen to seal the victory.
With $88,000 going to each member of the winning team (the losers settle for $44,000 apiece), the NFC players erupted in celebration as the final pass fell incomplete. An event that the NFL once considered eliminating because of a lack of effort seems here to stay as players continue to embrace its new iteration.
“At first, it was all laughter and games,” Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku said. “But when it got real, it got really real. And it stayed real until the end.”
He took a visit to Ohio State with his family this weekend and committed while on the trip.
His commitment gives the Buckeyes seven ESPN Junior 300 commitments in the 2025 cycle, and he is the third cornerback. Offord is the highest-ranked commit for Ohio State, ahead of cornerbacks Devin Sanchez, ranked No. 11 overall, and Blake Woodby, the No. 28 prospect in the class.
Ohio State finished the 2024 cycle with the No. 3 class overall and added some of the top transfers this offseason, including safety Caleb Downs, quarterbacks Will Howard and Julian Sayin, and running back Quinshon Judkins.
The staff is off to a fast start with the 2025 class and already has one of the best classes now that Offord is on board.
DETROIT — Franz Wagner scored 27 of his 38 points in the second half as the Orlando Magic defeated the Detroit Pistons 111-99 for their third straight win on Sunday.
Paolo Banchero added 20 points for Orlando. The Magic got 58 points from three players who are very familiar to the Little Caesars Arena fans. Franz Wagner attended the University of Michigan, as did his brother Moritz Wagner who scored 10 points. Gary Harris, who went to Michigan State, also scored 10.
Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey each scored 18 for Detroit (6-43).
The game was tied at 78 early in the fourth when the local players took over for the Magic. Franz Wagner and Harris combined for 15 points in the next five minutes and Moritz Wagner added two more.
Franz Wagner’s 3-pointer made it 98-90 with 6:44 to play, and he shushed the crowd as Pistons coach Monty Williams called a timeout. He hit his first 10 shots of the second half, including three 3-pointers.
Detroit’s offense came up empty on four straight possessions, needing Jalen Duren’s put-back to stay within 103-97 with 3:07 to play.
Franz Wagner’s lay-up off a turnover put the Magic up eight, and Cunningham missed both free throws at the other end.
The Magic led 50-47 at the half, and Franz Wagner’s 11 third-quarter points helped them expand the margin to as many as 12 midway through the third.
Ausar Thompson had nine points in the final eight minutes of the quarter, leaving Detroit down 78-75 at the end of the third quarter. Alec Burks’ three-point play tied it on the first possession of the fourth.
UP NEXT
Magic: At the Miami Heat on Tuesday night.
Pistons: At the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.
The top stories and transfer rumours from Monday’s newspapers…
DAILY EXPRESS
The owner of AC Milan is said to have considered bringing Novak Djokovic on board as the Serie A club’s mental coach. The record-breaking Grand Slam holder is a self-confessed Rossoneri fanatic – but an approach eventually did not transpire.
Red Bull technical advisor Helmut Marko insists Toto Wolff will be unsuccessful if he tries to sign Max Verstappen for Mercedes. Wolff is searching for a replacement for Lewis Hamilton after the seven-time world champion decided to join Ferrari in 2025.
DAILY MAIL
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has challenged Real Madrid to make an offer for Erling Haaland if they really want him.
Birmingham’s Andre Dozzell has called for stronger penalties for fans who racially abuse players after his team-mate Juninho Bacuna was targeted for the second time this season.
A man has drowned in the lake outside SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, the second death to occur in the man-made water feature since the venue opened in 2020.
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Take a look at all the action from Sunday’s round of matches in the Premier League
THE GUARDIAN
Steve Parish, the Crystal Palace chairman, has strongly contemplated sacking Roy Hodgson after the record defeat against Brighton on Saturday but is struggling to find a replacement who is willing to take over at this stage of the season.
Mauricio Pochettino apologised to the fans, said his team were not good enough and admitted his job is not safe after Chelsea plunged to an embarrassing 4-2 defeat at home against Wolves.
New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium will host the final of the 2026 World Cup, which will take place across North America in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
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Jamie Carragher reacts to Arsenal’s win over Liverpool and says Manchester City will be pleased Liverpool have been pegged back at the top
Hong Kong’s government have spoken of their ‘extreme disappointment’ after an injured Lionel Messi failed to appear in a sold-out game on Inter Miami’s pre-season tour. The MLS side beat a Hong Kong XI 4-1.
The former Barcelona and Brazil footballer Dani Alves will appear in court on Monday charged with the rape of a 23-year-old woman in a Barcelona nightclub.
THE SUN
Donny van de Beek has been left out of Frankfurt’s squad for the Europa League knockout stages, to continue his disappointing start to his loan spell from Manchester United.
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Roy Keane was scathing in his criticism of Liverpool’s defending following their 3-1 loss at Arsenal in the Premier League
Al Hilal are not giving up on signing Bruno Fernandes. The Saudi Pro League side are reportedly desperate to bring the Portugal midfielder to link up with Neymar.
Pep Guardiola will fight Erik ten Hag all the way in the chase for Crystal Palace sensation Michael Olise.
Chris Wilder faces an FA charge over his astonishing Sandwichgate rant at “biased” referees.
PSG have lined up AC Milan’s Rafael Leao to replace Kylian Mbappe who has agreed to a deal with Real Madrid.
THE ATHLETIC
Manchester City are interested in Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich. Pep Guardiola could also be keen to reunite with Kimmich who he managed during his stint at the German side.
Nottingham Forest captain Joe Worrall is set to undergo a medical before joining Besiktas on loan.
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Despite Arsenal’s victory against Liverpool, Gary Neville believes the team lack instinct and determination to score goals
DAILY MIRROR
Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is ‘expected’ to leave the club at the end of term when he will have just one year left on his contract. Partey has made just five appearances this season after suffering from a hamstring issue back in October.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
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Sky Sports’ Ben Ransom and Adam Bate reflect on Manchester United’s 3-0 win over West Ham and look at why we are beginning to see a growth in confidence in the side
England head coach Steve Borthwick has promised to shield Immanuel Feyi-Waboso from the eye of the storm as the winger prepares to face Wales, the country of his birth, at Twickenham on Saturday.
Referee Rebecca Welch was booed off the pitch by fans after sending off Philip Billing in controversial circumstances in just her second Premier League game in charge.
Paris Saint-Germain will turn their attentions to Victor Osimhen if Kylian Mbappe decides to join Real Madrid.
Thiago Silva’s wife appeared to call for Mauricio Pochettino’s sacking on another day of chaos at Stamford Bridge when Chelsea were beaten 4-2 by Wolverhampton Wanderers.
SCOTTISH SUN
Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland began to get ‘sick’ of hearing his own name during the transfer window amid reports of a move to Rangers.
Weston Port found everything he’s looking for at UCLA so the four-star linebacker figured there was no reason to wait any longer.So on Sunday the San Juan Capistrano (Calif.) San Juan Hills standou…
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There were 75 minutes on the clock at the Etihad Stadium when Ederson switched from goalkeeper to bodyguard, charging shoulder-first into Burnley’s Connor Roberts then dragging him away as he tried to square up to the 19-year-old Rico Lewis.
“I will back up my team-mates under any circumstances,” Ederson tells Sky Sports as he reflects on the flashpoint in a first-floor meeting room at Manchester City’s training ground.
“I will always try to protect them however I can, especially young players like Rico, who was only asking the question because there was off-the-ball contact on John [Stones] before the pushing. I was just defending him. It is part of the game. But I would do it under any circumstances.”
Ederson was booked for the incident. But there were no complaints from Pep Guardiola. A year ago, he accused his players of lacking “stomach and guts” for failing to defend Lewis from persistent fouling against Tottenham. This time, he loved the reaction.
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“It makes us feel alive,” he said in his press conference afterwards. “Last season was flat in that period, so this is better. We have to defend ourselves because nobody is going to defend us.”
Clearly, the message has got through to the players. Having roared back from last season’s slump to win the treble, City are bringing the fight again, their determination summed up by their goalkeeper.
“Yes, absolutely,” Ederson says when asked if he sees more fire in the group now. “I think a lot of it is down to the mentality we have created in the squad. This is very important, especially after last season, when we won everything and enjoyed immense success.
“I think maintaining that is even more difficult. But the group has this mentality to keep going and to win everything again.
“This will be our objective until the end of the season.”
Ederson knows as well as anyone what it takes to get over the line. He has been there for every one of City’s successes under Guardiola. Having arrived at 23 in 2017, he is now one of their longest-serving players and a leader. Does he enjoy the added responsibility?
Image: Ederson ranks second in the Premier League for minutes played in the last seven seasons
His answer offers an insight into the dressing-room dynamics fuelling City’s relentless quest for yet more silverware.
“Not many players are still here from when I arrived,” he smiles. “Only five or six if I’m not mistaken. Of course, they consider me as one of the leaders. Not just me but all the older players in the group.
“But I think respect comes before anything else. The players here take things on board irrespective of who they are speaking to, whether it’s a 20-year-old or a 33-year-old in the case of Kyle [Walker].
Monday 5th February 6:30pm
Kick off 8:00pm
“We are not precious here. We listen to each other and we take things on board very well. Whoever has to talk, to give some advice to a team-mate to push the group forward, is welcomed.”
It is partly for that reason that City have been able to absorb the departures of senior players such as Ilkay Gundogan, Joao Cancelo and Aymeric Laporte in the last year. The side is younger, its average age dropping below 27. And yet, according to Ederson, it is steelier and more experienced too.
“I think the team is a good mix of 30-year-olds and youngsters,” he explains. “And even the young players are very experienced due to what we have won. For example, Rico, Phil [Foden], these are really young guys but they have won a lot of trophies.
Image: Ederson rushed to the defence of Rico Lewis against Burnley
“Julian [Alvarez] and Erling [Haaland] have also won a lot. This experience stands out. Our team has a lot of it despite being so young. And I have to mention the mentality again, of always wanting more and always wanting to play good football. It shines through everywhere.”
It certainly shines through in Ederson, whose crucial role in last year’s treble was recently recognised with the Best FIFA men’s goalkeeper of the year award. He has reached the pinnacle. Outstanding with his hands; even better with his feet.
And yet, in his seventh season at City, his appetite for improvement remains. “I try to improve every day and work every day to get better. I think every player has to have this mindset, because in life everyone can improve. Every day you can learn something new.”
One day Pep will have to leave but I don’t see that happening now, I see it in a more distant future
It helps, in that sense, to have Guardiola as your boss. The manager’s future has been brought into focus by Jurgen Klopp’s revelation that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season. But Ederson feels there is more to come from the 53-year-old at City.
“One day Pep will have to leave as well but I don’t see that happening now, I see it in a more distant future,” he says. “Of course, we can’t walk in other people’s shoes. I don’t know what is going on for somebody else, or what is going on in someone else’s head.
“But, principally in Klopp’s case, a decision like that involves lots of factors beyond football – family, I don’t know what else. He is a human being, and that comes before his profession.
Image: Ederson sees Pep Guardiola staying at Man City until the “distant future”
“Any human being has to put their family first, their mental health, their family’s wellbeing. I hope he can have a good period of rest because he is a great manager. He has done a lot for Liverpool.
“He has led one of the most difficult teams we have faced over the last few years. I wish him a lot of luck for the future.”
Ederson’s outlook shows he has “matured”, to use Guardiola’s term. But catching Klopp’s side is the priority and it is partly thanks to their goalkeeper that it now feels like a possibility.
City’s season was drifting. But Ederson helped to ensure the FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia served as a turning point.
Image: Manchester City beat Palmeiras to win the FIFA Club World Cup
“It wasn’t just an important competition for us as players, but for the club as well,” explains Ederson. “The club hadn’t won this trophy, so it was an important competition.
“It stands out especially for South American players such as Julian and myself. In South America, they live this competition more. We know that the fans are captivated by this trophy.
“I tried to pass on the importance of this title in South America to my team-mates. I think they absorbed the advice that I gave them and, from there, we have regained some momentum.
“We had a less strong period just before the Club World Cup, but the team has found good form again. Our mentality stands out again as the main reason we have been able to do it.”
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The result is that they face Brentford on Monday Night Football on the back of eight consecutive wins in all competitions.
The trip to west London is an awkward assignment. They lost twice to Thomas Frank’s side last season. But Kevin de Bruyne and Haaland are available again. It feels like City are hitting their stride.
“I think the few times this season that we have had a full squad, we have been more focused,” says Ederson. “We are back training normally. Erling is back from injury and so is Kevin after a long time out. It’s great to see all of our players together again on the pitch, healthy and ready to play the next match.”
For their rivals, meanwhile, it is ominous. Recent evidence suggests Ederson, in particular, is up for the fight that lies ahead.
Katherine Terrell came back to ESPN to cover the New Orleans Saints in the summer of 2022. She left the company in 2019 after joining in 2016 to cover the Cincinnati Bengals. Katherine is a graduate of LSU and a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native, and she has covered the NFL since 2013. You can follow Katherine on Twitter: @Kat_Terrell
NEW ORLEANS — The Saints are planning to make 49ers passing game specialist Klint Kubiak their new offensive coordinator, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Friday.
The Niners play the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11, and a deal cannot be finalized before that date.
The Saints have been looking for an offensive coordinator since moving on from longtime coordinator Pete Carmichael earlier this month. Carmichael is expected to join former Saints coach Sean Payton as an assistant with the Denver Broncos.
Although the Saints finished 11th in passing offense this season, they struggled to score in the red zone at times under quarterback Derek Carr. They elected to replace Carmichael and several other offensive assistants after missing the playoffs for the third straight season.
Kubiak is one of a number of coaches the Saints looked at for the vacant coordinator role. They also showed interest in former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, Los Angeles Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson, Baltimore Ravens wide receivers coach Greg Lewis, Houston Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson, former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and Cincinnati Bengals quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher, who was promoted to their coordinator role. Saints quarterback coach Ronald Curry was also a candidate.
Kubiak, 36, the son of former NFL coach Gary Kubiak, has been with the Niners since March and prior to that was on his second stint with the Broncos as their passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2022.
Kubiak began his career as a Broncos offensive assistant under his father in 2016. He was promoted to offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings in 2021. They finished 12th in total offense and 14th in scoring offense, but Kubiak did not stay on the staff after coach Mike Zimmer was fired prior to the 2022 season.
The Niners finished the 2023 regular season as the fourth-ranked passing offense in the NFL. They were second in the league with 33 passing touchdowns in Brock Purdy‘s first full season as a starter.
The Saints still don’t have a wide receivers coach or running backs coach.
HUA HIN, Thailand — Rising Russian star Diana Shnaider bounced back from a turbulent second set to upend defending champion Zhu Lin of China 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 for her maiden title at the WTA Thailand Open on Sunday.
The No. 108-ranked North Carolina State University student displayed a fierce and solid baseline game to unsettle her No. 45-ranked opponent, prevailing in a competitive contest lasting one hour and 59 minutes amid challenging, humid conditions at the beach resort.
Facing a brief setback as Zhu fought back from 1-4 to 3-4, Shnaider regained control by unleashing deep flat strokes, managing to break back to lead 5-3 before comfortably securing the first set.
In the second, Zhu mounted a comeback, winning four consecutive games from 2-2, to force a decisive third set. The Chinese player capitalized on uncharacteristic errors from her opponent to set the stage for a thrilling conclusion.
Following a toilet break, Shnaider returned to the court with renewed intensity. As Zhu struggled to maintain focus, Shnaider seized the opportunity to break her opponent three times to clinch the decisive set and claim her first WTA title.
It was Shnaider’s second WTA final appearance, having previously lost to Ons Jabeur in Ningbo, China last September.
“I feel like I won a Grand Slam. I’m not lying guys. This win will stay in my memory for a long time,” Shnaider said.
“The last two points were crazy. I kept doing everything that I could. I’m so proud of myself. I was running as fast as I could for every ball,” said the lefthander.
In the doubles final, Miyu Kato of Japan and Aldila Sutjiadi of Indonesia secured their third title as a pair by defeating the Chinese duo of Hanyu Guo and Xinyu Jiang 6-4, 1-6, 10-7. Their previous victories came in Auckland and Cleveland in 2023. ___
Adam Friedman joined Rivals.com as the East Coast Recruiting Analyst in 2012 and covers D1 CFB recruits from SC to Maine & out to PA & WV. Media requests- RivalsFriedman@gmail.com
Some of the traditional National Signing Day luster has worn off over the past few years thanks to the Early Signing Period. But there are a few big-time prospects that haven’t made their decisions just yet. Expect more drama, hat ceremonies, commitment videos, televised announcements and some major underclassmen commitments for the late signing day on Wednesday.
Here’s our guide on when and how to watch announcements from the nation’s top prospects (all times Eastern) on Wednesday.
Auburn star Johni Broome felt someone grab his jersey as he tried to save a ball from going out of bounds during the Tigers’ 91-77 win at Ole Miss on Saturday night. His natural reaction was to slap at the person’s arm, assuming it was an Ole Miss fan trying to harass him.
But the person who grabbed his jersey wasn’t an ordinary fan — it was Morgan Freeman, the Academy Award-winning actor who was sitting in the front row.
After the game, Broome — who finished with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 blocks in the win — said he apologized to Freeman, adding that he’s a big fan of him.
“I thought it was an Ole Miss fan grabbing my jersey, holding on to me,” Broome told reporters after the game. “I kind of got his hand off. I saw who it was, and I’m a big movie guy. I probably watched one of his movies on the plane coming here. But I realized it was him and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m a big fan. I’m sorry.’ He said, ‘Just keep playing.’”
Broome helped Auburn push its record to 7-2 in the SEC, good for second place. An upcoming stretch in which the Tigers will face Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee in February will determine their place in the SEC race.
Freeman, 86, is an Ole Miss superfan who has attended multiple games over the years. He grew up in Charleston, Mississippi, about an hour from the Ole Miss campus.
Broome said he was so embarrassed about his exchange with “The Shawshank Redemption” star that he had to apologize to him a second time.
“I came back out there again, and I’m just like, ‘I’m sorry, again,’” Broome said. “He said, ‘You all good. Just keep playing.’ He’s a very good guy. Love him.”
Marcel Louis-Jacques joined ESPN in 2019 as a beat reporter covering the Buffalo Bills, before switching to the Miami Dolphins in 2021. The former Carolina Panthers beat writer for the Charlotte Observer won the APSE award for breaking news and the South Carolina Press Association award for enterprise writing in 2018.
MIAMI — The Dolphins hired Anthony Weaver as their new defensive coordinator, the team announced Saturday, ending a 10-day coaching search.
Weaver most recently served as the defensive line coach and associate head coach for the Baltimore Ravens, where he’d been since 2021. The former second-round pick played for the Ravens and Houston Texans during his seven-year NFL career.
The Dolphins hired Vic Fangio last year after firing Josh Boyer, but parted ways with Fangio this offseason. He joined the Philadelphia Eagles‘ staff soon after.
The Dolphins released a statement from coach Mike McDaniel, lauding Weaver, who “has a proven résumé of success, built on his personal investment in his players. Most importantly, he shares our belief that player development is the cornerstone to both team building and sustained excellence.”
Weaver has coached in the NFL since 2012, mainly as a defensive line coach with the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Texans and Ravens.
He will take over a Dolphins defense that ranked 10th in yards allowed per game and seventh in rushing yards allowed in 2023. That defense might undergo some changes over the next few months; defensive tackle Christian Wilkins is a free agent this offseason, as are linebacker Jerome Baker and safety DeShon Elliott.
Cornerback Xavien Howard is Miami’s longest-tenured player, but there is a possibility he does not return to the team in 2024.
Weaver has a pedigree off success as the Ravens’ run game coordinator. Since he took over in 2021, Baltimore has allowed the third-fewest rushing yards in the NFL.
NEW YORK — LeBron James scored 24 points and the Los Angeles Lakers pulled away down the stretch to beat New York 113-105 Saturday night, snapping the Knicks’ nine-game winning streak.
Austin Reaves had 22 points, D’Angelo Russell and Taurean Prince each scored 16, and Anthony Davis finished with 12 points and 18 rebounds as the Lakers won their second straight to move above .500 (26-25).
“We ’re just trying to get to a place where we’re trying to get to a place where we’re playing the type of basketball we envisioned,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “The type of basketball we know we’re capable of and defend at a high, high level. That’s (going to) give you a chance every night. And we’ve got enough firepower in terms of people in the starting lineup, people coming off the bench to where we’re (going to) be able to put points on the board.”
Jalen Brunson scored 36 points to lead New York (32-18), and Donte DiVincenzo had 26 before fouling out. Josh Hart had 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Precious Achiuwa added 10 points.
“We didn’t make enough plays on both sides of the ball,” Brunson said. “Give them credit.”
The game was tight throughout and the Knicks led 86-80 after three quarters, but the Lakers scored the first seven points of the fourth to go ahead. It went back-and-forth with New York taking its last lead at 96-94 on DiVencenzo’s 3-pointer with 7:25 remaining.
“The start of the fourth, we’re up six,” Thibodeau said. “There was a big turnover, we gave up a 3 in transition. They got momentum, and it turned the game right there.”
Prince’s three-point play 19 seconds later started Los Angeles’ game-clinching 11-0 run, capped by James’ fadeaway jumper for a 105-96 lead with with 1:54 left.
Prince and Reaves combined to score 16 of Los Angeles’ first 20 points of the fourth quarter.
“That’s what we need,” Ham said of Prince and Reaves’ fourth quarter outburst. “We have a team full of talented offensive players. The more they assert themselves and stay aggressive, and…deliver; take advantage of the opportunities that they have, the better it will be (and) the more endurance we’ll have for LeBron and A.D.”
DiVincenzo’s pull-up jumper with 39.1 seconds left cut the deficit to 105-98. It also ended New York’s nearly seven-minute scoreless streak.
Reaves sandwiched four free throws around a layup by Brunson to push the Lakers’ lead to 109-100. After Brunson converted a three-point play with 11.2 seconds remaining to slice the lead to six, Davis knocked down four free throws around a layup by Brunson in the final seconds to close it out.
James, playing his 32nd career game at Madison Square Garden, was cheered when he came out for pregame warmups, and his two-handed dunk off of a Russell feed 3:12 into the game drew oohs and aahs.
“It’s the Mecca of basketball,” James said. “There’s been so many great players, great teams, great things that come through this building. So (I’m) just happy to be part of it.”
John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint with the Washington Post. He started covering the team in 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored four books. You can also listen to him on ‘The John Keim Report’, which airs on ESPN Richmond radio, and follow him on Twitter @john_keim
ASHBURN, Va. — Former Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury, who was close to joining the Las Vegas Raiders as their offensive coordinator, has emerged as a candidate for the same job in Washington, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Kingsbury was going to join Las Vegas coach Antonio Pierce’s staff until a breakdown in contract talks ended that pursuit Saturday, agent Erik Burkhardt told Schefter.
Kingsbury coached the Cardinals for four seasons until he was fired after the 2022 season.
Washington officially hired Dan Quinn as its head coach Saturday. Eric Bieniemy has one year left on his contract as the Commanders’ offensive coordinator, but Washington has a list of coaches it has interest in for the position.
They have shown some level of interest in UCLA coach Chip Kelly and possibly San Francisco tight ends coach Brian Fleury, among others. 49ers quarterbacks coach Brian Griese has drawn praise for his work with Brock Purdy. Griese interviewed for New Orleans’ offensive coordinator position.
Washington general manager Adam Peters, who worked for the 49ers from 2017 until joining the Commanders last month, would have insight into both Fleury and Griese.
Kingsbury, 44, also interviewed with Chicago for its offensive coordinator opening, but the Bears instead hired Shane Waldron. Kelly also interviewed for that job. Fleury interviewed with New England for its offensive coordinator position, which eventually went to Alex Van Pelt.
This past fall, Kingsbury was USC’s quarterbacks coach and senior offensive analyst, working directly with the projected No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, Caleb Williams.
Kingsbury’s experience working with young quarterbacks would appeal to Washington, which owns the No. 2 pick and will strongly consider drafting a quarterback. He drafted Kyler Murray when he coached Arizona and, as head coach at Texas Tech, he worked with Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield.
Washington also has Sam Howell, who has started the past 18 games for the Commanders and will be entering his third season.
PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico — Joaquin Niemann goes into the final round of LIV Golf Mayakoba with a four-shot lead without having a round in the 60s. A day after Niemann shot 59, he had to settle for a 1-under 70 on Saturday to maintain control.
Masters champion Jon Rahm, the biggest name to sign with the Saudi-funded league during the offseason, overcame an early bogey to post a 67 and join Dean Burmester (66) in the group trying to track down Niemann.
This is the opening event in the third season of LIV Golf with its 54 holes and shotgun start.
Niemann was at 13-under 129.
Niemann had an opening round in which everything felt easy. This was more of a grind. He bounced back from an early bogey with three birdies over a five-hole stretch to close out the front nine at El Camaleon.
At one point, Burmester had cut the lead to two shots after Niemann made a pair of bogeys, but the 25-year-old Chilean birdied the par-3 15th and Burmester bogeyed his last two holes.
Burmester and Niemann are among LIV players who thrived in the offseason. Nieman won the Australian Open. Burmester won his native South African Open and Joburg Open in successive weeks in joint European tour and Sunshine Tour events.
