Sports Headlines
Robertson’s natural hat trick paces Stars to 6-5 win over Caps
WASHINGTON (AP) — Jason Robertson scored the third-fastest natural hat trick in team history to help the Dallas Stars to a 6-5 victory over the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night. Robertson's sixth, seventh and eighth goals of the season came in a stretch of 5 minutes, 20 seconds early in the second period. His last, a snap shot from the point through traffic to make it 4-0, chased Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson with 14:17 to go until the second intermission. Mikko Rantanen scored later in the second period to tie Robertson for the team lead as Dallas picked up points for a fifth consecutive road game. Roope Hintz scored and added an assist, and Joel Kirvanta struck first for Dallas ... Read MoreSeattle Mariners hire Chicago Cubs farm director Jason Kanzler as manager
SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners have hired Chicago Cubs farm director Jason Kanzler as manager, the team said Tuesday. The 36-year-old Kanzler replaces Dan Wilson, who was fired after a disappointing 76-86 season that began with World Series aspirations. Seattle reached Game 7 of the American League Championship Series in 2025. Kanzler was the Cubs' director of player development, leading the organization’s minor league system, players and coaching staff. A former minor league player and coach, Kanzler has not managed a club at any level. He was on the big league coaching staff for the Houston Astros in 2022-23, serving as assistant hitting coach in his final season. He will be the second-youngest manager in baseball behind Washington’s 34-year-old ... Read MoreWill Wade is back coaching at LSU and starts second stint with a season-opening victory
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Will Wade’s second act at LSU started on Tuesday night — 1,697 days after his first ended. Wade was fired on March 12, 2022, just as the NCAA sent LSU formal notice of allegations and later found him guilty of five major recruiting violations. After a year off, two seasons at McNeese State and one at North Carolina State, Wade is off and running in his LSU sequel. He finally got a 14-man roster cleared, and has already assembled a No. 1-ranked recruiting class for 2027-28 by both 247sports.com and On3.com. On Tuesday night, he won his regular-season opener, 100-57, in front of 7,919 win-starved fans at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center after consecutive 3-15 ... Read MoreLions roar, Sooners stunned: East Texas A&M upsets Oklahoma 68-64 on opening night
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — East Texas A&M coach Jaret von Rosenberg told fans to get excited about his team entering the 2026-27 season. Now everyone knows why. East Texas A&M, formerly known as Texas A&M-Commerce and with a basketball program that finished near the bottom in the Southland Conference the last two seasons, shocked Oklahoma with a 68-64 season-opening victory Monday night for its first-ever win against a power conference opponent. “I told people to get excited," said von Rosenberg, who has coached the program since 2017. "I think this basically solidifies that.” Bo Aldridge led East Texas A&M with 22 points on 8-for-12 shooting in the season opener for both teams. Mohamed Diakite and Alonzo Dodd each scored 15 ... Read MoreSources: Injury-plagued Thunder agree to 2-year deal with veteran Dalen Terry
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Dalen Terry has agreed to a two-year deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder, sources told ESPN. Terry enters his fifth NBA season after stints with the Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers. The 6-foot-6 swingman spent the offseason training with the Golden State Warriors and went to training camp with the franchise last month. The deal with Terry comes in the wake of the injury-plagued Thunder's decision to pause plans with free agent Ochai Agbaji to fill their open roster spot with potential season-ending surgeries for Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace. Oklahoma City star big man Chet Holmgren also is out two-plus months because of a small patellar tendon tear. The Holmgren injury prompted the Thunder to ... Read MoreBaker, Bochy, Piniella headline Baseball Hall of Fame contemporary ballot
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. -- Retired managers Dusty Baker, Bruce Bochy, Joe Maddon and Lou Piniella are among eight men on the ballot for the Hall of Fame's contemporary era committee for managers, executives and umpires that meets on Dec. 6 at the winter meetings in San Diego. Former general managers Sandy Alderson and Brian Sabean also are on the ballot along with the late Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner and former player, broadcaster and National League President Bill White, the Hall announced Monday. The identities of the 16 voters will be announced closer to the meeting, and 75% of the vote is needed for election. Anyone chosen will be inducted into the Hall next July 25 along with players voted in ... Read MoreMariners hire Jason Kanzler as manager to replace fired Dan Wilson
SEATTLE (AP) - The Seattle Mariners are hiring Jason Kanzler, the Chicago Cubs' director of player development, as their new manager, the club announced Tuesday. Kanzler, 36, has never managed a team at any level, but he now succeeds Dan Wilson, the longtime catcher who oversaw one of baseball's most disappointing teams this past season. The Mariners made it all the way to Game 7 of the American League Championship Series in 2025 and were a popular pick to advance to their first World Series in 2026 but never got it together, ultimately finishing 76-86 and failing to make the playoffs despite playing in a mediocre division. Kanzler will inherit one of baseball's deepest, most talented teams, one stocked with ... Read MoreLightning star Nikita Kucherov says trade request not about money
TAMPA (AP) - Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov said his trade request is not about seeking a big payday. "It was never about the money to me," he told reporters Monday. "It was more about poor communication and respect. Over the last four months we have only had two conversations. [General manager] Julien [BriseBois] in them made clear I'm free to walk on July 1." That's when Kucherov can become an unrestricted free agent. He is making $9.5 million in the last year of his eight-year deal but could be looking at twice that much going forward after winning two Hart Trophies and two Stanley Cups in 13 seasons with the Lightning. After word of Kucherov's trade request became ... Read MoreLuka scores 42 points, earns high praise from Giannis as hot streak continues
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Luka Doncic's volcanic scoring spree continued Monday with 42 points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 138-117 win over the Miami Heat. Doncic's fourth 40-plus-point game in his past five outings raised his league-leading scoring average to 38.8 points per game. And the performance prompted heady praise from Miami star Giannis Antetokounmpo -- who is averaging the fourth-most points this season but still nearly 10 fewer than Doncic (28.4). "Obviously, he's one of the best scorers to play this game, if not the best," Antetokounmpo said after L.A. improved to 6-2 with the win over the struggling Heat (2-5). A reporter interrupted Antetokounmpo's answer, hoping for additional context for the two-time MVP's claim. "Right now?" "Not right ... Read MoreJeffery Simmons stymies QB Sam Darnold, Seahawks in Bears debut
SEATTLE -- The four days leading into the Chicago Bears' dominant 34-17 win over the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks were life-altering for Jeffery Simmons. The All-Pro defensive tackle pivoted from game-planning with the Tennessee Titans to learning a new defense while preparing for the Seahawks after he found out he was being traded on Oct. 29. In a matter of hours, Simmons left his family and home of the past eight seasons to join an NFC contender. Simmons delivered immediately for the Bears (6-2, 0-2). In his first primetime game in three seasons, the defensive tackle had a sack, six tackles (three TFLs) and deflected a pass as Chicago registered its third straight win. "Our guys were excited ... Read MoreSources: Liberty not retaining coach Chris DeMarco after 1 year at helm
NEW YORK (AP) - Chris DeMarco will not be retained as head coach of the New York Liberty after one year at the helm, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. After New York was eliminated from the playoffs in the semifinals, DeMarco said without hesitation that he expected to return in 2027. But New York's three stars -- Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones -- did not offer a definitive vote of confidence in him when asked whether it was their hope and expectation that he would be back. Stewart said after the loss that she "1,000%" believed the team had the personnel to win a championship and that "what I'm thinking about right now is just the missed opportunity." ... Read MoreThe criticism mounts for Brian Schottenheimer as the Cowboys keep finding ways to lose
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Owner Jerry Jones and quarterback Dak Prescott tried to shield coach Brian Schottenheimer from mounting criticism after the Dallas Cowboys again failed to put together consecutive victories. The latest loss was the most crushing of Schottenheimer's season-plus in charge, since the Cowboys matched the biggest blown fourth-quarter lead in franchise history at 14 points in Arizona's 33-30 overtime victory, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Questions about Schottenheimer's job security had already come up this season. Now, they've lost to backup quarterbacks twice — Gardner Minshew's huge rally for the Cardinals coming after the previous home loss was against undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels for then-winless Tampa Bay in his second career start. Dallas (3-5), which visits ... Read MoreDodge announces its return to the NASCAR Cup Series beginning at the Daytona 500
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Dodge is returning to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2027, a year earlier than initially expected. The Stellantis-owned Dodge brand announced its return at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas on Monday. Dodge will once again give the Cup Series four manufacturers, joining Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota in fielding entries to compete in a 36-race schedule that begins in mid-February and crowns a champion in early November. Kaulig Racing will use the Dodge Charger to field a two-car team, likely beginning with the exhibition Clash at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 13. A more telling debut will come in the Daytona 500 eight days later. AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon are expected ... Read MoreThe Miz among 4 members of World Series champion Brewers who are finalists for major BBWAA awards
NEW YORK (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski is among four members of the World Series champions who are finalists for baseball's biggest individual awards. The Miz, a heavy favorite to win the NL Cy Young Award, was one of the top three vote-getters in balloting for the prize by the Baseball Writers' Association of America at the conclusion of the regular season. Finalists for all the major BBWAA awards were announced Monday night on MLB Network. Winners will be revealed next week. Gold Glove second baseman Brice Turang is in the running for National League MVP, and Milwaukee skipper Pat Murphy could become the first to win three consecutive Manager of the Year awards. Brewers closer Trevor Megill ... Read MoreLuka Doncic is off to a spectacular offensive start for the Lakers with a string of 40-point games
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Although Luka Doncic is in his ninth NBA season as one of the sport's most dynamic scorers, he has rarely been better than this. Two weeks into the Los Angeles Lakers' first season following LeBron James' departure, Doncic is scorching opponents with one brilliant offensive performance after another. Doncic even did it back-to-back over the past two days, putting up 45 points and 15 rebounds in a win over Toronto on Sunday night before dropping 42 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds in another comfortable victory over Miami on Monday night. “It feels good, but when we win, it feels way better,” Doncic said. “That’s the only important stuff. Obviously, it feels good (to score), but ... Read MoreAsian Football Confederation postpones the 2027 Asian Cup because of conflict in the Middle East
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The 2027 Asian Cup soccer tournament has been delayed almost a year in the wake of recent deadly attacks on Saudi Arabia, becoming the biggest sports event to be postponed amid the conflict in the Middle East. The Asian Football Confederation issued a statement Tuesday saying that after extensive consultations with Saudi organizers it had decided to push the start of its marquee continental championship back from Jan. 7 to Dec. 23. Local organizers agreed to reschedule in “circumstances arising from developments in the region, including substantial logistical complexities and travel disruptions,” the AFC said. “Exceptional circumstances have been created for the organization and delivery of the competition as originally scheduled, making the postponement necessary ... Read MoreAngel Reese proud of Dream’s breakthrough despite WNBA Finals loss to Valkyries
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Angel Reese has said throughout the playoffs that her third season has been the most enjoyable and fulfilling of her WNBA career. That assessment didn't change after the Atlanta Dream lost to the Golden State Valkyries in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals on Saturday. "This is the most fun I've had with a group. It's the most competitive team I've been part of," Reese said after the Dream's 68-63 loss at Chase Center. "And just because we didn't win today doesn't mean that we won't be champions in the future." Reese, who was drafted by the Chicago Sky in 2024 and spent her first two seasons in the Windy City, was traded to Atlanta in ... Read MoreWilbon taking leave of absence from ESPN to address health issues
BRISTOL, CT. (AP) - Michael Wilbon is taking a break. The longtime ESPN commentator and co-host of the network's popular "Pardon the Interruption" talk show alongside good friend Tony Kornheiser announced Monday that he is taking a leave of absence because of what he described as "multiple health issues." Wilbon, who turns 68 later this month, wrote in a post on X that he is taking a trip to "the injured list" but added that he hopes it is "not an extended one." While Wilbon, who is also featured on ESPN's NBA coverage, declined to go into detail about what he is facing, he added that there are people in his personal life who noticed "worrisome signs" in recent years ... Read MoreThunder to retire Russell Westbrook’s No. 0
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma City Thunder announced they will retire Russell Westbrook's No. 0 in the rafters on Feb. 7. Westbrook was a first-round pick of the organization in 2008, just days before the team officially became the Thunder after relocating from Seattle. Westbrook played the first 11 years of his 18-season career in OKC and paired with Kevin Durant to turn the young Thunder into one of the best teams in the league. However, after Durant's free agent departure following the 2015-16 season, Westbrook's stature in Oklahoma City grew. The next season, Westbrook became the first player to average a triple-double for an entire season since Oscar Robertson, going for 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists, ... Read MoreAstros owner Jim Crane hails Randy Flores as a ‘perfect fit’ in GM hire
HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros interviewed a variety of candidates in the search for their next general manager. It quickly became clear that Randy Flores was their guy. “We went over it and over it and over it and as we reflected back on everybody we spoke to and the qualities we were looking for Randy was a perfect fit,” Astros owner Jim Crane said Monday. “He has experience in every single area of baseball and you don’t find that very often and he has been trained and been around some good organizations. So, he stood out at the end.” Flores was introduced as the 15th general manager of the Astros on Monday after being hired on Friday to ... Read MoreUCLA into top 5, Ohio State out of top 10, New Mexico earns first AP ranking
NEW YORK (AP) - Ohio State dropped out of the top 10 of The Associated Press Top 25 on Sunday for the first time in five years, UCLA entered the top five for the first time in 25 years and New Mexico earned the first ranking in program history. The Buckeyes plummeted from No. 2 to No. 11 following their 30-18 loss at USC, making it four weeks in a row that the No. 1 or 2 team has lost to an unranked opponent. Miami was No. 1 for the third straight week after escaping North Carolina with a 38-35 victory. Georgia moved up a spot to No. 2 and was followed by Utah, Notre Dame and UCLA. The Hurricanes, ... Read MoreSources: Oklahoma fires second-year OC Ben Arbuckle
NORMAN Ok. (AP) - Oklahoma has fired offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle after less than two seasons, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel on Monday. The Sooners, which dropped to 4-4 after a 42-25 home loss to South Carolina, rank next-to-last in the SEC in yards per game and touchdowns scored. Arbuckle came to Norman after two successful seasons at Washington State where he was the youngest primary coordinator in the Power 4 at the time (age 27). His quarterback with the Cougars, John Mateer, transferred to Oklahoma the same month Arbuckle was hired. Mateer gained buzz as a Heisman Trophy candidate early last season before a thumb injury sidelined him and continued to impact his performance. Since the injury, he's thrown ... Read MoreJaguars DT DaVon Hamilton likely out for season with torn quad, sources say
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.(AP) - Jacksonville Jaguars nose tackle DaVon Hamilton is expected to miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn quadriceps muscle Sunday, league sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Hamilton was injured during the second quarter of the Jaguars' 42-7 victory over the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Stadium. He was surrounded by teammates while he was down on the field and was eventually taken to the locker room via a cart. He will undergo further tests today. Coach Liam Coen and multiple players have said Hamilton has been the key to the Jaguars' top-ranked run defense. He has 16 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a half sack over seven games. "There's not many better ... Read MoreJerry Koosman, who got final out in Miracle Mets’ World Series win, dies at 83
NEW YORK (AP)- Jerry Koosman, an All-Star left-hander who got the final out of the Miracle Mets' shocking 1969 World Series victory over the Baltimore Orioles, died Sunday. He was 83. Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz said Koosman had been sick for about a year and died of multiple illnesses in Osceola, Wisconsin, surrounded by his children. Koosman jumping onto catcher Jerry Grote as they hugged on the Shea Stadium mound after the final out of the World Series remains an iconic image in baseball history. The Mets had never finished with a winning record before 1969. "We were so choked up with emotion we couldn't talk," Koosman was quoted as saying in Peter Golenbock's 2002 book, "Amazin': The Miraculous History ... Read MoreRavens’ Lamar Jackson needs thumb surgery, will be placed on IR
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.(AP)- Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will undergo surgery on his injured right thumb and will be placed on injured reserve, coach Jesse Minter said after a 36-10 loss at the Buffalo Bills. Asked if this was a season-ending injury, Minter replied, "Potentially, but we'll see where it's at." Minter declined to provide any details about Jackson's injury and whether the thumb is dislocated or broken. After missing the last three games with a high left ankle sprain, Jackson hurt his thumb on his first snap Sunday. While throwing a pass, Jackson had his right hand struck by the hand of Bills outside linebacker Greg Rousseau, who was attempting to knock down the throw. Jackson walked off the ... Read MoreThe criticism mounts for Brian Schottenheimer as the Cowboys keep finding ways to lose
FRISCO — Owner Jerry Jones and quarterback Dak Prescott tried to shield coach Brian Schottenheimer from mounting criticism after the Dallas Cowboys again failed to put together consecutive victories. The latest loss was the most crushing of Schottenheimer's season-plus in charge, since the Cowboys matched the biggest blown fourth-quarter lead in franchise history at 14 points in Arizona's 33-30 overtime victory, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Questions about Schottenheimer's job security had already come up this season. Now, they've lost to backup quarterbacks twice — Gardner Minshew's huge rally for the Cardinals coming after the previous home loss was against undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels for then-winless Tampa Bay in his second career start. Dallas (3-5), which visits Indianapolis (2-6) ... Read MoreDallas Cowboys Cheerleaders unionize for collective bargaining with team
DALLAS, Texas (KETK) – The Dallas Cowboys put out a joint press release with the newly formed Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association on Friday, recognizing the group as the cheerleaders’ union representative for collective bargaining. “After meaningful discussion between the Cowboys organization and the newly formed Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association (DCCA) regarding their request for recognition, the Cowboys and DCCA are pleased to announce the Cowboys organization has agreed to recognize the DCCA as the collective bargaining representative for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders,” the Dallas Cowboys and the DCCA said on Friday. Friday’s announcement means the Cowboys will voluntarily deal with the DCCA union for future contract negotiations with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, one of the most well-known cheerleading squads in ... Read MoreTop of page
