Panthers release ex-Pro Bowl WR before playoffs
The Carolina Panthers took the unusual step of releasing a former Pro Bowl wide receiver on the eve of the playoffs.
The Panthers cut wide receiver Hunter Renfrow on Tuesday, according to multiple reports. They made the move in order to add wide receiver David Moore to the 53-man roster.
Renfrow, 30, was attempting to make a comeback after missing the entire 2024 season due to an autoimmune condition. He had 15 catches for 89 yards this season, including two touchdowns, both of which came in Week 2. He had not played in a game since Oct. 12.
Normally, teams are not trying to cut ex-Pro Bowl picks right before the playoffs, and Moore only played in one game all season. Despite that, the Panthers are clearly prioritizing the veteran receiver for the postseason. How much of a part he has to play remains to be seen, but he was clearly always going to be ahead of Renfrow on the depth chart.
Presumably, Renfrow will continue his comeback attempt. He is a former 1,000-yard receiver who was selected to a Pro Bowl as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021, but injuries and his illness have prevented him from ever being able to match those efforts in the years since.
Falcons take step toward moving on from Kirk Cousins
The Atlanta Falcons may finally be moving toward a divorce from quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Cousins and the Falcons agreed to a restructured contract that will pay out his guarantee of $67.9 million for the 2027 season on March 13, according to Field Yates of ESPN. That essentially sets a deadline for the Falcons to make a decision on Cousins, and sets him up for a release.
Cousins’ base salary for 2026 has also been reduced in context with that agreement. The Falcons could subsequently designate Cousins as a post-June 1 release, allowing them to spread his dead cap hit over two years.
Cousins’ previous contract was essentially immovable. While he will still receive all the money he was guaranteed, the Falcons have moved the deadlines around so they can essentially get rid of him without taking on an absurd cap hit.
The Falcons signed Cousins to a 4-year, $180 million contract prior to the 2024 season, only to use a top-10 pick on Michael Penix Jr. a month later. Cousins had lost his job by the end of that campaign, but his salary forced the Falcons to keep him as a well-paid backup this year.
Because of an injury to Penix, Cousins wound up starting eight games for Atlanta in 2025. He threw for 1,721 yards with 10 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, with the team going 5-3 in his starts.
It remains to be seen how much interest Cousins gets even with his salary no longer an issue. There were some who believed the 37-year-old just isn’t a reliable starting option anymore at this stage of his career.
Kliff Kingsbury makes surprising decision about his future
Kliff Kingsbury is officially on the market.
Kingsbury and the Washington Commanders mutually agreed to part ways on Tuesday, according to multiple reports. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Kingsbury wants to pursue other opportunities, and left despite the strong endorsement of quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Quinn and Kingsbury met about the future/direction of the offense. The result: Kingsbury is out, despite a strong endorsement from Jayden Daniels. https://t.co/vcJTtAsdkr
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 6, 2026
NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reported, perhaps not coincidentally, that Kingsbury is likely to interview for the New York Giants’ and Tennessee Titans’ head coaching jobs.
Sources say Kliff Kingsbury is expected to interview with the #Giants and #Titans — among others — for their open HC positions. https://t.co/AGa8IcV4zz
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 6, 2026
Kingsbury’s stock was incredibly high a year ago after he was credited with helping Daniels win Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2024. There were even rumors that he turned down a head coaching opportunity to keep working in Washington. The unit severely regressed in 2025, though a large part of that was down to Daniels missing much of the season due to injury.
Even if Kingsbury fails to land a head coaching job, he should have no problem catching on somewhere else as an offensive coordinator. His work with Daniels has been rightly praised, and he has head coaching experience with the Arizona Cardinals.
Kevin Durant took shot at Suns after his game-winning shot
Kevin Durant did not hold back with his thoughts about beating the Phoenix Suns on Monday night.
The Houston Rockets beat the Suns 100-97 at Toyota Center in Houston, Tex. on Monday, with Durant hitting a tiebreaking three-pointer with 1.1 seconds remaining on the clock. It was Durant’s second time facing the Suns since they traded him to Houston during the offseason.
Durant did not try to disguise how pleased he was with the outcome after the game, and that he had played with “a little chip on (his) shoulder.”
“A place that I didn’t want to leave, to be kicked out of a place and felt like I’ve been scapegoated for the issues we had as a team last year, yeah, it felt good to beat them and hit a game-winning shot,” Durant admitted. “But that’s all it is. It’s for the moment. Tomorrow I won’t even think about it.”
"To be kicked out of a place and… scapegoated… yeah it felt good to beat them."
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 6, 2026
KD was brutally honest after his game winning shot to beat Phoenix
(via @HoustonRockets) pic.twitter.com/NDlzz0UzJd
Durant’s Suns tenure was a disappointment, culminating in a 36-46 season last year that ultimately led Phoenix to break up their core. Durant averaged 26.8 points per game during his Suns tenure, but he was criticized for the team’s inability to break through, and the organization did not exactly give him a warm farewell when he was dealt.
Ultimately, the Durant deal seems to be working for all involved. The Rockets are 22-11 with Durant leading the way, while the Suns have turned things around with a 21-15 start. Durant is not holding that much of a grudge, it seems, but he definitely has not forgotten.
Shedeur Sanders reveals immediate offseason plan
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders has wrapped up his rookie NFL campaign, and it’s now time for him to look forward to a vacation.
On Monday, the former Colorado Buffaloes star QB revealed one of his early plans in the offseason, which involves some unfinished Christmas business with his brother, Shilo Sanders.
“First and foremost, I have to go see Shilo! ” Sanders told reporters, via Ashly Holder of Cleveland 19 News.
“I heard he has some Christmas gifts for me. Then be with the family, then get back to work.”
Unlike Shedeur, Shilo hasn’t been busy with football for quite some time now. Shilo went undrafted in 2025 and was later signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, he was among the players waived by the Buccaneers during final roster cuts and has not signed with an NFL team since.
As for Shedeur, he made eight appearances under center for the Browns in 2025, including seven starts. His future as Cleveland’s QB1 remains unclear, with Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel still on the roster, though he could make a strong case during the next training camp.
For now, what is important for Shedeur is getting those long-overdue Christmas gifts from Shilo.
In his first season in the pros, Sanders passed for 1,400 yards and 7 touchdowns against 10 interceptions on a 56.6% completion rate.
Video shows Mike Tomlin’s message before Tyler Loop’s missed FG
Songs may already have been written about the epic conclusion of Sunday night’s AFC North title decider between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa.
The football world is still abuzz about Ravens kicker Tyler Loop’s unbelievable missed kick that doomed the Ravens and their hopes to go to the NFL playoffs. Moments before that, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin reminded his defense not to let the game come down to Loop’s legs, as heard from a video shared on Monday by NFL Films.
“The field goal kicker is 1 for 4 from plus 50, but we still can’t be f***ing around. We’ve got to win this early,” Tomlin told T.J. Watt and company before both teams took the field for the game’s final drive.
Game 272 lived up to the hype 🍿@InsideTheNFL | @Steelers pic.twitter.com/GUEaoRzuGQ
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) January 5, 2026
The Ravens managed to thwart Pittsburgh’s defense enough to give Loop a chance to win the game on a 44-yard kick, but his attempt went wide right, giving Pittsburgh the 26-24 victory and a ticket to the postseason.
If anything, Tomlin fed his team with the right scouting report on Loop, who was indeed 1-of-4 on the season from 50-plus yards but also entered the game with a perfect 29-of-29 line from kicks taken under 50 yards.
The Steelers now prepare for an AFC Wild Card Round matchup against the Houston Texans in the same venue where they ended the Ravens’ playoff dreams.
Stephen Curry had honest reaction to Steve Kerr’s outburst
Golden State Warriors superstar point guard Stephen Curry did not like the way their game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., was officiated, especially in the fourth quarter.
But no one showed more bitterness toward the officiating than Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who was tossed after losng his cool with the refs.
Kerr was enraged by what he—and many others—felt was a missed goaltending call on Clippers forward John Collins during a crucial stretch in the final period, and assistants had to hold him back before he was ejected.
On an earlier play, Curry’s floater didn’t earn a continuation, as Collins’ foul was ruled non-shooting.
Curry believed those decisions affected the flow of the game against the Warriors’ favor.
“Two crazy calls in a row that you feel like can dictate the momentum of a game,” Curry said after the contest, via Sam Gordon of the San Francisco Chronicle.
The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player also gave Kerr his flowers for standing up for the team.
“Doesn’t mean a win or a loss, it just dictates the momentum. I love that fired-up Steve for sure. Somebody had to do it tonight.”
Curry has been in the league long enough to understand how momentum shifts in key moments can decide a game, and Monday’s showdown against Los Angeles was another example that unfortunately came at the Warriors’ expense.
Golden State trailed the Clippers by 12 points at the start of the fourth quarter, but made a spirited comeback bid that threatened Los Angeles. Ultimately, the Clippers avoided a complete collapse as they came away with a 103-102 victory.
Jonathan Quick loses it after collision with Mammoth player
New York Rangers veteran netminder Jonathan Quick blew his fuse during an unexpected appearance between the pipes on Monday against the Utah Mammoth at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y.
Quick, who subbed in for injured starter Igor Shesterkin, had a collision in front of the net with Mammoth forward Daniil But early in the second period. But was trying to control the puck but lost his balance and collided with Quick.
The impact caused the net to come loose, as Quick immediately got up and angrily went after But. Quick shoved the Mammoth skater before Rangers defenseman Urho Vaakanainen wrapped his arms around But and took him away from the goalie.
You can watch the entire sequence here:
Daniil But runs into Jonathan Quick and Quick GOES AFTER HIM 🫣 pic.twitter.com/zdKeQAzXwM
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) January 6, 2026
Before play resumed, But was slapped with a goalie interference penalty, while the three-time Stanley Cup champion Quick was hit with roughing, which was served by Rangers center Jonny Brodzinski.
The 39-year-old Quick wasn’t supposed to see action against the Mammoth, but he was called on to patrol the crease after Shesterkin left in the first period with an apparent lower-body injury.
Ultimately, the Rangers fell prey to Utah via overtime, 3-2. Quick couldn’t take care of a 2-1 lead in the second period, as he allowed a game-tying goal in the third frame to forward Michael Carcone and the game-winning goal in overtime to defenseman Sean Durzi.
Fans all react the same way to John Tavares’ video message to Auston Matthews
Toronto Maple Leafs star forward John Tavares probably needed an energy drink instead of beers when he delivered a congratulatory message for his teammate, Auston Matthews.
Tavares shared a video on social media on Monday, showing him behind rows of Budweisers while congratulating Matthews for becoming the franchise’s new all-time leader in goals scored.
Congratulations @AM34 on setting the all-time goal record for Toronto. What an accomplishment. It’s an honour to have been a part of the journey so far and excited for what’s to come. Thank you to Mats Sundin and @budweisercanada for the special delivery to celebrate Auston’s… pic.twitter.com/XNhlhVGnT1
— John Tavares (@91Tavares) January 5, 2026
Many fans, however, felt Tavares lacked a little bit of enthusiasm in delivering his message to Matthews.
Careful John.
— Matthew Cann (@Matthew_Cann) January 5, 2026
Don't show too much emotion.
😅
Tone it down, no need for all this fanfare and emotion
— The Drunk Sage (@TheDrunkSage) January 5, 2026
Holy bot
— Long Island BUM (@strongislandbum) January 6, 2026
Wow such emotion. You two have won so much together .
— Ryan Terrill (@Terrill1012) January 5, 2026
— Islander Bob (@Islander_Bob) January 6, 2026
This is the most excited I've ever seen Johnny get.
— Buzzkill Larry (@LIGMALarry1) January 5, 2026
Perhaps the same could be said about Tavares’ performance in Toronto’s loss to his former team, the New York Islanders, on Saturday at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y., where Matthews also set the record.
While Matthews scored two goals in that contest to surpass Hockey Hall of Famer Mats Sundin for the franchise record, Tavares had zero points in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Isles.
Matthews now has 421 career goals in the NHL, all scored with the Maple Leafs, who took him first overall in the 2016 NHL Draft. On the season, he has 20 goals and 13 assists for 33 points for Toronto, which is still trying to catch up in the Atlantic Metropolitan Division standings.
The 19-15-7 Maple Leafs will look to bounce back on Tuesday against the reigning Stanley Cup champions Florida Panthers at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario.
Knicks player reveals clear reason for choosing NBA over Europe
New York Knicks power forward Guerschon Yabusele is an afterthought buried on the team’s frontcourt depth chart.
He’s a mere insurance behind the likes of Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson and OG Anunoby, but he’s not really after big minutes on the floor. He understands his role and, most especially, the practical reason that is fueling his desire to stay a member of a team in the NBA.
“If you play three years in the NBA, you get a lifetime pension. After four seasons, medical expenses are covered for life,” Yabusele said in an interview with a French YouTuber and as translated by BasketNews.
“And after five years, the medical coverage is extended to the entire family. I want to play for five years here in the NBA so that my family can benefit from that lifetime care. You never know what can happen in life.”
The 30-year-old Yabusele could have just played in Europe and enjoyed a more prominent role on the court, but it is obviously hard for him to say no to the NBA, given the said benefits.
According to Spotrac, Yabusele has earned over $16 million in his NBA career through 2025. Even after taxes and other deductions, that kind of money could set someone up for life, but Yabusele has his own plans.
Yabusele was selected in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics, but he played in China and in the NBA Development League first before making his NBA debut in the 2017-18 campaign. His tenure with Boston ended when the team waived him in the summer of 2019.
Yabusele continued his pro career in China, France and Spain before deciding to make an NBA comeback in 2024, signing a 1-year, $2.08 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. In July of 2025, he inked a 2-year, $11.28 million deal with the Knicks.
Given that his main goal is to play five years at least in the NBA, Yabusele can be expected to pick up his player option for the 2026-27 NBA season.
Snoop Dogg had hilarious call of Steve Kerr getting ejected
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr gave Snoop Dogg the perfect moment to flex his late-career renaissance as an announcer.
NBC brought on Snoop Dogg as a guest announcer for the Warriors’ game Monday against the Los Angeles Clippers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. Kerr allowed the California-based rapper to show off his commentating chops with the Warriors trailing 81-74 midway through the fourth quarter.
Kerr was livid after Clippers forward John Collins got away with a blatant goaltend on a Gary Payton II layup attempt on the previous possession. Kerr berated the officials and had to be held back by Payton and lead assistant Kenny Atkinson before he was ejected from the contest.
Snoop was on the mic for the entire ordeal.
“Uh oh! Steve’s going to get thrown out!” Snoop said. “Get him out of there! Get him out of there! Back him up, back him up, G.P. Back him up! Steve’s ready to fire on him. Steve’s backing Inglewood right now. Inglewood! Get him, Steve! You’re in Inglewood, Steve! The Arizona Wildcat came out.”
Snoop Dogg on the call for Steve Kerr's ejection:pic.twitter.com/PGyHp3fwUV
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) January 6, 2026
It was almost as if Kerr were a paid actor to give Snoop Dogg something fun to call. Kerr was assessed two technical fouls during the incident, leading to his ejection. Atkinson took over as acting head coach.
Snoop Dogg has had a surprising crossover into sports and commentary over the last few years. He most notably served as a correspondent for NBC during the Paris Olympics and earned himself quite the payout in the process.
Snoop clearly did not have the usual cadence of an experienced color commentary announcer on Monday, oftentimes talking over his broadcast booth partners, Terry Gannon and Reggie Miller. But his unpredictability on the mic was part of what makes his broadcast stints interesting, to say the least.
While fans likely found the moment amusing, Kerr surely didn’t feel the same way. Golden State lost 103-102 without their head coach, whose waning confidence in the team has some Warriors fans calling for a change.
Tom Izzo berates former Michigan State star and has him ejected from game against USC
Tom Izzo was not messing around Monday when one of his former Michigan State stars was being an unruly member of the crowd.
The Spartans hosted the USC Trojans during the annual Izzone Alumni Night at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich. Several ex-Spartans attended the event in honor of Izzo, who has served as the team’s head coach for over three decades.
Former Spartans center Paul Davis was among those present for tip-off. But he wasn’t there to hear the final buzzer sound on the Spartans’ dominant 80-51 win over the Trojans. Davis was ejected from the building at around the six-minute mark of the second half, with Izzo himself screaming at the towering 41-year-old to scram.
“What the f–k are you doing? Get out of here!” Izzo shouted at Davis.
Odd moment in Michigan State-USC. After being consulted by the referee, it appears Tom Izzo asks former Spartan, Paul Davis, to leave his seat. pic.twitter.com/rix9qIyEnd
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) January 6, 2026
At one point, Izzo glared at Davis with his arms raised to his sides in disbelief, a moment that would have made legendary Spartan King Leonidas proud.
As a parting gesture to his former coach, Davis stood up and put his hands on his chest before leaving his seat. Izzo noted during his postgame press conference that Davis had said something to an official that “should never” be said.
“What he said, he should never say anywhere in the world,” Izzo told reporters, via Detroit Free Press’ Chris Solari. “And that ticked me off. Just because it’s 25 years later, I’m gonna have to tell him what I thought of it.”
Izzo later clarified that what Davis said had no racial or sexual undertones, but was still worthy of having him tossed.
Davis played for Izzo from 2002 to 2006, serving as Michigan State’s full-time starting center beginning in his sophomore season. Davis averaged 13.2 points and 7.0 rebounds across 130 career games played.
Davis played alongside fellow Spartan standouts Maurice Ager, Shannon Brown, and Alan Anderson. All four went on to play in the NBA.
Former NFL All-Pro is considering retirement at age 29
One former All-Pro selection may be calling an early end to his football career.
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward revealed to reporters on Monday that he is considering retirement, per James Boyd of The Athletic. Ward noted the multiple concussions that he suffered this season and added that his father wants him to retire.
Still only 29 years old, Ward entered the league as an undrafted rookie in 2018 and spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs. He won Super Bowl LIV with them in the 2019 season and also made headlines for taunting some of the NFL’s best receivers.
Ward then signed with the San Francisco 49ers in free agency, earning both Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in 2023. After two seasons in San Francisco, Ward went on to sign a three-year, $54 million contract with the Colts before the 2025 season.
But Ward’s debut season for the Colts was marred by those concussion problems. He suffered three different concussions over the course of the year, resulting in just seven total games played. One of Ward’s particularly brutal concussions came in October when he collided with a teammate in warmups while he wasn’t wearing a helmet (see the video here).
While Ward still has two years left under his contract with Indianapolis, he also dealt with a heartbreaking tragedy in his personal life a little while back. Now Ward is thinking about giving up football altogether and retiring from the NFL before his 30th birthday.
Fred VanVleet makes surprising claim about his injury return date
Fred VanVleet turned heads among Houston Rockets fans with a recent update on his recovery from a torn ACL.
The veteran guard tore his ACL a month before the start of the 2025-26 regular season. With the injury happening so close to the campaign, the natural assumption was that VanVleet would surely be out until next season.
While that may still be what happens, VanVleet has not closed the door on a stunning return late this season. VanVleet gave an update on his injury timeline this week on an episode of his “Unguarded” podcast.
“Yes, it is possible that I can return this season,” VanVleet told his co-host, Marquez Beeks. “Doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. And I also don’t give a f–k. I would change my mind a hundred times between now and then.
“So, to be clear, I am doing my rehab every day with the goal in mind to return this season. But that does not mean that is what’s going to happen.”
Once upon a time, a torn ACL or torn Achilles meant a full calendar year of recovery for most professional athletes with the injuries considered unequivocally season-ending. Thanks to advancements in medical care, players are beginning to challenge the previously ironclad timelines set by these injuries.
Miami Heat guard Dru Smith tore his Achilles tendon in December 2024, a year after tearing his ACL. He returned nine months later and continues to be part of the Heat’s backcourt rotation.
The rumblings on Jayson Tatum’s swift return from his own torn Achilles continue to get louder with every workout video he posts on social media. With the Boston Celtics remaining competitive sans Tatum, speculation remains that he could return as early as this month.
But even if VanVleet follows a similar expedited rehab for his torn ACL, a return this season may be wishful thinking. Even if he were to return as late as the first round of the playoffs, that puts his rehab time at an astounding seven months.
The Rockets sorely need VanVleet’s steady play at the point guard spot, but it’s hard to imagine the team and player risking further injury with a premature return to play.
Even if VanVleet doesn’t return, the silver lining for Rockets fans is that his recovery must be going extremely well for him to even consider playing this season.
Thunder get the memes after stunningly being blown out by Hornets
The 2015-16 Golden State Warriors appear to be safe for at least another year.
The Oklahoma City Thunder shockingly got destroyed at home by the lowly Charlotte Hornets on Monday night. They fell by an ugly final score of 124-97 on their home floor at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla.
It was Brandon Miller who led the way for Charlotte with 28 points while rookie phenom Kon Knueppel added 23 of his own. On the other side, reigning MVP guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder had a hapless night shooting the basketball going just 7/21 for a quiet 21 points.
As a result of the stunning blowout, the Thunder were hit with all of the memes over social media. Take a look.
"Best team in NBA history" getting belt from the CHARLOTTE HORNETS… pic.twitter.com/MJFd8g3FL1
— The Sage (@TheBBallSage) January 6, 2026
OKC went from ‘16 Warriors and ‘96 bulls talks to getting blown out by the hornets at home pic.twitter.com/oWwkMLoEB4
— (@CallMeRanbob) January 6, 2026
Kon Knueppel is doing the Thunder like this in Oklahoma City right now this rookie class has truly saved basketball pic.twitter.com/6KPtT2TR1k
— Jake! (@JakeAndBall) January 6, 2026
OKC I’m afraid its over pic.twitter.com/o8briXiaUQ
— Smiley (@30GotNext) January 6, 2026
the hornets had to remind the okc thunder who the REAL reigning champs are pic.twitter.com/LE50S0x3OY
— TotallyNotAlex (@TotallyNoAlex) January 6, 2026
On Dec. 10, the Thunder were a blistering 24-1 and were very much in the conversation to shatter the single-season NBA record of 73 wins set by those 15-16 Warriors. But since then, Oklahoma City has gone a very underwhelming 6-6, all but ensuring that they won’t come anywhere even close to the record.
The way that the Thunder having been losing all of these games recently has been pretty remarkable too. The San Antonio Spurs just beat them three times in the span of 12 days, and Oklahoma City also just lost their previous game to the Phoenix Suns on a ridiculous game-winner by Devin Booker.
3 new teams linked to disgruntled Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga
Jonathan Kuminga is getting more potential outs ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
The Golden State Warriors forward Kuminga has three new rival teams that are showing interest in him, Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo! Sports reported on Monday. Those three teams are the New Orleans Pelicans, the Washington Wizards, and the Portland Trail Blazers.
Kuminga, still only 23 years old, re-signed with the Warriors on a two-year, $46.8 million deal this past offseason (with a club option in the second year). The resolution came after a tense and lengthy offseason stalemate between the two sides.
But many of the same issues that have plagued Kuminga throughout his time in Golden State have recurred again this season. The ex-NBA champion Kuminga has experienced another round of his well-documented tension with Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and is now effectively a healthy scratch from the Warriors’ rotation, having not played at all since Dec. 18.
Over the offseason, one particular team in the Western Conference was linked most heavily to Kuminga. But now Kuminga is drawing interest from the Pelicans, Wizards, and Blazers, three sub-.500 teams who are presumably eyeing Kuminga as a young rebuilding piece.
Because of his spotty playing time this season, Kuminga is only averaging 11.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists through 24.8 minutes per contest. But with exactly one month to go until the NBA trade deadline, it appears that Kuminga’s market is really starting to expand here.
Fans claim Mike Tirico put the greatest announcer jinx ever on Ravens kicker Tyler Loop
Several fans believe Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop was cursed the moment Mike Tirico propped him up as a crunch-time performer.
Loop missed one of the most impactful field goal attempts in regular-season history on Sunday, ending the Ravens’ season when the team was a successful kick away from clinching a postseason berth. The missed kick occurred moments after Tirico gave fans insight into Loop, whom the Ravens had chosen to replace franchise icon Justin Tucker.
“The Ravens, of course, had Justin Tucker for so long,” Tirico said just seconds before the final snap. “The most accurate kicker in the history of the league.
“… They went around the country and spoke to a lot of the kickers who were coming out, and they decided Tyler Loop was made of the right stuff for moments like this. He now has a chance to win the division for the Ravens. The final play of the regular season, for the final spot in the playoffs.”
Mike Tirico called an incredible game, but the setup to the missed field goal was special. Elevated an already cinematic moment. pic.twitter.com/QYMR2uJx1t
— Joon Lee (@joonlee) January 5, 2026
Loop, of course, was not “made of the right stuff” like Tirico’s anecdote suggested. Some fans were adamant that Tirico’s words doomed Loop. Many called Tirico’s call one of the greatest announcer jinxes ever.
That might very well be the biggest announcer jinx I’ve ever seen😂
— Parker Dunn (@parkerdunn18) January 5, 2026
Tirico just had the greatest announcer Jinx I’ve ever seen
— Tanner (@TannerT27) January 5, 2026
Tirico with an all time announcer jinx lmaoooo
— Nathan Rieger (@rnscott12) January 5, 2026
Announcer jinx of the century by Mike Tirico
— Benjamin Hodge ✟ (@benjaminwhodge) January 5, 2026
Whether or not you believe in jinxes, it’s hard to argue against Tirico having a magnificent call on the play. Loop was a relative unknown to most casual fans, who may have believed it was Tucker about to trot out there had they just tuned in for the final few moments.
Tirico gave fans insight into Loop while simultaneously raising the stakes. Was Loop truly made of “the right stuff,” or were the Ravens completely wrong with their scouting report on the Arizona alum? The kick veering wide right gave the world the answer.
Giannis Antetokounmpo fires back at Nikola Vucevic in an online post
Giannis Antetokounmpo found the perfect opportunity to get his revenge against Nikola Vucevic.
The Milwaukee Bucks star Antetokounmpo caused a stir during a game last month against Vucevic and the Chicago Bulls. In the closing seconds of the contest at United Center in Chicago, Ill., Antetokounmpo, despite the Bucks already leading big at the time, decided to showboat with a windmill dunk before the final buzzer (video here).
That really ticked off the Bulls big man Vucevic. Immediately after Antetokounmpo’s dunk, Vucevic went over to confront him. Then in his postgame interview, Vucevic suggested that Antetokounmpo was angry about a recent report claiming that the Bulls did not want to trade for him.
Then during Chicago’s game against the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, Charlotte star guard LaMelo Ball also showboated with a late dunk in the final seconds as the Hornets were already up by double digits. As a result, Vucevic decided to confront Ball too.
FULL MOMENT: LaMelo Ball dunks with 10 secs left in game and Nikola Vucevic was heated AGAIN pic.twitter.com/Mf1BeoqLOw
— NBAbzy (@nbabzyy) January 4, 2026
That whole spectacle was clearly very amusing to Antetokounmpo. Commenting on an Instagram post about the Ball-Vucevic incident, Antetokounmpo jokingly wrote, “The bulls didn’t want to trade for Melo either.”
Giannis trolling Nikola Vucevic pic.twitter.com/igAcD32PlY
— Jason Squilliams (@JasonSquilliams) January 6, 2026
The Bucks and the Bulls are Central Division rivals, and they obviously do not like each other one bit. Meanwhile, Antetokounmpo himself also has a longstanding grudge against Chicago, which dates back more than a decade now.
Bryce Underwood makes decision on his future
Sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood has made a decision on where he plans to play next season.
Amid speculation that Underwood could move to a different program, the 18-year-old quarterback shared that he is returning to Michigan for his second season. Underwood announced the news on different social media platforms with a post of himself in a Michigan uniform.
“Runnit back,” Underwood captioned his post on Instagram.
— Bryce Jay Underwood (@BryceUnderwoo16) January 6, 2026
Underwood, the No. 1 recruit of the 2025 class, had initially committed to LSU before high-profile Michigan boosters gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Between the ongoing scandal at Michigan and Underwood’s lackluster first season, it’s no surprise that Underwood was recently linked to LSU once again. But the Wolverines were able to fend off any suitors to keep their prized QB.
The next step for Underwood is to prove that he’s actually worthy of all the NIL money and fanfare. The Michigan native largely underperformed in his first season of college football.
In 13 games this season, Underwood threw for 2,428 yards with 11 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Michigan went 9-4 with Underwood starting every game of the 2025 campaign.
Underwood also withered in his first taste of the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry in a November 29 matchup, which the Wolverines lost 27-9. He went 8/18 for 63 yards and an interception in the contest. It was Michigan’s first in the historic series since 2019, prompting complaints from some of the program’s boosters.
Karl-Anthony Towns gets ruthlessly trolled by the Pistons during game
The Detroit Pistons are very familiar with Karl-Anthony Towns’ reputation.
Detroit hosted the rival New York Knicks on Monday at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Mich. During a timeout in the second quarter, the Pistons’ cheerleaders were entertaining the crowd.
As the cheerleaders finished their routine, a voice came over the P.A. saying in a dramatic voice, “AFTER ALL THAT?” Here is the video.
na why they trolling Kat like this pic.twitter.com/BufTWSoUsQ
— (@MindOfBron) January 6, 2026
That was a ruthless reference to a viral video of the New York Knicks big man Towns. During a video game stream a couple of years ago, Towns was telling a story and notoriously said, “After all that?” in a high-pitched tone.
Fans have jokingly accused Towns of being “zesty” due to his mannerisms and his seemingly flamboyant style of speaking. Comedian Shane Gillis even dropped a “zesty” joke at Towns’ expense during last year’s ESPYs.
Meanwhile, the Pistons obviously have no love lost for the Knicks whatsoever. After snapping a six-year playoff drought last season, they ended up losing to the Knicks in the very first round. Thus, Detroit is clearly happy to get in their shots at the Knicks (and their players) wherever they can.
