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Stephen A. Smith branded as ‘fake’ Knicks fan after he ditched Game 1 for different event

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Stephen A. Smith was spotted at a marquee event on Saturday, but it wasn’t the New York Knicks’ postseason opener.

The ESPN personality was seen at Day 1 of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev. Smith got booed heavily by the tens of thousands of WWE fans in attendance.

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Smith received heavy scrutiny from hoops fans, too. Several folks called out Smith, a vocal Knicks fan, for choosing to attend WrestleMania instead of Game 1 of New York’s first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden. Many used words such as “phony” and “fake” to describe his Knicks fandom.

It’s not the first time Smith’s mental investment in the game of basketball has been questioned. The ESPN host got clowned last playoffs for getting caught playing solitaire instead of watching live action during the 2025 NBA Finals.

If the man can’t be bothered to watch the pinnacle of the sport, it’s not surprising to see him miss the first of likely several Knicks home games in the 2026 postseason.

Perhaps Smith is still reeling from being called a “part-time Knicks fan” Josh Hart, who must have felt vindicated not seeing Smith on the sidelines for their 113-102 win over the Hawks.

Salvador Perez had a blunt response to Royals manager after benching

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Salvador Perez made his thoughts very clear about Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro’s reasoning for giving the veteran catcher a day off on Saturday.

Perez was not in the Royals’ lineup for Saturday’s game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York, N.Y., with Quatraro acknowledging the backstop’s struggles.

“Just looking at the way things have gone, he’s played in every game. Day game after night game, Carter was going to catch today, and Salvy’s been struggling a little bit. Just try to give him a little mental breather,” Quatraro said, via Anne Rogers of MLB.com.

Instead, the Royals gave Carter Jensen the start at catcher.

Several hours later, Perez shared a post on X, addressing Quatraro’s claim.

“I don’t need a mental breather,” the nine-time All-Star Perez wrote.

Quatraro’s decision came after Perez’s batting line dropped to .160/.210/.307 following a 0-for-4 performance with two strikeouts in Friday’s 4-2 loss to the Yankees in the series opener.

Perez clearly doesn’t like getting benched, but it could be for the better, given how bad he’s been hitting so far in the 2026 MLB season. 

If anything, he has a .161 BABIP, suggesting better days ahead for the former World Series champion.

But after Jensen went 2-for-3 with a home run on Saturday, albeit in a 13-4 loss to New York, it will be interesting to see if Perez continues to be benched in favor of Jensen, at least for the series finale on Sunday.

College baseball game had the most anti-climactic ending after 21 innings

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Imagine playing an intense 21 innings of college baseball only for it to end with a whimper. That’s what happened on Saturday in a Division I college baseball game between Northern Colorado and St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn.

Northern Colorado beat St. Thomas on a bases-loaded, walk-off balk with two outs in the bottom of the 21st inning. Check out the anti-climactic game-ending moment below.

Some fans assumed that the pitcher must have done it on purpose to end the marathon of a game with fatigue setting in. But the contest had actually started on Friday at noon and was postponed after 10 innings due to daylight. The players were virtually playing a whole new ballgame with a day’s rest in between.

The mistake was just a brain fart that burned St. Thomas, which dropped to 6-24 in the Summit League. Northern Colorado improved to 8-29.

The contest was tied for just the eighth-longest game in Division I history. The game featured 33 strikeouts, 27 walks, and an ill-timed balk that took away all the drama.

Knicks fans disrespect Trae Young with vulgar chants during playoff game

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Trae Young is still a hated man in Gotham. 

New York Knicks fans made sure to let Young know how they feel about him during a game he wasn’t even a part of, as vulgar chants targeted at the Washington Wizards guard reverberated late in Saturday’s game between New York and the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y.

Young was traded by the Hawks to the Wizards in January, apparently taking his villainous aura with him in the eyes of Knicks supporters. It’s clear that, regardless of where Young’s career takes him, he will always be the Joker to New York’s Batman. He even caught a stray from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Thursday, who blamed him for the high cost of MSG tickets for playoff games.

In a way, this has become some sort of Knicks’ version of the “Dennis Potvin sucks” chants by New York Rangers fans, but it remains to be seen whether this will have the same longevity.

Either way, there’s a good chance it’s not the last time we’ll hear such chants from the New York crowd in the series, with Game 2 of the Hawks-Knicks series scheduled to take place at the Garden on Monday.

Giants send Dexter Lawrence to AFC team in blockbuster trade

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Dexter Lawrence’s time with the New York Giants is over.

In a bombshell move less than a week before the 2026 NFL Draft, the Giants decided to send the veteran defensive tackle to the Cincinnati Bengals. In return, the Giants are getting a high pick in the upcoming draft, via Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.

This trade ends the offseason drama between Lawrence and the Giants, who selected the former Clemson Tigers star in the first round (17th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. The two sides were at an impasse in discussions over a potential contract extension, with Lawrence demanding a trade.

It did not take long for New York to grant him his wish, and in the process, the team got a high pick for its bold move. 

As it stands, New York now has two top-10 picks in the 2026 draft, including its own at the No. 5 spot of the order.

The three-time Pro Bowler Lawrence signed a 4-year,  $87.5 million contract extension with the Giants in 2023, but that deal is already out of guaranteed money. Now, he will begin a new chapter in his football journey, not just with another team but in a different conference.

The 28-year-old Lawrence recorded 30.5 sacks with 341 combined tackles and 1 interception in 109 games (102 starts) during his Giants tenure. He joins the Bengals’ stop unit that could use his presence on the defensive line after losing Trey Hendrickson in the offseason.

Video: CJ McCollum hit with a technical foul after a painful shot at Jalen Brunson

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The intensity always shoots up whenever it’s the playoffs, and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson felt that in one of the most painful ways.

While challenging a jumper by Hawks guard CJ McCollum in the second half of Saturday’s playoff series opener between the Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y., Brunson got hit in the groin by McCollum’s right leg.

Brunson immediately went down in clear pain after the contact, and McCollum was later slapped with a technical foul after review.

Here’s a look at that play.

Brunson spent several minutes trying to shake off the pain. Fortunately for the Knicks, he was able to stay in the game and continue, as New York looks to set the tone in the series.

The former Villanova Wildcats star Brunson is always going to be a big target for opposing defenses, especially in the playoffs. The Hawks couldn’t contain him in the first quarter, where he scored 19 points, the most ever in an opening period of a playoff game by a Knicks player in the play-by-play era, according to ESPN Insights.

McCollum is also an integral part of Atlanta, and he will have to keep it together for the rest of the game, as another technical foul would result in an automatic ejection.

Brady Tkachuk, Jordan Staal tried to knock each other out right after opening faceoff

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It didn’t take long before sparks flew in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, with Brady Tkachuk and Jordan Staal providing the fireworks right from the opening game of the NHL postseason.

Tkachuk and Staal dropped the gloves just seconds into Game 1 of the first-round matchup between the Ottawa Senators and the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C.

The two team captains did not hold back, with Tkachuk landing multiple blows early on. Staal managed to stay upright before connecting with a counterpunch that threw Tkachuk off balance, as officials stepped in to separate the two.

Here’s a video of that wild fight to start things off in the playoffs.

Staal appears to have won that fight, though there’s also something to be said about Tkachuk’s volume punching.

But the most telling blows during the game were the goals scored by Carolina forwards Logan Stankoven and Taylor Hall. Stankoven broke a scoreless tie in the second period, while Hall added an insurance goal in the third frame, as the Hurricanes picked up a 2-0 win for a 1-0 lead in the series. Meanwhile, Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen earned first-star honors for turning away all 22 shots on goal from Ottawa.

Game 2 will be on Monday at the same venue.

Surprising news emerges about Kevin Durant’s injury

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The Houston Rockets are suddenly dealing with an injury to Kevin Durant for the start of the NBA Playoffs.

Durant will not play in Saturday’s Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals due to a knee injury, coach Ime Udoka revealed. The team is optimistic that Durant will only have to miss one game due to the injury.

Udoka added that Durant is only dealing with soreness and has undergone testing. Reports indicated that the injury happened in practice on Wednesday when he accidentally bumped knees with a teammate.

Durant popped up on the injury report Friday without warning with a knee contusion. The abrupt injury issue was concerning, but few expected Durant to actually miss a game because of it.

Even a one-game absence for Durant will help even the score against the Lakers, who have been absolutely battered by injuries. The Rockets appear confident that he will be fine, but they have to be hoping this does not turn out to be something that lingers.

Durant, 37, was extremely durable this season. He averaged 26 points per game and had missed only four games all year before Saturday.

Minor leaguer throws his bat at pitcher after getting hit in head

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A Boston Red Sox minor leaguer decided to fight fire with fire after he was drilled in the helmet by an errant pitch during Friday’s game.

Worcester Red Sox outfielder Braiden Ward was struck in the helmet by Nashville Sounds pitcher Tate Kuehner during Friday’s game at First Horizon Park in Nashville, Tenn. during the top of the second inning. Ward responded by immediately throwing his bat at Kuehner, who put both hands up as if to signify that he hadn’t been trying to hit Ward.

Naturally, both benches cleared, though the situation did not escalate any further. Ward was ejected from the game, while Kuehner was not.

Ward’s reaction may have been one of growing frustration over the frequency of his plunkings. Remarkably, this was the eighth time this season in just 15 games that Ward has been hit by a pitch. Then again, this is nothing new for Ward, who was hit a staggering 19 times last year and 34 times the year before that.

Ward, 27, is a former 16th round pick. This is his first season in the Red Sox organization, having previously been in the Colorado Rockies’ farm system.

Fernando Mendoza’s brother appears likely to win QB1 role

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Alberto Mendoza, the younger brother of Fernando, appears to be making quite the impression at his new school.

Mendoza appears to be the clear leader for the starting quarterback job at Georgia Tech after the conclusion of spring ball. Mendoza, a transfer from Indiana, earned praise for his development and leadership from coach Brent Key.

“I can’t predict the future, but if we started a game today, he would be the guy,” Key said, via Kelly Quinlan of On3. “It is pretty simple.”

Georgia Tech is hoping to capture the same magic Indiana did with Mendoza’s older brother after getting him to commit in January. He played sparingly for the Hoosiers last year, completing 18/24 passes with five touchdowns and an interception in nine appearances. He was only a three-star recruit, but his stock has no doubt risen from his time at Indiana.

Alberto has some big shoes to fill, as the new quarterback will be tasked with replacing ACC Player of the Year Haynes King. If he comes anywhere close to doing what his older brother did at Indiana, the Yellow Jackets will be thrilled.

Anthony Edwards had a curious reaction to Timberwolves’ loss

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Minnesota Timberwolves forward Anthony Edwards was caught reacting in an unusual way to his team’s Game 1 loss to the Denver Nuggets.

Edwards appeared to be visibly laughing on the bench during a timeout with 52 seconds left in the Nuggets’ 116-105 win in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals at Ball Arena in Denver, Co. Minnesota had just fallen behind by 11, putting the game effectively out of reach.

As is usually the case with something like this, Edwards’ reaction was divisive. Some saw it as him grinning in anticipation of the comeback he would put together for Game 2. Others thought it was inappropriate. While the game was not a total blowout, it’s generally considered poor form to react that way during a defeat.

Edwards had a rather poor shooting night in Game 1. While he led the team with 22 points, he only shot 2/9 from three and was a -3 overall.

This is still a better reaction than the one Edwards showed during a loss late last year. It helps that the series has a long way to go, though the Timberwolves are going to have to be better than they were on Sunday.

Everyone said the same thing about Jaden McDaniels shoving Nikola Jokic

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Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels may have made some powerful enemies during his team’s playoff opener on Saturday.

McDaniels needlessly shoved Nikola Jokic in the back late in the third quarter of Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals at Ball Arena in Denver, Co. Jokic and the rest of the Denver Nuggets understandably took offense to the shove and confronted McDaniels.

Analysts Candace Parker and Dwyane Wade spoke for most of those watching by pointing out that McDaniels was risking trouble — not with Jokic, but with his brothers.

“I don’t know if that’s a fight he really wants to pick,” Parker said of McDaniels. “Have you seen Joker and his brothers?”

“His brothers are around here somewhere. I bet you security went right to his brothers,” Wade concurred.

Jokic’s brothers come up every time the MVP gets threatened. They infamously called out Marcus Morris in a well-publicized 2021 incident, and they come up again virtually every time Jokic gets into a confrontation with somebody. The fact that the actual game announcers referenced it immediately is an indicator of just how infamous they are.

The incident passed without any further flare-ups. Still, McDaniels might want to watch his back for a little while.

Zay Flowers blamed John Harbaugh for Ravens’ injuries

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers thinks John Harbaugh’s physical practices had something to do with the team’s injuries.

In an appearance on “4th and South,” Flowers said Harbaugh’s full pad practices were too punishing for the Ravens, and they contributed to late-season injuries.

“Full pads, all the time,” Flowers said. “However many practices in pads you can get, every single one. We’re doing one-on-ones Week 17. Everybody out there’s tired. Low-key, there were a lot of injuries because of how we practiced.”

Flowers seemingly suggests that the practices themselves did not necessarily cause the injuries, but they caused the players to wear down late in the season. Notably, Flowers himself suffered a knee injury late in the 2024 season, and Harbaugh was blamed for not resting the wide receiver in what was a meaningless Week 18 game.

Flowers expressed optimism that new head coach Jesse Minter might be a bit more forgiving in the practice department. It’s possible that these concerns were shared internally, and it might have been a reason the Ravens chose to move on from Harbaugh at the end of last season. That decision surprised many, but it simply might have been time for a change.

Devin Booker brutally dismissed his confrontation with Draymond Green

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Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker had the perfect way of dismissing his late-game spat with Draymond Green during Friday’s play-in game.

Both Booker and Green were ejected late in the Suns’ 111-96 win over the Golden State Warriors at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Az. Booker seemingly objected to a hard foul by Green, prompting a confrontation that the officials quickly put an end to by tossing both.

Booker brushed off the interaction after the game. In fact, he compared Green to the little brother who throws a fit after losing at a video game.

“It’s nothing, man. I’ve been there before and I understand the situation,” Booker said. “My big brother used to beat me in ‘NBA Live’ back in the day and I’d throw a fit. He’s a competitor. He loves the sport. He wants to be in those environments.”

Booker was not trying to disrespect Green, but the little brother comparison certainly feels like a slight.

Ultimately, Booker has no reason to be upset. His team is heading for the playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder, even though he had a modest night by his standards with 20 points. Green’s thoughts probably won’t matter much to him.

Parachuter gets caught on scoreboard at Virginia Tech spring game

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Virginia Tech’s spring game got off to an inauspicious start on Saturday when one of the parachuters taking part in a pregame stunt got caught on the scoreboard.

Photos and video quickly emerged from Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va. showing one of the parachuters, who had flown in carrying an American flag, stuck on the large videoboard. A gust of wind seemingly blew him off his path, and his parachute promptly got caught on the edge of the scoreboard.

The start of the spring game was briefly delayed, as a ladder truck had to be brought in to get the guy down. It actually took two trucks to do successfully, as the first one did not have a tall enough ladder.

In a statement, the school confirmed that the skydiver had been “safely secured and is currently stable.”

There is some newfound excitement around Virginia Tech football this year stemming from James Franklin’s arrival as the new coach. Franklin has to be hoping this is not a harbinger of things to come.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s latest comments have Heat fans excited

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The Miami Heat will be encouraged by some comments Giannis Antetokounmpo made in a recent podcast appearance.

The Milwaukee Bucks star guested on “Gogi’s Garage” and was asked whether he preferred Miami or Los Angeles as a vacation destination. Antetokounmpo did not hesitate, and even threw some shade toward L.A.

“Miami. L.A. is superficial. I don’t like L.A.,” Antetokounmpo said.

Lakers fans will not love hearing this. The team supposedly made a push for Antetokounmpo at the trade deadline, and might look into acquiring him again this summer.

The Heat, in contrast, are viewed as a strong possibility and a team likely to pursue Antetokounmpo assuming the Bucks accept that they have to trade him. The two sides have some checkered history, but that would probably be long forgotten if Pat Riley could somehow pull off a megadeal.

It appears that the question is when, not if Antetokounmpo will be traded at this point. His relationship with the Bucks appears strained beyond repair, so expect any of his public comments to be scrutinized for potential clues about preferred destinations.

Dillon Brooks takes shot at Thunder ahead of their playoff series

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Dillon Brooks took almost no time after knocking off the Golden State Warriors to set his sights on the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Appearing on Prime’s “Nightcap” show, Brooks was asked by host Taylor Rooks about the importance of defending well without fouling against the Thunder. Brooks proceeded to put the Thunder — and perhaps the officials who work the series — on notice.

“There are a lot of foul-baiters on that team, so we’ve got to show our hands. I hope it’s the real playoffs. Show your hands,” Brooks said.

It’s safe to assume that Brooks is at least somewhat referring to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander here, who has a reputation around the league as one of the best foul-baiters in the game. Brooks evidently thinks he’s not the only one, but he is certainly the most prominent. SGA, meanwhile, thinks the free throw narrative caught on among fans because their teams are usually losing to the Thunder.

There’s no doubt that officials are aware of Gilgeous-Alexander’s reputation. Brooks does not really need to put it in their heads, but he is putting it out there anyway.

Steve Kerr’s message to Steph Curry, Draymond Green has been revealed

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Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr huddled with Steph Curry and Draymond Green in the waning moments of the team’s 111-96 play-in loss to the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Az. Now we know the message he delivered to his two longest-tenured players.

Kerr was wearing a microphone for the game, and Prime played part of what he told Curry and Green. His message was a simple one amid the uncertainty over his future.

“I don’t know what’s gonna happen next, but I love you guys to death,” Kerr said.

Kerr’s contract expires this summer and there is no guarantee he will be back with the team next season. He indicated that he plans to take some time for himself before sitting down with the organization to make a final decision on his future. There does appear to be an opening for him to return, but not everything has been perfect behind the scenes.

Whether Kerr returns or not, Friday’s defeat felt like the end of an era for Golden State. They may try to add another star and make one more run at a title, but it does appear to be a dynasty in decline.

WrestleMania 42 predictions for Night 1

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In Las Vegas, it is always recommended to double down on your bets. That is exactly what WWE did by bringing their annual spectacle back to the city that never sleeps. Without further ado, here are my Night 1 predictions for WrestleMania 2026, scheduled for April 18, 2026 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

6-Man Tag Team Match: The Vision (Logan Paul & Austin Theory) and IShowSpeed (with Paul Heyman) vs. The Usos (Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso) and LA Knight

This match screams “WrestleMania spectacle!” Logan Paul has proven to be a big-match performer, Austin Theory brings elite athleticism, and IShowSpeed — a celebrity YouTuber wrestling in his first official match — adds mainstream appeal and draws a broader audience. This is pure entertainment, the kind of WrestleMania-coded match that will have ESPN audiences tuning in. (Reminder: The first two matches of WrestleMania will be broadcast on ESPN networks.)

Winner: The Usos & LA Knight

Unsanctioned Match: Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu

Jacob Fatu, the Samoan Werewolf, is the wild card in this matchup. If WWE wants to elevate him into the main event scene, this is the perfect opportunity to do so. Both men desperately need this win, with the victor likely becoming the No. 1 contender for either the WWE Championship or World Heavyweight Championship. Drew McIntyre should control the pace with his size, striking power, and ring IQ. However, Fatu’s unpredictability and explosive offense could swing the momentum in dramatic fashion.

Winner: Jacob Fatu

Women’s Intercontinental Championship Match: AJ Lee (c) vs. Becky Lynch

AJ Lee brings her crafty, opportunistic style against “The Man” Becky Lynch on the biggest stage. This rivalry has been building, and it’s time for AJ to face fresh competition upon her return. Becky Lynch is at a point in her career where she doesn’t necessarily need the Women’s world title. The Intercontinental Championship, however, feels like a perfect fit as she continues to flourish in this division.

Winner: Becky Lynch – New Women’s Intercontinental Champion

Fatal Four-Way Tag Team Match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship

The Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax & Lash Legend) (c)
vs.
Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss
vs.
Bayley & Lyra Valkyria
vs.
The Bella Twins (Brie Bella & Nikki Bella)

Nia Jax and Lash Legend have been a dominant force on “SmackDown.” They’ll defend their titles against three strong teams in a chaotic fatal four-way that should showcase the depth of the women’s tag team division. The Hall of Fame duo, the Bella Twins, recently reunited and are looking to capture the titles for the first time in their legendary careers. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss will be looking to regain the championships, while Bayley and Lyra Valkyria aim to make a statement with a strong performance.

Winner: The Bella Twins – New WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions

Seth Rollins vs. Gunther

This should be a brutal clash of styles: Seth Rollins’ speed and quickness versus Gunther’s punishing, methodical offense. Rollins is coming off an injury, and you can expect him to rally with big counters and near falls. However, Gunther’s sheer physical dominance will likely overwhelm him in the end. If WWE wants to establish Gunther as the next big heel, this is the match to do it.

Winner: Gunther via submission

Women’s World Championship Match Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Liv Morgan

In my opinion, this will be the most physical matchup of Night 1. The build has been intense from the start. After winning the 2026 Royal Rumble, Liv Morgan has been on a mean streak. Both women have elevated the intensity. Expect a fast-paced, hard-hitting match where Morgan uses her explosive energy to stay in the fight, while Vaquer relies on sharper technique and a more methodical approach. Vaquer has been a great champion, but WWE appears ready to position Liv Morgan as the new face of the women’s division.

Winner: Liv Morgan – New Women’s World Champion

Undisputed WWE Championship Match (Main Event) Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Randy Orton (with Pat McAfee)

Night 1’s main event capitalizes on the historic student vs. teacher rivalry. Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton were once faction mates in Legacy, but Pat McAfee’s surprising involvement has left fans puzzled. While many WWE fans aren’t thrilled about McAfee’s role in the main event, his mainstream appeal (especially with ESPN streaming the event) adds extra eyes. Orton remains a bonafide main eventer looking to add to his historic resume. Look for Orton to seize the moment, possibly with the patented Punt Kick. There’s even talk of Jelly Roll getting involved, as he’s been featured in recent WWE programming.

Winner: Randy Orton – New Undisputed WWE Champion

LaVar Ball urges Hornets to sign his sons

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LaVar Ball is back after the Charlotte Hornets’ elimination from the NBA Play-In Tournament, and he has an idea to help the team realize its ambitions.

In a new video, Ball urges the Hornets to sign Lonzo and Gelo to pair with LaMelo, citing their “unmatched” chemistry. He also criticized Hornets coach Charles Lee for giving up on the team’s 121-90 loss to Orlando too soon.

“If you want to go to the playoffs, three Balls are better than one,” LaVar said. “I’m trying to explain to you all, I have to keep telling you, if you want to go far you got to get all the Ball boys. The chemistry and the speed of the game is unmatched. You’ve got to be a heck of a coach to coach Melo. He’s a killer. You know what you do with a killer? You leave him in until the end. Don’t take him out till them suckers hit zero. And let it be known, he’s still trying to win. He could be down 40, down 50, it don’t matter.

“That coach give up a little too early for me. I’m trying to tell you all. Now you got something to talk about. The big baller is trying to give you a recipe on how to be a champion. But if the head folks don’t want to make their move and get all the Ball boys in Charlotte, I’m trying to tell you yes, in the best chemistry playing their speed game.”

It’s been a while since LaVar was making outlandish claims like this about his sons. Perhaps he was spurred into action after hearing some of the criticism LaMelo was subjected to this week. He might have just sensed the opportunity to grab some headlines, as indicated by him saying he was giving everyone “something to talk about.”

The Hornets obviously will not be signing all three Ball brothers. Gelo Ball is officially retired from playing and has embarked on a music career. They could theoretically bring in Lonzo, but he did not make much of an impression in a reserve role with the Cleveland Cavaliers this season.

Ultimately, this is more of the same from the Ball family patriarch, and most of his previous comments have aged terribly. Don’t expect these to be taken seriously by the Hornets or anyone else.

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