Why Kevin Durant’s game-winning shot sparked memories of Jordan for members of the ’89 Bulls

PHOENIX — The comparison surfaced not long after Kevin Durant finished off the Chicago Bulls on Monday. In the final seconds, the Phoenix Suns forward buried a double-pump, did-he-just-do-that jumper to give the Suns a 115-113 win. WATCHING ON REPLAY ALL NIGHT LONG! pic.twitter.com/EEw60HC8Uf — Phoenix Suns (@Suns) January 23, 2024 If you thought Durant’s …

Mike Macdonald lets the Ravens defense do his talking

If Mike Macdonald’s ascent to one of the NFL’s hottest coordinators and a legitimate head-coaching candidate feels meteoric, that’s probably because he has never embraced the art of self-promotion. The 36-year-old second-year Baltimore Ravens defensive boss has consented to side media interviews in recent weeks largely because he wants to tout the chemistry and cohesion …

Where are all the January transfers in the Premier League?

The rumour mill is still. The gossip columns are sparse. The Sky Sports News totaliser sits dormant. Fabrizio Romano seems to be tweeting more about deals that aren’t happening than ones that are. The Athletic has given David Ornstein the month off (just kidding: we would never let him have any time off). This has …

Language barriers, culture shock and isolation: How the NHL’s loneliest players cope

Alexandre Carrier looked over at the stone-faced new guy to his left on the Gatineau Olympiques bench and noticed that he had another teammate’s stick in his hands. Ever the helpful sort, Carrier politely pointed out Yakov Trenin’s mistake. Trenin turned his head, stared at Carrier for a moment, and responded. “Yes.” Confused but also …

‘Don’t move … improve’: Can L.A.’s newest star revive a storied women’s basketball program?

LOS ANGELES — JuJu Watkins’ hands didn’t feel quite right. They were tingling in a way that seemed unnatural, and when she looked down at them, though they were physically there (all 10 fingers — check; perfectly manicured nails — check) they didn’t feel like her hands. Not the hands that made her the No. …

Lions are winning playoff games and changing perceptions of what they can accomplish

DETROIT — There’s an oft-shared experience among those who’ve played for the Detroit Lions. A rite of passage, really. You’re told you won’t win anything. That this franchise is known for losing. Players know it all too well and have heard it all too often. “‘Oh, you guys are no good. You guys aren’t gonna …

Nick Dunlap wins American Express, first amateur to win on PGA Tour since 1991

Nick Dunlap made PGA Tour history Sunday, becoming the first amateur in 33 years to win on tour by claiming The American Express in La Quinta, Calif. He trailed five-time tour winner and Ryder Cup vet Sam Burns on the back nine before rallying over the final three holes to finish 29-under. Here’s what you …

Why white home uniforms — once an NBA mainstay — have disappeared

Every August, after the NBA releases its schedule for the upcoming season, Michael McCullough, the Miami Heat’s chief marketing officer, thinks about the next 82 games. He not only considers ticket sales and promotions but also sets a meeting with the team’s equipment manager and focuses on an essential part of his job: uniforms. Laying …

Alexander Zverev keeps winning. But nobody wants to talk about his domestic abuse trial

This is getting awkward.  Alexander Zverev, the German tennis star set to face trial in May on a domestic abuse charge, keeps dicing with elimination from the Australian Open, which would save the sport from a subject that no one wants to talk about. Then the world No 6 staves off defeat, escaping tight tiebreakers …

Super Bowl 2024 odds: 49ers still favorite with Ravens close behind entering championship weekend

The NFL is down to its final four teams, and the San Francisco 49ers (+145) remain favorites to win Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas. After narrowly escaping with a win against the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round, the 49ers host the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship game next week. The 49ers …