Anthony Davis, out for the past five weeks with a sprained MCL in his left knee, will not play in Sunday’s game against the Miami Heat, coach Frank Vogel said.
On Saturday, Davis was upgraded to questionable was considered a game-time decision.
Sunday will be the 17th game Davis has missed since the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Jaden McDaniels collided with the Lakers All-Star’s knee.
Davis was averaging 23.3 points on 52.1% shooting, 9.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.2 steals this season prior to the injury. His jump shot, however, had been off. Davis is shooting just 60-for-185 (32%) on shots outside the paint this season, according to NBA.com.
Davis has used the rehabilitation to work on not only his knee but his shot mechanics as well, sources told ESPN.
Davis had been eyeing the Lakers’ six-game road trip to return, as ESPN reported last week, and his presence could certainly help his team that has absorbed reports about Frank Vogel’s job security and Russell Westbrook’s role in his absence.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Grayson Allen has become the NBA’s public enemy No. 1 after his antics resulted in Chicago Bulls fan-favorite guard Alex Caruso sustaining a fractured wrist. After receiving waves upon waves of backlash from fans across the NBA, Allen has finally commented on the incident that occurred between him and Caruso.
Allen addressed the situation via his own Discord channel, offering an explanation for his actions and his antics in the aftermath of Caruso’s injury:
Grayson Allen Explanation
Allen links to his Discord via his Instagram account, verifying that this is the former Duke product’s official Discord channel.
Click here for our Risk Free $1000 Bet!
*To claim, new users need to register, make a first deposit, and then simply place their first real-money wager on FanDuel Sportsbook up to $1000! If a user loses their first wager, we’ll refund their loses in the form of a free-bet up to $1000!*
Within the channel, the Bucks guard responded to a tweet from Richard Jefferson, offering his side of the now-infamous incident which led to Caruso’s wrist injury:
Grayson Allen giggling after receiving a flagrant 2 and being ejected seems pretty on brand for him.
— Richard Jefferson (@Rjeff24) January 22, 2022
“Also to this point. I stood at half court watching till he got up till see if he was okay. Then when I was back by our bench a teammate made a joke and I laughed. I wasn’t laughing at the foul,” Allen said in response to Jefferson’s tweet. “It was very unfortunate how it played out. I jumped to block it with my left and as I’m spinning went to grab the ball with my right hand not throw him down. It was a really hard fall and I’m glad he’s okay. If I could do the play over again knowing he’d fall like that I wouldn’t make the play.”
Allen is attempting to clear the air to his fans regarding what, in his eyes, truly transpired between him and Caruso. The controversial Duke product denied laughing at Caruso, suggesting a Bucks teammate had made a joke at the time he was seen snickering.
Caruso is expected to miss up to two months after undergoing surgery on the injured wrist. He will be reevaluated in 6-8 weeks.
John Stockton’s latest pass has cost him his Gonzaga season tickets.
The Hall of Fame point guard and Gonzaga alum had his basketball season tickets suspended after declining to comply with the school’s mask mandate at McCarthey Athletic Center, according to The Spokesman-Review.
“Basically, it came down to, they were asking me to wear a mask to the games and being a public figure, someone a little bit more visible, I stuck out in the crowd a little bit,” Stockton, 59, told the newspaper. “And therefore they received complaints and felt like from whatever the higher-ups – those weren’t discussed, but from whatever it was higher up – they were going to have to either ask me to wear a mask or they were going to suspend my tickets.”
The NBA’s all-time assists leader has been vocal in his anti-vaccination beliefs while also spreading misinformation about COVID-19. He baselessly claimed in his interview with The Spokesman-Review that professional athletes have been dying from the vaccine. There is no evidence COVID vaccines are causing deaths.
“I think it’s highly recorded now, there’s 150 I believe now, it’s over 100 professional athletes dead – professional athletes – the prime of their life, dropping dead that are vaccinated, right on the pitch, right on the field, right on the court,” Stockton told the paper.
John Stockton in the stands at a Gonzaga game in 2016.AP
Stockton described his conversation about the decision with Gonzaga athletic director Chris Standiford as “congenial” but “not pleasant.”
For entry to its home athletic events, Gonzaga requires proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within the last 72 hours. But the school has also recently become stricter in enforcing the mask mandate, The Spokesman-Review reported, which led to Stockton having his season tickets suspended.
Top-ranked Gonzaga only has five home games left on its schedule this season, but Stockton, who played at Gonzaga from 1980-84, will be forced to watch them from afar.
John Stockton, a Gonzaga alum and Jazz legend, is the NBA’s all-time assist leader.AFP via Getty Images
“I think certainly it stresses (the relationship with Gonzaga). I’m pretty connected to the school,” said Stockton, a Spokane, Wash. native. “I’ve been part of this campus since I was probably 5 or 6 years old. I was just born a couple blocks away and sneaking into the gym and selling programs to get into games since I was a small boy. So, it’s strained but not broken, and I’m sure we’ll get through it, but it’s not without some conflict.”
Tom Brady’s quick release allows him to escape pressure from defenses.Credit…Mark Lomoglio/Associated Press
Few N.F.L. quarterbacks were better than Tom Brady at getting the ball out quickly this season. In the Buccaneers’ wild-card win over the Eagles, Brady took 2.17 seconds on average to release the ball, which is the fastest mark recorded by any quarterback this season, according to N.F.L. Next Gen Stats.
Operating on quick, short passes allowed the Buccaneers’ offense to thrive against an Eagles defense that was effective in the regular season at limiting big plays. That offensive approach could also have been a product of injuries to some of Tampa Bay’s deep-threat playmakers, including receiver Chris Godwin, who tore an anterior cruciate ligament in late December.
Protection up front also became a concern as two of Tampa Bay’s offensive linemen — tackle Tristan Wirfs and center Ryan Jensen — both injured an ankle in the game, and Philadelphia sacked Brady four times. Wirfs and Jensen are listed as questionable for Sunday’s divisional round game, though Jensen seems likely to play.
The Buccaneers will face a Rams defense that can get to opposing quarterbacks, with the dynamic pass rusher Von Miller flying off the edge and the reigning defensive player of the year, Aaron Donald, lurking in the interior. The pair helped Los Angeles finish the regular season with 50 sacks, ranked third, despite being middle of the pack in quarterback pressures.
In their only meeting this season, in Week 3, Brady was sacked three times in the Buccaneers’ 34-24 loss.
Tampa Bay Coach Bruce Arians told reporters this week that Brady’s ability to get the ball out under pressure helps against a defense that is so good at tagging the quarterback, but the Buccaneers can’t simply rely on the short passing game.
“You still have to take some shots down the field,” Arians said. “Everything is not going to be dink and dunk.”
Today is a travel day for me, so we will save the recaps and analysis for Monday and the rest of the week. Marc had his grades from the 49ers win last night.
Let’s take a moment to breathe. The 49ers won a playoff game without scoring an offensive touchdown. I’m sure somebody has a stat on this, but I’d bet good money that hasn’t happened more than twice in the 2000s.
San Francisco is a mix of the team destined to make it to the Super Bowl and a team that’s a pain in the you know what other teams can’t seem to put away. That’s a great mix.
The Los Angeles Rams are on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday. The Niners will travel to face the winner. My question to you is who would you rather face? The storyline with the Rams is played out, boring, and doesn’t really move the needle.
“Will the 49ers beat the Rams for the seventh time in a row?” We’d hear about that all week. And while I think San Francisco would win once again because the Rams can’t block them, I’d rather not play a team three times in a row, especially twice in the span of three weeks.
Now, Tampa Bay? That would be fun. The “Tom Brady wanted to play for San Francisco” would get annoying after one day, but the matchups and storylines in that would make for great theater.
You can’t run on the Bucs, while Kyle Shanahan’s offense is predicated on running the ball. Brady versus up and coming superstar DeMeco Ryans, who Fred Warner called one of the most brilliant minds he’s been around during his postgame interview Saturday night.
Richard Sherman revenge game! Gronk and Kittle, the list goes on and on. Unfamiliar opponents make for better TV, in my opinion.
DraftKings had lookahead lines for both potential outcomes yesterday. The 49ers were 3-point underdogs in both instances, though that could change based on how the games go today. So, who would you rather face?
Poll
Who do you want to see the 49ers play in the NFC Championship?
The postseason adventures will continue for the Bengals and their favorite fans.
Following Cincinnati’s stunning divisional-round win Saturday against Tennessee, the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff race, Olivia Holzmacher, the longtime girlfriend of quarterback Joe Burrow, got the celebrations started in Nashville.
Olivia Holzmacher (right) celebrates the Bengals’ playoff win Saturday against the Titans.InstagramOlivia Holzmacher (center) in Nashville with Morgan Mead (right) and Yasmin Quintana (left) on Saturday for the Bengals-Titans game. Instagram/Morgan Mead
“Who dey!” Holzmacher exclaimed in an Instagram Story as she and Morgan Mead, the fiancée of Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson, hit the streets of the Music City.
In a separate post, Mead wrote, “We’re leaving Nashville winner winner chicken dinners!!!!”
The Bengals have been making history throughout the postseason, beginning last week when they snapped a 31-year playoff victory drought after defeating the Raiders in the wild-card round. Saturday’s 19-16 win against the Titans marks the first time the team has won on the road in the postseason.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and girlfriend Olivia HolzmacherInstagram/Olivia Holzmacher
“We’re here to make some noise, and teams are going to have to pay attention to us,” Burrow said Saturday.
The first-overall pick in 2020, Burrow — who has been linked to Holzmacher since 2017 — completed 28 of 37 passes Saturday for 348 yards with zero touchdowns and one interception. He was also sacked nine times throughout the game.
“That’s a really, really good team. Unbelievable defensive line,” Burrow said. “They had a great plan on defense. Credit to them, we found a way at the end.”
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow throws a pass during Saturday’s game against the Titans.Getty Images
Bengals rookie Evan McPherson kicked a 52-yard field goal as time expired, punching Cincinnati’s ticket to next week’s AFC Championship game.
The Bengals will now face the winner of Sunday’s showdown between the Chiefs and Bills.
Almost as soon as Robbie Gould’s kick hit the netting at the end of regulation on Saturday night to eliminate the Packers from the playoffs and send the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game, the focus in Green Bay and across the NFL shifted toward Aaron Rodgers and his future in Green Bay.
There’s no hiding that Rodgers may have played his last game as a member of the Packers, the team that selected him in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Last year, he nearly struck a divorce with organization, but elected to return for a potential “Last Dance” sort of run that both sides hoped would result in a Super Bowl. However, this early exit now sparks questions about what will be next for the MVP favorite.
“I’m gonna take some time and have conversations with the folks around here, and then take some time away and make a decision — obviously before free agency.” Rodgers said postgame. “… It’s fresh right now. It’s a little shocking for sure. Was hoping to have a nice week after the NFC Championship to enjoy the lead up [to the Super Bowl] and start contemplating some things, so I haven’t even let the moment sink in yet.”
Contractually, Rodgers is still under the Packers’ control through next season, but if he decides he wants to play elsewhere the team could look to trade him. By moving on from Rodgers — who has a $46.4 million cap hit in 2022 — Green Bay would clear roughly $20 million off its salary cap, albeit by moving on from an all-time player.
“Certainly, we want him back here” said head coach Matt LaFleur of Rodgers. “We’d be crazy to not want him back here. He’s going to be the two-time MVP. This guy does so much for our football team. Not only what you guys see on Sundays or every game day, but what he does in that locker room and how he leads. I know what he puts into this thing and I’m certainly extremely disappointed that we couldn’t get over the hump for not only him, but for everybody in that locker room.”
Rodgers noted that he still feels like he can play at an elite level, which does factor into his thought process when mulling potential retirement from the NFL. When asked if he would play for another team, he said: “It’s tough to say at this point. … I don’t think it’s fair to anybody or myself to really go down those paths at this point.”
While Rodgers may not want to make any rash decisions off the heels of a stunning playoff exit, soon enough the rubber will need to meet the road with the quarterback deciding what the next chapter of his NFL career will be.
The 2021 Titans won the AFC South for a second straight year, captured more victories than any conference contender except for the Chiefs and enjoyed a first-round bye as the No. 1 seed, only to fall flat in their Saturday night playoff debut, losing 19-16 to the upstart Bengals in Tennessee. And quarterback Ryan Tannehill, the catalyst of the team’s transformation to contender a few years ago, was the chief culprit of the Titans’ postseason disappointment for the second time in as many years.
A year after he and the Titans mustered just 13 points in a wild card loss to the Ravens, Tannehill saved one of his worst games of a mistake-riddled 2021 for the biggest spotlight, throwing three picks — his most since a four-interception outing in November — and struggling to capitalize on Tennessee’s historic defensive showing, including a playoff-record nine sacks. His first pick came on the very first play of the game, helping Cincinnati take an early advantage, and his second marked his fourth red-zone INT of the season, leading all NFL QBs.
Tannehill’s career remains a triumph, going from Dolphins castoff to Comeback Player of the Year. And his total body of work in Tennessee is that of a top 10 QB: Thirty wins in 43 starts, 76 touchdowns to just 27 interceptions, a 102 passer rating. His contract — a four-year, $118 million deal that runs through 2023 — pays him like the NFL’s 11th-best signal-caller, which is about right.
But Tannehill is also 0-3 in his last three playoff starts as the Titans QB. He’s chiefly responsible for their last two defeats, despite owning home-field advantage. In each of Tennessee’s two playoff wins with Tannehill, by the way, the QB didn’t throw more than 15 passes. He shouldn’t necessarily be docked for leaning on Pro Bowl teammates like Derrick Henry, but then there’s the 2021 season as well: even with Henry, D’Onta Foreman or Dontrell Hilliard powering the run game, Tannehill endured steep regression, totaling 18 turnovers — fourth-most among all QBs — compared to just 21 TDs in 17 games.
While Titans fans should be grateful for how the veteran has helped turn the franchise around, they wouldn’t be out of line to wonder if Tennessee would benefit from exploring alternatives at QB this offseason. If the team can’t trust Tannehill to get the club over the hump with home playoff games or No. 1 seeds, after all, isn’t a reevaluation the least they can do? That’s not even accounting for the QB’s massive $38.6M cap hit in 2022, which will make him the fifth-highest-paid QB in the league.
This isn’t quite a Carson Wentz situation, with which the rival Colts are wrestling. Tannehill has proven over several years he can offer top 10 production and deliver playoff berths. But much like Wentz, who was traded by the Eagles after a single bad year overshadowed at least three prior seasons of promise, Tannehill will rightly be judged at least partly on his recent results (or lack thereof). Did injuries to his supporting cast contribute to 2021 struggles? Sure. Has he earned the Titans’ unquestioned commitment going into 2022, considering their championship aspirations? That’s more complicated.
But what, exactly, are the team’s options, if any? Let’s explore:
Could the Titans move on from Tannehill if they wanted to?
Yes, but it wouldn’t be easy. The Titans still owe Tannehill $29M in guaranteed money, and they can’t release him without losing almost $20M off the bat. They could designate him a post-June 1 release, but even that wouldn’t save them any money. The feasible path to a split involves a trade, which would save the Titans an instant $10.2M, not to mention $17.8M in 2023. The catch there is Tennessee would need a partner willing to absorb the final two years of Tannehill’s contract.
Would there even be a trade market for Tannehill?
Oh sure. Again, this isn’t as dire a situation as the Wentz dilemma in Indy. While Tannehill may be quite dependent on the Titans’ run-first setup, he’s got nine years of starting experience, proving himself at least average and, at best, top 10 material. Teams like the Broncos, Panthers, Saints, Seahawks and Washington could easily be interested.
But should the Titans even try to move on from Tannehill?
That’s the real question with every team that employs a QB in his tier of good-but-not-necessarily-great passers. So if the alternative is … Derek Carr? Jimmy Garoppolo? Kirk Cousins? … then the answer is probably no. Working hard to avoid cap charges just to cut Tannehill (or get a couple of picks in a trade) and then add one of those veterans feels like straining yourself for the sake of change. But — and this is a big, conversation-changing but — if an MVP type like Russell Wilson is the target, then why the heck not? Wilson, in particular, hails from a similar-minded old-school contender, and if the Titans are comfortable with the price, assuming he’s available, then you’ve got yourselves a reason to shop Tannehill.
What about getting Tannehill to take a pay cut?
Sure, that’s possible, but there are two problems: 1.) He and his team aren’t going to be overly eager to do that, regardless of the playoff stinkers. For one, he just renegotiated his deal in 2021 to save the Titans money for the Julio Jones deal — which ended up boosting his own stock far less than expected. And then there’s the fact he’s still led the team to three straight playoff appearances. He’s not in danger of being cut outright, so he has the leverage. And then 2.) Getting Tannehill to reduce his own salary may help improve the roster, but it won’t solve the foundational concerns regarding his own presence as the starter.
So … what’s gonna happen?
In all likelihood, Tannehill will return for a fourth season with the Titans, and his third as the Week 1 starter. Tennessee would probably rather reinvest at other positions — like wide receiver, with or without Julio; and cornerback, where Jackrabbit Jenkins figures to be a cap casualty — before it resets the most important position on the roster. But don’t be surprised, in the meantime, if the Titans don’t at least pick up the phone and gauge the asking price for a guy like Russ.
While many were celebrating Francis Ngannou’s successful title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270, Dana White was nowhere to be found.
Following the UFC’s first PPV event of 2022, MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, Shaun Al-Shatti, Jose Youngs and Alexander K. Lee react to Ngannou’s future, whether or not Jon Jones could be in play, what White’s post-fight absence might mean, Deiveson Figueiredo regaining the flyweight title against Brandon Moreno and if a fourth straight meeting could happen, and more.
An audio-only version of the show can be streamed below and on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.
That’s what Saturday night looked, felt and sounded like at Lambeau Field.
It was definitely the end of a Packers season that looked like it had potential to end in the Super Bowl a few weeks from now.
Of much greater magnitude, though, the night very possibly marked the end for Aaron Rodgers.
This postseason was always going to be about legacy for the Packers quarterback, whose pedestrian playoff numbers have never been commensurate with his remarkable personal accomplishments, nor is the one Super Bowl ring he owns.
The Packers’ stunning 13-10 loss to the 49ers on the final play of this NFC divisional playoff game on a frigid and tense night put an abrupt end to Green Bay’s season and put the spotlight on the 38-year-old Rodgers’ future.
A year ago, after Rodgers and the Packers lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Buccaneers in the NFC Championship and Rodgers was asked about his future, he famously called it “a beautiful mystery,’’ igniting all sorts of speculation that bled into the entire offseason.
After the loss to the 49ers, against whom he and the Packers offense managed only three points after scoring a touchdown on the game’s opening possession, when Rodgers was asked about his future, he became very introspective and acknowledged that he might very well be finished.
Aaron RodgersUSA TODAY Sports
Rodgers said he felt a “little numb’’ at the loss, adding, “I didn’t think it was going to end like this.’’
Asked how he would describe his future after Saturday’s loss, Rodgers said, “I’m going to take some time and have conversations with the folks around here and take some time away. It’s fresh right now, a little shocking for sure. I thought we had a Super Bowl-caliber team. I haven’t really let the moment really sink in yet.’’
Rodgers, who finished the game 20-of-29 for 225 yards and no touchdowns, was done in by one of the worst special teams performances in postseason history.
The Packers had a 39-yard field goal on the final play of the first half that could have given them a 10-0 halftime lead blocked. They, too, had a punt blocked that was returned for a touchdown, tying the game at 10-10 with 4:41 remaining.
Still, though, Rodgers and the Packers got the ball back on their own 29-yard line with 4:36 remaining in a tie game. These are moments made for superstar quarterbacks like Rodgers. But he and the Green Bay offense went three-and-out, with Rodgers missing receiver Allen Lazard with a third-down pass he’ll forever want back.
That gave the ball to maligned San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo with 3:20 remaining and he would drive the 49ers into field goal range for Robbie Gould to finish Rodgers and the Packers off with a 45-yard dagger-through-the-heart game-winner as the clock bled to :00.
The great Aaron Rodgers, who’s now 0-4 in his career against the 49ers in the playoffs, lost to Jimmy Garoppolo. It’s going to take a lot longer for Packers fans to digest that than the brats they consumed in the pregame tailgates.
Asked how much personal responsibility he takes out of this loss, Rodgers, to his credit, didn’t run and hide. He took full accountability.
Aaron Rodgers is sacked by Arik Armstead during the Packers’ 13-10 loss to the 49ers.Getty Images
“A lot,’’ he said. “I didn’t have a great night. I definitely take my fair share of blame.’’
As Rodgers was peppered after the game with questions about his future, he spoke very much like someone who was saying “goodbye’’ to the place he’s called home for the past 17 NFL seasons.
He spoke a lot about the eventual changes that are certain to take place on the Green Bay roster, saying, “This thing is definitely going to look different moving forward. There a lot of decisions to come in the next couple months.’’
Then came this telling statement: “I don’t want to be a part a rebuild if I’m going to keep playing.’’
When he was asked what he believes his legacy is if this is it for him, this is when Rodgers sounded like this was an exit interview.
“It’s raw right now,’’ he said. “But I’m very proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish here, deeply thankful for so many years here and all the incredible teammates and coaches I’ve had. Man, so much gratitude for this city and this organization, such a long career here.’’
In his next breath, though, Rodgers left the door ajar for more.
“I still super-competitive,’’ he said. “I still know I can play at a high level, so it’s going to be a tough decision. A lot of people feeling shock. We didn’t expect this. But that’s life sometimes. Just got to keep on moving on.’’
The question that will linger until it doesn’t is this: Will Rodgers be moving on from a brilliant football career that feels like it left some valuables on the table?
