Sports News Daily

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)   The Indiana Pacers have already advanced much further in the playoffs than many people expected heading into the 2024-25 NBA season. Even if they blow their lead against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Pacers have earned praise from analysts and fans alike. The East is full of great teams with a lot of star power, including the Knicks, Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks, and the Pacers weren’t viewed as a roster that could compete with the best of them. However, they’ve rallied behind Tyrese Haliburton, who had an up-and-down regular season but has proven to be an emerging superstar in the playoffs. Former Pacers star Paul George spoke highly of Haliburton’s influence on a recent podcast, going as far as to call him “the face of the NBA,” via NBA Central. “He's the face of the NBA.” – Paul George on Tyrese Haliburton ( @PodcastPShow ) pic.twitter.com/ujG0FVGSaq — NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 29, ...

(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)   Qualifying and playing in the Olympic Games is something most people dream of. Competing against the best athletes in the world in one’s chosen sport can bring immediate glory to not just the athlete but to his or her country. Until recently, football players could only watch as international athletes starred in almost every major sport on the planet. That changed when the International Olympic Committee announced in 2023 that flag football would be added to the event during the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. Since the announcement, there has been much speculation regarding the possible inclusion of NFL players competing in the Games. Last week, the sports world got its answer when the NFL’s owners voted unanimously to allow its players to participate. Some in the media have compared the news to when the NBA allowed the Dream Team to compete in the 1992 Summer Olympics. Despite the opportunity, not all NFL players are intent ...

(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)   The Tennessee Titans entered the offseason with significant questions surrounding their quarterback position after a disappointing campaign that landed them the top pick in the draft. The franchise used that selection to bring in Miami’s Cam Ward, immediately shifting the dynamics within the quarterback room. Will Levis, who transitioned from starter to backup following the team’s struggles, recently addressed the changing landscape during organized team activities. His response to questions about Ward revealed a mature perspective on what could have been an awkward situation. “He’s been great. I mean, I’m here for him wherever I can be. He is a really smart kid,” Levis told reporters. “We’ve been able to talk a lot about just the different installs that we’ve gone through and hearing his perspective, how he sees things. He’s a heck of an athlete, a heck of a quarterback, too.” . @Titans QB @will_levis with some praise for rookie ...

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)   The Los Angeles Rams returned to offseason team activities with Matthew Stafford back under center. While the primary focus centers on preparing for the upcoming season and building team chemistry following their playoff exit to the Philadelphia Eagles, lighter moments still find their way into the conversation. With Los Angeles set to host the 2028 Summer Olympics and flag football making its debut, Stafford faced an intriguing question about representing Team USA. His response delivered both humor and insight into his mindset about the opportunity. “You talking about coaching, or what?” Stafford replied with a grin. “Sure [I’d be interested in playing], but nobody’s going to want me to. But sure, it’d be fun, I’ll coach.” 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: Rams star QB Matthew Stafford on playing in the 2028 Olympics at 40 years old: “Would you be interested in playing?” “Sure, nobody is gonna want me to…” pic.twitter.com/UHqpwMqHPI — ...

(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)   On Wednesday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves learned what so many other teams know: the Oklahoma City Thunder are not to be messed with. The T-Wolves were pushed out of the playoffs by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his team, and Anthony Edwards was floored by their effort. Following the game, he talked about how OKC operates and how they are impossible to contain. “15 puppets on one string,” Edwards said about the Thunder, via Hoop Central. "15 puppets on one string.” — Anthony Edwards describes the Thunder. (h/t @ohnohedidnt24 ) pic.twitter.com/x1NsTCx0ym — Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 29, 2025 One of the things that has been so challenging for other teams this season is how the Thunder always operates like a cohesive and strong unit. Night after night and team after team, the Thunder have found a way to win. Although Gilgeous-Alexander is the leader of the team, there are many members of the Thunder who are able t...

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)   The New England Patriots wanted to make life easier for their promising quarterback. They emphasized adding young talent to the offense in the 2025 NFL Draft and brought in veterans to surround Drake Maye. Also, with Rhamondre Stevenson struggling to hold on to the football last season, the need for a running back was evident. According to Carlos A. Lopez, it seems like rookie TreVeyon Henderson is in line to be New England’s primary ball-carrier this season. “From the looks of it, RB TreVeyon Henderson has been consistently repping with the Patriots’ starting offense. Henderson will most likely be one of the few rookies that are able to contribute immediately,” Lopez wrote on X. From the looks of it, RB TreVeyon Henderson has been consistently repping with the #Patriots ’ starting offense. Henderson will most likely be one of the few rookies that are able to contribute immediately. pic.twitter.com/0QQcQZcaXP — Carlos A. Lopez ...

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)   The Green Bay Packers have plenty of young talent at wide receiver. However, they arguably don’t have a clear-cut WR1. For years, they hoped Christian Watson would grab that distinction, but even though he showed some signs, injuries have prevented him from taking over the role. That happened again last season when he tore his ACL late in the campaign. With the Packers adding Matthew Golden in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, some thought the team might be ready to move on from Watson. However, head coach Matt LaFleur recently sounded quite optimistic about Watson’s recovery. “Christian is doing outstanding,” LaFleur said . “I would say he’s ahead of schedule, but I’m not a doctor. I’m not medical staff. So we’ll see where he’s at.” ACL injuries are always tricky, and some players never return to their former level. There’s not even a well-defined timeline, and though there are projections, every case is unique. Watson w...

(Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)   The Miami Dolphins can rely on Tyreek Hill. At least that’s the message the wide receiver is trying to send during voluntary OTAs. According to Dolphins veteran Bradley Chubb, Hill has done a great job of stepping up and proving he can be much more than a standout on the field. “I’ve seen a growth in leadership from [Tyreek], to be honest with you,” Chubb said . “Just being around every day, leading the young guys from out front and just being that guy that we know he can be, that vocal leader. Finishing first in all the drills when we were doing phase one and phase two, showing that speed.” Hill claimed to be “out” after last season’s finale, and it seemed like the writing was on the wall for him to be traded. He was tangled up in multiple rumors during the offseason, but the Dolphins didn’t seem to seriously engage in any talks for the All-Pro. Though volatile in character, and coming off a disappointing season, Hill should s...

(Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)   The Green Bay Packers hope to have their best players on the field this season, and that includes star cornerback Jaire Alexander. However, it seemed like both parties were heading toward a messy divorce. Alexander isn’t one to mince his words about anything and looked to be ready to move on. Now, the latest reports show that the Packers are trying to get him to agree to a restructured contract. With that in mind, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reported that though the team could part with the Pro Bowler, it seems like he may be willing to stay. “Is it possible the Packers still end up releasing Alexander if they can’t agree on a restructuring? Sure, but Alexander plans to attend mandatory minicamp next month even without a resolution on his future, and multiple signs point to a future with Alexander remaining in Green Bay,” Schneidman wrote . The Packers defense took a big step forward in Jeff Hafley’s first year as coordinator, a...

(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)   The Carolina Panthers have a lot of room for improvement. However, they had a positive first year under head coach Dave Canales. Bryce Young looked better and more confident after struggling early in the season, and the quarterback might finally be heading in the right direction. They gave Young a promising wideout in Xavier Legette, and while his rookie numbers were far from impressive, he has the potential to be a star. That’s why, when asked about his new pairing with wideout Tetairoa McMillan, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Legette predicted they could be a major threat this season. “I mean, sure, we trying to win guys, so I mean any time you can add a masterpiece like that to what we’re trying to build, that’s great,” Legette said . “Oh man, I feel like it’s going to be a problem either way. I mean, I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a 1 or 2. I feel like it’s going to be either side they look at. They’re going to...

(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)   This is a sad day in New England Patriots history. The team just announced the passing of former offensive guard Len St. Jean. The New England Patriots are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former guard Len St. Jean. We send our condolences to his family and all who knew him. pic.twitter.com/SxZHuN44g6 — New England Patriots (@Patriots) May 27, 2025 The 83-year-old spent 10 years in the league, playing his entire career with the Patriots. He played from 1964-73 in the defunct American Football League, making both the Boston Patriots’ All-1960s team and one AFL All-Star team. The Patriots took him out of Northern Michigan in the ninth round of the 1964 draft. Overall, he played 140 games for the Patriots, staying with them when the team moved to the NFL. St. Jean excelled at right guard, but he also played on defense sparingly, even logging five sacks. A strong athlete with grace and mobility, he also made his presence ...

(Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)   After his first season with the Denver Nuggets , Russell Westbrook has a long summer to rest and relax. He will need it because on Tuesday, he announced that he is undergoing surgery. Writing in his newsletter, via Law Murray, Westbrook said that he is going to have surgery on his right hand to “fix two breaks that happened during the season.” “I’m grateful for everyone’s support all year and I can’t wait to be back out there at 100% soon. The comeback is already in motion,” Westbrook wrote, per NBACentral. Russell Westbrook announces he’ll undergo surgery on his right hand (Via @LawMurrayTheNU ) pic.twitter.com/2JxBI8pvi2 — NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 27, 2025 During his year with the Nuggets, Westbrook averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists on 44.9 percent from the field. His season was full of ups and downs, and he was both a starter and a bench player. Some people feel that Westbrook is a great fit for the ...

(Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire)   The Pittsburgh Steelers have spent months entertaining the idea of Aaron Rodgers joining their roster, but that possibility appears to be fading as the offseason unfolds. With the veteran quarterback’s arrival looking increasingly unlikely, the Steelers could be exploring alternative plans to address their quarterback situation. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes Kirk Cousins could emerge as their backup ‘Plan B’ option if the Rodgers pursuit falls through. “I would say Kirk Cousins. I mean, I had some conversations with people this week (that) lead me to believe that Cousins is, at the very least, on the Steelers’ radar if something were to fall through on (Aaron) Rodgers,” Fowler said. #Steelers have sights set on Aaron Rodgers and have Mason Rudolph in the fold – is Kirk Cousins a viable Plan B? @SportsCenter with @aminajadeTV pic.twitter.com/E7rmr6WWDG — Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 26, 2025 Landing Cousins would require ...

(Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire)   The Las Vegas Raiders’ general manager John Spytek has taken a measured approach to contract extensions since taking over, with defensive end Maxx Crosby being his only major commitment until recently. As Spytek becomes more familiar with his roster, he’s beginning to make decisive moves that signal his priorities. His latest decision involves rewarding one of the team’s most consistent performers. According to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, the Raiders have locked up punter A.J. Cole with a significant extension. “The Raiders and 2x First-Team All-Pro punter AJ Cole have agreed to a 4-year, $15.8M extension with $11M guaranteed, making him the highest-paid punter in the NFL,” Schultz shared. Sources: The #Raiders and 2x First-Team All-Pro punter AJ Cole have agreed to a 4-year, $15.8M extension with $11M guaranteed, making him the highest-paid punter in the NFL. Cole had one year remaining on his current deal, so he’s now under co...

(Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)   The New York Knicks needed a big game from Karl-Anthony Towns on Sunday, and that is exactly what they got. Towns posted 24 points and 15 rebounds as his Knicks overtook the Indiana Pacers and scored their first win of the Eastern Conference Finals. According to NBA.com/Stats, that means that Towns is just the fourth Knick to record 20+ points and 15+ rebounds in a Conference Finals game. He joins Dave DeBusschere, who did it four times, and Patrick Ewing and Willis Reed, who both did it twice. Karl-Anthony Towns tonight (24 PTS, 15 REB) became the FOURTH Knick to record 20+ PTS and 15+ REB in a Conference Finals Game: Joining… Dave DeBusschere (4x) Patrick Ewing & Willis Reed (2x each) pic.twitter.com/uED32DdRyV — NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) May 26, 2025 Towns was fantastic during the game, and especially in the fourth quarter. Towns crushed it in the final 12 minutes, earning 20 points and eight rebounds. No one else...

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)   It looked like the New York Knicks were on their way to yet another devastating loss on Sunday, but they rebounded and finally secured a win over the Indiana Pacers. Following the game, Josh Hart talked about some talented and clutch bench stars who made success possible, giving special praise to Delon Wright and Landry Shamet while speaking to ESPN. “I think at first, it kind of took [our group] a little bit to figure out what we were going to do offensively. But that unit was full of guys who have been in the league and who know how to play basketball,” Hart  said  of players such as Shamet and Wright, who haven’t played much this postseason. “It’s huge to have guys who stay ready. It doesn’t matter the situation. That’s exactly why you stay ready.” They were definitely ready and able to leap into action as the Knicks faced a big deficit and also foul trouble for a few of their biggest players, including Jalen Brunson a...

(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)   The Indiana Pacers wanted more from Pascal Siakam on Friday night, and that is exactly what they got. Siakam got started early and was a huge help all night, scoring a career-high 39 points and helping his team take a massive 2-0 series lead over the New York Knicks. Following the game, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle spoke about Siakam, what he brought to the game, and how impressive his “quiet” 39 points were. “He was the guy that got us going and got us through some difficult stretches,” Carlisle said . “It’s hard to score that number of points in a game like this where you always have a physical matchup defensively and there’s a guy crashing and flying at the basket. But he did a phenomenal job. It’s a quiet 39 points. It really was.” Siakam’s consistency was a huge weapon for the Pacers, as he was sinking shot after shot, sometimes while being closely guarded by New York’s defense. This isn’t his first time in the hunt for a c...

(Photo by: Chris McGrath/Getty Images)   Change is coming to Las Vegas as the Pete Carroll era officially begins with the 2025 season. After a disappointing 2024 campaign that ended with a 4-13 record and a fourth-place finish in the AFC West, the Las Vegas Raiders are searching for a fresh start under new leadership. This offseason brought notable acquisitions while the team retained crucial talent, creating genuine momentum heading into the new season. The optimism building in Vegas has caught the attention of analyst Steve Palazzolo, as he suggests that this team might be positioned to make a massive leap in 2025. “There are still some questions that need answering here for the Raiders… (But) This feels like the team that could just take a massive leap this year, though. With Pete Carroll coming in, with Geno Smith coming in, and some of the talent that they have added. And just getting a healthy Max Crosby, healthy Christian Wilkins, those are the types of things I thi...

(Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)   Just a couple of weeks ago, an anonymous NBA survey highlighted that Tyrese Haliburton was the most overrated player in the league. And while it was a small and non-representative sample size, it was still a surprise However, that may have fueled a fire within him. The young Indiana Pacers point guard has played like a man on a mission this season, and it’s safe to say that no one will call him overrated for the time being. If anything, Jay Williams believes he’s now underrated. “The most underrated player left in the playoffs is Tyrese Haliburton,” Williams said. . @RealJayWilliams says Tyrese Haliburton is "the most underrated player left in the playoffs" pic.twitter.com/jn5UhTAU0c — Get Up (@GetUpESPN) May 22, 2025 Talking on Thursday’s edition of ESPN’s “Get Up,” the renowned analyst argued that no one seems to be talking about the Pacers’ epic postseason run and how incredibly clutch Haliburton has been for them, go...

(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)   The New York Knicks were just one minute away from winning Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Instead, they’re now down 0-1. The Indiana Pacers pulled off something that had never been done in NBA playoff history, at least since stats started being tracked. As shown on ESPN’s “Get Up,” teams trailing by 9+ points with one minute left in the fourth quarter or overtime of a game were 0-1,414. That was until Wednesday night’s epic collapse. With that in mind, NBA analyst Jay Williams made a case for this not only being the single worst home loss in New York Knicks history but also the biggest choke job in NBA playoff history. “Statistically … it’s the biggest choke job in NBA playoff history,” Williams said. "Statistically … it's the biggest choke job in NBA playoff history." — @RealJayWilliams reacts to the Knicks' Game 1 loss to the Pacers pic.twitter.com/KNLmcFiUfd — Get Up (@GetUpESPN) May 22, 2025 Truth be ...

(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)   The New York Knicks were taken down by the Indiana Pacers last year during the playoffs, but they are planning to get their revenge over the next few weeks during the Eastern Conference Finals. Speaking on “Get Up” Wednesday morning, Kendrick Perkins made a bold prediction: the Knicks are going to win this series in six games. He knows the past between these two teams, and he remembers how things went down last year, but Perkins still believes the Knicks have the upper hand this time. . @KendrickPerkins believes the Knicks will beat the Pacers in six games pic.twitter.com/c81VvBuZse — Get Up (@GetUpESPN) May 21, 2025 One of the biggest reasons why Perkins has such faith in the Knicks is Jalen Brunson. He said that Brunson has been the best player in the postseason this year, and he will show what he is capable of again while battling the Pacers. Of course, he played against Indiana last year, and the Knicks lost, so what’s di...

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)   The Miami Dolphins took to social media with some sad news. They released a brief statement to announce that Randy Crowder, a former defensive lineman, passed away at 72. Notably, he was the father of another former Dolphins defender, linebacker Channing Crowder. We are saddened by the passing of former Dolphins player Randy Crowder, who played for the team from 1974-1976. pic.twitter.com/LRpWOPqgfu — Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) May 21, 2025 Randy Crowder was a sixth-round pick out of Penn State in the 1974 NFL Draft and climbed his way up to become a steady contributor. In three seasons with Miami, he made 39 appearances, including 25 starts, with 12.5 sacks and one fumble recovery. He sat out the 1977 season before coming back to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, posting 6.5 sacks in his three seasons there. He and Channing Crowder make up the only father-son duo to be drafted by the Dolphins in their history. The Dolph...

(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)   For the second year in a row, the Indiana Pacers are headed to the Eastern Conference Finals. However, they are planning to go beyond that and are ready to prove all their critics wrong. According to New York Basketball, the Pacers have an incredible field goal percentage in these playoffs. They have a percentage of 58.3, which is the best in all of NBA history. Can the New York Knicks keep up with a team that is shooting this well? Pacers have been shooting the lights out Their playoff effective FG% is 58.3% That's the best in NBA history pic.twitter.com/j2beuNZUzi — New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) May 20, 2025 The Knicks are no slouches and have earned a 51.0 field goal percentage during the postseason. That means they will put up quite an offensive fight against the Pacers, but will it be enough? The Knicks will have to get creative and aggressive when it comes to defense, and they will have to guard from inside the pai...

(Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)   The Boston Celtics hoped to return to the NBA Finals this year, but the New York Knicks had other plans. They took the Celtics down with relative ease, sending a message to the rest of the Eastern Conference and the entire NBA. A video shared by New York Basketball on X showed Brad Stevens giving his honest assessment of the Knicks, who are sure to be a big challenger to his Boston Celtics for years to come. “We had opportunities to win those first two home games, and then we put ourselves behind the 8-ball. New York gained what I thought was not only confidence but momentum,” Stevens said. “They are peaking. You can see it.” "They are peaking. You can see it" – Celtics president Brad Stevens on the Knicks pic.twitter.com/Ri2cM6ekkK — New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) May 20, 2025 Stevens believes the Knicks are peaking, but the question is how long this peak will last. Is this just the beginning of a long reign for t...

(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)   The Boston Celtics  may be without Jayson Tatum for perhaps all of 2025-26, and that has raised a lot of questions about their path forward. What can they do to fill the sizable hole that will be left by Tatum’s absence? Writing for Bleacher Report, Andy Bailey talked about Al Horford and his future with the team. He suggested that Horford will stick around for at least one more season, and his experience, expertise, and skill can help the Celtics while Tatum isn’t around. “Al Horford hasn’t committed one way or the other on retirement, but he turns 39 in June. And if Boston is going to be forced into something of a gap year by Tatum’s injury, it might make sense to walk away now,” Bailey  wrote . “The Celtics should still have a realistic path to the playoffs even without Tatum. And Horford’s leadership, outside shooting and passing would make that path a little clearer. A return for one last ride (OK, maybe two, just so he...

(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)   The Cincinnati Bengals need to bolster their defense. They had one of the most beatable units last season, and it ended up costing them a trip to the playoffs. With that in mind, they brought in a familiar face for a visit. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, they hosted former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Montravius Adams . Former Steelers defensive lineman Montravius Adams is visiting today with the Bengals. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 19, 2025 The Bengals failed to address their need for a defensive tackle in the 2025 NFL Draft. They signed T.J. Slaton and brought back B.J. Hill this offseason, but they could use more experience and depth. Kris Jenkins Jr. and McKinnley Jackson should draw some consideration at the position, but adding a proven veteran like Adams could give them a much-needed insurance policy. Adams has been in the league eight years and spent the past four campaigns with the Steelers before...