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Wrestling

Adam Copeland Confirms Who He Will Face in His Final Match

Sheamus reveals plans for an Edge rivalry were scrapped before his exit (AEW)

Edge’s final match in WWE took place on August 18, 2023, where he emerged victorious against Sheamus on SmackDown. Not long after, his contract with WWE reached its end, and within a few months, he made the move to All Elite Wrestling, officially debuting with the company.

His transition to AEW marked a major moment in his career, shifting from his long tenure in WWE to a fresh chapter elsewhere. Sheamus recently appeared on Insight with Chris Van Vliet and discussed the events leading up to Edge’s farewell match.

He shared that both he and Edge had developed an idea for a rivalry, but it was dismissed. Additionally, he disclosed that Damian Priest had originally been planned as Edge’s final opponent in WWE before plans changed.

Edge’s AEW debut as Adam Copeland made waves at WrestleDream 2023 (AEW)

Sheamus Reflects on Edge’s Final WWE Match

“We had several conversations about working together,” Sheamus recalled. “We came up with a storyline that, for whatever reason, didn’t get the green light. Then, it all just played unexpectedly.

I received a call, which I believe was influenced by the promo segment we had done a week earlier, and then the match was set for the following week.

Edge’s contract was coming to an end, but at the time, no one really knew what decision he would make. I had assumed he would re-sign because we had discussed the possibility of doing something after that match, but it turned out differently.”

Sheamus also spoke about how the opponent selection for Edge’s final match shifted at the last moment. “Originally, Damian Priest was penciled in as his opponent, but then the plans changed, and I was chosen instead.

I’m not entirely sure how that decision came about, but I was surprised when I got the call. At the same time, I was excited. Edge and I had never wrestled each other in a singles match before, so this was a first. It’s kind of crazy when I look back at my career and realize there are still guys I haven’t faced one-on-one.

Rey Mysterio is one of them. CM Punk and I wrestled a couple of times, but that was over a decade ago. Rey is probably the one person I still haven’t had a singles match with, despite the fact that we’ve been on the same roster for such a long time.”

Following his departure from WWE, Edge made his AEW debut under his real name, Adam Copeland, during the WrestleDream pay-per-view in October 2023. Once he arrived in AEW, he quickly became a major presence on their programming and remained active for several months.

His run in AEW saw him involved in various storylines and matches, keeping him at the forefront of the promotion. However, his momentum was halted when he suffered an injury during his match against Malakai Black at the Double or Nothing pay-per-view in 2024.

Copeland’s AEW Return and Feud with Jon Moxley

The injury forced Copeland to step away from the ring for several months, but he has since returned to AEW and is now performing under the name “Cope.” His comeback has placed him in a heated rivalry with Jon Moxley, with AEW seemingly positioning them for a major showdown.

The promotion appears to be building toward a Cope vs. Moxley match for the AEW World Championship, setting up what could be one of the most anticipated title bouts in the company.

As his AEW journey continues, Copeland has embraced his new role while remaining a key figure in the promotion. His transition from WWE to AEW was one of the most talked-about moves in professional wrestling, and despite facing setbacks due to injury, he has returned to solidify his presence once again.

With his current storyline against Moxley gaining steam, all signs point to an intense battle between the two, with the AEW World Championship at stake.

Categories
Wrestling

Dwayne Johnson Drops Clues About Running for President in New Interview

The Rock reveals multiple parties approached him about a presidential run (WWE)

Discussions about Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson entering politics have surfaced once again, as he recently shared that multiple political parties reached out to gauge his interest in running for U.S. President in 2024. The former WWE star and Hollywood actor addressed this topic during an interview, shedding light on the conversations that took place behind the scenes.

A political poll conducted in 2021 showed that 46 percent of U.S. adults expressed support for a potential presidential campaign from Johnson. His thoughts on the matter were discussed in his appearance on Trevor Noah’s What Now? podcast, where the findings of that poll were brought up.

Johnson reflects on the surreal experience of being seen as a contender (Getty Images)

Dwayne Johnson Reacts to Political Interest

“That poll was fascinating, and it really impacted me,” Johnson remarked. “I was honestly taken aback and felt incredibly honored by the response.” He went on to reveal that by the end of 2022, representatives from various political parties approached him to discuss the possibility of a presidential run.

“Their backing was something I didn’t expect, and it caught me off guard,” he continued. “One by one, they reached out, referencing that poll while also presenting their own research. They made it clear that if I ever decided to take that path, I would be a genuine contender.”

Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the idea, Johnson admitted that entering the political arena was never part of his personal aspirations. “That entire experience was surreal, especially because politics has never been my ambition,” he said. “In fact, there’s a great deal about it that I really don’t like.”

Speculation about his potential presidential bid first emerged in 2017 when he mentioned in an interview with Variety that he would “100 percent consider” the possibility. However, in a later conversation with CBS Mornings, he made it clear that running for office was no longer in his plans.

Prioritizing Family Over Politics

“That option is completely off the table,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of his role as a father. “Being a dad comes first, especially at this crucial stage in my daughters’ lives.”

During his discussion with Noah, Johnson reflected on his experiences as a father, particularly with his eldest daughter, Simone. “She’s 22 now, and we always say that we grew up together,” he explained. “I understand what it means to be in a profession that constantly pulls you away from home.

As a full-time wrestler, I was on the road for about 230 matches a year when she was born, which meant missing out on milestones—birthdays, school drop-offs, and other important moments. I don’t want that to happen again with my younger daughters.”

He also touched on how this commitment to his family became a crucial part of the discussions with political representatives. “That was one of the biggest points I raised when we talked,” he said. “And their response was basically, ‘Well, others have figured out how to balance it.’”

Johnson is a father to three daughters. Simone, 22, is his child from his previous marriage to Dany Garcia, while Jasmine, 7, and Tiana, 5, are from his marriage to Lauren Hashian.

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NFL (American Football)

The Eagles’ 2023 draft class is ready to support their teammates in New Orleans and make up for their Super Bowl loss

Philadelphia Eagles in the 2nd half

Nolan Smith had just won a national championship when the Eagles drafted him in the first round a couple of years ago. When he arrived at the NovaCare Complex that spring, the Eagles were still feeling the aftermath of their Super Bowl LVII loss to the Chiefs, which ended their 2022 season.

“Man, I just say it was a little bit of that sour taste in their mouth,” Smith said this week.

“And then it happened even worse last year with the first-round loss. I was on the team for that so I actually experienced that. Guys going home early. It just made me sad.”

By the time the 2023 draft class joined the team, the Eagles were trying to move past their Super Bowl loss and focus on the new season. But the loss still hung in the air a bit, and even some rookies felt it.

“I think everybody was really motivated,” third-round pick Tyler Steen said. “Even though they lost that game, I feel like there was a confidence there that we’re capable of going back there to that game and that we’re a really good team.”

By the time the rookies arrived at the NovaCare Complex, it wasn’t about pain anymore, and the Super Bowl loss wasn’t a constant topic of discussion.

“Guys were a lot more hungry for sure,” fourth-round pick Kelee Ringo said. “Rather than hurting anymore.”

But it did come up.

“I think it was just talked about in terms of flushing it and trying to get back there,” seventh-round pick Moro Ojomo said. “That was the goal.”

The Eagles had a great season in 2022. They won 14 games in the regular season to earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC and easily defeated the Giants and 49ers in the playoffs. They even led by 10 points at halftime in Super Bowl LVII before losing in the second half.

“I think guys were hungry,” sixth-round pick Tanner McKee said. “It’s a tough thing to balance because you know the year went well because you make the playoffs and got to the Super Bowl but you just came up short at the end. You want to do everything you can to obviously get back to that point and actually finish through the finish line.

Philadelphia Eagles fans in the 2nd half

“I feel like this year, guys kind of feel that. We’ve been here before and we came up just short at the very end so let’s finish all the way through. Let’s do all we can to go out and play the game and do our thing.”

What stood out to most of the 2023 draft class was the team’s confidence. Despite their Super Bowl loss, the Eagles remained confident in their roster and were determined to return.

“I think there was a lot of motivation but I think they were kind of past that by the time I got in there,” third-round pick Sydney Brown said. “It’s all about the opportunity to get to the next one. I think the big thing is just going through adversity and they’ve been through adversity that year.

“Obviously, we lost in the first round of the playoffs the year after and now we’re back here with another opportunity to do it. How you get here is a journey. I think we’re influenced by the motivation of our losses and what we could have done, knowing that we could have been here. Now, we just have to execute at this point.”

After a strong 10-1 start in 2023, the Eagles fell apart. They lost in the first round to the Buccaneers in Tampa. In the offseason, Howie Roseman made changes, the Eagles got two new coordinators, and they turned things around.

Now, the Eagles are back in the Super Bowl, and the 2023 draft class—Jalen Carter, Smith, Steen, Brown, Ringo, McKee, and Ojomo—are ready to help their teammates finish the job.

“I know a lot of the guys who were super excited that we’re going to have the opportunity to play the same team,” McKee said. “I think it is a motivating factor just knowing we’re back here. We’ve been in the same position before and we’re going to do everything we can to have that good feeling after the game.”

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NFL (American Football)

Nick Sirianni shares the Eagles’ plan for their pre-Super Bowl LIX meeting in New Orleans

Nick Sirianni gestures in the 1st half

Nick Sirianni mentioned that he’s likely to use the same approach as before.

As the Eagles prepare to face the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, Sirianni plans to let his players speak at their final team meeting before the game, which will take place at their hotel in New Orleans. He did this before Super Bowl LVII two years ago, and it created some emotional moments that the players will always remember.

“What you got to see was just how the guys care about each other,” Sirianni said this week. “The whole conversation was just when guys would get up there just talking about how much they mean to each other, how they’re going to play for each other, all those different things. Again, it’s not the best groups of individuals that win, it’s the best teams.

“It was a good moment for our team and we’ll see how that plays out. But remember a lot of things from that. A lot of different guys talking and it meant a lot. We’ll probably try to recreate that.”

Sirianni got the idea of giving players a chance to speak in front of the team from his time at Mount Union. This was a tradition for the Purple Raiders under Larry Kehres, and now it’s becoming a tradition for the Eagles.

On Thursday, several veteran players already knew they wanted to address the team.

“I prayed about it and I think it’ll come to me when it gets there,” said 15-year veteran Brandon Graham, who is expected to play in the Super Bowl, which could be his last game in the NFL.

“But whatever it is, it’s going to be from the heart. I feel that. I’m looking forward to delivering that speech with a bunch of the guys that’s going to be on the podium with me.”

Back in 2023, Jason Kelce stole the show with his raw emotion.

Kelce retired after last season, but there are still many veterans who will speak, including Graham, Lane Johnson, Darius Slay, Jordan Mailata, and others.

Philadelphia Eagles fans in the 2nd half

“Expecting the same,” Mailata said. “I just remember seeing our leaders at the time show emotion, state their reasons why, remind us of our reasons why, remind us of who we are as a unit. It’s a total team sport and you need everyone. I think that was probably one of the most memorable nights of my career.”

Johnson, 34, is one of the few players remaining from Super Bowl LII in the 2017 season. He is the only offensive player who will have played in all three of the Eagles’ recent Super Bowls.

In his 12th NFL season, Johnson has already said he will return to play in 2025. His words carry weight with his teammates, but he won’t plan them out.

“I’ll let it rip,” Johnson said. “I usually don’t plan. I don’t like to plan. I just go.”

Slay, 34, has been open about the possibility that this could be his last year with the Eagles. While he wants to play another season in the NFL, he recognizes the potential of the Eagles’ young cornerbacks and understands how the league works.

Slay said the meeting two years ago was “powerful” because of how much he values the relationships in the locker room.

The veteran corner plans on speaking but, like Johnson, doesn’t intend to prepare a speech.

“Nah, I’ll let it flow, man. I speak from the heart,” Slay said. “Whatever God blesses me with to come out, the wisdom I can give out to others about this game or whatever I need to say. The Lord will put me in great position to deliver a great message to these guys.”

It is expected to be an emotional night before the Eagles play for a Super Bowl title on Sunday.

However, Johnson expects this Saturday night to be a little different.

“Probably won’t get emotional like everybody did last time,” Johnson said. “It’ll be more, ‘We got business to handle.’”

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FEATURED

Indiana coach Mike Woodson, based in Bloomington, has decided not to return next season

Indiana coach Mike Woodson, based in Bloomington, has decided not to return next season

Indiana coach Mike Woodson is stepping down from his position at the end of this season, deciding to leave the school on his own terms. The 66-year-old coach, who has faced criticism over the past two years due to underperforming teams, made this choice after the Hoosiers missed the NCAA Tournament last year for the first time since Woodson took over in 2021-22. They are also at risk of missing the tournament again this season.

“He said it had been weighing on his mind for a while, and that it was an emotional and difficult decision,” said athletic director Scott Dolson in a statement. Dolson added that Woodson made the decision clear during a meeting they had Wednesday. “We have had subsequent thoughtful conversations about his decision and his desire to ensure that the program is in the best position it can be moving forward.”

Woodson did not comment after the announcement.

Indiana (14-9, 5-7 Big Ten) is heading into their game on Saturday against Michigan after losing four straight games and six of their last seven. The Hoosiers were expected to finish second in the Big Ten at the start of the season.

The news comes just days after Indiana struggled against No. 21 Wisconsin, falling behind early by a 26-4 deficit. This performance led Woodson to question his team’s mental toughness.

Woodson now faces Dusty May, the first-year coach of Michigan, who was once a student manager at Indiana and a disciple of Bob Knight. May also grew up in southern Indiana.

Woodson expressed frustration with his team during a recent interview. “We have a game like we did at Purdue where we really competed for 40 minutes, then we come in here and we lay an egg based on how we started the ballgame,” Woodson said. “You spot teams on the road 20, it’s going to get tough to get back in them. Again, that’s on me, man. We’re pushing and pulling and scraping and just trying to get what we can get. Guys just didn’t step up again tonight.”

The Hoosiers’ struggles come after the athletic department made significant investments in the names, images, and likeness (NIL) deals earlier this year to help Woodson succeed.

Indiana was ranked as high as No. 14 in the Top 25 in late November but was only 65th in the NET rankings heading into Tuesday night’s game.

Several missteps have hurt the team’s chances this season. Indiana lost a late lead in a home game against Maryland and another lead at rival Purdue. In that game, Woodson said he couldn’t get guard Myles Rice’s attention to call a timeout as Rice rushed up the court with less than 10 seconds left. Rice ended up turning the ball over, leading to Purdue’s game-sealing free throws. Then came the tough loss to Wisconsin.

These continued mistakes have led to fans chanting for Woodson’s removal at home games.

Mike Woodson (NCAAB)

Dolson hopes the early announcement of Woodson’s decision will calm things down. “It’s clear to me from our discussions in the last several days that his No. 1 priority is for the attention to be off him and instead focused on uniting Hoosier Nation in support of our student-athletes, coaches, and, most importantly, the program,” Dolson said.

“We want to encourage Hoosier fans to rally around the program and support it in the same positive way that Hoosier fans did during Mike’s All-America and Big Ten MVP playing career.”

Woodson was hired in 2021 to revive the program and heal the divide among fans still upset about the firing of Bob Knight in 2000. Knight did not return to Assembly Hall until February 2020, and Knight passed away in November 2023.

Woodson started strong, posting back-to-back 20-win seasons in his first two years, leading the Hoosiers to their first NCAA Tournament win since 2015 by beating Wyoming in a play-in game in March 2022. Indiana also won their first-round game against Kent State in March 2023.

However, heading into this weekend, Woodson has a 77-49 record over four seasons with no Big Ten titles and no Sweet 16 appearances.

“During the last four years, he has led the program during a transformational time in college athletics and helped us become a national leader in evolving areas including NIL and the transfer portal,” Dolson said. “No one loves IU Basketball more than he does. I want to thank him for coming back to Bloomington and accepting the challenge of rebuilding our program and re-connecting it with its past and its foundation.”

Before joining Indiana, Woodson spent his entire coaching career in the NBA, with a record of 315-365 in nine seasons, including stints with the Atlanta Hawks and the New York Knicks.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

The Washington Capitals are one of only two NHL teams without a player in the 4 Nations Face-Off, but this could be beneficial for them

Washington Capitals celebrates after a goal

The Washington Capitals have made a strong mark in the NHL standings, winning 36 out of their first 54 games and losing only 11 in regulation. This performance has made them a team to keep an eye on this spring.

However, for the next two weeks, the Capitals won’t be playing.

They are the only team in the NHL without a player selected for the 4 Nations Face-Off international tournament, which includes teams from the U.S., Canada, Sweden, and Finland. They are one of only two teams without representation, after San Jose traded Mikael Granlund to Dallas. This could end up being a benefit for the Capitals as other Eastern Conference teams have several players in the tournament.

“I’m sure everyone that was kind of on the bubble there probably would have liked to have been a part of it,” said Washington winger Andrew Mangiapane. “But I think internally and selfishly, I guess, for us, it gives everyone a two-week break, almost, to recover. We’ve played a lot of games here so just to recover the body, little bumps and bruises, get the energy levels back up, and maybe that little extra rest maybe helps us down the stretch here and even in playoffs.”

Spencer Carbery, who is a favorite to be named coach of the year, sees the break as a positive. While teams like Florida, Carolina, and the New York Rangers have several players at the tournament, the Capitals have the only true break with no games between February 9-22.

“It comes at a good time with where we are in the schedule,” Carbery said. “And I think it just sets us up to give our entire group a good mental and physical reset. … We’re going to need every ounce of energy mentally and physically that we can find.”

Mangiapane is right to point out that players like defenseman John Carlson, goaltender Logan Thompson, and winger Tom Wilson would have liked to be part of the tournament. Carlson has played for the U.S. in the 2014 Sochi Olympics and logged more minutes than any player last season. Thompson’s statistics are better than those of the three goalies Canada picked, and Wilson brings a rare mix of size and skill to the table.

Lars Eller and Taylor Raddysh celebrates after a goal

USA Hockey and Hockey Canada might regret not picking them, but for now, the Capitals are focused on the rest of the season.

“We’re focused on what we can control and get us best prepared, whether it’s rest or some work or whatever over the break and everybody’s going to be different in terms of that and get ready for the rest of the year,” Carlson said. “We’re going pretty good right now, and the last thing we want to do is take our foot off the gas.”

Washington has had a lot go right this season. Alex Ovechkin has scored 26 goals in 38 games despite playing through a broken left leg, all while chasing Wayne Gretzky’s career goal record. New players like Thompson, Mangiapane, center Pierre-Luc Dubois, and defenseman Jakob Chychrun have fit into the team seamlessly.

The Capitals have allowed the second-fewest goals on average and have the highest-ranked offense at even strength. They have won games by a wide range of scores, from 1-0 to 7-4.

“Our depth really plays a role in it,” Mangiapane said. “It’s not just one guy kind of doing it every game. I feel like it’s coming from all four lines, all D pairings and the goalies have been playing great. That’s what winning teams have.”

Some successful teams, like the Panthers, have many players competing in the 4 Nations tournament. They have played a lot of hockey recently after reaching the finals in back-to-back years. Coach Paul Maurice encourages his players to “play as hard as they can and take the entire experience in.” He believes that making a national team boosts a player’s confidence and pride, helping them perform better when they return to their team.

“When a guy went up and got to walk into that room with all the great players from his country, he came back and he viewed himself differently,” Maurice said. “We’re not going to see any fatigue from these players. I think it’s a huge boost to the confidence, speed. They view themselves differently. Now, they’re part of the best in the league.”

Washington Capitals players celebrates after a goal

The Capitals don’t have a player in the top 30 for scoring, and a couple of their best players, Ovechkin and 22-goal scorer Aliaksei Protas, are from countries not involved in the tournament. Defenseman Martin Fehervary, if healthy, will likely play for Slovakia in Milan.

For now, the team’s focus is on getting through this break from hockey. Carlson knows there’s no perfect way to handle it.

“Just take care of yourself,” the 35-year-old veteran said. “Mentally, it’s a nice break. I think it’s most useful, probably, for that, unless you’re going through an injury or something like that and that time would be huge. But just the day-to-day mental load that we all have in here, it’s nice to get away from it, get away from the meetings and the constant pressure of it all.”

When the season starts again, the Capitals will play 27 games in 55 days, hoping to prepare for the playoffs. They haven’t won a playoff series since their Stanley Cup victory in 2018, and they are determined to change that.

“It’s going to be a grind coming down the stretch,” Carbery said. “We know that, and the way that we have to play, it’s going to be taxing and it’s going to be one of the hardest things these guys do is playing and hopefully playing for a long, long time into the spring.”

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NBA (Basketball)

The young Portland Trail Blazers are exceeding expectations with a six-game winning streak

Portland Trail Blazers players celebrates after the win

The Portland Trail Blazers, once known for their downcast faces after losses, are now celebrating with chest bumps and high fives as they ride a surprising six-game winning streak.

They’ve won six straight games and 10 of their last 11, leading to some early talk about making the playoffs. While playoff hopes might be premature, the team is definitely having fun.

What was expected to be another rebuilding season has turned into something more promising. The Blazers are now 23-29, already surpassing last year’s win total of 21. Though still in 13th place in the Western Conference, they are getting closer to the play-in spots with 30 games left.

“It’s fun, not only with the wins and losses, but the way we’re playing,” said guard Scoot Henderson. “That’s really fun, the way we’re playing together and sticking together.”

The Blazers are just four games behind the eighth-place Dallas Mavericks, with other teams like the Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, and San Antonio Spurs competing for similar spots.

Their most recent win came Thursday night at home against Sacramento. Anfernee Simons scored 30 points, including eight three-pointers, and the Blazers held on for a 108-102 victory.

The team’s ability to handle pressure and focus in the final moments is new for Portland, as is the improvement in their defense, which has ranked near the top of the league over the past 11 games.

“We know that that’s the way that we’re going to be able to compete with all of these teams,” said coach Chauncey Billups. “We got to be flying around.”

The last time the Blazers won this many games in a row was in the 2017-18 season when they won 13 straight games.

Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups in the 2nd half

Before the 2023-24 season, Portland traded star Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks and committed to a rebuilding project. They focused on developing young players like Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. They also added key players like Deni Avdija and draft pick Donovan Clingan, joining veterans Jerami Grant and DeAndre Ayton.

Billups, now in his third season with the team, has worked on developing the younger players and getting them to work as a team.

“We’ve got so many guys contributing and playing well, no longer do guys think about who is getting it done, it’s `Let’s make sure it gets done.’ Nobody’s really caring about who’s scoring the most, who’s closing the game, who’s starting. Nobody’s worried about that. Whatever we say we’re trying to do, let’s just try our best to do it.”

The team’s shift began with a meeting in late December.

“Coach asked us, one by one, if each of us is able to be held accountable. And we all said yes, and from then on, it’s been like that, we’ve been playing together, playing well, and sharing the ball,” Henderson said.

There’s still plenty of season left, and the Blazers’ current hot streak likely won’t last forever. However, there’s a quiet optimism that Portland could break its three-year playoff drought.

Last season, the Blazers lost 15 of their last 17 games, setting their sights on the NBA draft lottery.

General manager Joe Cronin didn’t make any moves at the trade deadline, saying the winning streak wasn’t the reason. He mentioned that no potential trades made sense for the team in the long run.

When asked if setting a playoff goal for the team would be fair, Cronin said, “I think it’d be unfair to take it away from them. I’m so proud and so excited about these guys that the sky’s the limit, like ‘Go guys, go win. Let’s see what you can do.’ And I’m here to support it.”

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NBA (Basketball)

Anthony Edwards sparks the Timberwolves in Minneapolis with a 90-point showing across two consecutive games

Anthony Edwards and Dillon Brooks get into an altercation in the 1st half

With the Minnesota Timberwolves missing two key players and looking for a boost in the middle of the season, Anthony Edwards showed he could step up to the level of an NBA superstar.

In two games over two days, he scored 90 points and helped the team secure two wins.

“I think he knows what we need from him now,” said head coach Chris Finch, praising Edwards for his consistent aggression in driving to the basket during the 127-114 win over Houston on Thursday.

“He’s making quick decisions. When he has a chance to race, he races. When he has a chance to shoot, he shoots. When he comes and catches the ball behind the play, he’s playing off the catch more, and that’s really resulting in a lot of trips to the free-throw line,” Finch added. “That’s exactly the way we need him to play. He’s been special these last couple of games, absolutely special.”

Edwards reached two important milestones on Thursday. He scored his 14th career 40-point game, surpassing Karl-Anthony Towns for the most in Timberwolves history, and at age 23, he became the youngest player in NBA history to make 1,000 three-pointers.

In his two games against Chicago and Houston, he shot 24 for 53 from the field, 11 for 26 from three-point range, and 31 for 33 from the free-throw line.

“It feels incredible, man, because of all the criticism I received coming into the league about my jumper,” Edwards said, noting that he’s shooting a career-best 42.1% from 3-point range. “Now I love to see what the critics say about my jumper.”

For the Timberwolves to reach their full potential, they need Edwards to not only perform well offensively but also become a leader for the team. This week, he’s shown his leadership, most notably by standing up to Dillon Brooks of the Rockets in a heated game without losing his cool.

“Once me and Dillon Brooks got into it, the fatigue went out the way. At that point, you can’t use that excuse because somebody tries you, you try them back,” Edwards said. “At that point, it’s time to hoop. I couldn’t use fatigue as a bailout in that moment. I had to show up.”

The trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to New York for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo gave Edwards a bigger leadership role. Towns had been the glue in the locker room, always keeping the mood light and spirits high, but now Edwards clearly has the loudest voice, both literally and symbolically.

Anthony Edwards celebrates after the win

“As a team, we have a view of ourselves as being held to a higher standard and that we should be playing at a higher level and we just haven’t been,” said point guard Mike Conley. “He’s done a really good job of not letting those frustrations dictate the way he comes and approaches every game.”

After their strong 2023-24 season, which ended in the Western Conference finals, the Timberwolves have had a much tougher ride in 2024-25. They’ve had to adjust to a new lineup, injuries to Randle and DiVincenzo, and the tougher competition they now face due to their increased profile in the league.

Edwards himself has faced challenges, like dealing with double-teams and foul calls from referees, which he has loudly criticized, leading to fines totaling $285,000 this season.

As a team, the Timberwolves have struggled with slow starts, especially against teams that are missing key players or ranked low. This issue of focus and maturity begins with Edwards. Finch has not hesitated to call out the team’s uneven efforts, but Edwards has had little to criticize over the last two games.

Not only did Edwards perform well during a difficult back-to-back set of games, but he also helped give the team momentum at a crucial time. While many Western Conference teams upgraded their lineups before the trade deadline, the Timberwolves decided to stand pat, trusting that a healthy Randle and DiVincenzo will provide a big boost after the All-Star break.

The Timberwolves, with a 21-14 record against the West, are facing a tough stretch of games. After hosting Portland on Saturday, their next seven games include three against the top-ranked Oklahoma City team, one against the East-leading Cleveland team, and three more against teams in the top five of either conference.

“The plan is always to deliver, but if it don’t go my way, then I’ll be OK. I don’t really stress about it,” Edwards said. “However it goes, it goes. I know I put the work in.”

Categories
NBA (Basketball)

Anthony Davis is ready for his debut with the Mavs in Dallas and acknowledges the frustration of fans who lost Luka Doncic

Anthony Davis responds to a question in the news conference

Anthony Davis is ready to make his debut for the Dallas Mavericks in their first home game since the huge trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.

While Davis knows he’ll be on the court for the opening tip against the Houston Rockets on Saturday, he’s unsure what to expect.

Anger among Dallas fans remained high even six days after the trade, which also included sending Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick to the Mavs while Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris went to LA.

Most of the frustration has been aimed at Dallas general manager Nico Harrison, who traded a 25-year-old superstar in his prime just eight months after the Mavs reached the NBA Finals for the first time since winning the franchise’s only championship in 2011.

“I get who Luka was to this franchise, to this city,” Davis said on Friday at his introductory news conference. “I’m never going to downplay that. Just how I know what I meant to the city of LA. So I’m not surprised by the fans’ reaction and the city’s reaction. It’s my job to come in and play basketball and do what I’m supposed to do and give the fans hope and reassurance on why Nico brought me here.”

“I don’t know how (Saturday’s) going to be as far as the reaction,” Davis said. “I can’t control that. Obviously, it was a tough transition. It was a shock to all. My job is to come in and win basketball games.”

Fans in Dallas protested outside the arena the day after the trade, and similar demonstrations could occur when the team returns from a five-game road trip.

All Davis can do is prove himself as one of the NBA’s top big men, a 10-time All-Star with career averages of 24.2 points and 10.7 rebounds, who helped lead the Lakers to their 17th championship in the 2020 playoff bubble.

“I’d just tell them you’ve got a guy who’s going to be on the floor every night,” Davis said when asked what he would say to one of those angry fans. “A guy who’s going to compete every night and bring that championship experience to the organization, try to help lead this team to some championships.”

Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and Caleb Martin respond to a question in the news conference

Davis was joined by Max Christie and Caleb Martin, who also joined the Mavericks in a trade with Philadelphia. Christie played the last two games on the road trip, scoring 15 points in each game. Martin’s debut with the Mavericks is uncertain because of a hip injury.

“I’m big on perspective,” said Christie, a 21-year-old in his third season as a second-round pick coming off a one-and-done college career at Michigan State. “Being able to be a part of a trade of this magnitude is definitely kind of flattering to me.”

Harrison’s bold move shifts the star pairing from Kyrie Irving and Doncic to a new frontcourt-backcourt combo of Irving and Davis.

Irving said in the first game after the trade that he was still grieving the loss of his “hermano,” but preparing himself to move on. After struggling together in the 2022-23 season, Irving and Doncic found their groove in 2023-24 and led the Mavs to a Western Conference title before losing to Boston in five games.

Now, Irving focuses on a new partnership, hoping the learning curve is not as steep since the team now has two players who don’t both need to dominate the ball.

The 31-year-old Davis is also eager to play mostly at power forward, as the Mavs have stronger personnel at center compared to the Lakers, with Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II. Lively may not return until late in the regular season due to a stress fracture in his ankle.

“I just think having a guard like Kai, who’s able to score, who’s able to pass, attack downhill, he can do it all. No flaw in his game,” Davis said. “I don’t think he’s played with a guy like me as well who can play in the pocket, can roll to the rim, be a lob threat and pick and pop, can handle (the ball) when he can come set a screen for me. It’s a different dynamic that I bring to him and he brings to me.”

It’s bringing a new dynamic to the Mavericks’ home, at least for now.

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Hawks GM Landry Fields believes trading Hunter and Bogdanovic will benefit the team in Atlanta both this season and in the future

De’Andre Hunter goes up to shoot in the 2nd half

Hawks general manager Landry Fields said that parting ways with two veterans was tough, but he believes the team is in a better position for both this season and the future.

On Thursday, the Hawks traded De’Andre Hunter to the Cleveland Cavaliers and guard Bogdan Bogdanovic to the Los Angeles Clippers.

“A lot of times it comes down to discerning, not necessarily between good and bad, but good and better,” Fields said. “De’Andre is having a very good year, but with what I discern to be where we’re at and ultimately, where we want to go, you have to make certain decisions and certain transactions that are challenging.”

In return, the Hawks received Caris LeVert and Georges Niang from the Cavs, along with three second-round picks, and guard Terance Mann from the Clippers.

Fields explained that the move was made for “guys and players that we really enjoy and we’re excited about, and also just the asset package, things that are going to help us continue to move.”

Some people in the league were critical of the Hawks’ decisions, including Charles Barkley, who said Hunter was Atlanta’s second-best player after Trae Young. In his sixth season, Hunter is averaging a career-high 19.0 points and shooting a career-best 39.3% from 3-point range.

“I have no idea what the hell the Atlanta Hawks are doing,” Barkley said on TNT’s “Inside the NBA.”

Before their game against Milwaukee on Friday, the Hawks had lost nine of their last 10 games, putting them at ninth in the Eastern Conference. Jalen Johnson is out for the season, but Fields said this did not change his approach at the deadline.

Caris LeVert grabs a rebound in the 2nd half

“Our objectives remained the same,” Fields said. “How do we acquire talent with Hawks DNA? How do we continue to add to our assets and play winning basketball and competitive basketball? Nothing changed our calculus with that.”

While Hunter has been playing well, Bogdanovic has struggled this season, averaging a career-low 10.0 points and shooting a career-worst 30.1% from 3-point range.

Hawks coach Quin Snyder said the new players could help in different ways.

“(Niang’s) shooting is something I think that is a need for us, and that’s what he’s done for a long time,” Snyder said. “Caris has the ability to create both for himself and other guys. That’s valuable to a team. … In Terance’s case, versatility is something that you’ve seen for years — his ability to guard multiple positions, knock down shots and compete on both ends of the floor.”

Fields emphasized that he will continue to adjust and improve the team regardless of the current record.

“Ultimately, it’s not about just one season,” Fields said. “We’re here to build a championship-caliber roster, and not just for a year, but for years to come. So when we have opportunities at the deadline, part of our job is making sure we’re setting the right objectives.”

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Chet Holmgren makes his return for the NBA-leading Thunder in Oklahoma City after a nearly three-month absence

Chet Holmgren spins away from Scottie Barnes in the 2nd half

Chet Holmgren’s return from injury has made the NBA-leading Thunder even better.

The 7-foot-1 forward, who was last season’s runner-up for rookie of the year, returned to Oklahoma City’s starting lineup on Friday night after missing nearly three months with a pelvic fracture. Holmgren finished the Thunder’s 121-109 win over the Toronto Raptors with four points, five rebounds, four blocks, and two steals.

“It’s amazing,” he said. “I missed it for a long time, and I worked really hard to be able to get back out there. So I’m happy and excited and look forward to continue to try and help us win and keep improving.”

He played 22 minutes, and during that time, the Thunder outscored the Raptors by 22 points.

Holmgren was selected second overall in the 2022 draft and missed his rookie season due to a foot injury. In the 2023-24 season, he played all 82 games, averaging 16.5 points and 7.9 rebounds to help the Thunder secure the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.

Before his injury this season, Holmgren was averaging 16.4 points and 8.7 rebounds in 10 games. He wasn’t expected to reach those numbers in his first game back on Friday.

“It ties a bow on his return to play. His return to performance isn’t over,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “It takes a while for a guy that’s been out that long, especially a lower-body injury, to get himself back to game shape, endurance, rhythm, all those things. And so we’ll continue to work with him on probably a week-to-week basis. But it was a great start.”

Holmgren was able to ease back into the game since the Thunder, led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, were sitting comfortably at the top of the Western Conference. With the win over Toronto, they improved to 41-9.

There was a lot of excitement for Holmgren’s return. He was cheered during pregame warmups, and the crowd got even louder when he was introduced as the first Thunder player.

Chet Holmgren in the 1st half

Holmgren scored his first basket just over two minutes into the game, a floater from 4 feet away. On the next basket, he drove to the paint, spun, and passed the ball to center Isaiah Hartenstein, who scored with a floater.

His second field goal came in the first quarter when he made a fadeaway jumper just inside the free-throw line after a quick spin move.

In the fourth quarter, Holmgren blocked a dunk attempt by Scottie Barnes, which was his most exciting play of the night.

This was the first time Holmgren and Hartenstein played together, as Hartenstein, a free-agent pickup this past summer, missed part of the season with a broken left hand.

Holmgren took just five shots, knowing that scoring wasn’t the only way to help the team.

“It’s not going to be the Chet Holmgren show,” he said. “This is the Thunder. Whether I had an injury or not, that’s what it is. I’m just trying to go out there and help the team win in any way I can. I’m not expecting to become like a sideshow apart from what our goal is going out there every single night, and that’s to win basketball games.”

Daigneault said that adding such a talented player to a successful team can be challenging, but he praised Holmgren for being a good teammate and making it easier.

“We’re not asking for it to be perfect,” Daigneault said. “It’s one of those things that, if it requires one step backwards to take two steps forward, we’re willing to do that because we think it’s got a really high ceiling.”

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The Suns’ Big 3 remains intact post-trade deadline, with their pursuit of success ongoing in Phoenix

Kevin Durant gestures in the 2nd half

Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal are still part of the Phoenix Suns after a busy trade deadline. Now, they have about 30 games left to improve a season that has been disappointing so far.

However, there aren’t many signs to suggest that things will turn around.

The Suns were relatively quiet during the trade deadline, despite rumors that Beal and Durant might be traded. Phoenix general manager James Jones didn’t share much about how seriously he considered trading either player when asked before a game against the Utah Jazz.

“It always gets noisy when you’re not winning,” Jones said. “And we’re not winning.”

The Suns are 26-25 after breaking a three-game losing streak with a 135-127 overtime win over the Jazz on Friday night. Durant (ankle) and Beal (toe) were both out due to injuries.

Injuries have been a constant problem for the All-Star trio over the past 18 months, preventing them from playing together for long stretches. Durant’s absence has been especially tough for the team. The Suns are 24-15 when he plays and 1-10 when he doesn’t.

Even when all three players have been healthy, success has been inconsistent. After being swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves last season, the Suns made changes by retooling their roster around the Big 3. They fired coach Frank Vogel and hired Mike Budenholzer, but the team still hasn’t found success.

Phoenix is running out of time to figure things out with this group. Jones insists the team isn’t giving up.

Devin Booker shoots to score the ball

“I think the injuries are a part of it,” Jones said. “I also think we just haven’t performed well enough. … But we do see glimpses of success, and for right now, these last 32 games of the year give us an opportunity to maximize what we do.”

Beal had been part of trade rumors for months because of the $110 million he’s owed over the next two years. The three-time All-Star also has a no-trade clause, but Jones said he never asked Beal to waive it.

The 31-year-old is averaging 17.4 points per game and was moved to the bench earlier this season.

The speculation surrounding Durant came as more of a surprise, especially in the days leading up to the deadline. Even at 36 years old, Durant is still one of the league’s best scorers, averaging nearly 27 points per game. He will play in his 15th All-Star game later this month and is under contract for next season.

It’s unclear how the trade rumors impacted Durant, but Jones called him a “pro.”

“He’s always shown and will continue to show, and I think this team will continue to show, that despite the things outside of our walls, we will focus on the task at hand and that’s ball,” Jones said.

Jones, who won three NBA titles during his 14-year career, believes that the team still has potential to make a deep playoff run. The Suns did trade center Jusuf Nurkic to the Hornets on Thursday, adding Cody Martin and Vasa Micic for more depth on the perimeter.

Jones’ optimism may seem hard to believe, but right now, there’s not much else to do.

“We understand that there’s a lot of work to do,” Jones said. “But it’ll be fun. It’ll be a challenge and we’re up to it.”