Categories
NBA (Basketball)

NBA recap: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drops 54 points in Oklahoma City’s victory

Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 54 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 123-114 home victory over the Utah Jazz. The game stayed close until the Thunder pulled away in the final three minutes.

Gilgeous-Alexander topped his previous career high of 45 points by making 17 of his 35 shots and going 17 of 18 from the free-throw line. He also contributed eight rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. Jalen Williams, back after missing one game due to injury, added 25 points. The Thunder have won 21 of their last 23 games.

For the Jazz, John Collins scored 22 points with 12 rebounds, Walker Kessler posted 17 points and 15 rebounds, and Keyonte George had 15 points and 10 assists. Utah has lost four consecutive games.

Rockets Hold Off Cavaliers 109-108

Alperen Sengun hit two free throws with 4.5 seconds remaining, and the Houston Rockets survived a long scoring drought to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-108.

The Cavaliers had a chance to win when Darius Garland was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 2.8 seconds left. However, Garland missed the first two free throws, and Donovan Mitchell missed a 3-point shot at the buzzer. Sengun finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Amen Thompson had 16 points with 16 rebounds.

Garland led Cleveland with 26 points, while Mitchell had 19 points on 7-of-21 shooting. Jarrett Allen added 17 points and 13 rebounds.

Kings Comeback to Beat Warriors 123-117

De’Aaron Fox scored eight of his 14 points in the final moments, helping the Sacramento Kings overcome an 18-point deficit to defeat the Golden State Warriors 123-117.

The Kings closed the game with 10 consecutive points in the final four minutes. Domantas Sabonis finished with 26 points and 18 rebounds. Sacramento has now won 10 of their last 11 games.

Andrew Wiggins led Golden State with 25 points. Stephen Curry had 14 points and 12 assists but made just one 3-pointer on four attempts.

Celtics Edge Clippers 117-113 in OT

Jaylen Brown scored 25 points, and Jayson Tatum added 24 to help the Boston Celtics defeat the Los Angeles Clippers 117-113 in overtime in Inglewood, California. Both teams were missing key players due to injury.

The Celtics were without Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porzingis, while the Clippers were missing four starters: Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Norman Powell, and Ivica Zubac. Derrick White added 20 points for Boston.

Jrue Holiday and Jaylen Brown stands in the game

Pistons Beat Hawks 114-104

Cade Cunningham scored 29 points, and Malik Beasley came off the bench for 19 points to help the Detroit Pistons defeat the Atlanta Hawks 114-104. Detroit has now won two straight games and improved to 10-4 since Christmas.

Dyson Daniels led Atlanta with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Jalen Johnson posted 17 points, nine rebounds, and six steals. Trae Young had 13 points and nine assists.

Timberwolves Hold Off Mavericks 115-114

Jaden McDaniels scored a career-high 27 points, and Anthony Edwards added 21 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Dallas Mavericks 115-114.

Mike Conley had a season-high 18 points for Minnesota, which snapped a two-game losing streak. Kyrie Irving led Dallas with 36 points and nine assists, but the Mavericks were without several key players due to injuries.

Grizzlies Top Hornets 132-120

Desmond Bane scored 24 points, and Luke Kennard added a season-high 23 points to help the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Charlotte Hornets 132-120. Memphis won their fourth straight game.

Kennard scored 18 points in the first half, and Jaren Jackson Jr. contributed 22 points. Charlotte got a career-high 38 points from Mark Williams, who made 14 of 18 field goals and grabbed nine rebounds.

Suns Beat Nets 108-84

Kevin Durant scored 24 points in three quarters against his former team as the Phoenix Suns defeated the Brooklyn Nets 108-84 in New York. Phoenix never trailed in the game and ended their five-game road trip with a victory.

Devin Booker scored 12 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter. Brooklyn, missing several key players, has now lost nine straight home games. Keon Johnson led the Nets with 20 points.

Bucks vs. Pelicans Postponed

The game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the New Orleans Pelicans was postponed due to extreme weather conditions. Around 10 inches of snow fell in New Orleans, causing the delay. A new date for the rescheduled game will be announced later.

Categories
NHL (National Hockey League)

NHL recap: Adam Fantilli of the Jackets nets his first hat trick in Columbus

Columbus Blue Jackets and Toronto Maple Leafs

Adam Fantilli scored his first career hat trick as the Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-1 on Wednesday night. Luca Del Bel Belluz contributed with a goal and an assist, while James van Riemsdyk also scored for Columbus, who have now won seven of their last nine games (7-1-1).

Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins was outstanding, stopping 28 shots for the Blue Jackets, who are 1-1-1 on their current four-game road trip. Auston Matthews scored for the Maple Leafs, and Dennis Hildeby made 14 saves. The loss ended Toronto’s three-game winning streak.

Kings Rally to Beat Panthers 2-1

Adrian Kempe scored the game-winning goal as the Los Angeles Kings came back in the third period to beat the Florida Panthers 2-1. Samuel Helenius scored his first NHL goal, and Darcy Kuemper made 27 saves. The Kings ended a two-game losing streak with the win.

Evan Rodrigues scored for the Panthers, who lost for just the second time this season when leading after two periods (18-2-0). Florida goalie Spencer Knight stopped 26 shots in the loss.

Los Angeles Kings players reacts after a goal in the 2nd period

Devils Cruise Past Bruins 5-1

Dawson Mercer scored two goals, including one in each period, to help the New Jersey Devils beat the Boston Bruins 5-1 in Newark, N.J. Mercer’s two goals were part of a four-goal second period for the Devils.

Nico Hischier had a goal and two assists, while Dougie Hamilton (one goal, one assist) and Timo Meier (two assists) also contributed with multiple points. Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom was injured during a second-period collision and did not return. Jake Allen stepped in, stopping all 16 shots he faced. Morgan Geekie scored for the Bruins.

Jets Edge Avalanche 3-2 in Overtime

Neal Pionk scored just 17 seconds into overtime, and Connor Hellebuyck made 25 saves to help the Winnipeg Jets beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 in Denver.

Morgan Barron and Gabriel Vilardi also scored for the Jets, who won the season series 3-1-0. Josh Morrissey and Vladislav Namestnikov each had two assists. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar scored for Colorado, with Jonathan Drouin earning two assists. Blackwood made 22 saves for the Avalanche, who are 1-2-1 in their last four games.

Categories
NFL (American Football)

Cowboys are nearing an agreement to hire Brian Schottenheimer as head coach in Dallas

Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer looks on from the sidelines during an NFL football game

The Dallas Cowboys are nearing an agreement to make offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer their new head coach, according to Clarence Hill of All City DLLS. Hill reported that the deal is expected to be finalized either today or by Friday.

Schottenheimer meets many of the qualities that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones values in a head coach. He will come at a lower cost compared to other head coaches since Schottenheimer had no other interviews for head coach positions.

Additionally, Jones, who is also the team’s General Manager, will maintain control and continue to be the public face of the team. Schottenheimer is also someone Jones is familiar with.

Jones’ History with Hiring Coaches

Jones’ previous eight head coach hires were either former head coaches or had experience with the Cowboys organization. The only exceptions were Dave Campo and Jason Garrett, who were promoted from within the staff without prior head coaching experience.

Dallas Cowboys celebrates in the 2nd half

Schottenheimer’s Coaching Background

Schottenheimer, 51, is the son of long-time NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer. He joined the Cowboys in 2022 as a coaching analyst and was promoted to offensive coordinator after Kellen Moore and the Cowboys parted ways before the 2023 season. Schottenheimer did not call plays under head coach Mike McCarthy, who left the team after his contract expired on January 14.

Other Candidates for the Job

The Cowboys also interviewed Seattle assistant Leslie Frazier and former Jets head coach Robert Saleh. They also had a virtual interview with Kellen Moore, who is now the offensive coordinator for the Eagles.

Schottenheimer Gains Momentum

Schottenheimer became the favorite to land the job earlier this week, and his chances strengthened after a second round of interviews on Wednesday.

Categories
NFL (American Football)

NFL changes Joe Mixon’s fine in Cincinnati from what he didn’t say to what he did say

Joe Mixon runs for a touchdown in the 1st half

The NFL has decided to reissue a fine to Texans running back Joe Mixon after initially penalizing him for something he didn’t say about the officiating in Saturday’s playoff game against the Chiefs. The fine has now been updated to reflect his actual words.

The Correct Fine and Quote

Mixon was fined $25,000 for saying, “Everybody knows how it is playing up here. You can never leave it in the refs’ hands. The whole world see, man.” These words were the basis for the revised fine.

Initially, the fine letter referenced a quote from former Bengals receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, not Mixon’s actual statement. The incorrect quote was, “Why play the game if every 50/50 call goes with Chiefs. These officials are trash and bias.”

NFL’s Rule on Criticizing Officiating

The NFL has a rule that prevents players and coaches from publicly criticizing officials, as it could damage the integrity and public trust in the game.

Joe Mixon celebrates after a 14-yard touchdown in the 1st half

However, the league’s attempt to fine Mixon for something he didn’t say has drawn attention to the officiating in the game, especially regarding some controversial calls. For example, ESPN’s Troy Aikman criticized a late slide by Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, which resulted in a penalty for unnecessary roughness against the Texans.

Troy Aikman’s Criticism

Aikman, during a broadcast watched by over 30 million people, said, “Come on, he’s a runner, and I could not disagree with that one more. He barely gets hit. That’s the second penalty now that’s been called against the Texans.”

While the NFL cannot fine Aikman because he is not part of a team, they may have spoken to his bosses about his comments.

Mixed Messaging from the NFL

In the end, the NFL’s decision to fine Mixon for something he didn’t say, followed by a fine for the less controversial comment he actually made, has drawn attention to the inconsistency in handling criticism of officiating.

Categories
NFL (American Football)

North Carolina reveals details of Bill Belichick’s contract in Chapel Hill

Bill Belichick speaks in a press conference

Bill Belichick has officially signed his contract with the University of North Carolina. On Thursday, the school made the details of his deal public, which runs through the end of 2029. Belichick had been working under a binding offer sheet since he was introduced as UNC’s head coach in December.

Salary and Income Structure

At 72 years old, Belichick will earn $10 million per year, with $1 million of that as his base salary. The remaining $9 million comes from monthly “supplemental income.” This makes Belichick one of the top-10 highest-paid coaches in college football. According to USA Today’s database, seven coaches earned at least $10 million in 2024, with Georgia’s Kirby Smart being the highest-paid coach at over $13 million.

Bonuses and Incentives

Belichick’s contract includes several performance-based bonuses. If North Carolina makes the College Football Playoff, he will receive a bonus of at least $750,000. If the team wins the national title, he will earn a $1.75 million bonus. His bowl bonus starts at $150,000, but if the team qualifies for a major bowl like the Pop-Tarts Bowl, Gator Bowl, or Duke’s Mayo Bowl, he will receive $350,000.

Bill Belichick in the 2nd half

If the Tar Heels finish the season ranked in the top 25 of the College Football Playoff rankings, Belichick will earn a bonus of at least $250,000.

Buyout and Contract Terms

The contract includes a buyout provision for Belichick. If he decides to leave the program before June 1, the university would owe him $10 million. After June 1, this buyout amount drops to $1 million.

If North Carolina fires Belichick without cause before the end of 2027, the university will need to pay him the remainder of his $1 million annual base salary, along with any unpaid bonuses and supplemental income.

Belichick’s Commitment

Despite interest from multiple NFL teams after the regular season, Belichick confirmed at his introductory news conference that he came to Chapel Hill with the intention to stay. He emphasized that he didn’t come to North Carolina “to leave,” and others have also backed his commitment to the university.

Categories
NFL (American Football)

Colorado reported a minor NCAA violation after Deion Sanders referenced five-star QB Julian Lewis on his coaches show in Boulder

Deion Sanders checks the video board in the 1st half

Colorado has reported a minor NCAA rules violation after a mention of a recruit, Julian Lewis, on Deion Sanders’ coaches show. According to records obtained by USA Today, the university self-reported two violations related to the five-star quarterback. Lewis, who had originally committed to USC, switched to Colorado in November and signed with the Buffaloes in December.

NCAA rules prohibit college coaches from discussing recruits who have not yet signed with the school. Sanders mentioned Lewis’ name on the show before he officially committed.

Details of the Violation

On the show, Sanders spoke about recruiting Lewis, saying, “Hey, get JuJu on the phone and get his pop on the phone… See if his dad want to come down and just sit down and chop it up with me.” Sanders also mentioned that Lewis’ father had visited his office for a meeting, adding, “He sat in my office I think a few weeks ago for a couple hours… I said, `C’mon, give it all to me because I know you’ve got a bunch of questions on your mind. Let’s go.’ And we did that. And he walked away feeling really comfortable about where we’re headed.”

The second violation occurred when the host of the show brought up Lewis’ name in a question to Sanders before Lewis had signed with Colorado.

Deion Sanders congratulates player in the 2nd half

Consequences and Response

In response to the violations, Colorado has provided additional rules education to Sanders and imposed a four-day reduction in in-person recruiting during the spring recruiting period. The two episodes that led to the violations have been removed from YouTube, and Sanders’ show will no longer be live-streamed on the platform.

Julian Lewis’ Recruitment and Impact

Julian Lewis is considered one of the top players in the 2025 recruiting class and a major reason why Colorado currently ranks No. 40 in the national high school rankings, despite only having 14 recruits signed. The five-star quarterback from Carrollton, Georgia, is ranked No. 10 overall in the country and No. 1 in his state. Lewis is also the No. 3 pro-style quarterback in the class, following Ohio State’s Tavien St. Clair and Michigan’s Bryce Underwood.

Lewis is expected to be Colorado’s starting quarterback in 2026, as current quarterback Shedeur Sanders plans to enter the NFL. In the meantime, Colorado added former Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter for the 2025 season.

Deion Sanders, Colorado’s head coach, is expected to stay with the team after talks of him coaching the Dallas Cowboys have fizzled. Sanders has not interviewed with Dallas, as the Cowboys continue their search for a new offensive coordinator.

Categories
Tennis

Australian Open: Madison Keys shocks Iga Swiatek to reach the final, set to face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in Melbourne

American Madison Keys defeated Poland's Iga Swiatek to make her first AO final

In the 2015 Australian Open, Madison Keys, then just 19, reached her first Grand Slam semifinal. She defeated Venus Williams to make it there but lost to Serena Williams, who went on to win the tournament.

Fast forward a decade to Thursday, and the 29-year-old Keys found herself in the final of the 2025 Australian Open, after defeating world No. 2 Iga Swiatek with a powerful, relentless performance. Keys, seeded 19th, played the best tennis of her life and triumphed in a thrilling 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(8) victory, lasting two hours and 35 minutes.

Keys vs. Swiatek: A Fierce Battle

Before facing Keys, Swiatek had been dominating the tournament, not losing a set and dropping only 14 games in her first five matches. However, Keys challenged Swiatek with her power, hitting seven aces and 36 winners. In the first set, Keys gave Swiatek her toughest challenge of the tournament, but Swiatek managed to win the set, seeming to gain control of the match.

In the second set, Keys turned the tables. It was rare to see Swiatek struggle, but Keys played an intense, dominant game, overwhelming her opponent with fast returns. She quickly gained a 5-0 lead and won the set in just 26 minutes.

The Tiebreak: A Thrilling Finish

The third set came down to a tiebreak, and both players fought fiercely for every point. Swiatek took an early 5-3 lead, but Keys refused to back down. She caught up to Swiatek, tying the score at 7-7. Keys hit her seventh ace of the match to make it 8-8 and then sealed the win after a Swiatek unforced error. After the match, Keys collapsed to the ground and cried, emotional after securing her first Grand Slam final in eight years.

Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after scoring a point

Facing Aryna Sabalenka in the Final

Keys is now set to face Aryna Sabalenka in the final on Saturday. Sabalenka, the No. 1 seed, defeated Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2 in just 86 minutes to make it to the final. Like Keys and Swiatek, Sabalenka is known for her power and has had a relatively smooth path to the final, dropping only one set in her six matches. However, if Keys can play with the same intensity and power she showed against Swiatek, she stands a real chance of defeating Sabalenka and winning her first Grand Slam.

A Decade of Growth

In the 10 years since Keys lost her first Grand Slam semifinal in Melbourne, tennis has changed, but some things remain the same. Powerful opponents like Serena Williams and now Sabalenka continue to stand in the way of victory. However, after a decade of experience, Keys has shown that she can use both her physical and mental strength to challenge any player. In the final, Keys will have control of her destiny and the chance to claim her first major title.

Categories
NHL (National Hockey League)

Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin faces another setback in his recovery from a lower-body injury and is now listed as week-to-week

Colorado Avalanche players celebrates after scoring

Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin is experiencing a setback in his recovery from a lower-body injury, and it looks like he won’t be returning to the lineup anytime soon.

Coach Jared Bednar updated Nichushkin’s status on Wednesday, calling him “week-to-week.” Bednar expressed concern about the timeline, noting, “Any time without Val is worrisome. Now we don’t have a solid timeline on his return.” Bednar explained that a setback like this means starting the recovery process over again.

Setback During Practice

Nichushkin had appeared close to returning when he practiced with the team on Sunday. However, he couldn’t finish the entire session.

Mental Challenge of Injury Recovery

Teammate Mikko Rantanen shared his thoughts on the difficulty of injuries, saying, “It’s not fun. I’ve been there, too. You feel like you’re getting back and feeling better, and then something happens. Mentally, it’s probably the toughest part.” He believes Nichushkin, being a veteran, will eventually bounce back.

Valeri Nichushkin and Kevin Stenlund in the 1st period

Off-Ice Challenges Earlier

Nichushkin faced challenges earlier this year when he was suspended last May and placed in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. This came during the Avalanche’s playoff run, marking the second consecutive postseason where he couldn’t play due to off-ice reasons.

Season Performance Before Injury

The 29-year-old forward missed the first 17 games of the season before making his debut on November 15 against Washington. He has 11 goals and 6 assists in 21 games so far. However, he hasn’t played since New Year’s Eve and remains an important part of Colorado’s offense. The team has a strong record of 209-74-27 with him in the lineup.

Team Impact and Support

Teammate Logan O’Connor commented on the situation, saying, “Everyone wants to be out there. You may try and push yourself a little quicker than you probably should, and it can result in a setback. It’s just the way it is. It’s motivation to come back and help guys out, help the team out. It’s unfortunate what happened to Val.”

Categories
NHL (National Hockey League)

Eichel enjoying best season yet as he aims to guide Golden Knights toward Stanley Cup contention in Las Vegas

Jack Eichel celebrates with Noah Hanifin after scoring

Jack Eichel arrived in Las Vegas in 2021 with high expectations, and he has mostly met them, including playing a key role in the Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup win two seasons ago. Now, he has taken his performance to an even higher level.

Career-Best Numbers and MVP Buzz

Eichel has accumulated 58 points in 46 games, putting him in a strong position to break personal records and possibly even enter the MVP conversation. His strong performance has helped the Golden Knights stay at the top of the Pacific Division, despite a recent slump of 1-5-1. The Edmonton Oilers trail them by just one point.

Leadership Role and Growth

Coach Bruce Cassidy spoke about how Eichel took on a leadership role after some key players left in the offseason. Eichel recognized a leadership void and stepped up, saying, “I want to be that guy. I’m going to bring that.” He has become an elite playmaker and remains a skilled scorer, with 46 assists, ranking fourth in the NHL. He is just eight assists away from his career high.

Striving to Improve Goal Scoring

While Eichel has scored 12 goals this season, which is lower than his 31-goal performance last year, he could still improve as his shooting percentage is down to 8.3%. If he starts scoring more regularly, he could rise in the MVP rankings, where he is currently eighth.

Jack Eichel looks to pass the puck in the 2nd half

Consistency and Leadership

Eichel credits his improvement to consistency and dedication to his routine. His teammates have taken notice, with forward Ivan Barbashev calling his preparation the best in the game. Coach Cassidy highlighted how Eichel’s work ethic sets a positive example for the team.

He compared Eichel’s leadership to players he coached in Boston, like Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron, and emphasized that the dedication of the best players creates a strong culture.

Looking Ahead to More Success

Since the Golden Knights won the Cup two seasons ago, Eichel’s game has been on a new level. Despite the current struggles, he is focused on getting the team back on track and securing more victories.

“Obviously, the team’s been in a little bit of a funk lately,” Eichel said. “So I think the only thing on any of our minds now is just trying to find our game again and rattle off some wins.”

Categories
NHL (National Hockey League)

Devils pay tribute to ex-Stanley Cup-winning coach Jacques Lemaire

Jacques Lemaire shakes hands with Nico Hischier during a ceremony

The New Jersey Devils paid tribute to their former coach Jacques Lemaire by inducting him into the team’s Ring of Honor. Lemaire, who led the Devils to their first Stanley Cup in 1995, was celebrated in a pregame ceremony before the Devils’ game against the Boston Bruins on Wednesday.

Lemaire’s Achievements and Legacy

Lemaire, 79, was joined by former players including goaltender Martin Brodeur and defensemen Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer, and Larry Robinson at center ice. Robinson, a teammate of Lemaire’s on the Montreal Canadiens, expressed his excitement about being part of the ceremony, saying, “I wouldn’t have missed this for anything.” Robinson added, “We both came up in a pretty successful organization in Montreal.”

Lemaire has won eight Stanley Cups as a player with the Canadiens and two more as their assistant general manager. After a brief coaching stint with Montreal in the mid-1980s, Lemaire became head coach of the Devils before the 1993-94 season. In his second season, the Devils swept the Detroit Red Wings in the 1995 Stanley Cup Final, marking the team’s first championship.

Jacques Lemaire speaks in a ceremony

A Special Moment with Former Players and Lou Lamoriello

Lemaire shared his joy at seeing former players and his long-time colleague Lou Lamoriello, now president of hockey operations for the New York Islanders. Lemaire, currently a special assignment coach for the Islanders, took a moment during his emotional speech to acknowledge Lamoriello, saying, “All the meetings we had, the hours we spent together… were for one goal only — to get the team better so we could win a Stanley Cup.”

Coaching Career Highlights and Retirement

Lemaire also coached the Minnesota Wild during its first eight seasons before returning to the Devils for parts of the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons. He finished his coaching career with 617 wins.

Reflecting on his retirement, Lemaire humorously mentioned, “I haven’t lost a game since 2011,” adding that he no longer worries about the stress of coaching.

Categories
NHL (National Hockey League)

NHL linesman exits game following collision with Toews

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, right, is congratulated as he passes the team box after scoring a goal against the Winnipeg Jets in the second period of an NHL hockey game

Jonny Murray, a linesman, was injured and left the game during the third period after briefly returning following a collision in the second period of the Avalanche vs. Winnipeg game on Wednesday night.

Injury Details

Colorado defenseman Devon Toews was skating with Winnipeg’s Kyle Connor in the Winnipeg zone when the collision occurred near Murray’s right knee at 7:26 of the period. Murray spun and fell to the ice, staying down on his hands and knees while Colorado’s trainers attended to him.

Utah Hockey Club center Clayton Keller moves the puck against the Winnipeg Jets during the first period of an NHL hockey game

Return and Exit

Murray was able to get up and leave the ice with help from Avalanche trainers. Play continued with Tyson Baker as the only linesman for the rest of the second period. Murray returned to the ice to start the third period but later left again and did not return.

Categories
NBA (Basketball)

Mike Tirico will be the lead play-by-play announcer for NBC’s NBA coverage starting next season

NBC sportscaster Mike Tirico works the sidelines during an NFL football game

Mike Tirico has been appointed as NBC’s lead play-by-play announcer when the network starts its NBA coverage next season.

This decision was expected after NBC signed an 11-year contract with the NBA last summer. Tirico had been part of ESPN and ABC’s NBA coverage until he joined NBC in 2016. He also called six NBA Finals for ESPN Radio. According to the 506 Sports Archive, Tirico called 313 NBA regular-season and playoff games on ESPN and ABC.

Busy Schedule for Tirico

From September through May 2026, Tirico will have a packed schedule. He will continue calling the “Sunday Night Football” package, including Super Bowl 60, and serve as NBC’s prime-time host for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

Tirico’s Excitement for NBA Coverage

Tirico shared his excitement about his new role, saying, “My 15 years of chronicling the best basketball players in the world still stands as one of the highlights of my career. Like so many others, my love of the league took hold during the unforgettable days of the NBA on NBC back in the ’90s. The chance to be a part of the team bringing that iconic partnership back to life has us incredibly excited.”

Kevin Durant takes the ball forward

NBC’s NBA Broadcast Plans

NBC, which aired NBA games from 1990 to 2002, will broadcast up to 100 regular-season games, including Sunday night games after the NFL season ends. It will also show games on Tuesdays during the regular season, while a Monday night doubleheader will be streamed exclusively on Peacock. NBC will also cover the All-Star Game and All-Star Saturday Night.

During the playoffs, NBC and/or Peacock will air up to 28 games in the first two rounds, with at least half of them on NBC. The network will also carry one of the two conference finals for six of the 11 years of the deal.

NBC’s Growing NBA Coverage Team

With the All-Star Game approaching, NBC, ESPN/ABC, and Prime Video are expected to make more announcements for their NBA coverage teams. NBC has already named Jamal Crawford as a game analyst and Frank DiGraci as coordinating producer. Prime Video has added Taylor Rooks, Blake Griffin, and Dirk Nowitzki to its studio show.

NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood mentioned, “It’s been a fun challenge putting the puzzle pieces together to create a new team for one of the most exciting launches in our company’s history.”