Knicks call Embiid's flagrant on Robinson 'dirty'

Tim Bontemps, ESPNApr 26, 2024, 01:11 AM ET

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PHILADELPHIA — The New York Knicks took exception to the flagrant foul Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid committed on Knicks center Mitchell Robinson in the first quarter of Philadelphia’s 125-114 Game 3 victory, calling it “dirty” and saying Robinson was fortunate to avoid serious injury on the play.

“It was dirty,” Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo said. “It was dirty.”

“I mean, we’re just happy Mitch didn’t get a serious injury on that,” Knicks forward Josh Hart added. “I’m all for tough fouls, tough playoff fouls, but that’s something that can put a guy out for a significant amount of time. So we’re lucky he didn’t get seriously hurt during that time.”

The play came with 4:34 in the first quarter, when Embiid fell to the ground trying to draw an offensive foul

Juwan Howard will join the Nets as an assistant head coach

By | April 26, 2024

What’s the buzz on Twitter? Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
ESPN Sources: Juwan Howard has agreed to join the Brooklyn Nets as an assistant coach. Howard spent six NBA seasons as a Heat assistant before returning to Michigan for five years as head coach. Howard arrives as part of Jordi Fernandez’s first staff. pic.twitter.com/RMjNVgpiel – 4:57 PM More on this storyline Howard told his wife, Jenine, that it was no big deal. He tried to believe that, too, but the day after his MRI, Howard learned that blood clots were found in his lungs and an unruptured aneurysm was discovered in his aorta. The blood clots, he says, were

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'You can't fake that fire': What fueled Kevin Durant's incredible return to the game

Baxter Holmes, ESPN Senior WriterApr 26, 2024, 08:00 AM ET

CloseBaxter Holmes (@Baxter) is a senior writer for ESPN Digital and Print, focusing on the NBA. He has covered the Lakers, the Celtics and previously worked for The Boston Globe and Los Angeles Times.Open Extended Reactions

KEVIN DURANT HEARD the pop in his right leg over the roar of nearly 20,000 fans inside Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Then he collapsed to the floor, holding his leg, pinching his heel.

It was the second quarter of Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals. As Durant sat there, a member of the Golden State Warriors, memories from his basketball career flashed before his eyes. Fearing the end of his career, or one that seemed recognizable, he gazed around the court and into the crowd, trying to soak up a final moment.

When he was helped to the locker room, Durant’s foot didn’t feel fully

Sources: Juwan Howard agrees to be Nets asst.

Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPNApr 26, 2024, 05:01 PM ET

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Juwan Howard has agreed to a deal to become an assistant coach with the Brooklyn Nets, sources told ESPN on Friday.

Howard — fired by Michigan in March after five seasons as coach — joins new Nets coach Jordi Fernandez’s staff.

Howard spent six seasons as an assistant under Erik Spoelstra with the Miami Heat upon his retirement from an NBA career that included 19 seasons, two championships and All-Star and All-NBA selections.

After his initial success as Wolverines coach, Howard was approached for some NBA head-coaching openings — including with the Los Angeles Lakers — but remained at Michigan where he eventually coached his sons, Jett and Jace. Howard led the Wolverines to a Sweet 16 and Elite Eight in his time at his alma mater but struggled in the past two seasons, culminating with an 8-24

Darvin Ham on Lakers mindset: We gotta fight the self-disappointment of 'here we go again'

By | April 26, 2024

What’s the buzz on Twitter? Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Darvin Ham in the Lakers getting tight against the Nuggets: “The self-disappoint of ‘Here we go again,’ we gotta fight that.” – 4:38 PM Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Darvin Ham on the Lakers’ mood today at their film session: “Guys are irritated, frustrated, fed up, ready to make a change.” – 4:30 PM Dave McMenamin @mcten
Darvin Ham on the Lakers mood today at film session: “Guys are irritated, frustrated, fed up” – 4:30 PM Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Darvin

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Steelers OT Troy Fautanu: I’m comfortable anywhere on the offensive line


Nick Farabaugh, X

Pittsburgh introduced their new offensive tackle on Friday

The Pittsburgh Steelers introduced first-round pick Troy Fautanu on Friday.

Fautanu answered a series of questions, including about his versatility across the offensive line. The former Washington Husky said he played just about every position at practice, and that the lineman at Washington cross-trained.

“I’m comfortable anywhere, man,” Fautanu said.

Fautanu also added that Isaac Seumalo was someone he looked up to, and that he was excited to meet him.

“He’s a guy I grew up watching and then he says he’s watched me before and I’m like ‘what do you mean?’” Fautanu said about his new teammate.

The newest Steeler reiterated that he grew up a Steelers fan and that he is incredibly grateful to be in Pittsburgh.

“I’m sure everyone knows I grew up wanting to play for these guys,” Fautanu said. “I was a fan.”

Fautanu also added in that on his flight from Las Vegas to Pittsburgh, Russell Wilson gave him a call to welcome him to the team.

Wherever Fautanu lines up on the offensive line, the Steelers are believed to have one of the bigger steals of the first round, as few expected Fautanu to go as late as No. 20 overall. Pittsburgh has three picks across rounds two and three where we’ll see who else they add to this draft class.

How to watch Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers: NBA live stream info, TV channel, start time, game odds

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Los Angeles Clippers @ Dallas Mavericks

Regular Season Records: Los Angeles 51-31, Dallas 50-32

Current Series Standings: Los Angeles 1, Dallas 1How To WatchWhen: Friday, April 26, 2024 at 8 p.m. ETWhere: American Airlines Center — Dallas, TexasTV: ESPNFollow: CBS Sports AppOnline streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)Ticket Cost: $135.00What to Know

The Clippers have enjoyed a five-game homestand but will soon have to dust off their road jerseys. On Friday, they will fight it out against the Dallas Mavericks in a Western Conference playoff matchup at 8:00 p.m. ET at American Airlines Center. Coming off a loss in a game the Clippers were expected to win, they now face the more daunting task of proving themselves against unfavorable odds.

The Clippers are headed into this one after the oddsmakers set last week’s over/under low at 217, but even that wound up being too high.

WR, CB most popular positions mocked to the Steelers for Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft


Jackson Powers-Johnson #58 of the Oregon Ducks reacts during the Pac-12 Championship game against the Washington Huskies at Allegiant Stadium on December 1, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images

Does Pittsburgh find the final anchor for their offensive line in Rounds 2 or 3?

We’re just hours out from the start of Day 2 of the NFL Draft, where the Pittsburgh Steelers hold picks 51, 84 and 98 on Friday evening. After addressing arguably the most crucial need (based on positional value in the draft) with Washington offensive tackle Troy Fautanu, the Steelers can now look to fill out the rest of their needs — of which, there are several.

With Broderick Jones and Fautanu anchoring the offensive line at tackle, the Steelers still need a center — literally, any center, without one currently rostered at this point in the offseason. They also have a big need at wide receiver, with just Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin and… Quez Watkins (?) in the mix to lineup alongside George Pickens. Then, there’s the need at cornerback, without much beyond recently acquired Donte Jackson in the mix to line up opposite Joey Porter. Oh, then there’s the defensive line, where the Steelers should probably be looking to secure their future as an aging Cam Heyward approaches what could be the end of his professional career.

So yeah… there’s still a lot of work for Steelers GM Omar Khan to do in order to get this roster into viable shape for the season.

Taking a look at various 2024 Day 2 NFL Mock drafts around the league, wide receiver and cornerback are among the most popular positional selections for the Pittsburgh Steelers, addressing both of those positions in four of five industry mock drafts, presented below.

Most interestingly, perhaps, is the fact that the Steelers were projected to take a center in just two of those five mock drafts, which would be a particularly ominous gaping hole in the roster heading into Day 3. That would either force a shakeup in the current projected offensive line rotation (maybe slide RG James Daniels to center…?) or have backup OL Nate Herbig or Spencer Anderson in line as a potential starter.

Here’s a look at the selections in each of the mock drafts we polled ahead of Rounds 2 and 3.

Dane Brugler, The Athletic

  • Pick No. 51 — Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
  • Pick 84 — Jermain Burton, WR, Alabama
  • Pick 98 — Jarvis Brownlee Jr., CB, Louisville

Lance Zierlein, NFL Network

John Kosko and Trevor Sikkema, PFF

Matt Verderame, Sports Illustrated

  • Pick No. 51 — Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
  • Pick 84 — Junior Colson, LB, Michigan
  • Pick 98 — T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas

Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports

  • Pick No. 51 — Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
  • Pick 84 — Javon Bullard, S, Georgia
  • Pick 98 — Malik Washington, WR, Virginia

Now, it’s time to vote!