NBA Announces Schedule Changes for Lakers, Warriors, More After January Postponements
Jan 28, 2025
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 13: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs during the second quarter at Crypto.com Arena on January 13, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
The NBA announced the rescheduling of two previously postponed games as well as the rescheduling of seven other games on Tuesday.
The Los Angeles Lakers' home game against the San Antonio Spurs was rescheduled for March 17 amid the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires, while the New Orleans Pelicans' matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks that was postponed due to a snowstorm will now be played on April 6.
To accommodate various changes, the Golden State Warriors had a pair of games in March rescheduled.
Some other games were moved to make way for the postponed games. For example, the Orlando Magic were supposed to visit New Orleans on April 6. With that date now serving as the spot for the Bucks at Pels matchup, Orlando will now play in New Orleans on March 13.
Other games were moved to avoid arduous stretches. For example, the Lakers would have had to play four home games in four nights (March 16-19) if not for the team's March 18 game against Milwaukee being moved to March 20. Four games in five nights is still tough, but it's obviously more palatable than four in four.
The Spurs at Lakers matchup on March 17, in particular, could be a pivotal late-season game with San Antonio fighting to make the playoffs (currently 12th in the West) and the Lakers looking to remain top six and avoid the play-in (currently fifth).
Report: C.J. Stroud, Bobby Slowik Had 'Contentious' Altercation Before 2023 NFL Draft
Jan 28, 2025
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 18: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans scrambles during the second half of the AFC Divisional playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 18, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud will be working with a new offensive coordinator after Bobby Slowik was fired two seasons into his tenure.
On Monday, Lance Zierlein of ESPN 97.5 recalled a story in which Stroud and Slowik got into a "contentious" confrontation at a 2023 pre-draft meeting regarding terminology, to the point where the ex-Ohio State star told another team that his sitdown with the Texans was "terrible."
CJ Stroud & Bobby Slowik's relationship started with an altercation. Listen to ESPN 97.5 🎙️ Host Lance Zierlein's story ICYMI yesterday 👇 pic.twitter.com/tU2GcWELZp
— Robert Land | Houston Sports Talk Podcast Host (@HSTPodcast) January 28, 2025
In essence, the two were talking X's and O's, and Stroud referred to some terms by how they called things at Ohio State.
"Maybe it happened a couple times," Zierlein said regarding Stroud's remarks. "And Bobby Slowik just kind of jumped him, said, 'I don't give a f--k what you call it at Ohio State. This is pro football.' And Bobby kind of got in his face about it."
"And C.J.'s not one to back down at all," Zierlein added. "I don't know if Bobby was testing him, I don't know what the deal was. But C.J. jumped up and got in his face. And it was very contentious. It had to kind of be broken up."
Zierlein also reported earlier in the conversation that Stroud's relationship with Ohio State offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson was such that "he didn't think he knew ball," to the point where he'd communicate directly with head coach Ryan Day instead.
Then the next team Stroud visited asked him how his visit went with the Texans, and he said his meeting was "terrible" and that he didn't think he'd be drafted there.
He was, in fact, drafted there and won Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2023 while leading Houston to a seven-win improvement, an AFC South title and a spot in the AFC Divisional round. The Texans finished 13th in scoring (up from 30th the year before), and Slowik became a hot head coaching name.
The Texans had the same exact results as a team in 2024 (10 wins, AFC South title, AFC Wild Card win), but the offense regressed to 19th in scoring. Stroud took a step back statistically, although he wasn't helped by a struggling offensive line.
Significant injuries to wide receiver Stefon Diggs (season-ending torn ACL after eight games), wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring injury that put him on injured reserve for five games) and wideout Tank Dell (dislocated knee cap as well as a torn ACL, MCL and PCL on Dec. 21) also hit the team hard. Running back Joe Mixon also missed three games with a right ankle injury after a hip-drop tackle.
In the end, Slowik is gone, and now Stroud will work with a new OC as the team looks to take that next step past the Divisional Round.
Jimmy Butler Rumors: 76ers a Sleeper Suitor; Paul George Trade Floated by NBA Insider
Jan 28, 2025
MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 21: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 21, 2025 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
As the desperation meter gets turned up on the Miami Heat to resolve their situation with Jimmy Butler, one of his former teams could look to put themselves in the mix to bring him back.
Per Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports, the Philadelphia 76ers could "quietly" emerge as a suitor for Butler in a potential swap for Paul George. Goodwill added that he believes Joel Embiid has been pushing for the Sixers to reacquire the six-time All-Star.
“I've heard that Philly quietly could be a suitor for Jimmy Butler…theoretically, it would be a Jimmy for Paul George swap. I believe that Embiid is pushing for them to reacquire Jimmy.” 👀
Any hope for a potential reconciliation between Butler and the Heat likely ended on Monday when the team suspended him for the third time this month.
Butler's latest suspension is indefinite and will last no fewer than five games, which is how many games the Heat have remaining before the Feb. 6 trade deadline.
One reason the Sixers could at least try to get involved in the bidding is because of the cost. ESPN's Brian Windhorst said Tuesday on SportsCenter that Miami has dropped its asking price for Butler and is "really, really trying" to get a deal done.
On the flip side, the Sixers' potentially offering presents multiple problems. Goodwill noted Sixers management told George when he signed with them last summer they won't trade him in year one of the deal.
Unless something like that is in writing, there's nothing technically holding the 76ers to that vow. Daryl Morey hasn't always been the most forthright front-office executive with his players, even if it was easy to justify why he may have backed out of a promised deal with James Harden two years ago.
Another problem, as Windhorst and Tim Bontemps noted on Jan. 24, is the Heat want to keep long-term money off their books because they are looking at the potential free-agent class of 2026 to make a big splash.
George is making more than $50 million in each of the next two years and has a $56.6 million player option for 2027-28. That contract doesn't seem likely to age well for a player who is already 34 years old with a litany of injuries on his resume.
One more problem for the Sixers is, even in a scenario where the Heat decide to do the swap, what does Butler do that significantly changes the ceiling for the 2024-25 team? Goodwill said that Embiid is pushing for the team to bring Butler back, but Embiid really can't have much of a say in anything right now because he's only played 13 games this season due to injuries.
Unless the Sixers' hope is just to get right back where they were last summer, with a max cap slot to use by hoping that Butler opts out of his contract, there's really no world where they are a materially better team than the one they currently have with a 17-27 record.
Butler spent most of the 2018-19 season with the 76ers after being acquired in a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He helped the team finish 51-31 and reach the Eastern Conference semifinals where they famously lost to the Toronto Raptors on Kawhi Leonard's jumper that bounced off the rim four times before going in as time expired in Game 7.
Andre Iguodala's No. 9 Jersey to Be Retired by Warriors; Won 2015 NBA Finals MVP
Jan 28, 2025
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 16: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors kisses the Larry O'Brien Trophy after a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Quicken Loans Arena During Game Six of the 2015 NBA Finals on June 16, 2015 in Cleveland,Ohio NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Andre Iguodala is set to become the seventh player to have his number retired by the Golden State Warriors.
The Warriors will retire Iguodala's No. 9 after a home game against the Dallas Mavericks on Feb. 23, the team announced Tuesday.
The Warriors will retire Andre Iguodala’s #9 jersey on Feb. 23, following the team’s game against the Mavericks at Chase Center, making him just the seventh player in Warriors franchise history to have his jersey number retired by the organization: pic.twitter.com/twswTQALjW
Iguodala reached six NBA Finals, earned the 2015 NBA Final MVP award and won four championships with the Warriors. He played seven seasons over two separate stints with the franchise before retiring after his 19th NBA season in 2023.
The Warriors acquired Iguodala in a sign-and-trade deal in July 2013. He went on to play a key role in the Warriors' run to the 2015 title, defending LeBron James to help the franchise earn their first championship since 1975.
Iguodala retired as one of the most productive postseason competitors in Warriors history, ranking top-five in assists, steals and three-pointers made through 111 playoff games with the franchise.
"Andre will go down as one of the smartest, shrewdest and most unique and successful players ever to wear a Warriors uniform," Warriors CEO Joe Lacob said in a statement. "We thought all of that could be true when we acquired him in 2013, but the reality—four titles, six Finals appearances, a Finals MVP—exceeded even our wildest imaginations.
"He was the perfect player and person at the perfect time for our team, and the sacrifice he made in coming off the bench in 2014 sent a message that he came here to help us do one thing: win. The proof is in the rafters, and his number belongs alongside the banners he helped us raise."
The Warriors have previously retired six numbers. Iguodala is now set to join Wilt Chamberlain's No. 13, Tom Meschery's No. 14, Alvin Attles' No. 16, Chris Mullin's No. 17, Rick Barry's No. 24 and Nate Thurmond's No. 42 in the rafters at Chase Center.
Iguodala is the first, and won't be the last, member of the Warriors roster that won four titles between 2015 and 2022 to see his number retired by the franchise. Klay Thompson's No. 11, Draymond Green's No. 23, Kevin Durant's No. 35 and Stephen Curry's No. 30 are candidates for the honor following the conclusion of their NBA careers.
The Mavericks and Warriors tip off at 3:30 p.m. ET. Thompson, who was also with the Warriors for all four title runs before joining the Mavs ahead of the 2024-25 season, is set to be in attendance for Iguodala's jersey raising.
ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 13: Ethan Holliday participates in the High School Home Run Derby during the 2024 All-Star Futures Day at Globe Life Field on Saturday, July 13, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images)
Ethan Holliday is joining the Adidas family as the apparel giant's first baseball NIL athlete.
Adidas announced Holliday's signing in a press release on Tuesday.
"Signing with adidas was a no-brainer," Holliday said in the release. "Seeing my brother sign with adidas as a young player was special for our family, so to now have this opportunity myself is incredible. I'm honored and thankful, and I truly believe working with adidas will help me take my game to the next level and reach the goals I've set for myself."
MLB.com has Holliday ranked as the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 draft class.
Adidas noted as part of the deal, Holliday will debut the latest version of the ADIZERO Edge+ cleat.
This move to sign Ethan is similar to what Adidas did with his brother, Jackson, who signed a sponsorship deal with the apparel company in 2022 before being drafted No. 1 overall by the Baltimore Orioles.
Both Ethan and Jackson are the sons of seven-time MLB All-Star Matt Holliday.
Holliday is only 17 and will play this season at Stillwater High School in Oklahoma. He's committed to Oklahoma State, but there's very little chance he ends up going to college given how much helium has been around him as a draft prospect for years.
The scouting reports for Ethan have been nothing less than glowing. MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo noted in October 2023, when Ethan was 16, he's a very different player than his brother:
"Ethan is far ahead of where Jackson was at a similar time as a high schooler. After an uneven summer before his senior year, Jackson was thought more of as a potential first rounder. It wasn't until his senior season that he jumped to the top of the Draft. But Ethan is generally considered to already be the top prospect in the Class of 2025. They are different players. Ethan has much more power than his older brother (not that Jackson won't have plenty of pop). He might have an offensive profile closer to his dad, who hit 314 big league home runs, than Jackson. Jackson has more speed and every chance to stay up the middle at a premium position."
Jackson looks like he will be just fine as a No. 1 pick. He entered 2024 as the top prospect in baseball and played 60 games in the big leagues. Even though his performance left a lot to be desired, he was 20 years old for the entire season.
If the draft plays out as expected right now, with Holliday going first overall to the Washington Nationals, it would mark the first time in MLB history a pair of brothers were selected with the top pick in the draft.
The only other time it has happened in any of the major North American pro sports leagues was the NFL with Peyton Manning (1998) and Eli Manning (2004).
Ethan joins a list of Adidas MLB athletes that includes Julio RodrĂguez, Trea Turner, Corey Seager and Teoscar Hernández.
NBA Trade Rumors: Wolves' Julius Randle on Heat's Radar Amid Jimmy Butler Buzz
Jan 28, 2025
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 20: Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves brings the ball up court during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on January 20, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle could be part of an eventual trade involving Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler.
Randle drew Miami's interest last offseason and "has remained on the Heat's radar" since then, according to SNY's Ian Begley.
Begley wrote:
According to reports, the Suns and/or Heat have talked to several teams about a three, four, or five-team deal involving Butler.
Keep an eye on Minnesota in a Butler deal. In the offseason, the Heat were one of the teams that expressed interest in trading for Julius Randle, per SNY sources. Randle has remained on the Heat's radar during the Butler saga, sources say.
I don't know if there are any active trade talks between Minnesota and Miami. But the two teams have been in touch on Butler trades.
Butler is currently suspended at least until the trade deadline as the Heat seek a trade for the discontented star.
The Suns are reportedly interested in Butler, but would need to trade Bradley Beal in order to take on Butler's salary. That means the trade would likely need to involve at least one additional team due to the Heat's reported disinterest in Beal's contract.
Any Beal trade would be additionally complicated by the fact that he would need to waive his no-trade clause in order to leave Phoenix.
Begley's report coincides with ESPN's Brian Windhorst saying on SportsCenter that the Suns have tried to set up deals involving as many as five teams, "but have not been able to overcome the fact that what they've really got to trade is Bradley Beal."
"And so now I do believe this is going to bring in some other teams," Windhorst said. "We could see some surprising moves in this in this little battle in the next couple of days."
The veteran forward, acquired from the New York Knicks as part of the three-team Karl-Anthony Towns trade in October, is playing on a potentially expiring contract, Randle has a $30.9 million player option for 2025-26.
Begley previously reported in September that the Heat, alongside the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks, had talked with the Knicks about a potential trade for Randle ahead of the Towns deal.
The Heat could have room to acquire Randle if they are able to move Butler's $48.8 million salary off their books— but trading Butler by the Feb. 6 deadline could ultimately hinge on the Suns' ability to move Beal's contract.
Jimmy Butler Trade Rumors: Warriors 'Back in the Mix' After Heat Lower Asking Price
Jan 28, 2025
MIAMI, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 26: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat reacts against the Milwaukee Bucks during the fourth quarter of the Emirates NBA Cup at Kaseya Center on November 26, 2024 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors reportedly may once again be part of the Jimmy Butler sweepstakes.
According to Kevin O'Connor of Yahoo Sports, the Warriors are "one of several teams back in the mix for Jimmy Butler now that the [Miami] Heat have lowered their asking price."
ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst appeared on SportsCenter (h/t HoopsHype) on Monday night and said he believed some teams that thought they were out on Butler may be back in the running to trade for him due to the Heat and Phoenix Suns being unable to agree to a deal.
Windhorst added that a team may be able to land Butler "at a cheap price" prior to the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline.
The 35-year-old Butler is in the midst of his sixth season with the Heat, but it has been a tumultuous one, to say the least.
Earlier this month, Miami suspended Butler for seven games for "multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team," in the wake of his public comments suggesting he wanted to be traded.
As part of the suspension statement, the Heat announced that they would listen to trade offers for Butler.
Butler returned to play in three games after his seven-game suspension ended, but he was handed another two-game suspension after missing a team flight.
On Monday, Butler was suspended once again after walking out of practice. The latest suspension is indefinite, meaning the six-time All-Star may have played his final game as a member of the Heat.
After averaging 19.9 points per game or better in each of his first five seasons in Miami, Butler's scoring average is down to 17.0 this season, which is his lowest since the 2013-14 campaign.
Still, Butler is contributing in other ways with 5.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.1 steals per contest, plus he is shooting a career-best 54.0 percent from the field.
It is easy to see why a team with championship aspirations would want to trade for Butler, as he led the Heat to the NBA Finals twice and has averaged 24.7 points per game in four playoff runs as a member of the Heat.
The Warriors are still led by a pair of four-time NBA champions in Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, but they largely have a young supporting cast comprised of Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Brandin Podziemski.
Adding another accomplished veteran like Butler could be the type of move that solidifies their status as a playoff team.
Entering play Tuesday, the Warriors are only 11th in the Western Conference at 22-23, meaning they wouldn't even make the postseason play-in tournament if the season ended today.
They are just 1.5 games out of 10th, though, which suggests one solid winning streak could get them right back in the thick of things.
If the asking price for Butler isn't particularly high, then the Warriors won't have much to lose since they are built to win now and have little incentive to transition into a rebuild with Curry and Green still in the fold.
Windhorst: Heat 'Baited' Jimmy Butler and Have 'Been Setting Traps' for Suspension
Jan 28, 2025
MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 21: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 21, 2025 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Miami Heat reportedly "baited" Jimmy Butler and have been "setting traps" for him to "fall" before levying a third, and indefinite, suspension against the star on Monday.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst explained the situation on Tuesday's First Take.
He led off by saying he thought both Butler and the Heat were guilty of misbehaving, beginning with the player's response to not getting an extension last summer. Windhorst referenced how Paul George handled a similar situation last year with the Los Angeles Clippers, playing out the year and then getting a new deal with the Philadelphia 76ers as opposed to rebelling.
"I think they're all guilty. I think Jimmy Butler, when he didn't get the extension last summer, a rational thing to do would have been to come in this season and play all the way, show the Heat what they have, show the rest of the league what they have, get the Heat to reconsider midseason, which is allowed under the rules, and if failing that, opt out of your contract and get paid in the summer. That is what Paul George did a year ago with the Clippers.
"We weren't really sure where Paul was physically last year. They couldn't agree to an extension with Paul and the Clippers. He went out and had a brilliant season. He had a max contract offer waiting for him in Philly. I don't think it's working out so well for Philly, but you could see what Paul George was doing. Jimmy Butler didn't do that. From the start of this season, Jimmy Butler was focused on either getting paid or getting out of there. And all of his actions over the last four or five weeks have been focused on 'get me out of here.'"
Meanwhile, Windhorst pointed the finger at the Heat, specifically regarding how they handled telling Butler (and the team) that he would no longer be in the starting lineup during a recent team practice. Windhorst also criticized Miami for its action, specifically toward a veteran player of Butler's status.
"And if you're the Miami Heat, I don't think that they've covered themselves in glory with the way they've handled this, especially in these last few weeks. They've been setting traps for Jimmy to fall into them. Well, let me give you an example of what I mean. You don't tell an ex a veteran player like Jimmy Butler that he's not starting in the huddle in front of all the other players at shoot around. That's what happened yesterday. They had their first part of their shoot around, they got together for the game planning, and Erik Spoelstra said, 'We're not starting you.' That's not how you handle somebody.
"They were baiting him. It worked. He stomped off, and then they suspended him again, which is what they wanted to do. And they're going to withhold a bunch of money from him and fight it out later. And Pat Riley knows this player, he knows what his temperament is, he knows what his history is. If they didn't want to extend him last summer, which they made their mind up not to do, and I don't have a problem with that, then they could not expect him to be through this season. I think both of them are guilty and both of them could have behaved better."
Butler was initially suspended for seven games for "conduct detrimental" to the team and then two more after missing a team flight. Now one can surmise his time on the court with Miami is over given (a) this latest suspension and (b) the impending Feb. 6 trade deadline.
Butler entered this season with one official year left on his contract at $48.8 million. He also has a $52.4 million player option for 2025-26.
Obviously, Butler would have wanted a long-term extension with the Heat as opposed to having questions about his future lingering over his head this year. However, Miami decided against doing so for the 35-year-old Butler.
He has been a franchise legend for the Heat, though, leading the team to the Eastern Conference Finals three times and the NBA Finals twice in five seasons. For his Miami career, Butler has averaged 21.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game.
There are perhaps concerns that he's missed 15 or more regular-season games each year since the 2017-18 season. And his age is certainly a factor here as well. He's also a phenomenal postseason player, though, averaging 26.9 PPG in 2022-23 and 27.4 PPG the year prior.
Miami ultimately made its decision to let Butler play out his deal, and that's clearly something the veteran did not take kindly. Now everything has snowballed from there, to the point where this has become one of the messiest divorces between an NBA star and a team in recent memory.
So the waiting game continues until Butler is off Miami and playing for someone else. Feb. 6 is the date to watch, of course, as the Heat look to send him elsewhere and start anew.
The NBA trade deadline is fast approaching, and the wheeling and dealing has already begun ahead of February 6. The Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors…
Video: Eagles' A.J. Brown Says Commanders' Lattimore 'Engaged Me First' on Penalty
Jan 28, 2025
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 26: A.J. Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles and Marshon Lattimore #23 of the Washington Commanders get into an altercation during the second quarter in the NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 26, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Marshon Lattimore is no stranger to stirring the pot in an attempt to get in the head of an opposing receiver, so it wasn't a surprise to see him try going after A.J. Brown in the NFC Championship Game between the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
Appearing on Janky Rondo's Twitch Stream, Brown explained Lattimore "engaged me first" on a play late in the first half when the Eagles were attempting a two-point conversion that resulted in an unnecessary roughness penalty on the Commanders cornerback.
#Eagles WR AJ Brown explains his side of controversial flag on #Commanders CB Marshon Lattimore
“He engaged me first — i’m not out there to fight but i will fight if it go there, i stopped when they [refs] said stop and he ain’t stop”
The Eagles were running a condensed formation because they were trying the Brotherly Shove on the conversion attempt, so Brown was lined up close to the tight end.
Lattimore was standing directly opposite Brown and when the ball was snapped, he made the initial contact that led to the Eagles receiver to push back. They briefly locked up before Brown let to to avoid falling into the trap being set.
Tempers flared between A.J. Brown and Marshon Lattimore on this play.
It's a credit to the Commanders that they were able to regroup immediately to stop a second Brotherly Shove attempt to keep the score 20-12. Things fell apart on the ensuing kickoff when Jeremy McNichols fumbled, allowing Philadelphia to get another touchdown before the half.
Lattimore has a history of trying to get under the skin of the player who he will most often be matched up against. His feud with Mike Evans is the stuff of legend that dates back to Lattimore's rookie season with the New Orleans Saints in 2017.
Lattimore's tactics didn't do much to help him in coverage. He allowed 88 yards and a 109.7 passer rating in coverage, plus the personal foul penalty and a 17-yard pass interference penalty trying to cover DeVonta Smith two plays before he got tangled up with Brown.
The Eagles got the last laugh against Lattimore with a 55-23 win over the Commanders to reach the Super Bowl for the second time in three seasons.