All Sports

After suffering an injury over the weekend, Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George reportedly avoided a serious ailment.

Per ESPN's Tim Bontemps, an MRI and ultrasound revealed that George suffered an injury to his extensor tendon in his left pinky and his return will be determined in the coming days. PHYL Sports' Kyle Neubeck reported that 76ers head coach Nick Nurse said he believes George is "day to day" and does not have a major injury.

George, in his first season with the 76ers after a five-year run with the Los Angeles Clippers, is averaging 17.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.7 steals this year. He's already missed 14 games due to a handful of injuries, namely a knee injury early in the season.

Luckily for Philadelphia, it seems like George won't have to miss serious time due to the most recent ailment and could potentially be back on the court soon as the 76ers look to make a playoff run.

Injuries have taken a toll on the Sixers this year. Former MVP Joel Embiid has played just 13 games due to a lingering knee injury, averaging 24.4 points and 7.9 rebounds in his limited action.

Philadelphia will also be without star rookie Jared McCain for the rest of the year after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in December. The No. 16 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft put up 15.3 points per game in 23 contests this year.

The laundry list of injuries has led to Tyrese Maxey stepping up to put together a career season. The point guard is averaging 26.5 points and six assists per game.

As good as Maxey has been, it hasn't been enough to keep Philadelphia in the playoff race. The Sixers are 17-27 and are on the outside looking in as they sit in 11th place in the East.

The Tush Push remains a somewhat controversial play, but despite pushback, the quarterback sneak popularized by the Philadelphia Eagles likely isn't going anywhere.

"[The NFL has discussed the Tush Push] in the past," The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported on her Scoop City podcast with Chase Daniel (35:35 mark). "There was a time—it was last year, I reported it actually—that Roger Goodell didn't like the Tush Push. They've come back around on that and they quickly denied it. 'No, no, no, he's never shared his opinion about it.' I think there was a moment where there were some owners, and some people on the Competition Committee, that wanted to see the Tush Push banned. But I think it became so popular, and they saw the reaction from the NFL world, that I think they backed off it."

The Tush Push became a fascinating topic of conversation on Sunday, when the Eagles ran it so successfully in the NFC Championship that the Washington Commanders jumped offsides several times by the goal line in an effort to stop it.

But on the other side of the coin, the Kansas City Chiefs stuffed Josh Allen several times when he attempted the play in the AFC Championship.

The Tush Push has made short-yardage situations almost automatic for the Eagles in the past few years, but the rest of the NFL isn't converting the play to the same level of success. That factor, alongside the NFL determining the play doesn't lead to more injuries—and potentially its popularity, as well—will likely keep it in the game for the foreseeable future.

The University of Michigan sent a 137-page document to the NCAA in response to the organization's notice of allegations accusing the program of 11 violations in response to a scouting and sign-stealing scheme led by ex-Wolverine staffer Connor Stalions.

Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger obtained a portion of the document and broke the news, noting in particular that the school has no plans to enter a "negotiated resolution" with the NCAA. In addition, Michigan defended ex-head coach Jim Harbaugh, current head coach Sherrone Moore, other Michigan staffers and even Stalions on the matter.

Per Dellenger:

"In the 137-page document — a portion of which Yahoo Sports obtained — Michigan makes clear that it will not enter into a negotiated resolution with the NCAA over the alleged wrongdoing, vigorously defending its former head coach, current head coach, several staff members and even Stalions, the low-level assistant who orchestrated one of the most elaborate sign-stealing systems in college football history on the way to the school winning the 2023 national championship. The school purports that the sign-stealing system offered 'minimal relevance to competition,' was not credibly proven by NCAA investigators and should be treated as a minor violation."

Six of the NCAA's 11 violations are deemed to be a Level I variety, categorized as a "severe breach of conduct."

Stalions has previously denied stealing signs from future Michigan opponents by in-person scouting (which is illegal) when he interviewed with the NCAA last Apil.

ESPN's Adam Rittenberg and Mark Schlabach reported that video clips from Stalions' interview with the NCAA appear in the Netflix documentary Sign Stealer.

Stalions also said he didn't "recall directing anyone to go to a game" as well when asked if he had done that. He no longer works for Michigan after resigning from his football analyst position in November 2023. The month before, Michigan suspended Stalions amid the NCAA's investigation into the program.

ESPN's Dan Murphy and Pete Thamel broke news on NCAA's notice of allegation on Aug. 4. The organization stated Stalions was the ringleader of a scheme that led to Michigan illegally scouting at least 13 future opponents for a total of 58 different times from 2021-2023.

Harbaugh, now the Los Angeles Chargers head coach, has fiercely denied knowing about any scheme.

"Never lie. Never cheat. Never steal. I was raised on that lesson," Harbaugh told reporters in at the team's training camp on Aug. 5. "I have raised my family on that lesson. I have preached that lesson to the teams that I've coached.

"No one's perfect. If you stumble, you apologize and you make it right. Today, I do not apologize. I did not participate, was not aware nor complicit in those said allegations. So for me, it's back to work and attacking with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind."

The NCAA issued a four-year show-cause order and a one-year suspension last August in response to its investigation. Harbaugh was notably suspended six games in 2023, three for recruiting violations (self-imposed by the school) during the COVID-19 dead period and three more by the Big Ten in response to the aforementioned scheme.

Regarding Harbaugh, Michigan says the NCAA's charge against him is "without merit."

"The NCAA alleges that Harbaugh failed to cooperate between Oct. 20 and Jan. 24, 2024 when he did not produce text and telephone records from his personal cell prior to his departure from the school," Dellenger wrote.

"Imaging of Harbaugh's phones — his personal and work — were part of a large initial collection of data that included imaging of phones and other devices from 10 individuals, the school says, including two computers assigned to Stalions and an external hard drive owned by Stalions.

"However, there were 'legitimate concerns' that the data being imaged contained personal and sensitive information and/or attorney-client communications, so images were withheld. The NCAA did not receive Harbaugh's images by the deadline and deemed him to have failed to comply."

Moore, now Michigan's head coach, was a co-offensive coordinator in 2021 and 2022 and the team's offensive coordinator in 2023. He was also the team's interim head coach for four games for Harbaugh in 2023. Moore was also suspended for a game during the 2023 season due to the aforementioned recruiting violations.

Moore is notably accused of deleting 52 text messages with Stalions.

Dellenger spoke more on the matter.

"In its response, Michigan and Moore acknowledge the deleted messages. However, the school contends that the texts were 'innocuous and not material to the investigation' and that Moore cooperated fully with the investigation, even turning over his phone for imaging — a move that revealed the previously deleted messages.

"The coach told school officials that he deleted the messages in anger and frustration shortly after the bombshell news story broke, suggesting that he did not want one person, Stalions, to receive credit for 'all the work that' coaches and players put into the championship run."

Generally speaking, in the document obtained by Dellenger, Michigan claims many of the allegations lack "merit or credible evidence." However, the school does admit in-person scouting took place. Dellenger provided more information.

"In its response, the school acknowledges that some impermissible in-person scouting appears to have occurred — 'though less than the (NCAA) claims'— and that some recruiting violations occurred, as well. All of the wrongdoing, it says, will be addressed in the Committee on Infractions hearing and it will advise committee members of self-imposed penalties."

Ultimately, Michigan is digging its heels in and refusing to back down a year off the team's 15-0 national championship season. Now the fight really begins between Michigan and the NCAA, which won't go away any time soon.

The Philadelphia Eagles trounced the Washington Commanders 55-23 in the NFC championship on Sunday behind an outstanding performance from Jalen Hurts.

The quarterback threw for 246 yards and a touchdown and added three more scores on the ground, leading to him making an interesting quip about head coach Nick Sirianni after the game.

"I guess he let me out of my straitjacket a little bit today," Hurts told reporters.

Sirianni reacted to Hurts' straitjacket comment on Tuesday, saying that his quarterback was enjoying the moment after punching a ticket to the Super Bowl.

"I think he was having fun after the game," he said, per NBC's Dave Zangaro.

It's unclear exactly what Sirianni did to let Hurts out of his "straitjacket," but it worked well for the Eagles on Sunday. Now, they have a date with the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl for the second time in three years.

Hurts and Philadelphia came close to knocking off the Chiefs in 2022, losing 38-35 as Hurts threw for 304 yards and had four total touchdowns. It appeared Hurts wasn't in any kind of "straitjacket" in that matchup, and it's hard to imagine Sirianni will ask him to hold back at all this time around.

Cameron Brink's rookie season was cut short after the Los Angeles Sparks suffered a torn ACL in June.

The injury also meant missing out on the Olympics in Paris, where she was supposed to be on the United States 3-on-3 team. Now, she's having to miss another event in Unrivaled, which began earlier this month.

On her Wave Original digital series, Straight to Cam, she expressed that she regrets having to miss Unrivaled, but ultimately didn't want to rush her return to the court.

"I just don't feel ready yet," she said (1:02:00 mark). "I was watching a sports documentary recently and it was an injured athlete who was just so desperate to get back while injured and I'm kind of not like that in a sense... I'm afraid to get hurt again. I'm just trying to take as much time as possible to just feel fully ready."

While it's obviously hard to watch from the sidelines, taking her time in recovery will likely be the smartest move for Brink in the long run. She's coming off a strong start to her career, averaging 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game in 15 contests for the Sparks.

The No. 2 overall pick will look to continue her rehab and come back stronger in Year 2.

Jarred Vanderbilt's contract is something of an albatross for the Los Angeles Lakers, and it will reportedly cost them a first-round pick if they are able to trade it away in any deal.

"I know Laker fans are excited about Vando and the two games," Jovan Buha of The Athletic reported Monday (1:05:45 mark). "This has not shifted the way he's viewed across the league. The league views it as he's not worth his contract, he has three more years, they're going to demand a first-round pick to take on Vando."

He explained that Los Angeles will have to give up a first-round pick to part with Vanderbilt on top of whatever compensation it needs to offer to land a player such as Myles Turner or Lonzo Ball in these hypothetical deals.

Vanderbilt is making $10.7 million in base salary this season before he is due $11.6 million in 2025-26 and $12.4 million in 2026-27. He also has a $13.3 million player option for 2027-28.

That is a lot of money for a secondary contributor who just returned to the lineup this month for the first time since February 2024 due to foot injuries. To his credit, he provided some support off the bench and averaged 3.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.5 assists in 13 minutes a night during those two games, but Buha suggested it didn't change anyone's mind about him.

The Lakers are in fifth place in the Western Conference, and LeBron James and Anthony Davis would like the front office to add ahead of the deadline to potentially make a run at a championship.

Any move for a significant contributor was already going to cost valuable future assets. But if the front office wants to get out of the Vanderbilt contract to put the team in a better position, it is going to cost even more of those assets.

And that is the balancing act it will have to evaluate ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline.

If Sacramento Kings star point guard De'Aaron Fox ends up being moved ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline, his "preferred landing spot" is reportedly the San Antonio Spurs, per Kings' reporter James Ham.

That follows multiple reports that the Kings will listen to offers from Fox, but that the guard has a preferred destination in mind:

The Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets have also been linked to a possible move for Fox:

But Ian Begley of SNY reported that "several opposing teams monitoring the Fox/Sacramento situation believed San Antonio was among the teams he'd like to play for."

It's easy enough to see why Fox might be intrigued by the Spurs.

For one, the team has an ascending superstar in Victor Wembanyama, while Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, Keldon Johnson, Stephon Castle and Julian Champagnie make up an intriguing young core around him.

A Fox and Wemby pick-and-roll would be dynamic. The former is averaging 25.2 points and 6.2 assists per game this season and remains one of the most explosive points guards in the sport, while Wemby is putting up a cool 24.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and an NBA-leading 3.9 blocks per game. He's already one of the league's best two-way players, and his ability to hit shots from the perimeter (35.3 percent from three) also makes him one of the game's most dynamic and versatile big men.

But the Spurs wouldn't have to settle for a Fox and Wemby core, given that they are also flush with future draft capital:

• 2025: Own first-rounder, Atlanta's unprotected first, Chicago's protected first (1-10), Charlotte's protected first (1-14).
• 2026: Own first-rounder, first-round swap rights with Atlanta.
• 2027: Own first-rounder, Atlanta's unprotected first.
• 2028: Own first-rounder, first-round swap rights with Boston (protected for No. 1).
• 2029: Own first-rounder.
• 2030: Own first-rounder, most valuable first-rounder between Minnesota and Dallas.
• 2031: Own first-rounder, Minnesota's unprotected first, first-round swap rights with Sacramento.

While some of those picks would be needed to acquire Fox, the Spurs would still have ammo to land another star player in a trade going forward.

The question for the Spurs is whether they want to make such a move now. Wemby is only 21 years old and on a different timeline than Fox, who is firmly in his prime years. The Spurs don't have to be in a rush to depart with their many draft assets, especially while they sit at 20-23 on the season and currently out of the Play-In Tournament berths in the loaded Western Conference.

They could win the draft lottery in the next two years and land Cooper Flagg or A.J. Dybantsa. And even if they didn't, they may have enough draft capital to move the board for players like Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, Darryn Peterson or Cameron Boozer in the next two drafts, all players on Wemby's timeline.

At some point, the team is going to surround Wemby with more talent, and Fox would be a good fit if they go after an established star. Whether it currently makes the most sense to do so, however, is up for debate.

The Toronto Raptors could be a team to watch ahead of the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline.

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported Tuesday that "executives around the league are keeping tabs on Bruce Brown and Chris Boucher, who are in the final year of their contracts, and stretch-five Kelly Olynyk."

Scotto explained Brown is someone who could be included in a multi-team deal involving Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler since the Raptors guard is playing on an expiring $23 million contract. However, he also noted other playoff contenders hope Toronto is unable to find a trade involving Brown, which would make him a candidate to hit the buyout market.

That the Raptors are looking to sell off some of their role players comes as no surprise.

After all, they are 14-32 and in 12th place in the Eastern Conference standings. With Brown and Boucher in the final year of their deals and Olynyk signed through just the 2025-26 campaign, it is unrealistic to expect any of them to be significant contributors the next time Toronto is a true contender.

Even getting minor draft assets or younger players back in return could help the front office facilitate something of a rebuild for a team well on its way to a third straight season missing the playoffs.

Brown, Boucher and Olynyk can all be valuable role pieces with postseason experience for any contender. The former two have championship rings, while the latter has appeared in 48 championship games throughout his career.

De'Aaron Fox's time with the Sacramento Kings could be coming to an end very soon.

Per NBA insider Chris Haynes, Fox is "zeroed in" on a potential trade destination as the Kings "look to possibly move him" ahead of the trade deadline on Feb. 6. Haynes noted that teams "will likely be discouraged" from dealing for Fox because of his free agency in 2026, and his "unwillingness to sign extension has positioned the situation here."

ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Los Angeles Lakers "are not part of the destination of choice" for Fox. SNY's Ian Begley noted that the Brooklyn Nets "are among the teams that view" Fox as a trade target.

James Ham of ESPN added that Fox's preferred landing spot is the San Antonio Spurs.

After news broke of Fox's potential trade, fans began debating landing spots for the star point guard.

Fox is just 27 years old and is very much in his prime, putting up 25.2 points, 6.2 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game. While he's been a career King and helped the team snap an ugly playoff drought, it's understandable that he might want to take his talents to a team better equipped to make a title run.

It's fair to assume plenty of teams will be putting in offers for Fox. One such team might be the Miami Heat given that they're currently trying to find a deal for disgruntled star Jimmy Butler.

The Lakers could use a player like Fox, but all signs point to him going elsewhere. Along with Charania's report that Los Angeles is not one of Fox's preferred destinations, The Athletic's Jovan Buha reported earlier this week that there is "uncertainty" whether Sacramento would trade him to a division rival.

The Nets would be an interesting trade partner, to say the least. Fox might not turn Brooklyn into a contender right away, and considering he'll be a free agent soon, he could be nothing more than a two-year rental.

Arguably the most intriguing option is Fox's preferred destination of San Antonio. While the Spurs aren't a contender just yet, pairing Fox with young star Victor Wembanyama seems like a duo that could potentially turn San Antonio into a championship contender for years to come.

As the deadline nears, the Kings will look to get a sizeable return for their star, while Fox will hope to land with a team that allows him to finally compete for a championship.