The Boston Red Sox have reportedly agreed to terms with veteran relief pitcher Kyle Keller, Will Sammon of The Athletic reported Tuesday night.
“Reliever Kyle Keller and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a minor league contract with an invite to major league spring training, league sources said,” Sammon wrote. “Keller gets $1.9 million if in majors plus $500K performance bonuses.”
The name might sound familiar to Major League Baseball fans, as Keller has had many stints around the league.
He made his debut in 2019, coming out of the Miami Marlins bullpen. The next season, he played for the Los Angeles Angels.
Keller saw his most action with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021. He appeared in 32 games, throwing 33 1/3 innings. He allowed 24 earned runs and struck out 36 batters.
This was the last action the now 32-year-old saw in the MLB.
His next three seasons were spent on various different teams in the NPB baseball league, where he competed at the highest level in Japan.
During his NPB career, he threw 152 1/3 innings and posted a very respectable 2.42 ERA.
He is a two-ball pitcher. As a 6-foot-4 right-hander, he throws an overhand four-seam fastball followed by a drooping 12-6 curve.
According to BaseballSavant.com, he had an above-average fastball coming in at 94.5 MPH in his major league appearances. His curveball is also faster than league average at 81.4 MPH. It was a near 50/50 split with a slight usage edge going to his four-seamer.
Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Fort Myers, Fla., exactly one week after Keller’s signing, Feb. 10.
Seattle, just days away from the biggest game of the season, announced that the activation of linebacker Chazz Surratt from injured reserve and placement of offensive lineman Amari Kight on injured reserve Tuesday.
Surratt, 28, signed with the organization before the start of the season, and appeared in 11 games prior to suffering an ankle injury that landed him on injured reserve on Nov. 26. Surratt played only seven snaps on defense, but was mainstay on special teams and is expected to immediately return to the lineup on Sunday,
Kight, 25, signed as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL Draft, and spent most of the season on the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster late in the season — appearing in four games.
Surratt appeared in 60% of his club’s special teams snaps and finished second on the team in special teams tackles (11) behind fullback/tight end Brady Russell (14).
The Patriots and Seahawks will do battle on Sunday, with kickoff for the big game at Levi’s Stadium scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET.
The Celtics will look to win a third straight game when they hit the road for an East-West battle with the Mavericks on Tuesday night.
Boston is coming off back-to-back victories over the Kings and Bucks, allowing the Celtics to keep pace with the Knicks for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Dallas, meanwhile, is hoping to snap a four-game losing streak.
This contest will be the Celtics’ first matchup against Mavs forward Cooper Flagg, a Maine native who cheered for Boston before he made the leap to the NBA. Can the Celtics shut down the Rookie of the Year candidate?
Here is everything you need to know about Celtics vs. Mavericks, including TV and streaming options for Tuesday’s game.
How To Watch Celtics vs. Mavericks Tonight: TV Channel, Live Stream
TV channel: NBC Sports Boston (local), NBC (national)
Celtics vs. Mavericks will air locally on NBC Sports Boston and NBC across the country. The game will also be available to stream on Peacock.
Peacock‘s sports programming features live coverage of NFL Sunday Night Football, the NBA, Olympic and Paralympic Games, Big Ten football and basketball, Notre Dame football, Big East and Big 12 basketball, Premier League soccer, golf and more.
For those looking to follow the game on the radio, the local broadcast will air on 98.5 The Sports Hub.
What Time Does the Celtics vs. Mavericks Game Start?
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 3
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Celtics vs. Mavericks is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Feb. 3. The game will be played at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
Russillo, who previously lived in Boston and went to college in Vermont, is amazed by how quickly the Patriots have turned things around after back-to-back four-win seasons.
“The Patriots ahead of schedule. I cannot believe they’re in the Super Bowl, like so many other people,” Russillo said. “I just can’t believe where this team was at the end of the Belichick run, the Mayo year…I really was surprised. I mean, it was bad…And here they are. They’re in the Super Bowl.”
New England took a lot of people by surprise this season, including Russillo.
While the Patriots benefited from a historically easy schedule during the regular season, they now face a superior Seattle Seahawks team in the Super Bowl. New England is clearly less talented than the Seahawks and is listed as a significant underdog this week.
As an exercise, Russillo said he looked at the top 30 players in this year’s Super Bowl. He guesses roughly 18 to 20 are on Seattle, while 10 to 12 play for New England.
That’s a pretty significant gap, and it may decide the game.
“It’s gonna be tough for me to ignore that when I’m picking the Super Bowl,” Russillo added.
The Seahawks are the better team on paper, but the better team doesn’t always win. Just ask the 2007, 2011 and 2017 Patriots, all of whom lost to inferior teams.
In a move involving four players on expiring contracts, the Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, and Minnesota Timberwolves reportedly pulled off a three-team trade on Tuesday, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Headed to the Bulls are Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley Jr.
Headed to the Pistons are Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric.
The main motive for Minnesota here was seemingly to diminish their luxury tax bill. The Wolves just shrank their tax bill from $24M down to $3.8M and are now under the first apron, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Just in: Chicago, Minnesota and Detroit have agreed to a multi-team deal that sends Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley Jr. to the Bulls and Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric to the Pistons, sources tell ESPN. Detroit also receives a 2026 first-round protected swap from Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/pgxqr1WT90
Ivey has experienced a dip in production this season with the Pistons, averaging 8.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists across 33 games while shooting 45% from the field. His minutes have dropped to 16.8 per game, reflecting a reduced role after recovering from a broken fibula that sidelined him for much of the prior year. Over his career, the 2022 fifth overall pick has shown flashes of athletic scoring potential, posting 16.3 points as a rookie and peaking at 17.6 in 2024-25 before the injury.
Conley, 38, has continued his veteran presence for the Minnesota Timberwolves, but his output has waned in 2025-26 with 4.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 44 appearances, logging 18.5 minutes nightly and struggling at 32.2% shooting. Drafted fourth overall in 2007 by Memphis, Conley has built a steady career averaging 13.7 points and 5.6 assists over 1,216 games, earning one All-Star nod and known for reliable playmaking.
Huerter is posting 10.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists this season, with 45.5% field goal accuracy in limited action amid a back issue. His sharpshooting remains a asset, though consistency varies. Selected 19th in 2018 by Atlanta, Huerter has carved out a role as a perimeter threat, averaging double-digit scoring in most seasons.
Saric’s 2025-26 has been minimal following a January trade to Chicago from Sacramento, where he averaged just 1.0 point and 1.2 rebounds in five early games at 8.2 minutes. The 31-year-old Croatian, drafted 12th in 2014, has bounced between teams like Phoenix, Golden State, and Denver, compiling career marks of 10.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in 498 contests, valued for versatile forward play despite recent bench duties.
It has been on the cards for a while, but Ademola Lookman’s departure from Bergamo is a major blow. Giancarlo Rinaldi looks back on how he wrote his way into the club’s history.
There may have been more typical stories of how a player has had their career transformed at Atalanta, but surely not many. The Bergamaschi – especially during Gian Piero Gasperini’s reign – developed a happy knack of taking footballers that had failed to truly ignite elsewhere and turning them into pyrotechnic success stories. Few have burned brighter than Ademola Lookman.
The London-born Nigerian international first emerged with Charlton nearly a decade ago and went through a string of moves that never really worked out. At Everton, RB Leipzig, Fulham and Leicester, there were always sparks of brilliance but never with the consistency that any of those clubs had hoped for. It was not until 2022 – with his 25th birthday just a few months away – that he would finally find the perfect place to let his talents shine.
Lookman’s Atalanta move
BERGAMO, ITALY – OCTOBER 22: Ademola Lookman of Atalanta BC in action during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Atalanta BC and SK Slavia Praha at Stadio di Bergamo on October 22, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
La Dea, we know, has a habit of performing this magic – particularly under their silver-haired coach now departed for Roma. Gasperini’s brilliance is both in the overall teamplay that his sides produce but also in elevating players who have perhaps been underachievers elsewhere. Nowhere was this more in evidence than with Lookman.
He quickly became a mainstay in the Atalanta attack and also a goal threat with much greater regularity than he ever found elsewhere. If the club became something of a cult hit in Europe, it owed much to his breathtaking displays. Defenders across Italy and the rest of the continent were left dizzy by his close control and thumping finishes. This was a devastating player at the peak of his powers.
His crowning glory, surely, was the Europa League final against a Bayer Leverkusen side which had previously looked invincible. Yes, it was a masterpiece of tactics from Gasperini and an epic team performance too, but at the heart of everything good was Lookman. Everything he touched turned into a goalscoring chance, and the hat-trick he eventually completed cemented his place in the club’s hall of fame. It is unlikely to be a more impressive display for the Bergamo club in Europe ever again.
Of course, that turned heads – perhaps even the player himself got a little distracted. Certainly, things did not run quite as smoothly after that, and there were constant rumours that he was on the way out. Still, when he was on song, he remained a key part of the Atalanta attack. That he finished with more than 50 goals in less than 140 games without being an out-and-out striker tells you all you need to know. Add to that nearly 30 assists, and you get some idea of how significant a contributor he was to the club. The fact that these totals eclipse the entirety of the rest of his career also underlines how important the Lombardy side was to him.
BERGAMO, ITALY – JANUARY 21: Ademola Lookman of Atalanta celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Atalanta BC and SK Sturm Graz at Stadio di Bergamo on January 21, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
All good things, of course, must come to an end and the conclusion of the Gasperini era in the summer was always likely to be followed by a few departures. It is also in the nature of things at the New Balance Arena – or whatever their ground is called now – that their best talents will move on. Lookman will now test his talents in La Liga with Atletico Madrid.
That looks like a mouthwatering prospect, but he should be warned that moving away from the city, famously divided into its higher and lower sections, can also have its ups and downs. Although they have always been about the team more than any individual, he was undoubtedly a star of their European and Serie A exploits. He is just one star among many at the Spanish club.
Atalanta’s Nigerian forward #11 Ademola Lookman attends a training session on the eve of the UEFA Super Cup football match Real Madrid v Atalanta Bergamo in Warsaw, Poland, on August 13, 2024. The 2024 UEFA Super Cup final football match between Real Madrid and Atalanta will be held on August 14, 2024 at the National Stadium in Warsaw. (Photo by Sergei GAPON / AFP) (Photo by SERGEI GAPON/AFP via Getty Images)
Still, he has all the skills in the world to thrive in his new surroundings. After a more lengthy apprenticeship than most, he emerged as a huge talent in Italy and more than earned his African Player of the Year honour in 2024. There is every chance that more honours will come his way with the Colchoneros.
Back in Bergamo, they will be entitled to feel the odd pang of nostalgia whenever they see him play. Raffaele Palladino is building a new era at the club, but he will find it hard to match up to the house that Gasperini built. And, in its later stages, Ademola Lookman was an integral part of that project. Their talented scouts will undoubtedly be scouring the planet in the hopes of unearthing another footballer who can contribute even half as much to their cause.
Every winter, Italian clubs scramble to try to find the players who can make a mid-season difference. Giancarlo Rinaldi gives out the grades for their efforts this year.
Only a fool would try to assess the potential impact of acquisitions that have barely had a chance to play for their new employer,s but here we go again. It is worth remembering that it can sometimes be the players that you move on or keep who can be as important as the ones you bring in. With that in mind, here are the marks out of 10 for all 20 Serie A sides this winter window.
Atalanta 6/10 – In the end it probably boils down to whether you think Giacomo Raspadori plus a handsome profit is worth losing Ademola Lookman for. The ex-Napoli man looks sharp already while the departures of Daniel Maldini and Marco Brescianini may reduce the depth of the squad but should not cause major damage.
Bologna 5.5/10 – A bit of a bland market that looks unlikely to see an upturn in their midtable form. The effective swap of Emil Holm for Joao Mario with Juventus looks a balanced enough trade, while Simon Sohm will need to show an improvement on his Fiorentina form to convince that he was worth losing Giovanni Fabbian for.
GENOA, ITALY – AUGUST 31: João Mario of Juventus looks on during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and Juventus FC at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on August 31, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
Cagliari 6.5/10 – Sometimes it is not about who you buy or sell but who you keep and hanging on to a hot property like young Marco Palestra could be key to the Sardinians’ survival, which is looking more and more likely. The actual incomings and outgoings probably fall under the category of “time will tell” when it comes to their effectiveness.
Como 5/10 – On paper, at least, a little bit underwhelming for a side with such financial backing, but their eye for talent could well mean Swedish teenager Adrian Ladho is one to watch. Keeping hold of their best players – with Martin Baturina in particular attracting attention – was an achievement, but the club has sufficient wealth to say no to all but the biggest deals.
Cremonese 6/10 – None of their arrivals look like setting Serie A alight but they are all proven performers. Milan Djuric will give them a different option in attack while Youseff Maleh, Morten Thorsby and Sebastiano Luperto are well-known quantities who can surely ensure the work already done towards survival continues.
Fiorentina 5.5/10 – The best part of the Viola transfer market was probably getting rid of a number of the summer signings that did not work out including Simon Sohm, Edin Dzeko and Hans Nicolussi Caviglia. They have added width with Manor Solomon and Jack Harrison but there was no real big name to fire hopes of rocketing back up the table.
Genoa 7/10 – As a fully signed-up member of the Tommaso Baldanzi fan club, this mark is probably more in hope than expectation. Daniele De Rossi has already put the fight into the Grifone, but the talented Roma man could add that dash of quality which will make their survival fight a more stylish one than it has been so far.
Inter 5/10 – We have what we hold is an understandable approach from the Nerazzurri but not the kind of thing to get fans delighted. The purchase of Yanis Massolin is an exciting one but clearly one for the future as the young French midfielder will remain on loan at Modena, where he has shone in Serie B.
Emil Holm poses with the Juventus shirt alongside Marco Ottolini (left) and Damien Comolli (right) – via juventus.com.
Juventus 5/10 – There was plenty of smoke but not much substance to the Bianconeri’s transfer window work with the arrivals of Emil Holm and Jeremie Boga hardly the stuff to get pulses racing. Maybe it could be argued that a recent upturn in form shows they did not need to force the issue but it will still disappoint the fans.
Lazio 5.5/10 – The Biancocelesti have been busy after having their transfer ban lifted with Kenneth Taylor already looking like a smart signing. The losses of Matteo Guendouzi and Taty Castellanos leave gaps to be filled but the biggest story was probably Alessio Romagnoli’s switch to Al-Sadd falling through due to a document mix-up, which is a bit embarrassing.
Lecce 5.5/10 – They will have to hope that they have found a couple of gems in a signing basket, including Omri Gandelman, Oumar Ngom and Sadik Fofana. The good news is that they have managed that in the past, so a repeat is not out of the question. Walid Cheddira is more of a known quantity and gives them options up front.
Milan 5/10 – Another one of Italy’s bigs to be linked with plenty of players but, in the end, they only managed a couple of arrivals. Niclas Fullkrug gives a focal point to their attack while teenager Alphadjo Cissè is definitely interesting. But the collapse of a deal for Jean-Philippe Mateta felt pretty much typical of their efforts.
Giovane officially joins Napoli from Hellas Verona
Napoli 5/10 – Add their name to the list of top teams who will have left their fans feeling cheated this January. Lorenzo Lucca goes to England for a nice bundle of cash – at least potentially – while the problematic Noa Lang finds a new home. Young Verona forward Giovane and Alisson Santos from Sporting CP will at least enjoy a move up the table thanks to their transfers.
Parma 6.5/10 – It will be a battle to stay afloat but they have added some quality to their fight with Hans Nicolussi Caviglia likely to enjoy a better time than he did in Florence. Gabriel Strefezza adds a dash of unpredictability and excitement while the loss of Hernani and Mathias Lovik will hardly be felt much at all.
Pisa 4.5/10 – They had to roll the dice and they definitely have but what number will come up remains to be seen. Having got rid of Alberto Gilardino as coach, they have at least got a goal already from new man Rafiu Durosinmi. Samuel Iling-Junior knows Serie A well enough but seems unlikely to produce enough to drag them to safety.
Roma 7.5/10 – Donyell Malen may be the signing who has made the most immediate impact this winter with some eye-catching moments already. Robinio Vaz is one of the biggest investments of the window and certainly does not seem to lack character. Tommaso Baldanzi leaves having found little space while Leon Bailey was dogged by injury in his short spell in the capital.
Donyell Malen joins Roma from Aston Villa (via asroma.com).
Sassuolo 5.5/10 – Whatever the question was, can the answer possibly have been M’Bala Nzola? The Angolan was far from thrilling at Pisa but maybe he can thrive in surroundings where the pressure of potential relegation is a little bit less intense. Their other new faces are intriguing but not necessarily of immediate use.
Torino 6/10 – A decent window that will surely help the Granata to enjoy another season of survival – if not a lot more. Kristjan Asllani and Cyril Ngonge made little impression between them so it will be up to Matteo Prati and Luca Marianucci to surpass them which, in truth, should really not be too hard.
Udinese 6/10 – The revolving door at the Stadio Friuli is rarely still and there were more heading out than in this winter. Branimir Mlacic and Juan Arizala definitely fall into the players with potential category and will look to make their mark while Iker Bravo and Sandi Lovric leave due to a lack of playing time. Saba Goglichidze ensures another window sees a move between the club and Watford.
Verona 5/10 – Their coach is gone but for a club with a need of a jolt, was this transfer session sufficient? It will be exciting to see another Scot give Serie A a go in the shape of Hibs’ record sale Kieron Bowie but he will surely have his work cut out to turn things around. Sandi Lovric should do a job while Pol Lirola at least knows Italy even if he has never exactly impressed.
Last week, the shocking news came out that former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was not elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. After falling one vote shy of induction, he’ll have to wait at least one more year.
Many who follow football were stunned that 11 people didn’t vote for Belichick, who’s arguably the greatest coach in NFL history. After all, he led the Patriots to nine Super Bowl appearances and six wins while engineering an iconic dynasty that spanned two full decades.
Cowherd noted Belichick’s lack of success without Tom Brady, which is well-documented. Belichick struggled both before and after Brady, suggesting he benefited more from Brady than Brady did from him.
“I’m not that surprised that Belichick didn’t get in…Disaster pre-Brady in New England. Disaster, Brady leaves, in New England. Disaster in college,” Cowherd said. “His ability to draft — awful. The more control he had, the worse it was…I think he’ll get in, but it wasn’t a shock…I get it.”
Cowherd also cited Belichick’s multiple cheating scandals, questionable management decisions and abrasive personality as contributing factors to his Hall of Fame miss.
Cowherd’s right that Belichick’s career wasn’t perfect. Nobody’s is. However, it was certainly Hall of Fame worthy, and no amount of nitpicking can justify his omission.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye took a moment to recognize someone very important during Super Bowl Opening Night on Monday.
Ann Michael Maye.
Ann Michael has become more recognizable than most of her husband’s teammates this season, with her “bakemas” series gaining traction on TikTok and her infectious personality gaining her fans all across New England.
Drake was asked what having her in his life has meant, and for lack of a better term, gave his wife her flowers.
“Getting married is one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life,” Maye said, per MassLive’s Chris Mason. “… What a blessing it is to have Ann Michael, and to have someone to come home to who cares about my day and gives me something to hear outside of football. I listen to what she’s done today, and every day I have a constant in my life and that’s my wife.
“Every day she’s herself, and she cared about me for who I am off the field… She’s the boss, but at the same time she’s been awesome to me.”
The Patriots will hope their quarterback can make his wife proud in Super Bowl LX on Sunday, with kickoff against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET.
The Red Sox are continuing to see potential infield additions come off the board, and MassLive’s Chris Cotillo has thrown a new name to watch into the mix.
“The Red Sox have checked in throughout the winter on Ramón Urías but haven’t showed more than lukewarm interest,” Cotillo wrote on X on Monday.
Urías was traded from the Baltimore Orioles to the Houston Astros last summer. He is under club control for one more season and can play third base, second base and shortstop. He is a versatile defender and won a Gold Glove in 2022 at third base.
Urías is not the only Houston Astros infielder the Red Sox have been linked to. Isaac Paredes has been a rumored target as well. Urías had just a .675 OPS last season, hitting 11 home runs for the second consecutive season. Cotillo wrote more about Urías in a story published before his report.
“Urías regressed with the bat last year to the tune of a .675 OPS in 112 games split between Baltimore and Houston but was still a capable defender at both third base (78 games) and second (26 games),” Cotillo wrote. “He also has historically hit very well at Fenway, logging a .326 average and an .881 OPS in 28 games in Boston. At this point, Urías can likely be had on a reasonable one-year deal.”
He was non-tendered by the Astros after the season. He could be a solid addition for the Red Sox. With Eugenio Suárez and Brendan Donovan off the board, a player like Urías could be the best option.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Baltimore Ravens are set to hire Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver as their own DC. The Ravens recently hired Jesse Minter to be their next head coach.
Weaver was a head coaching finalist for both the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers in recent weeks.
Sources: Ravens are expected to hire Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver as their defensive coordinator. Weaver worked for the Ravens from 2021-‘23, in assorted roles including assistant head coach. pic.twitter.com/xmmSXnDXLB
Weaver’s coaching career has built steadily through a series of progressive roles across college and the NFL, marked by consistent advancement in defensive positions.
After a playing career as a defensive end (including four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens), Weaver transitioned to coaching. He began as a graduate assistant at Florida in 2010, then served as linebackers coach at North Texas in 2011. His NFL coaching path started with the New York Jets as assistant defensive line coach in 2012, followed by defensive line coach roles with the Buffalo Bills (2013) and Cleveland Browns (2014-2015).
Weaver joined the Houston Texans in 2016 as defensive line coach, advancing to defensive coordinator and defensive line coach in 2020. In 2021, he returned to the Ravens as defensive line coach and run game coordinator, later adding assistant head coach duties for 2022 and 2023.
In 2024, Weaver became defensive coordinator for the Dolphins, holding the position through the 2025 season under head coach Mike McDaniel. During this period, he drew head coaching interest, participating in multiple interviews across hiring cycles, including with teams like the Falcons, Commanders, Bears, Cardinals, Pittsburgh, and others, though none resulted in a head coaching appointment.
The Boston Celtics have received a lot of surprising contributions this season en route to their 31-18 record. Many of the team’s bench and role players have been much better than expected, from Jordan Walsh and Anfernee Simons to Neemias Queta and Luka Garza.
Another player who’s stepped up is 19-year-old rookie Hugo Gonzalez.
While his stats don’t jump off the page, Gonzalez does a little bit of everything and makes an impact on both ends of the floor. He’s a great defender and rebounder who can also shoot, hitting 49 percent of his field goals and nearly 37 percent of his 3-pointers.
One stat where Gonzalez does stand out is plus/minus, which is typically tremendous for him. He always seems to give the Celtics a boost whenever he’s on the floor and makes a positive impact for them.
Sure enough, he leads all NBA rookies in plus/minus by a wide margin. His plus-236 for the season is more than double the next closest rookie — Dylan Harper at plus-117.
His average plus/minus of plus-5.36 per game is also on pace to be the best mark by a rookie in NBA history since the league started tracking plus/minus in 1996-97. It’s better than Tim Duncan, Chet Holmgren and every other rookie from the last three decades, including Jayson Tatum, who ranks sixth at plus-4.30.
There’s still a lot of basketball left to be played, but Gonzalez is on pace for a historic season and appears to be laying the groundwork for a promising NBA career.
After flying to Santa Clara on Sunday, the AFC champion New England Patriots officially kicked off Super Bowl Week ahead of their big showdown against the Seattle Seahawks.
Meanwhile, back in Boston, the Red Sox celebrated their annual “Truck Day” at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox loaded up their team equipment truck with 20,400 baseballs, 200 batting gloves, 200 helmets, 1,100 bats, 20 cases of bubble gum, and 60 cases of sunflower seeds. It will travel from 4 Jersey Street to Boston’s spring training facility in Fort Myers — a 1,440-mile drive.
The truck will deliver critical gear for the Red Sox, who officially kick off spring training on Feb. 10 with pitchers and catchers reporting next Tuesday.
Truck Day represents many things for Red Sox Nation. It’s a sign that the offseason is nearly over, spring training is about to begin, and baseball season isn’t far off.
Before long, the Red Sox will be playing baseball again, eager to begin their pursuit of another championship. Even though Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Monday, predicting six more weeks of winter, Truck Day means that spring is just around the corner.
While Trent Alexander-Arnold might have eventually completed a blockbuster move to the Spanish capital back in May, the former Liverpool defender suddenly finds himself at the heart of a Bernabeu nightmare. Leaving his boyhood club under extremely controversial circumstances, the 27-year-old was at the centre of a major transfer saga and came firmly under the […]
While Trent Alexander-Arnold might have eventually completed a blockbuster move to the Spanish capital back in May, the former Liverpool defender suddenly finds himself at the heart of a Bernabeu nightmare. Leaving his boyhood club under extremely controversial circumstances, the 27-year-old was at the centre of a major transfer saga and came firmly under the […]
While Trent Alexander-Arnold might have eventually completed a blockbuster move to the Spanish capital back in May, the former Liverpool defender suddenly finds himself at the heart of a Bernabeu nightmare. Leaving his boyhood club under extremely controversial circumstances, the 27-year-old was at the centre of a major transfer saga and came firmly under the […]
The NBA Trade Deadline is coming up on Feb. 5, and players are already starting to change teams.
The Boston Celtics are in an interesting position this year. While they were expected to be deadline sellers coming into the season, they’ve wildly surpassed expectations, going 31-18 and ranking second in net rating.
Accordingly, the Celtics are more likely to be buyers than sellers this week given their place in the standings. However, they could still look to offload a player or two to clear up some payroll and open a spot for Jayson Tatum’s expected return.
Given the rumors and uncertainty, the trade deadline is always a stressful and anxious time for players, coaches and executives alike. Anything can happen.
“You just stick to the process every day, what gives you a chance to win that particular day,” Mazzulla said during his pregame press conference. “Maximize the day. Is it a game day? Is it an off day? Is it a day where we gotta come in and watch film? Is it a day that we gotta practice? You just have to understand what day you’re at and make sure you put your focus on that.”
That type of focus should serve Mazzulla and his players well over the next few days. After destroying the Bucks on Sunday, they’re off on Monday before traveling to Texas for a back-to-back against the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets. Then they’re off on Thursday, the day of the deadline.
Mazzulla doesn’t get distracted easily, so look for him to stay locked in and keep his team prepared over the next few days as they look to get off to a strong start in February.
The Boston Celtics improved to 31-18 on the season on Sunday with a convincing 107-79 victory over the Giannis-less Milwaukee Bucks at TD Garden.
Jaylen Brown characteristically led the Celtics in scoring with 30 points to go along with 13 rebounds on an efficient 12-of-20 from the floor and 4-of-6 from 3-point range.
Anfernee Simons dropped 27 points off the bench on 10-of-18 from the field and 6-of-10 from 3.
Leading the charge for Milwaukee was guard Ryan Rollins, who finished with a team-high 25 points.
The game was tied after the first quarter, but the Celtics used a dominant second quarter (which they won 30-16) to establish a lead that only grew from then on out.
Boston has now won two in a row and three of its last four. They’ll head to Dallas next to take on Cooper Flagg and the Mavericks on February 3.
The Celts established a momentary, half-game lead over the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Standings (in the No. 2 spot), as the Knicks were set to take on the Los Angeles Lakers at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night.
Boston’s upcoming few games won’t be easy. They face the Houston Rockets on the road the night after the Mavs, and then the Celts will host the Miami Heat and Knicks at home to close the week, on Friday and Sunday, respectively.
If Newcastle United needed another painful reminder of their reality at Anfield, this match delivered it with theatrical cruelty. There are bad days in football, there are collapses, and then there is whatever peculiar psychological vortex Newcastle fall into whenever they cross the white line at Liverpool’s historic home. This was supposed to be the […]
Florida native and current Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Peeke is excited to play outdoors in his home state.
Peeke was born and raised in Parkland, Florida, and admitted that playing hockey outside wasn’t something he’d do. However, he’s eager to play outside at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, when the Bruins take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in a Stadium Series game.
“Me and a couple of my buddies who have gotten to this point, we take a lot of pride in being from Florida because we know there are only so few of us,” Peeke said on Saturday after the Bruins’ practice.
“Being able to play an outdoor game and experience that – I would’ve never guessed that they could pull this off growing up as a kid, but it’s going to be pretty special.”
Although Peeke will have plenty of family and friends in attendance on Saturday, the focus for him and the Bruins is getting the win and two points against a division rival.
“It breaks us up from the normal routine. I think we’re so wired to waking up, coming to the rink, playing a game, going home, all the same type of stuff,” Peeke said.
“I think this comes at a good time, where we’re playing good hockey, we feel good about ourselves. But at the same time, we know it’s a necessary two points.”
Peeke enters the game with four goals and seven assists for 11 points in 54 games. He’s set to skate on Boston’s third-pairing on Sunday alongside Nikita Zadorov.
The Bruins enter play with a record of 32-20-3 and are 8- 1- 1 in their last 10 games.
With Real Madrid looking to reclaim their spot at the top of the La Liga table, we have a stacked Spanish schedule on the cards this weekend. Watching a resurgent Real Sociedad trade to arch-rivals Athletic Bilbao for what should be a fiery affair, there are four La Liga showdowns pencilled in on Sunday. For […]
While there might have been plenty of raised eyebrows earlier in the month as Michael Carrick made a shock temporary return to the Old Trafford dugout, Manchester United have enjoyed a sensational immediate boost under their former midfielder. Despite watching Ruben Amorim’s nightmare 14-month tenure come to an official end on January 5th, the Red […]
While there might have been plenty of raised eyebrows earlier in the month as Michael Carrick made a shock temporary return to the Old Trafford dugout, Manchester United have enjoyed a sensational immediate boost under their former midfielder. Despite watching Ruben Amorim’s nightmare 14-month tenure come to an official end on January 5th, the Red […]
While there might have been plenty of raised eyebrows earlier in the month as Michael Carrick made a shock temporary return to the Old Trafford dugout, Manchester United have enjoyed a sensational immediate boost under their former midfielder. Despite watching Ruben Amorim’s nightmare 14-month tenure come to an official end on January 5th, the Red […]
Antonio Vergara is the man of the moment at the minute in Naples.
Napoli are currently going through the motions as the Scudetto holders face a growing injury list, an awkward early exit from the UEFA Champions League and a real fight on their hands to retain the Serie A trophy.
However, if there was one silver lining amongst all these dark clouds it would be the impressive performances of Vergara.
The 23-year-old had not played a senior minute for the Partenopei before this season, and spent the last two seasons on loan with Reggiana in Serie B.
Despite this, it is Vergara who has won the heart of Naples in the last couple of weeks.
Vergara thrust into the limelight for Napoli but thrives
On Saturday, Vergara scored again, this time in Napoli’s 2-1 win against Fiorentina, that helped ease the pressure on the side after the disappointing Champions League exit. The Italian also assisted the other goal on the night, as he continues to impress.
NAPLES, ITALY – JANUARY 31: Antonio Vergara of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on January 31, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
It is strange, though, that his opportunity was only really born out of the ongoing injury crisis in Naples.
Without the circumstances, it was unlikely Vergara was going to see much first team football this season and, at 23-years-old, he is moving past the point of being sent out on loan again and again but Napoli.
When Napoli have a full roster again, it will be interesting to see whether Conte rewards Vergara’s impressive run of form with more minutes, or if he falls back down the pecking order completely.
What does the future hold for Vergara?
Regardless of that, Vergara can only gain from his continued performances – in the sense that he may be able to convince another Serie A side to take a gamble on him – and Napoli may choose to cash in if he’s not deemed of the right level for the first team.
A move to a club like Genoa or Sassuolo could suit the Italian, where he would be able to get more game time than at Napoli and I would not be surprised if this was the case.
NAPLES, ITALY – JANUARY 31: Antonio Vergara of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on January 31, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
We shall see what happens – and obviously it feels exceedingly premature to be having these sorts of hypothetical conversations about a player with just 12 appearances to his name for Napoli.
However, Vergara is winning the hearts of Napoli fans and impressing pundits, and right now he is a much needed breath of fresh air in Naples.
In what looks like it could be a season-defining showdown at the foot of the Premier League table, Nottingham Forest will welcome Crystal Palace to the City Ground on Sunday afternoon. Signing off their Europa League group stage adventure with a real flurry earlier in midweek, Sean Dyche’s side have enjoyed an eye-catching boost over […]
Liverpool breezed into the Champions League last-16 stage after hammering Qarabag 6-0 at Anfield. Arne Slot’s side secured automatic qualification with ease by finishing third in the league phase, while Qarabag’s thrashing still saw them into the knockout-stage play-offs, where they will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Newcastle United. Hugo Ekitike fired an early warning […]
On nights like these, when Europe’s lesser lights drift into London and a rotated Arsenal side strolls to victory, it is tempting to dismiss the occasion as little more than glorified conditioning. But football rarely works in straight lines, and Arsenal’s win over Kairat Almaty offered more than the sterile comfort of a routine triumph. […]
Federico Dimarco and Andy Diouf were on target in the second half as Inter defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-0, but it was not enough to send the Nerazzurri straight through to the Champions League’s last 16. After a dire first half at Signal Iduna Park, Dimarco scored with a wonderful free-kick with 10 minutes remaining – […]
Real Madrid missed out on automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16 as Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin’s stoppage-time goal miraculously kept them in the competition with a 4-2 win. Jose Mourinho came back to haunt former club as a European classic saw Benfica clinch the final position in the knockout-stage play-off round in the […]
Napoli crashed out of the Champions League as Joao Pedro inspired Chelsea to a 3-2 comeback victory at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Joao Pedro scored two stunning goals in the second half on Wednesday as the Blues sealed their spot in the last 16. Chelsea went ahead through Enzo Fernandez’s 19th-minute penalty, awarded for a […]
With the 2025/26 Champions League group stage drawing to a dramatic close on Wednesday, we look set for what will be an action-packed night of European action. With the battle for knockout stage spots going right down to the wire, all of Europe’s elite will steal centre stage in midweek. Ahead of what should be […]
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