Nothing’s certain. But there’s a chance that Draymond Green played his last game for the Golden State Warriors Tuesday on night.
Green’s name has been bandied about in trade rumors as the Warriors are believed to be seeking a high-level player (Giannis Antetokounmpo, perhaps?) to pair with Stephen Curry for a run at another championship at the end of Curry’s prime.
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If Green’s 13 1/2-season run with the Warriors is over, he’s at peace with it. He spoke about the possibility of this being the end following Golden State’s 113-94 loss to the 76ers Tuesday night.
Be warned, the language is not safe for work. This is Draymond, after all.
“I think a lot of people want to know how I feel about it, like am I upset about it,” Green said. “I’m not at all. If that’s what’s best for this organization, that’s what’s best for the organization.
“I’m not, like, ‘Ah, man, they f***ed me over,” or something like that. I don’t really feel that way.”
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Green paused, then offered some perspective that’s likely to draw a few tears from the Golden State fan base if Green, indeed, gets dealt before Thursday’s trade deadline.
“If you would’ve told me 13 1/2 years ago like, ‘Yo, I’m gonna hand you this sheet of paper and you can sign it to be in a place for 13 1/2 years, would you sign it?’ And I would’ve signed it faster than you can blink.
“What do I have to sit and worry about? What do I have to, like, be upset about? Like, I’ve been here for 13 1/2 years. That’s longer than probably 98% of NBA players have been in one place. And this guy from Saginaw has been in a place for 13 1/2 years.
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“I don’t know that it ends at 13 1/2, but if it does, what a f***ing run it’s been.”
If it’s over, Green is right. It’s been a hell of a run.
Green joined the Warriors as a second-round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. In the 13 1/2 seasons since then, Green has been a lynchpin of one of the NBA’s great dynasties while winning four championships alongside Curry, Klay Thompson and coach Steve Kerr.
He’s been one of the great defenders of his generation. And despite being the third- or fourth-best player on those championship teams, Green’s career will likely conclude with enshrinement in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
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“I’m blessed,” Green said. “I’m lucky. I’m grateful.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo may have already played his final game with the Milwaukee Bucks. After years of sticking with the franchise, Antetokounmpo could possibly be dealt before the Thursday trade deadline.
Over the years, Antetokounmpo has shown incredible loyalty to the organization, re-signing multiple times when many expected he would leave and join a franchise with more superstar talent. Every time he’s asked, Antetokounmpo always expresses his commitment to both the team and city.
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But he also sees the writing on the wall.
With the deadline fast approaching, Antetokounmpo gave multiple interviews to local reporters reiterating his feelings toward the city of Milwaukee while also acknowledging that it’s probably time for him to be shipped off to another franchise.
Antetokounmpo spoke to both the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and The Athletic providing similar quotes to both outlets about his current situation.
When asked about leaving the Bucks, Antetokounmpo laid out all the reasons why he doesn’t want to leave Milwaukee. He mentioned that his children were born in the city, his dad was buried in the city and his mom owns a house in the city. “On what planet, on what Earth, would somebody want to leave this?” Antetokounmpo said.
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When asked what he would prefer moving forward, Antetokounmpo said he wanted to remain a Buck for the rest of his life … but with a significant caveat: The team needs to be able to win a championship.
With the team sitting at 19-29 entering play Wednesday, Antetokounmpo knows that’s not a possibility.
“Brother, if you ask me deep down what I want today, I want to be a Milwaukee Buck for the rest of my career,” Antetokounmpo said. “I want to win here, another championship. And if you can tell me that’s possible, let’s just hang up the phone.
“You know basketball. You see basketball. You understand basketball. You’ve been around greatness. You’ve been around a championship team. You’ve been around a good culture. You’ve been around when the popcorn was popping. You were around; you saw it. If you tell me that that’s possible, we can hang up the phone and keep on moving with our day.”
It’s not the first time this season Antetokounmpo has been critical of the team’s play. In January, he called out teammates, saying the Bucks were being “selfish” on the court.
And while Antetokounmpo has still never officially requested a trade away from the Bucks, he made it clear he doesn’t want to play for a team where he’s “fighting for my life to make the playoffs.”
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That’s a good description of the Bucks this season. If Antetokounmpo stuck it out, the Bucks would still be in a tough spot the rest of the way. And if the team rallied down the stretch to make the postseason, it likely wouldn’t be seeded high. Barring an incredible turnaround and a superhuman effort from Antetokounmpo, it’s tough to see the Bucks winning multiple playoff series against higher-rated teams in that scenario.
For that reason, it seems likely Antetokounmpo is on his way out. He not only seems open to the deal, but it might be the best thing for the Bucks’ franchise at this point. Milwaukee stands to gain a number of draft picks or talented, young players in an Antetokounmpo trade. That could help the team rebuild much faster.
Still, it would be a sad end for Antetokounmpo and the team. No player has defined loyalty in this era more than Antetokounmpo. Seeing him leave the Bucks feels wrong, even if it’s the best thing for both sides at this point.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — We’ll get to Josh McDaniels’ head-coaching record in a moment, but first, he deserves some flowers.
McDaniels is back in the Super Bowl, which is a familiar spot for him. He is one of the few New England Patriots who have been a part of all six Super Bowl championship teams for the franchise. He was an assistant for the first three title teams (personnel assistant in 2001, defensive assistant in 2003, quarterbacks coach in 2004) and an offensive coordinator for the final three.
Having a huge season without Brady and taking Maye to a star level is impressive, and so is this: If the Patriots win Super Bowl LX, it will be the fourth time McDaniels has won a Super Bowl ring as a coordinator. That would tie Steve Spagnuolo’s NFL record for Super Bowl wins as a coordinator. McDaniels doesn’t turn 50 years old until April.
“It means I’ve been around a lot of great people,” McDaniels said on Wednesday at the Patriots’ Super Bowl LX media availability. “None of us would be here if it wasn’t for a great group of people in the organization that help us do our jobs. The players deserve the most credit for all those things we’ve had in the past.
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“You try to do the best in your role to help the team win, and if you’re so fortunate and lucky to be part of this thing, you cherish it.”
There was a question if Spagnuolo deserves consideration as a potential Pro Football Hall of Famer. No coach has made the Hall of Fame based primarily on their work as a coordinator. Maybe it’s time to have that conversation about McDaniels too.
However, that’s complicated.
Josh McDaniels is chasing his seventh Super Bowl ring, and his fourth as a coordinator. (Yahoo Sports/Hassan Ahmad)
Josh McDaniels’ unusual career arc
It’s hard to reconcile these two facts: McDaniels is one of the most accomplished coordinators in NFL history. He is also will be remembered as one of the worst NFL head coaches in recent memory, if he doesn’t get another shot to lead a team.
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McDaniels got two chances to be a head coach and both ended in midseason firings amid the franchise burning to the ground. McDaniels was 11-17 as Broncos head coach, and that came after a 6-0 start. He was fired due to losses and controversy; he was fined $50,000 for the team videotaping a 49ers practice before a game in London.
McDaniels’ time with the Las Vegas Raiders wasn’t better. He went 9-16 and was fired after a team meeting in which players ripped McDaniels for his coaching style.
Those two stops don’t count the time McDaniels accepted the Indianapolis Colts’ head-coaching job in 2018 but never got on the plane to Indianapolis, choosing to back out of the job and stay with New England as its offensive coordinator.
There have certainly been ups and downs throughout his career as a coach.
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“It’s football,” McDaniels said. “The game of football is an imperfect game. I try to learn the best I can every year, every week, to try to get better.
“The failings in your career are much like the failings in any other aspect of your life. You probably learn the most from them. I’ve had an opportunity to grow from the things I haven’t done as well and hopefully I’ve taken full advantage of those things and try to be the best version of myself going forward.”
In most other situations, a coach on the good side of 50 years old who is considered an offensive whiz and just developed a second-year quarterback into an MVP candidate on the way to the Super Bowl would be atop many teams’ list of head-coaching candidates. None of the coordinators hired this cycle have a better résumé as an assistant coach than McDaniels. But coaches with 20-33 records in their first two stops as a head coach usually don’t get a third chance, especially when there’s as much baggage as McDaniels has collected in that role.
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“Every day is one day at a time for me now,” McDaniels said about the possibility of being a head coach again. “I’m where I’m supposed to be. I’m incredibly happy to be here and doing what I’m doing, I love my job. I love the role I have. I love the group I’m with. Whatever that plan is down the road, we’ll figure that out. But I couldn’t be more happy where I’m at.”
McDaniels a big part of Drake Maye’s breakout
Whatever issues have prevented McDaniels from success as a head coach, it’s impossible to deny his football acumen.
The Patriots were 4-13 last season as McDaniels took a year off following the Raiders debacle. Mike Vrabel was hired by New England, he hired McDaniels to run the offense and the Patriots went 14-3. Maye led the NFL by completing 72% of his passes and also throwing for 8.9 yards per attempt.
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Vrabel has received a lot of credit, and will likely win NFL Coach of the Year when it is announced on Thursday. McDaniels is a huge part of this championship season, too, of course.
“Josh is always on top of it,” Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte said. “With the game plan, he studies the other team really well. I always feel like he’s one step ahead.
“What impressed me most is I’ve never had an offensive coordinator that is really hands on and always one step ahead.”
Being as successful as McDaniels has been is also more than calling the right route concept to beat a Cover 3 defense. There was a moment during the Patriots’ AFC championship game win against the Broncos in which Maye, who will be the second-youngest quarterback ever to start a Super Bowl, seemed frustrated on the bench. It was cold, windy and the field was covered in snow.
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“It’s hard,” Maye said as he was mic’ed up. “Good god.”
McDaniels chuckled and told Maye: “Listen to me. Look at me. It’s going to be hard. But look, this will be the most rewarding six-and-a-half minutes of our lives if we can get it done.”
New England closed the win with Maye running for a first down that allowed the Patriots to run out the clock.
When McDaniels and Brady were working together, it wasn’t uncommon to see the two having heated arguments on the sideline. That was part of their relationship. The calming moment with Maye on the bench in Denver is not a side of McDaniels that is part of his reputation.
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“You try to do the right thing as a coach, no matter when it is, whether it’s Tuesday night in the office or you’re freezing cold on the bench in the fourth quarter of a playoff game,” McDaniels said when asked about that moment on the bench. “Whatever they need from you, whatever they require at the time, is what you’re really supposed to try to give them.
“I have four kids between the ages of 13 and 21, and they require guidance and as much wisdom as my wife and I can give them, as much as possible. I still think that’s part of my job as a coach.”
The job he’s done has landed him on the brink of a historic Super Bowl title. Strange as his career may be, that’s going to count for a lot in the end.
We’re back hoops fans with another Yahoo Fantasy x Arena Club drop for Week 16. Yahoo Fantasy Basketball Slab Packs are a brand-new weekly drop featuring real, graded trading cards of the hottest fantasy performers in the NBA.
If you’re new to Arena Club, here’s the lowdown. Arena Club is the premier online marketplace for sports cards, giving collectors a way to rip packs virtually, buy and sell graded cards and track their entire collection — all in one place. Whether you’re in it for the hobby, the thrill or the chase, Arena Club brings the excitement directly to your screen.
Each week, Arena Club curates real, graded NBA cards and builds two types of Yahoo Fantasy Slab Packs:
Every pack contains a graded card of an active NBA player — but the real treasure is the weekly Chase Cards, featuring some of the top fantasy basketball performers from the past week. These limited-edition hits can reach values up to 20x the cost of the pack.
Weekly NBA Slab Packs go live every Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET and remain available through Friday at 1 p.m. ET (or until they’re gone). It’s the ultimate mid-week boost for fantasy hoopers and collectors alike.
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To top it off, use promo code YAHOO at checkout for 20% off your first slab pack or card purchase on ArenaClub.com or the Arena Club app.
This Week’s Featured Players
Rip a slab pack today for a chance to pull one of the week’s biggest fantasy basketball stars:
Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
Wemby has been a double-double machine despite playing around 30 minutes per game recently. He had a streak of six straight double-doubles until that ended at the end of January.
LeBron James, Lakers
King James isn’t posting triple-doubles night in and night out but he has been a nice second fiddle to Luka on the Lakers. He has been a solid source of assists in fantasy basketball, with at least five in 10 of the past 11 games.
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Nikola Jokić, Nuggets
The Joker is finally back! After missing just about the entirety of January due to a knee injury, Jokić is back in the lineup but on limited minutes. Hopefully he’ll go back to being a triple-double machine for fantasy managers soon.
Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
Ant Man continues to play through injuries but perhaps some reinforcements are on the way with the NBA trade deadline approaching. Edwards continues to score in bunches with 30+ points in three of the past five games.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Giannis has been sidelined the past week or so with a calf injury and his days in Milwaukee may be coming to an end as the deadline nears. Wherever the Greek Freak lands, he should have renewed strength with a change of scenery, which would be ideal for fantasy.
Weekly Drops. Real Cards. Real Value. Real Thrill.
With new cards releasing every week based on real fantasy performance, the Yahoo Fantasy x Arena Club partnership delivers a constantly refreshing lineup of NBA stars — and the chase cards you’ll be talking about all season.
Don’t miss this week’s release.
Rip your slab pack, hit a chase card, and upgrade your collection today!
Perry Wallace, the first Black basketball player in the history of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and a trailblazer at Vanderbilt University, used to say that “reconciliation without the truth is just acting.” I can also hear the voice of the late David Williams II — the first Black athletic director in the SEC, a longtime Vanderbilt athletic director — chiming in with his oft-repeated mantra that “change does not automatically mean progress.” Among their many accomplishments, both were constant and fierce advocates for creating opportunities for women in sports.
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As I learned from these pioneering leaders, change, on its own, is not enough. Progress requires intention, resources and the courage to invest where the return may not be immediate — but is unmistakable over time.
Women’s sports illustrate this better than almost any arena. Long before women were formally recognized, funded or celebrated by their institutions, they were already competing — playing, organizing and building teams with little more than determination and belief. The absence of institutional support never erased their talent or ambition. It only delayed acknowledgment of what was already true.
That history matters because it reminds us of a persistent pattern: opportunity often exists before institutions are willing to name it, fund it or lead it. And progress depends on leaders who are willing to close that gap — not with symbolic gestures, but with sustained investment.
Today, on National Women and Girls in Sports Day, we are at one of those moments. Women’s sports are experiencing unprecedented visibility, competitive excellence and fan engagement. Yet the infrastructure that supports them — scholarships, facilities, staffing and long-term resources — too often lags the reality on the field and court. If we believe in excellence, we must be willing to invest accordingly.
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This is not about taking away from men’s sports or reallocating a fixed pie. It is about strengthening the entire ecosystem of college athletics. When women’s programs are fully supported, institutions benefit from stronger leadership development, broader engagement and a more durable model of success. Investing in women’s sports is not a side initiative; it is a core strategy for the future of college athletics.
For too long, girls and women were excluded from such opportunities — even as sports continued to shape leaders, communities and cultures for all of us. We also know the immense value that participation in athletics provides any human. That’s why it’s so important we don’t just mark this day with feel-good slogans or social media graphics. Celebrations matter, but they are most meaningful when paired with a commitment to truth and real change.
The popularity of sports continues to rise. And in the world of women’s sports, it seems that every day brings a new story about the formation of a league or a record being set — whether in attendance, television viewership, sponsorship dollars or professional player contracts.
A recent report by McKinsey found that between 2022 and 2024, revenue from women’s sports grew 4.5 times faster than men’s. And yet, even with that growth, revenues generated by women’s sports represent less than 2 percent of the total U.S. sports market. “The next frontier of growth for women’s sports,” the report concluded, “will be closing this monetization gap and realizing women’s sports’ full potential as a high-revenue market.”
Vanderbilt AD Candice Storey Lee hugs Mikayla Blakes after she scored her 1,000th point of the season on Dec. 3, 2025. (Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)
(Johnnie Izquierdo via Getty Images)
But supporting girls and women in their athletic endeavors goes well beyond the idea of increasing revenues — and it aligns with what we know sports can do for any young person. It’s also about developing leaders who will help build a better society. Whether a girl or young woman plays competitively in high school or college, goes on to the Olympics or simply plays at the recreational level for the pure enjoyment of the game, sports can teach us so much.
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As someone who played basketball from about the age of 10 through college, I speak from firsthand experience when I say that without the lessons I learned through the highs and lows of sports, I would not be in the position I am today. Sports teaches people the value of teamwork — of being part of something larger than themselves. It teaches accountability, resilience, and discipline. It prompts us to have difficult conversations with peers, to feel a sense of mastery, and to gain confidence. We learn how to lead and how to follow, how to compete, and how to win and lose with humility and grace. In sports, we work and play alongside a diverse group of people who may not all look or think alike, but who can come together in pursuit of a common goal. Those opportunities are too few and far between these days.
If sports participation can benefit young women in so many of these ways, it’s no surprise that studies consistently show that more than 90 percent of women in C-suite positions have a background in playing sports. Studies also show that 85 percent of women who played sports attribute their career success to the skills learned through athletic participation. Count me among them.
These are astounding numbers — and they would have been unimaginable just a few generations ago, before Title IX. But we know we cannot take progress for granted. Remember, we can’t even assume that change equals progress. History has taught us that gains can be reversed in the blink of an eye. Support for women’s sports has ebbed and flowed. Leagues have come and gone. Women have been pushed out of leadership positions when money starts to flow. As we work to ensure more opportunities for women in sports at a national level, it’s important that women maintain seats at the table — working alongside men as partners, collaborators and allies in shaping the future of sports. Women should not only be the players on the fields and courts, but also the leaders driving business decisions, innovation and long-term strategy.
Make no mistake about it: Investing in women’s sports makes everyone better. When we commit to a level of equity where everyone is able to achieve at their highest capacity, it benefits all of us, regardless of gender, role or starting point. By not only celebrating girls and women in sports, but by strengthening the infrastructure that supports their participation, we build a stronger nation.
And that’s the truth.
(Editor’s Note: This is a guest editorial written by Vanderbilt vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director Candice Storey Lee.)
Hamlin, 45, told reporters on Wednesday ahead of the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium that he re-injured his right shoulder but will put off surgery until after the season because of the lengthy recovery timeline. Hamlin had surgery on his right rotator cuff after the 2023 season and dealt with the injury in the latter weeks of that season.
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He said that he found out the muscle in his shoulder was re-torn after he fell going through debris at his parents’ house. Hamlin’s father Dennis died from injuries sustained in the fire on Dec. 28 in Stanley, North Carolina, and his mother, Mary Lou, was seriously injured. Hamlin said Wednesday that his mother’s condition was improving.
Dennis Hamlin had been in declining health before the fire. Denny Hamlin had said during the 2025 playoffs that he believed that it was his dad’s last opportunity to see him win a championship.
Hamlin did not get that title despite dominating the final race of the season at Phoenix. He led 208 of the race’s 319 laps, but a late caution for William Byron’s tire failure set up a green-white-checkered finish and Hamlin’s team’s four-tire pit stop strategy backfired as Kyle Larson finished ahead of Hamlin for the title.
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It was a tumultuous end to 2025 — to put it mildly — for Hamlin. His 23XI Racing team also settled its lawsuit with NASCAR in December over the sanctioning body’s charter system. The settlement was a win for 23XI and Front Row Motorsports, the plaintiffs in the suit, as NASCAR relented on its previous stance and granted teams permanent charters.
Hamlin, who is arguably the best NASCAR driver to not win a title, finished fifth in 2023 as he dealt with his shoulder injury. A crash at Homestead effectively ended his hopes for a championship in the 34th race of that season.
This season, the title format will be much different. NASCAR has re-implemented the cumulative 10-race Chase after using a multi-round elimination format since 2014. The winner-take-all title race is gone, as the driver who has the most points at the end of the playoffs will win the title.
Mickey Lolich, the left-handed pitcher who helped the Detroit Tigers become World Series champions in 1968, has died at the age of 85.
“The Tigers are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mickey Lolich and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones,” the Tigers said in a statement.
“One of the finest pitchers in franchise history, Lolich was a three-time All-Star who pitched for Detroit for 13 seasons and holds several Tigers team records. He was a member of the 1968 World Series Champion Tigers team, earning World Series MVP honors after posting a 3-0 record with a 1.67 ERA. Lolich will be remembered as one of the most durable and dominant left-handed pitchers of his era and a cornerstone of Detroit’s pitching staff for more than a decade.”
Lolich joined the Tigers in 1958 after being signed as a free agent at 17 years old out of Portland, Ore. After several years in the minor leagues, he reached the majors in 1963 and made 33 appearances. Beginning with the 1964 season, he began a 12-year run where he won at least 10 games.
In 1968, 23 years after they last finished in first place, the Tigers made the postseason and won the World Series. After posting a 17-9 record during the regular season, Lolich shined in that October’s Fall Classic against the St. Louis Cardinals, the reigning champions.
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Lolich helped the Tigers even the series in Game 2 with a nine-strikeout, complete-game victory. But Detroit would fall behind 3-1 in the series with St. Louis being led by NL Cy Young Award winner Bob Gibson.
The Tigers would trail for only six innings over the final three games, with Lolich earning complete-game victories in Games 5 and 7 to help Detroit become champions. Lolich’s three wins, 21 strikeouts and 1.67 ERA over 27 innings helped earn him series MVP honors.
Lolich had several more strong seasons in Detroit, including 1971 and 1972 when he won 25 and 22 games, respectively, and finished in the top three in AL Cy Young Award voting. That 1971 season also saw him strikeout a career-high 308 batters in 376 innings and finish fifth in the AL MVP race.
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Lolich’s time in Detroit came to an end when he was traded to the New York Mets ahead of the 1976 season. He would retire the following year, but returned to playing in 1978 when he joined the San Diego Padres where he was mainly used as a reliever, starting seven games over two seasons.
Following the 1979 season, Lolich announced his retirement at the age of 39.
“Lolich was a great pitcher, teammate and champion, but he was more than that to me,” said Willie Horton, Lolich’s teammate in Detroit, in a statement. “He was like a brother for over 60 years. I will keep the memories close to my heart and will never forget the close bond that we shared. My condolences to Joyce and their family and to everyone who loved him.”
The Oklahoma City Thunder easily defeated the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, but the win came with a potentially significant cost. Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sustained an abdominal injury during the contest, and will be out at least through the All-Star break due to the issue, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The severity of the injury is not known at the moment. The team plans to reevaluate Gilgeous-Alexander after the break, meaning he’ll miss — at minimum — five games before a possible return.
It’s unclear when Gilgeous-Alexander sustained the injury. The 27-year-old turned in a strong performance during the Thunder’s 128-92 win over the Magic on Tuesday, scoring 20 points and dishing out nine assists in nearly 28 minutes on the court.
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While Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged roughly 33 minutes per game this season, his lower playing time Tuesday was more likely due to the Thunder’s big lead, and not the result of an injury.
Gilgeous-Alexander is in the midst of yet another strong season, and is averaging 31.8 points, 6.4 assists and 4.4 rebounds in his follow-up after winning the MVP award last year. Gilgeous-Alexander has the Thunder in a tremendous spot at the trade deadline, with the Thunder sitting at 40-11 entering play Wednesday. If the regular season ended Wednesday, the Thunder would hold the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
As a possible response to Gilgeous-Alexander’s injury, the Thunder acquired guard Jared McCain from the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. The team could look to make other additions ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline depending on how long it expects Gilgeous-Alexander to be sidelined.
The Mavericks struck a deal to send Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum to the Washington Wizards for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III and five draft picks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The Mavericks will reportedly receive a 2026 first-round pick from the Thunder and a 2030 protected first-round pick from the Warriors, plus second-round picks in 2026 (via Phoenix), 2027 (via Chicago) and 2029 (via Houston).
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Davis was acquired in a blockbuster trade by the Mavericks along with Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick last season in exchange for Luka Dončić, Markieff Morris and Maxi Kleber, who were traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Davis’ time with the Mavericks ended after he appeared in just 29 games, despite being with the team since last February. His latest setback occurred after he injured his hand on January 8 against the Utah Jazz. Although hand surgery is not required, as initially reported, Davis was still expected to miss extended time with the injury. The team opened trade talks shortly after.
In his home debut with the Mavericks last year, Davis suffered a left adductor strain after posting 26 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 blocks. The strain sidelined him for 18 games before he returned in late March. Davis played in nine games during his first stretch with the team, and averaged 20 points, 10.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists.
This season, Davis has also been sidelined for most of the year, playing in only 20 games while dealing with a left calf strain and a right groin spasm as the Mavericks have largely struggled. When he has played, Davis is averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists, while the team has hovered near the bottom of the Western Conference standings. The team fired general manager Nico Harrison earlier this season, too, after immense backlash from fans in response to the Dončić trade.
When healthy, Davis remains one of the top bigs in the league. But in Dallas, that just wasn’t the case.
The Mavericks will now attempt to rebuild around Flagg and Irving, who has yet to return this season while recovering from a torn ACL injury. But with Dončić’s run in Dallas now behind him, and the return from the Dončić deal now out the door, too, it may take a while. The team seems to be headed for a much longer rebuild than initially planned.
The 2026 NASCAR season will begin this week with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, rescheduled for Feb. 4, 2026 (that is, assuming severe winter weather doesn’t continue to impact the track). The new NASCAR season brings with it a new(ish) format, The Chase, replacing the multi-round playoff format that’s been used since 2014. The Chase reconsiders how the top drivers in the regular season are evaluated and eligible for postseason eligibility; the top 16 drivers in the points standings after the first 26 races of the season will make the playoff field, regardless of how many wins each has. This format has been used before and will certainly make this season interesting. Are you ready for the first race?
Here’s everything you need to know about the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium and how to watch every other 2026 NASCAR Cup Series race this season.
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How to watch the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium:
Date: Feb. 4, 2026
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Location: Bowman Gray Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC
Channel: Fox, qualifying races on FS2
Streaming:DirecTV, Fox One, HBO Max (Driver-cam), and more
When is the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium?
The Cook Out Clash was originally scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 1. Due to the weather, all on-track events have been rescheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 4.
What channel is NASCAR’s Cook Out Clash on?
The Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium is the first NASCAR race of the season. The race will be available live on Fox. You can also watch qualifying races on Saturday on FS1, and an alternate driver-cam will also be available to stream live on HBO Max.
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NASCAR Cook Out Clash TV schedule:
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 (Postponed from Feb. 1 due to snow)
All times are ET.
1:30 p.m. Practice & Qualifying (FS2)
4:30 p.m. Last Chance Qualifier Race (FOX)
6:00 p.m. Cook Out Clash (Main Exhibition Race) — 200 laps (FOX)
How to watch NASCAR in 2026 without cable:
To watch every single race of the 2026 NASCAR season, you’ll need a couple of different streaming services. You can stream channels like NBC, USA, Fox, FS1, TNT, and truTV on streaming platforms like DirecTV and Hulu + Live TV, which will get you access to the majority of this year’s races, but you’ll also need a Prime Video subscription if you want to catch the Coca Cola 600, the Cracker Barrel 400, FireKeepers Casino 400, NASCAR Cup Series Race at Pocono and the Anduril 250. Races airing on NBC and USA will also be available to stream on Peacock, and races airing on Fox and FS1 will be streaming on Fox One. And once again, HBO Max will also be showing alternate driver-cam angles at every race this season.
2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule:
Here are the races that make up the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series. (All times Eastern)
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Feb. 1, 2026: Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium (Fox, HBO Max)
