The Boston Celtics survived an almighty fourth-quarter collapse to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 122-118 in overtime on Tuesday.
Boston controlled the first half on the road, building a 65-50 advantage at the long break, but after reaching an 88-74 lead with two minutes remaining in the third quarter, everything began to fall apart for the visitors.
From that point on, the Lakers launched a 32-5 run to take a 106-93 lead with four minutes to play, but then it was the home side's turn to go into their shell, allowing the Celtics to storm back with a 17-4 run.
Anthony Davis had two free throws with 28 seconds on the clock, leading by two, but missed both. Jayson Tatum capitalised and tied the game with a contested mid-range jumper over LeBron James, before the four-time NBA MVP's potential game-winner was way off.
The Lakers had nothing to offer in overtime, scoring only four points in the first four minutes to allow the Celtics to build a game-winning lead.
It was a crucial win for the Celtics to snap a two-game losing skid, improving their league-best record to 22-7 and retaining bragging rights over their long-time rivals.
Tatum was the deciding factor, scoring a game-high 44 points on 15-of-29 shooting with nine rebounds and six assists, while running-mate Jaylen Brown chipped in 25 points (10-of-21) and 15 rebounds.
Both Lakers stars delivered, with Davis' 37 points and 12 rebounds continuing his MVP-calibre season, while James had 33 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
Portis pulverises the Warriors
All-NBA Milwaukee Bucks duo Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton combined for 50 points, but it was Bobby Portis off the bench producing the best performance in his side's 128-111 win over the Golden State Warriors.
Portis had his best game of the season with 25 points on 11-of-15 shooting and 11 rebounds, while two-time MVP Antetokounmpo had 30 points on poor efficiency (nine-of-26 shooting), 12 rebounds and five assists.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 20 points (six-of-17), but it was not nearly enough to stop his side from taking their third loss from their past four outings, and dropping their road record to 2-12.
The Bucks have now won eight of their past 10 to improve their record to 20-7, and they are 13-3 at home.
Giant-killing Rockets take another scalp
After knocking off the Bucks in their last game, the Houston Rockets collected another big scalp with a 111-97 triumph over the Phoenix Suns.
The Rockets were led by second-year scoring sensation Jalen Green, who had 26 points on seven-of-17 shooting – hitting 11-of-12 free throws – to raise his team-high average to 21.8 per game.
Third overall draft pick Jabari Smith Jr continued to impress, only attempting five total shots, but finishing with 14 points and eight rebounds, hitting all three of his three-pointers. The six-foot-11 wing is hitting a respectable 36.8 per cent of his threes on a healthy 5.8 attempts per game.
Future Hall-of-Famer Chris Paul believes the Phoenix Suns will remain a contender this season if they remain positive, despite dropping their fifth straight game in Tuesday's 111-97 loss to the Houston Rockets.
The Suns dropped to a 16-12 record, having now lost six of their past seven games, with their injury troubles getting worse as Deandre Ayton (ankle) and Cameron Payne (foot) both exited and did not return after half-time.
Phoenix were without All-Star guard Devin Booker for a third straight game due to a hamstring injury, while Cameron Johnson has not played since meniscus surgery in early November.
The Suns' injury issues mean their five-game losing streak may potentially snowball, but 37-year-old Paul remained bullish that they can turn it around.
"Not really," Paul told reporters when asked if he was worried about the losing run snowballing out of control. "As long as the locker room stays positive and understands that it’s a long season.
"We went on an 18-game winning streak [last season] and lost in the second round. You know what I mean? In this league you can't get too high or too low."
The Suns' five-game losing streak is their longest since the 2019-20 season. All five losses have occurred since Chris Paul returned after a 14-game absence due to a heel injury.
In a touching moment after the game, Suns head coach Monty Williams embraced Rockets head coach Stephen Silas, who was back on the sidelines for the first time since his father, three-time NBA champion Paul Silas, passed away on the weekend.
"Everybody knows he's one of the best people in the world," Silas said about Williams. "It means a lot from him.
"He's been through so much and has so many little tidbits and so many experiences that he draws from that he has a great way of communicating.
"Tonight his way of communicating was through a hug, which I needed. I love him for that, he's a good man."
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr says his side needs to correct their defensive issues on the road after slumping to a 2-12 record away from home with Tuesday's 128-111 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The reigning champions, playing in the first leg of a six-game road trip, were brushed aside by the Bucks, who were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo with 30 points, 12 rebounds and five assists at the Fiserv Forum.
The defeat means the Warriors are ranked 29th in the NBA on the road this season and have an 0-8 record on the road to teams with plus-.500 records.
Golden State has also given up at least 114 points in every road game this season, which Kerr was quick to point out.
"In the road losses, our defense has been bad," Kerr told reporters. "For whatever reason, the splits are pretty dramatic. Our defense is pretty good at home and bad on the road. We've got to turn that around."
Kerr also pointed to the free-throws as an issue, with the Bucks scoring 26-of-32 from the stripe compared to Golden State's 15-of-19.
"It's basically the difference in the game when we lose," he said. "It usually feels like that's the difference.
"At half-time it's a 10-point game and they had 10 more free-throws than us, despite the fact that we weren’t shooting the ball very well, we weren’t playing very well, it was a six-point game with a minute and half left in the second quarter. We were right there but the free-throws are a killer."
Kerr along with Stephen Curry both received technical fouls in the first quarter, after a play where last season's Finals MVP appeared to be fouled by Wes Matthews as he shot a three-pointer, yet no call was forthcoming as Bobby Portis scored down the other end, leaving the pair incensed.
"There were several non-calls in the paint," Kerr said. "I felt like we were on the bad end of things to start the game. Steph Curry gets hit on the head on a three-point shot, that needs to be called. That's what he does. That's Steph Curry. You can't miss that.
"We were getting frustrated with some no-calls and it led to a pretty choppy night."
Kerr and Curry's technical fouls were two of five for the game, including Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer.
"I have no comment about my technical," Budenholzer said. "The game just had a really poor flow for a while. Lots of free-throws, delays of game, technicals, everything, the flow tonight was poor."
The San Francisco Giants have secured their franchise shortstop with the signing of former Houston Astros and Minnesota Twins star Carlos Correa to a 13-year, $350million contract in free agency.
Correa, 28, spent the first seven years of his career with the Astros, earning Rookie of the Year, two All-Star selections, a Platinum Glove and the 2017 World Series title.
He became a free agent prior to the 2022 season, signing a three-year, $105m deal with the Minnesota Twins, but exercised his right to opt out after just one year following a 78-84 campaign, missing the playoffs.
Correa was not to blame for the Twins' struggles, posting the second-best batting average of his career (.291) while playing his third-most games in a season (136), resulting in the largest shortstop contract in MLB history.
The Giants were considered the only side other than the New York Yankees with a realistic chance of landing reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge in free agency, but with his decision to return to New York, they had some money set aside to spend.
Likely joining Correa in San Francisco's opening day line-up will be former Seattle Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger, who inked a three-year, $43.5m free agent deal earlier in the process.
The Philadelphia 76ers are beginning to figure things out on the offensive end, scoring at least 123 points for the fourth consecutive game to defeat the Sacramento Kings 123-103 on Tuesday.
Joel Embiid top-scored with 31 points on 10-of-16 shooting, while James Harden set the table with 15 assists to go with his 21 points (seven-of-13 shooting), seven rebounds and five steals.
In fact, all five 76ers starters finished better than 50 per cent from the field, combining to shoot 33-of-56 (58.9 per cent) from the field for 94 points.
For the season, the 76ers own the 13th-best offense at 112.4 points per 100 possessions, but in these past four games they have raised that to 118.6 – the fourth-best figure over that span.
The key factor in the return of their offensive firepower is the return of James Harden – who returned from a five-week absence exactly four games ago, and has averaged 11.7 assists per contest since.
Embiid pointed to Harden's ability to generate open looks for his teammates when he spoke to reporters after the game.
"We're playing pretty well offensively," Embiid said. "James is doing a great job getting everyone easy shots.
"My teammates are doing a fantastic job moving the ball and being in the right spots. That's what we've got to do.
"All we have to do is stay healthy – but we're not there yet. We have a long way to go."
Philadelphia head coach Doc Rivers agreed that the offense has found its groove.
"Really the last two games," he said. "We're in the 120s, shooting over 50 per cent, the ball’s moving, the floor is wide open – that’s exactly what we’re talking about.
"Tobias had nine assists tonight, James had 15. It just says that they’re moving the ball, they’re playing together, our spacing is correct, and it’s good to see."
Harden, who is averaging over 10 assists per game for the fourth consecutive season, expanded on exactly what constitutes an efficient offense.
"I think offensively, it’s just knowing what we’re trying to accomplish possession by possession," he said. "That’s the most important thing.
"If we’re out here and everybody’s on different pages and have their own individual agendas, and that goes for any team, the offense isn’t gonna be successful.
"It doesn’t matter how many great guys you have on the team, so I think just knowing what we’re trying to accomplish and just going out there and doing our best job to accomplish it on both ends of the ball.
“For me, individually, I just try to pick up the pace, get the ball up as fast as we can before Joel gets down there, and once he gets down there, we know what to do.
"Guys are doing a great job of just moving their bodies, finding open spots, and then I’m just trying to hit them on target."
The 76ers have now won three in a row to improve their record to 15-12, and sit fifth in the Eastern Conference.
New Orleans Pelicans All-Star Brandon Ingram suffered a setback during his recovery from a toe injury and has been ruled out for at least one more week.
The initial injury occurred on November 25 against the Memphis Grizzlies, and he has missed the eight games since.
Ingram, 25, was named the NBA's Most Improved Player for the 2019-20 season, earning his only All-Star selection in the process.
While his scoring this season is at its lowest since his last campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers (2018-19), his efficiency has reached a new career-high.
He is currently boasting a true shooting percentage – which accounts for and weights three-pointers and free throws – of 59 per cent, which has been buoyed by a scorching start to the season from beyond the arc.
Having never shot better than 39.1 per cent from three-point range, Ingram has hit 28 of his 60 attempts this season for a 46.7 per cent mark, albeit on a limited sample size.
Despite his effectiveness, the Western Conference-leading Pelicans (18-8) have actually had a worse record in games he has played this season (9-6) than in the games he has missed (9-2).
This is more an indication of the dominance of Zion Williamson when he has to assume a larger usage rate in Ingram's absence, as he is averaging exactly 30 points per game with 9.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists in seven consecutive wins since the injury.
Williamson is shooting 79/118 over those seven games for a field goal percentage of 66.9 – only Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton, averaging 11.7 points per game, has a higher field goal percentage for the season (73.3 per cent).
Boston Red Sox president Sam Kennedy has leapt to the defence of his franchise amid fan backlash in response to their offseason activity.
The Red Sox failed to retain homegrown star Xander Bogaerts, who led the side for batting average (.307) and hits (171) in 2022, as he exited for the San Diego Padres last week on an 11-year, $280million contract in free agency.
Bogaerts' exit came after Boston, who were World Series champions in 2018, finished last in the AL East with a 78-84 record in the 2022 season.
Three years ago, the Red Sox traded away AL MVP Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers with a view to financial flexibility, meaning Bogaerts' free agency departure has caused fan tumult.
"I would put our organisation and our track record up against anybody else's in Major League Baseball, period," Kennedy told reporters.
"We're going to continue to field a team, a complete roster that is going to be competitive in the American League East. That's our job.
"We have to do that and I know our fans will support us if we do that."
Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom added that he was not surprised by the fans' reaction.
"Fully expected it. Fully expected it," he said. "That has not been a surprise. Honestly, I would have been surprised if that had not been the case."
Bloom also tried to explain the decision on Bogaerts, who they reportedly offered a six-year, $160m deal at the start of the season.
"Well first of all, good for Xander. He earned every bit of that," Bloom said. "Everybody here has seen it and it's just part of what free agency is about. He will be nothing but loved here forever. So that's number one.
"The rest of it, there's a lot of emotions. You can feel that you're making a sound baseball and business decision and still feel torn up by it. It's wonderful when those business decisions line up with things that are gonna make us happy and can make everybody happy. This one didn't.
"But we still have a responsibility to make those decisions. We know that this is going to leave a mark for everybody in this organization and everybody who loves this organization. We understand that and we've got to get back to going out there and winning."
The Houston Texans will be without arguably their top offensive player for up to three weeks after rookie running back Dameon Pierce was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain.
Pierce, a fourth-round pick in this year's NFL Draft, took over as the Texans' starting running back in Week 2, and has gone on to rack up 939 rushing yards in 13 games to lead all rookies.
He has also been strongly involved in his team's passing game, with his 30 receptions the second-most by any rookie running back, trailing only Rachaad White (40 catches) of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Pierce awkwardly twisted his ankle in the fourth quarter of a narrow 27-23 loss – a game where the Texans entered the contest as 17-point underdogs.
ESPN reports he will miss "up to three weeks", which would not be season-ending, but he may very well be shut down during that period.
Despite Pierce's strong play, the Texans own the worst record in the league at 1-11-1 and are pencilled in for the number one pick in next year's draft – a position they would like to hold onto.
Pierce has already done enough to ensure his position as Week 1 starter next season, and with only four games remaining in the current campaign, it remains to be seen if the Texans will bring him back for the final fixture as the timeframe may allow.
Bernard Laporte has stepped away from his role as vice-chairman of World Rugby in what was described as a "self-suspension" after receiving a two-year suspended prison sentence for corruption.
The French Rugby Federation president, who is also a former France head coach, came under investigation over a number of decisions that favoured Mohed Altrad, the president of Top 14 club Montpellier.
Those decisions including the awarding of a shirt sponsorship deal for the France national team to Altrad's construction business.
Laporte was also handed a €75,000 fine and a two-year ban from involvement in rugby by the Paris Criminal Court on Tuesday, and French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said he should be replaced as head of the FFR.
France will be hosts of the Rugby World Cup next year, and Oudea-Castera said it was inappropriate under current circumstances for Laporte to hold such a prominent role.
Laporte's lawyers announced there will be an appeal against the punishments, and his sporting punishment will also be formally put on hold until that is heard. He and Altrad denied wrongdoing.
It is clear, however, there is concern both within France and at World Rugby about Laporte remaining in his lofty positions, and the self-suspension is just the first step in the process of it being determined whether he has a future with the global governing body.
He appears unlikely to be banished by the FFR for now, pending his court appeal, although it remains to be seen whether Laporte suspends himself from that role.
World Rugby said in a statement: "World Rugby notes the decision by World Rugby vice-chairman Bernard Laporte to self-suspend from all positions held within its governance structures with immediate effect following his conviction by the French court in relation to domestic matters, and pending his appeal.
"While acknowledging Laporte's self-suspension and right of appeal, given the serious nature of the verdict World Rugby's executive committee has referred the matter to its independent ethics officer for review in accordance with its integrity code.
"World Rugby will not be making further comment until the conclusion of the independent process."
The Arizona Cardinals' fears have come to fruition after an MRI confirmed that Kyler Murray tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season.
Murray was injured on Arizona's third play from scrimmage in Monday's 27-13 loss to the New England Patriots and the quarterback had to be carted off the field.
He was hurt on a non-contact three-yard gain as he attempted to cut on the turf and immediately went down.
After the game, coach Kliff Kingsbury said the team was bracing for bad news.
"It doesn't look good," he said on Monday. "It's tough. There's no doubt. You see teams go through it every week, but when you lose your starter on the third play of the game, it's tough."
Multiple sources reported on Tuesday – including NFL Network's Ian Rapoport – that Murray's season is over, and an ACL tear will also put his health for the 2023 season into question.
The 2022 season will go down as a disappointing one for Murray, who signed a five-year, $230.5million contract extension with the Cardinals in the offseason.
Murray – the top overall pick of the 2019 draft – led Arizona to an 11-6 record and a playoff berth in 2021, while throwing for 3,787 yards with 24 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and a 100.6 passer rating.
With 14 TD passes, seven picks and an 87.2 QB rating in 10 starts this season, Murray has struggled to generate much offense for the 4-9 Cardinals.
Colt McCoy took over at QB after Murray's injury and figures to finish out the season in that role.
The 36-year-old McCoy has 702 passing yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in three games this season.
Carla Suarez Navarro has announced she is pregnant, with the Spanish former tennis star who overcame cancer expressing her "tremendous joy" and "great pride."
Now 34, Suarez Navarro was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in September 2020, just months after announcing her intention to retire.
She delayed that retirement and, after being given the all-clear in April 2021, began a farewell tour at that year's French Open that included appearances at Wimbledon, the US Open, the Olympic Games and the Billie Jean King Cup.
Having left competitive tennis behind at the end of the 2021 season, Suarez said she and her partner Olga Garcia were thrilled to announce the pregnancy, with their baby due in June.
Garcia, 30, is a footballer who has played for the Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Spain women's teams.
They said in a shared statement on Instagram: "A new stage that we really wanted to experience. Let's grow the family! Excited and happy to face this big moment. Very soon we will be one more."
Both were showered with messages of congratulations and love, from the likes of Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea and tennis names including Caroline Wozniacki, Garbine Muguruza, Paula Badosa and Sara Errani.
Suarez Navarro explained, in a statement reported by Spanish media: "We wanted to announce that I am three months pregnant. It's already 12 weeks of tremendous joy to bring a new life into the world.
"Both Olga Garcia, my partner, and I feel an enormous responsibility, a great pride for having taken this step, and we were excited to share it with all of you.
"This Tuesday, we went to perform the first trimester ultrasound, to verify that the pregnancy is progressing on the right track. Fortunately, the medical team has confirmed that the gestation process is developing completely normally.
"It is fantastic news for us and fills us with hope for the near future."
The former WTA player, who reached a career-high world ranking of sixth, added: "After my retirement from sports, with both of us still young, we thought it was the ideal time to face a process that fills us with joy and enthusiasm.
"We are very excited with what we are going through and with all the experiences that we hope to live soon."
French Rugby Federation president Bernard Laporte must leave office after receiving a two-year suspended prison sentence for corruption, sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said.
The Paris Criminal Court announced the punishment on Tuesday, after investigating a number of marketing decisions made by Laporte that favoured Mohed Altrad, the president of Top 14 club Montpellier, including a shirt sponsorship deal for his construction business with the France national team.
Laporte was also handed a €75,000 fine and a two-year ban from involvement in rugby by the court, raising the possibility of him being out of office before France hosts next year's Rugby World Cup. Altrad was given an 18-month suspended sentence and a €50,000 fine.
The court heard Laporte had taken his actions while also agreeing a personal image rights deal with Altrad that was worth €180,000 to the former France coach, according to Le Parisien and other French media.
Laporte's lawyers announced there will be an appeal against the punishments. Prosecutors had been seeking jail time for both he and Altrad.
The French federation (FFR) said Laporte would stay as president pending the outcome of his appeal. Laporte is also a vice-chairman of World Rugby, which said its executive committee would meet later on Tuesday to consider the outcome.
Laporte and Altrad had denied wrongdoing, and Oudea-Castera said the planned appeal from Laporte should be allowed to run its course.
But her office said in a statement: "In terms of good governance, the minister considers that this new context prevents Bernard Laporte from being able, as it stands, to continue his mission in good conditions at the head of a delegated federation of a public service mission, at a moment as decisive for French rugby as the home stretch before a Rugby World Cup where France will receive nations from all over the world.
"The minister therefore calls for a new democratic era allowing French rugby as quickly as possible to restart on sufficiently healthy and solid bases, with a governance of the federation which will have the full confidence of the clubs and will be able to bring people together.
"It is therefore up to the authorities of the federation that it is now up to them to take up their responsibilities."
Montpellier issued a statement that read: "The Paris Criminal Court delivered a decision at the start of the afternoon which, on the merits, is not fully satisfactory, although the sentences are very different and well below the requisitions requested, which testifies to the insufficiency of the elements of this file."
It said Altrad's lawyers would consider whether to appeal, adding: "It is essential to emphasise that Montpellier Herault Rugby is neither targeted nor impacted by this decision and that Mohed Altrad will continue to invest his time and energy in his management missions for his club, its employees and its partners."
Wales head coach Warren Gatland says Ireland counterpart Andy Farrell is the only real contender to lead the British and Irish Lions on their tour to Australia in 2025.
Gatland was in charge of the Lions on consecutive tours in 2013, 2017 and 2021.
The 59-year-old's shock return as Wales boss last week means he may now be in the running for the next tour in two and a half years' time.
However, Gatland believes on current credentials, Farrell is perfectly suited for the role following his impressive work with Ireland.
"If you are picking a Lions coach at the moment, there is only one person that I think is in contention," he told reporters. "He is across the water and living in Dublin at the minute.
"If you are successful, those opportunities come along. I hadn't even thought about [the Lions tour]. I am just thinking about the next 10 months.
"I am well aware of how important the Six Nations and World Cup are next year.
"I don't plan my pathway. I am a believer of if you are in the right place at the right time, then opportunities come along. What will be, will be."
Farrell oversaw a historic Test series triumph against New Zealand in July and then added the scalps of South Africa and Australia in November.
Ireland are top of the world rankings, whereas Wales are down in ninth on the back of a poor year that led to the dismissal of Wayne Pivac.
Gatland has been tasked with turning things around in his second spell at the helm, with a showdown against Ireland first up in Wales' 2023 Six Nations opener on February 4.
"Facing them first is probably good, as they are the best team in the world, and rightly so," Gatland said.
"Getting them first up at home is not the worst thing. It's a tournament of momentum. You win your first game and you've got a good chance of doing well.
"To get them first up, it's probably the one game you want at home – playing against the best team where there is probably a bit more pressure on them.
"I think we will be pretty excited about getting ready for the game."
This season's MVP winner in the NBA regular season will be the first recipient of the Michael Jordan Trophy.
The NBA announced on Tuesday the renaming of the award after the former Chicago Bulls star, widely considered to be the greatest basketball player of all time, who won the MVP award himself five times during his career.
The Michael Jordan Trophy is the headline of six newly-designed trophies, which includes a new award for Clutch Player of the Year, named after Los Angeles Lakers legend Jerry West, the only player to win the Finals MVP award as part of the losing team when he did so in 1969.
The Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy will be awarded to the Defensive Player of the Year, the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy for Rookie of the Year, the John Havlicek Trophy for Sixth Man of the Year and the George Mikan Trophy for Most Improved Player.
"Our new collection of trophies celebrates some of the greatest and most impactful players in the history of the NBA," said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
"As we recognise the league's top performers each season, we also pay tribute to the legends who embody these prestigious awards."
The announcement comes shortly after the league revealed a new trophy for the 2022-23 campaign to be awarded to the team that finishes with the best regular-season record.
The Maurice Podoloff Trophy – named after the NBA's first commissioner – will be handed out for the first time this season. The MVP trophy had previously been named after Podoloff up until last year when it was retained by Nikola Jokic.
Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach died on Monday at the age of 61, the university has announced.
Leach passed away at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi, due to complications from a heart condition.
In a statement, the Leach family said: "Mike was a giving and attentive husband, father and grandfather. He was able to participate in organ donation at UMMC as a final act of charity.
"We are supported and uplifted by the outpouring of love and prayers from family, friends, Mississippi State University, the hospital staff, and football fans around the world. Thank you for sharing in the joy of our beloved husband and father's life."
Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum said: "Coach Mike Leach cast a tremendous shadow not just over Mississippi State University, but over the entire college football landscape.
"His innovative 'Air Raid' offense changed the game. Mike's keen intellect and unvarnished candour made him one of the nation's true coaching legends.
"His passing brings great sadness to our university, to the Southeastern Conference, and to all who loved college football. I will miss Mike's profound curiosity, his honesty, and his wide-open approach to pursuing excellence in all things.
"Mike's death also underscores the fragility and uncertainty of our lives. Three weeks ago, Mike and I were together in the locker room celebrating a hard-fought victory in Oxford [over rivals Ole Miss].
"Mike Leach truly embraced life and lived in such a manner as to leave no regrets. That's a worthy legacy. May God bless the Leach family during these days and hours. The prayers of the Bulldog family go with them."
Leach is best known as one of the pioneers of the 'Air Raid' offense, an aggressive and potent attack that he developed as an assistant to Hal Mumme at Iowa Wesleyan, Valdosta State and Kentucky, whose quarterback Tim Couch became a number one overall pick of the Cleveland Browns in 1999 after excelling in the system.
He moved on to Oklahoma as an assistant Bob Stoops in 1999 and his success in transforming their offense led him to be appointed as Texas Tech head coach.
Leach spent 10 years at Texas Tech, where he never had a losing season. His 84 wins remain the most in program history and he set the record for bowl game appearances with the Red Raiders (10).
He was hired by Washington State in 2012, going 55-47 with the Cougars and leading them to a program record six bowl game appearances. After going 4-7 in his first year at Mississippi State, he guided the Bulldogs to back-to-back winning seasons, including an 8-4 record in the 2022 regular season. The Bulldogs are due to face Illinois in the ReliaQuest Bowl on January 2.
Leach went 158-107 in his head coaching career, reaching 19 bowl games and delivering seven seasons of at least nine victories and two conference division titles. His passing attack led the FBS - the highest level of college football - in 10 of his 21 seasons as a head coach, six at Texas Tech and four at Washington State.
His irreverent personality, which saw sessions with the media feature long tangents on everything from weddings and Halloween candy to which Pac-12 mascot would win in a fight, made Leach one of the most popular coaches in college football.
Mississippi State athletic director Bracky Brett said: "We are heartbroken and devastated by the passing of Mike Leach. College football lost one of its most beloved figures today, but his legacy will last forever. Mike's energetic personality, influential presence and extraordinary leadership touched millions of athletes, students, coaches, fans, family and friends for decades.
"Mike was an innovator, pioneer and visionary. He was a college football icon, a coaching legend but an even better person. We are all better for having known Mike Leach. The thoughts and prayers of Mississippi State University and the entire Bulldog family are with his wife Sharon, his children and the entire Leach family."
Eddie Jones will return to Twickenham next May following his dismissal as England coach as he takes charge of the Barbarians against a World XV.
The Australian was sacked less than a year out from the Rugby World Cup after overseeing a dismal 2022 in charge of the national side.
Though the Rugby Football Union has not yet moved to find a successor ahead of the tournament in France, Jones has lined up a new gig and will lead the invitational side for a second time.
Having previously coached them in 2019 – and having lost to them earlier this year in a 52-21 defeat – the 62-year-old is relishing the opportunity to do so again.
"It's an incredible honour to be asked to coach the Barbarians for a second time," he said.
"The club showed during the autumn that the values and traditions which make the Barbarians so special are still very much alive.
"Fans can expect to see two top-quality teams, packed full of international players, going all out to catch the eye ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
"I am very much looking forward to returning to Twickenham Stadium – a venue I have so many fond memories of – as head coach of the Barbarians, and I'm more motivated than ever to put on a show."
Steve Hansen, who won the 2015 Rugby World Cup, will lead the World XV, which will reunite him and rival Jones in what they hope will be an entertaining contest.
"Going up against Steve rekindles a great rivalry which first started in our days competing in Super Rugby and progressed into the international arena," he added.
"It'll be a great challenge and one I'm sure we're both relishing."
The New Jersey Devils see no need for panic after their 11-game road winning streak was ended by the New York Rangers on Monday.
Filip Chytil scored two minutes and 15 seconds into overtime to give the Rangers a 4-3 win at Madison Square Garden.
The Devils had made the short trip from Newark to Manhattan looking to tie the 2014-15 Minnesota Wild and 2005-06 Detroit Red Wings for the longest winning run away from home in NHL history.
New Jersey had previously not lost on the road since suffering a 5-2 defeat to the Philadelphia Flyers on October 13.
That remains their only away loss in regulation this season, with the Devils still 11-1-1 in road games this season.
The Devils remain top of the Metropolitan Division with their 21-5-2 record the second-best in the Eastern Conference heading into Tuesday's home game with the Dallas Stars.
That too will be a tough test for the Devils, with the Stars second in the Western Conference's Central Division.
But center Nico Hischier is remaining calm in the wake of some rare adversity for the Devils, who have now lost two games in a row.
He said: "Penalties kind of slowed us down in the second [period], we've got to be more disciplined, especially against a team we know [have a] really deadly powerplay.
"They scored a goal on it as well so we've gotta clean that up.
"It's a rivalry game. It was intense and close until the end. No time for panic. We have to regroup, and tomorrow is a new game. That's what we have to focus on right now."
Igor Shesterkin, who last season won the Vezina Trophy for the NHL's best goaltender, made 26 saves to frustrate the Devils, with the Rangers now 15-10-5 after a fourth successive win.
The Rangers had trailed 3-1 in the second period but Vincent Trocheck and Kaapo Kakko scored seven seconds apart to erase that deficit before Chytil had the final say.
"It always feels good that we have these comebacks, and we show our true character," Chytil said.
"We have to just keep going. Sometimes it's hard [to stay positive], but we had a three-game winning streak. It was like, 'We can get back into the game'."
Oleksandr Usyk has been ordered to defend his WBA title against mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois, complicating a potential unification bout with Tyson Fury.
The Ukrainian, who currently holds the boxing association's 'super' belt, alongside the WBO and IBF titles, had been tipped for a clash with Fury, who holds the WBC crown.
But Dubois, who retained his WBA 'regular' belt this month against Kevin Lerena, has now been ordered to face Usyk next for his crown, in a move that would unify both of the federation's titles.
If there is a saving grace for an Usyk-Fury bout, it is that the latter is represented by Frank Warren, who also handles Dubois through Queensberry Promotions.
That could mean Dubois would wait for the winner of a potential unification showdown, and subsequently face them for a shot at all world titles.
Usyk was also ordered by the IBF last month to hold a mandatory defence against Croatia's Filip Hrgovic, who could be another potential opponent if the Fury bout does not come next.
After defeating Derek Chisora in London earlier this month, Fury talked up Usyk and fellow Briton Joe Joyce as his likely next opponents.
Joyce is currently the WBO's interim champion, and has professed his interest in a clash with his countryman in recent weeks.
Dubois has a 19-1 career record, with his only loss coming at the hands of Joyce.
Frederic Vasseur is to become Ferrari's new team principal in January after the departure of Mattia Binotto, the team announced on Tuesday.
Vasseur's newly vacant role as Alfa Romeo/Sauber's managing director is then expected to be filled by McLaren boss Andreas Seidl, ahead of Sauber's switch to becoming the Audi factory team in 2026.
Having been with Sauber in the team's various forms since 2017, Vasseur will join a Ferrari outfit that won four races in the 2022 season but remained well off the pace in challenging Red Bull and Max Verstappen for the constructors' and drivers' championships.
Ferrari announced in November that Binotto would step down at the end of the year, allowing Vasseur to join and reunite with Charles Leclerc.
He was in charge of Alfa Romeo during Leclerc's rookie F1 season in 2018.
Vasseur will be aiming to end Ferrari's long title drought, having not won a constructors' or drivers' championship since 2008.
Ferrari are still among the most prestigious and successful Formula One teams despite their long wait for more silverware, and Vasseur is thrilled to be joining such a historic constructor.
"I am truly delighted and honoured to take over the leadership of Scuderia Ferrari as Team Principal," Vasseur said in Ferrari's announcement.
"As someone who has always held a lifelong passion for motorsport, Ferrari has always represented the very pinnacle of the racing world to me."
Benedetto Vigna, Ferrari's CEO, added: "We are delighted to welcome Fred Vasseur to Ferrari as our Team Principal.
"Throughout his career he has successfully combined his technical strengths as a trained engineer with a consistent ability to bring out the best in his drivers and teams.
"This approach and his leadership are what we need to push Ferrari forward with renewed energy."
Vasseur's move comes in the wake of Jost Capito leaving his role as Williams team principal, having finished bottom of the 2022 constructors' standings.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
