Sports
No. 16 Texas Tech expects another battle to wire with Colorado
Feb 2, 2026; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward JT Toppin (15) reacts to a call in the second half of the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images In a league where no game is a layup, No. 16 Texas Tech can’t afford a letdown to maintain any hope of staying in the hunt for a top-four finish in the Big 12 Conference.
That fact, plus the memory of last month’s meeting in Colorado, provides plenty of motivation as the Red Raiders get back to work Wednesday night against the Buffaloes in Lubbock, Texas.
Texas Tech (17-6, 7-3 Big 12) takes on a Colorado team that has won two of its last three games following a six-game losing streak.
Colorado’s nosedive began with a 73-71 loss Jan. 10 at home to Texas Tech. The Buffs (14-10, 4-7) roared back from a 24-point second-half deficit, but Barrington Hargress’ game-winning 3-point attempt at the buzzer was off the mark.
“We’re focused on what Colorado has done to get better since we played them because they almost came back and got us on a day when we played well most of the game,” Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland said. “They’ve played really well offensively and have a lot of different players who can make you pay if you’re not locked in defensively.”
Texas Tech avoided a three-game losing streak for the first time since the 2023-24 season with a 70-63 win Sunday at West Virginia.
The Red Raiders got back to the things that have been strengths all season: shooting the ball well from beyond the arc and defending the Mountaineers well most of the day.
Sparked by Donovan Atwell’s hot hand, Texas Tech knocked down 8 of 11 3-point attempts in the first half on the way to connecting on 13 of 24 — the 18th time this season the Red Raiders made double-digit threes. The accuracy was just as vital, though: Texas Tech hit at a 54.2% clip from deep after going 12 of 40 vs. Kansas and 11 of 29 against UCF.
That contrast figures to be important in the rematch with Colorado. The Red Raiders are among the Big 12 leaders in 3-point shooting — they rank second at 39.1% with more makes (264) and attempts (675) than any other team — while the Buffs are last in 3-point defense at 36.9%.
Colorado nabbed a 78-70 victory Saturday against Arizona State with some of the same ingredients that helped the Buffs get off to 8-0 and 12-3 starts this season. They took care of the ball, with only 10 turnovers, and were strong on the backboards with a 40-26 edge on the glass.
“We did some good things because we had a really good practice the day before,” said longtime Buffs coach Tad Boyle. “These are the dog days of February for college basketball players. Guys get tired of practicing, but what young guys have to understand is that practice does matter and we play better and are a different team when we practice well.”
The Buffs will need to hone in on the Red Raiders’ top two scorers, J.T. Toppin and Christian Anderson. Toppin provides 21.8 points (third in the Big 12) and a conference-best 10.5 rebounds per game while Anderson, who was full strength at West Virginia after missing the Kansas loss with an illness, averages 19.3 points and a Big-12 best 7.7 assists.
Texas Tech’s defensive focus will be on freshman Isaiah Johnson, who leads Colorado with 16.3 points per game. He struggled through a 3-for-11 shooting night against the Red Raiders in the first meeting, but he keyed the Buffs’ 44-30 second-half surge by scoring all of his 21 points after halftime — buoyed by a 13-for-13 effort from the free-throw line.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Knicks F OG Anunoby (toe) out vs. 76ers
Feb 3, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) reacts after making a three point basket in front of Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George (18) during the first quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby will sit out his fourth consecutive game Wednesday when he misses his team’s contest versus the host Philadelphia 76ers.
Anunoby, 28, is sidelined by a toenail avulsion on his right foot, per NBA injury report.
He is averaging 16.6 points and 5.5 rebounds in 41 games (all starts) this season.
Center Mitchell Robinson is available to return to action after missing Tuesday’s 137-134 overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers due to an ankle injury and rest.
Robinson, 27, is averaging 4.8 points and 8.9 rebounds in 38 games (14 starts) this season.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Rams OT Rob Havenstein retires after 11 seasons
November 9, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Rob Havenstein (79) after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Rob Havenstein announced his retirement from the NFL after 11 seasons on Tuesday.
Havenstein, who won Super Bowl LVI with the Rams in the 2021 season, started all 148 regular-season games and 13 playoff games he has played since 2015 — the last season the franchise was in St. Louis.
“What a ride it’s been!” Havenstein, 33, posted on Instagram. “I can look back on my career and smile knowing I have given everything I had and more to the game I love. In saying that, I am officially retiring from the NFL.”
He thanked his wife, parents, teammates, coaches, the team’s fans and the Rams organization.
“I have had the time of my life with the Los Angeles Rams (formerly known as the St. Louis Rams) and can’t thank the whole organization enough for giving me a shot back in 2015,” he wrote. “Although some in the organization weren’t totally convinced.”
Havenstein played in only seven regular-season games this season (seven starts) as he dealt with knee and ankle bursitis. He was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 19 and the Rams designated him to return to practice on Jan. 22 ahead of the NFC Championship game at Seattle on Jan. 25, but he didn’t play and the Seahawks won 31-27.
A member of the 2015 NFL All-Rookie Team, Havenstein was a foundational part of the offensive line at right tackle. He played on 100% of the offensive snaps in games he played across the 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2025 seasons, and at least 90% in the others.
The Rams also reached the league championship game in the 2018 season, falling to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII, 13-3. Los Angeles beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 three years later.
“As this chapter ends, I couldn’t be more grateful, hopeful, and excited to see what comes next!” Havenstein said.
–Field Level Media
Sports
LeBron James (foot) out; ineligible for awards, All-NBA honors
Feb 9, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) passes the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) during the third quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images Los Angeles Lakers standout LeBron James will miss Tuesday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs due to left foot arthritis, an absence that makes him ineligible for All-NBA recognition and major awards this season.
The game is James’ 18th missed contest of the season and prevents him from playing in 65 games, the minimum number of games to be eligible for All-NBA and other honors. James has been named to an All-NBA team in a record 21 straight seasons.
James, 41, has played in 35 games this season and is averaging 21.8 points, 6.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds. He was second-team All-NBA last season. His most recent first-team All-NBA selection was the 2019-20 season.
Lakers star guard Luka Doncic (left hamstring) will sit out for the third straight game. He leads the NBA with a 32.8 scoring average.
Doncic remains hopeful of playing in Sunday’s All-Star Game.
Guards Austin Reaves (left calf) and Marcus Smart (right ankle) also were ruled out against San Antonio. Center Deandre Ayton (right knee) is questionable.
–Field Level Media
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