Sports
Jaylen Brown: Both 'excited and disappointed' by trade
Apr 30, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Jaylen Brown said goodbye to Boston on Thursday, admitting he was “still processing how this all went down,” a day after being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Brown, linked all offseason to a possible trade to the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo, had his best pro season in 2025-26 as he led the team with Jayson Tatum out due to an injury until his return on March 6.
Once Antetokounmpo was dealt to the Miami Heat, the Celtics engaged in trade talks with other teams.
Brown, 29, said he was invested in the Celtics and the city of Boston.
“I’m excited and disappointed at the same time. I earned my respect from this city,” he wrote in his statement. “I never asked for shortcuts or special treatment. I simply showed up every day, put my head down, and accepted every challenge.
“The relationships I built here, the battles we fought together, the championship we brought to this city, and the connection I shared with the fans, I’ll carry on with me.”
The Celtics finished last season with a 56-26 record, four games behind the Detroit Pistons and a favorite to play for the NBA title. Instead, they were sent home in the first round of the playoffs, losing to the 76ers in seven games.
Trading Brown for Antetokounmpo potentially could have given the Celtics the piece they needed to win a championships. Fans and analysts have been highly critical of the Wednesday trade, which sends Brown to Philadelphia for 36-year-old Paul George, two first-round picks (2028, which could be a swap that is more favorable for Boston, and an unprotected 2031 pick) and two second-round picks (2028 and 2030) to Boston for Brown.
George has suffered several injuries since the 2018-19 season, when he played in 77 games, and has been limited to 56 games or fewer in six of his seven seasons since then. He played 74 games in 2023-24. In his two seasons with the 76ers, George appeared in 78 total games.
Brown finished sixth in NBA MVP voting in 2026 after averaging a career-high 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. He is a five-time All-Star.
“Saying goodbye isn’t easy when you’ve invested your heart into something,” Brown said. “I’m big on respect and actions speak louder than words. To the people of Boston, thank you. To the community I built here I love you.”
Brown said he is ready to embrace his new team.
“I’m excited for what’s ahead and grateful for the opportunity to join Philadelphia. Every city has its own identity, its own passion, and its own expectation. I respect that, and I’m looking forward to earning that respect the only way I know how … through the work.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Alex Ovechkin: 'I'm back' on one-year deal with Capitals
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) wrists a shot on goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images Alex Ovechkin passed on retirement to return to the Washington Capitals on a one-year deal.
The Capitals announced the agreement for next season with the 40-year-old is worth $4.25 million, keeping the NHL’s all-time leader in goals in Washington and out of the rocking chair.
“I’m back,” Ovechkin said in the team-issued statement Thursday. “Thank you to everyone for giving me and my family the time to make this decision. I’m healthy. I love playing hockey and competing to win. I’m excited to come back and join my teammates so we can fight for a playoff spot and have a chance to win. See you in September, DC!”
Ovechkin can tack on $4.75 million in the form of a bonus by playing only 10 games, the team said. His base salary is $1 million with a signing bonus of $3.25 million.
Ovechkin completed a five-year, $47.5 million deal when the 2025-26 season ended. He said at his exit interview he expected to play hockey again, but wasn’t committed to signing another contract until Thursday.
He turns 41 before the start of the upcoming season.
With Wayne Gretzky in attendance, Ovechkin surpassed the Hall of Fame member when he broke his NHL goal record with career goal No. 895 in a game against the New York Islanders on April 6, 2025. Ovechkin has upped his goal total to 929 after scoring a team-leading 32 times this past season.
Ovechkin is 10th all-time in NHL history in total points (1,687).
He has won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy for leading the NHL in goals a league-record nine times since being selected by Washington with the top overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft.
Ovechkin guided the Capitals to a Stanley Cup title in 2018 and is a three-time Hart Trophy recipient as the NHL MVP.
–Field Level Media
Sports
NBA to test 'one free throw' rule in summer leagues
Jun 13, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) makes a free throw during the fourth quarter during game five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images The NBA will test the “one free throw” rule during the upcoming summer leagues, the league announced Thursday.
Any foul that would typically result in one, two or three free throws under standard NBA rules will instead result in a single free-throw attempt worth one, two or three points.
Standard NBA rules regarding free throws will still apply in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter and throughout overtime.
The NBA G League has been using this format since the 2019-20 season in order “to improve game flow,” the league said in Thursday’s social media post.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Top WR Jett Harrison, son of Hall of Famer, commits to Ohio State
St. Joseph’s Prep wide receiver Jett Harrison catches a pass in the end zone to score an 19-yard touchdown reception in the first half of the PIAA Class 6A football championship game against Central Catholic at Cumberland Valley High School, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Silver Spring Township, Pa. Ohio State football is off to a strong start in recruiting the Class of 2028, adding the nation’s No. 2 wide receiver.
That’s Jett Harrison, the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison Sr. Jett’s older brother, also named Marvin, starred at Ohio State and was a first-round draft pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2024.
Jett is a rising junior at St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia. The 247Sports composite lists him as the No. 2 wide receiver and No. 4 player overall in the 2028 class.
Harrison announced his choice of Ohio State on Wednesday over numerous other suitors, including his father’s alma mater, Syracuse. Jett’s finalists were Miami, Oregon and Southern California, in addition to the Buckeyes.
Head coach Ryan Day and his staff also have secured commitments from a pair of four stars — edge Jameer Whyce of Dayton, Ohio, No. 4 at his position, and running back Elijah Newman-Hall from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
With just those three players, the Buckeyes’ 2028 class is No. 1 in the nation at this very early state of recruiting.
Jett Harrison, listed at 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, will have big footsteps to follow.
His brother played three seasons in Columbus — 2021-23 — and carved out an All-America career. Marvin Jr. made 155 catches for 2,613 yards and 31 touchdowns and was a Heisman Trophy finalist in his final season.
Their father also was an All-American. After college, he played 13 NFL seasons, all with the Indianapolis Colts, and won the Super Bowl to cap the 2006 season. He was selected a first-team All-Pro for the third time that season after recording 95 catches for 1,366 yards and 12 touchdowns.
–Field Level Media
Alex Ovechkin: 'I'm back' on one-year deal with Capitals
NBA to test 'one free throw' rule in summer leagues
