Sports
Bucks look to extend win streak against NBA-worst Wizards
Nov 26, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) drives to the basket against Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson (9) during the third quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Two teams headed in opposite directions meet when the Milwaukee Bucks face the visiting Washington Wizards on Saturday.
After losing eight of their first 10 games, the Bucks have turned things around and bring a five-game winning streak into Saturday’s contest.
While Milwaukee was able to find solutions for its early-season doldrums, Washington is mired in a 13-game losing streak. The Wizards are three losses away from matching their franchise-record losing streak of 16.
Washington had no answers for Los Angeles star James Harden in a 121-96 loss to the Clippers on Wednesday. Harden scored 43 points in his team’s victory, including 23 in the first quarter.
“It’s still really, really early, but to run into this much adversity early stinks and stings,” Washington forward Corey Kispert said. “And it’s testing the culture that we put in. There’s still a lot of positivity within the room, and there’s still a lot of encouragement. While things are tough, they’re not toxic and not unbearable.”
Wizards guard Jordan Poole returned after missing two games with a hip injury and scored eight points on 1-of-7 shooting. The Wizards shot 24.2 percent (8 of 33) from 3-point range in the loss.
“In moments like this, you can get discouraged, especially in this league,” Washington guard Malcolm Brogdon said. “There are no easy games. You’ve got to pick yourself up. It’s really you against you out here. At the end of the day, it’s about you performing up to the level you know you can play at.”
Things are only going to get tougher for the Wizards, who are beginning a four-game stretch against Milwaukee, Cleveland, Dallas and Denver.
The Bucks posted a 106-103 road win over the Miami Heat on Tuesday despite playing without both Giannis Antetokounmpo (left knee soreness) and Khris Middleton (ankle surgery). Damian Lillard led the way with 37 points and 12 assists.
Antetokounmpo is expected to return on Saturday, while Middleton could make his season debut against the Wizards after completing a full 5-on-5 practice earlier this week.
Middleton will join a much different team than the one that struggled to close out games in the first few weeks of the season.
Lillard has four double-doubles in his last five games for Milwaukee, which led by as many as 22 points in the third quarter against Miami.
“We’re beating good teams,” Lillard said after Tuesday’s game. “We’re winning at home. We’re winning on the road in a game like tonight without Giannis, the way we’re doing it is sustainable. And it’s showing that we’re doing what we wanted to be doing coming into the season, so it’s definitely positive.”
Veteran guard Pat Connaughton is also putting his slow start to the season behind him. He had 10 points and eight rebounds off the bench against the Heat in his first action since Nov. 16.
“He has one of the highest basketball IQs, if not the highest basketball IQ out there,” Bucks center Brook Lopez said. “He’s a great communicator, so he’s always great at getting everyone on the same page. He does so many intangible things that just make us better.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
Feb 22, 2026; West Palm Beach, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (37) looks on from inside the dugout against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol received a two-year contract extension through the 2028 season, the team announced Sunday.
Financial terms were not disclosed by the team, which holds an option for the 2029 season.
“As I’ve gotten to know Oli, I’ve seen someone who cares about this organization and knows what has made the Cardinals special over time — and who understands that for us to get where we need to go, we must compete relentlessly to set new standards in everything that we do,” president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said.
“He is invested in the progress of our young core and is unafraid to challenge himself and to help those around him grow. I am energized to continue working with him towards the on-field success that we expect and that our fans deserve.”
Marmol, 39, has guided the Cardinals to a 325-323 record during his four seasons as the skipper. He led St. Louis to the National League Central title in 2022 before the team fell in the wild-card series to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Last season, the Cardinals posted a 78-84 record to finish in fourth place in the NL Central.
Marmol was a coach with St. Louis from 2017-21 under previous managers Mike Shildt and Mike Matheny.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
Oct 31, 2025; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Truck Series driver Tyler Reif (41) during the NASCAR Truck Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series rookie Tyler Reif was treated for heat exhaustion after Saturday night’s street race in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Reif, 18, was transported to an area medical facility after finishing 16th in the race in the No. 42 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet. He was later released.
“Tyler and his family would like to express their gratitude to the NASCAR officials, track medical workers and the local medical facility staff for their care,” Niece Motorsports said in a release.
Reif made his debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series in 2025. Saturday’s race was just his third on the circuit, including a 17th-place finish at Atlanta on Feb. 21.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: RB David Montgomery 'wants out' of Detroit
Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) looks on before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images Lions running back David Montgomery “wants out” of Detroit after three seasons, ESPN reported on Sunday.
Montgomery, however, immediately appeared to refute the report on X, posting: “Damn, Dmo told you that?”
The ESPN report claims the Lions would want “a decent Day 3 pick (possibly a fifth-rounder)” in the 2026 NFL Draft in return for Montgomery, who turns 29 in June and is owed $6 million next season.
The report follows general manager Brad Holmes’ remarks after the season about Montgomery being unhappy with his playing time in 2025. Sharing a backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs, Montgomery rushed for a career-low 716 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games (no starts).
“Those are conversations that we’re going to have to have because I’ve got a lot of respect for that player,” Holmes said of Montgomery in January. “He deserves to be in a situation where his skillset can be utilized, and so yeah would love for it to be here, but if it can’t be here then you’d just love to see where could work out best for him.”
At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday, Holmes said the situation with Montgomery is “fluid.” He signed a two-year extension during the 2024 season that runs through the end of the 2027 campaign.
“Yeah, I have been in touch with David’s agent, and his representation,” Holmes revealed. “Obviously, we love David, he’s a great player, we love to have him, you know, kind of want to put last year in the rear view, and just move forward. But, obviously, a player has to want to be at a certain place as well. The conversations are still fluid, but we’ll see how it goes.”
Montgomery has rushed for 2,506 yards and 33 touchdowns in 45 games (28 starts) in three seasons with Detroit (2023-25). He has 76 catches for 650 yards in that span.
He began his career with the NFC North rival Chicago Bears, who drafted him in the third round in 2019. Montgomery rushed for 3,609 yards and 26 scores in 60 games (51 starts) with the Bears (2019-22).
–Field Level Media
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
