Sports
Hornets sign Charles Lee to extension after 25-win improvement
Apr 12, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Charles Lee reacts during the first half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Charlotte Hornets head coach Charles Lee signed a contract extension on Thursday.
Terms of the deal were not announced by the team.
Lee, 41, enjoyed a 25-win improvement in his second season with the Hornets. Charlotte won 28 of its last 38 games to finish the 2025-26 season with a 44-38 record. The Hornets outlasted the Miami Heat in overtime during the first contest of the play-in tournament before falling to the Orlando Magic. He has a 63-101 record in two seasons.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue leading this team and building on what we’ve started here in Charlotte,” Lee said. “I want to thank Rick (Schnall, co-chairman and governor), Gabe (Plotkin, co-chairman and alternate governor) and Jeff (Peterson, president of basketball operations) for their support as well as my coaching staff and the players for their tireless work and dedication.
“I’m excited about the direction we’re headed and our team’s bright future. Our players have shown a real commitment to growth, and I’m proud of the culture we’re establishing together. We’re just getting started, and I’m looking forward to the work ahead.”
Lee was named the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for January earlier this year.
“Charles has done an outstanding job establishing a foundation for who we want to be as a team,” Peterson said. “From Day One, Charles and his staff have prioritized player development, creating an environment where each of our players are committed to getting better and continue to improve. He has built a team-first culture rooted in accountability, hard work and professionalism. I’m excited to keep working closely with Charles as we continue to build the Hornets for long-term success.”
Lee was hired on May 9, 2024 by Peterson in a reunion with the Hornets. They were both in the Atlanta Hawks’ organization at the outset of their NBA careers. Lee spent four years as an assistant coach for the Hawks (2014-18) and five with the Milwaukee Bucks (2018-23) before joining the Boston Celtics (2023-24).
–Field Level Media
Sports
Norris Trophy finalists: Cale Makar, Rasmus Dahlin, Zach Werenski
Apr 16, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) during the first period against the Seattle Kraken at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar was named a Norris Trophy finalist for the sixth consecutive season on Thursday.
A two-time winner of the award (2021-22, 2024-25), Makar is joined by Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin and Columbus Blue Jackets star Zach Werenski as finalists.
The award is presented annually to the defenseman voted the best at his position by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. A winner will be announced at a later date.
Makar, 27, totaled 79 points (20 goals, 59 assists) and a plus-32 rating in 75 games this season.
Dahlin, 26, recorded a career-high 74 points (19 goals, 55 assists) and a plus-18 rating in 77 games this season. He is a first-time finalist and would be the first member of the Sabres to win the award.
Werenski, 28, is a Norris Trophy finalist for the second straight season. He had 81 points (22 goals, 59 assists) in 75 games in 2025-26.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Vikings request interviews for GM candidates
Aug 26, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler reacts during the game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The Minnesota Vikings reportedly have identified at least two external candidates for their general manager vacancy.
NFL Network reported that the team has requested interviews with assistant general managers Dave Ziegler of the Tennessee Titans and Terrance Gray of the Buffalo Bills.
Vikings vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski has served as the interim GM since the team fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after four years on the job.
Ziegler joined the Titans in 2025. He was the general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders from 2022-23 and worked in New England’s front office from 2013-21, winning three Super Bowls with the Patriots.
Gray has been with the Bills since 2017 and was promoted to assistant GM in May 2025. He worked as a college scout for the Vikings from 2006-16, overlapping with Brzezinski.
–Field Level Media
Sports
IOC lifts restrictions on athletes from Belarus
Jan 19, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; The Olympic rings flag at Centennial Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Athletes from Belarus have been reinstated by the International Olympic Committee Executive board after they were banned from competing under the country’s flag following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The decision, which was announced by the IOC on Thursday, does not pertain to athletes from Russia.
Belarus was suspended by the IOC from sending athletes into international competitions after the country was used as a staging ground for Russian troops before the war against Ukraine began.
“(The IOC) must uphold its mission to preserve a values-based and truly global sporting platform that provides hope to the world,” the organization said in a statement Thursday. “… The IOC reaffirms that athletes’ participation in international competition should not be limited by the actions of their governments, including involvement in a war or conflict.”
Belarus was not allowed to have an official Olympic contingent at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics and the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
In addition to Olympic competitions, Belarus athletes had been forced to participate as individual neutral athletes at various other international competitions.
The IOC also is expected to come to a decision soon on either ending or extending Russia’s suspension.
“Belarus is in good standing and complies with the Olympic Charter,” the IOC said. “Whilst (Russia) has held constructive exchanges with the IOC on its suspension, it remains suspended while the IOC Legal Affairs Commission continues to review the matter.”
–Field Level Media
Norris Trophy finalists: Cale Makar, Rasmus Dahlin, Zach Werenski
Report: Vikings request interviews for GM candidates
