Sports
LeBron James 40th Birthday Wishlist: Three Gifts for the King
Dec 4, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) grabs a rebound in front of Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) in the first half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images Only 31 players in NBA history have taken the floor at age 40.
Lakers star LeBron James is about to make that 32, though, as the 20-time All-Star will celebrate his 40th birthday on Monday. Los Angeles is set to face James’ former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the following night.
Christmas has come and gone, but now a second round of gifts is coming James’ way. Here are three that he is probably hoping for:
A clean bill of health for Anthony Davis
Dec 25, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) dribbles against Golden State Warriors forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images Although Davis has appeared in 30 of the Lakers’ 31 games this season, he has been a frequent guest on the injury report. It seems like Los Angeles has him on there as more of a precaution, though, as the 31-year-old has been incredible to start the campaign (26.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 2.0 blocks per game).
Still, it feels like Davis is just bound to miss some time sooner rather than later, and this was especially the case on Wednesday when he exited a meeting with the Golden State Warriors due to a sprained left ankle.
Thankfully for the Lakers, Davis ended up being fine. He was back for a 132-122 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night and went off for 36 points, 15 boards and eight assists.
Davis might not be too banged up after all, but if he can get his reoccurring injury designation dropped, surely James will have some more peace of mind.
His son to be better at basketball
Nov 1, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) looks for a pass as Toronto Raptors guard Ja’Kobe Walter (14) defends during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images Imagine if Bronny James could actually hold his own at the NBA level.
Instead, any time Bronny James checks into a game, it feels like you’ve suddenly been transported back to high school, where you once watched the manager of the varsity basketball team—who got kicked to the curb on the first day of tryouts—get some minutes in garbage time because it was the final game of senior year.
Should there ever come a day where the elder James gets to share the court with his kid, and his kid actually deserves to be there, that would be special.
He can hope and wish all he wants, but LeBron James probably won’t be getting this gift for another two or three years. And that might even be a generous estimate.
Dorian Finney-Smith to fit right in
Los Angeles made some noise in the trade market on Sunday, acquiring Finney-Smith and Shake Milton from the Brooklyn Nets for D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three future second-round draft picks.
The centerpiece of the deal was Finney-Smith, who brings defensive intensity and a stellar 3-point percentage (43.5) out to the West Coast. Finney-Smith averaged 10.4 points and 4.6 rebounds in 20 games (all starts) with Brooklyn this season.
Finney-Smith isn’t going to turn the Lakers’ defense into a brick wall as soon as he gets off the plane. However, he’s an improvement on that side of the floor, and by going out and getting Finney-Smith, Los Angeles is showing that it’s committed to building a better team for LeBron James to chase another ring with.
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
