Sports
Pacers close out calendar in clash with visiting Bucks
Nov 22, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) reach for a loose ball in the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images Coming off back-to-back games against the reigning champion Boston Celtics, the Indiana Pacers welcome in the visiting Milwaukee Bucks for an afternoon battle on New Year’s Eve.
After Boston dominated the front end 142-105, Indiana bounced back and won 123-114 at TD Garden on Sunday night.
Tyrese Haliburton led the way with 31 points and seven assists and was one of eight Pacers who scored at least eight points in the contest.
“We knew we were going to respond. We know who we are. It’s a good win for us,” Haliburton said. “I just want to take what the defense gives me. Everyone is on me to get downhill more, shoot more … every game is about learning, growing and getting better.”
Milwaukee comes in off back-to-back losses, both without Giannis Antetokounmpo on the floor. After blowing a 13-point lead to Brooklyn on Thursday, they lost 116-11 to Chicago on Saturday night.
Damian Lillard returned from injury and led Milwaukee with 29 points and 12 assists. Eighteen of those points came in the second half, but Bucks coach Doc Rivers regretted not getting him more chances at the end of the game.
“I got to do a better job of making sure Dame gets the ball in his hands down the stretch of the game,” Rivers said. “We have to have an understanding to get it to him and I just have to get it to him and live with it.”
Antetokounmpo leads the NBA with 32.7 points per game and leads the Bucks with 11.6 rebounds. Lillard leads with 7.7 assists per night.
Pascal Siakam leads Indiana with 19.8 points per game, with six other Pacers averaging double figures. Siakam also leads with 7.2 rebounds while Haliburton averages 8.7 assists (fifth in NBA) and Myles Turner averages 2.1 blocks (third in NBA).
The question for this game will be if Antetokounmpo, who has missed the last few games with an illness that made its rounds in the Bucks’ locker room, will be able to go.
Milwaukee is mostly over the illness as a team, but rookie AJ Johnson also sat out against Chicago due to the illness. Rivers also said Khris Middleton is on a minutes’ restriction after his recent return from injury and illness.
On the Pacers’ side, Obi Toppin is considered day-to-day with an ankle injury and missed Sunday’s game. Aaron Nesmith (ankle), Isaiah Jackson (Achilles) and James Wiseman (Achilles) remain out as well.
The Bucks took the first matchup between these teams 129-117 at home on Nov. 22. Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 37 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds and the Bucks shot 47.2 percent from deep.
This series was well-documented a year ago when Indiana won four of the five matchups against Milwaukee, with an extra meeting thanks to the NBA Cup semifinals.
In the Bucks’ lone win, Antetokounmpo scored a franchise-record 64 points, which led to a dust-up in the locker room with some confusion over who took the game ball.
–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
