Sports
Paul George back for Sixers' stretch run; Bulls up next
Jan 27, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) looks on after a score against the Milwaukee Bucks during the fourth quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Following a lengthy suspension, Paul George returns to the court Wednesday when the Philadelphia 76ers host the Chicago Bulls.
Philadelphia (39-33) is looking to avoid the play-in tournament, but it has been a challenge playing without many of its key weapons in recent weeks. In addition to injuries to Joel Embiid (oblique) and Tyrese Maxey (finger), among others, the team has played its last 25 games without George.
The veteran forward was suspended Jan. 31 for taking “improper medication,” but that ban ended with Monday’s 123-103 home loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. George is expected to be in the starting lineup Wednesday, with no minutes restriction, for an important contest against Chicago.
The Sixers entered Tuesday in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, the first spot in the play-in tournament.
“I think they’ve done a decent job of hanging in there,” said Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse, whose team went 13-12 without George. “I think it just shows you how fast 25 games goes in this league sometimes. It’s hard to believe it’s over with already.”
The players certainly are excited to welcome back George, who averages 16.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 27 games (all starts) in 2025-26.
“It’s Paul George, man,” said rookie guard VJ Edgecombe. “He’s elite. He’s one of the smoothest players to ever touch a basketball. He’s a two-way player at that, so for him to get back on the floor means a lot.”
Edgecombe has been tasked with holding down the fort while George, Maxey and Embiid have been sidelined simultaneously. He made a career-high seven 3-pointers and scored 35 points in the loss to the Thunder and has averaged 31.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists over the last three games.
“He’s got a pretty good command of the team right now,” Nurse said. “As far as getting us organized, and as far as playing with great leadership, he’s leading by example a lot.”
Meanwhile, Collin Sexton has emerged as a leader for a Bulls team likely headed for the draft lottery. The veteran point guard supplied 25 points in Monday’s 132-124 triumph over the Houston Rockets — just Chicago’s second win in the last six games.
“I wanted to bring the juice and the energy — that’s all I was thinking about these last couple (of games),” Sexton said.
Matas Buzelis chipped in with 23 points against Houston. He shot 5 of 9 from 3-point range, leading a crisp long-range performance by the Bulls, who made half of their 38 attempts from beyond the arc.
Chicago (29-42) likely faces an insurmountable climb to the play-in tournament with only 11 games remaining, but Buzelis continues to prove he’s a key piece of its future.
“Win every game. Play-in or not. Playoffs or not,” said Buzelis, who is averaging 21.6 points and 6.6 rebounds this month. “(We’re) trying to win every game.”
That mindset certainly jives with the ultra-competitive Sexton, who has contributed 16.1 points in 15 games since joining Chicago in a midseason trade with the Utah Jazz.
“Stay hungry. Stay hungry,” Sexton said. “Don’t worry about the summer. Continue to (take things) one game at a time, one day at a time.”
This is the teams’ third and final meeting this season. The Bulls have captured the first two matchups, both in Chicago.
Embiid is listed as questionable for the contest.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Golf Glance: Masters spot on line in Houston; LPGA hits Arizona
Mar 8, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Min Woo Lee plays his shot from the ninth tee during the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images One of the final Masters spots is on the line at this week’s PGA Tour stop in Houston, while the LPGA Tour hits Arizona, the DP World Tour continues its Asia Swing and the Champions visit southern California.
PGA TOUR
THIS WEEK: Texas Children’s Houston Open, March 26-29
Course: Memorial Park Golf Course (Par 70, 7,475 Yards)
Purse: $9.9M (Winner: $1.782M)
Defending Champion: Min Woo Lee
FedEx Cup Leader: Jacob Bridgeman
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: Thursday-Friday: 3-7 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday: 1-3 p.m. (GC), 3-6 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)
Streaming (ESPN+): Thursday-Sunday: 8:15 a.m.-7 p.m.
X: @TCHouOpen
NOTES: The field includes 18 of the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking. … The winner will earn a spot in the Masters next month if not already exempt. Thirty players in the field have already qualified to play at Augusta National. … World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler withdrew Tuesday due to the impending birth of his second child with his wife, Meredith. He was replaced in the field by Matt Kuchar. … Woo set the tournament scoring record at Memorial Park of 260 with his one-shot victory over Scheffler and Gary Woodland last year. … Brooks Koepka, who will be making his sixth start in his return to the PGA Tour, assisted in the 2019 renovation of Memorial Park along with Tom Doak and Houston Astros owner Jim Crane. … Sponsor exemptions include Texas A&M alum Bronson Burgoon, Texas alum Cole Hammer and Mason Howell, an 18-year-old who has committed to the University of Georgia.
BEST BETS: Lee (+1500 at DraftKings) is seeking to become the first player to successfully defend his title at Memorial Park. … Chris Gotterup (+2050) is a four-time PGA Tour winner and the only two-time winner on tour this year. … Sam Burns (+2350) bookended a pair of missed cuts with a T6 at Pebble Beach and a T13 at The Players. … Jake Knapp (+2400) is the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 42 who has yet to qualify for the Masters. … Michael Thorbjornsen (+3200) is still seeking his first win on tour, but played in the final group at The Players, carding a 77 to finish T22. … Marco Penge (+3200) is coming off a T4 last week, his best result so far in 2026 after winning the Open de Espana in October. … Sungjae Im (+6100) held the lead after each of the first three rounds last week before being undone by a 74 on Sunday that dropped him to T4.
Last Tournament: Valspar Championship (Matt Fitzpatrick)
Next Tournament: Valero Texas Open, San Antonio, April 2-5
LPGA TOUR
THIS WEEK: Ford Championship, Chandler, Ariz., March 26-29
Course: Whirlwind Golf Club, Cattail Course (Par 72, 6,675 Yards)
Purse: $2.25M
Defending Champion: Hyo Joo Kim
Race to CME Globe Leader: Nelly Korda
HOW TO FOLLOW:
TV: Thursday-Sunday: 6-7 p.m. ET (GolfChannel.com), 7-9 p.m. (Golf Channel)
X: @LPGA
NOTES: World No. 2 Nelly Korda, who won the inaugural Ford Championship in 2024, finished one shot off the lead last week to follow up her win in the weather-shortened Tournament of Champions. She is joined in this week’s field by World No. 1 Jenno Thitikul and No. 3 Charley Hull as well as her sister, Jessica, a six-time winner who will tee it up on the LPGA Tour for the first time since 2023. Jessica Korda, 33, has taken time off for maternity leave after recovering from a back injury. … Lizette Salas, who has been sidelined since 2024 due to her own back injury, is also in the field along with Lexi Thompson. … Kim overcame a four-shot deficit to win last year, beating Lilia Vu with a birdie on the first playoff hole.
Last Tournament: Fortinet Founders Cup (Kim)
Next Tournament: Aramco Championship, Las Vegas, April 2-5
DP WORLD TOUR
THIS WEEK: Hero Indian Open, New Delhi, March 26-29
Course: DLF G&CC (Par 72, 7,416 Yards)
Purse: $2.25M
Defending Champion: Eugenio Chacarra
Race to Dubai Leader: Patrick Reed
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: Thursday-Friday: 3:30-8:30 a.m.; Saturday, 4-8:30 a.m.; Sunday: 2:30-7:30 a.m. (Golf Channel)
X: @DPWorldTour
NOTES: Chacarra won by two shots last year for his maiden DP World Tour title, and was one of only three players to finish under par. … Akshay Bhatia, who won the Arnold Palmer Invitational earlier this month, is in the field. … The is the second of the four-event Asia Swing, with DP World Tour members competing for a total prize fund of $10.6 million. … The player who finishes first in the Asia Swing will earn a place in all events in Phase Two of the DP World Tour season, the Back 9 and a $200,000 bonus. Japan’s Keita Nakajima won last year’s Asia Swing. … The three leading DP World Tour members will qualify for the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club from May 14-17.
Last Tournament: Hainan Classic (Jordan Gumberg)
Next Tournament: China Open, Shanghai, April 23-26
PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS
THIS WEEK: Hoag Classic, Newport Beach, Calif., March 27-29
Course: Newport Beach Country Club (Par 71, 6,725 Yards)
Purse: $2.2M (Winner: $330,000)
Defending Champion: Miguel Angel Jimenez
Charles Schwab Cup leader: Stewart Cink
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: Friday: 3-6 p.m. ET (GolfChannel.com); 10 p.m.-Midnight (Golf Channel — Tape Delay); Saturday-Sunday: 4-5 p.m. (GolfChannel.com), 5-7 p.m. (Golf Channel)
X: @ChampionsTour
NOTES: This is the fifth of 28 events on the 2026 schedule. … Two-time event winner Ernie Els (2020, 2023) is in the field.
Last Tournament: Cologuard Classic (Steven Alker)
Next Tournament: Senior PGA Championship, Bradenton, Fla., April 16-19
LIV GOLF LEAGUE
THIS WEEK: OFF.
2026 Season Leaders: Individual: Jon Rahm; Team: Ripper GC
X: @livgolf_league
Last Event: LIV Golf South Africa (Individual: Bryson DeChambeau; Team: Crushers GC)
Next Event: LIV Golf Mexico City, April 16-19
–Field Level Media
Sports
NBA players union cites 'tanking' in Bucks' handling of Giannis injury
Mar 19, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) warms up before the game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images The National Basketball Players Association criticized the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday for wanting to sit superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo despite his being “healthy and ready to play,” implying the team is “tanking.”
The union’s statement was in response to reports last week that Antetokounmpo refused the Bucks’ request to play. He is currently sidelined by what the team said is a left knee injury with a bone bruise with no timeline for his return, but the 31-year-old wants to play before the season ends, per reports.
“The Player Participation Policy was designed by the league to hold teams accountable and ensure that when an All-Star like Giannis Antetokounmpo is healthy and ready to play, he is on the court,” the union said in its statement. “Unfortunately, anti-tanking policies are only as effective as their enforcement; fans, broadcast partners, and the integrity of the game itself will continue to suffer as long as ownership goes unchecked. We look forward to collaborating with the NBA on meaningful new proposals that will directly address and discourage tanking.”
Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP, has endured an injury-plagued season that has caused him to miss a career-high 35 games. The team, which had rebuffed trade offers for its superstar, has argued that it’s best for Antetokounmpo’s future as well as for the organization that he cut short the season, per reports.
Milwaukee (29-42) is 12-23 without the 10-time All-Star this season and 17-19 with him. With 11 regular-season games remaining, the Bucks are the first team outside of the Eastern Conference play-in tournament in 11th place through Monday, trailing the Charlotte Hornets by eight games for 10th place.
Antetokounmpo missed 15 games due to a calf strain before returning on March 2, then sat out another two games when the team went 2-6 with him and 0-2 without him. A left ankle sprain was cited as the cause of his absence from the 122-99 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on March 14.
He exited during the third quarter after landing awkwardly on a dunk during a home victory over the Indiana Pacers on March 15. Then he missed a home loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 17 and road games against the Utah Jazz on Thursday (loss), against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday (win) and the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday (loss).
He is averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 36 games and already is set to play the fewest games of his 13 seasons with the Bucks. His previous low was 61 games during the shortened 2020-21 campaign.
Antetokounmpo has career averages of 24.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 895 games (830 starts).
–Field Level Media
Sports
WNBA board of governors unanimously ratifies new CBA
Aug 31, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Valkyries guard Kaitlyn Chen (2) holds a ball as the WNBA logo appears on the ball and shorts before the game against the Indiana Fever at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images The WNBA Board of Governors has unanimously ratified the terms for the new collective bargaining agreement, the league announced Tuesday.
The seven-year agreement goes into effect with the 2026 season and runs through 2032.
The WNBA and Women’s National Basketball Players Association will now finalize the long-form agreement.
“This marks the beginning of a bold new era of the WNBA — one made possible by the passion and dedication of the players, team owners, fans, investors, partners and the entire WNBA family,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement. “We remain focused on building on the unprecedented momentum around the league and preparing for our milestone 30th season, tipping off in May.”
WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike announced Monday that the players had voted to ratify the CBA with a nearly unanimous vote.
The revenue-sharing deal agreed to in the new CBA hammered out this month will increase the average salary to $583,000 this season and the maximum salary to $1.4 million, while providing more than $1 billion in salaries and benefits over the contract.
The salary increases represent a significant jump for WNBA players. Team salary caps will be $7 million this season — a huge leap from $1.5 million in 2025 — and will be adjusted annually based on teams and league revenue growth.
The deal projects the maximum salary to reach $2.4 million by 2032, and the average salary to surpass $1 million by then. The minimum salary this season will range from $270,000 to $300,000, depending on service time. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft will earn approximately $500,000.
All players on the WNBA championship team will receive $60,000 — the payout was $22,908 in 2025 — and the runners-up will receive $20,000 (up from $8,521). The Finals MVP will get a $30,000 bonus (up from $5,000).
The season MVP will receive a $60,000 bonus, the Defensive Player of the Year will get $30,000 and the Rookie of the Year will receive $15,000. The All-Star Game MVP will receive $20,000.
The length of the regular season will increase to 50 games in 2027 and 2028 and 52 from 2029-32.
The WNBA Draft is slated for April 13 with training camps opening six days later.
–Field Level Media
Golf Glance: Masters spot on line in Houston; LPGA hits Arizona
NBA players union cites 'tanking' in Bucks' handling of Giannis injury
