Sports
Should the Boston Celtics Rush Jayson Tatum Back From Injury?
Boston Celtics cornerstone Jayson Tatum has progressed through the recovery from his Achilles tear far more quickly than most expected and has begun to flirt with a return during the 2026 season. Of course, if he’s fully healthy, I’m sure the Celtics would love to have him back in the lineup, but with how they’ve been playing recently, is it worth it to rush him back and risk reinjuring himself?
The Celtics have been one of the best teams in the NBA since the start of the new year, holding a 16-7 record, good for third best in the league, only behind the Cavaliers and Pistons. They’ve been doing this in a plethora of ways, but the main catalyst has been Jaylen Brown thriving as a number-one option.
Brown has always been looked at as the Robin to Tatum’s Batman, but he’s done well playing the part of a No. 1 option on a contender. He’s averaging nearly 30 a night and has led the Celtics to the two seed in the East. However, more than just Brown playing like an MVP, head coach Joe Mazzula has found a way to squeeze every ounce of talent out of the rest of the roster.
Derrick White has taken a bigger role in Boston’s offense, generating a career high in scoring, but in turn has also seen his efficiency hit career lows as well. He’s still been very valuable to Boston and has kept their offense playing hyper-efficiently, especially when paired with Payton Pritchard. Both guys have had to increase their usage, and Boston’s offense has barely skipped a beat.
Boston went from a 120.6 offensive rating last season, good for second in the league, to a 120.8 this year, also good for second in the league. They’ve continued to find overlooked players that can provide instant offense at any point.
Sam Hauser is the perfect example of this. He’s an absolute sharpshooter who can light you up for 20 points on 6 threes any given night if he gets hot. Boston also got aggressive at the trade deadline, adding two-time All-Star Nikola Vucevic to provide more consistent offensive play at center. Neemias Quieta had done a very solid job replacing Al Horford, but he doesn’t provide the spacing the Celtics are looking for in their smaller lineups.
They’ve also gotten starts out of Luka Garza, Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez, Ron Harper Jr., and Amari Williams. Basically, if you’ve gotten minutes for the Celtics, you’ve probably gotten the chance to start this year.
The windows for contention in the NBA can shut at any moment, and the way Mazzulla has maximized this year has been impressive.
With how things have been rolling for Boston, you could let Tatum miss the entire season and still win the East. That felt impossible at the start of the year, but that’s why you probably shouldn’t doubt an organization as strong as Boston.
Sports
Report: Guardians signing 1B Rhys Hoskins to minor league deal
Jul 2, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins (12) watches from the dugout prior to game against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images The Cleveland Guardians are signing free-agent first baseman Rhys Hoskins to a minor league contract, The Athletic reported Sunday.
He will earn a $1.5 million base salary should he make the major league roster, per the report. He still must pass a physical but was in the Guardians clubhouse at spring training in Arizona on Sunday.
Hoskins, who turns 33 next month, spent the past two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers after six seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies. He missed the 2023 season due to a torn ACL suffered in spring training.
He has a career batting average of .238 with 186 home runs and 530 RBIs.
He played just 90 games for the Brewers last season, sidelined because of a left thumb UCL sprain and bone bruise. He hit .237 with 12 homers and 43 runs driven in. Andrew Vaughn, acquired in a trade with the Chicago White Sox, took over at first base.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: MLS reviewing Lionel Messi's post-match actions
Feb 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) moves the ball against Los Angeles FC midfielder Mathieu Choinière (66) during the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Images Lionel Messi could face a suspension from MLS after the Inter Miami superstar was seen following referees through a door after Saturday night’s 3-0 loss at Los Angeles FC, per The Athletic.
FC Cincinnati defender Matt Miazaga was investigated and suspended three matches for “misconduct” after entering the referees’ locker room in 2023 following a playoff match.
In the video, which was posted by Sintesis Deportes, Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez appears to attempt to prevent Messi from entering the room. Messi escapes Suarez’s grasp before reappearing eight seconds later, joining his teammates walking to their locker room. It’s unknown if the room Messi walked into was the referees’ locker room.
MLS has yet to issue a statement, and its disciplinary committee usually issues decisions — which include suspensions and fines — by the middle of the week following the previous weekend’s games.
Messi has never been suspended for any incident involving a referee, but he was suspended last summer for one match after being a no-show at the MLS All-Star Game. Also last season, he was fined “for violating the hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy” after a game.
Messi and Inter Miami are off until next Sunday, when the club takes on visiting Orlando City.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Conor McGregor teases 'no name' foe for UFC comeback
March 8, 2024; Austin TX; Conor McGregor speaks to press on the red carpet before the premiere of Roadhouse at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas on the first day of South by Southwest, Friday, March 8, 2024. McGregor plays the character “Knox” in the movie.. Mandatory Credit: Sara Diggins-USA TODAY NETWORK Former two-division champion Conor McGregor claims he’s ready to return to the UFC, and this time against a “no name” foe.
Sidelined since July 2021, McGregor has been rather vocal about returning to the Octagon.
McGregor (22-6) went so far as to take to social media on Saturday and note that he’s just waiting for a contract to sign.
“It’s a no name up next for me possibly, folks. … I ACCEPT. Send the contract, lads,” the 37-year-old Irishman wrote in a now-deleted post.
UFC CEO Dana White poured cold water on McGregor’s claim, however.
“If it was done and he accepted it, I would announce it,” White said.
McGregor has not competed in the Octagon since sustaining a broken leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in Las Vegas in 2021. His planned bout with Michael Chandler for UFC 303 in 2024 was canceled after McGregor withdrew with an injury.
–Field Level Media
Report: Guardians signing 1B Rhys Hoskins to minor league deal
Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on February 22
