Sports
Stars align as healthier Thunder, Celtics match up
Mar 23, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) passes the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the third quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images The Oklahoma City Thunder will be seeking their 13th consecutive victory when they visit the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.
Oklahoma City, the defending NBA champion, had a franchise-record 16-game winning streak earlier this season and currently has the best record in the league (57-15).
“We don’t really focus on the winning streak, we focus on the possessions,” Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault said following Monday night’s 123-103 road victory over Philadelphia.
“We don’t even focus on the game, we focus on the possessions and trying to build the right habits and win the little battles that exist inside a possession and let them stack up throughout a game,” the coach continued. “Sometimes you look up and you win the game, sometimes you look up and you’re up 20 and sometimes you look up and you have a winning streak.
“We try to stay very present and just continue to sharpen our blade, improve our stuff and compete. Wherever that lands us, it lands us.”
The Celtics-Thunder matchup will feature two of the NBA’s top scorers. Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.5 points per contest, which ranks second in the league. He has scored at least 20 points in 64 straight road games after he broke Wilt Chamberlain’s NBA record of 58 from 1961-63.
Boston’s Jaylen Brown is averaging 28.5 points per game, which is fifth in NBA scoring.
The Celtics (47-24) had their four-game winning streak end with Sunday night’s 102-92 home loss to Minnesota. Boston’s Jayson Tatum had 16 points and 11 rebounds in the setback but shot 6 of 16 from the field.
Tatum is shooting 38.8% from the field, including 29.3% from 3-point territory, in eight games since he returned from surgery to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon in May.
“I wouldn’t say normal slump, because it’s the first time I went through something like this,” Tatum said. “I mean, it’s just been a long time. It was a long time before I could shoot a basketball, before I could walk. So just trying to knock the rust off game by game. I find great spurts and moments from game to game and, you know, just trying to put more of them together.”
Tatum, a six-time All-Star and first-team All-NBA the past four seasons, is averaging 19.1 points and 8.9 rebounds this abbreviated season.
“Just taking it day by day,” Tatum said. “I have probably the worst injury you can have. Came back in 10 months and getting better. Better feel each game. I wanted to be perfect and first-team All-NBA Jayson, but it’s going to take time. I didn’t rush the rehab process, so I can’t rush this. It’s all gonna work out.”
Guard Jalen Williams returned to the Oklahoma City lineup for Monday’s game against Philadelphia and scored 18 points with six assists and four rebounds in 20 minutes in the win. A right hamstring strain had kept him out of game action since Feb. 11, a span of 16 games.
The hamstring strain plus offseason wrist surgery has limited Williams to 27 games this season.
“I think if I was on a different team I’d be more frustrated, but I’m around good energy,” Williams said. “So I think that’s been one of the things that keeps me going.”
Wednesday’s game will be the second meeting between the teams this season. Oklahoma City came away with a 104-102 home victory on March 12 when Chet Holmgren made two free throws with 0.9 seconds to play. In that game, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points to break Chamberlain’s record with his 127th consecutive game overall with at least 20 points. The streak is now up to 132 games.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Buccaneers LB Lavonte David retires after 14 seasons
Jan 3, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) warms up before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David announced his retirement Tuesday after spending his entire 14-year career with the franchise.
David, 36, was a 12-time team captain and Super Bowl LV champion who tied Derrick Brooks’ team record with 1,714 career tackles.
“It’s time,” David told Sports Illustrated. “I’ve been playing football since I was 6 years old. Thirty years straight of football. I never missed a year. A lot of time, man. When it’s time, when you know, you know. I always wanted to be a guy who wanted to retire on my own terms. Right now is the perfect opportunity for that. I give glory to God for me to be able to play football for this long.
“For me, man, 14 years (in the NFL) is enough. I’m comfortable with my decision. I’m satisfied with my career. When I first got into the league, I never, never, ever in a million years expected to play 14 years at a high level for the same organization. And it’s something that doesn’t come around often. I think it’s time that I hang it up and let the next generation of players come in and take over the game.”
David is also the Bucs’ all-time leader in tackles for loss (177), forced fumbles (33) and fumble recoveries (21) and ranks third in games played and started (215).
“For the past 14 seasons, Lavonte David has personified what it means to be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. He was a selfless leader both on and off the field, playing with passion and a genuine love for the game. He leaves a legacy as a Super Bowl champion and one of the greatest players in franchise history, setting a standard that will continue to impact our organization for years to come,” said a statement from the Glazer family, owners of the Buccaneers. “Today, we celebrate Lavonte’s legendary career as one of the most accomplished players of his era and thank him for the many memorable moments he provided our fans. Beyond the statistics and accolades, he will be remembered throughout Tampa Bay for his humble demeanor and strong commitment to our community. We wish him well on his journey after football and look forward to honoring his Hall of Fame-worthy achievements in the near future.”
David recorded 114 tackles, 3.5 sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries while starting all 17 games last season. It was his 12th season with triple-digit tackles.
“Lavonte’s mark on our franchise could never be overstated,” Bucs general manager Jason Licht said. “For the entirety of his 14-year career, Lavonte set the standard for professionalism, leadership, and consistency. He embodies everything that it means to be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer and he is undoubtedly one of the best players to ever put on this uniform. His contributions to our franchise, to his teammates and to this community will leave an impact far beyond his playing years.”
An All-Pro selection in 2013 and a Pro Bowl selection in 2015, David tallied 42.5 sacks and 14 interceptions since being selected in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Nebraska.
“Before I came to the Buccaneers, I always had immense respect for Lavonte as a special football player,” said Bucs head coach Todd Bowles. “Having had the fortune to coach him for the last seven seasons, I have also experienced the special person and leader he is. He has been the heart and soul of our defense and a Super Bowl champion on the way to being an eventual Hall of Famer. There isn’t anyone more respected by his teammates, and that respect extends to his peers and opposing coaches throughout the league. I, as well as everyone in this organization, will miss him tremendously.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Rays RHP Ryan Pepiot (hip) to begin season on IL
Sep 23, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ryan Pepiot (44) throws during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images Tampa Bay Rays starter Ryan Pepiot will begin the season on the injured list with right hip inflammation, manager Kevin Cash confirmed Tuesday.
The 28-year-old right-hander had been scheduled to start Tuesday’s spring finale against the Atlanta Braves. Pepiot made three starts in spring training, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits in 10 innings while striking out seven and issuing nine walks.
Pepiot will receive an injection to alleviate discomfort in his hip and is not expected to miss a significant amount of time, per MLB.com.
Pepiot was 11-12 with a 3.86 ERA in 31 starts last season for the Rays. He is 24-21 with a 3.54 ERA in 74 career games (67 starts) with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2022-23) and Rays. He has struck out 389 batters and walked 141 in 376 innings.
Tampa Bay visits the St. Louis Cardinals for Opening Day on Thursday.
With Pepiot on the IL, the Rays’ rotation to start the season will feature Drew Rasmussen, Joe Boyle, Steven Matz, Nick Martinez and Shane McClanahan.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cincinnati hires Utah State's Jerrod Calhoun as head coach
Mar 19, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Utah State Aggies head coach Jerrod Calhoun at press conference ahead of the first round of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Jerrod Calhoun has agreed to a six-year contract to return to his alma mater Cincinnati as head basketball coach, the university announced Tuesday.
The contract, pending board approval, will pay him $3.7 million in the first year with an annual raise of $100,000, per the school. Calhoun, who graduated from Cincinnati in 2004, is leaving Utah State, which will be owed nearly $3.9 million per his contract, ESPN reported.
The 44-year-old Ohio native leaves behind a Utah State program that he coached to an impressive 55-15 record over two seasons. The Aggies made the NCAA Tournament and held an AP Top 25 ranking for at least one week in each season under Calhoun.
No. 9 seed Utah State (29-7) defeated No. 8 Villanova in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday before falling to top seed Arizona 78-66 on Sunday.
Calhoun replaces Wes Miller, whom Cincinnati bought out after five years as its head coach with no trips to the NCAA Tournament. Miller was hired Monday as Charlotte’s new coach.
“It is a tremendous honor to have the opportunity to lead the Bearcats’ program — one that I know intimately as an alum and hold in the highest regard,” Calhoun said in a statement. “I am deeply grateful to (athletic director) John Cunningham and President Neville Pinto for their trust and confidence in me to elevate this program and guide our student-athletes as we pursue championships. Our goal is to build a program that consistently makes Bearcats fans proud, both on and off the court. Sarah, our children and I are excited to get to work at a place that means so much to our family.”
He served as a student assistant at Cincinnati under Bob Huggins in 2003-04. Calhoun worked under Huggins again on the staff at West Virginia (2007-12) before becoming a head coach for the first time. He has held the main job at Division II Fairmont State (2012-17), Youngstown State (2017-24) and Utah State.
Calhoun was the 2026 Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year after the team won the regular-season and tournament championships. Also the 2023 Horizon League Coach of the Year, Calhoun has nine 20-win seasons as a head coach and has been a conference champion in three different leagues on his way to a 297-159 career record, including 173-121 in Division I.
“Jerrod is a tireless worker, has an incredible passion and talent for developing not just players, but people, and has won at every stop along the way,” Cunningham said. “He’s one of the best offensive minds in college basketball and has the pedigree to take Cincinnati basketball to the next level in the Big 12 and nationally. I’m looking forward to welcoming his wife, Sarah, and children, Jordan, Kennedy, Kendall and Quinn to the Cincinnati family.”
–Field Level Media
Buccaneers LB Lavonte David retires after 14 seasons
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