Sports
Struggling without key players, Grizzlies visit woeful Pelicans
Jan 23, 2026; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) looks on from the bench area during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images A season filled with key injuries, including those to star guard Ja Morant and second-year big man Zach Edey, is taking a toll on the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies, riding a four-game losing streak, visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday. Memphis has dropped seven of its past nine games, including a 112-97 home loss Wednesday to the fast-rising Charlotte Hornets.
Morant, a two-time NBA All-Star, has missed the past three games with a left elbow sprain and projects to be sidelined for at least two more weeks. He sat out six games earlier in the month because of a right calf contusion. Morant has missed 25 of the team’s 45 games this season.
Edey, whose second season had a promising beginning, has been out with ankle issues since Dec. 7. Edey missed the start of the season after undergoing a procedure to stabilize his left ankle, then he returned in mid-November and averaged 13.6 points and 11.1 in 11 games before being sidelined again. He was diagnosed with a stress reaction in the same ankle. When he was re-evaluated on Jan. 14, the Grizzlies said Edey would miss the next six weeks.
The absences of Morant and Edey played a part in the 15-point loss to the Hornets on Wednesday. Without an inside presence like the 7-foot-3 Edey, the Grizzlies were beaten on the boards, 43-39. Six-10 Jaren Jackson Jr. and 6-11 Jock Landale combined for only seven rebounds in 59 minutes.
“Our body language was bad,” Grizzlies point guard Cam Spencer said. “We weren’t connected on either end of the floor. I thought they beat us to every 50-50 ball, killed us on the glass. Just outcompeted us.”
Without Morant, the Grizzlies are without an adept scorer in the lane. Memphis had only 38 points in the paint while Charlotte finished with 52.
“What I was disappointed in at halftime was we were already eight or nine shot attempts less than the Hornets,” Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo said. “That’s always going to be difficult. We know we are at a disadvantage overall with the injuries and absences, and we’ve seen that in the good games when we are competitive. The possession game is extremely important for us.”
The Grizzlies shot 58.3% in the first half, but still trailed 62-55 at the break. Memphis fell behind by 16 in the first quarter before rallying to take a 43-42 lead, but never regained momentum and spent most of the second half behind by double digits.
As for the Pelicans, their their two-game winning streak was snapped Tuesday by reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City. The Thunder prevailed, 104-95, despite being held to 40.2% shooting by the visiting Pelicans, who forced the Thunder into 16 turnovers.
“I loved the effort,” Pelicans interim coach James Borrego said. “Probably one of our better defensive efforts against that group.”
New Orleans shot 34.3% against Oklahoma City while dropping its 13th consecutive game to the Thunder. Starting guards Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones combined to go 2-for-20 from long range.
“Obviously, (the defense) gave us a chance tonight,” Borrego said. “We turned them over and won the possession game. Gave ourselves a shot tonight. Just needed a few more buckets.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Romain Grosjean returning to IndyCar with Dale Coyne Racing
Romain Grosjean ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Romain Grosjean has signed with Dale Coyne Racing for the 2026 IndyCar season, marking a return to the team with which he made his series debut in 2021.
The announcement was made on Friday, with the former Formula 1 driver stepping into the No. 18 Honda for DCR. He will team with rookie Dennis Hauger for the team, which parted ways with Rinus VeeKay after last season.
“Pairing an exceptional rookie in Dennis with a proven veteran like Romain gives us a strong competitive foundation,” team owner Dale Coyne said. “Bringing back key pieces of our history while building new global partnerships positions us well for 2026.”
Grosjean was out of IndyCar in 2025 after racing with Juncos Hollinger Racing. He competed in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, but in August he expressed optimism about returning to the IndyCar grid.
The 39-year-old Swiss-born Frenchman started 179 F1 races from 2009-20. He has made six podiums and won three poles in 64 IndyCar races.
The 2026 IndyCar season begins with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 1.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Darren Clarke posts 2 eagles, shares Chubb Classic lead with Michael Wright
Darren Clarke tees off on 1 to start the final round of The Galleri Classic at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Sunday, March 30, 2025. Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland made two eagles over his final four holes to grab a share of the first-round lead at the Chubb Classic on Friday in Naples, Fla.
Clarke and Australian Michael Wright posted 7-under-par 65 at Tiburon Golf Club’s Black Course with two rounds to go. Tied for third one stroke behind are defending champion Justin Leonard, Scott Parel, Rob Labritz and Argentina’s Ricardo Gonzalez.
Clarke already had a busy round when he reached the par-5 15th hole, with five birdies and two bogeys on his card. He reached the green in two on that hole, and again at the par-5 18th, sinking eagle putts both times.
“The one on 15, I hit driver, 3-iron from 237 (yards) to 12 feet and holed it for eagle,” said Clarke, 57. “Then the last one I hit driver, 3-wood. The 3-wood was from 241 or something straight into the wind. Hit it to 15 feet behind the hole. So they were both pretty good. Take those any day.”
Wright, 51, is newer to the tour and is well-positioned to go for his first win.
He sank nine birdies, including four of his last five holes, helping absorb a double bogey at the par-4 13th. He said his son Charlie carried his bag and read most of his putts for him Friday.
“This is his first Champions event and his first event ever was three weeks ago in Australia,” Michael Wright said. “He’s doing a great job. I love having him on the bag.”
Leonard posted four birdies on each nine. After a bogey at No. 17, he bounced back at No. 18 when he stuck his approach shot a few feet from the hole to set up birdie.
“I hit a lot of greens today,” Leonard said. “I think I may have only missed one or two greens. Did make a couple bogeys, but I played well on the par-5s and got off to a good start. I kind of did all the things you need to do around here.”
Leonard won by four shots here in 2025.
Two shots off the pace at 5-under 67 are Bo Van Pelt, David Toms, Germany’s Alex Cejka and South Korea’s K.J. Choi.
–Field Level Media
Sports
William Byron to use backup car in pursuit of Daytona 500 three-peat
Feb 13, 2026; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver William Byron (24) during NASCAR Cup Series practice at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images William Byron will need to rely on a backup car on Sunday when he tries to become the first driver to win the Daytona 500 in three consecutive years.
Byron’s preferred No. 24 Chevrolet took enough damage during qualifying Thursday to relegate him to a backup car for the Great American Race.
The bright side for Byron? He drove a backup car in 2024 when he won the first of his two Daytona titles.
“We’ve won this race with a backup car, so I’m not super worried on that aspect,” Byron said. “But it does suck that you put a lot of work into the primary and you don’t get to race it.”
The Hendrick Motorsports driver is attempting to achieve a three-peat that Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough, Sterling Marlin and Denny Hamlin had chances at over the years before each fell short in Year 3.
Byron, 28, will start 39th in the 41-car pack.
–Field Level Media
Romain Grosjean returning to IndyCar with Dale Coyne Racing
Darren Clarke posts 2 eagles, shares Chubb Classic lead with Michael Wright
