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Gill century, and Kohli, Shreyas fifties power 3-0 rout of England
India 356 (Gill 112, Iyer 78, Kohli 52, Rashid 4-64) beat England 214 (Atkinson 38, Axar 2-22, Rana 2-31) by 142 runs
If India's four-wicket wins against England in the first and second ODI didn't reflect the gulf between the two sides, the 142-run victory in the third at the Narendra Modi Stadium made up for it. As does the final series score of 3-0.
Both teams arrived in Ahmedabad looking to use this last ODI before the Champions Trophy to finetune; or in England's case, tune outright. India's trio of changes were as much about experimentation as Jos Buttler's decision to bowl first after England had batted in the first innings in Nagpur and Cuttack.
Gill relished the opportunity to go first this time. After 87 and 60 in the first two matches, he was pristine throughout his jaunt to three figures, and broke a "slump" of 14 innings without a century.
There's an argument to say the best it ever got for England on Wednesday was when Mark Wood pocketed Rohit Sharma with his first delivery of the match. Fresh from a devastating 32nd ODI century, Rohit lasted just two balls as Wood angled one into off stump that nipped off the surface, taking the edge through to a tumbling Phil Salt.
Gill and Kohli emerged from the powerplay with intent, which was only curbed when Rashid was introduced in the 15th over. The legspinner's removal of Kohli, after the 36-year-old ticked off a 123rd fifty-plus ODI score in 50 deliveries, spoke of what was to come. Dip brought the right-hander forward, and grip and rip provided another nick for Salt.
Shreyas arrived and immediately settled into a quick groove, a century stand with Gill brought up in 85 deliveries, split evenly between the two. By then, Gill had crisply struck Wood through midwicket to bring up his century from 95 balls.
Gill freed himself up a little more after the milestone, lifting Rashid down the ground for six, but was bowled by the same bowler attempting an ungainly hack to a straight delivery. And Rashid was in the act again when Shreyas, looking to launch after reaching a half-century from 43 deliveries, lazily tickled down the leg side for another fine take from Salt.
Hardik Pandya was bowled with a pristine leggie, though only after striking Rashid for consecutive sixes down the ground. Having extended his arms into the stroke, the allrounder played it safe to see out the 41st over, but was undone by a slower delivery that again spun sharply from a middle-and-leg line, this time beyond the bat, and into the middle-and-off bail. India were eventually bowled out, losing three wickets for three runs off the last seven deliveries of the innings.
For what it's worth, England were up with the required rate of 7.14 for a good chunk of the chase. The problem was the regular ticking of the wicket column as the last eight fell for just 88 runs.
Ben Duckett, having left the field in the first innings nursing a thigh injury, raced out of the blocks with four fours against both Harshit Rana and Arshdeep. Those off the former came in successive deliveries, but the left-armer had the last word, flummoxing Duckett for 34 with a knuckle ball that was skewed high to Rohit at mid-off.
A start of 60 in 6.2 overs had given England the framework of platform, though Salt's cuffing of an Arshdeep slower ball to backward point meant both openers did not emerge from the first ten overs. Joe Root and Tom Banton were able to thatch together a partnership, the latter making his first international appearance in just over a year as he replaced Jamie Overton in the XI.
Fresh from leading the ILT20 run charts for MI Emirates, Banton showcased his impressive strokeplay with reverse-swept sixes off both Washington and Axar Patel. He enjoyed two bits of good fortune, avoiding a stumping after charging and edging Washington on 7, then surviving a run-out on 24 as Axar, fielding at point, missed his overarm throw from five yards when an underarm would have sufficed.
Kuldeep was the one to prise Banton out, caught behind off a wrong 'un - the first of England's last five recognised batters to fall for just 48 runs. Root was yorked by Axar, then Rana returned for a second spell to pick up Buttler and Harry Brook, both playing on.
A torturous 23-ball stay for Liam Livingstone came to an end as he ran past a delivery from Washington, before Pandya flattened Rashid's off stump via the batter's misjudged pull. Lusty blows from Wood and Atkinson were barely streaks of silver in the mushroom cloud of this match the and white-ball tour as a whole, as England eventually folded with all of 94 balls left in their innings.
It leaves head coach Brendon McCullum with a job on his hands to lift his squad as they head to Pakistan for their Champions Trophy opener against Australia on February 22. India begin their campaign two days earlier against Bangladesh in Dubai in far better shape, having shown why they are the outright favourites for a second ICC trophy in the space of a year.
Vithushan Ehantharajah is an associate editor at ESPNcricinfo
Bangladesh captain Shanto: 'We are going to Champions Trophy to become champions'
"We are going to the Champions Trophy to become champions," Shanto said. "All eight teams deserve to be champions in this tournament. They are all quality teams. I believe our team has the ability. No one will feel extra pressure. Everyone genuinely wants (to become champions), and believes in their capabilities. We don't know what Allah has written in our fate. We are working hard and doing our best. I believe we can achieve our goal."
"Of course, we will miss him but I don't know why this question is being asked," Shanto said. "Everyone already knows the answer, and many players have said it before. Of course, we will miss Shakib bhai. It would have been great if he were here. This question has been answered many times. I don't think it's relevant to talk about this before a tournament."
So who will take over Shakib's role in the team? "Whoever gets the responsibility will have to play Shakib's role," Shanto said.
There are a few more big names - like Litton Das and Tamim Iqbal - missing from the Bangladesh squad, but Shanto insisted that he was happy with his team. "I am very happy and confident with the 15 players in the squad," he said. "Anyone who plays has the ability to win a match single-handedly."
"Not too long ago, we didn't have quality pace bowlers, but now we have a strong pace bowling unit. We didn't have wristspinners before, but now we do. Overall, we have a balanced team."
Najmul Hossain Shanto
Shanto also called for Bangladesh to asses the conditions quickly and raise their game by chasing and defending 320-plus totals. Bangladesh are set to play their first match against India in Dubai before facing New Zealand and Pakistan in Rawalpindi.
"I expect the pitches in Pakistan to be 300-plus wickets. If we bat first, we need to put up such scores. Even while defending, we will need to defend such scores. In Dubai, conditions vary at different times. Still, I think scores will be around 260-280. It's tough to predict exact numbers, but historically, that's how it has been. We will analyse how many runs are needed on a given day or how many we need to restrict the opposition to."
Shanto also hopes his bowling attack, particularly the pacers, continue to give their best, and believes Bangladesh have a "balanced team".
"Not too long ago, we didn't have quality pace bowlers, but now we have a strong pace bowling unit," he said. "We didn't have wristspinners before, but now we do. Overall, we have a balanced team. If everyone fulfills their responsibilities properly, we can defeat any team at any time."
RCB set to name captain for IPL 2025 on Thursday
Indiana stuns MSU, denies Izzo shot to pass Knight
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo has been trying to downplay being on the brink of breaking Bob Knight's record for Big Ten basketball wins.
Perhaps he knew what was coming Tuesday night.
Indiana beat the 11th-ranked Spartans 71-67, leaving Izzo with 353 conference victories to remain tied with Knight a little longer.
Michigan State (19-5, 10-3), an 11.5-point favorite, lost for the third time in four games. Izzo will get his next shot Saturday night at Illinois.
"We had an opportunity for a special night," Izzo said. "I don't think the players played very well and I didn't think the coaches coached very well, so that's a bad combination against the team that was desperate. I don't want to take anything away from Indiana."
Former NFL coach Steve Mariucci surprised Izzo by showing up at the Breslin Center, sitting on the Spartans' bench with his back facing Izzo as he walked to the sideline for warmups.
Izzo and Mariucci, who coached the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions, grew up together in Iron Mountain in Michigan's upper peninsula and attended nearby Northern Michigan.
The Basketball Hall of Fame coach tied Knight's Big Ten record of 353 conference wins with an 86-74 comeback victory over Oregon on Saturday.
Knight, who died in 2023, led Indiana to three NCAA titles between 1971 and 2000 and was one of Izzo's mentors during his first season as Jud Heathcote's successor at Michigan State in 1995.
Indiana coach Mike Woodson, a star player for Knight from 1976 to 1980, is in his fourth and final season in the latest attempt to return the program to glory. The school announced last week that Woodson was stepping down after the season.
"I can't let them quit," said Woodson, whose team ended a five-game losing streak. "We've just got to keep working and keep pushing each other and see where it leads us. We've still got a lot of season left."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Hamlin, Toyotas pace Daytona 500 1st practice
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Denny Hamlin led a trio of Toyota drivers -- the manufacturer claimed five of the top six spots -- in Wednesday's opening practice for the Daytona 500.
The 50-minute morning session was the only scheduled on-track time before qualifying Wednesday night, when the front row will be set for "The Great American Race."
Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 winner who drives for Joe Gibbs Racing, paced Bubba Wallace, who drives a 23XI entry co-owned by Hamlin and NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan. Hamlin's teammate at JGR, Ty Gibbs, was third.
Chandler Smith, in a Ford for Front Row Motorsports, was fourth. 23XI and Front Row have joined together on a federal antitrust case against NASCAR, accusing the sanctioning body of being a monopoly.
John Hunter Nemechek, in a Toyota for the Jimmie Johnson-owned Legacy Motor Club, was fifth. Riley Herbst, the new driver at 23XI, was sixth in Toyota's practice romp.
Daniel Suarez of Trackhouse Racing was the fastest Chevrolet in seventh. Helio Castroneves, who at 49 will be making his NASCAR debut Sunday, was 12th as the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner is racing for Trackhouse.
Former Cup series champions Martin Truex Jr. and Johnson were 31st and 32nd, respectively. Both drivers need to qualify their way into the race. Nine drivers are vying for the final four spots in the field.
Johnson is a seven-time NASCAR champion and two-time Daytona 500 winner. Truex has never won the 500 in 20 starts but is the 2017 Cup champion. Both are in Toyotas.
LIV CEO: Norman's 'a gift,' remains with league
Former LIV Golf CEO and commissioner Greg Norman, who was replaced by sports and entertainment executive Scott O'Neil this season, remains on the league's board of directors, O'Neil told reporters in Australia on Wednesday.
Norman, a two-time Open Championship winner, helped get the Saudi Arabian-financed circuit off the ground by recruiting several PGA Tour players to join the league the past few years.
"Greg is an icon. He is a friend," O'Neil said during a news conference in Adelaide, Australia, where the second LIV Golf tournament of the season tees off Friday at The Grange Golf Club. "He is the reason I'm here today."
O'Neil, a past CEO of the parent company of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and NHL's New Jersey Devils, president of Madison Square Garden, and CEO of amusement and resort company Merlin Entertainment Group, said Norman attended a LIV Golf board meeting last week.
"I spent quite a bit of time with him in my 30-day lead-up to this role and every day since engaging, asking questions and learning, and I hope that he is part of LIV forever," O'Neil said.
"He sits on the board, which is another wonderful testament that we can tap into his experience, his leadership, his friendship, and any challenges, too, at the board meeting. I was hoping for a friendly on the other side of the table, but he mixes it up pretty good. It's quite a gift to have him as part of LIV."
O'Neil, who has had the lead role at LIV Golf for the past 40 days, said he hopes a potential deal between Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and the PGA Tour will open doors for his tour, which is in its fourth season. The proposed deal would include a $1.5 billion investment by the PIF into PGA Tour Enterprises, the U.S.-based tour's for-profit entity.
"For us at LIV, we are hoping that that unlocks opportunity," O'Neil said. "That may unlock opportunity with markets, with courses, with marketing partners, with television networks, with growing the game, with competition opportunities, with new formats.
"So, I'm excited about the agreement. I think that right now we are going to the moon and back, and I hope that'll help as an accelerant, but I'm very confident in where we are in this business and the interest we have currently."
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and player director Adam Scott met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Feb. 4. Player director Tiger Woods and his son, Charlie, played golf with the President at Trump International Golf Club in Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday, according to a White House pool report.
The U.S. Department of Justice's antitrust division is reviewing the potential PIF Investment, and Monahan, Woods and Scott indicated in a statement last week that the tour asked Trump to get involved in the process.
"We know golf fans are eagerly anticipating a resolution to negotiations with the Public Investment Fund and want to thank President Trump for his interest and long-time support of the game of golf," the statement said. "We asked the President to get involved for the good of the game, the good of the country, and for all the countries involved. We are grateful that his leadership has brought us closer to a final deal, paving the way for reunification of men's professional golf."
O'Neil has already helped secure major achievements for LIV Golf, including a new TV deal with Fox Sports in the U.S. and an over-the-air broadcast agreement in the United Kingdom. The R&A and United States Golf Association also recently announced new pathways for LIV Golf players to qualify for The Open and U.S. Open, respectively.
"This is the first step of many I think we're looking to take," LIV Golf captain Brooks Koepka said. "The opportunity is there. I think the organizations around the world, the R&A, the USGA, they're looking at LIV Golf as part of the golf ecosystem now. With that is a huge, huge step forward for us."
Kelce to take time, then decide on playing future
Coming off a Super Bowl performance where he was a nonfactor and his team was dominated by the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said he will take some time before making a decision on whether he will return for a 13th NFL season.
"I know everybody wants to know whether I'm playing next year, and right now, I'm just kicking everything down the road. I'm kicking every can I can down the road. I'm not making any crazy decisions," Kelce said on the "New Heights" podcast.
In the week leading up to the Super Bowl, Kelce said multiple times that he planned to play in 2025, but he struck a different tone talking with his brother Jason Kelce in the podcast that was released Wednesday.
"I've been fortunate over the past five, six years -- I've played more football than anybody," Travis Kelce said. "It's because of the people that are in that building. The fact that we keep going to these AFC championships and these Super Bowls, that means I'm playing an extra three games more than everybody else in the entire league. That's a lot of wear and tear on your body, and it's a lot of time spent in the building, focusing on your craft, focusing on the task at hand and every challenge that you set up for yourself.
"As you see yourself or not feel yourself have the success you once had, it's a tough pill to swallow. For that not to be there in the biggest moments, knowing your team's counting on you, those are all extremely hard things. ... It's just a tough reality." Travis Kelce
"That process can be grueling. It can weigh on you. It can make you better. It can drive you crazy at the same time. And right now, it's one of those things where it was driving me crazy this year. It happens as you kind of tail off towards the back nine of your career, as SVP [Scott Van Pelt] would say."
Kelce, 35, was held to four catches for 39 yards in the Chiefs' 40-22 loss to the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX that denied Kansas City a chance at a three-peat. That ended a season in which he posted career lows (not counting his rookie season when he appeared in one game) in receiving yards (823) and touchdowns (3). He did lead the Chiefs in receptions, however, with 97.
While he had a breakout game in a divisional round playoff win over the Houston Texans with seven catches for 117 yards and a touchdown, he was quiet in the AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills with two catches for 19 yards.
"As you see yourself or not feel yourself have the success you once had, it's a tough pill to swallow," Kelce said. "For that not to be there in the biggest moments, knowing your team's counting on you, those are all extremely hard things. ... It's just a tough reality."
Kelce, a four-time All-Pro, said he needs to be all-in if he decides to play next season.
"I think I owe it to my teammates that, if I do come back, it's going to be something that it's a whole-hearted decision. Not half-assing it," he said. "I'm fully here for them, and I think I could play. It's just whether or not I'm motivated or it's the best decision for me as a man, as a human and as a person to take on all of that responsibility."
Before Super Bowl LIX, Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said he thought Kelce would play next season but that the team would give him the time he needs to make a decision.
"I personally think he'll be back because he loves the game so much, but we're going to let him take the time he needs to make that decision and certainly hope he wants to come back," Hunt said.
ESPN's Adam Teicher contributed to this report.
Welcome to the offseason: What you need to know about key dates, biggest questions
The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, so the NFL hype train is now in the midst of a 13-day break before jumping back into the spotlight with the NFL combine.
By Feb. 23, league and team officials will begin descending on Indianapolis for a week of scouting and interviewing draft-eligible players. That will kick off a blitz of news -- from franchise tags to free agency to the NFL draft -- that will take us right into spring practices and other organized team activities (OTAs).
With the offseason now under way, let's set the table by looking at the biggest storylines across the NFL.
Who will sign free agent quarterback Sam Darnold? Will the Cincinnati Bengals hold on to a core group of players, including receivers Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase? Will Cleveland Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett be traded? Who will be the top player of the 2025 NFL draft? And what about league questions, such as an 18-game season, a flag football league and using technology to assist referees?
Here's a look at what we know:
Which quarterbacks will be on the move?
At least six teams have unsettled quarterback dynamics for the 2025 season: the Browns, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants. Three others -- the Minnesota Vikings (Darnold), New Orleans Saints (Derek Carr) and Los Angeles Rams (Matthew Stafford) -- will spend the next few weeks determining whether their incumbents will return.
In some years, many of those teams could address their needs in the draft. In 2024, for example, six of the first 12 picks were quarterbacks. But the 2025 draft class is much thinner at the position, putting more value on the list of veterans expected to be available in free agency.
In other words, many around the league are expecting there to be a few empty chairs when the music stops playing.
Where will Stafford and Darnold be in 2025?
Stafford and Darnold should be the first free agent dominoes to fall.
Stafford, 37, is signed through 2026 but has no guaranteed money left on his contract. Assuming he decides to play next season, the Rams could adjust his contract, trade him or release him.
Darnold, a pending unrestricted free agent, is a natural fit to replace Stafford in Los Angeles after spending 2024 in Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell's offense, which is derived from Rams coach Sean McVay's scheme. The Raiders could also emerge as a Darnold suitor, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. That's assuming the Vikings decide not to bring back Darnold, as they have 2024 No. 10 draft pick J.J. McCarthy waiting in the wings. They could sign Darnold to a multiyear contract or use the franchise tag.
Other available passers could include Aaron Rodgers (Jets), Russell Wilson (Steelers), Justin Fields (Steelers) and Jameis Winston (Browns).
Are there any QB solutions via the 2025 NFL draft?
In his latest rankings, ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller assessed that two quarterbacks -- Miami's Cam Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders -- are of first-round value. It's not out of the question that Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart could sneak into the first round, but that would still leave short supply relative to demand.
It's not impossible to find a long-term starter after the first round, but history shows it's difficult. Of the 23 seemingly settled starting quarterbacks for 2025, 19 were drafted in the first round; two were drafted after the second: the Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott (Round 4) and San Francisco 49ers' Brock Purdy (Round 7).
Field Yates breaks down some of the notable selections from his Mock Draft 3.0, including Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter and Cam Ward.
Extensions for Bengals' Chase, Higgins, Hendrickson?
Cincinnati faces arguably the most significant set of high-profile decisions anywhere in the league. Receiver Tee Higgins played 2024 on the franchise tag and is currently ESPN Matt Bowen's top pending free agent. The Bengals could let him reach free agency, re-sign him or use a second tag worth about $26 million.
Fellow receiver Ja'Marr Chase has one year left on his contract, raising the urgency to sign him to a long-term deal, and pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who led the NFL with 17.5 sacks, is seeking a contract extension or trade. At least part of the free agent market hinges on the availability of Higgins and/or Hendrickson.
Who are the top NFL free agents?
As always, any current list of pending free agents must be viewed with the context of future decisions on the franchise tag and long-term deals. At the moment, Bowen ranks Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith as the second-best free agent available. Would the Chiefs really allow a 26-year-old, 321-pound guard to leave?
The rest of the top 10 includes two cornerbacks (Jets' D.J. Reed, 49ers' Charvarius Ward), three defensive line/edge players (Los Angeles Chargers' Khalil Mack, Philadelphia Eagles' Josh Sweat, Cowboys' Osa Odighizuwa), Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley, Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin, Higgins and Darnold.
A lackluster 2025 draft class?
The lack of elite quarterback prospects will grab headlines, but early evaluations of the draft class as a whole have generated similar lackluster assessments.
The best overall prospect, according to ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., is Colorado's Travis Hunter -- and it's not yet clear whether Hunter will play receiver or cornerback in the NFL. Otherwise, there is a notable lack of impact players at premium positions, including offensive tackle and quarterback.
Some teams anticipate giving first-round grades to roughly half the number of players they historically have assigned them to, according to ESPN's Matt Miller. With that said, Miller spoke with scouts who believe running back and edge rusher are relatively deep groups. The top running back is Boise State's Ashton Jeanty. Kiper has five edge players in his top 25 prospects: Penn State's Abdul Carter, Georgia's Jalon Walker, Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart, Georgia's Mykel Williams and Marshall's Mike Green.
Adam Schefter tells Pat McAfee some of the teams that could be interested in trading for Deebo Samuel.
Who might be traded during the offseason?
For all the excitement NFL trade talks bring, they are often anticlimactic. When it's known a player is available, teams often decline to make an offer and the player ends up being released, leaving him a free agent and the original team without compensation. That could be the case for some players reported to be on the trade market this spring, including Rams receiver Cooper Kupp and 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel Sr.
But there are two elite pass rushers to keep an eye on: the Browns' Myles Garrett and Cowboys' Micah Parsons.
Garrett has already requested a trade, which probably would prompt a new contract, and there are rumors of Parsons' potential availability because he is set to enter the final year of his rookie contract. But Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in December that trading Parsons has "never been uttered in this organization." With that said, Garrett and Parsons are both franchise-changing talents that most teams in the league would at least consider acquiring.
Will Brock Purdy get his big payday from the 49ers?
For three years, Purdy has been arguably the best value in the NFL. He has started 36 games for the 49ers on a contract based on being "Mr. Irrelevant," the last player selected in the 2022 draft. As a result, Purdy's earnings have been limited to $2.9 million, even though he has led the 49ers to a 23-13 record as a starter. During that period, he has ranked No. 4 in the NFL in QBR (70.1).
He is eligible for a contract extension, and while 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan has said repeatedly he wants to build the team around Purdy, the real question is the terms of a new deal. Are the 49ers prepared to give him a market-level deal that would exceed $50 million annually? Or do they need to conserve salary cap space to maintain a strong team around him?
Will the NFL expand replay assist?
The NFL has never appeared interested in adding a "sky judge," in essence an eighth official who would sit in an elevated suite with the full authority of an on-field official. Instead, it has slowly added responsibilities to the existing replay official, typically seated in or near the press box. The replay official can use broadcast replays to assist the on-field referee on a specified suite of calls in real time.
This system works more quickly than formal challenges and will continue to be used to solve officiating concerns. Commissioner Roger Goodell and Walt Anderson, the NFL's officiating rules analyst, have strongly suggested the league will add facemask penalties and perhaps others to the replay assist program after a number of missed calls in 2024 that happened when referees were blocked from view.
What's next for the NFL kickoff rules?
The new kickoff rules for 2024 accomplished the NFL's baseline goals by boosting the return rate from 21.8% in 2023 to 32.8% and, according to the league, reducing the concussion rate by 43%. But that return rate was still the NFL's second lowest since at least 2000 and a long way from the 80% rate of 2010. They also haven't resurrected the onside kick. The recovery rate was 6% in 2024, 4.9% in 2023 and 5.4% in 2022.
This spring, owners must decide whether to make the new kickoff rules permanent, as they were approved only for the 2024 season, then determine whether to make any adjustments that could result in more returns in 2025. Those possibilities include moving touchbacks from the 30 to the 35-yard line, moving the kicking spot from the 35 to the 30, and developing an onside kick alternative. But owners are aware that concussion totals will rise in proportion to a higher return rate.
Will the NFL use more technology to help referees?
During the 2024 preseason, the NFL tested Hawk-Eye technology to measure first downs. That system uses dedicated cameras to locate the ball after it is placed by an official. The league decided it wasn't ready for implementation for the regular season, pushing a decision off to 2025.
If the league decides to use it, the technology would replace the traditional chain gang but wouldn't add any additional accuracy. Officials would still be responsible for determining where the ball is spotted, based on where the ball carrier is ruled down or has his forward progress stopped.
The primary benefit would be faster measurements, when requested, as the UFL demonstrated last spring. Using technology to spot the ball does not appear imminent.
What is the timetable for an 18-game season?
Goodell has begun speaking in more certain terms about the inevitability of an 18-game regular season, although as a matter of collective bargaining, it would need approval from the NFL Players Association. Under the likely plan, the preseason would be reduced from three to two games. Over the next few months, league officials will try to get a better handle on a potential timetable.
NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell Jr. said on Feb. 5 that "no one" in the union wants to play 18 games, but that's not the same as saying they won't. Negotiations could prompt related discussions, such as increasing roster size and adding a second bye week.
"We know that fans love football," Goodell said. "They want more football, but we have to be incredibly sensitive and smart about the balance and how we deal with that."
Will the NFL establish a flag football league?
After years of promoting flag football as a league-adjacent pursuit, and starting a campaign to make it a girls' varsity sport in all 50 states, the NFL appears ready to get into the business of flag football ahead of its 2028 Olympic debut.
Goodell said on Feb. 3 the league has been working through details of a pro league for both men and women that would supercharge the league's involvement in what it believes is a domestic growth area and a pathway to international connections. The league estimates that 20 million people play flag football in 100 countries.
It's no secret the NFL wants to increase its worldwide scope as it expands to eight international games in 2025 and works toward what Goodell said would eventually be 16.
How will the league address safety rules?
NFL officials did not throw a single flag during the 2024 season for violations of the league's new prohibition on hip-drop tackles, which its research has shown can lead to knee and ankle injuries. Instead, the league fined or sent warning letters to roughly 30 players after postgame video reviews.
Officials initially found the foul difficult to see in real time, prompting the lack of flags, and now the NFL must decide whether it will be enforceable on the field or if it will follow other safety rules that are punished with postgame fines rather than flags.
Meanwhile, NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent has indicated a desire to ban all low blocks and eliminate the current exceptions that allow them in certain situations.
Durant becomes 8th in NBA to reach 30,000 points
Kevin Durant became the eighth player in NBA history to score 30,000 points, hitting the mark with a free throw late in the third quarter of a 119-112 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night.
The 36-year-old Phoenix Suns forward, who recently was selected to his 15th All-Star team, joins LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki and Wilt Chamberlain in the 30,000-point club. Julius Erving also hit the mark when combining his points scored in the NBA and ABA.
"A true honor to be in the same category as those players who helped shaped the game and push the game forward," Durant said after the loss. "That's always been my goal, to get the most out of myself every day and the most out of my career."
Durant is a four-time NBA scoring champion and remains one of the league's elite shotmakers in his 17th NBA season. He is averaging 27.1 points per game while shooting 52.8%. He scored 17,566 points over his first nine seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder, who were the Seattle SuperSonics during his first season in 2007-08. He has also played for the Golden State Warriors (5,374 points) and Brooklyn Nets (3,744) in addition to the Suns (3,324).
"He's probably one of the most incredible shotmakers I've ever been around," Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said. "And I've gone against him a lot of nights too. So it's nice to be on his side. The way he can rise up and shoot over people -- his height, his ball handling. If he's not the most incredible shotmaker, I'm not sure who is."
Memphis guard Ja Morant, in his postgame, on-court interview on TNT, concurred with Budenholzer, adding that "he's one of the greats. Everybody don't get 30K in this league. So hats off to him. And I hope he keeps going. We want to see him out here."
Durant, in his postgame media availability, was told that Nowitzki and Hakeem Olajuwon lauded his accomplishment, and he was more than appreciative.
"Especially those two," Durant said. "I mean, I stole so much from Dirk and Hakeem that it's criminal. I've just always been inspired by the greats, always wanted to reach their level. This is an exciting time to be an NBA player. But I've always been inspired by those guys. And to be in their company is just surreal."
The feat comes less than a week after an eventful trade deadline full of speculation that the Suns were open to dealing the superstar.
"It's just part of the business," Durant told reporters at practice Monday. "Everybody's bought and sold in this league. Anybody can be up for auction, so I understand that. It's just about getting back on the court and trying to go out and play the game that I love. It's part of the business, though. We've all got to understand that."
The Suns ended up having a relatively quiet trade deadline, dealing disgruntled center Jusuf Nurkic to the Charlotte Hornets but keeping the rest of their core intact. The team's big three of Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal is still together as the Suns (26-27) try to gain ground in the standings.
Durant finished with 34 points on 12-of-18 shooting in Tuesday's loss.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Pirates' Horwitz has wrist surgery, out 6-8 weeks
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Newly acquired Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz is expected to miss most of spring training after undergoing surgery on his right wrist.
Horwitz, acquired in a trade with Cleveland in December, will be out at least six to eight weeks, though Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Tuesday the team is not putting an exact timetable on a possible return.
Horwitz, 27, hit .265 with 12 home runs and 40 RBIs in 97 games with Toronto last season. The Blue Jays shipped him to Cleveland in December and hours later the Guardians sent him to Pittsburgh in exchange for pitcher Luis Ortiz and two prospects.
Horwitz had been dealing with what the Pirates called a chronic wrist problem. Cherington said the team was aware of the issue at the time of the trade but Horwitz began to experience new symptoms in late January, which led to the decision to have surgery.
The Pirates have multiple internal options to fill first base while Horwitz rehabs, including utility infielder Jared Triolo and Darick Hall, who split time between first base and designated hitter with the Phillies in 2022 and 2023. Hall hit 16 home runs in Triple-A last season.
While outfielder Bryan Reynolds took ground balls at first base during practice late in the 2024 season, Cherington said the team is focused on keeping Reynolds in the outfield. Endy Rodriguez, who hasn't played in the majors since undergoing elbow surgery in the fall of 2023, is expected to remain at catcher for now.
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