7:08 AM ET Eric WoodyardESPN MILWAUKEE — Inside the hallway of Fiserv Forum, just out of sight from the thousands of fans who have filled the arena on this Thursday night in November, there is a loud altercation coming from the Milwaukee Bucks‘ tunnel. There are mere minutes before the players take the court. Robin
10:21 AM ET World No. 1 Brooks Koepka carded a bogey-free 66 to sit tied for third, two shots behind leaders South African Shaun Norris and Italian Renato Paratore after the first round of the Abu Dhabi Championship. American Koepka started well in his competitive return after three months out with a knee injury, making
7:32 AM ET Australian Open organisers have said the tournament will go ahead despite health concerns caused by the air quality in Melbourne due to bushfires in the country. A number of players have complained throughout the week after having to play qualifying matches in smoky conditions, which caused Dalila Jakupovic to retire after a
9:59 AM ET Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau have had their tense moments over the last year, mostly relating to slow play. Koepka thinks DeChambeau is slow — and has said so on a few occasions, including at last year’s Northern Trust tournament where DeChambeau endured considerable criticism. DeChambeau, after an intense fall workout program
9:51 AM ET Justin Fuente has decided to stay at Virginia Tech, one day after meeting with Baylor officials about its head coaching vacancy. Fuente tweeted “2020 — Let’s go!” with a photo of his staff on Thursday. A Virginia Tech official confirmed Fuente will remain with the Hokies. Fuente had emerged as the top
6:00 AM ET Brady HendersonESPN RENTON, Wash. — The Green Bay Packers guaranteed a combined $36 million to Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith at the outset of free agency in March. It was a lot of money well spent. The Smiths combined for 25.5 sacks in the regular season, then four of Russell Wilson on
6:00 AM ET PHILADELPHIA — Eagles general manager Howie Roseman acknowledged at last week’s end-of-season news conference that one of his weaknesses is getting attached to his players. Given that many of the current men on the roster helped to deliver the city its first Super Bowl championship, it stands to reason that his grip
8:57 AM ET GREEN BAY, Wis. — It may have taken Aaron Rodgers almost two months, but he found some good in the Green Bay Packers‘ 37-8 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12. “We had that one really good touchdown drive,” Rodgers said Wednesday with a smile. Remember, though, it was the
9:25 AM ET ESPN News Services The Houston Astros have interviewed Buck Showalter for their managerial vacancy, ESPN has confirmed. The Astros interviewed Showalter on Wednesday, two days after they fired manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow. The Astros will interview former Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons on Thursday, according to multiple
6:00 AM ET KANSAS CITY, Mo. — From the moment they first laid eyes on quarterback Patrick Mahomes playing football, the Kansas City Chiefs knew they had to have him. He was gifted physically with a strong and accurate arm and possessed a flair for playing quarterback like few others. And that feeling only increased