Sports Buzz: Kevin Durant Out For Remainder of Season
Plus, Kentucky absolutely destroys West Virginia.
1 / 31
Kevin Durant Ruled Out For Rest of Season - Crushing news for Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder. The NBA's reigning MVP is out for the remainder of the season due to foot surgery complications. ESPN is reporting that KD will have bone graft surgery and be out of action for four to six months. Without him, the Thunder (41-31) will still try to hold onto the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.(Photo: Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
2 / 31
Kentucky Obliterates West Virginia in Sweet 16 - So much for West Virginia's bold declaration to upset Kentucky and shock the world. The top-seeded Wildcats doubled up on the Mountaineers, 78-39, on Thursday night behind five Kentucky players who notch double digits in scoring. Trey Lyles led Kentucky with 14 points and seven boards. After racing out to an 18-2 lead and 44-18 halftime edge, Kentucky never looked back en route to capturing its 37th victory and punching its ticket to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.(Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
3 / 31
Wisconsin Survives UNC's Upset Bid - North Carolina was all game for a Sweet 16 upset of Wisconsin on Thursday night. However, Sam Dekker's career-high 23 points and 10 boards, along with Frank Kaminsky's 19 points, made sure that didn't happen as the No. 1 Badgers scored the 79-72 win over the fourth-seeded Tar Heels.(Photo: Harry How/Getty Images)
4 / 31
Dean Smith Leaves $200 in Will to Each Lettered Player - Dean Smith absolutely loved his players. The late and legendary basketball coach of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels decided to remember his players in his will, giving $200 to every letter winner who played for him over his 36 seasons as head coach, according to ESPN. Smith died last month at the age of 83.(Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
5 / 31
49ers Cut Jonathan Martin - Jonathan Martin, who is best known for being the victim of the Miami Dolphins' bullying scandal in October 2013, was waived by the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, ESPN reported. Martin started nine games and played a total of 15 at offensive tackle for the Niners last season.(Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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6 / 31
David Ortiz Vows He's Hall of Fame Worthy - David Ortiz is letting it be known that he deserves to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame once his career is over. Despite his 466 home runs and 1,533 RBI, the Boston Red Sox slugger wrote on The Players Tribune website that no one has been tested for drugs or steroids more than him. "Let me tell you something. Say whatever you want about me—love me, hate me," Ortiz wrote. "But I'm no bulls------. I never knowingly took any steroids. If I tested positive for anything, it was for something in pills I bought at the damn mall. If you think that ruins everything I have done in this game, there is nothing I can say to convince you different.''(Photo: Elsa/Getty Images)
7 / 31
Alex Rodriguez to Be Drug-Tested More - Due to his prior violations of Major League Baseball's performance-enhancing drugs policy, Alex Rodriguez can be tested for drugs more than the average player, league commissioner Rob Manfred told ESPN. "Let me be clear about this—he'll be tested exactly like every other player who has violated the program," Manfred said. "The program requires more frequent testing for players who are coming back after a suspension."(Photo: Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
8 / 31
West Virginia Vows to Give Kentucky First Loss - Bold declaration from a freshman. West Virginia freshman guard Daxter Miles Jr. is predicting that No. 1 Kentucky will not be so flawless after his fifth-seeded Mountaineers face them Thursday night. "I give them their props," Miles Jr. told reporters, including ESPN, Wednesday. "Salute them to getting to 36-0. But tomorrow they're gonna be 36-1." The brash freshman didn't stop there. "They should be more intimidated," Miles said of the top-ranked Wildcats. "Because they're the ones who have the high standard, and we're coming for them." West Virginia coach Bob Huggins is 8-2 against Kentucky coach John Calipari all-time.(Photos from left: Ed Zurga/Getty Images, Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
9 / 31
Houston Rockets Win in Dwight Howard's Return - After missing 26 games due to knee soreness, Dwight Howard returned to the Houston Rockets and helped lead them to a 95-93 road win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night. Howard had four points and seven rebounds, only playing 17 minutes as a precaution. "I felt pretty good, it seemed as soon as I got out there it was time to sit back down," Howard told ESPN. "It was kind of an adjustment period for me, I just have to get back out there playing. The main thing for me is really helping the team on the defensive end, the other stuff will come."(Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
10 / 31
Browns, Falcons Learn of 'Severe' Penalties - During the NFL owners' meeting this week, the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons learned of impending discipline for violating league policies. One source told ESPN that the discipline is expected to be "severe." The Browns will be punished for general manager Ray Farmer texting during games, which is a violation of the NFL's electronic-device policy. Farmer admitted to texting during games. Meanwhile, Falcons owner Arthur Blank admitted in February that his team violated league rules by pumping fake crowd noise into the Georgia Dome during the past two seasons.(Photos from left: Jason Miller/Getty Images, Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
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11 / 31
Rule Change Responds to Patriots Formation Plays - The NFL has responded to the controversial offensive-line formation plays that the New England Patriots used last season. According to ESPN, the league passed a rule Wednesday that will make it illegal for an eligible offensive player — wearing numbers 1 through 49 or 80 through 89 — to report as ineligible and line up outside the box, the way the Pats had players do in 2014. Doing so in 2015 and beyond will result in an illegal-substitution penalty of five yards. The Pats use of the controversial formation play drew the ire of Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh last season. (Photo: Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
12 / 31
Belichick Blasts NFL Over Lack of End Zone Cameras - New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick reportedly ripped into the NFL during Tuesday's head of officials meeting for not spending the money to put four cameras in the end zone to give refs better angles during reviews. A source told ESPN that Belichick was upset that the NFL is willing to spend money to have the Pro Bowl in Brazil and games in London, but won't spend for extra cameras to improve the quality of the game. (Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
13 / 31
Spurs Rout Thunder - The San Antonio Spurs didn't give Russell Westbrook a chance to set off fireworks Wednesday night. The defending NBA champion smothered the Oklahoma City Thunder in a 130-91 rout in San Antonio behind Tony Parker's 21 points and six assists. Westbrook was limited to 16 points and seven assists, a relatively quiet night compared to the triple-double tear he has been on.(Photo: AP Photo/Darren Abate)
14 / 31
LeBron James Isn't Upset About Love Picking Westbrook for MVP - When asked who he likes for MVP on The Dan Patrick Show on Monday, Kevin Love went with his former UCLA teammate Russell Westbrook over his current Cleveland Cavaliers teammate LeBron James. Well, King James isn't too upset about that. "I don't really think too much of it, really," James told ESPN on Tuesday. "I don't really get involved in that. I think the voters are going to decide who is the MVP. I think what Russ has been doing, his numbers have been pretty crazy keeping those guys afloat in the West. Steph Curry can make a case, for sure, what he's been doing — James Harden and myself, as well. So, Kevin has his own opinion of who he believes is the MVP. No one should fault him for that." (Photos from left: Jason Miller/Getty Images, Ronald Martine...
15 / 31
Jets File Tampering Charges Against Patriots - The New York Jets filed a tampering charge against the New England Patriots on Tuesday after Pats owner Robert Kraft commented, "I speak as a fan of the New England Patriots, we wanted to keep him" regarding Darrelle Revis at the NFL owners' meeting Monday, as reported by ESPN. Revis signed back with Gang Green earlier this month. The Jets' filing is clearly retaliatory, as the Patriots filed the same tampering charge against the Jets after their owner, Woody Johnson, said "I'd love for Darrelle to come back" at the end of the season.(Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Motorola)
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16 / 31
Warriors Clinch First Division Title Since 1976 - The Golden State Warriors' magical 2014-15 season keeps getting better. Already owners of the best record in the NBA, the Warriors (58-13) captured their first Pacific Division title since 1976 via a 122-108 road win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night. Stephen Curry led the way with 33 points and 10 assists for the Warriors, many of whom donned T-shirts that read "Pacific Claimed" afterwards.(Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
17 / 31
NFL Owners Approve Replay, Safety Changes - NFL owners voted to allow a certified athletic trainer at each stadium to call a medical timeout if he or she sees a player disoriented, ESPN is reporting. During the Super Bowl last month, New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman seemed to be disoriented, but was still allowed to play. The league wants to prevent such occurrences in the future. Owners also agreed to extend protection of defenseless receivers during intercepted passes and to review the game clock at the end of the half, game or overtime to see if more time should be added.(Photo: Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
18 / 31
Buccaneers Chairman OK With Winston or Mariota With First Pick - After meeting with Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Joel Glazer told the Tampa Bay Times that he'd be comfortable with the team using its No. 1 pick on either stud quarterback. "With anybody we're looking to draft, we do an extensive amount of work on their background, history and all that. We spent time with Jameis and Marcus and went into everything into their background," Glazer explained. "After everything we've done and where we're at right now, we're comfortable where Jameis is at, we're comfortable with Marcus or whoever else it could be." Glazer added that ultimately the decision lies with Buccs coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jason Licht to agree on the selection.(Photos from left: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images, Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
19 / 31
Stoops Proud of Oklahoma Football Players - With more than two and a half weeks having passed since a racist Oklahoma University frat chant video hit the Internet, Sooners football coach Bob Stoops couldn't be more proud of the way the school's administration, student body and his players handled the situation. "This was caught here," Stoops told ESPN. "I think [OU's players] realize it's everywhere. It's around the country. We happen to have it; let's try to do something with it and try to effect change. And I'm proud of the way they've done it." Even after the university's president removed members of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon frat from the school's campus, Stoops' players, as well as students, silently protested the racism seen in the video.
20 / 31
Agent: Vikings No Longer Fit for Adrian Peterson - Adrian Peterson's agent, Ben Dogra, told ESPN that he doesn't think "it's in Adrian's best interest to play in Minnesota" this season and beyond. The star running back is still under contract with the Minnesota Vikings, and the team retiterated Monday that they expect Peterson to be a part of the squad for the 2015 season. This comes after a story surfaced last month, in which Peterson reportedly told the team that he wants to play for the Dallas Cowboys in 2015. Peterson was reportedly upset with the Vikings that they worked with the NFL to place him on the commissioner's exempt list during his child-abuse case.(Photo: Bob Levey/Getty Images)
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21 / 31
Browns Eye April for Manziel's Return - After checking himself into rehab late January, in an effort to improve himself, Johnny Manziel is expected to participate in the Cleveland Browns' offseason workouts beginning April 20, ESPN is reporting. Doing so would set Manziel on the path to competing for the Browns' starting quarterback role for the 2015 season.(Photo: Elsa/Getty Images)
22 / 31
Gate Numbers for Mayweather-Pacquiao Are Staggering - The Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao May 2 mega bout is on pace to shatter every boxing revenue record and total upwards of $400 million worldwide. Already Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum is saying ESPN tickets alone will generate $74 million in revenue, which is more than 3½ times the gate record of $20,003,150 that the Mayweather-Canelo Alvarez fight made in September 2013.(Photo: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
23 / 31
NBA Nixes Russell Westbrook Triple-Double - Russell Westbrook has been on a triple-double rampage lately, but the NBA announced Monday that they incorrectly credited the Oklahoma City Thunder point guard with a rebound in Sunday's game against the Miami Heat. That means Westbrook officially finished with 12 points, 17 assists and nine rebounds, giving him nine triple-doubles instead of 10 on the season. He's averaging career highs in points (27.5), assists (8.7), rebounds (7.3) and steals (2.2) per game this season, putting him in the MVP conversation.(Photo: AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
24 / 31
Patriots Owner Not Worried About Deflate Gate Investigation - Attending the NFL owners meeting Monday, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft told the media that he isn't worried about the league's Deflate Gate investigation of his squad. "I like to worry about things I can control. I know that there's no smoking gun here," Kraft told reporters, including USA TODAY. "I chatted with our people. I think I said it pretty well the week before the Super Bowl. So we're worried about the 2015 season, and that's our focus." The Pats are accused of deflating footballs during the AFC title game to give them an edge in frigid weather conditions. (Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images)
25 / 31
Bad Blood Between Diamondbacks and Dodgers Continues - Since their bench-clearing brawl in 2013, tensions have been high between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers. On Monday during a spring training game with the National League West rivals in Arizona, Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale, bench coach Glenn Sherlock and two Arizona pitchers were ejected, stemming from four Dodgers' batsmen being hit, ESPN is reporting.(Photo: AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
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26 / 31
Wichita State Makes Sweet 16 Again - Fred VanVleet had 17 points, six assists and six rebounds to lead No. 7 Wichita State to a 78-65 win over second-seeded Kansas on Sunday to punch yet another ticket to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16. The Shockers will now challenge No. 3 Notre Dame on Thursday for the chance to make it to the Elite 8.(Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
27 / 31
Magic Johnson Praises Michigan State in Upset Win - Magic Johnson was in attendance and impressed by his alma mater, No. 7 Michigan State, scoring a 60-54 victoryover second-seeded Virginia on Sunday to advance to the Sweet 16. "And I think Coach was right: the defense, helping each other, talking—talking," Johnson said live on the air on TBS. "It was beautiful. It was beautiful to watch. And even when they came back and made their run, you stuck to the game plan, you executed and you stuck together." Travis Trice led Michigan State with 23 points.(Photo: Bob Leverone/Getty Images)
28 / 31
Steve Nash Retires - After a solid 19-year NBA career, which included eight All-Star Game selections and two MVP awards, Steve Nash announced his retirement from basketball over the weekend. "The greatest gift has been to be completely immersed in my passion and striving for something I loved so much—visualizing a ladder, climbing up to my heroes," Nash, 41, wrote on The Player's Tribune website Saturday. "The obsession became my best friend. I talked to her, cherished her, fought with her and got knocked on my ass by her. And that is what I'm most thankful for in my career." Nash leaves the game ranked third all-time in assists. (Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
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Borland Paying 49ers Back Part of Signing Bonus - After surprisingly announcing his retirement from the NFL last week, Chris Borland told ESPN that he's paying back 75 percent of his signing bonus to the San Francisco 49ers. In doing so, the 24-year-old rookie linebacker shot down rumors of his early retirement being nothing more than a cash grab. "Absolutely not. To play one year, it's not a cash grab as I've been accused of," Borland said. "I'm paying back three-fourths of my signing bonus. I'm only taking the money I've earned." The amount he's paying back totals $463,077. Borland is retiring due to concerns over longterm head trauma.(Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images)
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Rick Carlisle Rips Mavs' Lack of Effort - Following a Dallas Mavericks' 98-92 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, Mavs coach Rick Carlisle ripped into his team for their lack of effort. "This is a Dallas Mavericks hard-play problem, all right?" Carlisle told ESPN. "We don't play hard all the time. And that's a problem. It's pretty clear that's where our inconsistency is, and we've got to get better. We've got to be a more together team. I believe that we can do it. We did it in the second half, but it's work. It takes effort. It takes effort in the locker room, it takes sacrifice, and we've got to be willing to do those things." With the loss, Dallas (44-27) slipped to seventh place in the Western Conference standings with 11 games left. (Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)