Feb 11, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas (17) is fouled by Memphis Grizzlies forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper (18) in the second quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Nikola Jokic had 26 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists to counter his nine turnovers, Jamal Murray finished with 23 points, and the host Denver Nuggets held off the Memphis Grizzlies 122-116 on Wednesday night.
It was Jokic’s 20th triple-double this season and 184th of his career.
Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 21 points, Christian Braun had 14 points, Julian Strawther contributed 11 and Bruce Brown had 10 for Denver, which enters the All-Star break third in the Western Conference.
GG Jackson scored a season high with 21 points, Ty Jerome added 19 points, Jaylen Wells scored 17, Olivier-Maxence Prosper had 14 points and Taylor Hendricks 10 for Memphis.
The Grizzlies have lost four in a row.
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Memphis forward Cedric Coward was inactive with a knee injury suffered late in the first half of the loss at Golden State on Monday night. Lawson Lovering, who was signed to a 10-day contract Tuesday, scored three points in his NBA debut for the Grizzlies.
The Nuggets led 30-28 after one quarter and stretched it to 14 late in the second quarter but Memphis finished the half on a 10-2 run to trail 60-54 at intermission.
The Grizzlies tied it at 68 on Jackson’s 3-pointer but Denver responded. Jokic hit one of two free throws and a putback, Murray drained a 3-pointer and Jokic fed Braun for a dunk to make it 78-72.
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The Nuggets went up 83-72 on Hardaway’s bucket moments later, Jokic was fouled on a 3-point attempt and made two free throws and got his 10th assist to complete his triple-double on Hardaway’s 3-pointer that gave Denver a 93-81 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Nuggets went up 103-88 with 8:40 remaining but the Grizzlies reeled off 12 straight points, capped by Jerome’s 3-pointer, to make it a 103-100 game midway through the fourth.
Prosper hit a corner 3-pointer and Lovering’s layup — his first NBA points — tied it with 3:50 left. Hardaway’s 3-pointer put Denver back in front, Jokic scored four points to make it 116-111, the Grizzlies got within a point but Jokic’s putback and four free throws by Murray sealed it.
In Pyeongchang in 2018, the Kyiv native became the first Ukrainian to compete in skeleton at the Winter Olympics. Heraskevych also competed in Beijing in 2022. After the third of four runs there, he held up a sign with the English inscription “No war in Ukraine” for the cameras at the finish line of the run. Thirteen days later, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Since then, Heraskevych has tirelessly used his sport to draw attention to the suffering of the people in Ukraine and to urge further strict sanctions against Russian sports. The skeleton racer was given the honor of being one of Ukraine’s flag bearers for the Milano Cortina Games’ opening ceremonies.
Heraskevych, however, is not among the likely medal contenders at the Olympics. He finished 12th in 2018 and 18th in 2022.
What is his dispute with the IOC about?
Heraskevych wants to wear his “helmet of remembrance” not only in training but also during the Olympic race in Cortina. It features images of Ukrainian athletes who were killed during Russia’s war on Ukraine.
In 2020, the IOC Athletes’ Commission published guidelines on how to implement this rule. According to these guidelines, athletes should only be allowed to express political views during the Olympic Games at press conferences, in interviews in the mixed zones, at team meetings, on internet platforms or through media outlets.
IOC spokesman Mark Adams told a press conference this week: “There are 130 conflicts going on in the world. We cannot have 130 different conflicts featured, however terrible they are, during the field of play, during the actual competition.”
Therefore, Heraskevych is allowed to express his political views outside of competition, but not during the race.
Could a compromise be reached?
There is no current indication that this is possible. The IOC offered the Ukrainian the option of wearing a black armband during the competition — as a sign of mourning for his compatriots killed in the war.
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“We feel this is a good compromise,” Adams said.
Heraskevych sees things completely differently.
“The IOC has turned the ‘helmet of remembrance’ into an absurd farce,” the Ukrainian said on Wednesday. He insisted that he was not violating any IOC rule and accused the IOC of “double standards.”
Vladyslav Heraskevych wore the helmet of remembrance in trainingImage: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images
United States figure skater Maxim Naumov displayed a picture of his parents, who died in a plane crash, after his short program on Tuesday evening in Milan, without any objections being raised. Heraskevych has previously pointed to the example of German weightlifter Matthias Steiner, who held up a photo of his deceased wife after his Olympic victory in Beijing in 2008.
According to the IOC, the cases are not comparable. The rules have evolved since 2008. Naumov’s behavior was “a very emotional, very human, spontaneous gesture,” according to IOC spokesman Adams: “In a sense it highlights what we are saying, this Ukrainian athlete, he can do the same.”
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What happens if Heraskevych defies the IOC ban?
The IOC Athletes’ Commission’s recommendation regarding violations of Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter states: “If an athlete or participant is in breach of Rule 50 and the Olympic Charter, each incident will be evaluated by their respective National Olympic Committee, International Federation [of the sport] and the IOC, and disciplinary action will be taken on a case-by-case basis as necessary.”
This leaves room for interpretation. In the worst-case scenario, Heraskevych could face immediate exclusion from the Olympic Games.
What have the reactions been?
Heraskevych has received support from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. On X, he thanked the skeleton racer “for reminding the world of the price of our struggle.”
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Felix Loch would regard a disqualfication of Heraskevych as “sad and a bit of a scandal.”Image: Memmler/Eibner-Pressefoto/IMAGO
Thomas Weikert, president of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), expressed understanding for Heraskevych’s action but advised him not to disregard the IOC ban and to abide by the rules.
Three time Olympic luge gold medalist Felix Loch, a close personal friend of Heraskevych, said if he were to be disqualified, it would be “sad and a bit of a scandal.” After all, there is “no text or anything like that” on the helmet in question, he noted.
Hitting the ball longer has long been a goal of mine. Only recently, though, did I decide to get serious about it.
After years of procrastinating, I began chasing speed in earnest last summer. And much to my dismay, that pursuit required something I’d long avoided: the gym.
As someone who’s not exactly a gym-bro type, that was a tough pill to swallow. But after consulting with speed experts from across the game, one thing became clear — if I wanted more speed, I needed more strength.
Starting small
In the beginning, I kept it simple. A couple nights a week in the gym, learning what to do and how to do it. The work wasn’t glamorous, but it laid an important foundation.
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Slowly, my swing speed began ticking up on the radar. The progress was encouraging — but I also knew I could be more efficient. That’s when I connected with PGA Tour trainer David Sundberg.
Working with a Tour trainer
Sundberg works with multiple Tour players, including Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay. If anyone knows how to build golf-specific strength, it’s him.
“Whether you’re a Tour player or a recreational golfer, the principles are the same,” Sundberg told me. “Move well, get strong, and the speed will come.”
By the time I started Sundberg’s foundational strength routine (which you can read more about here), I’d hit a bit of a plateau. But once I began training with more structure and intention, my speed jumped almost immediately.
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From the start, his approach was methodical. Before adding more speed-specific work, he wanted to see where my strength levels stood.
“I’d like to see where we’re at from a strength-development standpoint and how your strength-to-bodyweight ratios look,” he said. “We want a good amount of strength in comparison to body weight before we fully lean into speed-strength training.”
In other words: earn the right to train for speed.
After seeing those early gains, I asked Sundberg to build me a 90-day offseason plan. Now, roughly halfway through, the results are still coming.
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Off-season gains
A lot of golfers dread the offseason. I’ve always enjoyed it — it’s usually when I make swing changes. This year, though, the focus shifted. Instead of just grinding on mechanics, I committed to three (sometimes four) days a week in the gym, with the remaining days reserved for simulator work.
The basic strength plan I followed late last year helped build a foundation. This offseason program has taken things up a notch. I’ve been sore more days this winter than ever before — the good, “functionally sore” kind — and my swing speed continues to climb.
As the program progresses, the emphasis will gradually shift.
“We’ll start phasing down the heavier lifting and move more into speed-strength work,” Sundberg said. “Lighter loads, more explosive intent — but only once the strength base is where we want it.”
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The biggest surprise so far, though, hasn’t just been raw speed. It’s endurance. It may not look taxing, but maintaining solid mechanics over a four-plus-hour round — or even a long simulator session — is demanding. Once fatigue sets in, posture slips, sequencing gets sloppy and bad swings follow.
Even though we’re training primarily for max strength, Sundberg explained that endurance benefits are a natural byproduct.
“Even when you’re training for max strength, there’s a downstream effect on endurance and overall capacity,” he said. “You’re able to do more for longer before you fatigue.”
That’s been one of the clearest changes I’ve noticed. I can hit more balls without my mechanics breaking down. I don’t feel my posture collapsing late in sessions. And when fatigue doesn’t creep in, practice actually stays productive.
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“It happens gradually, so you may not notice it in the moment,” Sundberg said. “But if you’re maintaining posture and swing mechanics deeper into the round, that’s a huge win.”
And if that translates to holding form on holes 15 through 18, that’s where real scores start to drop. Yet another reason the gym is becoming a permanent part of my routine.
Check out below for a breakdown of the offseason workouts I’ve been doing.
Off-season training program
Weekly structure
Monday: Lower Body
Wednesday: Upper Body
Friday: Full Body
Weekend: Active recovery / mobility
Day 1 – Lower Body (55–65 minutes)
Warm-up
Half-Kneeling Hip Flexor Stretch w/ Reach – 30 sec/side
90/90 Hip Rotations – 8/side
Open Book T-Spine Rotation – 6/side
Glute Bridge w/ Band Abduction – 12 reps
Side Plank – 25–30 sec/side
Front Plank – 30–40 sec
Wall Slides – 10 reps
Plyometrics (Level 2)
Pogo Jumps – 3×12–15
Lateral Line Hops (single-leg) – 2×10/side
Box Jumps (12–18”) – 3×5 (step down after each rep)
Strength
Rear-Foot Elevated Split Squat
Week 1: 3×10, 10, max (20 lb dumbbells)
Week 2: 3×6, 6, max (25 lb dumbbells)
Week 3: 3×8, 8, max (25 lb dumbbells)
Week 4: 2×8 (15 lb dumbbells)
Single-Leg Romanian Deadlift
Week 1: 3×10, 10, 12 (16 lb)
Week 2: 3×6, 6, 8–10 (20 lb)
Week 3: 3×8, 8, 8–10 (20 lb)
Week 4: 2×8 (16 lb)
Core Circuit
Mini-Band Lateral Walks – 3×12 steps
Half-Kneeling Pallof Press + Hold – 3×8/side
Dead Bug with Band Pulldown – 3×8/side
Single-Leg Balance Reach – 3×6/leg
Day 2 – Upper Body (50–60 minutes)
Warm-up
Wall Slides – 10
Serratus Wall Slides – 10
Band External Rotations – 12
Cat–Cow to T-Spine Rotation – 6/side
Upper Body Plyometrics
Plyo Pushups (hands on bench) – 3×5
Band Pull-Aparts – 3×8 (between plyo pushup sets) Rest 45 sec after each sequence
2×6/side (use a challenging but controlled weight) Rest 60 sec
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Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray have placed an €80 million release clause on Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen following interest from Spanish giants Barcelona.
Osimhen has been one of the most prolific strikers in world football in recent years and recently reached 200 career goals. Since joining Galatasaray on a permanent deal last summer, he has become the club’s key player and fan favourite.
The Nigerian forward has scored 15 goals and provided one assist in 21 matches in all competitions this season. He has also been impressive in the UEFA Champions League, where he has already scored six goals.
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Barcelona are reportedly looking for a new long-term striker as Robert Lewandowski approaches the end of his career. The Spanish club is searching for a reliable goal scorer to lead their attack, and Osimhen is seen as a major target.
However, Galatasaray are not willing to sell cheaply. The Turkish club paid a record €75 million to sign Osimhen and are keen to make a profit if they decide to sell him. The €80 million release clause shows their determination to keep him unless a big offer arrives.
Barcelona could find it difficult to meet the valuation due to their financial issues, but they have still completed big transfers in recent seasons. Osimhen is believed to be happy in Turkey, but he may still be interested in returning to one of Europe’s top five leagues.
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It remains to be seen whether Barcelona will make a serious move for the Nigerian striker and if Galatasaray will be willing to negotiate his departure.
It was a banner day for Team France on February 11, 2026, at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. In the women’s 15km individual biathlon, Julia Simon claimed gold ahead of teammate Lou Jeanmonnot, who took silver. In moguls, Perrine Laffont grabbed bronze, eight years after her PyeongChang triumph. The highlight came on the ice, where Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron won Olympic gold in figure skating.
Elsewhere at the Games, Switzerland’s Franjo Von Allmen made history. Already crowned in downhill and the team combined, he secured a third Olympic title in four days by winning the Super-G, becoming only the third man to complete the triple after Austria’s Toni Sailer (1956) and France’s Jean-Claude Killy (1968).
In football, managers are having a brutal spell. In Ligue 1, Roberto De Zerbi is no longer Marseille coach following a crushing 5-0 defeat in Paris. In England, Tottenham have sacked Thomas Frank after an 11th league loss.
Premier League heavyweights delivered: Manchester City beat Fulham 3-0 to pile pressure on leaders Arsenal, who play Thursday. Aston Villa edged Brighton 1-0, while Liverpool won by the same score at Sunderland.
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Bayern Munich reached the German Cup semifinals for the first time in six years after a 2-0 victory over Leipzig.
And in tennis, Arthur Rinderknech fell in the opening round to Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Rotterdam ATP 500, while Alexander Bublik survived a tough test against Hubert Hurkacz.
David Benavidez is already a fan-favourite due to his fighting style, but to become the ‘face of boxing’, Benavidez has named the three fighters which he believes he must overcome back-to-back.
‘The Mexican Monster’ is a two-division world champion, having become the youngest super-middleweight world champion in boxing history (20) when he trumped Ronald Gavril in 2017 and then being upgraded to WBC light-heavyweight champion last year.
Speaking to The Danza Project, Benavidez revealed plans to return to 175lbs after his showdown with Ramirez, and then next face Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev in back-to-back-to-back blockbuster bouts to assert himself as the ‘face of boxing’.
“I’m going to fight Zurdo Ramirez, then I’m going to make that fight with [Dmitry] Bivol, after that we are fighting [Artur] Beterbiev.
“Those are the three big fights. I’m not going to shy away from no fight. I could go fight Zurdo Ramirez and then go fight another person, then fight Bivol, then fight this person and that person, then Beterbiev, but I just want to go straight into them.
“I feel like I am in the prime of my career, I have a lot of confidence right now. I’m 29 years old, I feel like I have the world in my hands, so I am going to take these challenges.
“Right now, I feel like I am on the cusp of being the face of boxing. The only way that I am going to make that happen is with these big fights, that is why I am trying to get myself the biggest fights possible.
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“I don’t want there to be any doubt that I am the face of boxing when that time comes.”
One key absentee from Benavidez’s hitlist is IBF cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia, who continues to demand unification contests in the 200lb division and had hoped Benavidez would provide him with such an opportunity, if he manages to dethrone Ramirez.
Tito Ortiz (R) battles Forrest Griffin during their Light Heavyweight Fight at the UFC 106 in 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.(2009 Getty Images)
But now, at age 51, with a family, Ortiz believed it was not a feasible place to raise his children.
“I never wanted to leave California. But I left because of the crime, the fraud and the growing threat to the safety of my children. Like millions of other parents, I made the difficult decision to move my family to Florida — not for opportunity, but for protection. No parent should ever be forced to flee their home state to keep their children safe,” Ortiz told Fox News Digital.
Ortiz blames Gov. Gavin Newsom for the conditions that have pushed his family out of the state.
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“Gavin Newsom’s failures didn’t start in Sacramento. He helped devastate San Francisco, then exported those same disastrous policies statewide. The result is undeniable: exploding crime, rampant fraud, lawless streets, unaffordable housing, crushed small businesses and families who no longer feel safe in their own communities,” he added.
“California cannot survive more of the same.”
Newsom’s office has responded to Ortiz’s criticisms in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“We’re not sure who Tito Ortiz is, but we wish him well. Bye!” Newsom’s office said.
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Ortiz, nicknamed “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” is a pioneering UFC Hall of Famer and former light heavyweight champion. He held the UFC light heavyweight championship from April 2000 to September 2003, defending it five times.
He finished his professional MMA career with a 21-12-1 record and had his final fight in 2019.
Now, from afar, he hopes to inspire change in his home state by endorsing Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco for California governor in 2026.
Gov. Gavin Newsom walked back his office’s comments slamming ICE agents during a podcast interview. (Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
For Ortiz, the defining trait that inspires his endorsement is Bianco’s handling of the COVID-19 quarantine in 2020, when the sheriff refused to enforce certain lockdown protocols under Newsom’s leadership.
“Sheriff Chad Bianco is not a career politician. He is a proven leader with courage and integrity,” Ortiz said.
“In 2020, when Gavin Newsom ruled by decree and used fear as a weapon, Sheriff Bianco stood up and refused to enforce unconstitutional lockdowns. He defended churches, small businesses and the fundamental rights of Californians.
“Anyone can talk. Sheriff Bianco acted. When it mattered most, he stood with the people, not the political elite. He has earned my vote, my endorsement and my trust. California deserves leadership that will fight back, restore law and order and put families first again.”
“It was kind of a blessing that he didn’t shut everything down as long as we were being responsible with everything. I kind of admired how he handled that whole situation,” Henderson said.
“A lot of business owners would have went out of business, and maybe even worse, as far as losing a lot of the things that they had, had he shut all the business down like the governor wanted. … It was more common sense. He didn’t panic and think the world was going to end.”
Bianco is the frontrunner for the state’s 2026 gubernatorial election in several polls, including January polls from EMC Research and Public Policy Polling.
Bianco’s biggest challenger in the upcoming race appears to be fellow Republican Steve Hilton, who has been at or near the top of recent polls with the sheriff.
Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox News Digital covering critical political and cultural issues in sports, with an investigative lens. Jackson’s reporting has been cited in federal government actions related to the enforcement of Title IX, and in legacy media outlets including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Associated Press and ESPN.com.
Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the Olympique de Marseille managerial job following the club’s decision to sack Roberto De Zerbi after a heavy league defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Chelle’s name has been discussed internally as Marseille search for a new head coach. However, there has been no formal contact with the Nigerian coach, and the French club is still considering several candidates for the role.
The Super Eagles boss is currently free from international duties, which makes him available if Marseille decide to move quickly. But the club’s sporting director has not yet reached out to him.
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Former Marseille captain Habib Beye is believed to be the leading favourite for the job, while former Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi is also in the race. Both Belmadi and Chelle live close to Marseille, which has added to the speculation.
Chelle is being considered because of his recent success with Nigeria. He led the Super Eagles to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and guided the team to score 14 goals in six matches, earning praise for their attacking style.
Despite the rumours, Nigeria Football Federation president Ibrahim Gusau has confirmed that Chelle will remain as Super Eagles coach. Gusau said Chelle still has one year left on his contract and is not expected to leave before it expires.
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He added that the coach is happy working with Nigeria and believes he can achieve his ambitions with the Super Eagles.
For now, Chelle is expected to continue his job with Nigeria, even as speculation over a possible move to Marseille continues.
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Keion White is “in great spirits” after surgery for a gunshot wound he suffered early Monday morning in San Francisco.
The team announced Monday White was the victim of a non-life-threatening wound from the shooting.
“Thank you to everyone who has reached out with their prayers and concerns on my behalf. I’ve undergone successful surgery,” White wrote on his Instagram story, via TMZ.
Keion White of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates the team’s 26-8 win over the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on Nov. 30, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.(Nick Cammett/Diamond Images)
“For those who know me, ya’ll know this won’t stop me from spreading peace and joy to the world. Full steam ahead. I’m in great spirits and ready to make the most of this off-season.”
The San Francisco Police Department released a statement saying at approximately 4:06 a.m., Monday, officers “responded to a business located on the 1700 block of Mission Street regarding a shooting.”
Upon arrival, officers found White suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to his ankle. It was determined to be non-life-threatening, and he was transported to a hospital.
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“A preliminary investigation revealed a verbal altercation occurred between two groups inside a business,” the statement continued. “The victim was injured when shots were fired by an unknown suspect. All information is preliminary at this time, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.”
The incident occurred just hours after the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, White’s home field.
Keion White of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a play against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter of an NFC wild-card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field Jan. 11, 2026, in Philadelphia.(Elsa/Getty Images)
White was spotted on his Instagram account wearing Patriots gear while attending the Super Bowl. He played five games with the Patriots this season before joining the 49ers in a trade prior to the NFL deadline.
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The 49ers sent a 2026 sixth-round draft pick to the Patriots in exchange for White and a 2026 seventh-round pick.
White recorded 1½ sacks and 12 combined tackles with six quarterback hits over his nine games (two starts) for the 49ers this season. He also recorded a sack and four tackles in two playoff games for San Francisco.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) passes as San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Keion White (56) applies pressure during the first half Dec. 22, 2025, in Indianapolis.(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Another 49ers player, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt in August 2024. Pearsall missed the first six games of his rookie year due to the injury, from which he fully recovered.
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Fox News’ Scott Thompson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
CLEVELAND — James Harden showed in his first two games with the Cleveland Cavaliers that he can come up with the big shot and key defensive play in the clutch.
In his Cleveland home debut, Harden showed that he can be a facilitator as other players on the roster rose to the occasion.
Harden had 13 points and 11 assists in 28 minutes in the Cavaliers’ 138-113 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night. He was only 1 of 4 from the field, but went 10 of 12 from the foul line.
“Like I told them, I’ll figure it out. We’ll do some adjusting with each other, but for the most part, I’ll play with y’all and do what y’all been doing and I’ll find my way and they’ve been doing that,” Harden said. “So even tonight, I shoot four shots, but we win by 25 points. That’s the most important thing. And Sam gets it going. And I’m just here to win.
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“So whatever that looks like, if I got to go out there and score a lot of points where I got to take four shots and we win, that’s the most important thing for me. And tonight was one of those examples.”
Cleveland fans made Harden immediately feel welcome. The Cavaliers handed out beards on a stick to the sellout crowd and Harden got a standing ovation when he was introduced in pregame warmups.
“The crowd is always crazy. Every time I come here as a visitor, they’re crazy about you know, the Cavs and The Land and very loyal and they show up every single night,” he said. “It’s one of the things that I was mostly excited about. So tonight was no different.”
Harden was traded by the LA Clippers to Cleveland on Feb. 3. In his Cavaliers debut on Feb. 7 at Sacramento, he scored 17 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter of a 132-126 win over the Kings.
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On Monday night at Denver, Harden hit a game-tying three-pointer before Donovan Mitchell made a pair of free throws as the Cavaliers rallied for a 119-117 victory.
Wednesday’s game showed though that Harden can still have a big impact, even when he isn’t taking shots. His 11 assists led to 26 points.
Sam Merrill, who had a career-high 32 points, made six baskets off Harden’s passes, including four three-pointers, for 16 points.
“Most teams run similar stuff, so a lot of it’s just figuring out the wording of it,” Merrill said. “Today we’re watching clips of what we can do offensively and there’s three or four clips, it’s the Clippers and we’re just kind of seeing what James is doing.”
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Harden has two double-doubles in his three games with Cleveland. He had 10 rebounds against the Nuggets.
Even with Harden in the lineup, it hasn’t affected Mitchell’s scoring. The all-star guard has had at least 30 points in three straight games.
“I mean he sees the game at a different level,” Mitchell said. “I didn’t notice he only had four shots, but he’s out here creating, making plays, doing different things and then obviously his gravity, it opens the lane for everybody else and it’s just continuous. And he’s coaching on the bench in huddles and that’s why he’s here.”
The Cavaliers have won five straight and 10 of 11. They are 17-5 since Dec. 29 and have the league’s best winning percentage over that stretch at .773.
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Cleveland has managed to keep rolling despite adding three new players — Harden, Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis — over the past two weeks and not having a practice to get acclimated. Merrill noted that it has mostly been film sessions and optional shootaround sessions due to the compact schedule of games.
Coach Kenny Atkinson said he is looking forward to the upcoming all-star break to have a chance to take a breather while also looking at ways they can improve.
“I haven’t been able to dive as deep as I want to and see how we can use them better. But you know, you can see they have immediate chemistry,” he said. “We ran that one play for Sam, I don’t know, eight times and James was kind of the architect of that and him and Donovan talking. So I’ll try to look at more film, see how we can help him more. But right away we’ve had it. Some guys that really, really understand the game.”
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has punished Wikki Tourists FC after crowd violence during their Matchday 25 game against Katsina United on February 8, 2026.
The league said Wikki Tourists failed to provide proper security at the stadium. Fans invaded restricted areas, threw stones and other objects at players and officials, and caused injuries. Some officials and away players were also held back for hours after the match, and the game was delayed for 18 minutes.
Because of these actions, the NPFL fined Wikki Tourists a total of ₦7.5 million. The club was fined for poor security, injuries to officials, bad behaviour by supporters, throwing dangerous objects, and holding officials and players after the match.
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The league also ordered Wikki Tourists to play their home matches in Jos until further notice. The club must also improve security and crowd control and send a detailed plan to the NPFL within seven working days.
Wikki Tourists have 48 hours to accept the punishment or choose to face a disciplinary panel. The league warned that a weak or failed appeal could lead to more penalties.
The NPFL said the decision shows its strong stand on safety and discipline in Nigerian football.
