Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) teammates greet him on the sideline against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith sure felt like a man who would retire near the end of the 2025 regular season, but about six weeks into the offseason, Smith has offered no formal announcement about his future. If he does step away, though, CBS Sports already has a prediction for his replacement: Kamren Curl from the Los Angeles Rams, a free-agent-to-be.
CBS Sports linked Curl to the Vikings as a Smith successor, and the cap math will drive the real decision.
Kurl will test the open market in about three weeks, unless the Rams re-sign him, and if that comes to fruition, he might join Brian Flores’s unit in 2026 and beyond.
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Kamren Curl Gets Linked to the Vikings
Fans would not mind Curl on the back end of the defense.
Los Angeles Rams safety Kamren Curl (3) reacts after breaking up a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) during the second quarter on Dec. 12, 2024, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, signaling incomplete as the Rams defense tightened coverage in a pivotal NFC West showdown. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
CBS Sports Prediction: Curl to MIN
Zachary Pereles at CBS Sports sized up where the league’s Top 50 free agents might land next month, and when he got Curl’s name, the Vikings got the nod.
He wrote, “With Harrison Smith potentially retiring, Minnesota gets his replacement in Curl, a strong-tackling safety who has done solid work with both the Commanders and the Rams. Other suitors: Rams, Jets, Bears.”
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Pereles also labeled Minnesota as a possible suitor for Coby Bryant (S, SEA), Bryan Cook (S, KC), Rashid Shaheed (WR, SEA), Aaron Rodgers (QB, PIT), and Cade Mays (C, CAR).
Curl’s Statistical Biography
Curl is a rare 7th-Round success story. The Washington Commanders drafted him in 2020, two days after the Vikings picked Justin Jefferson, and Curl spent four years in the nation’s capital on his rookie deal. He signed with the Rams during the 2024 offseason, starting 33 games for Sean McVay’s team since.
All told, Curl has seen action in 93 NFL games, starting 86, and tabulating 586 total tackles, 28 passes defended, 18 tackles for loss, 14 QB hits, 8 sacks, and 5 interceptions. The man is versatile.
He’s 6’2″ and 200 pounds, ranking as the NFL’s 16th-best safety in 2026, per PFF. Kurl is one of the NFL’s best tackling safeties, too.
Evan Craig of Turf Show Times, a Rams-themed website, noted on Kurl this week, “While Curl hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations since he was signed over from Washington, he’s still a solid veteran presence on a defensive unit that needs it. For such a young roster on that side of the ball, Los Angeles needs as much help and guidance as it can muster.”
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“The Rams should be adding this offseason, not subtracting. About a year ago, I wrote that the Rams would be wise to give up on Curl after a year, saying there was a ‘slim chance he could bounce back.’ What a difference a year makes, that I’m now writing a post urging L.A. to retain him.”
Los Angeles reached the NFC Championship again in 2025, falling short against the eventual Super Bowl winner and rival Seattle Seahawks.
Craig continued, “Re-signing him, as I said, will be tricky, due to how many suitors he’ll have this offseason, and the fact that the front office just extended Quentin Lake on a three-year, $42 million deal in January.”
“Hard to believe that the organization will pour more resources into a player like Curl when there are other pressing needs on the roster. Curl did enough last season to prove to the Rams that they should extend him.”
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Other Safety Options from Free Agency
Pretend Smith indeed retires, but the Vikings either don’t want Curl or can’t afford him. These free-agent options may pique Minnesota’s attention:
Alohi Gilman (BAL)
Andre Cisco (NYJ)
Dane Belton (NYG)
Jalen Thompson (ARI)
Nick Cross (IND)
Reed Blankenship (PHI)
There’s also the draft, where the Vikings could spend a 1st- or 2nd-Rick on Emmanuel McNeill-Warren from Toledo or Dillon Thieneman of Oregon, the two best safeties in the upcoming class after Ohio State’s Caleb Downs, who is expected to fly off the board in the Top 10.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) celebrates a touchdown with safety Kamren Curl (3) during the NFC wild card matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, as Los Angeles capitalized on momentum in the high-stakes postseason clash. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Currently, the Vikings have safeties Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, and Jay Ward in their 2026 roster orbit, assuming Smith walks away.
Curl’s next contract will likely pay him between $9 million and $12 million per year.
When Is the Smith Verdict?
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Yes, the Vikings hosted a farewell and retirement party for Smith in Week 18 against the Green Bay Packers. No, he hasn’t retired yet.
As each day passes, it’s more likely that Smith will return to the Vikings for one more run, Year No. 15 in the NFL. A source told VikingsTerritory in late January that Smith “has a hard time walking away,” and that he’s intrigued to return one more time because Flores signed an extension.
Regardless, a Smith verdict should be announced in the next 3.5 weeks, as free agency is 24 days away. “Legal tampering” — the hot-and-heavy action — begins on March 9th.
Curl will turn 27 next month. He has a few years of his prime in front of him.
No. 2 Michigan faces UCLA Saturday on CBS in a clash of Big Ten foes. This will be the 13th matchup between Michigan and UCLA since the turn of the century, with both programs having six wins against each other during that stretch.
The Wolverines (23-1) are off to their best 24-game start in school history, but are coming off an upset scare against Northwestern. Michigan trailed by as many as 16 points on the road before storming back in the second half to seal an 87-75 win over the Wildcats. Michigan’s lone loss came against Wisconsin last month at home.
UCLA has won five of its last six games after starting 4-3 in Big Ten play. The Bruins are coming off a 77-73 win over Washington after guard Trent Perry dropped 23 points. UCLA heads into the weekend 3.5 games back of Michigan in the Big Ten standings.
The Wolverines hold a 2.0-game lead over Illinois for first place.
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Michigan vs. UCLA: Need to know
Michigan could make race for No. 1 interesting: Michigan is the projected No. 1 overall seed in CBS Sports’ latest Bracketology projections. The Wolverines jumped to No. 1 overall after Arizona lost to Kansas earlier this week. With Arizona dropping its first game of the season, the AP Top 25 poll on Monday should be interesting. Arizona has been the consensus top-ranked team for several weeks. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Michigan get some consideration for No. 1.
Can UCLA get Donovan Dent going? The key to a potential upset for UCLA will be Dent. The former New Mexico star has had an up-and-down season with the Bruins after transferring in last offseason. Dent is having one of his best stretches at UCLA after recording at least 10 assists in three consecutive games. He played all 40 minutes against Washington and finished with 17 points, 10 assists and six rebounds.
Aday Mara faces his old team: A storyline to monitor will be Mara, who played the first two seasons of his career at UCLA, facing his old team. Mara played limited minutes under coach Mick Cronin at UCLA but has found a consistent role with the Wolverines. Michigan coach Dusty May has routinely deployed two-big lineups in his rotation. With Mara assuming a more prominent role, he has become one of the nation’s best defensive players.
For the first 30 minutes of game time against Northwestern, Michigan looked vulnerable. Then, the Wolverines flipped the switch and looked like the team ranked No. 2 in the country. This game will be a tougher challenge for Michigan than its last matchup against Northwestern. Still, I expect Mara to have a big game against his old team and star forward Yaxel Lendeborg to have a bounce-back performance on offense after scoring just 35 points total in his last three games. Pick: Michigan -15.5
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — There is a warning sign on the 18th tee box at Pebble Beach that might also serve as a piece of course advice.
“NO SITTING ON FENCE.”
The genius of Pebble Beach exists in the extremes. Jagged rocks and foreboding surf and enormous dunes and tiny greens. Of the many skills required to thrive here, decisiveness is perhaps the most important. On the 18th tee box and in the winner’s celebration on the 18th green, there is no sitting on the fence.
Rory McIlroy knows this better than most. Anyone with a little bit of golf in their soul understood what McIlroy meant last February, when he suggested that winning at Pebble Beach for the first time meant a little bit more.
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“There’s a few what I would call cathedrals of golf,” McIlroy said then. “Here, Augusta, St. Andrews — maybe a few more you could add in there. I had a big fat zero on all of those going in here. To knock one off at Pebble is very cool.”
Of course, anyone with a little bit of golf in their soul also knows what came after that victory at Pebble Beach: a third-career win at the Players Championship, and then a career-altering, sport-rattling, Grand Slam-clinching victory at the Masters.
When the tomes are written, that last victory in Augusta will be remembered as the one that kicked the door down for McIlroy. But it may be said that his first victory of 2025, at Pebble Beach, was the one that broke the lock.
“I’m a big historian of the game and I remember all the championships that have been played here,” McIlroy said then, eerily foreshadowing the history he would soon create at Augusta. “And to add my name to that list is pretty cool.”
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Now, in 2026, the historian has been sent back into the library. With no further major championships to conquer and no additional road Ryder Cups to win, McIlroy has been forced to reset his goals. And, in doing so, he’s had the opportunity to confront a new question: Which “cathedrals” come next?
On Friday at Pebble Beach, the same day McIlroy shot five under to move into contention heading into the weekend, the Grand Slam winner faced the question himself for the first time.
“There’s places I haven’t won that I would love to,” McIlroy said. “St. Andrews being one of them. Riviera next week would be another. Riviera and Muirfield Village are two. They’re wonderful golf courses but who hosts the events as well. You know, Tiger and Jack. I was able to win Bay Hill but not while Arnie was around, so it would be nice to win both those tournaments while both those guys are alive and kicking.”
And perhaps the biggest outstanding victory on McIlroy’s list? Only the most elusive major championship site in the sport: the home of golf.
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“There’s a lot of golf courses with a lot of history. There’s a lot of old U.S. Open sites that have had some great things happen at them,” McIlroy said. “Yeah, this is certainly one, Augusta was another, and the last one I think — not the last one, but the biggest one on the list would probably be St. Andrews.”
McIlroy will likely have at least one more chance to close out a major victory at the Old Course in the prime of his playing career. That will arrive in 2027, when the golf world returns to St. Andrews for the 155th Open shortly after his 38th birthday.
These are champagne aspirations to be sure, but it would be foolish to discount them as insignificant. As McIlroy learned at Pebble Beach last February (and again at Augusta National in April), breakthroughs often come in multiples.
And when it comes to picking his spots? Well, McIlroy certainly isn’t sitting on the fence.
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe sparked outrage earlier this week when he claimed the UK had been “colonised by immigrants”
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has apologised to the Glazers for his controversial comments about immigration which brought shame on Manchester United. It’s understood Ratcliffe contacted his fellow co-owners to explain himself and for the furore he had caused.
Ratcliffe sparked outrage when he claimed in an interview that immigrants had “colonised” the UK. The FA are now examining the comments before deciding whether to launch a full-scale investigation. In the meantime, the damage done to United’s image and reputation has been massive.
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The Glazers are said to have huge concerns about what effect the backlash from Ratcliffe’s comments will have on United’s relationship with sponsors and commercial partners moving forward. There are also worries about what impact the events of this week could have on United’s hopes of building a new stadium.
Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham slammed Ratcliffe’s comments as being “inaccurate, insulting and inflammatory”.
Burnham has worked closely with Ratcliffe and United on plans to either regenerate Old Trafford or build a new £1billion stadium. The Glazers are desperate to see the project come to fruition because it would increase United’s valuation.
But the project will depend on alignment between the club, local councils and Greater Manchester leaders. Ratcliffe, who bought a £1.25billion stake in United in 2024, issued a statement on Thursday after his comments sparked an avalanche of condemnation.
He said: “I am sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe, but it is important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth.
“My comments were made while answering questions about UK policy at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, where I was discussing the importance of economic growth, jobs, skills and manufacturing in the UK.
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“My intention was to stress that governments must manage migration alongside investment in skills, industry and jobs so that long-term prosperity is shared by everyone.
“It is critical that we maintain an open debate on the challenges facing the UK.”
Ireland U20 held off the gritty Italians 30-27 in a tight high-scoring 6 Nations game at Virgin Media Park in Cork on Friday night.
Tries a plenty in both halves – as both teams claimed bonus-point tries, a game that was in the balance for most of the night, saw the home side edge home by three points in the end.
Ireland score first
Ireland took an early lead with a relatively easy penalty kick for Garryowen’s Tom Wood. The Munster player comfortably slotted over from directly in front of the post for a 3-0 lead.
🇮🇪 3-0 🇮🇹 Ireland out-half Tom Wood claims the opening score of the game as the hosts take an early lead Watch live coverage of Ireland v Italy in the Under-20 Six Nations on @rte2 ➡️ https://t.co/rEypK4GBeypic.twitter.com/PljD30nwRb
Winger Derry Moloney opened the Italian defence as he burst through the visitors side. Beginning in his own half, the Leinster speedster was supported by Noah Byrne and then by Christopher Barrett.
With Moloney offloading to Byrne, Barrett then received possession of the ball, and had the task of touching down for the game’s opening try. A second successful kick of the night from Tom Wood – this time, a conversion – pushed Ireland out to a 13-0 advantage with just over 13 minutes played on the clock.
Despite some moments of both poor passing and substandard handling, the Italians were next on the scoresheet. Winger Luca Rossa was on the receiving end of an Azzurri move as the Irish defence was breached for the first time tonight. Francesco Braga added the extras for the visitors, leaving Ireland with a 10-7 lead approaching the end of the first quarter of play.
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Winger Ryan gets on score sheet
The hosts laid a charge to the Italian line following a powerful brake from centre Rob Carney. With Ireland pummelling the defensive line, winger Daniel Ryan eventually touched down in the furthest corner from thew Main Stand.
With a more difficult conversion attempt – right on the side line – Wood was unsuccessful this time, meaning Ireland had a 15-7 lead.
Converted try and penalty give Italians half-time advantage
Italy struck back immediately with a pushover try that saw hooker Valerio Pelli crash over for a five-pointer. A favourable position have Braga a relatively easy effort – which he converted, as the Irish lead was reduced to a single point.
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🇮🇪 15-14 🇮🇹 Again Italy respond well to a setback, hooker Valerio Pelli powering over from a dominant rolling maul Watch live coverage of Ireland v Italy in the Under-20 Six Nations on @rte2 ➡️ https://t.co/rEypK4GBeypic.twitter.com/Ri88G1e4XA
With the half-time whistle close, Italy won a penalty which Brage kicked to give the Italian side an unexpected 17-15 lead at the interval.
Half-time: 🇮🇪 15-17 🇮🇹 Italy take the lead with the final act of the half, Francesca Braga maintaining his 100% record off the tee in Cork tonight Watch live coverage of Ireland v Italy in the Under-20 Six Nations on @rte2 ➡️ https://t.co/rEypK4GBeypic.twitter.com/mipp7j9U0e
The home side claimed the first score of the second half. Excellent teamwork and understanding between centre Rob Carney and Derry Moloney saw the winger score.
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With Carney in possession as he made rapid throughout from his own half of the field to the opposition’s, the Cashel RFC man kept the Italian defence guessing as to whether he would go for the line himself or pass out to Moloney. Ultimately he did neither, as a nicely placed grubber kick was successfully chased by Moloney who score in the corner to the delight of the home fans.
Tom Wood was unsuccessful with his effort – his second missed kicked of the evening.
🇮🇪 20-17 🇮🇹 A huge hit from Tom Wood turns Italy over before Derry Moloney shows blistering pace to put Ireland back in front Watch live coverage of Ireland v Italy in the Under-20 Six Nations on @rte2 ➡️ https://t.co/rEypK4GBeypic.twitter.com/D8DF7vUXUn
With the Italians enjoying a period of domination on the field, Valerio Pelli claimed his second try of the night. As Italy made numerous efforts to cross the try-scoring line, the brawn and strength of the Mogliano Veneto Rugby player was required to complete the task. Kicker Braga missed at the posts for the first time, as the Italians held a slender 22-20 advantage.
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🇮🇪 20-22 🇮🇹 Once again the Italians show their strength with the rolling maul, hooker Valerio Pelli with his second try of the night. The visitors back in front Watch live coverage of Ireland v Italy in the Under-20 Six Nations on @rte2 ➡️ https://t.co/rEypK4GBeypic.twitter.com/REfU3bItVo
Ireland soon fought back as they noticeably upped the tempo. With the Azzurri defence penalised near their own line, Ireland reacted quickly and three quick motions saw Josh Neil of Leinster in for the bonus-point try.
🇮🇪 27-22 🇮🇹 Josh Neill secures a bonus point for Ireland by barging over from close range Watch live coverage of Ireland v Italy in the Under-20 Six Nations on @rte2 ➡️ https://t.co/rEypK4GBeypic.twitter.com/BEGATpZskF
Wood kicked – from directly in front of the posts – for a 27-22 lead, but the Munster number 10 soon extended this advantage, as a successful penalty kick – which saw Italian Davide Sette sin-binned – gave Ireland a little breathing space on the score board, 30-22, with the game inside the final quarter.
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🇮🇪 30-22 🇮🇹 🟨 Italy’s Davide Sette is sent to the sin bin and Tom Wood converts the resulting penalty. Watch live coverage of Ireland v Italy in the Under-20 Six Nations on @rte2 ➡️ https://t.co/rEypK4GBeypic.twitter.com/g0zdyKcTWt
Replacement Jacopo de Rossi gave the Italians hope of taking the victory in this game when his teammates’ powerful maul allowed him touch down for a try, his side’s bonus-point five-pointer. Braga, who had been so successful with his kicking in the opening period, missed his second of this half, as Ireland faced into the final 10 minutes with a slender three-point advantage.
Final score: Ireland U20 30 Italy U20 27
Ireland U20 Team
15. Noah Byrne (Dublin University FC/Leinster), 14. Derry Moloney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), 13. Rob Carney (Cashel RFC/Munster), 12. James O’Leary (UCC/Munster), 11. Daniel Ryan (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), 10. Tom Wood (Garryowen FC/ Munster), 9. Christopher Barrett (UCC RFC/Munster).
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1. Max Doyle (UCD RFC/Leinster), 2. Lee Fitzpatrick (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), 3. Sami Bishti (UCD RFC/Leinster)(captain), 4. Dylan McNeice (UCD RFC/Leinster), 5. Donnacha McGuire (UCD RFC/Leinster), 6. Joe Finn (Garryowen FC/Munster), 7. Josh Neill (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), 8. Diarmaid O’Connell (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht).
Replacements:
16. Rían Handley (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), 17. Christian Foley (Young Munster RFC/ Munster), 18. Blake McClean (Instonians RFC/Ulster), 19. Ben Blaney (Terenure College RFC/Leinster), 20. Billy Hayes (Garryowen FC/Munster), 21. James O’Dwyer (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), 22. Charlie O’Shea (UCC RFC/Munster), 23. Johnny O’Sullivan (Dublin University FC/Leinster).
Johannes Klaebo of Norway wins the 10km interval start free 10K men’s cross country event in Tesoro, Italy, on Friday at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
TESERO, Italy — Norway’s Johannes Klaebo won the men’s 10km freestyle cross-country ski race on Friday to earn his eighth Olympic title and equal the record for the most gold medals at the Winter Games.
Mathis Desloges of France won silver, his second of the Milan Cortina Olympics, while Norway’s Einar Hedegart won the bronze.
The victory was the third of this Olympics for Klaebo, 29, and tied the Norwegian skier with three of his compatriots — fellow cross-country skiers Marit Bjoergen and Bjorn Daehlie and biathlete Ole Einar Bjorndalen — with eight gold medals overall. He is scheduled to ski in three more events and could take the outright lead for gold medals by an individual Olympian.
“Today is one of the toughest races we’ve done, and everyone was completely exhausted when we crossed the finish line. For me, today was really hard. I tried to open with control and at the end there it was really hard,” said Klaebo, who won his first three Olympic golds at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games and two more at the 2022 Beijing Games.
“I’m really satisfied with being first. This is my first time winning a 10k in interval style.”
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Hedegart, a biathlete who shifted his focus to cross-country skiing and was considered one of Klaebo’s biggest challengers, came close to taking victory, but lost steam on a climb in the final section of the race.
He ended up in third, 14 seconds behind the winner, with Desloges 4.9 seconds adrift in the interval-style race.
“I’ve never experienced this kind of dizziness. I was so dizzy the last two kilometers and I had nothing left in the tank, so it was just pain and suffering,” Hedegart said.
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“In the last 200m I didn’t know if I was going to make it to the finish line, and even though it was only downhill I was so scared that I would pass out.”
Skiers faced another day of warm weather, with temperatures hitting 42 degrees, prompting some to forgo their tops and only wear a race bib. Those starting earlier in the competition had an advantage as conditions deteriorated over the course of the race, causing several skiers to crash when going down hills.
Course officials decided against salting the track to make the snow more compact, as they had done the previous day for the women’s 10km freestyle event.
USA’s Ilia Malinin, the red-hot favourite for men’s figure skating gold at Milan-Cortina 2026, falls twice as he misses out on a podium finish to give Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan the gold medal.
Figure skating’s self-styled ‘Quad God’ fell to earth on Friday as Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov came from nowhere to claim gold in a dramatic finish to the men’s singles competition in Milan.
All-conquering Ilia Malinin headed into the free skate with a five-point lead over his rivals and audacious plans to make history by becoming the first skater to land seven quad jumps.
Instead Malinin, unbeaten in all competitions for over two years, fulfilled just three – falling on two more – as he plummeted out of medal contention to finish in eighth place.
As the 21-year-old Malinin left the ice in tears, Shaidorov, who started the night in fifth place, over 15 points behind his rival and a 100-1 shot to make up the difference, looked shell-shocked to become Olympic champion.
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Earlier, Malinin’s rivals had done all they could to aid his coronation. Starting the free skate in third place, Adam Siao Him Fa fell twice to also slide down the standings, while Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama clung onto silver place despite two falls.
Malinin took to the ice with the gold at his mercy, but his routine quickly unravelled.
His quad axel – a jump only he has mastered – became a single, his quad loop a double and he fell on both his lutz and salchow.
It was a shocking end to the Olympic cycle for Malinin, who had failed to make the 2022 Olympic team when compatriot Nathan Chen made history by landing five quads in his winning routine to Elton John’s ‘Rocket Man’.
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These days, five quads were supposedly the preserve of an also-ran. They were landed by Shaidorov, who then sat and watched his rivals falter in front of him. Shun Sato leaped from ninth place to take bronze medal on a night to remember.
One of the annual highlights of NBA All-Star Weekend features the league’s best marksmen competing from beyond the arc, and the 2026 NBA 3-Point Contest will take place on Saturday. The NBA 3-Point Contest field features two past winners in Devin Booker and two-time champion Damian Lillard, as well as All-Stars Donovan Mitchell, Tyrese Maxey, Jamal Murray and Norman Powell. Veteran Bobby Portis and rookie Kon Knueppel round out the field. The event takes place at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles during NBA All-Star Saturday Night, which has a start time of 5 p.m. ET.
Knueppel (+250) and Lillard (+480) are the top-two favorites, per the latest 2026 3-Point Contest odds from FanDuel Sportsbook, with Booker at +600. Maxey and Murray are both at +650 to utilize in NBA bets, followed by Mitchell (+750). You can potentially find value at the bottom of the NBA odds board in Powell (+950), a former LA Clipper who is familiar with the Intuit Dome rims and in Portis (+1500) who leads the field in 3-point percentage. Before making any 2026 NBA 3-Point Contest picks, be sure to check out the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend predictions from SportsLine expert Mike Barner.
Barner is one of the most respected voices in the industry, and his work has appeared in Sports Illustrated and on Yahoo, RotoWire and KFFL. He’s also been featured on ESPN Radio. He digs deep into the data, examining team trends and projecting game outcomes. If there’s anybody who can spot an edge in a matchup or identify a player in position to break out, it’s him.
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Barner’s expertise has been on full display lately as he enters the All-Star break on a 40-17 run on NBA picks (+2014). He is coming off a dominant 2024-25 NBA season, finishing 239-178-2 and returning $3,209 to $100 bettors. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
Barner is fading Damian Lillard (+480), despite him being one of the favorites and a two-time winner of this event (2023, 2024). Lillard has not played this season as he recovers from a torn Achilles, which poses two issues. One is that his movement around the ball racks may be a bit limited compared to his prior contest appearances. Another is that he will likely lack rhythm having not played a competitive game in nearly 10 months.
While Lillard has played just one game at the Intuit Dome, which came last season, it’s worth noting his 3-point shooting in that contest. He went 1 for 9 from beyond the arc for an 11.1% rate. Among his 50 games last season with at least 7 attempts from downtown, that 1 for 9 performance was his worst all year. Thus, Barner doesn’t see Lillard joining Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as the only three-time winners of the NBA 3-Point Contest. See more predictions at SportsLine.
Barner has studied the NBA 3-Point Contest from every angle and predicts the winner will “make history” with his performance. See who it is over at SportsLine.
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior admitted his side’s work ethic was the stand-out feature as they cruised to a 4-0 win at his former club Hull in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Pedro Neto fired a hat-trick, his second direct from a corner, while Brazil winger Estevao was also on target as Championship promotion chasers Hull were swept aside at the MKM Stadium.
Rosenior, making his first return to the club where he was player and manager, said: “The overall positive thing was the application of the team. Our pressing, our intensity, our work rate and Pedro exemplified that, to be honest.
“That’s why he scores the goals that he does. I’m very lucky to have such talented players. What I’m really realising quickly is they’re not good players, they’re outstanding professionals.
“It was a really professional performance against a very good team, who are pushing for the Premier League.
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“This is not an easy game, and some of our football was everything I want to see. But before that, the values of what the team stood for tonight made me a very happy coach.”
Chelsea spurned several first-half chances, with Rory Delap and Estevao the guilty parties in particular, while Hull never threatened an upset.
Tigers boss Sergej Jakirovic has led them to fourth in the second tier, five points off the top two and Rosenior hopes his former club can seal top-flight promotion.
“The spirit and the character of the team and their threat in transition,” he said. “I really hope it happens. So I wish them all the best.
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“It’s so nice to see so many really welcoming faces here and I think the manager is doing a fantastic job.”
While Rosenior made seven changes, Jakirovic made six of his own with one eye on his side’s promotion push.
The Bosnian, who felt Chelsea’s extra quality was evident, said: “It’s difficult, because we played against Chelsea. I think we gave everything today.”
Lewis Koumas went closest to a consolation for the Tigers when his low late effort hit a post.
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“Towards the end, I think that we deserved one goal,” Jakirovic said. “We had a few nice chances and I said to (Rosenior) that we deserved the goal and of course, he agreed.
“Congratulations to my players. Maybe if we play our next games like this, with this passion, energy, intensity, that we are complicated, that we are tactically good, that we can be much higher in the table.”
Both head coaches condemned some abusive chanting from a section of home fans during the tie.
The stadium announcer warned against it at half-time and again in the 60th minute when he confirmed some arrests had been made.
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Chelsea Pride, the club’s official LGBTQ+ supporter group, released a statement which read: “Tonight, homophobic chanting was once again directed at our supporters. This is utterly unacceptable.
“We acknowledge that Hull City made stadium announcements, confirmed CCTV was being monitored, and that arrests have been made. Action matters. Accountability matters. Consequences matter.
“But let us be clear, the fact that this chant is still being heard in 2026 is a stain on our game.”
Rosenior said: “Without knowing what has happened, any discriminatory language in any form, about anything, is unacceptable so I hope it get gets dealt with.”
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Jakirovic added: “This is not a place for this, for sure, in the stadium and also in public as well. This is not good.
“The stadium is not a place for that and this is the reason why they have been arrested.”
Shakur Stevenson is making it quite clear that he will fight anybody.
The pound-for-pound talent recently became a four-weight world champion at the age of 28 with a dominant points win over Teofimo Lopez. Stevenson now holds the WBO world title at 140lbs, and has been stripped of his WBC belt at 135.
Riding high from that win, and for good reason, the Newark southpaw has been calling out fighters left, right and centre, one being Ryan Garcia. Garcia, who challenges for the WBC Welterweight World Title held by Mario Barrios next weekend in Las Vegas, also wants it to happen.
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Speaking to the Ring Magazine just over a week out from his title effort, Garcia confirmed Stevenson as his next target.
“I really want to fight Shakur. [The Haney rematch] is always gonna be there, but that’s who I want to fight. I want to go from Barrios to Shakur … 144. I’ll make a whole division called 44. Me and Shakur. He said he’d do it. I know he’s confident, so let’s run it.”
Speaking on X shortly after Garcia’s words went live, Stevenson said:
“144 Ryan, let’s do it… I’ll be at your fight now scrub! VADA will be involved so don’t run from that.”
His mention of the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency alludes to Garcia’s previous failed test that saw his victory over Devin Haney overturned to a no contest. Stevenson then followed up with a promise.
A lot must happen for these fighting words to turn into something concrete. Garcia first has a challenge in Barrios, who looks to retain his world title with a win for the first time following two draws.
Next, Stevenson seems to be committing himself to numerous match-ups and must settle on a route. He has expressed an interest in Isaac Cruz and Conor Benn, and may look at other champions in the super-lightweight ranks to unify.
