Sports
It looked like a bad injury for Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. Then he did what he always does
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In a matter of seconds, the loud roar at Arrowhead Stadium dissipated. Most fans went silent.
Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs’ leading man, had thrown a touchdown pass but ended the play with his hands on his helmet and his facemask on the wet turf, his knees and elbows close together to illustrate how much pain he felt. In those seconds, everyone in the Chiefs organization wondered what happened. What part of Mahomes’ body did he hurt? Could he even finish Monday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Or did he sustain a frightening non-contact, season-ending injury, perhaps sinking the Chiefs’ chances of capturing an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl victory?
When Mahomes entered the medical tent on the Chiefs’ sideline, coach Andy Reid walked toward Carson Wentz, telling the veteran backup quarterback to get ready to finish the game. Mahomes exited the tent in less than two minutes.
“I thought he was joking,” Mahomes said with a smile. “I was like, ‘Come on, we’re not doing this again.’”
Unlike the AFC divisional-round game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2022 postseason, Mahomes didn’t miss a snap against the Buccaneers despite having a sprained left ankle. Similar to that memorable playoff game, which started the team’s championship run, Mahomes returned to the field and played most of the fourth quarter and overtime through his injury Monday night to lead the Chiefs (8-0) to a 30-24 comeback victory in a rainstorm.
“He trusts me,” Mahomes said of Reid. “Once the doctors checked it out and I was able to get back and do the (dropbacks) again, he let me get back on the field. As time went on, the pain subsided.”
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Early in the fourth quarter, Mahomes sustained his injury when he scrambled out of the pocket and flicked a short pass to running back Samaje Perine, whose 7-yard touchdown tied the game. Mahomes said he felt pain in his ankle when he planted his left foot on the slippery tuft just before releasing the pass.
Two trainers had to help Mahomes walk across the field to be further evaluated. In the tent, additional tape was applied to Mahomes’ left ankle and foot to manage the swelling.
“I was running for the goal line and had committed to running the ball,” Mahomes said. “At the last second, I saw Samaje and awkwardly rolled the ankle a little bit. It was definitely scary. It hurt more because it was the same ankle I rolled last week (against the Las Vegas Raiders). Once I calmed down a little bit, it ended up being not too bad.”
Patrick Mahomes had to be helped off the field after this play where he suffered an apparent injury to his leg. pic.twitter.com/F6gLhd8F96
— ESPN (@espn) November 5, 2024
With 12 minutes left in regulation, the fans at Arrowhead produced an even louder ovation when Mahomes re-entered the game. Inside the Chiefs’ huddle, running back Kareem Hunt had a simple thought.
“We’re going to have to run the ball,” Hunt said. He added of Mahomes’ injury: “I was just hoping it wasn’t too bad.”
What came next was the Chiefs’ most impressive drive of the season, considering their circumstances.
Mahomes and Hunt orchestrated a methodical 15-play drive in which the offense took more than eight minutes off the clock, didn’t commit a penalty and scored a touchdown to take a 24-17 lead. Mahomes continued his excellence on third down, finding tight end Travis Kelce and receiver Justin Watson to continue the Chiefs’ drive. Hunt gained tough yards between the tackles and converted a fourth-and-inches snap near midfield.
“It’s my mindset and my love for the game,” Hunt said of his performance as he finished with 27 carries for a season-high 106 yards. “Even when I was on the couch (in early September), I didn’t know when I was going to get a call — or if I was going to get a call — but I stayed positive and kept working out. I was just waiting for an opportunity to show the world what I can do. I was kind of hungry for the ball.”
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With the Chiefs facing third-and-goal from the Buccaneers’ 5-yard line, Mahomes found wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in a one-on-one matchup for an easy touchdown. Hopkins caught the ball after running a crisp slant route against cornerback Josh Hayes. Hopkins was excellent in his first home game as a Chief after the Oct. 23 trade from the Tennessee Titans. He finished with eight receptions on nine targets for 86 yards and two touchdowns.
“He’s so good at winning one-on-one,” Mahomes said of Hopkins. “To be able to have him down in the red zone and third-down situations, he does a good job of finding those windows, kind of like Travis does. As he figures out the entire offense, he’ll get even better.”
Hopkins again 🔥
📺: #TBvsKC on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/KWQ2pYZpm8— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2024
In the final minute of regulation, quarterback Baker Mayfield led the Buccaneers (4-5) to an impressive touchdown drive.
Without his top two receivers, Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (left ankle), Mayfield did just about everything coach Todd Bowles could’ve asked of him. Mayfield didn’t commit a turnover and was efficient on short and intermediate passes, many of the completions going to tight ends and running backs. The lone issue for the Buccaneers is that two decisions they made late in the game prevented them from beating the Chiefs, which would’ve been their best victory of the season.
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With 27 seconds left in regulation, Bowles elected not to keep his offense on the field for a potential game-winning two-point conversion.
“I am surprised,” Hunt said of Bowles’ decision. “They gave us a chance, but I guess (it was) whoever had the ball last. It could’ve (gone) either way.”
Before overtime began, Mayfield showed his frustration at midfield after he called tails and the coin landed on heads, giving the Chiefs the ball. Mayfield was never on the field again. From the sideline, he watched Mahomes engineer the game-winning drive.
Baker’s reaction to Mahomes and the Chiefs winning the OT coin toss 😅 pic.twitter.com/75hS7WFcTU
— ESPN (@espn) November 5, 2024
“Pat goes down, it’s raining and they know we’re going to run the ball,” Watson said. “We talk about it all the time: Let’s run the ball when the other team knows we’re running it. It’s cool to see that. It’s cool to see that and Pat comes back and toughs it out for us. It was just a good team win.”
Mahomes was brilliant in overtime, completing all five of his passes.
The Chiefs’ first play in overtime was a play-action pass to Hunt, who gained 11 yards. Mahomes still showed decent mobility, whether moving in the pocket to complete a short pass to Kelce or keeping the ball on a run-pass option for a 2-yard gain. Hopkins won another one-on-one matchup on the perimeter for a 15-yard reception.
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Despite the rainfall and his injury, Mahomes’ accuracy never suffered. His pinpoint passes led to 291 passing yards and a season-high three touchdowns.
“I pride myself on being able to throw in any condition,” Mahomes said. “That’s something that’s an advantage at Arrowhead. If it’s raining, snowing, cold or hot, I want to be the best thrower of the ball on the field. That’s why we want home-field advantage and the playoffs to come through Arrowhead because it’s a special place and you have to be able to play in every environment.”
Chiefs win it in overtime to remain unbeaten! pic.twitter.com/Klz0vELuAE
— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2024
Hunt ended the game with a 2-yard touchdown run, carrying two defenders into the end zone. Mahomes celebrated by lifting his arms to signal the touchdown before the officials confirmed the score.
Mahomes exited the locker room without a walking boot. Instead, he wore his black sneakers and walked away without a significant limp.
“He might have the loosest ankles in America,” Reid said of Mahomes. “It’s ridiculous how he can come back from those things — and then he’s mentally tough.”
(Photo: Jay Biggerstaff / Imagn Images)
Sports
James Harden arrested in Houston on misdemeanor weapons charge after NBA playoff exit: report
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Two weeks after being eliminated from the NBA playoffs, James Harden was reportedly arrested in Houston, where he used to play, early Saturday morning.
The California Post, citing court records, said the 11-time All-Star was placed in custody on a misdemeanor charge of unlawful carrying of weapons.
Harden allegedly “unlawfully, intentionally and knowingly” had a handgun in his vehicle, the records said, according to the outlet.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden controls the ball against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson during the second half of Game 3 in the Eastern Conference finals in Cleveland on May 24, 2027. (Sue Ogrocki/AP)
The firearm “was in plain view” and “not carried in a holster.”
The outlet reported that Harden was at a local hookah lounge with friends before his arrest.
Harden’s Cleveland Cavaliers were recently swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks are one win away from their first NBA title since 1973.
“The Cleveland Cavaliers are aware of the arrest of James Harden this morning and are in the process of gathering additional information,” the Cavs said in a statement. “We are in contact with James and his representation and will continue to monitor developments as they become available. At this time, we will have no further comment.”
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden disputes a call during the second half of Game 3 in the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Knicks in Cleveland on May 24, 2027. (Sue Ogrocki/AP)
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The Cavs acquired Harden in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers to boost their playoff push, and they earned the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Harden averaged 20.5 points per game after the trade, understandably taking a back seat to Donovan Mitchell. He averaged 25.4 points per game in L.A., but the Clippers failed to make the playoffs, as they scored the sixth-fewest points per game in the NBA.
The Post said Harden is due back in court on June 22 for arraignment.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden reacts to a call during the first half of Game 4 in the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Knicks in Cleveland on May 25, 2026. (Sue Ogrocki/AP)
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Harden played for the Houston Rockets from 2012 until 2021, when he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. He was named the MVP of the 2017-18 season and led the NBA in scoring each season from that year through 2019-20. In that span, he averaged nearly 34 points per contest.
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The U.S. men’s soccer team chose an incredible day to have an incredible day.
Crucially, the United States aced its only chance to make a first impression, kicking off this colossal World Cup it’s co-hosting with Mexico and Canada with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay.
Consider it a save for the tournament, three points for soccer in America and maybe even a win for uniting the States.
The Americans on the pitch did all that, including making sure a sellout crowd of 70,492 fans got their money’s worth for their exorbitantly high-priced seats to watch football under Friday Night Lights at SoFi Stadium.
U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, right, celebrates with Sergino Dest and Chris Richards after scoring during a World Cup win over Paraguay on Friday at SoFi Stadium.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
It was not a clean sheet. And it wasn’t an elixir for all the issues — visas, tickets, transportation — that ailed the tournament in its buildup.
But the opening statement by the United States confirmed what we thought might be true. Only one thing could save this soccer tournament: soccer.
The U.S. delivered a performance to change the conversation — for the next few weeks and maybe longer.
Making history to alter history.
The United States scored multiple goals in a World Cup first half for the first time since 2002.
It got two of them from Folarin Balogun, the Brooklyn-born, England-raised forward of Nigerian descent who became just the second USMNT player to score two goals in a World Cup game and the first since 1930.
Got a perfect match from Chris Richards, the afro-rocking defender with the long, loping strides, who was 83 for 83 on his passes. That’s better than any player at a World Cup since 1966.
And if possession is nine-tenths of the law of attraction, know that the Americans possessed the ball 71% of the first half, most in the first half of a World Cup game in the modern era.
Landon Donovan, star of the 2002 team that reached the World Cup quarterfinals — a record that still stands — posted on X: “From start to finish, that was the most enjoyable day of soccer I’ve ever experienced.”
That’s the stuff that will get the American people going. Get us invested, get us behind them. That could convert even devout casuals.
Americans love a good underdog story. We also want the best, the finest, the biggest — and this, with its expanded field of 48, is the biggest version of the biggest and best tournament in the world.
And the only thing we love more than winning is dominating. The United States did that Friday against a Paraguayan team that had allowed only 10 goals in 18 World Cup qualifying matches, and whom the United States beat 2-1 in a tense match in November.
Fans cheer during the U.S. win over Paraguay in their World Cup opener Saturday at SoFi Stadium.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
That was Mauricio Pochettino and his players helping us help them.
“The fans, amazing,” said Pochettino, the team’s accomplished Argentine coach. “On behalf of the whole team, a massive thank you to the fans. Because the energy that they [gave] to the team was amazing. We can do amazing things if the fans are in this as well.”
Friday was so good for soccer in America.
And so good for America. The kind of butt-kicking that’s chicken soup for a nation’s soul.
Maybe it’s idealistic and naive, or apple-pie-in-the-sky wishful thinking, but I believe that they can win. (And by win, I mean make the quarterfinals again.)
There’s no removing politics from this World Cup, but wouldn’t it be fun to all rally behind a team together? Can’t you see the country coalescing behind the right wingers and left wingers on the pitch? Picture people celebrating the freedom inherent in Pochettino’s system? Cheering the all-for-one and one-for-all of this team of dual nationals and Americans raised abroad — or in Alabama?
Postmatch, Pochettino refused to single out any one player, instead giving reporters a recitation of his roster: “[Christian Pulisic] was amazing [setting up two goals]. Balogun was amazing, of course. Tim Ream was amazing, of course. Chris Richards was amazing, yes. Weston McKennie, he was amazing, amazing. Antonee Robinson, Alex Freeman, amazing. Sergiño Dest, amazing …”
Like they put it on the @USMNT Instagram account: “Together as Won.”
U.S. soccer, amazing.
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The wait is over. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to 16 different cities across Canada, Mexico and the United States this summer, and you’ll be able to catch all the action with FOX Sports, America’s English-language home for the 48-team soccer bonanza.
Here is the full broadcast schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and how you can watch every game:
How to Watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11–July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX and FS1 with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports apps.
JUMP TO: Group Stage | Knockout Rounds | World Cup Final
2026 World Cup Group Stage Schedule:
June 11, 2026
June 12
June 13
June 14
June 15
June 16
June 17
June 18
June 19
June 20
June 21
June 22
June 23
June 24
- Group B: Watch Switzerland vs Canada — BC Place Vancouver (3 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
- Group B: Watch Bosnia vs Qatar — Seattle Stadium (3 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
- Group C: Watch Brazil vs Scotland — Miami Stadium (6 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
- Group C: Watch Morocco vs Haiti — Atlanta Stadium (6 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
- Group A: Watch Mexico vs Czechia — Mexico City Stadium (9 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
- Group A: Watch South Korea vs South Africa — Monterrey Stadium (9 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
June 25
- Group E: Watch Ecuador vs Germany — New York New Jersey Stadium (4 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
- Group E: Watch Curaçao vs Ivory Coastt — Philadelphia Stadium (4 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
- Group F: Watch Tunisia vs Netherlands — Kansas City Stadium (7 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
- Group F: Watch Japan vs Sweden— Dallas Stadium (7 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
- Group D: USA vs Türkiye – Los Angeles Stadium (10 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
- Group D: Watch Paraguay vs Australia — San Francisco Bay Stadium (10 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
June 26
- Group I: Watch Norway vs France — Boston Stadium (3 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
- Group I: Watch Senegal vs Iraq — Toronto Stadium (3 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
- Group H: Watch Uruguay vs Spain — Guadalajara Stadium (8 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
- Group H: Watch Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia — Houston Stadium (8 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
- Group G: Watch New Zealand vs Belgium — BC Place Vancouver (11 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
- Group G: Watch Egypt vs Iran — Seattle Stadium (11 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
June 27
- Group L: Watch Panama vs England —New York New Jersey Stadium (5 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
- Group L: Watch Croatia vs Ghana — Philadelphia Stadium (5 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
- Group K: Watch Colombia vs Portugal — Miami Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
- Group K: Watch DR Congo vs Uzbekistan — Atlanta Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
- Group J: Watch Argentina vs Jordan — Dallas Stadium (10 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
- Group J: Watch Algeria vs Austria — Kansas City Stadium (10 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
2026 World Cup Schedule: Knockout Round
Round of 32
June 28
June 29
June 30
July 1
July 2
July 3
Round of 16
July 4
July 5
July 6
July 7
Quarterfinals
July 9
July 10
July 11
Semifinals
July 14
July 15
World Cup Final
July 19
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The World Cup will run from June 11–July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX and FS1 with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports apps.
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