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LeBron James named NBA All-Star starter for record 21st straight season

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LeBron James named NBA All-Star starter for record 21st straight season

The East’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson and Donovan Mitchell, and the West’s Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James were selected as NBA All-Star starters, according to voting results announced Thursday on TNT.

James will make his record 21st consecutive start as an All-Star and Curry, the long-time face of the Golden State Warriors, is now formally serving as host for the weekend with his 11th All-Star appearance. As of now, the Knicks are the only team with two All-Stars, despite being in third place in the East.

Meanwhile, Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball didn’t make it despite being the leading vote getter from fans among Eastern guards, and in the West, second-year sensation Victor Wembanyama narrowly lost out to Durant for the third starting spot among front-court players.

The annual All-Star “event” – remember, it’s not just “one game” this season – is Feb. 16 at the Chase Center in San Francisco.

Fan voting accounted for 50 percent of the formula for choosing starters; current NBA players and a media panel accounted for 25 percent each. Ball, who is fourth in the league in scoring at 29 points per game, was ranked third in player voting and seventh by the media. Brunson, who’s averaging 26.0 points for the New York Knicks, overtook Ball through media and player votes. 

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All of the other players to be selected as a starter won fan votes at their respective positions. However, Wembanyama, the reigning rookie of the year who is leading the league in blocks at 4.0 per game to go with his 24.6 points and 10.8 boards, nearly overtook Durant by finishing second among media members.

Seven reserves from each conference will be chosen by the league’s head coaches and those results will be released Jan. 30. There will be great interest to see who makes it in a crowded field of talented point guards from the East. In addition to Ball, Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks will get strong consideration as the top assists man in the NBA (11.6 assists per game), as will Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons, Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks, and possibly Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers or Darius Garland of the Cavs.

Look for Cleveland’s Evan Mobley, and potentially his teammate, Jarrett Allen, to get strong consideration as reserves. Miami’s Bam Adebayo will also get a long look.

Luka Dončić of the Dallas Mavericks, a perennial MVP candidate, has played in just 22 games this season due to injury, but in those games is averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards also figures to receive strong consideration as a reserve guard. The Lakers’ Anthony Davis figures to join James as an All-Star, too.

A new All-Star format

For the first time, the All-Star “game” is now a mini-tournament of three teams composed of the 24 stars and the team that wins the Rising Stars Challenge — which features the league’s top rookies and second-year players. Because of the new format, obviously, some players who were selected by coaches as All-Star “reserves” will be starters for their tournament teams.

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The 24 All-Star players will go into a pool for picking by TNT’s three analysts — Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal — who are serving as honorary general managers for the three All-Star teams. They will divide the teams into three groups of eight All-Stars on Feb. 6 before TNT’s weekly doubleheader.

The new format will include three games — two semifinals and the championship — in which the winner is the team to reach 40 or more points first. There is a prize money pool of $1.8 million, with the champion team earning $125,000 per player.

Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault and Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson have clinched spots as coaches for the All-Star event, as their teams have secured first place in their respective conferences through the league’s Feb. 2 cut-off date.

One of Daigneault’s assistants will coach either the Rising Stars champion or the third All-Star team, and one of Atkinson’s assistants will coach the other. Both Daigneault and Atkinson will serve as All-Star head coaches for the first time.

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(Photo: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

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NFL fans skewer Broncos-Raiders game amid listless offensive performances

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NFL fans skewer Broncos-Raiders game amid listless offensive performances

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An NFL football game technically took place on Thursday night featuring the Denver Broncos and the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Broncos won the game, 10-7, but it was as ugly as it gets. The two teams combined for two touchdowns, three turnovers, 13 three-and-outs, 22 penalties for 161 yards and 14 punts. Offense was absent as Denver produced 220 total yards and Las Vegas had 188 total yards.

Denver Broncos defensive lineman Zach Allen (99) celebrates a sack during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, in Denver.  (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

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NFL fans took notice and were left mystified by both teams’ performances in the matchup as it was far from the bitter AFC West battle that everyone was expecting.

Still, the Broncos picked up a big divisional win.

Bo Nix was 16-of-28 with 150 passing yards, a touchdown pass and two interceptions. Running back J.K. Dobbins had 18 carries for 77 yards, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. Troy Franklin had five catches for 40 yards and a touchdown.

For the Raiders, quarterback Geno Smith was 16-of-26 with 143 passing yards and an interception. He was sacked six times.

PANTHERS RB RICO DOWDLE TURNS GOFUNDME JOKE INTO A POSITIVE CAUSE

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Kyu Blu Kelly celebrates an interception

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) is congratulated by teammate Devin White (45) after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, in Denver.  (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Running back Ashton Jeanty had 60 rushing yards on 19 carries and a touchdown. Tyler Lockett, who was playing his first game in the silver and black, had five catches for 44 yards.

If there was a true bright spot in the game, it was in the Raiders’ secondary. Kyu Blu Kelly had two interceptions. They were the first interceptions of his career.

A huge blocked punt by the Broncos led to a Will Lutz go-ahead field goal.

The first half was a defense-dominated punt fest. Between the two teams, there were eight punts, two touchdowns and one turnover.

A.J. Cole was the first Raiders punter to have two punts inside 2-yard line since 2011. One of Cole’s punts bounced in front of the goal line and then took a sideways trajectory before it dribbled out of bounds.

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Broncos punter Jeremy Crenshaw had a couple of questionable kicks, but Denver’s defense managed to make a few stops.

The Raiders broke the ice in the first quarter after an errant Crenshaw punt. Smith led Las Vegas on an eight-play, 41-yard drive that ended with a Jeanty touchdown.

Bo Nix comes onto the field

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, in Denver.  (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Nix and company got the offense moving on their third drive of the second quarter. He led Denver on a five-play, 53-yard touchdown drive. Nix found Franklin on a 7-yard touchdown catch.

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Denver moved to 8-2 with the win. Las Vegas fell to 2-7.

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Freshman phenom Layla Phillips wins City Section girls’ golf title

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Freshman phenom Layla Phillips wins City Section girls’ golf title

No one has won the City Section individual golf championship four times, but Layla Phillips has a chance to be the first.

The 14-year-old freshman from Harbor Teacher Prep carded a five-under-par 67 on Thursday at Balboa Golf Course in Encino, good enough for a six-stroke victory over Macy Lee of El Camino Real.

“She’s been playing since she was 2,” explained her father, Kasey, who was there to watch his daughter’s round and could not have been more proud. “Our old house was right off of Maggie Hathaway Golf Course and balls were constantly flying onto our property. It was an annoying thing and my wife was afraid the kids might get hit playing in the backyard. So we complained about it and they offered us free lessons as kind of a peace offering.”

As fate would have it, Layla and her sister, Roxanne, one year younger, both took to the sport like fish to water.

“We started taking lessons at Chester Washington Golf Course because they had a better driving range there,” said Layla, who started playing the Toyota Tour Cup series 18 months ago. “We get along great and we practice together everyday. She’s following in my footsteps. We’re opposites. I get really nervous but she just hits the ball and doesn’t care. At times, we have to take advice from each other.”

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After bogeying the first hole, Phillips birdied the second, eagled the third and birdied the fourth to vault to the top of the leaderboard. She maintained at least a two-shot lead the rest of the way. A bogey on No. 6 was followed by two pars and three consecutive birdies that stretched the margin to six.

“I can’t be too mad with my performance today but there’s always room for improvement,” said Phillips, who got to six-under before bogeying 18 and who finished two strokes off the City finals record of 65 set last year by Palisades senior Anna Song, now a freshman at Stanford. “I’ve only played this course twice before and I’d never played the back nine.”

Phillips tries to get a round in once a week and plays a two-day tournament every month. She shot six-under (equaling her personal best) to win a Southern California PGA Junior Tour championship in Palm Springs in December. She has won around 50 SCPGA Junior events since she was 10. In March, Roxanne won the L.A. City Junior championship by 15 shots on the same course when she was only 12.

“School lets out at 3:30 so I’m practicing from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at Los Verdes [in Palos Verdes] or Victoria [in Carson],” said Phillips, who finished in the top 10 at the Junior World Golf Championship last year in San Diego.

Phillips longs to play college golf (maybe at USC, which is only a 30-minute drive from where she lives in Harbor City). When told she could potentially be the first four-time City champion, she said: “Yeah, it’s a possibility. My best competition in City might be my sister. She’s beaten me a couple of times already.”

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She will also have to contend with fellow ninth-grader Lauren Song (Anna’s sister), who shot a 75 to finish third Thursday to help Palisades (+55) win its fifth straight team title, one shy of the City record accomplished twice by Granada Hills. The Highlanders finished second by 64 shots Thursday but still advanced to next week’s Southern California Regionals.

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Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland died by suicide after police chase in Texas, officials say

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Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland died by suicide after police chase in Texas, officials say

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This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Details surrounding the tragic death of Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland were revealed Thursday after officials confirmed that the 24-year-old NFL pro died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police chase in Texas.

The Texas Department of Public Safety released a statement detailing the events of Wednesday night that ultimately led officials to find Kneeland “deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (23) runs against Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (94) in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sept. 28, 2025. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)

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According to officials, DPS troopers attempted to make a traffic stop around 10:33 p.m. when the driver, later identified as Kneeland, refused to stop. Authorities engaged in a pursuit but eventually lost sight of Kneeland’s vehicle, ending the chase.

His car was later found abandoned, and authorities began searching the area. Kneeland was later found dead.

Frisco police, which assisted in the DPS pursuit, released a statement saying that the abandoned vehicle was found by troopers “minutes later” and that Kneeland was believed to have fled on foot.

Police said that during their search, they learned that “Kneeland had expressed suicidal ideations.”

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Marshawn Kneeland looks on

Marshawn Kneeland (94) of the Dallas Cowboys looks on from the sideline during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Dec. 9, 2024. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

He was located at around 1:30 a.m. Thursday. Frisco police said that the official cause of death will be determined by the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office, but he appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The Cowboys first released a statement confirming the news of Kneeland’s death.

COWBOYS DEFENSIVE END MARSHAWN KNEELAND DEAD AT 24

“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning. Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”

Kneeland’s family released a statement shortly after his cause of death was revealed.

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“We are devastated by this tremendous loss and are still processing the depth of our grief. As Marshawn was making his mark on the football field with the Dallas Cowboys, he held an even more special place off the field — as a devoted son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend. He was kind, determined, humble, and full of love. His light shone brightly in every life he touched, and his spirit will continue to live on through the countless hearts he inspired.

Marshawn Kneeland scores touchdown

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (94) recovers a blocked punt for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in the first half at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Nov. 3, 2025. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)

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“We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support from friends, fans, and the community. During this difficult time, we ask for privacy as we come together as a family to honor and remember Marshawn’s life and legacy.”

Kneeland was in his second season with the Cowboys after being selected 56th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. His death came just days after he recorded his first NFL touchdown in a game against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night.

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