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NBA legend Michael Jordan explains being ‘cursed’ by competition: ‘Keeps me young’

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NBA legend Michael Jordan explains being ‘cursed’ by competition: ‘Keeps me young’

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NBA legend Michael Jordan’s new love in sports is coming on a racetrack instead of a court. 

But the competitive juices he’s known for remain flowing, as his 23XI Racing team sits atop the 2026 NASCAR Cup standings thanks to the four wins Tyler Reddick has already put through in seven starts.  

Jordan made an appearance on “CBS Mornings,” where co-host Gayle King discussed his competitive spirit now in NASCAR. Jordan’s response was that he’s “cursed” with the need to push for greatness — no matter the task at hand. 

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Michael Jordan, NBA Hall of Famer and co-owner of 23XI Racing celebrates after Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 Chumba Casino Toyota, wins his third race in a row to start the 2026 NASCAR season winning the NASCAR Cup Series DuraMax Grand Prix Powered by RelaDyne at Circuit of The Americas on March 1, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)

“Think I’m cursed,” Jordan said. “I’m cursed with this competitive gene that anything that I do is from a competitive lens, you know? And in some ways, that keeps me young. It keeps me aggressively thinking positively. It helps me either understand everything that I’m involved and I’m connected with.”

Jordan told King that even the minuscule task of getting ready in the morning turns competitive when he knows his wife, Yvette, is involved. 

MICHAEL JORDAN’S NASCAR DRIVER MAKES HISTORY WITH 3RD STRAIGHT WIN TO START 2026 SEASON

“I gotta get in the shower and get into the bathroom before she comes in so she doesn’t slow down my time, and I can get to the golf course in time,” Jordan explained. “I gotta drop the kids off. I got all these other things I gotta do.”

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Of course, Jordan’s competitiveness has been on full display since his days at UNC before becoming an NBA legend with the Chicago Bulls. He doesn’t know when exactly that need to be competitive came to be, but he knows it was childhood. 

Michael Jordan, NBA Hall of Famer and co-owner of 23XI Racing looks on during the NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 8, 2026 in Avondale, Arizona. (Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

“I don’t know. I think that my appetite to prove as a kid created this competitive thing within me that has transcended and taken over everything that I do,” he said. “And I think it’s a good trait to have because some people don’t have that trait.

“Some people get right at the cusp of what success really means, and they can never get over that hump. I think it helps you evaluate every stage of success. Believe me, I’ve had my failures in terms of the stages.”

For 23XI racing, which is co-owned by veteran NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, it wasn’t an immediate success. But through hard work and determination, 23XI Racing has developed into a premier team. 

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Because of the success and the slow climb to get to this point in NASCAR, Jordan can’t shake that competitive bug. 

Michael Jordan, NBA Hall of Famer and co-owner of 23XI Racing celebrates with a crew member of the #45 Xfinity Toyota, after driver, Tyler Reddick wins the NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on March 22, 2026 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

“Once I get over it, it’s infectious,” he said. “It’s that feeling of, you know, you’ve accomplished something. I’ve gotten to that hill. It’s a long road getting up that hill.

“I think that every time you see me giddy down into that in the pit, it’s because we’re doing it. We absolutely are doing it. We’re starting to make a difference in a sport that no one thought we could make a difference in.”

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Phil Mickelson withdraws from the Masters, joins Tiger Woods in sitting out signature major

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Phil Mickelson withdraws from the Masters, joins Tiger Woods in sitting out signature major

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As Tiger Woods steps away from golf and won’t be playing in the Masters next week, another golf legend won’t be on the grounds at Augusta National Golf Club.

Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson released a statement Thursday saying he won’t be playing in this year’s tournament.

“Unfortunately, I will not play in the Masters Tournament next week and will be out for an extended period of time as my family continues to navigate a personal health matter,” Mickelson’s statement on social media said.

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Phil Mickelson plays a shot from the fifth tee during LIV Golf South Africa at The Club at Steyn City in Johannesburg March 20, 2026. (Johan Rynners/Getty Images)

“I wish everyone the best of luck and will be watching.”

Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley also released a statement after Mickelson’s decision.

TIGER WOODS DECLINES RYDER CUP CAPTAINCY AFTER DUI, CAR CRASH

“We know how much Phil loves the Masters tournament, and he will be missed by everyone in Augusta next week,” Ridley’s statement said. “He has our complete supports as he takes time to be with his family.”

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The 55-year-old Mickelson missed four LIV Golf events earlier this year, and he noted he was dealing with a “family health matter.”

Phil Mickelson walks the 16th fairway during LIV Golf Indianapolis at The Club at Chatham Hills in Westfield, Ind., Aug. 16, 2025. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

He was on the course in South Africa two weeks ago, leading his HyFlyers GC squad for the event. Mickelson finished tied for 48 in the event.

Mickelson’s Masters announcement comes after Woods stepped away from golf “to seek treatment” following a DUI arrest after a rollover crash Friday in Jupiter Island, Florida.

Woods, a 15-time major winner and five-time Masters champion, and Mickelson sat atop the golf world, beginning in the late 1990s and through the 2010s. While Woods usually sat atop the world golf rankings, Mickelson was his toughest competitor, winning six majors over his storied career.

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Phil Mickelson of HyFlyers GC walks on the first green during the semifinals of the LIV Golf Michigan Team Championship at The Cardinal at Saint John’s Resort Aug. 23, 2025. (Aaron Doster/Imagn Images)

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So, two golf icons won’t be at Augusta National come next week, when the 90th edition of the Masters tees off Thursday, April 9.

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Lakers star Luka Doncic suffers hamstring injury in reality-check loss to Thunder

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Lakers star Luka Doncic suffers hamstring injury in reality-check loss to Thunder

The score wasn’t the only thing that made this the Lakers’ worst loss of the season.

Even more concerning than the Lakers’ 139-96 blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday was watching superstar guard Luka Doncic hobble off the court with a left hamstring injury in the third quarter.

The 27-year-old guard was held to just 12 points and seven assists, and he committed six turnovers before he pulled up on a drive with 7:39 left in the third quarter. He grabbed at the back of his left leg and limped to the baseline, where he lowered himself to the court, rolled onto his back and covered his face. Concerned teammates surrounded him. Coach JJ Redick offered one hand to pull him to his feet.

Doncic will undergo an MRI scan Friday, Redick said, before the Lakers (50-27) play Doncic’s former team, the Dallas Mavericks, on Sunday. In a subdued locker room, the Lakers were left to wrestle with their largest margin of defeat since Nov. 27, 2023 amid the possibility of having to finish the regular season without the NBA’s leading scorer.

“At this juncture of the season, it’s the last thing you want to see,” said LeBron James, who had 13 points, six rebounds and two assists. “Especially — anybody on our team — but when you have an MVP candidate on your team, the last thing you want to see is somebody go down with a hamstring injury. … I don’t know obviously what the case may be, so pray for the best for sure and a speedy recovery.”

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Guard Austin Reaves shook off his own injury scare to finish with 15 points, one assist and four turnovers after grabbing at his left lower back for most of the first quarter. He said he overextended himself chasing a loose ball. He turned the ball over trying to connect with Deandre Ayton on the next possession, reaching immediately for his lower back after the pass went awry.

The Lakers had averaged just 12.6 turnovers per game since the All-Star break — the third-fewest in the NBA during that span — but committed 18 against the aggressive Thunder (61-16), who had 12 steals. The Lakers had eight turnovers in the first quarter, gifting the defending NBA champions 14 easy points and a 23-point first-quarter lead.

“That’s the game right there,” James said.

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Doncic had just five points in the first quarter. He was one for six from the field. With 1:06 remaining in the second quarter, Doncic drove into the paint to fire a two-handed overhead pass to Luke Kennard for a corner three. As Kennard’s shot circled the rim and bounced out, Doncic grabbed at his left hamstring.

Doncic and Reaves were examined and treated at halftime and cleared to play, Redick said. Reaves returned with 9:40 remaining in the third quarter and grabbed his back after his first touch, but said after the game he felt “decent.”

With the Lakers (50-27) down 31 points at halftime, Redick said the plan was to give the banged-up stars about six minutes to see if they could cut into the lead.

Doncic was injured 4:21 into the third quarter. The Lakers were down 32.

“We’re not going to put a player at risk,” Redick said. “Those things happen.”

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Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, center, drives past Lakers star Luka Doncic during the first half Thursday.

Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, center, drives past Lakers star Luka Doncic during the first half Thursday.

(Cooper Neill / Getty Images)

Doncic missed four games because of a left hamstring injury in February and played through hamstring soreness against the Brooklyn Nets on March 27 as the Lakers put together a 15-2 record in March.

One of the only teams hotter than the Lakers entering Thursday was the Thunder, who had won 15 of their last 16 games. Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dominated in the much-anticipated matchup of most valuable player contenders with 28 points on efficient 12-for-25 shooting in less than 30 minutes, with seven assists and seven rebounds.

Doncic recently surged into the MVP conversation after scoring 600 points last month, joining Michael Jordan as the only players in NBA history to achieve the feat in March. He was named Western Conference player of the month Thursday, adding another line to his MVP application.

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But after limping off the court, Doncic is at risk of not being eligible for the coveted award. He played in his 64th game Thursday, needing one more appearance in the Lakers’ final five games, to reach the 65-game eligibility threshold.

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WWE NXT star Jacy Jayne ready for Stand & Deliver challenge, says she loves to prove people wrong

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WWE NXT star Jacy Jayne ready for Stand & Deliver challenge, says she loves to prove people wrong

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Jacy Jayne has been the NXT women’s champion for more than 130 days and has all the belief in the world that her reign will remain intact once Stand & Deliver is finished on Saturday night.

Jayne’s hopes of battling either Kendal Grey or Lola Vice one-on-one vanished on Wednesday as NXT GM Rob Stone announced that she will defend the title in a triple-threat match. Grey and Vice’s match to determine a No. 1 contender ended in controversy as one competitor tapped out and the other was pinned.

Lainey Reid and Jacy Jayne compete against Kendal Grey and Lola Vice during NXT at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York on March 31, 2026. (Rich Freeda/WWE)

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To make things right, Stone put both challengers in the match against Jayne at Stand & Deliver.

Jayne told Fox News Digital before the decision was made that it doesn’t matter who she faces, she was confident she was going to come out on top.

“No, because I’ve beaten them both already,” she said when asked if it mattered who she was going to face. “So, I’m going to do the same thing that I’ve done in the past and I’m gonna win and remain your NXT women’s champion.”

Jayne is in her second run as NXT women’s champion. She defeated Tatum Paxley at NXT Gold Rush in November to jumpstart the next reign. She’s one of four women to hold the NXT Women’s Championship at least twice. Roxanne Perez, Charlotte Flair and Shayna Baszler each accomplishing the feat.

RICKY SAINTS HOPES TO ADD TO HIS ACCOLADES WITH NXT CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORY AT STAND & DELIVER

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Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne and Lainey Reid enter the arena during Showdown at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla., on Dec. 2, 2025. (Andrea Kellaway/Getty Images)

The New Jersey native is relishing the opportunity to be the NXT women’s champion and proving the doubters wrong.

“Well, I feel like I was severely underrated and people doubted me and when I won the title, they were like, ‘What the heck is going on? Why Jacy?’ And I think over the last 10-11 months that I’ve been champion, I’ve proven everybody wrong,” she told Fox News Digital.

“I was always meant for this spot. It was only a matter of time. I was waiting for my right moment and I love to prove people wrong, and I love to make grown men cry.”

NXT women’s champion Jacy Jayne addresses the crowd during NXT’s Vengeance Day on March 7, 2026, in Orlando. (Conor Kvatek/WWE)

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NXT Stand & Deliver will take place Saturday in St. Louis, Missouri, at 7 p.m. ET. The event can be seen on YouTube.

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