The Washington Commanders have brought in some veteran competition at the quarterback spot by reportedly agreeing to a one-year contract with Jacoby Brissett.
ESPN reports that Brissett, who started the Cleveland Browns' first 11 games of last season while Deshaun Watson was serving a suspension for violating the NFL’s conduct policy, will be guaranteed $8million and can earn up to $10m.
The seven-year pro is expected to compete with 2022 draft pick Sam Howell to be Washington’s starter after the Commanders recently parted ways with their two main quarterbacks from last season, Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke.
Wentz was released on February 27 and Heinicke reportedly agreed to a two-year, $20m contract with the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday.
Brissett comes in with a vast experience edge on Howell, whose lone NFL start came in Washington’s 2022 season finale. The former North Carolina standout helped the Commanders to a 26-6 win over the Dallas Cowboys that day, though coach Ron Rivera indicated this offseason that Howell would have to earn the number one job and the team would likely add a veteran to the mix.
The 30-year-old Brissett has started 48 games, including 15 for the Indianapolis Colts in both 2017 and 2019, and is coming off a solid lone season with the Browns in which he completed a career-best 64 per cent of his attempts while throwing for 2,608 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Brissett owns a career passer rating of 84.4 over 76 games while amassing 10,350 passing yards with a 48-to-23 touchdown-to-interception ratio, though his career record as a starter is just 18-30.
A third-round pick of the New England Patriots in 2016, Brissett will be playing for his fourth team in four years. After spending four seasons with the Colts, he started five games for the Miami Dolphins in 2021 before signing a one-year contract with the Browns last March.
JuJu Smith-Schuster will join the New England Patriots after winning the Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs last season.
The wide receiver has agreed a three-year contract worth $33million to sign for the Patriots despite the Chiefs attempting to retain him, according to NFL Network.
"Excited for my next chapter in New England!" Smith-Schuster wrote on Twitter after the news broke on Wednesday.
"I will give this organisation everything I have, thank you for believing in me!"
Smith-Schuster had 78 receptions for 933 yards and three touchdowns with Kansas City in 2022.
He then grabbed seven catches for 53 yards as a thrilling Chiefs comeback saw them win Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles in Arizona, also drawing a crucial late holding penalty from James Bradberry.
Smith-Schuster spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers after being picked in the second round of the 2017 draft.
He made the Pro Bowl in 2018 after an impressive year that saw him record 111 receptions for 1,426 yards.
A shoulder injury impacted his last year in Pittsburgh but a productive season catching passes from Patrick Mahomes helped the 26-year-old to get his NFL career back on track.
Possession receiver Smith-Schuster was rated as one of the top pass-catchers available on the open market this offseason along with Odell Beckham Jr. and Jakobi Meyers.
He now joins a Patriots team that was in need of receiving talent, particularly after losing Meyers - their leading receiver for three straight seasons - to the Las Vegas Raiders.
As well as expressing his excitement over his free agency deal, Smith-Schuster showed gratitude to the Chiefs.
He added: "Thank you to Kansas City for the giving me the opportunity to come in and contribute to a Super Bowl, the most unforgettable experience of my life.
"I will always love my team-mates, the coaching staff, and the fans for being so great to me."
Memphis Grizzlies All-Star Ja Morant has been suspended a total of eight games without pay for carrying a gun into a Denver nightclub earlier this month, the NBA announced on Wednesday.
Morant, who has been away from the Grizzlies since the March 4 incident and underwent counselling during his absence, will receive credit for the five games he has already missed and will be eligible to return for Memphis' March 20 home game against the Dallas Mavericks.
The decision was announced after Morant met with NBA commissioner Adam Silver in New York on Wednesday.
Although Morant was not charged by Colorado authorities with any crime and the NBA said its investigation could not determine whether the gun belonged to him or was brought by him into the club, Silver concluded that the 2019-20 NBA Rookie of the Year's conduct was detrimental to the league when announcing the extended penalty.
"Ja's conduct was irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous," Silver said in a statement.
"It also has serious consequences given his enormous following and influence, particularly among young fans who look up to him. He has expressed sincere contrition and remorse for his behaviour.
"Ja has also made it clear to me that he has learned from this incident and that he understands his obligations and responsibility to the Memphis Grizzlies and the broader NBA community extend well beyond his play on the court."
Morant was seen holding the gun as he conducted an Instagram Live session from the nightclub hours after the Grizzlies' 113-97 loss to the Denver Nuggets on March 3.
The Grizzlies announced the next day that the two-time All-Star would be away from the team indefinitely as the NBA undertook an investigation of the incident.
The 2019 number two overall pick issued a written apology for his actions shortly afterwards and entered a counselling programme in Florida last week for what he said was to "take some time away to get help and work on learning better methods of dealing with stress and my overall well-being".
Morant, who ranks fifth in the NBA in assists per game and ninth in scoring, was previously involved in another off-court incident following a game against Indiana on January 29 that resulted in several of the star guard's acquaintances being banned by the NBA from attending Grizzlies home games.
In that event, members of Morant's group reportedly confronted representatives of the Pacers' travelling party after the game, and a red laser was pointed from an SUV believed to be carrying Morant towards Indiana players and coaches as they made their way to the team bus.
Morant is averaging 27.1 points and 8.2 assists in 53 games this season for a Memphis team who hold the second-best record in the Western Conference.
Memphis lost their first two games during Morant's current hiatus but have since won three straight, following up a 131-110 victory over defending NBA champions the Golden State Warriors on March 9 with a home-and-home sweep of Dallas.
Ezekiel Elliott has been released by the Dallas Cowboys after seven seasons with the team who drafted him in 2016.
Running back Elliott was a two-time rushing champion in Dallas, including in his rookie year when he tallied 1,631 yards over the ground.
But that remains a career high, and recent seasons have not been so successful, leading to Wednesday's decision.
NFL Network reported Elliott's release as the Cowboys look to create cap space.
Elliott had 12 rushing touchdowns in 2022, beaten by only four players, but he averaged just 3.8 yards per carry.
Only four players with 100 or more rushes averaged fewer yards per carry.
Elliott's 23 rushes across two playoff games last year yielded a miserly 35 yards.
A three-time Pro Bowler, he will still no doubt garner plenty of attention as he enters free agency.
Rafael Nadal is eyeing up his comeback from a hip injury at next month's Monte Carlo Masters, with tournament director David Massey hopeful the Spaniard will feature.
The 22-time grand slam champion has been struggling with a left hip issue that contributed to his second round exit at the Australian Open in January.
Nadal pulled out of hard-court contests at the Indian Wells Open and Miami Open as he continued to recover from the problem.
He could return on clay, his favoured surface, with Massey optimistic the 36-year-old will be fit in time to feature at the event, which begins on April 8.
"Rafa was the first [player] to be registered," he said in statement. "He really wants to play at the Monte Carlo Masters.
"He is giving himself every chance to take part in the tournament he's so fond of."
Nadal is the event's all-time record title holder, having triumphed on 11 occasions, with an Open Era record streak of eight consecutive successes between 2005 and 2012.
He last succeeded in 2018, with a straight-sets victory over Kei Nishikori, though various disrupted campaigns have prevented him from mounting another successful bid since.
As a key stop in preparations for the French Open, it has helped form the bedrock of his clay court success over the years.
With this year's event at Roland Garros set to start on May 28, Nadal will be out to add to his 14 singles titles there too, having claimed victory once again in 2022 with a triumph against Casper Ruud in the final.
The Formula One season is only one race old and the question is already being asked if anybody can catch Red Bull. Charles Leclerc may already have abandoned that hope for this weekend's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Red Bull coasted to a one-two at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, world champion Max Verstappen prevailing ahead of Sergio Perez to put their history of slow starts to bed in emphatic fashion.
Their superiority was hammered home by familiar troubles for Leclerc, who failed to finish the race due to engine trouble.
Ferrari replaced his control electronics ahead of the race, only to discover the new electronics were to blame for his retirement, meaning they would again need to be replaced ahead of Sunday's race in Jeddah.
Only two sets of control electronics are permitted to be used in a season, and Ferrari being forced to put in a third set will see Leclerc take on a 10-place grid penalty.
Leclerc faces a huge challenge to get on the podium, but Ferrari are set to take updates to Saudi Arabia, with team principal Frederic Vasseur confident they can greatly improve on their efforts in Bahrain, where Carlos Sainz was a distant fourth
"We struggled a bit with the balance over the weekend, it means that we have mega room for improvements on this path with our package," Vasseur said.
"With what we had in Bahrain, I think we had a lot of room for improvement in terms of driveability. For sure we can't be satisfied with the situation, and I want to do a step forward.
"The characteristics of Jeddah are completely different compared to the previous one to Bahrain in terms of grip, in terms of rugosity and layout of the track, so it's completely different story.
"Already it will suit a little bit more to what we have today. And then we'll also bring some updates to Jeddah and I hope that we'll do a step forward."
Red Bull eye F1 first
Verstappen won from pole in Bahrain and, if Red Bull top the timesheets in Saudi Arabia and go on to win with either driver, they will make Formula One history.
No team has ever taken pole and won the race in each of the first two grands prix, but Red Bull appear perfectly equipped to change that with their seemingly sizeable race pace advantage over the field.
And they have recent history of triumphing on Saturday and Sunday at Jeddah. Perez qualified on pole last year before Verstappen prevailed in the race.
Alonso on brink of century
Aside from Red Bull, Aston Martin were the team on the receiving end of most praise in Bahrain as Fernando Alonso scored a podium on his debut with the team.
It was the two-time world champion's 99th in F1. Should he make it 100 in Saudi Arabia, he will join Lewis Hamilton (191), Michael Schumacher (155), Sebastian Vettel (122), Alain Prost (106) and Kimi Raikkonen (103) as the sixth man to achieve the feat.
Alonso is hopeful the car will continue to get better, saying: "Sure, we need to wait for Jeddah, Australia. They are very different tracks, so I'm curious to see if we can keep this form in different circuits.
"But, on the other hand, I think the car that we have now is just a very basic car that we launched and we start the season with this completely new concept.
"I think there is a lot more to come in terms of development with this project, so I'm optimistic for that."
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
Drivers
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 25
2. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) 18
3. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) 15
4. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) 12
5. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 10
Constructors
1. Red Bull 43
2. Aston Martin 23
3. Mercedes 16
4. Ferrari 12
5. Alfa Romeo 4
Justin Thomas has labelled the prospect of shorter balls being used in elite tournaments "so bad" and slammed the "pretty selfish decisions" of golf's governing bodies.
The R&A and USGA have proposed a Model Local Rule that would allow organisers and tournaments the option to use a modified golf ball that reduces hitting distance by approximately 15 yards.
Martin Slumbers and Mike Whan, the heads of the respective organisations, confirmed the rule would not be implemented until 2026 but would then be introduced for their elite events – the Open Championship and the U.S. Open.
The plans were first mooted in 2020 to tackle concerns around the ever-increasing distance professionals hit the ball, but Tuesday's announcement has been met with criticism from numerous players.
"My reaction was disappointed and also not surprised, to be honest," two-time major champion Thomas said ahead of the Valspar Championship in Florida.
"I think the USGA over the years has in my eyes – it's harsh – made some pretty selfish decisions.
"I don't understand how this is growing the game.
"For them to say in the same sentence that 'golf is in the best place it's ever been, everything is great, but...' I'm like, well, there shouldn't be a 'but' – you're trying to create a solution for a problem that doesn't exist.
"To me, it's just so bad for the game of golf.
"Some of the great things to me is the fact that you can play the exact same golf ball that I play. I mean, that's cool. For an everyday amateur golfer, it's very unique that we are able to play the exact same equipment.
"I understand that I may have a different grind on a wedge, whatever you want to call it, but you can go to the pro shop and buy the same golf ball that I play or Scottie Scheffler plays or whatever."
Thomas, who is sponsored by ball-manufacturer Titleist, ridiculed the idea that professionals would end up using different balls at different tournaments and even suggested some of the game's stars may ignore the proposals if they were implemented.
"The amount of time and money that these manufacturers have spent trying to create the best product possible, and now you're going to tell them and us that we have to start over," he said.
"If the PGA Tour, PGA of America don't adopt this local rule... two of the four biggest events of the year, we're going to have to use a different ball?
"Why are this group of call it five to 15-handicapped amateurs determining the rules of golf for professional golfers? Or why are they saying that we have to do something?
"So, is it something where down the road, if you want to change something based off of your data that we feel like is pretty biased and incorrect and self-centred to what you believe in, then maybe we'll just create our own, or we'll do our own thing.”
Aaron Rodgers has confirmed his intention for the 2023 season is to play for the New York Jets.
Speculation over the four-time MVP's future has once again dominated the NFL offseason, with the Green Bay Packers star offering no clarity on whether he intended to continue his career.
The Jets are reported to have been involved in ongoing discussions with the Packers over a trade, with Rodgers said to have given New York a "wish list" of players he would like to see them sign in free agency.
And on a Wednesday appearance on 'The Pat McAfee Show' he finally provided that clarity, indicating he is ready to make the move to New York.
"My intention is to play and to play for the New York Jets. I haven't been holding anything up at this point. It's the Packers and the compensation they're trying to get for me," Rodgers said, before accusing the Packers of "digging their heels in".
"The Packers want to move on and so do I. It's just a matter of getting this thing done."
Rodgers rubbished the talk of him providing the Jets with a wish list, which was said to include former teammates Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb as well as Odell Beckham Jr.
"That's not the reality," said Rodgers. "Did they ask me about certain guys, of course. Did I talk glowingly about teammates that I loved? Of course."
He added: "Who wouldn't want Odell on their team?
"I don't have demands, my only demand is for transparency."
Charles Leclerc will receive a 10-place grid penalty at this weekend's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after Ferrari fitted a third electronics control unit.
At the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, Ferrari needed to use a second ECU before Leclerc retired from the race after suffering another problem with the component.
Across a season, drivers are restricted to using just two ECUs and going over the permitted amount results in a grid penalty.
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur said: "On Sunday, we had two different issues. The first one was on the Sunday morning, when we did the fire up, and the second one was in the race.
"Unfortunately, it was two times the control electronics box and it’s something that we never experienced in the past.
"I hope now it’s under control. We have a deep analysis on this.
"Unfortunately, we’ll have to take the penalty in Jeddah because we have only a pool of two control units for the season."
Leclerc was a dejected figure in Bahrain, where championship favourites Red Bull claimed a dominant one-two with winner Max Verstappen coming in a huge 39 seconds ahead of third-placed Fernando Alonso.
The Ferrari driver, who was third at time of his retirement, described Red Bull as being "on another planet" but Vasseur has no worries about Leclerc's mindset or his team's chances this season.
"It’s obvious Charles is motivated," added Vasseur, who is in his debut year as Ferrari boss.
"We have done one race of 23. He’s full push with the team, trying to get the best for everyone.
"The penalty is not good news, but it’s not the end of the season. Let’s see what happens in Jeddah, and what could be the outcome, even with the penalty.
"But don't imagine for even half a second he could be demotivated.
"He's fully convinced, he's working with us, pushing the team, pushing everybody in a positive way and nothing else."
If Ferrari need to replace any further parts of Leclerc's car in Saudi Arabia, the grid penalty will increase further than 10 grid spots.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Baker Mayfield have reportedly agreed to a one-year contract, a move that gives the former number one overall pick another opportunity to prove himself as a starter and the team a veteran presence following Tom Brady's retirement.
Mayfield, who finished last season with the Los Angeles Rams after being released by the Carolina Panthers in December, will earn $8.5million in 2023 according to multiple reports.
The 2017 Heisman Trophy winner is expected to compete with 2021 second-round pick Kyle Trask for a starting position left vacant when the 45-year-old Brady announced in February he was ending his remarkable 23-year career.
It's been a whirlwind past 12 months for Mayfield, who was displaced as the Cleveland Browns' starter last March following that team's trade for Deshaun Watson and ultimately traded to Carolina in July.
He made just six starts with the Panthers while struggling with injuries and inefficient play, and was benched in midseason before later requesting and being granted his release.
Mayfield's performance improved after being claimed off waivers by the Rams, as he completed 63.8 per cent of his passes while throwing for three touchdowns with two interceptions in four starts.
In 12 overall games in 2022, Mayfield finished with 2,163 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions and a 79.0 passer rating that ranked 30th out of 33 qualified quarterbacks.
Mayfield has made 69 regular-season starts since being taken by the Browns with the top overall choice of the 2018 draft and has compiled 16,288 passing yards, 102 passing touchdowns and 64 interceptions along with a career passer rating of 86.5.
The 27-year-old's best season came in 2020, when he threw for a career-high 26 touchdowns and produced a 95.9 quarterback rating while leading Cleveland to an 11-5 regular-season record and a win over the rival Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round of the AFC playoffs.
Trask has yet to make an NFL start and owns just one appearance, which came in the 2022 regular-season finale. The Florida product completed three of nine passes for 23 yards in relief of Brady in a loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Darius Slay appeared to bid farewell to the Philadelphia Eagles amid reports he is set to be released.
The five-time Pro Bowl pick, who joined from the Detroit Lions ahead of the 2020 campaign, will depart after three seasons with the Eagles.
Slay was a key member of the Eagles team that reached Super Bowl LVII, and started in the 38-35 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs in Arizona, making four tackles.
The 32-year-old made 40 tackles and three interceptions across the regular season, and recorded 14 passes defensed, tied for 12th in the NFL.
It looks to have been his swansong in Philadelphia, with reports circulating on Wednesday that Slay's time with the Eagles is coming to an end.
Slay appeared to confirm this news on Twitter, posting: "Nothing but love Philly! Let's see where we [are] heading next."
A second-round draft pick for Detroit in 2013, Slay impressed during his time with the Lions, though he only made two postseason appearances with them, in their 2014 and 2016 campaigns.
He jointly led the NFL for interceptions in 2017, alongside Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard.
Slay's exit will come on the heels of the Eagles keeping hold of other key cornerback in James Bradberry, who reportedly agreed a three-year deal earlier this week after entering free agency.
Philadelphia have also agreed to a one-year deal with Rashaad Penny, with the running back set to make the move from the Seattle Seahawks.
Kamaru Usman claims he is the superior fighter between himself and Leon Edwards as they prepare for their trilogy bout at UFC 286.
The Nigerian suffered just a second career loss against his rival last August at UFC 278, seven years on from winning their first match.
A third encounter is set to take place at London's The O2 on Saturday, with Edwards out to defend the UFC Welterweight Championship he won in Utah.
Despite having lost his crown, Usman suggests he remains the better of the two, and insists both men are aware of his technical superiority.
"He's the champ, and I'll give that to him," Usman told Sky Sports. "But him and I know I will deal with him [on] March 18. I'm better and the world knows it.
"I've never been disrespectful with Leon. If anything, I've been the only guy that has given him respect all throughout his career.
"I'm not going to start [on him] now. He's said a couple [of] things that have offended me, but I'll talk to him about that on Saturday night."
Edwards is just the second British UFC champion, but Usman vows he will have home turf advantage in London among the Nigerian Diaspora.
"My fans, these are my fans," he added. "Everybody keeps saying you're coming to enemy territory, [but] I'm at home. This is London. These are my people here.
"They love me, they tell me all the time they want me to come to London and put on a performance for them.
"I asked for this, I could have waited and done it in Vegas. I love the support. That just goes to show how massive the sport is and how much it's growing.
"I love it, whether they're screaming for me or against me."
Edwards is also claiming homecoming rights however, and is relishing a chance to fight in front of British support just as much as his rival.
"I enjoy the moments," he added. "This is my fifth or sixth main event, so I've been in a main fight before. I understand it's a power fight, but it's the same cage, the same Usman.
"I know it's going to be crazy, but let's not overcomplicate it. It's going to be a packed arena and I get to enjoy it with my family. That's the only difference to me, more friends and family there."
Ellis Genge has called for patience during England's transition under Steve Borthwick, with the prop vowing to deliver a response in their Six Nations finale against Ireland.
The Bristol man skippered the hosts to a miserable 53-10 loss against France at Twickenham last weekend, in their fourth game under the former Leicester Tigers boss.
Borthwick has so far struggled to turn around the squad inherited from Eddie Jones, and against Andy Farrell's Grand Slam-chasing hosts in Dublin, will face another tough test.
But Genge feels Borthwick must have time in order to bed his ideas in with the wider squad, particularly with a Rugby World Cup campaign looming later this year.
"To change the whole mindset within six or seven weeks will be difficult," Genge told BBC Sport.
"Off the back of a seven-year tenure of someone else, it is a tough ask. But it is a challenge we are welcoming with open arms.
"You will see a reaction [against Ireland]. As a team we want to see us fight for each other until the last minute."
England head across the Irish Sea to face a host nation out to claim a Grand Slam triumph on home soil for the first time.
Genge knows it will be a huge day for Ireland, but further vowed England would not roll over despite the weight of potential history against them.
"What an occasion [it is going to be]," he said.
"It would be amazing to be Irish and have England come over and have a Grand Slam opportunity when they [England] have lost by 50 points on the weekend, on St Patrick's Day.
"[It is] a day that is literally made for them. So we are going to turn up, and we are going to fight [to spoil the party]."
Manny Pacquiao is set to come out of retirement for the second time, with a welterweight bout against Conor Benn on the cards.
The Filipino, who announced he was quitting the sport once again in August 2021, looks poised to be the opponent for the Briton's comeback bout.
Benn, who saw a fight with Chris Eubank Jr postponed after he tested positive for a banned substance in October, was reinstated to the WBC rankings earlier this year.
Now Pacquiao, who stepped back after a defeat to Yordenis Ugas in order to run for the Philippines presidency in last year's election, could be his return opponent, per his promoter Sean Gibbobs.
"He retired for a minute to run for President of the Philippines, where he took a respectful third place," he told ESPN.
"After that he felt that his retirement was due to running for president, and now that [he wasn't elected], he wants to fight again and feels like he can do it at the highest level.
"Manny is an all-time great and he feels like he still has a lot of fight left in him and he still wants to compete at the highest level.
"This fight [against Benn] was presented to him by [promoter] Eddie Hearn, and he agreed. [The] ball is in Eddie Hearn's court [but] Pacquiao ready to go."
Widely considered one of the sport's all-time great fighters, Pacquiao held world titles in eight different weight divisions across a 72-fight career, with a 62-8-2 winning record.
He briefly retired in 2016, but returned that same year with a win over Jessie Vargas, and would present a starry opponent for Benn's first fight since April last year.
The Briton remains barred by the British Boxing Board of Control to fight on home soil, with his likely comeback match set to be pencilled in for June 3 in Abu Dhabi.
Hearn acknowledged there were other options for the fight though, adding: "We are in the process of selecting Conor Benn's next opponent and have been in active talks with Manny Pacquiao's team.
"We have had multiple site offers to stage the event and are looking to make an official announcement on Conor's next fight as early as next week."
Christopher Richards Jr shot a final round 74 to win the Trinidad & Tobago Golf Open which concluded at the Magdalena Grand Beach & Golf Resort with the host country sweeping the top three spots on Sunday.
Richards Jr shot scores of 73, 74, 74 and 74 for an overall total 295. His compatriots Gabriel Vanososte (300) and Zico Coriera (306) were second and third, respectively.
Meanwhile, Zandre Roye (317) was the top Jamaican performer placing 11th.
"My performance wasn't my best. It was pretty challenging. I think I learned a lot this being one of the big tournaments early on in the year. I have a few things to work at when I get back to Jamaica but I am excited to see what the rest of the year brings for me," he said.
Wayne Baptiste of Trinidad and Tobago had a combined score of 316 to win the Men’s Senior section ahead of Dr Mark Newnham, who shot a total of 318.
Dave Cameron was sixth with a combined score of 348.
Michael Malone suggested complacency is behind the Denver Nuggets' four-game losing streak.
The Nuggets went down 125-110 to the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, and are now winless since March 6.
Denver are still hold a four-game lead at the top of the Western Conference, with a 46-23 record for the season, but coach Malone is far from happy.
"Right now we're just in chill mode," said Malone. "And you can't be in chill mode with 13 games to go in the season.
"We've got to try to find a way to get our swagger back. Maybe we've gotten a little soft with success.
"We've been on cruise control for so long, number one in the West since like December 15.
"I just told our players we've gotten away from who we are."
Denver never led on Tuesday after allowing 49 points in the first quarter, going on to concede at least 100 points for the fifth consecutive game. Indeed, they have conceded over 120 in each of their past three games.
"We just dug too much of a big hole and couldn't climb the mountain from there," said Nuggets guard Jamal Murray.
Toronto led 88-64 after Pascal Siakam found the net with eight minutes remaining in the third, before Denver went on a run to cut the gap to 98-92, but they struggled to maintain that momentum in the final quarter.
Malone added: "When you expend so much energy getting back in the game you have nothing left to finish."
The Nuggets remain on the road for their next four games starting with Detroit Pistons (16-54) on Thursday, before a home meeting against the NBA-leading Milwaukee Bucks (50-19) on March 26.
Coco Gauff celebrated her 19th birthday by releasing a newly discovered video of herself singing and dancing at the US Open 11 years ago.
Gauff could not let loose quite the same this week, as she battled through to the Indian Wells Open quarter-finals on Tuesday, coming back in the decisive set to beat Rebecca Peterson 6-3 1-6 6-4.
The world number six will be hoping to remain unbeaten as a 19-year-old when she faces second seed Aryna Sabalenka in California, where a win for the home favourite would have everyone jumping for joy like in 2012, when Gauff was filmed singing and dancing to Carly Rae Jepsen's hit single Call Me Maybe at Flushing Meadows.
"I think that was the only Kids' Day," Gauff recalled.
"But I remembered it because Call Me Maybe was trending, and I knew that video existed.
"I thought that my mom would have it because she keeps track of everything, but it was really my dad who has it, so that's why we never found the video because I never thought to ask him."
An eight-year-old Gauff at the Arthur Ashe Stadium would have had no idea that she would reach the competition's quarter-finals just a decade later, and she is now ranked seventh in the world.
Her rise has continued at Indian Wells, with a last-eight appearance already her best-ever run in the event.
Gauff added: "I just love that video and just the whole full-circle moment.
"Call Me Maybe was the song at that time. Even now I still love when they play it.
"I don't know whose number I was trying to get, I think I was eight years old. But I'm going to use that pickup line now!"
Rocco Lopez delivered three solid days of golf at the Caymanas Golf Club in St. Catherine to emerge atop a Boys 18 and Under group of eight players invited to the national trials for the upcoming Caribbean Junior Amateur Golf Championships scheduled for July 3-8 in the Cayman Islands.
In challenging conditions, Lopez carded two-over-par 74 on opening day, 72, and a one-over 73 on the final day of the trials, for a combined score of 219.
He was the only one to score par with Ryan Lue coming closest when he posted 73 in the second round. Notably, Aman Dhiman was the only golfer other than Lopez, to score in the 70s on all three days. He scored 74 to be joint leader with Lopez on the first day and went on to score 78 and 79 on the second and third day, respectively, to take the runner up spot in the trials.
"Conditions were tough. It was dry, windy, hot but I managed to make fun out of it and I had a good time," Lopez said after achieving victory.
Lue, who was two strokes behind Dhiman, placed third after ending the trials on 15 over par 231, with daily scores of 82, 73 and 76. Trey Williams was fourth spot with scores of 88, 78 and 79.
Noah Azan and Tenny Davis were joint fifth with identical three-day combined scores of 247 each.
According to Alison Reid, the convener for junior golf, the tournament is not the end of preparation. “Everybody goes on practicing. Now it’s even more important because now you have to sharpen up what you have been doing because we want to take the best team to the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championship so they have to keep practicing," she said, adding that she was satisfied with the level of play.
“There was solid golf. Some of them were a little disappointed and thought they could have done better but all in all I think it was good."
The selection committee will meet to select three players plus one reserve player for national duties in July.
The trials for Girls 18 and Under and Girls and Boys 15 and Under and 13 and Under age groups are scheduled for March 24-26 at the Caymanas Golf Club.
Emma Raducanu conceded there is "a long way to go" until she is back to full fitness but remained "proud" of her week at Indian Wells despite her fourth-round defeat to Iga Swiatek.
Raducanu had been plagued by tonsillitis and a recurring wrist injury in the build-up to the tournament that forced her to pull out of a doubles exhibition with Cameron Norrie on the eve of the competition.
The 20-year-old was able to compete in the women's draw, however, and claimed victories over Australian Open semi-finalist Magda Linette and world number 13 Beatriz Haddad Maia before losing 6-3 6-1 to world number one Swiatek on Tuesday.
Raducanu started well but a fourth match in six days eventually caught up with the Brit, who lost the second set comprehensively.
Yet Raducanu is satisfied with her performances in her first tournament appearance since January.
"I'm very proud of myself," Raducanu said.
"I think I had a few good wins earlier against some great opponents. I did two good training weeks in London. They paid off to an extent but ultimately two weeks of training isn't going to cut it against the world number one right now.
"Now it's just about consistent work to physically get to where I want to be. I saw a taste of the level where number one is at physically and how she is at the corners, repetitive, relentless. Yeah, I just couldn't take that."
"I'm looking forward to playing her after I've got more time under my belt."
Raducanu will now return to training as she looks to build on her most impressive set of displays since her remarkable US Open victory in 2021, with the Miami Open next on the cards.
She added: "Physically I feel like that's going to be one of my biggest assets. I think that I'm going to be one of the best athletes on the tour, and that's going to be a big part of my game.
"I would say there is a very long way to go, but I'm definitely starting the right work now."
Reigning champion Swiatek will now face Sorana Cirstea in the quarter-finals.
"I'm always pretty good in defence. I knew that I can't rush it and I can't be not patient, so I just stayed solid and I wanted to choose the right directions," Swiatek said after becoming the sixth player to win 11 or more of her first 12 main draw matches at Indian Wells.
"I always want to finish points as fast as possible if I have a chance, but for sure I know that sometimes it's not going to be possible here."
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