SOURCE SPORTS: Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase Lead Bengals Past Browns with Historic Performances

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Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase powered the Cincinnati Bengals to a commanding 24-6 victory over the Cleveland Browns, showcasing record-breaking performances that added to their growing legacies.

Burrow passed for 252 yards and three touchdowns, marking his seventh consecutive game with at least 250 passing yards and three touchdown passes, a new NFL record. He became the first player in league history to achieve this streak, surpassing Tom Brady’s six-game mark from 2007. Burrow also notched his 25th career game with at least three touchdown passes, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino and Patrick Mahomes as the only players to reach this milestone within their first five seasons.

Ja’Marr Chase caught six passes for 97 yards and a touchdown, increasing his season totals to 108 receptions, 1,510 yards, and 16 touchdowns. Chase joined Hall of Famers Randy Moss and Jerry Rice as the only players with at least 100 receptions, 1,500 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns in 15 games.

Chase’s 45 career touchdown receptions now rank third all-time for a player’s first four seasons, tied with Hall of Famer Bob Hayes.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Commanders Stun Eagles as Rookie QB Jayden Daniels Leads Historic Comeback

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The Washington Commanders staged an incredible rally to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles 36-33, overcoming a 14-point first-quarter deficit and a 13-point fourth-quarter hole. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels delivered a spectacular performance, amassing 339 total yards (258 passing, 81 rushing) and five touchdown passes, including the game-winning score with six seconds remaining.

The victory improved Washington’s record to 10-5, tying the franchise’s most wins in a season since 1992. Daniels made NFL history as the first rookie and only the second player ever to record at least 250 passing yards, 75 rushing yards, and five touchdown passes in a single game, joining Cam Newton (2015).

With 737 rushing yards this season, Daniels surpassed Newton’s 2011 mark (706) for the second-most rushing yards by a rookie quarterback. Only Robert Griffin III (815 in 2012) has more.

Daniels, who now has 4,040 combined passing and rushing yards, is the second rookie quarterback to win at least 10 games while achieving such a milestone, matching Andrew Luck’s 2012 campaign. His 28 total touchdowns also rank fifth all-time among rookie quarterbacks.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Cavs Dominate Bucks, Extend East Lead with 124-101 Victory

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David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers showcased their dominance Friday night, dismantling the Milwaukee Bucks 124-101 in a highly anticipated Eastern Conference clash. Despite Giannis Antetokounmpo’s impressive 33 points and 14 rebounds, the Cavs proved unstoppable, led by Donovan Mitchell’s 27 points and a balanced attack featuring six double-figure scorers.

Cleveland’s sharpshooting was on full display, hitting 50.5% from the field and 42.6% from beyond the arc. This marked their league-best 12th game with a 50/40 shooting split, cementing their position as the NBA’s most efficient offense. The starting five outscored Milwaukee’s lineup 83-48, with Darius Garland contributing 16 points.

The Cavs trailed for only 29 seconds before taking control with a 69-51 halftime lead. By the fourth quarter, their advantage swelled to 36 points. Mitchell credited the team’s relentless effort, saying, “Just a level of tenacity and hunger — not being satisfied with where we are.”

Now 24-4, the Cavs remain atop the NBA standings, matching their historic 2008-09 start. Cleveland continues to set the tone in the East with a 15-1 home record and a 3-0 season series lead over Milwaukee.

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LeBron James on All-Star Game Update: ‘It’s Different’ & ‘Something Had to Change’

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LeBron James is not a fan of the new NBA All-Star Game format. But he also noticed the amount of 3s being shot, citing it as an issue.

When asked about the format, James said, “It’s not just the All-Star Game. It’s our game in general. There’s a lot of f—ing 3s being shot. So it’s a bigger conversation than just the All-Star Game.” Analyzing last year, James said, “Something had to change.”

Adding, “It’s different. Obviously anytime you make some type of change it’s going to be some buck back. I don’t know. I mean, I have my ideas of what could possibly work. … You got to do something. Obviously, the last couple of years have not been a great All-Star Game that Sunday night.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver spoke to the media and offered his opinion on current play, stating, “I would not reduce it to a so-called 3-point shooting issue. I think we look more holistically at the skill level on the floor, the diversity of the offense, the fan reception to the game, all of the above.”

The NBA and NBPA have unveiled a revamped format for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, which will take place on February 16 in San Francisco. This year’s event will introduce a mini-tournament structure, with four teams competing in three games.

Three teams will consist of NBA All-Star selections, while the fourth will be the Castrol Rising Stars champion. Semifinal matchups will determine the finalists, and winners will advance to the championship. Each game will end when a team reaches or surpasses 40 points.

Teams, each with eight players, will be named after TNT analysts. Honorary GMs Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith will draft from the 24 NBA All-Stars on February 6, while Candace Parker will manage the Rising Stars champion squad.

NBA All-Star Voting is underway

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SOURCE SPORTS: LeBron James Becomes NBA’s All-Time Leader in Minutes Played

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LeBron James has once again passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for an NBA record. This time, it’s most minutes played.

During Thursday’s 113-100 win over the Sacramento Kings, King James was celebrated by head coach JJ Redick and the team.

“They told me I’m old as hell and all that,” James said.

LeBron now sits at a career total of 57,471 minutes. Kareem is No. 2 with 57,446.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Karl-Anthony Towns Drops 32 Points and 20 Rebounds in Return to Minnesota

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David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images

Karl-Anthony Towns delivered a dominant performance in his highly anticipated return to Target Center, leading the New York Knicks to a resounding victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The former Wolves star erupted for 32 points, 20 rebounds, and six assists in his first game back after being traded to New York this fall.

Towns received a heartfelt tribute from the Minnesota crowd, a moment he described as “emotional.” Reflecting on his nine-year tenure with the Timberwolves, Towns said, “It’s always great to get love back from a place that I dedicated my life to. I’ve never been traded before, so this experience was surreal.”

Towns wasted no time making his presence felt, nailing a 3-pointer from the top of the key on his first shot. That bucket sparked a perfect 5-of-5 performance from beyond the arc as he continued his stellar season-long shooting from deep (46.1%). By halftime, Towns had already notched a 22-point double-double, including 19 points in a dominant second quarter that saw the Knicks outscore Minnesota 41-18, building a 22-point lead.

The Knicks extended their lead to as much as 36, allowing Towns to rest most of the fourth quarter. His final stat line of 10-of-12 shooting placed him in elite company, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as one of only two players to record 30+ points and 20+ rebounds in their first game against a former team.

Towns also made history by becoming the first NBA player ever to post a 30/20 game with 5+ three-pointers on 80% shooting. Additionally, he joined Willis Reed as the only Knicks to achieve a 30/20 performance on such efficiency.

“I just let the game come to me,” Towns said. “I didn’t want to let my emotions overcome the game. I wasn’t playing for myself, I was playing for the win.”

The win solidified the Knicks’ position as a contender, with Towns proving his value on a team poised for success. For Towns, it was a night of closure and triumph in a place he once called home.

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Giannis, SGA, and Trae Young Headline Emirates NBA Cup All-Tournament Team

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The NBA has revealed the All-Tournament Team for the inaugural Emirates NBA Cup, recognizing standout performances during Group Play and the Knockout Rounds. Selected by a media panel, the team includes Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard (Milwaukee Bucks), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), Alperen Sengun (Houston Rockets), and Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks). Unlike All-NBA honors, selections were made without regard to position.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Announces Star-Studded Nominees for Class of 2025

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The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame has unveiled its eligible candidates for the Class of 2025, spotlighting iconic first-time nominees, including Carmelo Anthony, Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Dwight Howard, and Sylvia Fowles. Joining them are legendary contributors like Doc Rivers, Billy Donovan, Chamique Holdsclaw, Mark Few, Lisa Bluder, Marc Gasol, and Micky Arison.

“These nominees epitomize the excellence and legacy of Hall of Famers,” said John L. Doleva, Hall of Fame President and CEO, highlighting their accolades, from NBA and WNBA championships to Olympic gold medals and collegiate titles.

The announcement was first revealed on ESPN’s “NBA Today” and sets the stage for an exciting induction process. Finalists will be announced during NBA All-Star Weekend on February 14 in San Francisco, with the official Class of 2025 revealed at the NCAA Final Four in San Antonio on April 5.

This year marks a shift in eligibility, as the waiting period for Player candidates has been reduced from three full seasons out of the game to two. Jerry Colangelo, Chairman of the Hall of Fame, emphasized the importance of honoring players while their achievements remain vivid in fans’ memories.

Enshrinement Weekend will kick off on September 5 at the Mohegan Sun, culminating with the Enshrinement Ceremony at Springfield’s Symphony Hall. VIP packages go on sale February 14, with single-event tickets available starting April 5. For details, visit hoophall.com.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Uzma Rawn Dowler Celebrates 10 Years at MLB with Promotion to Chief Marketing Officer

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The 2024 Championship Season marks a decade of Uzma Rawn Dowler’s contributions to Major League Baseball, culminating in her recent promotion to Chief Marketing Officer. In her previous role as Senior Vice President of Global Corporate Partnerships, Rawn established herself as a vital force in forging impactful alliances and driving the league’s marketing strategies.

In her expanded position, Rawn will continue overseeing the global corporate partnerships team while reporting to Bill Morningstar, MLB Network President and MLB Executive Vice President of Sponsorship Sales. With nearly 20 years of experience working with Fortune 500 companies and sports organizations—including the NBA and Premier Partnerships before joining MLB—Rawn is well-positioned to lead MLB’s marketing evolution.

Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. praised Rawn’s contributions and the potential of her new role:
“Uzma has been an invaluable resource for our industry, and this expanded role is a natural evolution for her to make even larger contributions in helping to grow the sport. Uzma already helps Baseball reach new, diverse audiences through her collaborations with our corporate partners where she provides marketing solutions for some of the biggest brands in the world. Now, combined with her energetic personality, never-ending commitment to the game, and cross-industry relationships, Uzma can help bring Baseball closer to our fans and partners alike—both in the U.S. and around the world.”

During her tenure at MLB, Rawn has spearheaded partnerships with iconic brands such as Adobe, Budweiser, Capital One, Chevrolet, Corona, Gatorade, GEICO, Google, Mastercard, and T-Mobile, ensuring that these brands effectively engage with MLB’s expansive multimedia audiences.

Rawn’s impact on the industry has been widely recognized. She was named to Sports Business Journal’s prestigious Forty Under 40 lists in both 2024 and 2020. In 2015, she earned a spot on Forbes Magazine’s 30 Under 30 in Sports. Additionally, SportsPro and the Ivy Sports Symposium honored her as part of their 10 NEXT Class of 2013, recognizing her as one of the most outstanding sports executives under 30.

With a proven track record of innovation and a deep understanding of the sports and marketing landscapes, Rawn Dowler’s leadership promises to usher in a dynamic new era for Major League Baseball.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Reebok Partners with WNBA as Official Footwear Supplier

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Reebok, the iconic sportswear brand, has announced a multi-year partnership with the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), becoming an authorized footwear supplier for the league. The collaboration will highlight the league’s rising stars, including Reebok athletes Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky and Lexie Brown of the Los Angeles Sparks. Together, Reebok and WNBA players will create content to bring fans closer to the game.

“It’s an exciting time for Reebok, the WNBA, and the game of basketball overall,” said Shaquille O’Neal, President of Reebok Basketball. “Reebok has always been committed to supporting the growth of the sport, and now with a strong plan, the right resources, and the welcoming arms of the WNBA, we’re ready to dive in headfirst with everything from product to players and more.”

This partnership aligns with Reebok’s renewed focus on reclaiming its place in sports culture. In recent years, the brand has named legends Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson to leadership roles in its basketball division and signed rising talent Angel Reese, who debuted her “Reebok by Angel” collection earlier this year. Reese also helped launch the “Engine A,” Reebok’s new performance basketball shoe. The partnership extension between Reebok and Reese includes a signature sneaker release in 2026, making her only the second WNBA player to achieve this milestone with the brand.

“Reebok has been such an amazing partner and advocate for women in sport,” said Angel Reese. “As strong female athletes, we can use our platform to set an example for young players coming up in the sport. I’m happy to see the WNBA and Reebok supporting one another because I know that together we’re so much stronger and our reach is so much further.

Reebok has a long history in women’s basketball, producing performance shoes since the 1980s and sponsoring iconic collegiate teams throughout the ’90s. The brand gave Rebecca Lobo her own signature shoe in 1997 and supported leagues like the ABL, NBA, and WNBA during the late ’90s and early 2000s.

This latest partnership reinforces Reebok’s commitment to women’s basketball, building on its legacy with the WNBA and extending support to leagues worldwide. Fans can expect innovative collaborations and continued investment in the sport.

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