Healthy A.J. Pollock aims to exceed 2015 breakout season

Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder A.J. Pollock is back, healthy, and confident he can exceed the breakout season he put together in 2015 Healthy A.J. Pollock aims to exceed 2015 breakout season Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder A.J. Pollock is back, healthy, and confident he can exceed the breakout season he put together in 2015 Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2lxack2 SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – One of the best facts about this year’s Arizona Diamondbacks: A.J. Pollock is back, healthy, and confident he can exceed the breakout season he put together in 2015.

Led by Nikola Jokic, Nuggets in contention for playoff spot

The Denver Nuggets have a tenuous hold on the eighth and final playoff spot in the West with 26 games remaining Led by Nikola Jokic, Nuggets in contention for playoff spot The Denver Nuggets have a tenuous hold on the eighth and final playoff spot in the West with 26 games remaining Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2lx5kew DENVER – Nikola Jokic wouldn’t mind a few more days of rest after his return from the All-Star festivities. With 26 games remaining, the Denver Nuggets have a tenuous hold on the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.

Richard Jefferson wore ‘Flat World Champs’ shirt

Richard Jefferson wore ‘Flat World Champs’ shirt Well done. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James and forward Richard Jefferson and center Tristan Thompson and guard Kyrie Irving and guard Iman Shumpert wait for play to begin against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at the American Airlines Center.

The NCAA is coming hard for Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze

The NCAA is coming hard for Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze The Rebels football program has been charged with serious NCAA violations. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2lwVGZx No matter how bad this gets, when Hugh Freeze looks back on the end of his coaching career – which might be upon us sooner rather than later – the truth is that every bit of the indignity he suffered Wednesday was worth it.

Couple unhappy with USA Gymnastics handling

… portion at the 2014 P&G Championships at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports usp ORG XMIT: USATSI-188736 [Via MerlinFTP Drop] A former men’s gymnastics coach at the Olympic Training Center was accused of …

Ilyasova to Hawks

Woj just tweeted that Philly is finalizing a deal to atlanta for two second rounders and Tiago Splitter… thoughts? Splitter is owed 8.25 this year… Ilyasova is a free agent with 8.4 M owed… so salaries cancel out. looks like we just got two second rounders. Not sure what to think yet

Hazard and Chelsea team-mates amazed by magician

The Chelsea attacker got a taste of his own medicine of sorts when magician Ben Hanlin performed a trick in the dressing room Eden Hazard is known for producing magic on the pitch, but this time it was he who was left amazed by a different kind in the Chelsea dressing room. The Blues players have previously been left in shock by David Luiz’s tricks , but this time it was television magician Ben Hanlin who had them aghast.

Mourinho blasts FA for Chelsea quarter-final scheduling

Jose Mourinho has hit out at the decision to stage Manchester United’s FA Cup quarter-final against Chelsea on a Monday night next month just three days before they play in the Europa League. But the United boss insisted that he will not disrespect the competition by fielding a weakened team, as Manchester City did when they were thrashed in the FA Cup at Chelsea last season.

Dakota Access oil pipeline activists set fire to building at entrance to encampment

Deadline extension to leave Dakota Access oil pipeline protest camp not granted Few hundred people remaining in camp must take their possessions and leave by Wednesday. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2ltYS87 Dakota Access pipeline protesters set some of their tents and teepees ablaze Wednesday as the deadline loomed to depart their encampment near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation, in what might be seen as a final show of defiance.

Why his engineers have Lewis Hamilton worried

… coming in and I hope they do something new. “Formula One is a bit outdated in the sense of, if you look at other sports, they are further ahead in the entertainment factor. Formula One is really catching up and they have a lot of catching up to do.” …

United cop big consequences for Europa progress

MANCHESTER United’s Europa League progress at has come at a cost, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan limping off shortly after opening the scoring against St Etienne to put his EFL Cup final hopes in jeopardy. Jose Mourinho named a surprisingly-strong line-up considering they arrived in France boasting a 3-0 lead for the last-32 return leg – a bold decision that backfired somewhat.

Brady begins investigation into stolen SB jersey

Brady begins investigation into stolen SB jersey Tom Brady: Still really great at social media. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: New England Patriots QB Tom Brady #12 calls signals at the line against the Atlanta Falcons at Super Bowl 51 on Sunday, February 5, 2017 in Houston, TX.

Cavs sign forward Derrick Williams to second 10-day contract

Cavs sign forward Derrick Williams to second 10-day contract The Cavaliers have signed forward Derrick Williams to a second 10-day contract Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2lwhrIW The NBA champions have been impressed with Williams, a former No. 2 overall pick, and it’s likely they will sign him for the remainder of the season when his current contract expires.

Suns again assign slam-dunk runner-up Jones to D-league

The Phoenix Suns have again assigned forward Derrick Jones Jr. to Northern Arizona, its affiliate in the NBA Development League. Jones was the runner-up to Glenn Robinson III in the NBA Slam Dunk competition over the weekend Suns again assign slam-dunk runner-up Jones to D-league The Phoenix Suns have again assigned forward Derrick Jones Jr. to Northern Arizona, its affiliate in the NBA Development League.

Paul George wants to stay, if Pacers can win

… of them all, it came with one qualifier. According to a person with knowledge of the meeting who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, that is the crossroads that Pacers president Larry …

Patriots coach named as possible witness at Hernandez trial

To continue reading up to 10 premium articles, you must register , or sign up and take advantage of this exclusive offer: Boston – New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has been added to a list of people who could be called to testify at the double murder trial of former player Aaron Hernandez. Hernandez is charged with the drive-by slayings of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado in Boston in 2012.

Report: After not landing Lou Williams, Wizards may target Shabazz Muhammad

The Washington Wizards are thinking about a deep playoff run this season – they are the current three seed in the East, they have the best record in the conference since Dec. 1, and they have a starting five that has been powerful all season and is staying healthy. What they could use is some bench help to help make that run, which is why the Wizards were linked to the Lakers’ Lou Williams in trade talks.

Jamie Lynn Spears’ daughter returns to sports after ATV accident

Spears, 25, posted a video of 8-year-old daughter Maddie at her first basketball practice since nearly drowning at their Kentwood, La., home. Maddie left the hospital Feb. 10 after regaining consciousness Feb. 7. She was driving an ATV on her family’s property Feb. 5 when she veered into a pond while trying to avoid a ditch and almost drowned.

The Latest: Hendrick ‘can’t sit still’ despite Turn 4 issues

Jimmie Johnson hits the inside wall after losing control of his car coming out of Turn 4 during a NASCAR Clash auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017. Jimmie Johnson climbs out of his car after hitting the inside wall when he lost control of his car coming out of Turn 4 during a NASCAR Clash auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017.

Magic Named Lakers’ President of Basketball Operations

Magic Johnson was named the president of basketball operations for the struggling Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday as one of the NBA’s most storied franchises undergoes a major shakeup to the their front office. In addition to promoting Johnson, a Hall of Famer who won five NBA titles with Los Angeles in the 1980s, Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss fired longtime general manager Mitch Kupchak and her brother, Jim, from his role as vice president of basketball operations.