(Pittsburgh, PA) — Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is denying rumors that Pro Bowl receiver Antonio Brown is requesting a trade. Tomlin confirmed that Brown didn’t report to practice last Saturday and that resulted in him not playing the season finale against Cincinnati. Brown has been getting recruited by other players since reports of a falling out in Pittsburgh surfaced. 49ers tight end George Kittle and Jets safety Jamal Adams are among players who have reached out to Brown via social media.
(Indianapolis, IN) — The playoffs are here for the Colts, who visit the Houston Texans on Saturday in the Wild Card round. Indy has won nine of its past 10 games to lock up a playoff spot. They went 1-and-1 against Houston this season, with the road team winning each time. In other team news, center Ryan Kelly was at practice yesterday as he deals with a neck injury. He’s expected to play against Houston.
(Chicago, IL) — The Bears are preparing for Sunday’s first-round playoff game against the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles at Soldier Field. Chicago earned a three-seed after finishing the regular season with a 12-and-4 record. The Bears have won four straight and nine of their last 10 games. Philadelphia grabbed the second wild card as the sixth seed with a 9-and-7 record.
(Bloomington, IN) — Illinois men’s basketball resumes Big Ten play tonight on the road against number-22 Indiana. The 4-and-9 Illini are looking to get back on track following an overtime loss to Florida Atlantic this past Saturday. Illinois has lost six straight in Bloomington. The Hoosiers enter at 11-and-2.
(Chicago, IL) — Nikola Vucevic [[ VOOCH-eh-vitch ]] scored 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Magic cruised to a 112-84 victory over the Bulls at the United Center. Zach LaVine [[ luh-VEEN ]] led Chicago with 16 points. Kris Dunn and Lauri Markkanen added 14 points apiece for the Bulls, who dropped to 10-and-28. Chicago hosts the Pacers tomorrow night.
>>George, Thunder Tame Lakers
(Los Angeles, CA) — Paul George put up 37 points amidst a crowd of booing fans as the Thunder tamed the Lakers 107-100 in LA. OKC outscored the Lakers by 11 in the fourth quarter to pull away. George spurned his hometown Lakers to stay with Oklahoma City in free agency over the summer. LeBron James missed his fourth straight game with a groin strain for LA.
>>Capitals’ Ovechkin Skipping All-Star Game
(Washington, DC) — Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin will not participate in this month’s NHL All-Star Game. “Ovi” leads the NHL with 29 goals, but says he needs the time off to rest for the second half instead. The 33-year-old had previously been named captain of the Metropolitan Division and could face a suspension. The All-Star Game is set for January 26th in San Jose.
>>Kawhi Returns To San Antonio Tonight
(San Antonio, TX) — Raptors forward Kawhi [[ kuh-WHY ]] Leonard is going back to his NBA roots tonight. He and the Raptors are in San Antonio to clash with the Spurs. Leonard requested a trade from the team that drafted him last summer, resulting in him being dealt for fellow All-Star DeMar DeRozan. Toronto is 28-and-11 in the East. San Antonio is 21-and-17 in the West.
>>USC’s Kingsbury Up For NFL Jobs
(Los Angeles, CA) — USC offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury could be on his way out of SoCal before coaching a game for the Trojans. Multiple reports say Kingsbury will interview with both the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals for their head coaching positions. He’s been with USC for less than a month after getting fired as the head coach at Texas Tech.
(Chicago, IL) — Mark Loretta is the Cubs’ new bench coach. The team has hired the former infielder and Northwestern alum to fill its final coaching staff vacancy. Loretta replaces Brandon Hyde, who left to become the Orioles manager. Loretta joins manager Joe Maddon’s coaching staff after nine years as a special assistant to baseball operations with the Padres.
