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  • Ghana’s plan to emerge from a crowded group of strong soccer nations runs through Philly

    Ghana’s plan to emerge from a crowded group of strong soccer nations runs through Philly

    Ghana will take the field for its fifth World Cup this summer vying to match the success of its first two tournament appearances.

    Since making their World Cup debut in 2006, the Black Stars have qualified for every tournament since, except in 2018. But Ghana has yet to match its performances in its first two World Cup appearances, a round of 16 exit in 2006 and a knockout win over the United States that led to a quarterfinal appearance in 2010.

    Ghana is in a crowded Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama, but with the expansion of the knockout stage from 16 to 32 teams, the Ghanaians stand a chance of making their first trip out of the group stage since 2010.

    Ghana’s World Cup schedule

    (All times Eastern)

    June 17: vs. Panama in Toronto (7 p.m., FS1)

    June 23: vs. England in Foxborough, Mass. (4 p.m., Fox29)

    June 27: vs. Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field (5 p.m., FS1, tickets)

    Fast facts

    Ghana is ranked 72nd in FIFA’s latest world rankings. … Ghana’s team gets its Black Stars nickname from the Black Star of Africa, which is featured in the center of the country’s tricolor flag. … Ghana has won the Africa Cup of Nations four times, most recently in 1982. Ghana failed to qualify for the most recent Africa Cup. … Otto Addo is in his second stint as manager for Ghana. Addo departed after coaching the Black Stars in the 2022 World Cup but returned to the position in March 2024.

    Jordan Ayew (right) is expected to be one of Ghana’s go-to players as it looks to emerge from Group L.

    Players to watch

    Jordan Ayew, son of all-time Ghanaian great Abedi Ayew, has followed in his father’s footsteps by captaining the Black Stars. Ayew, who plays his club soccer for Leicester City in the English Championship, has the second-most appearances in Ghanaian history. His 115 caps only trail his older brother, André Ayew.

    Antoine Semenyo perhaps is the most exciting player expected to be in Ghana’s World Cup squad. The winger has been in excellent form, scoring in three of his first four appearances for English Premier League side Manchester City, which acquired him from EPL rival Bournemouth for approximately $84 million in January. Semenyo, 26, suited up for Ghana at the World Cup in 2022, but only played 19 minutes across two matches.

    Joining Ayew and Semenyo to make up a fierce Ghanaian attack is Mohammed Kudus. Kudus was an important player for a struggling Tottenham squad early in the Premier League season, but a leg injury he suffered in January is expected to keep him out of play until March. Kudus should be healthy enough to star for Ghana this summer as he did at the 2022 tournament. Kudus led Ghana with two goals in three group-stage games in Qatar.

    Philly meets Ghana moment

    Ghana last visited Philadelphia for an international friendly matchup with Chile in February 2012, with the two nations playing to a 1-1 draw at PPL Park (now Subaru Park). Richard Mpong opened the scoring for the Black Stars with a goal shortly before halftime. Most of the players who took the pitch for Ghana in Chester have since retired, but a young Jordan Ayew took in the game from the bench.

    You should check out …

    Inquirer critic Craig LaBan searched for a Ghanaian-owned spot in Philadelphia but came up short. Still, he’s got advice on a close counterpart:

    If you’re planning a watch party for Ghana in the World Cup, there appears to be no local restaurant owned specifically by Ghanaians at the moment. However, Southwest Philly’s thriving Africatown along Woodland Avenue is bustling with restaurants serving cuisines from the surrounding region, including Le Baobab (Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso) and Lè Mandingue, a multilocation institution whose Liberian and Guinean ownership caters to a wide array of Philadelphians from across the West African diaspora.

    Le Mandingue makes one of my favorite renditions of jollof rice, best topped with zesty chunks of grilled lamb dibi and a potent hot sauce that will light you up. Try the spicy peanut soup with fluffy balls of fufu on the side for dipping. But don’t miss what may be Lè Mandingue’s best dish: a takeout tub of stewed sweet potato leaf greens imbued with so much flavor from smoked turkey and spice, that I literally could not stop eating it. Lè Mandingue, 📍 6620 Woodland Ave., ☎️ 215-726-0543; 📍 7186 Marshall Rd., ☎️ 484-461-2981; or University Fair Food (online ordering only); lemandingue.com

    Check out the Inquirer’s curated list of the 76 best restaurants in the Philly area
    SEPTA’s Broad Street Line train is a direct path from the city to the stadium on game day.

    Navigating Philly

    The best way to navigate getting to the stadium area where the games will be held is via SEPTA, the city’s public transportation system. The network has its own app and is fully integrated into apps, including Google Maps, Apple Maps, Transit, and CityMapper.

    Whether you’re coming in by way of Philadelphia’s international airport or its main train hub, William H. Gray III 30th Street Station, it’s easy to get around Philly’s Center City district and other neighborhoods by bus, train, or trolley.

    Don’t feel like figuring out all the schedules? Taxis or ride shares via Uber or Lyft also are quick and convenient options.

  • Doing it for Luka: Croatia’s World Cup stop in Philly has major motivation behind it.

    Doing it for Luka: Croatia’s World Cup stop in Philly has major motivation behind it.

    After finishing as runner-up in 2018 and earning bronze in 2022, Croatia will return to the World Cup stage seeking its first-ever first-place finish.

    This summer’s tournament will be the seventh for the Vatreni, who boast three top-three finishes at the World Cup since winning bronze in their first appearance in 1998.

    Croatia should have a path out of Group L, though it will have to contend with England. Can Croatia match the success of its most recent tournament appearances in this year’s expanded 48-team field?

    Croatia’s World Cup schedule

    (All times Eastern)

    June 17: vs. England in Arlington, Texas (4 p.m., Fox29)

    June 23: vs. Panama in Toronto (7 p.m., Fox29)

    June 27: vs. Ghana, at Lincoln Financial Field (5 p.m., FS1, tickets)

    Fast facts

    Croatia is ranked 11th in FIFA’s latest world rankings. … Despite three top-three finishes at the World Cup, Croatia has not advanced past the quarterfinals of the UEFA European Championship. … The Vatreni have been managed by Zlatko Dalić since 2017. … Ivan Perišić, a likely inclusion in Dalić’s squad this summer, needs eight international goals to match all-time leading goal scorer Davor Šuker’s mark of 45 goals. … Croatia will match up against England in Group L, a rematch of their semifinal meeting in the 2018 tournament, which Croatia won, 2-1, in extra time. … Croatia is the second-smallest nation, both by population and by land mass, to appear in a World Cup final.

    Andrej Kramarić (center) will be looking to improve upon his two-goal outburst in the 2022 World Cup.

    Three players to watch

    Croatia’s biggest star and captain is Luka Modrić, the midfield engine behind the team’s success in recent tournaments. Modrić, 40, will appear in his fifth World Cup this summer, a feat that has only been accomplished by eight players in tournament history. The former Real Madrid captain moved to AC Milan in July 2025, where he likely will finish his club career, but he will get one more run to try and lead the Croatian team to victory at the World Cup.

    Joining Modrić in that effort should be Andrej Kramarić, a forward who currently plays for Hoffenheim in Germany’s Bundesliga. Kramarić, 34, scored twice at the World Cup in 2022, making him the only Croatian player to find the back of the net multiple times in the team’s run to the semifinals. Kramarić, who netted six goals in eight matches during Croatia’s World Cup qualifiers, should be an important attacking piece for the Vatreni.

    Despite having played in just one World Cup match, Josip Šutalo could be the most important player in the Croatian back line. Šutalo was a first-choice defender for Dalić’s team at the Euros in 2024, starting all three of the team’s group-stage matches. The centerback may become important for Croatia this summer, as Joško Gvardiol, another top defender at the Euros, suffered a tibia fracture while playing for Manchester City in January that could keep him out of Croatia’s squad for the World Cup. Šutalo will need to be more effective than he was at the Euros, where the Vatreni allowed six goals in three matches.

    Philly meets Croatia moment

    Modrić’s last competition with Real Madrid was last summer’s Club World Cup. The midfielder got a chance to play at Lincoln Financial Field at the Club World Cup, coming onto the pitch in the 67th minute to help see through Madrid’s 3-0 win over Red Bull Salzburg. Modrić played 13 seasons with Real Madrid before joining AC Milan in July 2025, where he plays alongside Hershey native and U.S. midfielder Christian Pulisic.

    You should check out …

    There are no Croatian restaurants in Philadelphia, but you can find some Balkan comfort food at South Philly’s Two Eagles Cafe, according to Inquirer writer Kiki Aranita:

    At first glance, you might think that Two Eagles is owned by a Philadelphia Eagles fanatic, and the Karaj family owners certainly lean into the cross-cultural overlap. But the two eagles actually refer to the flag of their homeland, Albania.

    Check out the Inquirer’s curated list of the 76 best restaurants in the Philly area

    The menu here is predominantly made up of American breakfast and lunch staples — cheesesteaks, breakfast burritos, and BLTs — but Balkan hints turn up in the Russian dressing smeared on their smash burger, the Polish omelet with sliced kielbasa and mushrooms, and their Fergese, a creamy feta-and-bell pepper stew served in a mini skillet, topped with an egg, and served with slices of white toast.

    The real star of the show is their Albanian qofte, consisting of big, oblong kebabs simmered in tomato-bell pepper sauce and served with tangy, herbaceous sour cream. One thing that Croatia and Albania have in common is burek, which is served by the slice at the Point Breeze cafe. Grab one on your way out, along with a piece of baklava. 📍 Two Eagles Cafe, 1401 S. 20th St., ☎️ 267-748-2257, twoeaglescafe.square.site

    SEPTA’s Broad Street Line train is a direct path from the city to the stadium on game day.

    Navigating Philly

    The best way to navigate getting to the stadium area where the games will be held is via SEPTA, the city’s public transportation system. The network has its own app and is fully integrated into apps, including Google Maps, Apple Maps, Transit, and CityMapper.

    Whether you’re coming in by way of Philadelphia’s international airport or its main train hub, William H. Gray III 30th Street Station, it’s easy to get around Philly’s Center City district and other neighborhoods by bus, train, or trolley.

    Don’t feel like figuring out all the schedules? Taxis or ride shares via Uber or Lyft also are quick and convenient options.

  • Philly is a stop on Brazil’s path to World Cup glory. Here’s what to know about the Seleçao

    Philly is a stop on Brazil’s path to World Cup glory. Here’s what to know about the Seleçao

    Casual soccer fans, and even those who know nothing about the sport itself, know that when it comes to soccer excellence on a global scale, Brazil’s track record is unparalleled.

    As five-time World Cup champions, with one of those titles coming the last time the tournament was held in the United States in 1994, the Seleçao holds the record for the nation with the most World Cup trophies, dating back to 1930, their first appearance in the tournament, and in 2002, the last time they won it all.

    Brazil’s lore largely is propped up by its legends, players past — and even a few still present, who have put the sport on the map. However, even with a crop of natural talent, the nation has struggled over the last few years to regain its former dominance.

    Brazil has struggled in every men’s World Cup tournament since its 2002 victory, crashing out in the quarterfinals four times and the semifinals once, though that might just be the tournament many won’t soon forget: a 7-1 loss to Germany in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

    Now, the nation that has qualified for every World Cup since the first iteration in 1930 will return to the United States, with its tournament aspirations making a stop in Philly against Haiti in Brazil’s second game of Group C on June 19 (9 p.m., Fox29).

    Brazil’s World Cup schedule

    (All times Eastern)

    June 13: vs. Morocco in East Rutherford, N.J. (6 p.m., FS1)

    June 19: vs. Haiti at Lincoln Financial Field (9 p.m., Fox29, tickets)

    June 24: vs. Scotland in Miami Gardens, Fla. (6 p.m., Fox29)

    Lincoln Financial Field, which will be renamed to Philadelphia Stadium, will host six matches in the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

    Fast facts

    Brazil is currently ranked fifth in FIFA’s latest world rankings. … Neymar, who has been a key figure in Brazil’s attacking corps for over a decade, isn’t a guarantee to make manager Carlo Ancelotti’s team. Despite playing well for Santos in the Brazilian league, he’s still coming back from a meniscus tear. … Croatia in Group L also will be coming to Lincoln Financial Field this summer. The Vatreni knocked Brazil out on penalty kicks in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. … According to city data, Northeast Philadelphia has one of the largest Brazilian contingencies in the city, housing the bulk of what’s an estimated 20,000 people living within the city limits.

    Brazil’s Rodrygo (left) is expected to have a breakthrough performance in this World Cup.

    Three players to watch

    It’s hard to just name three on a roster that undoubtedly will feature players competing on the top club teams in world soccer. However, the biggest name at the moment is Vinícius Jr., the 25-year-old star forward for Spanish club giants Real Madrid. Vinicius led the team to the semifinals of last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup. He’s played in 45 matches for Brazil since debuting for the first team as a 19-year-old in 2019, with eight goals.

    He’ll most likely be joined by Rodrygo, his teammate at Real Madrid, who is a danger at either inside a four-man attacking front in Brazil’s iconic 4-2-4 formation but mainly outside on the right wing, where Rodrygo, 25, has scored nine goals for his country in just 37 matches.

    Finally, there’s a case to be made for Gabriel Magalhães, who, at 28, can be considered one of the most complete defenders in the world, starring in the back for Arsenal in the English Premier League.

    Philly meets Brazil moment

    One of the biggest arrived just last year, when Vini Jr. dazzled at Lincoln Financial Field during the FIFA Club World Cup, where he scored a remarkable goal in a win over Red Bull Salzburg, and then dished out the assist with a no-look back-heel pass on the game-winner just before halftime.

    Make sure you check out …

    If you’re rooting for Brazil, food writer Beatrice Forman has not one, but two great recommendations for you, covering sweet and savory:

    Brazilian-born pastry chef-owner Mallory Santos-Cepeda has a South Philly monopoly on the country’s traditional confections. Her bakery, Kouklet & Tanda, specializes in bolo de rolo (ultrathin cake rolls from northern Brazil), plus airy sourdough doughnuts called sonhos that are stuffed with a rotating fillings, from fig butter to white chocolate custard and poached pears. Kouklet & Tanda has two locations, both of which are takeout only, so grab empanadas to snack on in the stands of the Linc or fuel up with a big focaccia sandwich on the Broad Street Line. 📍 1647 E. Passyunk Ave. and 1429 Wolf St.; ☎️ 973-664-7076, kouklet.com

    Check out the Inquirer’s curated list of the 76 best restaurants in the Philly area

    Picanha Brazilian Steakhouse: For a savory (or celebratory) option, Northeast Philly’s Picanha steakhouse is open late daily, serving up charcoal-grilled cuts of rodizio (all-you-can eat meats) that theatrically turn on skewers in the back of the dining room. Picanha is BYOB with a salad bar that’s less upscale than those Brazilian steakhouse chains, so there’s nothing stopping you from celebrating a dub with mountains of pão de queijo (cheese bread) or Brazilian-style lasagna. 📍 6501 Castor Ave., ☎️ 215-743-4647, picanhasteakhouse.com

    Support a local Brazilian small business:

    By Brazil: It may look like your average convenience store on the outside, but inside the revamped shop, you can pick up authentic Brazilian wares, food items, and more. Soccer is a passion here, too, as By Brazil has a decent selection of jerseys on the club side along with the national team. 📍6400 Castor Avenue, ☎️ 215-533-9200.

    SEPTA’s Broad Street Line train is a direct path from the city to the stadium on game day.

    Navigating Philly

    The best way to get to the stadium area where the games will be held is via SEPTA, the city’s public transportation system. The network has its own app and is fully integrated into apps, including Google Maps, Apple Maps, Transit, and CityMapper.

    Whether you’re coming in by way of Philadelphia’s international airport or its main train hub, William H. Gray III 30th Street Station, it’s easy to get around Philly’s Center City district and other neighborhoods by bus, train, or trolley.

    Don’t feel like figuring out all the schedules? Taxis or ride shares via Uber or Lyft also are quick and convenient options.

  • 🦅 Wasting no time | Sports Daily Newsletter

    🦅 Wasting no time | Sports Daily Newsletter

    OK, Eagles fans, Super Bowl LX is over. Let’s move on, shall we?

    It’s never too soon to start thinking about the NFL draft (April 23-25), and rest assured that the Eagles are way past knee-deep in their preparations.

    The Birds will need plenty as they restock their roster, and in Devin Jackson’s first mock NFL draft, he sees them going for a tight end in the first round.

    Our Jeff McLane was at the Super Bowl and these were among his takeaways from the week in Santa Clara, Calif.:

    — Jim Swan, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    ❓Do you think the Eagles will return to the Super Bowl next year? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

    Maxey for three

    Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey shoots as Mikal Bridges of the Knicks guards him on Jan. 24.

    Tyrese Maxey will start for the first time in the NBA All-Star Game this Sunday and he’ll be busy on Saturday night as well. Maxey will compete in the three-point contest during All-Star Weekend, the league announced. In the midst of a breakout season as the Sixers’ top scorer, the point guard is connecting on 38.2% of his three-pointers this season.

    Maxey could use some help handling the ball these days with the departures of Jared McCain and Eric Gordon and the suspension of Paul George. It turns out that forward Trendon Watford is starting to fill that role.

    Daryl Morey might not be done fine-tuning the team’s roster this season. The president of basketball operations’ next step is the buyout market, where a former “glue guy” for Nick Nurse could fit the bill.

    Back in business

    Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen is finally back with the team this season after a series of elbow surgeries.

    Rasmus Ristolainen is grateful to be playing again for the Flyers after injury setbacks cost him large parts of the last two seasons and some of this one. The defenseman is especially grateful now to be playing for Finland at the Winter Olympics.

    “Means a lot. I haven’t had the chance to play the last couple of Olympics, so [it] means even more,” he says. “And then, obviously, think about all the players who wore the jersey and when you watched them play when you were a kid. So that means a lot.”

    Out to rule the world

    Phillies prospect Dante Nori will represent Italy in the WBC.

    Several Phillies will have more on their plate than just spring training when Clearwater, Fla., welcomes them back this week. The World Baseball Classic is returning, with pool play scheduled to begin on March 5-10, the quarterfinals on March 13, and the semifinals and finals on March 15-17. Here are the Phillies who’ll be playing in the WBC, including some of their prospects.

    Keeping with the Super Bowl LX theme, Scott Lauber brings us 60 notes on the Phillies.

    Frightening crash

    U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn is transported to a helicopter after she crashed during an Alpine downhill race at the Olympics.

    American skier Lindsey Vonn was in stable condition following surgery on a broken leg Sunday after she crashed during the Alpine skiing downhill at the Winter Olympics. Vonn, skiing with a torn ACL she ruptured last month, lost control near the start of the race and crashed after clipping a flag on the course.

    The Olympic schedule includes speedskating, featuring American Brittany Bowe, a 37-year-old who was a college basketball player. Here’s today’s Olympic TV schedule.

    Sports snapshot

    Former Villanova women’s coach Harry Perretta holds a plaque commemorating his time at the school.

    On this date

    Feb. 9, 2018: Dario Šarić and Joel Embiid scored 24 points apiece as the Sixers beat the New Orleans Pelicans, 100-82.

    Our columnists say …

    Flyers coach Rick Tocchet talks to right wing Matvei Michkov during Thursday’s game against the Ottawa Senators.

    The Matvei Michkov issue has been fascinating and revealing. Everyone acknowledges that, after his often-impressive rookie season, he came into training camp out of shape. That reality has precipitated a months-long discussion about how he has played, when he has played, how much he has played, and whether coach Rick Tocchet might be mishandling him and sabotaging Michkov’s career before the kid has a chance to become the star the Flyers and their fans hope he will be.

    It’s safe to say that within at least a portion of the Flyers’ fan base, a measure of paranoia has arisen when it comes to Michkov and the organization’s handling of him. More from Mike Sielski

    From Marcus Hayes:

    Last week, with the trade deadline looming, Joel Embiid made a public plea to the 76ers’ front office. He begged them to ignore the luxury tax for once, and to get him the help he needs for what has turned into an unlikely impending playoff run.

    Embiid’s wishes made sense. Embiid’s wishes were not granted. Daryl Morey’s message to Embiid: Trust the process. More from Marcus Hayes.

    We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Jeff McLane, Devin Jackson, Lochlahn March, Scott Lauber, Mike Sielski, Marcus Hayes, Gina Mizell, Keith Pompey, Jackie Spiegel, Rob Tornoe, Katie Lewis, Sean McKeown, and Ryan Mack.

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    The warmest thought we can have during one of the most chilling winters of our lives: Phillies pitchers and catchers report on Wednesday. I’ll see you in Tuesday’s newsletter. — Jim

  • Seahawks ride their ‘Dark Side’ defense to a Super Bowl title, pounding the Patriots 29-13

    Seahawks ride their ‘Dark Side’ defense to a Super Bowl title, pounding the Patriots 29-13

    SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Defense won this championship.

    Devon Witherspoon, Derick Hall, Byron Murphy and the rest of Mike Macdonald’s ferocious unit pummeled Drake Maye, and the Seattle Seahawks beat the New England Patriots 29-13 on Sunday to win the franchise’s second Super Bowl.

    Sam Darnold threw a touchdown pass to AJ Barner, Kenneth Walker III ran for 135 yards and Jason Myers made all five of his field-goal tries.

    Uchenna Nwosu punctuated a punishing defensive performance by snagging Maye’s pass in the air after Witherspoon hit his arm and ran it back 45 yards for a pick-6.

    Seattle’s “Dark Side” defense helped Darnold become the first quarterback in the 2018 draft class to win a Super Bowl, ahead of Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson.

    Labeled a bust, dumped by two teams and considered expendable by two others, Darnold proved his doubters wrong while helping the Seahawks go 17-3.

    After leading the NFL with 20 turnovers in the regular season, Darnold didn’t have any in three playoff games. He wasn’t particularly sharp against a solid Patriots defense but protected the ball and made enough plays, finishing 19 of 38 for 202 yards.

    The Seahawks sacked Maye six times, including two apiece by Hall and Murphy. Hall’s strip-sack late in the third quarter set up a short field and Darnold connected with Barner on 16-yard scoring toss to make it 19-0.

    Julian Love’s interception set up another field goal that made it 22-7 with 5:35 left.

    The Patriots (17-4) punted on the first eight drives, excluding a kneel-down to end the first half.

  • Lindsey Vonn undergoes surgery after being airlifted off mountain following Winter Olympics crash

    Lindsey Vonn undergoes surgery after being airlifted off mountain following Winter Olympics crash

    American ski champ Lindsey Vonn was airlifted off Olympia delle Tofane and was in stable condition following surgery on a broken leg Sunday after crashing during the women’s Alpine skiing event at the Winter Olympics.

    Vonn, skiing with a torn ACL she ruptured last month, lost control near the start of the race and crashed after clipping a flag on the course. She was heard screaming after the crash as she was surrounded by medical personnel before she was strapped to a gurney and flown away by helicopter, possibly ending the skier’s storied career.

    The race was paused for nearly half an hour, with a stunned crowd watching.

    “Lindsey Vonn sustained an injury, but is in stable condition and in good hands with a team of American and Italian physicians,” the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team said in a statement Sunday afternoon.

    “That definitely was the last thing we wanted to see,” Vonn’s sister, Karin Kildow, said during NBC’s broadcast. “It happened quick. When that happens, you’re just immediately hoping she’s OK. It was scary, because when you start seeing the stretchers being put out, it’s not a good sign.”

    “She does have all of her surgeons and her [physical therapy] staff here and her doctors,” Kildow added.

    All downhill skiers were required to have smart safety air bags in their racing suits, triggered by motion sensors and GPS data in the event of a crash. Vonn’s air bag inflated during her crash, which may have softened her fall, supplier Dainese told the Associated Press.

    Lindsey Vonn the moment she crashed into a gate during an Alpine skiing downhill race at the Olympics.

    The 41-year-old underwent a partial knee replacement in April 2024, which rekindled hope of an Olympic return after retiring in 2019. She suffered another setback last month when she ruptured her ACL skiing at the Alpine Ski World Cup in Switzerland.

    Fellow Team USA skier Breezy Johnson won gold in the event, her first Olympic medal. But speaking after the national anthem, Johnson’s thoughts were on her teammate.

    “It’s devastating,” Johnson said. “It’s not the physical pain — we can deal with physical pain — but the emotional pain is something else. I wish her the best and I hope that this isn’t the end.”

    She has some experience in what happened to Vonn. Johnson crashed at Cortina d’Ampezzo and injured her knee, which forced her to miss the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

    Andorra’s Cande Moreno and Austria’s Nina Ortlieb both also crashed during their runs Sunday. Ortlieb was able to stand up and walk off the course, while Moreno needed to be airlifted.

  • Sixers’ Tyrese Maxey will take part in the All-Star three-point contest

    Sixers’ Tyrese Maxey will take part in the All-Star three-point contest

    Tyrese Maxey will compete in the three-point contest on Saturday at All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, the NBA announced Sunday afternoon.

    Maxey, the 76ers’ standout point guard, is one of the NBA’s most dangerous three-point shooters, connecting on 38.2% of his 8.8 attempts per game. That effectiveness from deep has contributed to Maxey entering Sunday ranked sixth in the NBA in scoring at 28.8 points per game.

    The three-point contest is part of the All-Star Saturday festivities. The other three-point contest participants are the Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker, the Charlotte Hornets’ Kon Kneuppel, the Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell, the Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray, the Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis, and the Miami Heat’s Norman Powell.

    Maxey is also an Eastern Conference starter for the All-Star Game next Sunday. Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe will play in the Rising Stars competition on Friday.

  • Trendon Watford’s versatility will become a major asset as the Sixers reshuffle their roster

    Trendon Watford’s versatility will become a major asset as the Sixers reshuffle their roster

    PHOENIX — Trendon Watford wanted everybody to know that he believes he beat the shot clock on his swooping right-wing three-point attempt, which he launched off a high-arcing inbound pass from the opposite corner by Tyrese Maxey.

    Forget that the fourth-quarter basket was overturned by an official review minutes later.

    “Go back and watch that,” the reserve forward said from his locker. “I’m about 95% sure I got that off at 0.1 [seconds]. Approximately 0.2. But hey, 76ers win. It’s OK.”

    That ruling took three points off Watford’s stat line in the 76ers’ 109-103 victory over the Suns on Saturday night at Mortgage Matchup Center. At first glance, Watford’s six points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two blocks are not exactly staggering. The eye test, though, recognized Watford’s impact as a complementary ballhandler, offensive connector, and hustle player inserted into the closing lineup for the 30-22 Sixers.

    Regardless of Daryl Morey’s comments, the Sixers used the NBA trade deadline to duck luxury tax

    Watford is showcasing that versatile skill set during a crucial stretch of the schedule, with playmaking wing Paul George serving a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy and reserve guards Jared McCain and Eric Gordon traded away at the deadline last week.

    “He just knows how to play the game,” star center Joel Embiid said of Watford. “Very unselfish. Willing to make the right cuts. Whether it’s get our teammates open [or] get a shot, it comes down to [he is an] extremely smart basketball player and he does all the little things.”

    Before Saturday’s game, Sixers coach Nick Nurse said it was still “early days” in evaluating Watford, whose first season in Philly had been interrupted by hamstring and thigh injuries. Although Watford did record a triple-double in a November win over the Toronto Raptors, Nurse was still curious about the types of opposing players Watford could guard and how much he could help with rebounding. He has averaged 6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 16 minutes across 30 games.

    After Saturday’s victory, however, Nurse praised Watford’s ability to both bring the ball up the floor like a lead guard and post up like a big man.

    “Can kind of go from one extreme to the other on offense,” Nurse said.

    Trendon Watford will be counted on for ballhandling and rebounding as the Sixers recover from losing three players.

    Watford was the first Sixer off the bench Saturday, and eventually became a direct substitution for guard VJ Edgecombe. In the first quarter, Watford put the ball on the floor and slung a pass to Maxey for a three-pointer that rattled through the rim. Later, Watford set a screen for Embiid, rolled into space, and then found a cutting Dominick Barlow for an and-one layup. Watford then got out in transition to take a feed from Maxey for the layup. Watford also grabbed a rebound and initiated the offense, then backed down the Suns’ Jordan Goodwin in the paint and drew the foul.

    Then came two highlight sequences that official reviews erased.

    With less than six minutes to play in the fourth quarter, Watford drove past his defender and through contact for what was initially ruled an old-fashioned three-point play. Maxey yelled in celebration and held up his curved arm in a layup pose while waiting to check back into the game. But a coach’s challenge changed the call to an offensive foul on Watford, saying he pushed off with his opposite arm.

    Watford’s wild end-of-shot-clock three-pointer came about a minute later, which a review later determined had not left his fingertips in time. Just after that second dash of disappointment, though, Watford sank a driving floater that put the Sixers up, 96-86, with 2 minutes, 56 seconds to go.

    Tyrese Maxey, Sixers teammates describe emotions watching Jared McCain traded at deadline: ‘It was a hard day’

    The performance was quite the turnaround from when Watford first returned from missing more than a month with an adductor injury in his thigh — and acknowledged he needed to earn his way into consistent playing time. In his first 13 games back, Watford played single-digit minutes six times. He was completely out of the rotation as recently as last Thursday’s home victory over the Sacramento Kings.

    Yet even when Watford “wasn’t the most happy” about his role, Maxey assured him that, on teams vying for playoff positioning, rotations will fluctuate throughout the season.

    “You’ve got to be ready,” Maxey told Watford. “Your number will be called. It’s inevitable. And you need everybody to win games, especially throughout the regular season.”

    Watford has played double-digit minutes in all five games since George’s suspension began, including while totaling 16 points and eight rebounds in Tuesday’s victory at the Golden State Warriors. Maxey said Watford’s presence gives the Sixers their first ball-movement “connector” since Nico Batum during the 2023-24 season. Watford added that he does not feel any additional pressure as a 6-foot-8 ballhandler and playmaker because “I’m comfortable doing it, and I feel it’s a strong part of my game.”

    Playing alongside Maxey, a close friend since they were high schoolers, has been “easy,” Watford said. He now feels chemistry building with Embiid, whom he can complement with his passing and floor-spacing.

    “We’ve just got to get him to play some defense,” Maxey quipped about Watford, “and then we’ll be all right.”

    Yet with the Sixers’ roster reshuffled again during the past week, Watford is carving out a necessary niche. Even if official reviews wiped away his two highlight buckets in Saturday’s road victory.

    “Even if I’m not going to play 27 minutes like [Saturday], approach it like I am,” Watford said. “And just try to stay dialed inasmuch as I can. You never know what the game might bring and what the coaches might need.

    “That’s been my approach, and control what I can control.”

  • Sunday Olympics TV schedule: Lindsey Vonn’s return, curling, and speed skating

    Sunday Olympics TV schedule: Lindsey Vonn’s return, curling, and speed skating

    Update: Lindsey Vonn crashed during the women’s downhill skiing event Sunday and had to be airlifted out.

    Lindsey Vonn’s comeback story continues Sunday, where the 2010 gold medalist will hit the slopes in the women’s downhill skiing event, her first competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

    Women’s alpine skiing is scheduled to begin at 5:30 a.m. Philly time on USA Network, but will re-air on NBC around 9:20 a.m.

    Vonn, 41, underwent a partial knee replacement in April 2024, which rekindled hope of an Olympic return after retiring in 2019. She suffered another setback last month, when she ruptured her ACL skiing at the Alpine Ski World Cup in Switzerland.

    Skiing on one good knee didn’t seem to slow her down much Friday, where she successfully completed a 100-second training run without any issues … and posting the third-best time.

    In other Olympic action, U.S. mixed doubles curlers Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin will take on Estonia at 8:35 p.m. on USA Network. They’ll also face Sweden at 1:05 p.m., which will stream exclusively on Peacock (CNBC will re-air the match at 9 p.m.)

    There’s also speed skating, with American Casey Dawson expected to compete in the men’s 5,000 meter beginning at 10 a.m. on NBC. Dawson is coming off a World Cup win in Calgary, but he’ll face stiff competition in Norway’s Sander Eitrem, who set a new world record at the Speed Skating World Cup in Inzell, Germany, becoming the first skater to finish the 5,000 meter in under six minutes (5:58.52).

    Other competitions to watch Sunday include the men’s skiathlon at 6:45 a.m. on USA Network and NBC, the biathlon mixed relay at 8:45 a.m. on NBC, and the final run of the men’s luge at noon on USA Network.

    How to watch the Olympics on TV and stream online

    NBC’s TV coverage will have live events from noon to 5 p.m. Philadelphia time on weekdays and starting in the mornings on the weekends. There’s a six-hour time difference from Italy and here. The traditional prime-time coverage will have highlights of the day and storytelling features.

    As far as the TV channels, the Olympics are airing on NBC, USA, CNBC, and NBCSN. Spanish coverage can be found on Telemundo and Universo.

    NBCSN is carrying the Gold Zone whip-around show that was so popular during the Summer Olympics in 2024, with hosts including Scott Hanson of NFL RedZone. It used to be just on Peacock, NBC’s online streaming service, but now is on TV, too.

    Every event is available to stream live on NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app. You’ll have to log in with your pay-TV provider, whether cable, satellite, or streaming platforms including YouTube TV, FuboTV, and Sling TV.

    On Peacock, the events are on the platform’s premium subscription tier, which starts at $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year.

    Here is the full event schedule for the entire Olympics, and here are live scores and results.

    Sunday’s Olympic TV schedule

    U.S. speedskater Casey Dawson will hit the ice Sunday in the men’s 5,000 meter event.

    As a general rule, our schedules include all live broadcasts on TV, but not tape-delayed broadcasts on cable channels. We’ll let you know what’s on NBC’s broadcasts, whether they’re live or not.

    NBC
    • 7 a.m.: Cross-country skiing — men’s 10 kilometer skiathlon
    • 7:30 a.m.: Snowboarding — men’s and women’s parallel giant slalom, finals
    • 8:45 a.m.: Biathlon — mixed 4×6 relay
    • 9:20 a.m.: Alpine skiing — women’s downhill
    • 10:15 a.m.: Speed skating — men’s 5,000 meter
    • 10:45 p.m.: Primetime Olympics coverage
    USA Network
    • 5:30 a.m.: Alpine skiing — Women’s downhill
    • 8:30 a.m.: Curling — United States vs. Estonia, mixed doubles
    • 11 a.m.: Luge — men’s singles, run 3
    • 12:30 p.m.: Luge — men’s singles, final run
    • 1:30 p.m.: Figure skating — team pairs free skate
    • 2:45 p.m.: Figure skating — women’s free skate
    • 3:55 p.m.: Figure skating — men’s free skate
    • 5 p.m.: Hockey — Czechia vs Finland, women
  • Regardless of Daryl Morey’s comments, the Sixers used the NBA trade deadline to duck luxury tax

    Regardless of Daryl Morey’s comments, the Sixers used the NBA trade deadline to duck luxury tax

    Daryl Morey tried his best during Friday’s 28-minute press conference to convince people that trading Jared McCain was good for the 76ers.

    But the Sixers president of basketball operations could have spoken for 28 days, and it wouldn’t have changed folks’ minds that this deal was made to save money.

    No matter how much Morey and the organization preach positivity, the Sixers did not get better by trading the second-year guard to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a 2026 first-round pick and three second-rounders. They may have actually gotten fleeced by Sam Presti, the Thunder executive vice president and general manager.

    Daryl Morey likes the Sixers’ chances in the East, but he understands skepticism around the Jared McCain trade

    Based on their tendency to win deals, Presti and Utah Jazz CEO Danny Ainge are the two executives you don’t want to trade with. And the fact that Presti surrendered a first-rounder — something he hasn’t done since 2015 — reveals that he sees something special in McCain.

    This trade has the potential to be one that the Sixers will regret in a few seasons.

    The 6-foot-3, 195-pounder received a standing ovation while checking into the game during his Thunder debut on Saturday in Oklahoma City. He finished with five points, two rebounds, and one assist while a plus-12 in 13 minutes, 56 seconds during the 112-106 loss to the Houston Rockets at Paycom Center.

    These are reasons why Sixers fans are up in arms over this move, and see it for what it is: a way to get under the luxury tax threshold for a fourth consecutive season.

    But give Morey credit for trying to sell the trade to the media and Sixers fans.

    The team will receive the Houston Rockets’ 2026 first-round pick, which is expected to be a late first-rounder. One of the second-rounders is the most favorable 2027 pick from the Thunder, Rockets, Indiana Pacers, and the Miami Heat. The other second-rounders are 2028 picks that previously belonged to the Milwaukee Bucks and Thunder.

    Daryl Morey speaks at the team’s NBA training facility on Friday.

    “Sort of the whole tell with people who don’t like the deal is they’ll leave off the return, minimize this draft, which we think is good, and things like that …,” Morey said. “That return is for a starter-quality player on a good team. It’s actually above that.”

    Morey added that the Sixers tried to trade those draft picks for an impactful addition at the deadline. He also thinks they could use them as tradable assets to move around in the draft.

    Morey did say that McCain has the potential to be a great player. He even noted that the Sixers wish the 21-year-old good luck. Morey added that they feel the returns for McCain put them in a better position for the future.

    But what if they can’t swap those picks for the standout player Morey envisions?

    Will people think back to when the Sixers traded Matisse Thybulle as part of a four-team trade on Feb. 9, 2023, that helped them get under the luxury tax?

    Daryl Morey’s message to Joel Embiid and Sixers fans: Trust the Process

    The team acquired Jalen McDaniels from the Charlotte Hornets in that deal.

    “A big theme of our season this year was to prepare for the playoffs, and win a championship as you guys know,” Morey said then. “We wanted to make sure we gave [coach Doc Rivers] as many two-way players as possible.

    “And we think Jalen is one of the up-and-coming solid defenders, somebody that’s a little easier to keep on the floor in a lot of matchups.”

    The problem is that McDaniels gradually found himself out of the rotation during the Sixers’ second-round playoff series loss to the Boston Celtics.

    The 6-9 small forward signed with the Toronto Raptors on July 6, 2023, after the Sixers only offered him a minimum-salary contract to remain with the team in free agency.

    Unable to find his footing with several other teams, McDaniels is out of the league.

    The Sixers traded guard Jared McCain for a first-round pick and three second-rounders to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

    There’s also some uncertainty surrounding the type of players the Sixers could get with the picks acquired from OKC, assuming they keep them.

    While there are some exceptions, with Sixers two-time All-Star Tyrese Maxey (21st pick in 2020) being one of them, late first-rounders and second-rounders often have brief NBA careers. And very few of those players become stars, and even fewer become value rotation players.

    Yet, McCain, whom the Sixers selected 16th in the 2024 draft, averaged 10 points and made 38.1% of his three-pointers in 60 career games with the Sixers.

    He was the 2024-25 Rookie of the Year front-runner before suffering a season-ending torn meniscus in his left knee in December 2024.

    Despite playing in just 23 games last season, McCain finished tied for seventh in the Rookie of the Year voting. He was awarded a third-place vote from the media panel of 100 voters.

    Sixers takeaways: Matching physicality, Tyrese Maxey is hard to guard, and more from the win against Suns

    That’s because McCain put the league on notice by averaging 15.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists last season. He also shot 46% from the field, including 38.3% from three. The California native joined Hall of Famer Allen Iverson as the only Sixers rookies to average at least 15 points and two made three-pointers.

    In addition to last season being cut short, the start of this season was delayed after he suffered a torn ligament in his right thumb in September.

    While returning from the injuries, McCain struggled with consistency this season, leaving him out of the rotation at times. He averaged just 6.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 37.8% on three-pointers in 37 games this season.

    But once a player returns from a major knee injury, it can take up to an additional five or six months to regain his old form.

    Daryl Morey said “time will tell” if it was the right move to trade McCain for picks.

    With that, the expectation was that we would start seeing flashes of the old McCain at the end of this season. Even if they felt strongly about trading him, one would have thought his value would have been higher this summer when he’d be back to his old self.

    Morey didn’t see it that way.

    “I’m quite confident we were selling high,” he said. “Obviously, time will tell. We weren’t looking to sell. I’ll be frank. Teams came to us with aggressive offers for him. You could say, ‘Yeah, that’s because he’s a good player.’ I agree with that. We thought this return was above, for the future value of our franchise, what we could get. The only higher point would’ve been during his run last season. Otherwise, we feel like we did time this well.”

    The Sixers trading Jared McCain will either be a head-scratcher or an embarrassment

    Perhaps.

    The thing is, however, the Sixers will have a tough time convincing people that trading McCain isn’t a move to duck the luxury tax for the fourth consecutive season.