Phillip Danault scored his second goal of the game with 41.1 seconds remaining in regulation to give the host Los Angeles Kings a wild 6-5 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in their Stanley Cup playoff opener Monday night.

Andrei Kuzmenko and Adrian Kempe both collected one goal and two assists while Quinton Byfield and Kevin Fiala both registered one goal and one assist for the Kings in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series.

Goaltender Darcy Kuemper made 20 saves for the Kings, who held a 4-0 lead late in the second period and 5-2 edge in the third before the Oilers charged back, necessitating Danault’s heroics.

Moments after the Oilers tied the clash, Danault joined a rush up ice and slightly fanned on a shot from the slot. However, the puck went up and over Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner for the winner.

Connor McDavid scored once in a four-point game for Edmonton, while Corey Perry and Leon Draisaitl each notched one goal and one assist. Mattias Janmark and Zach Hyman added a goal apiece, Evan Bouchard collected three assists, and Skinner stopped 24 shots.

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series will be Wednesday in Los Angeles. It is the fourth consecutive year the clubs have met in the first round of the playoffs.

The Kings staked a four-goal edge thanks to first-period goals by Kuzmenko (on a power play) and Byfield, then late-second-period tallies by Kempe and Danault.

However, the Oilers refused to go away quietly. Draisaitl put the visitors on the board with six seconds remaining in the second period, his 18th goal in 19 playoff games against the Kings, and the Janmark tallied 2:19 into the third period.

Fiala’s five-on-three power-play goal at 4:59 of the final frame restored Los Angeles’ three-goal edge and appeared to seal the game. However, Perry chipped a shot home from in tight at 7:43, Hyman made it a one-goal game at 17:56, and McDavid tied the clash with 88 seconds remaining in regulation.

Kings vs. Oilers Game 1 highlights

After the fourth or fifth question about the Luka Doncic trade Monday, Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison revealed he had hoped to be done talking about it by now.

That was the impetus for meeting off-camera with a small group of Dallas-based reporters last week, he said. Chalk it up to another miscalculation by the embattled former Nike executive turned NBA decision maker.

Harrison’s end-of-season news conference turned into another inquiry focused on the fallout from his decision to deal the franchise’s popular star last February in exchange for Anthony Davis and Max Christie. He was asked directly why he shouldn’t be fired, defended the rationale behind the trade, promised a championship contender next season and then eventually admitted he underestimated the backlash trading Doncic would generate, particularly within the Mavericks’ fan base.

‘I did know that Luka was important to the fan base. I didn’t quite know it to what level,’ Harrison said. ‘But really, the way we looked at it, is if you’re putting a team on the floor that’s Kyrie (Irving), Klay (Thompson), P.J. (Washington), Anthony Davis and (Dereck) Lively, we feel that’s a championship caliber team, and we would’ve been winning at a high level and that would have quieted some of the outrage. And so unfortunately we weren’t able to do that, so it just continued to go on and on.’

Nico Harrison addresses job security

Harrison said his relationship with Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont has improved since the trade because the two speak more frequently now. He pushed back against any questions that alluded to whether Dumont or anyone else in the franchise’s front office asked or forced him to trade Doncic. He said coach Jason Kidd only learned of the deal at the ’11th hour.’

‘We’re kind of linked together to this, so it’s made us have a lot more conversations,’ Harrison said about Dumont. ‘He came out and supported me publicly. I don’t take that lightly and now I have to deliver on that.’

Harrison acknowledged hearing Mavericks fans chant ‘Fire Nico,’ on several occasions since the trade, but ‘my job is to make decisions that are in the best interest of this organization and I got to stand by the decision,’ he said. ‘Some of them are going to be unpopular and this was clearly one that’s unpopular.’ He declined to discuss specifically why he didn’t believe Doncic could be part of a championship contender in Dallas, but returned to a familiar refrain since the trade about the importance of defense in winning a title.

Harrison, in defending his tenure running the team, indicated once more he’s not willing to concede the trade everyone wants to criticize him for will be remembered as one of the worst deals in NBA history.

‘I think I’ve done a really good job here and I don’t think I can be judged by the injuries this year, Harrison said. ‘You have to judge from totality, from beginning to end … The leadership that we have is really elite, and you’ll see when our team comes back next year that we’ll be competing for a championship.’

Nico Harrison comments on Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks fan friction

The immediate aftermath of the Doncic trade did not go in the franchise’s favor. Dallas missed the 2025 playoffs after losing in the NBA play-in tournament to the Memphis Grizzlies and saw Davis miss 18 regular-season games after aggravating an adductor injury in his Mavericks’ debut. The Mavericks fans, meanwhile, held protests once Doncic was traded and the team offered refunds to some fans who canceled their tickets in the wake of the move.

The trade also reportedly caused friction between the Mavericks and franchise legend Dirk Nowitzki, who maintains a close relationship with Doncic after the two were teammates during Doncic’s rookie season.

‘It’s important to say he’s the single-most important figure to the franchise, so that’s extremely important,’ Harrison said, without going into further detail when asked about any distance between the organization and Nowitzki. ‘I believe winning will help repair the relationship with the fans and that’s what we plan to do next year.’

The wait is nearly over, NFL draft week now upon us.

The Titans will officially go on the clock as the league’s 90th “Player Selection Meeting” opens Thursday evening in Green Bay, Wisconsin. And while there is little mystery regarding what Tennessee will do at the top of the board, total chaos could ensue thereafter in a draft that may not necessarily be long on elite talent but could feature plenty of intrigue – and that could mean ample maneuvering and surprises as Round 1 unfolds.

Though sufficient time remains for teams, veterans and incoming prospects to infuse further drama into the process, here is USA TODAY Sports’ latest first-round projection for the 2025 NFL draft (which received zero input from ‘artificial’ intelligence):

1. Tennessee Titans – QB Cam Ward, Miami (Fla.)

The AFC South’s cellar dwellers the past two seasons remain devoid of an answer behind center, opting not to pursue a proven veteran this offseason while retaining the No. 1 pick despite originally seeming open to dealing it – meaning all signs are pointing Ward toward Nashville. A dynamic thrower – Ward has a Division I record 158 TD passes spread over five college seasons and three schools – and highly respected leader, the 2024 All-American and ACC Player of the Year will need to leverage all of his estimable abilities on and off the field to turn around a franchise that needs him to stop its free fall.

2. Cleveland Browns – CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado

This seems to be shaping up as the ideal marriage between team and player, GM Andrew Berry saying last week that the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner is a ‘unicorn’ while invoking the two-way abilities of baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani. And while Berry appears quite open to allowing Hunter to fulfill his dream of playing offense and defense in the NFL – as he did so well while dominating college football – he said the Browns view his ‘first home as a receiver,’ which also seems to be what Hunter desires after exclusively running routes at the Buffs’ recent showcase and spotlighting himself at the position that’s likely to pay better at the pro level – though he quite obviously has the unique abilities to could carve out a signature paycheck down the road.

3. New York Giants – OLB/DE Abdul Carter, Penn State

He’s regarded in some quarters as this draft’s most talented player, though some (minor?) concerns about his health – shoulder, foot – probably didn’t do the 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year any favors during the pre-draft process. Still, Carter seems way too intriguing to pass up at the expense of a quarterback prospect who would only merit a selection this high based on the position. With an FBS-leading 23½ tackles for losses last season, Carter would force his way into a pass rush rotation that already includes two-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns and 2022 first-rounder Kayvon Thibodeaux.

4. New England Patriots – OT Will Campbell, LSU

Missing out on Hunter and Carter might be something of a worst-case scenario for the Pats, who could even be tempted to trade out of this spot. But no reason to overthink the obvious mandate to better support second-year QB Drake Maye, and taking this consensus All-American – despite Campbell’s suboptimal left tackle arm length – to safeguard Maye’s blind side, so frequently exposed in 2024, seems like the best course of action given the alternatives.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars – RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

Rookie GM James Gladstone, 34, has kept the Jags’ direction fairly cloaked. And while there’s been speculation he could target a player in the trenches, Jeanty might be the answer based on rare blue-chip stock and transcendent abilities that might best support the health and development of franchise QB Trevor Lawrence. Jeanty, the 2024 Heisman runner-up, rushed for 2,601 yards – 28 shy of breaking Barry Sanders’ single-season NCAA record – and would definitely be an upgrade from Travis Etienne. Gladstone, who spent nine seasons with the Rams, saw first-hand how RB Todd Gurley – he entered the NFL with medical concerns Jeanty doesn’t have – helped carry a team with a young passer (Jared Goff) all the way to a Super Bowl.

6. Las Vegas Raiders – OT Armand Membou, Missouri

Could they still go running back – much of HC Pete Carroll’s success in Seattle came courtesy of bruising Marshawn Lynch – with Jeanty gone here? Certainly, given there doesn’t appear to be a precipitous drop-off to UNC’s Omarion Hampton. But the cold truth is that this roster has numerous needs, no matter how quickly Carroll, rookie GM John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady might covet a quick turnaround – and let’s not forget the gap that has formed between the Silver and Black and the remainder of the AFC West. Membou (6-4, 332) could slot into his familiar right tackle post, providing a nice bookend to LT Kolton Miller, and solve one position for the next decade – while putting this squad in a better position to run the ball regardless of who’s carrying it.

7. New York Jets – TE Tyler Warren, Penn State

Newly signed QB Justin Fields could use a talented right tackle but also badly needs a weapon aside from WR Garrett Wilson. Why not get both with Warren, a gifted and versatile receiver who also utilizes his 6-6, 256-pound frame as an effective blocker. But Warren’s real impact should come with the ball in his hands, and rookie HC Aaron Glen saw what TE Sam LaPorta did for Detroit’s offense in recent seasons.

8. Carolina Panthers – LB Jalon Walker, Georgia

GM Dan Morgan has already identified him as a fit for this team’s 3-4 base defense. Carolina obviously needs another difference maker there, and Walker could effectively plug a gap at edge rusher but maybe also as an off-ball linebacker – perhaps both if he were to be deployed by coordinator Ejiro Evero in the optimal situationally dependent scenarios. But considering Jadeveon Clowney, 32, is the only player on this roster who generated more than a dozen pressures in 2024 – and just 22 – Walker’s ability to get to quarterbacks might be his most-needed attribute here. Size (6-1, 243) is not among his selling points.

9. New Orleans Saints – DT Mason Graham, Michigan

He’s one of the draft’s cleaner prospects and seems to have a very high floor, it not necessarily a vaulted ceiling. Yet the 2024 All-American’s value – even for a team that suddenly appears to have a very pressing need at quarterback in light of Derek Carr’s injured shoulder (or whatever’s bothering him) – could make Graham way too good to bypass, especially given DL Cam Jordan’s age (36 when the season starts) and Bryan Bresee’s struggles since being taken in the first round two years ago.

10. Chicago Bears – OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas

Several directions they could go as they continue to reload and retool around second-year QB Caleb Williams, who might really benefit from a dominant runner like Jeanty. But what about a dominant left tackle such as Banks, the 2024 Outland Trophy winner, who was nearly airtight for the Longhorns? And when you consider the 49ers, who pick next, need a left tackle of the future plus the fact that Chicago incumbent Braxton Jones is entering a contract year after breaking his ankle in December …

11. San Francisco 49ers – DT Walter Nolen, Mississippi

A team that’s been such a near-perennial Super Bowl contender the last half-dozen seasons suddenly finds itself full of holes – perhaps none more glaring than at defensive tackle on a line once predicated on depth and talent. And the best way to complement DE Nick Bosa might be to add a disruptive interior force like Nolen, who can cause even more havoc inside given the attention the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year commands off the edge.

12. Dallas Cowboys – WR Matthew Golden, Texas

As good a player as CeeDee Lamb is, the wideout depth in Big D is woefully unproven beyond him. Golden glittered at the combine, his 4.29 40 the fastest among offensive players – and it not only makes him lethal but would open up the field further for Lamb. Golden led the SEC with nine TD grabs in 2024 after transferring from Houston. He’s not the biggest guy (5-11, 191), but his burst and ability to come up big in the clutch – watch the Longhorns’ CFP defeat of Arizona State – could make him the best of this year’s receivers not named Travis Hunter.

13. Miami Dolphins – CB Will Johnson, Michigan

He probably doesn’t last this long if he’s in the 2024 draft on the heels of the Wolverines’ national championship. Johnson has prototypical size (6-2, 194) and ball skills for the position, swiping nine passes (two of them pick-sixes) during three seasons at Michigan and might perfectly address what appears to be a potential opening given the divorce the Fins are telegraphing with Jalen Ramsey.

14. Indianapolis Colts – TE Colston Loveland, Michigan

How best to prop up an offense with quarterback issues? How about by procuring a swift, 6-6, 248-pound tight end who averaged nearly 15 yards per catch during his first two years in Ann Arbor when J.J. McCarthy was throwing to him.

15. Atlanta Falcons – OLB/DE Mike Green, Marshall

Maybe you’d heard no ATL defender has managed a double-digit sack season since 2016? The unit showed improvement in 2024, but Grady Jarrett and Matthew Judon won’t be coming back. Green (6-3, 251), the Sun Belt’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2024, led the country with 17 sacks and, per the analytics website Pro Football Focus, had 32 hurries.

16. Arizona Cardinals – LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama

Is he an edge rusher? Is he an off-ball backer? Does it matter given how few answers the Cards appear to have at those positions aside from recently signed OLB Josh Sweat? A first-team All-SEC standout in 2024, Campbell is recovering from recent shoulder surgery.

17. Cincinnati Bengals – DB Jahdae Barron, Texas

It doesn’t appear as if DE Trey Hendrickson is going anywhere, so the Stripes can probably focus on other areas of their eminently leaky defense to address. Barron would be a nifty addition to a unit that surrendered 30 TD passes last season given the 2024 Jim Thorpe Award winner’s ability to flex between outside corner, the slot and safety – all seeming problem spots in Cincy.

18. Seattle Seahawks – G Tyler Booker, Alabama

This nasty road grader could provide the perfect shot of attitude and talent into an offense that needs both on its long-beleaguered line. Booker (6-5, 321) seems like the type of guy second-year HC Mike Macdonald is looking for given his desire for a more physical football team that can capably run the ball.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – S Malaki Starks, Georgia

A team that saw its secondary decimated by injuries in 2024 might be wise to select a baller and perennial All-American who can help in so many capacities – think Derwin James or Brian Branch.

20. Denver Broncos – RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina

They somehow ranked 16th in rushing offense last season even though their top gainer was now-departed RB Javonte Williams, who had just 513 yards. Hampton could provide next-level production after rushing for 15 TDs and at least 1,500 yards each of the past two seasons for the Tar Heels to go along with 67 total catches. Big (6-0, 221) and fast (4.4 speed), Hampton is also durable and used to carrying a heavy load if asked.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – DL Derrick Harmon, Oregon

22. Los Angeles Chargers – DE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M

His talent suggests top-five pick, particularly after he tested just about off the charts at the scouting combine – 4.59 40-yard dash and 40-inch vertical leap at 6-5, 267 pounds. His production (4½ sacks total in three seasons with the Aggies) suggests Day 3 pick. But dig a bit deeper and you’ll find Stewart had 33 hurries in 2024 and was a hellacious run defender. He also plays relentlessly, which HC Jim Harbaugh will appreciate, and should nicely bolster a defensive front which lost OLB Joey Bosa this offseason and probably won’t have OLB Khalil Mack for much longer.

23. Green Bay Packers – CB Trey Amos, Mississippi

The Alabama transfer has nice size (6-1, 195), only allowed a 54.5 QB rating when targeted in 2024 and would provide a nice fallback if the Pack move on from veteran CB Jaire Alexander. Amos could handle wide duties with newly signed CB Nate Hobbs able to man the slot.

24. Saints [PROJECTED TRADE with Minnesota Vikings] – QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

The Vikes badly need more draft capital, and New Orleans badly needs a QB1 and can surrender one of its extra third-rounders in this scenario to make the jump from the 40th spot in Round 2 to get Sanders. The Big 12’s reigning Offensive Player of the Year and most accurate passer – by the numbers – in FBS history should plug smoothly into rookie HC Kellen Moore’s offense, one that has solid playmakers elsewhere (WRs Chris Olave and Brandin Cooks and RB Alvin Kamara).

25. Houston Texans – OL Grey Zabel, North Dakota State

The 6-6, 312-pound Senior Bowl standout can play every position on the offensive line – so the Texans can just pick his best spot after taking a sledgehammer to theirs this offseason.

26. Los Angeles Rams – CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame

He picked off nine passes during his first two seasons with the Irish before a hip injury sidelined him in 2024. Now healthy – Morrison will work out Monday for NFL teams – his ball skills, smarts and size (6 feet, 193 pounds) could reaffirm him as a Round 1 prospect, and certainly one who would fit well on a young Rams defense that could use help at corner.

27. Baltimore Ravens – S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina

Imagine pairing this physical specimen with All-Pro Kyle Hamilton, who was teamed with Smurf-y Ar’Darius Washington (5-8, 180) for much of 2024. Emmanwori, an All-American in 2024, has size (6-3, 220) comparable to Hamilton’s – yet his metrics suggest the Gamecocks star is a more explosive athlete. After running a 4.38 40 and posting a vertical jump of 43 inches, he was one of the combine’s 2025 stars. And given that speed, maybe not a surprise he returned half of his four picks last season for TDs.

28. Browns [PROJECTED TRADE with Detroit Lions] – QB Jaxson Dart, Mississippi

Cleveland climbs five spots to secure a long-term replacement for Deshaun Watson, whose pathetic tenure with the club is effectively over. Rumored to be in play for veteran Kirk Cousins, the Browns instead get Dart, something of a younger version of “KFC” but a more athletic one. An all-SEC selection last season after leading the conference in passing yards (4,279) and efficiency, Dart might still need a bit of time to get acclimated to the NFL, so it surely wouldn’t hurt that he can marinate here behind Joe Flacco and/or Kenny Pickett as long as necessary.

29. Washington Commanders – WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

He’s become something of a polarizing prospect in recent months given questions about his speed and, perhaps, commitment to the game. But there’s no denying his size (6-4, 219) or production (174 grabs for more than 2,700 yards since 2023). And QB Jayden Daniels could use another weapon, especially with WRs Deebo Samuel and Noah Brown only signed for the 2025 season.

30. Bears [PROJECTED TRADE with Buffalo Bills] – RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

Caleb Williams and new HC Ben Johnson, who ran Detroit’s offense so well for three seasons, get their version of Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs. Henderson would pair nicely with D’Andre Swift and could be a real weapon as a change-of-pace back or on passing downs, especially given his reliability as a pass protector.

31. Kansas City Chiefs – OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State

How much longer can they continue winging it at left tackle before QB Patrick Mahomes really gets frustrated – or worse? Simmons, a large (6-5, 317) and very strong man, likely would have been a top-10 selection had he not suffered a torn patellar tendon last season. He seems on track to be ready for the upcoming season but should easily be worth the wait if not – and that could mean productive time for recently signed OT Jaylon Moore to prove he can hold down a spot on the left or right side of K.C.’s evolving O-line.

32. Philadelphia Eagles – DE Mykel Williams, Georgia

It’s not really an NFL draft unless the reigning champions enlist a defender from Georgia. Williams could be a phenomenal value at this spot and a very nice backfill for departed Sweat – even if he’s in a rotational role early, as he was in Athens. Williams’ numbers for the Bulldogs (14 sacks and 57 hurries in three seasons) are actually unusually good given the depth of that defense and how rarely it had to be on the field.

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The Seattle Kraken fired coach Dan Bylsma on Monday after one season behind the bench.

“After a thorough review of the season and our expectations for next year and beyond, we’ve made the difficult decision to move in a different direction behind the bench,’ general manager Ron Francis said in a statement. ‘Dan is a great person and a respected coach. He played an important role in the development of many of our young prospects and was a big part of our early success in Coachella Valley.”

Francis will address the media on Tuesday.

Seattle’s KING 5 reported that Jessica Campbell, the NHL’s first female full-time assistant coach, will be retained. The television station also said Jason Botterill will be promoted to general manager and Francis will become team president.

Bylsma was hired in May 2024 after two seasons with the Kraken’s American Hockey League affiliate. He replaced the Kraken’s inaugural coach, Dave Hakstol, after the team dropped from 100 points and the franchise’s first playoff berth in 2022-23 to 81 points and out of the playoffs.

But Seattle fell to 76 points this season and dropped to seventh place in the Pacific Division despite adding Chandler Stephenson and Brandon Montour in the offseason.

The Kraken had to deal with lengthy injuries to captain Jordan Eberle and defenseman Vince Dunn. They gave up 29 more goals to finish ninth from the bottom of the league in defense.

Bylsma, 54, went 35-41-6 in his lone season in Seattle. It was his first NHL head coaching job since 2017. He won a Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009 and had 355 regular-season wins with the Penguins, Buffalo Sabres and Kraken.

Bylsma is the third NHL coach to be fired since the regular season ended, joining the New York Rangers’ Peter Laviolette and the Anaheim Ducks’ Greg Cronin.

The Vancouver Canucks said Monday they didn’t pick up the team option on Rick Tocchet’s contract but have offered him a new deal and hope he stays.

‘We’ve gone a long way from where coaches have been compensated with the Canucks for years − forever actually − and we’re hoping that he takes that contract,’ team president Jim Rutherford said.

There were five coaching changes during the regular season: Boston Bruins, St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers.

(This story has been updated to add new information.)

Pro Football Hall of Famer and media personality Shannon Sharpe is facing a lawsuit, accused of sexual assault and battery, and engaging in the intentional infliction of emotional distress.

The lawsuit was filed Sunday in Clark County, Nevada, and obtained by USA TODAY Sports. The plaintiff, listed under the alias ‘Jane Doe,’ said she was in a relationship with Sharpe for nearly two years, and it began as a ‘rocky consensual relationship.’

The woman, who is seeking $50 million in damages, said she met Sharpe at a Los Angeles gym in 2023 when she was 19 and alleges in the lawsuit that Sharpe, who is currently 56 years old, sexually assaulted her twice, once in October 2024 and again in January 2025.

In a statement released Monday, Sharpe’s attorney Lanny J. Davis called the lawsuit ‘a blatant and cynical attempt to shake down Mr. Sharpe for millions of dollars. It is filled with lies, distortions, and misrepresentations – and it will not succeed.’

The woman says Sharpe became violent over the course of the relationship, threatened to kill her during one incident, and recorded their sexual encounters without her consent.

‘Sharpe flew into fits of anger when Plaintiff noted his infidelity to their relationship, or called him out about his extraneous activities,’ the lawsuit said. ‘What had once been manipulation, control and intimidation now became something far more dangerous and sinister. Sharpe even figured out how to get into Doe’s apartment complex without her permission.’

‘Sharpe made it clear that what Doe wanted was of no moment, that Sharpe would get what he wanted, when he wanted it. In October 2024, Shannon Sharpe violently sexually assaulted’ the plaintiff on two separate occasions in Las Vegas, ignoring her requests to stop, the lawsuit says.

‘Jane Doe’ is represented by attorneys Tony Buzbee and Micah Nash. Buzbee was part of the legal team that won settlements against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson after more than two dozen massage therapists accused him of sexual misconduct.

Davis’ statement included several explicit text messages allegedly sent from Doe to Sharpe in order to ‘set the record straight.’

‘Mr. Sharpe categorically denies all allegations of coercion or misconduct — especially the gross lie of ‘rape’ — and will not submit to what he sees as an egregious attempt at blackmail,’ Davis said in the statement. ‘He stands firmly by the truth and is prepared to fight these false claims vigorously in court. He looks forward to vindication through due process and a judgment based on facts and the law.’

Sharpe, a three-time Super Bowl-winning tight end, has his own successful podcast, ‘Club Shay Shay,’ and makes regular appearances on ESPN’s First Take. It was reported last week that Sharpe is eyeing a new podcast deal in excess of $100 million.

(This story was updated to include new information.)

Sharon Lokedi of Kenya obliterated the course record at the Boston Marathon by more than two minutes Monday, using a blistering kick down the stretch to win in 2 hours, 17 minutes and 22 seconds.

Lokedi, the runner-up at last year’s Boston Marathon, was neck-and-neck with two-time defending champion Hellen Obiri as they weaved through the streets of downtown Boston in the final mile. But as the finish line neared, Lokedi gradually began to pick up her pace, ultimately winning the race by 19 seconds.

‘It feels so good,’ Lokedi told ESPN2 in a televised interview after the win. ‘It was tough, and I toughed it out.’

Meanwhile, in the men’s race, Kenyan John Korir used a strong move around Mile 20 to separate himself from the rest of the leaders and win in 2:04:45. Korir, who also won last year’s Chicago Marathon, joins his older brother, Wesley, as the first siblings to win the Boston Marathon. Wesley Korir won Boston in 2012 and was waiting for his brother at the finish line.

‘I had promised (Wesley) that I was going to win,’ the younger Korir said on ESPN2.

Team USA’s Conner Mantz spent much of the day in the lead pack and finished in 2:05:08 to place fourth, which is the best showing by an American man since 2018. Last year’s champion, Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia, dropped out after the halfway point.

Marcel Hug of Switzerland and Susannah Scaroni won the men’s and women’s wheelchair races, respectively.

The story of the day, though, was Lokedi — and a course record left in shambles at what is the world’s oldest annual marathon.

The 31-year-old Lokedi started off in the middle of a lead pack of about 14 to 16 women. She said on ESPN2 that she noticed around the halfway point that they had gotten off to a blistering pace and would be on track to beat the course record. ‘Jesus,’ she said she thought to herself as she saw their half marathon times of under 69 minutes. ‘That’s so fast.’

Lokedi was asked on ESPN2 if she feared that she might have gotten out too fast, especially ahead of the treacherous hills in the second half of the course.

‘Yes, yes, all the time,’ she said with a smile.

As the leading pack dwindled from more than a dozen runners to five, and then just three, it looked like the race would come down to a last-mile sprint between Lokedi and Obiri − a two-time Olympic silver medalist at 5,000 meters, who first made a name for herself on the track.

It would have seemed that Obiri would have the advantage. But instead, it was Lokedi who began turning the proverbial screws − and getting the course record in the process. Buzunesh Deba of Ethiopia set the previous course record of 2:19:59 in 2014.

Jess McClain was the top-finishing American in the field, placing seventh in 2:22:43. An American woman has not won the Boston Marathon since Des Linden in 2018, and the U.S. men’s drought goes back even further to 2014.

Here’s everything else you might have missed from the 2025 Boston Marathon:

Boston Marathon results, leaderboard

Here are the results from the 129th edition of the Boston Marathon:

Women’s professional

Sharon Lokedi, Kenya: 2:17:22
Hellen Obiri, Kenya: 2:17:41
Yalemzerf Yehualaw, Ethiopia: 2:18:06
Irene Cheptai, Kenya: 2:21:32
Amane Beriso, Ethiopia: 2:21:58
Calli Hauger-Thackery, Great Britain: 2:22:38
Jess McClain, United States: 2:22:43
Annie Frisbie, United States: 2:23:21
Stacy Ndiwa, Kenya: 2:23:29
Tsige Haileslase, Ethiopia: 2:23:43

Men’s professional

John Korir, Kenya: 2:04:45
Alphonce Felix Simbu, Tanzania: 2:05:04 (photo finish)
Cybrian Kotut, Kenya: 2:05:04 (photo finish
Conner Mantz, USA: 2:05:08
Muktar Edris, Ethiopia: 2:05:59
Rory Linkletter, Canada: 2:07:02
Clayton Young, United States: 2:07:04
Tebello Ramakongoana, Lesotho: 2:07:19
Daniel Mateiko, Kenya:
Ryan Ford, United States: 2:08:00

Men’s wheelchair

Marcel Hug, Switzerland: 1:21:34
Daniel Romanchuk, United States: 1:25:58
Jetze Plat, Netherlands: 1:30:16

Women’s wheelchair

Susannah Scaroni, United States: 1:35:20
Catherine Debrunner, Switzerland: 1:37:26
Manuela Schar, Switzerland: 1:39:18

Track Boston Marathon runners online

If you’re trying to keep tabs on a specific amateur runner, visit BAA.org and search for them by name, bib number or group. You can also download the Boston Athletic Association’s mobile app and track runners that way.

Conner Mantz is top U.S. finisher in fourth

Conner Mantz just missed out on the Boston Marathon podium. But with his fourth-place finish, he turned in the best performance by an American man in Boston since 2018.

‘Today was difficult for sure, but it was a blast to be in Boston and compete with the best in the world,’ Mantz said on ESPN2. ‘Tough for sure. I was happy to be there fighting for second with about a quarter-mile to go. The harder I tried, the slower I started to run at the end. The other two guys were just really strong.’

Mantz didn’t run in Boston last year but finished 11th in 2023, two spots behind John Korir. He said on ESPN2 that the conditions were more favorable Monday, and he felt more fit than two years ago.

Mantz also noted he ran with John Korir for much of the race in 2023, so seeing the Kenyan win Monday gives him confidence.

‘I think going forward this is a race I can win,’ Mantz said. ‘I made some big progress from two years ago.’

Who is Jess McClain?

Jess McClain, 33, was the top-placing American woman at Monday’s Boston Marathon, finishing seventh with a time of 2:22:43.

It was a personal best time for the former Stanford runner − and a breakout of sorts. McClain narrowly missed out on making the 2024 U.S. Olympic team by finishing fourth in two separate events: The marathon and 10,000 meters. The top three Americans in each distance usually represent Team USA.

Monday’s race was just McClain’s fifth marathon.

Boston Marathon qualifying times 2026

How do you qualify for the Boston Marathon? The short answer is that you have to first run a different marathon and hit the qualifying standard determined by the Boston Athletic Association. The qualifying times vary based on gender and age group, but for those under 50 this year, it meant running a marathon in 3 hours, 25 minutes or better (for men) or 3:55 (for women and non-binary runners).

Given the incredible amount of interest in the Boston Marathon, however, it’s not just about clearing the qualifying benchmark for your age/gender. The BAA said 12,324 qualified applicants for the 2025 race were turned away, with only the fastest in each division being accepted.

The 2026 Boston Marathon qualifying times have already been posted. They’re 5 minutes faster than this year’s times.

Defending men’s champ Sisay Lemma drops out

ESPN reported that defending Boston Marathon champion Sisay Lemma pulled over to the side of the course before the 30-kilometer mark and has dropped out of the men’s race.

The Ethiopian had the fastest personal best in the men’s field, having run a 2:01:48 in Valencia, Spain in 2023.

Where to watch the Boston Marathon: TV channel, streaming

ESPN2 had live television coverage of the 2025 Boston Marathon from 9 a.m. ET to 12:30 p.m. ET, with simultaneous coverage on the network’s streaming platform, ESPN+.

Stream the Boston Marathon on ESPN+

Marcel Hug wins eighth men’s wheelchair title at Boston Marathon

Was there ever really any doubt?

For the eighth time in 10 years, the men’s wheelchair race at the Boston Marathon has the same champion: Marcel Hug of Switzerland. Hug jumped out to a lead of more than a minute by the halfway point of the race and cruised to another win, crossing the finish line with a time of 1 hour, 21 minutes and 34 seconds.

Daniel Romanchuk of the United States, who is the only man to have beaten Hug in Boston over the past decade, finished a distant second, more than four minutes behind.

Susannah Scaroni claims second women’s wheelchair title in three years

The women’s wheelchair race at the Boston Marathon also proved to be fairly anticlimactic, with Team USA’s Suannah Scaroni pulling away in the back half and winning by a healthy margin. Her time of 1:35:20 was two minutes better than runner-up Catherine Debrunner of Switzerland.

Scaroni, who earned four medals at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, has now won two of the past three editions of the Boston Marathon.

Des Linden announces retirement after today’s Boston Marathon

American marathoner Des Linden, who was the most recent U.S. runner to win the Boston Marathon in 2018, announced that she would be retiring from the distance after today’s race.

‘People say you should go out on top, and that’s what I’m doing − because getting to race my final professional marathon in Boston is indeed going out on top,’ Linden wrote on Instagram early Monday morning. ‘I’m ready to leave it all out on the course one last time. See you on Boylston. Thanks for all the years and all the cheers.’

Linden finished 17th.

Brooks, the running company that sponsors Linden, told industry news outlet Runner’s World that the 41-year-old is retiring from pro marathoning but not running altogether. She will instead shift to ultramarathons and trail races.

Linden has long been one of the United States’ top marathon runners, with three world marathon medals to her name. She also competed twice at the Summer Olympics, competing in the marathon in both 2012 and 2016.

Boston Marathon route, map

The race begins at the starting line in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. It takes runners on a scenic journey through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, and Brookline before ending in downtown Boston, at the iconic finish line on Boylston Street.

Tribute to Al Trautwig

A brief tribute to Al Trautwig, a longtime Boston Marathon commentator, was played during the broadcast of the race.

Trautwig, who was a mainstay for Olympics coverage, the MSG Network and several other sports, died in February at age 68.

When did the 2025 Boston Marathon start?

It depends on the race. The starting gun went off for the professional men at 9:37 a.m., followed by the women at 9:47 a.m. But there were other starts before, and there will be others after, as well.

The first athletes to hit the course were the men’s and women’s wheelchair racers, who started at 9:06 a.m. and 9:09 a.m., respectively. The start for handcycles and duos was at 9:30 a.m. ET. And after the pros got going, para athletes (9:50 a.m. ET start) and four waves of amateurs followed.

Who were the favorites to win the Boston Marathon?

There was no shortage of contenders in both the men’s and women’s fields.

On the women’s side, the favorite was probably Hellen Obiri. The 35-year-old is still relatively new to marathoning but has quickly established herself as a force. She’s won each of the previous two editions of the Boston Marathon and could have become the first woman to three-peat since Fatuma Roba, who won in 1997, 1998 and 1999.

On the men’s side, Sisay Lemma was the defending champion, but Evans Chebet of Kenya won back-to-back Boston Marathons before that. And don’t sleep on American Conner Mantz, who placed eighth in the marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics and was probably the United States’ best shot at a podium spot.

How to wrap your head around the miles, pacing of a marathon

The Boston Marathon, like all other marathons, is 26.2 miles. Visualizing that distance can be as simple as thinking of a local landmark a mile from your home and imagining what it would be like to run there and back 13 times. 

Calculating marathon finish times and pace requires a bit more math. But to give you an idea of how fast the pros are going: The men’s winners over the past five years have all crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 10 minutes or less. That works out to an average pace below 5 minutes per mile.

Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog appears ready to make his first NHL appearance in nearly three years after the team activated him from the injured list on Monday.

He hasn’t played since lifting the Stanley Cup in 2022 and has been rehabbing a knee injury, including receiving a cartilage transplant.

There’s a need for him, too, because forward Ross Colton suffered a lower-body injury in Game 1 on Saturday night, a 5-1 win for Colorado.

Colorado’s Jared Bednar, as coaches typically are this time of year, was coy earlier Monday about the status of Colton and Landeskog for Game 2 against the Dallas Stars.

He said Colton is ‘not great’ and ‘we’ll see what the day brings’ if he’s an option for Monday’s game.

On whether Landeskog could replace Colton, he said, ‘We’ll see. I haven’t decided yet.’

Here’s the latest on the injury status for Gabriel Landeskog and other players heading into Monday’s games:

Gabriel Landeskog injury update

Landeskog hasn’t played for the Avalanche since their 2022 Stanley Cup championship because of a serious knee injury that required a cartilage transplant. He recently completed a two-game conditioning stint in the American Hockey League, scoring a goal in the second game of playing back-to-back nights.

He took part in the morning skate before Game 1 but didn’t dress. Bednar told reporters Sunday that Landeskog could be an option if Colton were unavailable.

Miro Heiskanen injury update

The Stars defenseman, who has been out with a knee injury since before the 4 Nations Face-Off, is skating with the team. But he will be out again in Game 2, coach Peter DeBoer said.

Logan Thompson injury update

The Washington Capitals goalie got the start Monday against the Montreal Canadiens. He hadn’t played since leaving an April 2 game with an upper-body injury.

Matthew Tkachuk injury update

Tkachuk, who hasn’t played since being hurt at the 4 Nations Face-Off, took part in a full practice Monday for the Florida Panthers, who open their series on Tuesday at the Tampa Bay Lightning.

‘He’s got to get through the morning skate (Tuesday),’ coach Paul Maurice said. ‘We’re still monitoring the recovery off the practice. … We’ll let the doctors and Matthew tell us where he’s at and we’ll go from there.’

Cody Glass, Brenden Dillon injury update

Both New Jersey Devils players were injured in Game 1’s loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, with Glass accidentally slashed by his own goalie, Jacob Markstrom.

According to Devils team reporter Amanda Stein, coach Sheldon Keefe said the injured players are still being evaluated and no one is being ruled out yet for Game 2.

It took one season for Oklahoma football to realize the enormity of what it was dealing with in the SEC. 

It has taken a handful of offseason months to drastically adjust.

The Sooners are quietly lurking this spring, completely revamping a roster in the shadow of SEC quarterback drama with Nico Iamaleava and DJ Lagway, and the unbridled hype of all things Arch Manning. 

And by revamping, I mean adding 34 players (freshmen and transfer portal additions) to a roster that rolled into its inaugural SEC season in 2024 – and sustained the worst conference record at Oklahoma since 1997. 

A roster that now – nearly four months later – looks like it can trade blows with any team in the nation, much less the SEC.

“You know you’re going to have some fluidity,” coach Brent Venables said last week after the Sooners completed spring practice. “That’s just the nature of where we’re at today.”

Let’s not coat this thing with a Crimson and Cream cover-all excuse. The Sooners were bad in 2024, a November upset of Alabama away from the worst season in the modern era of one of the most-storied programs in college football history.

Change had to happen, and had to be drastic. It began in December by landing the best player in the transfer portal (quarterback John Mateer), and included a significant upgrade at offensive coordinator/play caller (Ben Arbuckle). And it hasn’t stopped. 

A day after announcing he was entering the spring transfer portal, Cal star running back Jaydn Ott signed with Oklahoma. That came days after Stanford offensive tackle Jake Maikkula – allowed to enter the transfer portal early after a coaching change in late March – committed to the Sooners.

And Oklahoma isn’t done. Venables said last week that the team would continue to look hard at the spring portal and make additions that fit to fill needs.

“You’re looking at probably every position on your team,” Venables said. 

Translation: no job is safe. And why should it be?

In a matter of one season, Oklahoma has become an afterthought of the great SEC expansion of 2024. Texas, which spent the previous two decades in Oklahoma’s shadow in the Big 12, is the new SEC and national darling. 

After one season in the league. 

After losing 17 of the previous 24 games between the bitter rivals since 2000. After Oklahoma owned the Big 12 and became a fixture in the BCS championship game and College Football Playoff — and Texas was the perpetual underachiever.

That’s how quickly it all turned in one ugly season in the SEC, how more than two decades of dominance in the Big 12 was reduced to what in the world is going on in Norman? So yeah, this offseason was important. 

Important for Venables’ job security, and reestablishing one of the game’s great brands. Important for fan buy-in, after a season of losing six – six! – SEC games and eliminating any coaching goodwill. 

Venables is beloved in Norman, but he’s not safe. What coaches not named Wilkinson, Switzer and Stoops were?

Venables understands the gravity of the position, and the current state of the program. He made moves midway through last season to begin course correcting, and hasn’t stopped since. 

He fired offensive coordinator Seth Littrell in late October of 2024, and benched former five-star quarterback recruit Jackson Arnold prior to that. The same Arnold that was chosen over Dillon Gabriel, who started the previous two seasons in Norman and eventually transferred to Oregon and was a Heisman Trophy finalist. 

But this is what you want from your coach: a decision-maker who sees a mistake and makes a change.

There are six projected transfer starters on the offense for 2025, a unit that was 15th out of 16 SEC teams in scoring in 2024 and averaged less than five yards per play (4.81). 

An offense that added a quarterback (Mateer) who not only accounted for 44 touchdowns last season at Washington State, but will bring an air of bravado back to a program that entered the SEC on the heels of historical greatness. 

And responded to its first season in the league by adding 34 new players to the roster. 

“There’s definitely a feeling of wanting to prove who we are,” Mateer said earlier this month. “I don’t think anyone here thinks what happened last season is what this program is all about.”

Change had to happen and had to be drastic. 

And they’re not done yet. 

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.

The Atlanta Hawks fired general manager Landry Fields, promoted Onsi Saleh to GM and procured an executive search firm to find a president of basketball operations, the team announced Monday.

The Hawks’ season ended Friday with a play-in loss to the Miami Heat. The Hawks were 40-42 this season and have not reached the playoffs since a first-round exit in 2023.

“Every offseason we evaluate how we operate and ways we can improve our organization” Hawks principal owner Tony Ressler said in a statement. “As we enter this pivotal offseason, we have several complex decisions ahead of us, and we are committed to providing the human and financial resources needed to ensure that we navigate these decisions with a high level of precision and foresight. Adding an accomplished, senior-level leader to provide strategic direction and structure as well as partnering with Onsi and our talented front office is a top priority.”

The Hawks hired Sportsology Group to help find a president of basketball operations. According to its website, Sportsology Group says it is a “leading provider of premium knowledge, strategic advisory, and operational support in the sports industry. Our expertise is focused on franchise owners, global leagues and federations, and Institutional Investors, driving success and fueling transformative growth.”

Fields, a former NBA player, joined the Hawks as an assistant GM in 2020 and was promoted to GM in 2022. Fields hired Quin Snyder as coach during the 2022-23 season.

“I would genuinely like to thank Landry for his leadership during his time with us,” Rossler said. “Landry made our franchise better and left contributions that have positioned us for growth. I am grateful for his dedication and wish him success in his next endeavor.”

Who is Onsi Saleh, the Hawks’ new GM?

Saleh joined the Hawks a year ago as assistant GM. He came from Golden State where he spent three seasons in their front office, including the 2023-24 season as vice president of basketball strategy and team counsel. Before that, he was with the San Antonio Spurs’ basketball operations staff and was the team’s director of strategy and process and chief of staff.

“Onsi has played significant roles with two of the most well-respected organizations in the NBA,” Fields said in a statement a year ago. “In addition to his experience and expertise, we are thrilled to add someone with our shared values to our leadership team.”

A native of Edmonton, Alberta, he graduated from the University of Alberta with a degree in biological sciences and a post-grad degree in history. He also graduated from Tulane University Law School.