Mike Tomlin explains on Cam Heyward’s "Not Just Football" podcast why he resigned as Steelers head coach after 19 seasons. He says the decision came right after the Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans on Jan. 2026, feeling it was time to step aside before overstaying his welcome. Tomlin cites the team’s seven straight playoff defeats and the desire to give players like Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt a fresh start to chase a Super Bowl. He compares his exit to Tony Dungy’s firing in Tampa, emphasizing respect for the game and the need for new leadership.
The Phoenix Suns’ early‑season center drama centers on rookie Khaman Maluach, the 2025 lottery pick. After starter Mark Williams misses opening night with a torn labrum, Maluach earns his first start against Portland but the Suns fall quickly. Injuries to veteran Oso Ighodaro force Maluach into a thin rotation, where he battles elite bigs from Golden State, Oklahoma City and Denver. When Ighodaro returns, Maluach shifts to a bench role, delivering solid contributions: 8 points, 6 rebounds and a +13 rating versus Orlando, then 8 points, 10 rebounds and a +11 rating versus Houston, even limiting Alperen Şengün. He caps the stretch with 11 points, five rebounds and a three‑pointer against Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs. The article argues that his defensive hustle and adaptability are key to the Suns’ developing frontcourt.
Oklahoma City, Houston, Memphis and Charlotte would have a field day during the 2027 draft lottery based on the NBA's current standings.
After a 30-6 loss to the Texans in the wild-card round last season, Tomlin decided to step down, paving a path for Pittsburgh native Mike McCarthy to land his dream job.
Kevin Durant sent well wishes to his former Golden State Warriors teammate after Stephen Curry left a Wednesday night matchup against the Houston Rockets with an apparent injury.
The Houston Rockets beat the Golden State Warriors 115-108 on Wednesday behind a dominant first quarter and Alperen Sengun's near triple-double performance.
Former Brewers right‑hander Dustin May draws interest from four clubs as a free agent, according to Jon Morosi (MLB Network). The Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox are linked to the 29‑year‑old, who posted a rough 5.65 ERA in 36⅔ innings for Milwaukee after a season split between the Dodgers and Red Sox. May previously signed a one‑year, $12.5 million deal with St. Louis and delivered a mid‑3.00s stretch and a complete‑game shutout before back issues resurfaced. All four suitors have clear rotation holes to fill heading into the 2027 season.
The Golden State Warriors’ eight‑game streak ends as Stephen Curry exits early against the Houston Rockets with an abdominal strain. Sports‑medicine doctor Brian Sutterer outlines a wide recovery window: the NBA average for simple strains is about two weeks (seven games), but oblique tears can sideline a player up to 5½ weeks (19‑20 games). Past cases range from Paolo Banchero’s 34‑game absence to LeBron James’ eight‑game layoff. At 38, Curry is still averaging 27.8 points on 50% shooting, leaving the team to rely on young guns Brandin Podziemski and Yaxel Lendeborg, who posted 22 and 25 points respectively in the loss.
Lendeborg, Podziemski and improved depth give the Warriors more options if Steph Curry misses time, but Houston exposed their need for sharper execution.
The Battle Red Blog asks whether the Houston Texans are finally on the rise or just putting on a show ahead of their Sunday clash with the Cleveland Browns. Quarterback C.J. Stroud, fresh off a historic Week 9 performance against the Los Angeles Chargers—384 yards, five TDs, a 125.5 passer rating and his second AFC Player of the Week—has silenced critics and become the first Texans QB with multiple 350‑yard, 5‑TD games. With Stroud joining elite names like Mahomes and Marino, the blog argues the offense, not the QB, is the team’s strength, while the defense leans on sack leader Will Anderson Jr. The Browns sit 5‑4 with a middling offense and a vulnerable O‑line, setting up a pivotal matchup that could define the Texans’ trajectory.
The Mariners' offseason buzz centers on Seiya Suzuki, highlighted by John Trupin as a prime target, while Adam Jude dismisses NPB star Teruaki Sato as a poor fit. Across MLB, Cam Schlittler (Yankees) and Jacob Misiorowski (Brewers) share the 2026 Cy Young Award, Louis Varland (Blue Jays) and Mason Miller (Padres) earn Reliever of the Year honors, and former Angels coach Brad Ausmus lands the Houston Astros managerial job. Additional notes include the Blue Jays’ meeting with left‑hander Tarik Skubal, Chris Martin’s retirement, MLB staff unionization, and a $700K tax lien against ex‑Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase.
The Browns‑Texans clash airs Sunday at 1 PM ET on FOX, with Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma calling the game. Ohio viewers watch on WJW 8.1, while the national feed reaches the Pittsburgh‑area of Pennsylvania, Houston and San Antonio, and most of West Virginia. Other Week 10 matchups include Patriots‑Lions at 9:30 AM, Seahawks‑Raiders and 49ers‑Cowboys in the late afternoon, and Steelers‑Bengals primetime. Browns fans outside Ohio are invited to share their local TV listings.
After a crushing 30-6 Wild Card defeat to the Houston Texans, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin faces pressure to overhaul a struggling locker room. Despite the loss, players insist the team's bond remains strong, describing their camaraderie as “pure love for each other.” Teammates highlight the tight‑knit culture that has endured under Tomlin, even as the franchise contemplates changes to rebound from another early playoff exit. The article explores how this unity could influence the Steelers’ future moves heading into the offseason.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have added cornerback Alijah Huzzie back to their practice squad after he cleared waivers, according to KPRC's Aaron Wilson. The 25‑year‑old began his NFL career as an undrafted free agent with the Houston Texans in 2025, bounced between the active roster and practice squad, and spent the 2026 season moving between Houston and Jacksonville before being waived in early November. Huzzie has logged one game for the Jaguars this year and now returns to the practice squad for another chance at a roster spot.
Kevin Durant praised Yaxel Lendeborg after facing the Golden State Warriors rookie, who finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds against Houston.
The post Kevin Durant on Yaxel Lendeborg: “I love his game” appeared first on TalkBasket.net .
The Houston Astros announce former Detroit catcher Brad Ausmus as their new manager, with a press conference set for Friday at 10 a.m. Ausmus brings a 386‑422 record (.478) from stints with the Tigers, Yankees bench, and Oakland, highlighted by a 90‑win, AL Central‑winning 2014 season. The article critiques the hire as “meh,” noting the Astros missed a chance to let GM Randy Flores select a manager and pointing to past missteps, such as the Dusty Baker‑James Click era and Jeff Bagwell’s overreach in the front office. It argues that alignment between manager and front office is crucial for the franchise’s future success.
The Mets are actively shopping the high end of the relief market, targeting LA Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia and veteran Tim Hill, with owner Steve Cohen ready to spend for impact talent. The club also eyes starting pitcher Tarik Skubal, mirroring the approach that landed Juan Soto. Meanwhile, NL East news highlights Chris Sale’s third‑place Cy Young finish, Cristopher Sánchez as runner‑up, and the Nationals’ four‑year, $23 million deal for outfielder Jacob Young, with Dylan Crews reportedly on the trade block. Additional MLB moves include Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski and Yankees right‑hander Cam Schlittler winning Cy Young honors, the Astros hiring Brad Ausmus, and the Tigers adding closer Emilio Pagán.
Baseball America’s James Anderson breaks down the 2027 dynasty third‑base market, highlighting top targets like Curtis Mead (Red Sox), who should thrive in Fenway after a wrist injury, Isaac Paredes (Astros), a 28‑year‑old offering solid power and on‑base skills, and Red Sox’s Caleb Durbin, a potential 25‑steal threat. Sleepers include Rangers’ Josh Jung, likely undervalued after a recent injury, and Athletics prospect Johenssy Colome, a DSL standout with high upside. Anderson advises selling high on fades such as Mariners infielder Michael Arroyo and Braves star Austin Riley, whose market values exceed their projected dynasty worth. The article offers actionable trade ideas for the offseason.
The Battle Red Blog breaks down Houston’s pass‑catching unit as of Week 10, revealing a puzzling mismatch between snap volume and effectiveness. While the Texans rank in the top ten for scoring (26.1 PPG, 9th) and yards per play (5.8, 8th), the analysis shows Xavier Hutchinson leads the team with 207 passing‑play snaps and 45 targets but trails in catch percentage (53.3%), yards per target (6.4) and success rate (46.7). In contrast, Dalton Schultz posts the highest catch rate (74.5%) and solid production (35 catches, 364 yards). Tank Dell, despite a 50% catch rate, boasts the league‑best 14.8 yards per target, indicating his value as a deep threat. The piece argues that snap allocation should favor higher‑efficiency players like Schultz and Boutte over Hutchinson.
The Astros have rehired former catcher and three‑time Gold Glove winner Brad Ausmus as manager, hoping his deep ties to Houston will spark success. The article reviews past Houston hires—Larry Dierker, Phil Garner, Art Howe—who delivered titles, but warns that great players often struggle behind the bench, citing Ted Williams, Pete Rose, and others who failed as managers. With Ausmus’s two playing stints in Houston, the franchise bets on familiarity, yet history suggests the gamble could backfire.
Nebraska fans get a quick roundup of recent sports news. The Huskers men’s basketball team secured a win last night, highlighted by a celebratory tweet and a pre‑game extension for defensive coach Aurich. Husker volleyball announces four top‑ranked 2027 recruits and previews the No. 1 Nebraska vs. No. 25 Illinois/Iowa matchup. The post also notes NBA updates—Luka Dončić feels fine after an injury scare and Stephen Curry exits a Rockets game with abdominal soreness—plus MLB accolades for Cy Young winners Schlittler and Misiorowski. Additional oddball links include a classic exploding‑whale video and a teen‑invented autism‑cue app.
In Houston, Stephen Curry exits early with a right abdominal strain, forcing the Golden State Warriors to lean on rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. The Michigan product delivers a breakout 25‑point, 10‑rebound performance, including 18 points before halftime, but the Warriors fall 115‑108 to the Rockets. Post‑game, Draymond Green tells Lendeborg he may often be "the best player on the floor" and must embrace that role, while Kevin Durant praises the rookie as a "matchup problem" with size and skill. With the Warriors’ eight‑game streak at risk and Curry’s status uncertain ahead of a key matchup versus Victor Wembanyama, Lendeborg’s rapid rise could become a season‑long storyline.
Dave Dombrowski outlines the Phillies' offseason strategy at the final GM meeting in Las Vegas, prompting analyst Matt Gelb to speculate on upcoming moves. Pitcher Cristopher Sánchez finishes second in Cy Young voting for the second straight year, while teammate Jesús Luzardo places fifth. The club must prioritize needs, with the bullpen ranking high on the list. Meanwhile, MLB news includes the Astros hiring former Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus as manager, Emilio Pagan’s one‑year deal with the Tigers, and a recap of the recent Cy Young and Reliever of the Year award winners. With a lockout looming on Dec. 1, executives scramble to complete offseason tasks.
The Golden State Warriors fell 115–108 to the Houston Rockets on Nov. 12, 2026, after losing Stephen Curry to injury and seeing an eight‑game win streak snap. The game turned chaotic when Rockets guard Marcus Smart threw a wild punch at Warriors rookie Charles Bassey, graze‑hitting his nose and earning a Flagrant‑2 ejection. Bassey called Smart’s actions "fake toughness" and accused him of playing dirty throughout the contest. Draymond Green praised his teammates for rallying around Bassey, stressing the Warriors’ unity. Smart’s ejection leaves the league to consider further discipline.
Golden State faces fresh concerns after a difficult night against Houston.