With their team trailing by 16 points with 1:57 to play, Toronto Raptors fans knew Tuesday’s contest against the Philadelphia 76ers was over. Knowing that game was already decided, the fans made a last-ditch effort to pay respect to a former franchise icon … and it worked.

With the game in hand, Raptors fans chanted for 76ers guard Kyle Lowry to get some playing time. Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse granted their wishes, subbing Lowry into the contest with just under two minutes to go.

Raptors fans loved the moment, giving Lowry a standing ovation as he took the court for the first time all night.

Lowry, 39, had a huge smile on his face the entire time. He waved and acknowledged the fans and put his hand over his heart to pay tribute to them. Lowry’s 76ers teammates also appreciated the moment and were spotted smiling and clapping for the veteran.

[Get more 76ers news: Philadelphia team feed]

After the contest — which the 76ers won 115-102 — Lowry called the scene, “One of the greatest basketball moments of my personal career.”

While Lowry developed into a solid player in his first six seasons in the NBA, his career really took off after joining the Toronto Raptors ahead of the 2012-13 NBA season. The following year, Lowry stepped up his game, turning the Raptors into a surprising contender.

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That surge kicked off quite the run for Lowry, who made the next six All-Star games and earned down-ballot MVP votes during the 2015-16 season. Lowry was also one of the main contributors on the 2018-19 Raptors team that won the NBA championship. His success, combined with the team’s title, made Lowry a legend in Toronto.

Following the 2020-21 NBA season, a then-34-year-old Lowry left the Raptors to sign with the Miami Heat. He was traded to the 76ers a few years later and remains a bench piece for the team. 

Lowry hasn’t appeared in many contests this season. The 39-year-old has seen time in just six games and is averaging under 10 minutes per contest when he gets opportunities. 

Lowry is clearly near the end of his career. While it’s unclear how many more chances he’ll get to prove himself on the court, Monday’s appearance is one that will clearly stick with him forever. 

James Harden has moved ahead of an NBA icon.

With a 3-pointer early in the second half Monday against the Charlotte Hornets, Harden scored his 28,598th career point. The bucket moved him into ninth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, ahead of Shaquille O’Neal.

“The most dominant big man in the history of the game,” Harden said after the 117-109 win, reflecting on O’Neal. “It’s a true honor. It’s a testament to the work that I put in, and it’s all glory to God.”

Harden moved into the top 10 in December with a free throw against the Orlando Magic, which pushed him ahead of Carmelo Anthony. He entered Monday’s game with 28,582 career points, trailing O’Neal’s tally of 28,596 by just 14. He passed O’Neal in his 1,187th game, slightly ahead of O’Neal’s pace of 1,207 career games played. Harden reached his tally after playing his first three NBA seasons off the bench in Oklahoma City.

The all-time scoring list does not consider combined NBA and ABA scoring. If ABA scoring is taken into consideration, Julius Irving (30,026 points) and Moses Malone (29,580) round out the top 10, ahead of Harden and O’Neal. Regardless, it’s a remarkable feat, even if Harden’s style of play has earned him a legion of detractors.

In addition to his immense talent and hard work, Harden’s game is very much a product of modern analytics, which doesn’t always produce compelling basketball for viewers. He has generated more than 18,000 of his points from the free-throw line or beyond the 3-point arc, meaning that roughly one-third of his points have come from mid-range or scoring at the basket.

Harden’s detractors would also be quick to point out that he’s one of only two players in the top 10 without an NBA championship; Karl Malone is the other. But while Harden’s reputation for foul baiting doesn’t make for the most aesthetically pleasing form of basketball, it’s certainly effective, as the numbers bear out. There’s no denying that he’s one of the great offensive weapons in the history of the game.

At 36 years old, Harden remains an elite scorer (25.6 ppg) with a chance to move further into the top 10. That said, he’ll be stuck at No. 9 for a while. Next on the list is Wilt Chamberlain, who is nearly 3,000 points ahead of Harden with 31,419.

Then comes Kevin Durant (31,458 as of Monday), who passed Chamberlain last week for seventh and, like Harden, is showing few signs of slowing down, with 26.1 points per game in his age-37 season. 

LeBron James is the only other active player in the top 10. His all-time record of 42,601 points (and counting) is almost certainly out of Harden’s reach.

NBA all-time scoring list

1. LeBron James, 42,601

2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 38,387

3. Karl Malone, 36,928

4. Kobe Bryant, 33,643

5. Michael Jordan, 32,292

6. Dirk Nowitzki, 31,560

7. Kevin Durant, 31,458

8. Wilt Chamberlain, 31,419

9. James Harden, 28,615

10. Shaquille O’Neal, 28,596

Joe Mazzulla had two words, and only two words, on Monday night. 

“Illegal screen.”

The Boston Celtics’ head coach said those two words over and over when speaking with reporters after the team’s late loss to the Indiana Pacers on Monday, clearly upset by what he thought was an illegal screen set by Pascal Siakam before the game-winning bucket. 

While it’s not as harsh as the comments made by Jaylen Brown on Saturday, it’s still likely to lead to a fine from the NBA in the coming days.

Siakam set a screen for Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard at the top of the court, though Nembhard gave him the ball back almost immediately. Siakam then worked Derrick White down the paint and hit a bank-shot with less than seven seconds left to secure a 98-96 win over the Celtics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

It’s the screen that set Mazzulla off. Siakam didn’t appear to be completely set when he set the screen for Nembhard, and then he leaned into White’s hip — which knocked him to the ground briefly.

Siakam wasn’t called for a foul on the play, and the game continued.

After the game, instead of talking about anything that led up to that play, Mazzulla answered plainly to every question he was asked by reporters.

“Illegal screen,” he said every time before finally walking off. 

Siakam led the Pacers with 21 points and eight rebounds, shooting 10-of-15 from the field. Jay Huff added 20 points, and Nembhard finished with 13 points. The win marked the third straight for Indianapolis, which now holds a 9-31 record.

Payton Pritchard led the Celtics with 23 points and eight assists in the loss, which marked their third in a four-game span. White added 18 points, and Anfernee Simons finished with 16 points off the bench. 

This is the second straight game in which someone within the Celtics organization has publicly criticized the officials. Brown went off after the team’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, calling out the referees in that game with a long, expletive-filled rant. Brown didn’t attempt a single free throw in that contest, and the Celtics took only four as a team.

“I’ll accept the fine at this point. I thought it was some bulls*** tonight,” Brown said on Saturday, in part. “I think they’re a good defensive team, but they ain’t that damn good … Every time we play a good team, the inconsistency is crazy. I’ll take the f***ing fine. Curtis, all them dudes, was terrible tonight. I don’t care, they can fine me whatever they want.”

The NBA fined Brown $35,000 on Monday.

After two seasons, Spencer Emerson will no longer be coaching the Falmouth (ME) football team.

Emerson posted on social media Monday that he’s stepping down as the Navigators’ head football coach after two campaigns, which one included a state championship victory in 2024. Here is the excerpt from Emerson’s post on X, formerly known as Twitter, regarding his resignation.

Today I stepped down as Head Coach at Falmouth H.S.
I’m incredibly grateful for the relationships and memories made the past few years.
Coaching these players and working alongside such supportive families, staff, boosters, and supporters was a privilege. Thank you to the entire Falmouth community for the trust and support you showed me and my family.

Today I stepped down as Head Coach at Falmouth H.S.

I’m incredibly grateful for the relationships and memories made the past few years. Coaching these players and working alongside such supportive families, staff, boosters, and supporters was a privilege. Thank you to the… pic.twitter.com/J7eMfsRkR4

— Spencer Emerson (@SpenceEmerson6) January 12, 2026

Emerson had been tabbed as the Falmouth head coach back in the spring of 2024, previously having served as the offensive coordinator for the University of Chicago. In taking over a Navigators’ program that went 2-6 in 2023, Emerson produced immediate results at Falmouth.

Falmouth went 11-0 in Emerson’s first year, winning the Maine Principal’s Association (MPA) Class B state championship. This past season Emerson guided the team back to the postseason, but fell in the second round.

When Emerson took over the program, he was taking on a difficult situation as Falmouth had just parted ways with longtime head coach John Fitzsimmons.

According to the final Maine High School Football Massey Rankings for the 2025 season, Falmouth finished as the state’s No. 11 ranked team.

More about Falmouth High School

Falmouth High School, located in Falmouth, Maine, is known for its strong academics, thriving arts programs, and competitive athletics. Serving grades 9–12, FHS fosters a student-centered learning environment that encourages critical thinking and community engagement. Home of the Navigators, the school takes pride in preparing students for college, careers, and citizenship with a commitment to excellence in every area of student life.

How to Follow Maine High School Football

For Maine high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the Pine Tree State, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across Maine high school football, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the gridiron excitement across the state of Maine.

NASCAR is going back to The Chase to determine its 2026 champion. No longer will drivers be eliminated during the series of races to determine the titleist. Stock car racing is back to 10 races where total points accumuluated through a system by the top 16 drivers before the start of this competition will determine the overall winner. The 2026 Chase for the NASCAR Cup will start the day before Labor Day and continue through Nov. 8 when the final race of the season will take place. What are the 10 tracks and dates that will comprise NASCAR’s Cup Series Chase for the Championship?

Darlington

Date: Sunday, September 6

World Wide Technology (Illinois)

Date: Sunday, Sept. 13

Bristol

Date: Saturday, September 19

Kansas

Date: Sunday, September 27

Las Vegas

Date: Sunday, October 4

Charlotte Roval

Date: Sunday, October 11

Phoenix

Date: Sunday, October 18

Talladega

Date: Sunday, October 25

Martinsville

Date: Sunday, November 1

Homestead-Miami

Date: Sunday, November 8

This article originally appeared on The List Wire: The 2026 Chase for the NASCAR Cup Championship

LAS VEGAS — After shutting down Maxx Crosby prior to their Week 17 game, the Las Vegas Raiders made it very clear that they are prioritizing the future.

The Raiders finished 3-14 on the season and were able to clinch the first overall pick, which, if used correctly, could completely change the trajectory of Las Vegas and what they could be as a football team. 

The first piece of that is figuring out who will be the quarterback moving forward. In a division with Bo Nix, Justin Herbert, and Patrick Mahomes, it is imperative that the Raiders find their franchise guy so they can compete. In today’s game, you must be able to put up points, and without a quarterback to operate the game, that becomes a very tough task.

This past season, Geno Smith massively underperformed after Las Vegas traded for him, hoping they could contend for a playoff spot. Smith led the NFL in interceptions with 17, and the offense really never got going. A major part was the lack of a quick and efficient passing game to open up the run game. 

So, who could the Raiders look at to play QB in 2026? Well, the unanimous option appears to be the Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who has led them to a national championship appearance and a 15-0 season.

Mendoza brings a skillset that takes what the defense gives, doesn’t force anything, and is one of the best teammates you can find. In every single interview he has done, he gives credit to everyone else before himself, showcasing his humility and understanding that it takes a whole team effort to win. 

There is no doubt that the culture shift that his coach, Curt Cignetti, has made has had a massive impact on Mendoza and how he goes about his play. Discipline and a desire to win are at the forefront of their approach this season. 

The other option they could look at is Oregon QB Dan Moore. The only question with Moore is if he is going back to school for another year because he is just 20 years old, and after his performance in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, he may need more reps. The more experienced quarterbacks have definitely panned out in the NFL. 

Part-owner Tom Brady no doubt will have a lot of say in this decision. Mendoza’s playstyle is definitely very similar to Brady’s, which could be a reason why they land on him and set up the Raiders for a future to compete in the AFC West. 

The next big question is who will be coaching the Las Vegas quarterback in 2026 and beyond after the firing of Pete Carroll. Carroll was a great coach in his prime; however, with a team that is so young and inexperienced, the Raiders need a younger coach who can stick around for a rebuild. 

There are many great options for coaches, and there could be some that become available after the playoffs finish. 

Currently, there are a few names that could be interesting depending on what direction they want to go. Those names include John Harbaugh, Kevin Stefanski, Brian Flores, Klint Kubiak, Chris Shula, and Mike Lafleur. 

This decision really depends on what kind of culture the Raiders want to set and what their emphasis is. Stefanski (Let go from the Cleveland Browns as Head Coach), Kubiak (Seattle Seahawks Offensive Coordinator), and Mike Lafleur (Los Angeles Rams Offensive Coordinator) are all offensive minds, and with a young quarterback, this could be the better course of action. 

The other option would be to go with Brian Flores (Minnesota Vikings Defensive Coordinator), Chris Shula (Rams Defensive Coordinator), and John Harbaugh (Let go from Baltimore Ravens as Head Coach) as defensive minds to minimize points from opposing teams and give a younger quarterback more confidence that they don’t have to score every drive. 

I think I would go with Stefankski, Flores, or Harbaugh because of their experience as a head coach and the understanding of what it takes, as well as how to build a roster, with all of them having some kind of playoff experience. With a young team, that is very important. 

Regardless of what Las Vegas decides for its next coach, it will be very interesting to see how it builds the team and what the future holds. 

Aside from the two major decisions of coach and quarterback, the Raiders have several other positions to fix. 

The offensive line needs a lot of help, the receiving core needs a massive boost, the secondary needs more ball hawks and cover players, more push is needed up front to stop the run and get after the quarterback, and the linebackers need some more depth and fit runs as well as cover the middle of the field. 

In this offseason, Las Vegas has a tremendous opportunity to get the right coach and its franchise quarterback. Beyond that, they are projected to have around $100 million in cap space, which could help them to be competitive in 2026 and fix several issues that they have.

Raiders fans, this offseason will be a big one for the future to get the coach and quarterback right, as well as protection up front.

The future is bright; the ship will sail a little faster in 2026.