After going undrafted out of Texas A&M in 2016, Alex Caruso spent the early part of his pro career doing everything he could to carve out a role for himself in the NBA. 

Eventually, he became on the league’s most tenacious defenders. Now a two-time NBA All-Defensive Team honoree, Caruso has proven he’ll do whatever it takes on that end of the floor. 

The 32-year-old guard took that sentence to another level on Tuesday, and it humorously cost him. 

When Caruso’s left sneaker came off in the second quarter against the Orlando Magic, he picked it up and tried to use it to his advantage.

Playing help defense in the paint, Caruso swiped the shoe at the left hand of Magic forward Tristan da Silva, who was going up for a layup.

Caruso made contact with the ball, and it came loose, ricocheting off da Silva’s arm and flying out of bounds.

Except, rather than resulting in an Orlando turnover, the play wound up with Caruso receiving a technical foul and the Magic being awarded the two points da Silva could have scored otherwise, plus the subsequent free throw due to Caruso being T’d up.

That sequence assisted Orlando’s comeback effort. The Magic pulled within one point of the Thunder by halftime. Then they pulled in front early in the third quarter.

This story is being updated.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault on Tuesday commended rookie Thomas Sorber for his rehabilitation from a torn right ACL.

Sorber sustained the injury during an offseason workout at the team practice facility on Sept. 4. He was ruled out for the year after undergoing surgery on Sept. 16 and is expected to make a full recovery for the start of the 2026-27 season.

The 20-year-old has been cleared by the team to resume some on-court training and other related workouts. He accompanied the team on its five-game road trip that started on Tuesday and is making daily progress in his recovery.

“There are limits to what he can do right now,” Daigneault said. “He has still got a ways to go in terms of a full recovery, but he is at the point in the rehab that is a little more engaging. The weather is warmer; there is a lot of good stuff going on for him right now.”

Sorber was the 15th pick in the 2025 NBA draft after averaging 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 steals in 26 games last season at Georgetown. He became the first Hoya since Markel Starks (2012-13) to earn an All-Big East third-team selection.

The 6-foot-9 center missed summer league due to a toe injury sustained last season with the Hoyas. He had fully recovered from that injury and was cleared to participate in training camp prior to suffering his setback in September.

Sorber has impressed those around him throughout his recovery and appears to be on track to be completely healthy once again. The team has embraced him and supported him on and off the court throughout a long, grueling process and is eager for his return.

“He has done a great job,” Daigneault said. “Every time you look at him, he is working hard. He is sweating. He has just kind of kept his head down, mouth shut. He has earned a lot of respect from his teammates because every time they look at him, he is putting the work in. For a young guy to be as consistent and have the work capacity that he has had has been very impressive.”

This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Thunder news: Thomas Sorber praised by Mark Daigneault for rehab work

The Golden State Warriors have had over 600 players don the more than 60 jersey numbers used by their players over the more than 75 years of existence the team has enjoyed in its rich and storied history.

Founded in 1946 during the Basketball Association of America (BAA – a precursor league of the NBA) era, the team has called home the cities of Philadelphia, San Francisco, Oakland, and even San Diego.

To commemorate the players who wore those numbers, Warriors Wire is covering the entire history of jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team. For this article, we begin with the third of three players who wore the No. 54 jersey for the Warriors.

That player would be Golden State big man alum Kwame Brown. After ending his high school career, Brown was picked up with the first overall selection of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards.

The Charleston, South Carolina native played the first four seasons of his pro career with the Wiz. He would also play for the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets before he signed with the Dubs in 2011. His stay with the team lasted until he was dealt to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2012.

During his time suiting up for the Warriors, Brown wore only jersey No. 54 and put up 6.3 rebounds and as many points per game.

All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.

This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Warriors jersey history – No. 54 – Kwame Brown (2011-12)

The Houston Rockets have had players donning a total of 52 different jersey numbers (and have one not part of any numerical series for Houston assistant coach and general manager Carroll Dawson) since their founding at the start of the 1967-68 season, worn by just under 500 players in the course of Rockets history.

To honor all of the players who wore those numbers over the decades, Rockets Wire is covering the entire history of jersey numbers and the players who wore them since the founding of the team all those years ago right up to the present day.

With seven of those jerseys now retired to honor some of the greatest Rockets of all time to wear those jerseys, there is a lot of history to cover.

And for today’s article, we will continue with the 17th of 20 who wore the No. 9, guard alum Josh Christopher. After ending his college career at Arizona State, Christopher was picked up with the 24th overall selection of the 2021 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets.

The Carson, California native played the first two seasons of his pro career with Houston, coming to an end when he was dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies in 2023.

During his time suiting up for the Rockets, Christopher wore only jersey No. 9 and put up 6.9 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.

All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets jersey history No. 9 – Josh Christopher (2021-23)

Nearly a week into the start of the new league year, the Detroit Lions have at long last found some help up front defensively to complement All-Pro EDGE Aidan Hutchinson.

Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Lions are signing former Carolina Panthers defensive end D.J. Wonnum. Per his agents Kevin Conner and Robert Brown, Wonnum is inking a one-year deal worth up to $6 million.

Wonnum tallied 42 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, three passes defended, one interception and one fumble recovery last season in 16 games and 15 starts with the Panthers.

Former Panthers free-agent DE DJ Wonnum is signing a one-year deal worth up to $6 million with the Detroit Lions, per his agents Kevin Conner & Robert Brown of @unisportsmgmtpic.twitter.com/45RQRtITMN

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 17, 2026

Wonnum was initially drafted by the Vikings in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft. In his six NFL seasons thus far, Wonnum has played in 86 career NFL regular-season games and started 54.

In his career, Wonnum has amassed 250 tackles, 59 quarterback hits, 32 tackles for loss, 30 sacks, 15 passes defended, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception. Ironically, while still with the Vikings, Wonnum returned one of his two career fumble recoveries for a 51-yard touchdown against the Panthers on Oct. 1, 2023.

For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Josh on X, @JoshOnLions

This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions sign former Panthers DE D.J. Wonnum

The COVID-19 pandemic was a trying time for all of us. And while our spirits were down, wrestling’s spirits were up in its quest to entertain us during those unprecedented times. Of those mood boosters came AEW’s first-ever Mimosa Mayhem match, which saw Orange Cassidy conquer wrestling veteran Chris Jericho. But seriously, where was Cassidy’s mind when he went in and came out of that All Out 2020 match? In his reply, the “Freshly Squeezed” star was satisfied with the win over Jericho; however, he was disappointed in how the “mimosa” tasted, as mentioned in his question and answer segment on “Monopoly Events.”

“That tasted like garbage, by the way,” the former two-time International Champion noted. “I drank a little bit when I was in the Walls of Jericho, and then I had a sore throat for, like, two weeks…I don’t know what it was…I think someone said it was Tang or something. But it didn’t taste like Tang, I’ll tell you that much.”

As for his opponent in the match, Cassidy praised the former and inaugural AEW World Champion in his tremendous feats of making the company what it is today, and for helping Cassidy evolve into the worshipped wrestler fans dress like and come to see every week.

“He’s one of the best to ever do it,” Cassidy said bluntly. “The fact that he wanted to play with me and wrestle around for three months was incredible. I learned a lot. That’s it.”

The whereabouts of “Le Champion” remain unknown at this point. For months now, Jericho has been the talk of the industry, with new reports from Fightful Select that he is still “firmly” under contract with AEW, despite openness to returning to WWE. Jericho’s last match before his absence was at last year’s Dynasty, where he lost the Ring of Honor World Championship to Bandido in a title versus mask match.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “Monopoly Events” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

Read more: AEW Stars: Meet Their Spouses & Partners

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Read the original article on Wrestling Inc.

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez said he did not know whether he would be at the club next season following the Blues’ Champions League exit to Paris St-Germain.

Chelsea lost 3-0 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday having suffered a 5-2 defeat in last week’s first leg.

Fernandez joined Chelsea for what was a British record transfer fee of 121m euro (£107m) in January 2023 and has played more than 150 games for the club.

But asked by ESPN if he would be with the club next season, the 25-year-old said: “I don’t know, there are eight games left and the FA Cup. There’s the World Cup and then we’ll see.”

Fernandez, who has made 45 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea this season, scoring 12 goals and making six assists, was replaced after 60 minutes at Stamford Bridge.

“I think we failed to control the game. In the first leg, we lost focus in the final 15 minutes and conceded three goals, and here it happened at the very start,” added Fernandez, who captained the side in Reece James’ absence.

“At this level, you can’t concede two goals so quickly because of small details. Ultimately, over the two legs, PSG were the better side and deserve to go through.

“Since I arrived at Chelsea, we have already passed through similar situations and we were able to turn them around.

“Now, our focus must be on winning the FA Cup and achieving our goal of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.”

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NFL Draft Profile: Miami’s Akheem Mesidor Class’ Most Proven Commodity originally appeared on NESN.
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The New England Patriots can take their pick of positions to address during the 2026 NFL Draft.

It’s easy to see them targeting someone who can rush the passer, depth options at linebacker and/or tight end, competition along the offensive line, someone who can provide a spark to the skill position group, and… well, pretty much anything else you can think of.

I just don’t think they can do it all…

If the club intends on putting itself in a position to regularly contend, it will need to prioritize things perfectly and put together another superb draft class — which might just include Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor:

Bio:

Akheem Mesidor
Position: EDGE
Height: 6′ 3″
Weight: 259 lbs
Hand: 10″
Arm: 32 1/8″
Scouting Combine: N/A
2025 Stats: 15 G, 12.5 SCK, 17.5 TFL, 4 FF, 63 TKL

Pros: 

Mesidor is someone who has produced for two different programs, finishing with 35.5 career sacks across six seasons at West Virginia (23 games) and Miami (42 games) — while playing under some tremendous tutors like Jason Taylor and Charlie Strong.

• CAN WIN WITH SPEED OR POWER
• GOOD PASS-RUSH RECOGNITION, HAS EFFECTIVE COUNTERS AND BASES PLAN OFF OL SET
• GREAT BACKSIDE RUN DEFENDER, PLUS EFFORT AND ANGLES 
• IMPECCABLE HANDS, HAS MORE THAN ENOUGH TOOLS IN THE BAG
• SCHEME VERSATILE, CAN PLAY FROM ALL ALIGNMENTS
• EFFORT AND FINISH ARE ELITE

Cons: 

Mesidor’s age (25) has been a popular topic of discussion, with many thinking there is a chance he already reached his peak form.

• UNDERSIZED (SUBPAR HEIGHT, LENGTH)
• ONE OF OLDEST ROOKIES IN CLASS
• OVERZEALOUS RUN DEFENDER, SUSCEPTIBLE TO COUNTERS

Akheem Mesidor with the sack at the 2025 @CFBPlayoff Quarterfinal at the 90th #GoodyearCottonBowl Classic! #LikeNoOther | #GoCanespic.twitter.com/WSQ8TADaSy

— Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (@CottonBowlGame) January 1, 2026

Grade and Player Comparison: 

Mesidor has plenty of talent and you can’t question his effort, but he isn’t as physically gifted as many of the options you would typically be picking from in the first round — you aren’t going to mistake him for Myles Garrett, Travon Walker, Jared Verse, or Abdul Carter.

The NFL has had an influx of players who don’t necessarily look like they’re carved out of stone but can still impact the opposing quarterback, though, like Tuli Tuipulotu and Laiatu Latu. If you’re convinced that players are talented enough, size might not necessarily matter. Kansas City Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis fits the play style and general build if you’re looking for a player comparison, though that does feel like the floor based on the talent level.

GRADE: B
PLAYER COMP: George Karlaftis

The Patriots ______ Akheem Mesidor:

“should hope they have an opportunity to draft”

New England lost depth and talent at the position during the early portion of free agency, bringing aboard Dre’Mont Jones before releasing Anfernee Jennings and losing K’Lavon Chaisson. If we’re talking about straight numbers, they’re worse off now than they were at the end of the season.

Romeo Doubs, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and Kevin Byard help make up some of the deficiencies at wide receiver, offensive line, and safety, respectively, so there is no longer much of a doubt what this team’s primary need is entering the 2026 NFL Draft. It’s a deep class, which we’ll continue to talk more about across the coming weeks, but they’re going to need to hope and pray that one of the no-brainer options falls to them at No. 31. Mesidor is the most realistic option, and that is no slight on him.

More NFL: Patriots Offseason Preview: Everything Team Must Address In 2026