Jaylen Brown for NBA MVP? LeBron James has high praise for Celtics star

The latest installment of the NBA's most historic rivalry was staged Sunday, Feb. 22, with Jaylen Brown leading theBoston Celticsto a111-89 victoryover LeBron James and theLos Angeles Lakerson the road.

Brown nearly produced a triple-double, compiling 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in 36 minutes of play.

He has taken over as the primary option for Boston sinceJayson Tatum tore his right Achilles tendonduring Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on May 12, 2025.

Brown was named the NBA Finals MVP after the Celtics won the championship in 2024, but James believes there's a case to be made for Brown to be mentioned in this season's MVP race.

"This whole MVP thing, I don't understand why his name is not getting talked about as well," James said of Brown after Sunday's game. "Like, nobody gave them a shot to start the season. And he's averaging what, 30? Just under 30? It's a popularity contest sometimes, I tell you."

Brown is averaging 29.2 points, seven rebounds and 4.8 assists per game this season. He's fourth among NBA players in points per game this season.

Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

The MVP conversation has largely been dominated by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder) and Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets), the winners of the prior two MVP awards.

"It's an honor to play the Celtics-Lakers rivalry. It's an honor for LeBron, who's arguably the best player to ever play the game, to give me some high praise," Brown told reporters after the game. "So, I'm just grateful."

James and Brown were teammates during theNBA All-Star Game mini-tournamentearlier this month at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

Who is considered the NBA MVP favorite?

Odds via BetMGM, as of 1 a.m. ET Monday morning:

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-140)

Nikola Jokic (+310)

Cade Cunningham (+500)

Victor Wembanyama (+2500)

Luka Doncic (+4000)

Jaylen Brown (+5000)

Donovan Mitchell (+10000)

Anthony Edwards (+15000)

Jalen Brunson (+20000)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:LeBron James praises Jaylen Brown after Celtics-Lakers game

byLiam Oneel

in

February 23, 2026

Jaylen Brown for NBA MVP? LeBron James has high praise for Celtics star

The latest installment of the NBA's most historic rivalry was staged Sunday, Feb. 22, with Jaylen Brown leading theB...

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Kara Braxton, former WNBA All-Star and 2-time champion, dies at 43

Kara Braxton, who played in the WNBA for 10 seasons and won two championships, has died at age 43, the league announced on Sunday.

No cause of death or location was provided for Braxton, whose birthday was Wednesday.

"It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of 2x WNBA Champion Kara Braxton," the WNBA said in a statement on social media. "A 10-season veteran, Kara played with the Detroit Shock, Tulsa Shock, Phoenix Mercury, and New York Liberty. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and former teammates at this time."

The Detroit Shock selected Braxton, a 6-foot-6 forward/center, with the seventh overall pick of the 2005 WNBA Draft.

Her career averages were 7.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 16.5 minutes in 297 regular-season games (120 starts) for Detroit/Tulsa (2005-10), Phoenix (2010-11) and New York (2011-14).

Braxton also averaged 7.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 16.1 minutes in 46 playoff games (11 starts).

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She won league championships in 2006 and 2008 with the Detroit Shock, who relocated to Tulsa for the 2010 season. She was on the WNBA All-Rookie team in 2005 and an All-Star in 2007.

"We mourn the loss of Kara Braxton, a former Liberty player whose presence and passion left a lasting impact on our organization and the women's game," the Liberty wrote on the team's X account. "Our hearts are with her family, friends, teammates, and all who were touched by her spirit. Her impact will not be forgotten."

Braxton was born in Jackson, Michigan. She played high school basketball for Westview in Portland, Ore., and in college at Georgia.

She played from 2001-04 for the Bulldogs and averaged 15.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.6 steals, 1.8 blocks and 24.0 minutes in 71 games. Braxton was the Southeastern Conference Rookie of the Year and All-Freshman and All-SEC for the 2001-02 campaign.

According to reports, she extended her professional career by playing overseas through the 2017-18 season. After retirement, she worked for Nike in Oregon before moving to the Atlanta area, USA Today reported.

She is survived by her husband Jarvis Jackson and sons Jream Jackson and Jelani Thurman, USA Today reported. Thurman was a tight end on Ohio State's national championship team in 2024 and after his third season transferred to North Carolina in January.

--Field Level Media

byLiam Oneel

in

February 23, 2026

Kara Braxton, former WNBA All-Star and 2-time champion, dies at 43

Kara Braxton, who played in the WNBA for 10 seasons and won two championships, has died at age 43, the league announ...

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Arrivederci Milan Cortina. Italian organizers contemplating Rome bid for 2040 Summer Olympics

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — GoodbyeMilan Cortina. See you in Rome in 2040?

Milan Cortina Olympics Closing Ceremony

Now that the just-concluded Winter Olympics have been hailed for setting"a new, very high standard"by IOC President Kirsty Coventry, Italian organizers are contemplating a bid for the 2040 Summer Games.

"I think our country deserves another Summer Olympics," Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) president Luciano Buonfiglio said over the weekend. "But let's take it step by step. A candidacy has to be agreed on and shared with the government."

The idea of the Milan Cortina Games was born out of the rejection of Rome's bid for the 2024 Olympics by then-Mayor Virginia Raggi a decade ago. That came four years after then-Premier Mario Monti scrapped the city's candidacy for the 2020 Games because of financial concerns; and after a Rome bid was narrowly defeated by Athens in the final round of voting for 2004.

"Scars help you remember" the defeats, said Giovanni Malagò, the head of the Milan Cortina organizing committee and former CONI president.

But Malagò, who is also an IOC member, suggested that Rome has a couple of key advantages in Olympic circles: its "unique" history of failed bids and the centerpiece venue for any Summer candidacy.

"Rome has a 70,000-seat stadium with an athletics track — which is huge in terms of sustainability," Malagò said.

The existing Stadio Olimpico and surrounding Foro Italico complex would be a natural setting for athletics and swimming — the two biggest sports at the Summer Games.

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Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said during the Milan Cortina Games that he believes his city has "the conditions" for another bid — especially after welcomingmore than 33 million people to the capital and Vatican for the 2025 Holy Year.

"If it's considered a realistic goal, I'm open to collaborating with the IOC, government and CONI in order to create the most competitive bid possible," Gualtieri said. "A capital like Rome should not be afraid of big challenges. The Jubilee showed off our organizational capacity for big events."

With the 2028 Games coming up in Los Angeles and2032 in Brisbane, Australia; andIndia and Qatar bidding for 2036; the 2040 Summer Games seem destined to return to Europe.

"Now is not the time to discuss this. It's premature, wrong and even counterproductive," Malagò said. "We need to understand the geopolitical landscape for post-2032."

Malagò wouldn't elaborate on speculation that he will run for Rome mayor after he finishes off his Milan Cortina duties, saying he would discuss "ideas that I have in mind" after next month's Paralympics.

Andrea Abodi, Italy's Minister for Sport and Youth, added: "It doesn't necessarily require an announcement to build a winning bid."

AP Olympics:https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

byLiam Oneel

in

February 23, 2026

Arrivederci Milan Cortina. Italian organizers contemplating Rome bid for 2040 Summer Olympics

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — GoodbyeMilan Cortina. See you in Rome in 2040? Milan Cortina Olympics...

Read More