The NBA’s All-Star Game quagmire, plus new accusations against Tucker
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Good morning! Break a record today.
Pulse Ratings: Let’s gather some data
I am tired of bashing All-Star games. We have belabored the weird place these games, which feel more like corporate functions, sit in this era. A golf clap to the players who make it, but many fans don’t want any part of watching this stuff. Sigh.
The NBA’s version did happen last night, which drew plenty of voices online (mostly critics). I am more curious about a simpler notion: Did you watch?
Two points before we get to the actual good part of the night:
- I wonder how NBA execs feel as no one seems super interested in the All-Star Game, while the NHL scrapped its version this year to instead produce the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off, which is awesome. It’s also smashing viewership records. Maybe the sign of a path forward?
- Back to basketball, where I was loath to even turn on the game. Yet I did because it’s my job. It … wasn’t awful? In case you missed it, the game turned into a tournament of mini games happening all in one night, where each contest was played to 40 points. If the schedule of the mini games was crunched a bit, we would’ve had a great time. Instead, it dragged. Steph Curry’s half-court shot to win the final was cool, though:
Steph. Curry. 😱
🎥 @NBA pic.twitter.com/RujtYi4uRe
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 17, 2025
If I wasn’t working in this industry, I doubt I would’ve watched. Thus, I want your input for the next Pulse Poll — tell us if you flipped it on, even for a second.
Make your voice heard here. We’ll publish the results tomorrow.
Real Hoops: All hail the women’s game
Once again we are approaching March and, to me, the women’s college game is more compelling than the men’s side at this juncture. There is simply more star power and more drama across the board. Just consider yesterday’s slate:
- Vanderbilt freshman Mikayla Blakes scored 55 points in a 98-88 win over Auburn, which broke the SEC single-game record and the Division I freshman mark. The previous holder of both records? Blakes, who scored 53 points Jan. 30. Absurd.
- The biggest win of the day was No. 7 UConn’s stunning 87-58 rout of No. 4 South Carolina on the road, which broke the Gamecocks’ 71-game home winning streak. We’ve talked plenty about Paige Bueckers this year, but her team hasn’t earned the spotlight too much yet. That time is over.
- The hottest team in the country, though, is No. 3 Texas, who overcame a 12-point second-half deficit to beat No. 5 LSU, 65-58. The Longhorns have won 10 straight, with four of those wins coming against top-10 teams. Texas controls the SEC.
See the NCAA’s current top 16 seeds here, released yesterday. There are at least eight teams, if not more, with legitimate title chances. Fun!
News to Know
Half marathon record shattered
Ugandan runner Jacob Kiplimo ran a half marathon in 56:42 yesterday, demolishing the previous world record by 48 seconds. Kiplimo averaged about 4:19 per mile over the race, which is just bonkers. Imagine if the Eagles had scored 72 points in the Super Bowl. This is bigger than that. He was shocked by the performance, too.
Seven more accusations
Ravens kicker Justin Tucker is facing seven new allegations of sexually inappropriate behavior from Baltimore-area massage therapists, according to a report in The Baltimore Banner yesterday. The new batch of accusations brings the total to 16. The Ravens continue to decline comment on the matter. More details here.
Dallas assistant arrested
Mavericks assistant coach Darrell Armstrong was arrested over the weekend on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, which prompted the organization to place Armstrong on administrative leave. According to a report, Armstrong is accused of hitting a woman with a gun around 3:45 a.m. Saturday. Read our full story for more.
More news
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Watch and Listen
📺 Hockey: Canada vs. Finland
1 p.m. ET on TNT/truTV/Max
Strap in, it’s a full hockey day. The 4 Nations Face-Off has been fantastic, and this is the last day of games before the final. Either team can clinch a spot in the championship game against Team USA with a win in regulation here, but if it goes to overtime/a shootout, the winning team needs the Americans to win their next game …
📺 Hockey: USA vs. Sweden
8 p.m. ET on TNT/truTV/Max
… which is this one. The Swedes need a win and for the previous game to extend past regulation. I dig it.
Get tickets to games like these here.
🎧 Would you take the Bills or the Ravens if you could have only one for the next three seasons? The Athletic Football Show has answers to these and other mailbag questions today. Fun episode you can watch here.
Pulse Picks
It’s that time again: We have potential salary-cap cuts for all 32 NFL teams. Some big names in there, too.
I loved this on Ludvig Åberg, whose win at Torrey Pines yesterday was another sign he’s actually taking over golf. The dude is a machine.
The Phillies arrived in camp without a flashy offseason addition for the first time in a while. Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber know the pressure ahead, too. Harper also talks about his TikTok turn in here.
Something I did love from NBA All-Star Weekend: Marcus Thompson II’s stirring story about the NBA — and, notably, Steph Curry — briefly returning to Oracle Arena in Oakland. It felt like magic to all involved.
Want a Victor Wembanyama card? We have the best places to look.
Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: The details on UConn’s horrendous — and historic — loss to Seton Hall on Saturday.
Most-read on the website yesterday: Pierre LeBrun’s column on the “absolute bedlam” in the first nine seconds of the Canada-USA 4 Nations game. I hope we get a rematch.
(Top photo: David Kirouac / Imagn Images)
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