The Los Angeles Lakers are the NBA’s first In-Season Tournament (IST) champions. 

LeBron James and the Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers 123-109 Saturday night in Las Vegas to take home the championship trophy. 

As winners of the inaugural IST, each Lakers’ player on standard contracts takes home $500,000 in winnings. 

LEBRON JAMES RAILS AGAINST GUN LAWS AFTER UNLV SHOOTING: ‘IT’S RIDICULOUS’

“We made history,” James said on the court after the win. “And anytime you’re on the right side of history, you’ll take it. First In-Season Tournament belongs to the Los Angeles Lakers. That will never, ever be topped. Ever.”

Led by eight-time All-Star Anthony Davis, the Lakers held the lead most of the way before pulling away in the fourth quarter. 

Davis had 41 points, 20 rebounds, five assists and four blocks on the night. 

“I think AD, he was at Level 1 and took it to Level 3,” Lakers backup center Christian Wood told ESPN. “He told me before the game, ‘This is Game 7 for me, I’m going to show you what a Game 7 is like.’ I’ve never been in one before. I said, ‘All right, show me.’ And he went out there and he got 40 and 20. That’s incredible.”

Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers talks to the media after winning the In-Season Tournament Championship on Dec. 9, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)

LeBron James had 24 points and 11 rebounds and took home the first MVP.

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“They’re a hell of a one-two punch,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said about James and Davis. “That one or two could be either one of them on any given night. At the end of the day, they know how to take it to the next level when everything is on the line.”

The Pacers hung around until the Lakers went on a 13-0 run midway through the fourth quarter. 

“We just got outplayed tonight from the start of the game to the end of the game,” Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton said. “Just didn’t do the job on loose balls, didn’t rebound, didn’t get enough stops when needed. They just outplayed us, and it’s frustrating. It’s funny because everybody says this has the NCAA Tournament feel, but after a game like that you’re sitting in the locker room going, ‘Most of us ain’t graduating.’ We play on Monday.”

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers receives the In-Season Tournament MVP Trophy on Dec. 9, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

Each Indiana player on standard contracts took home $200,000. 

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“Our guys got a real taste of what the elevated stage is all about,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “It’s so important to have this experience, to feel the intensity, to feel the glare and the glow and to find out what it means to be totally together in an effort to conquer it. We conquered a lot of challenges along the way. This one tonight was a little too steep.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is one tough football player. 

Just six days after suffering a high ankle sprain against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Jaguars are planning to see Lawrence under center against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday but will make a final decision once they evaluate him in pregame warmups, according to ESPN. 

A high ankle sprain is a serious injury that typically takes multiple weeks to heal.

JAGUARS’ TREVOR LAWRENCE TAKES BLAME FOR WALKING OFF FIELD ON INJURED ANKLE INSTEAD OF USING CART 

Lawrence suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of the “Monday Night Football” matchup with the Bengals, requiring multiple trainers to help him off the field.  

While he was in the pocket, one of Lawrence’s offensive linemen stepped on his ankle and landed on him in the process, resulting in Lawrence being in obvious pain. He slammed the ground with his fists and helmet after the play as a very quiet crowd looked on. 

Lawrence couldn’t walk off the field on his own power, needing two trainers for support on his way to the sideline.

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence  is helped off of the field after being injured during the Cincinnati Bengals game  on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville. (Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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On Wednesday, Lawrence was seen wearing a walking boot and was grateful that the injury was not as bad as initially feared. 

“I’m thankful it’s not a worse injury than what I thought on the field,” Lawrence said.

Lawrence has never missed a game due to injury in his three-year NFL career, or in high school and college. 

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of the “Monday Night Football” matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

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The Jaguars are coming off a loss to the Bengals and are 8-4 on the season. Jacksonville is one game up in the AFC South.

If Lawrence does play, he’ll be facing one of the NFL’s best defenses, as the Browns allow the least amount of yards per game in the NFL.

Fox News’ Scott Thompson and Chantz Martin contributed to this report

Brittney Griner has partnered with Disney and ESPN to share her story of being imprisoned in Russia.

The WNBA star partnered with the company for a documentary, an exclusive interview with ABC, and a possible scripted series on her detainment.

“The last two years have been the most harrowing, transformative and illuminating period of my life, and I am grateful to be in a place now to share my story with the world,” Griner said in a statement announcing the projects., via the New York Post.

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 “Throughout BG’s detainment and in the time since, ESPN, ABC and Disney were supportive and caring in regards to the human side of this saga,” her wife, Cherelle, said in a statement of her own. “Love and family were at the center of the fight to get BG home, and with that in mind, there is no better, more trusted partner to tell that story with us.”

Cherelle will serve as an executive producer on the projects.

The 33-year-old was arrested in February 2022 at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport after authorities discovered vape canisters with cannabis oil in her luggage. 

She was sentenced to nine years in August after pleading guilty to drug charges but was traded for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in a controversial prisoner exchange in December. She arrived back on U.S. soil Dec. 9.

Brittney Griner sits inside a defendants’ cage during the reading of the court’s verdict in Khimki outside Moscow, Russia, Aug. 4, 2022. (Reuters/Evgenia Novozhenina/Pool)

BIDEN FOUGHT FOR BRITTNEY GRINER BUT FORGOT ABOUT FOGEL

Bout, who is known internationally as the “Merchant of Death,” was serving 25 years in federal prison after he was convicted of conspiracy to kill Americans relating to the support of a Colombian terrorist organization.

The swap outraged some Americans who argued the U.S. gave up way too much in exchange for the WNBA star. Griner had been ridiculed for saying the national anthem should not be played before sporting events, but she has since changed her stance.

Griner has recently suited up for Team USA in exhibition games against women’s college basketball teams.

Brittney Griner of Team USA during an exhibition game against the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Nov. 12, 2023, in Durham, North Carolina. (Lance King/Getty Images)

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American officials, most notably President Biden, were also criticized for not including in the exchange Paul Whelan, a U.S. Marine veteran convicted of espionage charges he says are false. He is serving a 16-year sentence.

The Atlanta Falcons are on the cusp of making the playoffs for the first time in six years, with a chance to win the division for the first time since 2016. 

But with a 6-6 record, the NFC South is anyone’s for the taking. Veteran punter Bradley Pinion believes the Falcons are prime for that opportunity. 

“When I was in Tampa, we had a pretty good grip on it — it was either us or the Saints, and it’s there for the taking right now,” Pinion, who won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers during the 2020 season, told Fox News Digital. 

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“Every team’s good, every NFL team is good. It kind of ebbs and flows for every division, every few years, honestly. So it’s there for the taking, and we’re ready to strike while the iron is hot.”

The Falcons lead the NFC South as they prepare for a massive divisional match up against the Bucs on Sunday. Atlanta is also chasing their first three-game win streak since 2019, which began with a win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 12 and a narrow victory over the New York Jets. 

“I believe in this team,” Pinion continued. “I believe this team is good enough to win a Super Bowl. Whether we have growing pains to get through, to get there or what it might be, but it’s really there for the taking. And I like our outlook on it.”

Bradley Pinion #13 of the Atlanta Falcons and Younghoe Koo #7 of the Atlanta Falcons react while coming onto the field after the Falcons scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

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The Falcons’ final five games of the season will all be crucial to their path to the playoffs. Three of the five are division games, including Sunday’s against the Bucs, who are still working towards claiming the NFC South for the third consecutive season. 

The Bucs are coming off just their second win in the last eight games, but the implications of a win on Sunday will ensure a tough match up. 

But Pinion believes the Falcons are well-equipped. 

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“We have a great team. We have great leaders, great coaches, and we really just attack it day-by-day. We go out there and try to be the best we can each day. And we really just want to get a little bit better each day.” 

Bradley Pinion #13 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Falcons 28-23.  (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

“This team’s headed in the right direction,” Pinion continued. “We’ve got a lot of young guys that are really talented, got the right leaders in here… I don’t want to speak too far out, but I think it’s starting to click a little bit and I’m excited to see what this team can do. I’m excited to see the run that we could make if we played to our abilities. And it’s just an exciting time to be a Falcon, I can tell you that.”  

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Earlier this week, Pinion was named the Falcons 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year because of his initiative “Punts for Purpose,” which aims to support child survival centers in the developing world.  

“It’s a huge honor and I’m very humbled to be selected. Something that you don’t take lightly,” Pinion said. 

Atlanta Falcons’ Bradley Pinion during the NFL International match at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday October 1, 2023. (Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty ImageS)

“And it’s one of those things that you just – I’ve said it a few times already, but you don’t set out to win. You just kind of set out to use the platform that God’s given you to the best way possible and this is a byproduct of it. It’s one of those – I’d call it kind of the best award in football, honestly, because it’s not always about the play on the field, but what you use your platform for. And this kind of embodies that. So it’s a huge honor. And I’m just proud to represent the Falcons as a nominee this year.” 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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The 2023 NFL season is entering the final stretch of the regular season and several teams are nearing a potential playoff berth this week. 

The Philadelphia Eagles will travel to Dallas for an NFC East showdown against the Cowboys on Sunday night following a brutal beat down by the San Francisco 49ers the previous week. The race for the no. 1 seed in the NFC continues to tighten as the Niners take on the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday afternoon 

Read below to see how the AFC and NFC stack up heading into Week 14, and how some teams can clinch a playoff berth, via the NFL. 

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Playoff clinching scenarios 

Dallas clinches playoff berth if:

1. DAL win + MIN loss or tie + GB loss or tie + SEA loss + TB loss or tie + DET win or tie + LAR loss or tie (as long as GB and MIN both don’t tie) OR

2. DAL win + MIN loss or tie + GB loss or tie + SEA loss + TB loss or tie + DET win or tie + NO loss or tie (as long as GB and MIN both don’t tie) OR

3. DAL win + MIN loss or tie + GB loss or tie + SEA loss + TB tie + DET win or tie (as long as GB and MIN both don’t tie)

Philadelphia clinches playoff berth if:

1. PHI win + SEA loss or tie OR

2. PHI win + LAR loss or tie OR

3. PHI win + GB loss or tie + MIN loss or tie OR

4. PHI win + GB loss or tie + DET loss OR

5. PHI tie + LAR loss + SEA loss OR

6. PHI tie + LAR loss + MIN loss or tie OR

7. PHI tie + LAR loss + GB loss or tie OR

8. PHI tie + SEA loss + MIN loss or tie OR

9. PHI tie + SEA loss + GB loss or tie OR

10. PHI tie + MIN loss + GB loss

FROM OUTKICK: NFL QUARTERBACK CAROUSEL CONTINUES SPINNING WITH ZACH WILSON, JOE FLACCO, JOSH DOBBS, TREVOR LAWRENCE

San Francisco clinches playoff berth if:

1. SF win + GB loss OR

2. SF win + MIN loss OR

3. SF win + GB tie + MIN tie

ELIMINATED 

Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers looks on during the second half of the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on November 26, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

The Carolina Panthers became the first team eliminated from playoff contention after falling to 1-11 following a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

BUCCANEERS TAKE DOWN DIVISION RIVAL PANTHERS TO MOVE UP IN NFC SOUTH

STANDINGS 

AFC

1. Miami Dolphins 

Record: 9-3, 1st in the AFC East

Remaining schedule: Titans, Jets, Cowboys, at Ravens, Bills

2. Baltimore Ravens

Record: 9-3, 1st in the AFC North

Remaining schedule: Rams, at Jaguars, at 49ers, Dolphins, Steelers

3. Kansas City Chiefs 

Record: 8-4, 1st in the AFC West

Remaining schedule: Bills, at Patriots, Raiders, Bengals, at Chargers

4. Jacksonville Jaguars 

Record: 8-4, 1st in the AFC South 

Remaining schedule: at Browns, Ravens, at Buccaneers, Panthers, at Titans

5. Cleveland Browns

Record: 7-5, 2nd in the AFC North

Remaining Schedule: Jaguars, Bears, at Texans, Jets, at Bengals 

6. Indianapolis Colts

Record: 7-5, 2nd in the AFC South 

Remaining schedule: at Bengals, Steelers, at Falcons, Raiders, Texans

7. Houston Texans

Record: 7-5, 3rd in the AFC South 

Remaining schedule: at Jets, at Titans, Browns, Titans, at Colts

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NFC

Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills at Lincoln Financial Field on November 26, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

1. Philadelphia Eagles 

Record: 10-2, 1st in the NFC East 

Remaining schedule: at Cowboys, at Seahawks, Giants, Cardinals, at Giants, 

2. San Francisco 49ers

Record: 9-3, 1st in the NFC West 

Remaining schedule: Seahawks, at Cardinals, Ravens, at Commanders, Rams

3. Detroit Lions

Record: 9-3, 1st in the NFC North

Remaining schedule: at Bears, Broncos, at Vikings, at Cowboys, Vikings 

4. Atlanta Falcons

Record: 6-6, 1st in the NFC South 

Remaining schedule: Buccaneers, at Panthers, Colts, at Bears, at Saints

5. Dallas Cowboys

Record: 9-3, 2nd in the NFC East

Remaining schedule: Eagles, at Bills, at Dolphins, Lions, at Commanders

6. Minnesota Vikings 

Record: 6-6, 2nd in the NFC North

Remaining schedule: at Raiders, at Bengals, Lions, Packers, at Lions

7. Green Bay Packers

Record: 6-6, 3rd in the NFC North

Remaining schedule: at Giants, Buccaneers, at Panthers, at Vikings, Bears

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As Chad Johnson pitched to the Manning brothers a game between current and former Pro Bowlers facing off in some friendly competition, recently-retired quarterback Tom Brady was all for it. 

However, Rob Gronkowski, arguably Brady’s favorite passing target in his illustrious NFL career, was not too happy with the players his former quarterback mentioned he would want to team up with. 

Johnson was on “Monday Night Football” explaining to Peyton and Eli Manning that he believes it would be fun for fans to see the current Pro Bowlers go head-to-head with former stars still itching to get on the gridiron. Of course, it would likely be a 7-on-7 format, or flag football, but Johnson is all for it. 

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The Mannings asked who Johnson’s quarterback would be, and Brady was brought up. He responded on X, showing his enthusiasm with the idea, and he believes he and Johnson, along with former Patriots star wide receiver and Hall of Famer Randy Moss, would put up numbers. 

“With todays rules? Give me Chad and Randy on the outside and we’re putting up 35 next week,” Brady posted. 

Gronkowski wants to know why he was not included. 

ROB GRONKOWSKI CALLS OUT STEFON, TREVON DIGGS AFTER CRYPTIC POST: ‘JUST SUCK IT UP’

“Why did Tom leave me out?” Gronkowski said in an emphatic, joking tone to Fox News Digital. “He named Randy Moss, and Tom left me out?! I’m recently retired, Tom, and you’re keeping me out of there. That’s some BS. 

“What about Julian [Edelman]? What about the guys that grinded with you forever, my man?”

Putting the jokes aside, Gronkowski added, “I think they would put up some serious points. I think Tom would be the best quarterback out there for sure.”

Tom Brady, #12, warms up at practice with future Hall of Fame tight end Rob “Gronk” Gronkowski, #87. Brady and Gronkowski played together in the NFL for 11 seasons with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gronkowski retired from the NFL in 2022 after playing for 11 seasons. (John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

While this is not a definite event for the NFL’s Pro Bowl weekend, which comes prior to the Super Bowl every year, players like Brady and Johnson showing intrigue without something like this could pique the interest of fans. 

The football itch is something Brady and Gronkowski both dealt with before officially calling it quits. When Brady went to Tampa Bay after his stellar years in New England, Gronkowski was already retired. However, a call from his old quarterback led the future Hall of Famer back to the field catching passes out of the tight end slot, including two in Super Bowl LV, when the Bucs became world champions. 

PATRIOTS LEGEND ROB GRONKOWSKI SAYS MAC JONES SHOULD ASK FOR RELEASE NOW: ‘HE’S NOT RESPECTED’

Brady went on to retire, but came back for the 2022 season before doing so again for good this time. Still, Brady remains highly active, mentioning “the bunker” to Peyton Manning, inviting him to “come get some work in” because he remains active. 

Gronkowski is also active post-football. He is a busy man, whether it is working on the Fox panel for NFL Sundays, or giving away vehicles to Army and Navy veterans prior to the 124th installment of the Army-Navy Game at Gillette Stadium via USAA’s “Recycled Rides” program. 

However, if that call came when he would be back on the field with former Pro Bowlers like himself, he would answer the bell. 

Tom Brady, right, and Rob Gronkowski played together for 11 seasons after Gronkowski was drafted to the New England Patriots in 2010. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

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“I would play,” he said. “It would be Pro Bowl, so there’s really no tackle. It would probably be 7-on-7 or something. I would play for sure then.”

The New York Giants are rolling with undrafted rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito as they make a difficult push for the playoffs beginning with a home game against the Green Bay Packers on Monday night. 

Any chance of making the playoffs will likely require a win out, former tight end Kyle Rudolph told Fox News Digital, and DeVito can help make that happen. 

“I think one of the things that the DeVito has provided for them is, he’s a guy who is just trying to prove that he belongs out there, and he wants to go out and win as many games as possible because he’s fighting for an opportunity to have a sustained job in the NFL,” said Rudolph, who played with the Giants during the 2021 season.

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“So each and every week that he gets the opportunity to go out and play, he’s trying to prove not only to the New York Giants, but to the 31 other teams ‘I deserve to be in this league. If I’m a quarterback on your roster and I’m in, I can win games for you.’ I think that’s the biggest thing for backup quarterbacks.”

Head coach Brian Daboll announced during a press conference on Tuesday that DeVito would remain the starter after leading the Giants to two straight wins. This happened despite the Giants opening Tyrod Taylor’s 21-day practice window on Monday. 

“I think Tommy’s done a good job,” Daboll said Tuesday. “He’s improved in each of the games he’s played. I thought he played well the last two games, made good decisions, was accurate with the football and earned the right to play.” 

Tommy DeVito, #15 of the New York Giants, attempts a pass during the second quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 5, 2023 in Las Vegas. Las Vegas won 30-6. (Ian Maule/Getty Images)

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When asked if he felt DeVito gives the Giants the “best chance to win,” Daboll said, “Yeah, every decision we make is for that reason.” 

Taylor lamented the decision, expressing the unfortunate timing of his rib injury and, ultimately, his return to health. 

“Tommy has played, he’s stepped in and played well within the opportunities given to him,” Taylor told reporters Tuesday. 

“Obviously, injury and time off is always tough. I would just say my injury, it just had bad timing to it. We’ve won two games – the last two games. Try to keep some momentum going forward. Obviously, yes, I want to be out there playing. Like I’ve told you before, I believe in timing and God’s timing and everything happens for a reason, so I’ll continue to keep trusting the process and taking it one day with the journey that God has put before me.”

GIANTS STICKING WITH LOCAL LEGEND TOMMY DEVITO AT QUARTERBACK DESPITE TYROD TAYLOR’S RETURN

New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito, #15, scrambles in the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Rudolph echoed that sentiment, telling Fox News Digital that replacing DeVito with Taylor at this point would be a difficult decision to make. 

“I think it would be really hard to take the ball out of the hands of a guy who’s won two straight games. Now, certainly, they haven’t lit the world on fire on offense, but ultimately they’ve won two games. And Tyrod is a professional. He’s a guy that’s been in this league for a long time. Obviously everybody wants to play. He wants to be the guy that goes out there and gets the ball on Sunday and has the ability to make plays for his team to win games. And knowing Tyrod as a professional that he is, he’ll prepare because again he’s one play away.”

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The Giants will move on from the Packers and face the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, the Los Angeles Rams and close out the regular season against the Eagles again. 

“I think as a coach and as a player, you’re constantly focused on winning this week,” Rudolph said of the Giants’ approach in this final stretch. “And in our game, your job’s really never guaranteed.”

“Right now the entire team is completely focused on winning this week. And, they’ll try to do that over the next five weeks to close out with seven straight wins and get to 9-8.” 

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