Stocking stuffer: Giannis sets Bucks' blocks mark

The Bucks ended the Rockets' seven-game win streak behind a 41-point, 17-rebound performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo.

source https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32841367/giannis-antetokounmpo-becomes-franchise-blocks-leader-milwaukee-bucks-end-rockets-streak

Four-time Indy 500 winner Unser dies at age 82

Al Unser, one of only four drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 a record four times, died Thursday following a long illness. He was 82.

source https://www.espn.com/racing/story/_/id/32835497/al-unser-sr-four-winner-indianapolis-500-dies-82

Who will win and who should win the sport's highest honors

Who will take home college football's most prestigious individual hardware? And who should win? We break it all down.

source https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32822702/college-football-awards-win-win-sport-highest-honors

Why the Lakers' success this season will depend on LeBron and Russ

The Lakers' season will live on the edge between greatness and disaster until James and Westbrook prove they can build a winner together.

source https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32822575/can-lebron-james-russell-westbrook-prove-build-winner-together-la 

How Tori Dilfer willed -- and worked -- her way to the brink of history-making perfection

She changed schools and she changed her demeanor. She suffered and she celebrated. But Louisville setter Tori Dilfer has never wavered from her goal: to win a volleyball national championship.

source https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/32817722/how-louisville-tori-dilfer-willed-worked-way-brink-history-making-perfection

Why the next five games may help determine Kirk Cousins' future in Minnesota

The last five regular-season games are like an audition for a quarterback who may get an extension after the season or may be shopped to other teams.

source https://www.espn.com/blog/minnesota-vikings/post/_/id/31527/why-final-five-games-may-help-determine-kirk-cousins-future-in-minnesota

Talking points: Barcelona's new low, MVP of the group stage

ESPN's writers answer the big questions: Who's been the best player? What is the dream round-of-16 clash? Does the Champions League need to change?

source https://www.espn.com/soccer/uefa-champions-league/story/4541026/champions-league-talking-points-barcelonas-new-lowgroup-stage-mvpdream-round-of-16-clash

Champions League breakout players

The players who have stepped up to make an impression in this season's Champions League group stage.

source https://www.espn.com/soccer/uefa-champions-league/story/4542229/champions-league-breakout-xi-christopher-nkunkudarwin-nunez-and-more

'I'm starting to tear up': Robbie Savage commentates son Charlie's Man United debut

As Charlie Savage Savage made his Manchester United debut on Wednesday his father, ex-United midfielder Robbie, was up in the commentators' gantry.

source https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog-the-toe-poke/story/4543162/man-uniteds-charlie-savage-makes-debut-in-champions-league-with-emotional-dad-robbie-commentating

USMNT's Dike using snub as 'fuel' for January return

Orlando City striker Daryl Dike told ESPN he is determined to be part of the US Men's National Team's World Cup qualifiers squad come January.

source https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4543029/sidelined-daryl-dike-determined-to-be-part-of-usmnts-world-cup-push-in-january

Verstappen, Hamilton face points penalty if crash wins title

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have been warned they could face a points deduction or suspension if they intentionally take out the other to win the championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

source https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/32828344/max-verstappen-lewis-hamilton-points-deducted-unsportsmanlike-crash

Pound-for-pound rankings: A new face in top 10 and another knocking on the door

Lightweight champs Gervonta Davis and George Kambosos Jr. earned hard-fought victories, but only one of them made the top 10 in ESPN's P4P rankings.

source https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/32821321/pound-pound-rankings-new-face-top-10-another-knocking-door

Pele will be home for Christmas, says daughter

Brazil great Pele will be home to spend Christmas with his family after he was admitted to hospital for a scheduled procedure, his daughter said.

source https://www.espn.com/soccer/brazil-bra/story/4543031/pele-will-be-home-before-christmas-after-treatment-for-colon-tumoursays-daughter

Curry closing in on 3-point record and wild finishes highlight hectic NBA Wednesday

Wednesday night in the NBA featured some spectacular finishes and Steph Curry drawing closer to Ray Allen.

source https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32827163/steph-curry-10-away-breaking-3-point-record-rockets-spoil-harden-return-wild-finishes-highlight-wednesday-nba

Whipple lands at Nebraska as OC under Frost

Mark Whipple, who led a Pittsburgh offensive attack that ranked third nationally in scoring and sixth in passing this season, will be the new offensive coordinator at Nebraska.

source https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32821489/nebraska-cornhuskers-hire-mark-whipple-offensive-coordinator-scott-frost

WFT puts DE Sweat on COVID list, Thomas on IR

Washington placed defensive end Montez Sweat on the reserve/COVID-19 list and tight end Logan Thomas on injured reserve Wednesday.

source https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32821533/source-washington-football-team-te-logan-thomas-ir-rest-season

Serena not on entry list for Australian Open

Serena Williams was absent from the entry list released Wednesday for next month's Australian Open, while Novak Djokovic was among the men's entries.

source https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/32819187/serena-williams-not-australian-open-entry-list-novak-djokovic-men-entries

Luka admits conditioning issue: 'Got to do better'

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic acknowledged he needs to improve his conditioning, saying Tuesday that he has "got to get back on track."

source https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32818403/dallas-mavericks-luka-doncic-admits-having-issue-weight-conditioning

LeBron on Vogel flak: Players need to do better

LeBron James said he and his teammates have to play better when asked about the scrutiny facing Lakers coach Frank Vogel.

source https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32807173/lebron-james-addresses-criticism-los-angeles-lakers-coach-frank-vogel-players-need-do-better-job

Who are the top candidates for New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury coaching jobs?

Several former WNBA players turned NBA assistants -- and a current WNBA star with New York ties -- are among the potential candidates.

source https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/32806315/wnba-coaching-candidates-the-next-coach-new-york-liberty-phoenix-mercury