“The Last Dance,” a 10-part docuseries on Michael Jordan, premieres Sunday on ESPN.JEFF HAYNES/Getty Images
We may still be without live sports, but this week gets a huge boost when the Michael Jordan documentary drops on Sunday night. The Last Dance is part of a full week of basketball new and old across sports networks (all times ET).
What’s On
The Last Dance
Sunday at 9 p.m. on ESPN
The highly anticipated premiere of the 10-part Michael Jordan documentary airs Sunday night. The in-depth look at the player who many consider the greatest of all time was scheduled to debut after the NBA Finals in June, but after pressure from fans and even LeBron James on social media, ESPN pushed up the docuseries in the absence of live sports. Two parts will air each Sunday for the next five weeks.
NBA HORSE
Thursday at 9 p.m. on ESPN
NBA’s new HORSE competition began Sunday with current and former NBA players as well as current and Hall of Fame WNBA players. Chauncey Billups came back from three letters down to beat Trae Young. Mike Conley Jr. defeated Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings. Zach Lavine took down Paul Pierce, and Allie Quigley eliminated Chris Paul. Seven of the eight players hooped outside, while the star of the night was Conley’s indoor home gym.
If you missed any of the action, Sunday’s quarterfinals will replay Thursday night from 7-9 p.m. on ESPN, followed by the semifinals and final from 9-11. State Farm will donate $200,000 to coronavirus relief efforts as the presenting sponsor of the HORSE competition.
Kobe’s last two rings
Wednesday at 7 and 9:30 p.m. on ESPN
Watch Kobe Bryant grab his fourth NBA championship ring in 2009 against the Orlando Magic in Game 5. Then watch as he got his revenge on the Boston Celtics from 2008 and won his fifth and final title when the Los Angeles Lakers took down the Celts in Game 7 of the 2010 Finals.
NBA Together with Ernie Johnson
Monday and Wednesday nights
The NBA and NBA on TNT have partnered for a twice-weekly live interview series featuring some of the biggest names in the sport of basketball. Inside the NBA host Ernie Johnson Jr. hosts the show, which debuted last week with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
#NBATogether with Ernie Johnson will stream live on the NBA’s Twitter account every Monday and Wednesday night, with upcoming guests including the legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri.
NBA TV
Hardwood Classics
Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Sacramento Kings, 2007: LeBron James’ NBA debut
Wednesday at 8 p.m.
Philadelphia 76ers at Cleveland Cavaliers, 1997: Rookie Allen Iverson scores 50 points.
MLB The Show: Players Tournament
Over the weekend, another video game tournament began, this time among players in Major League Baseball. One player from every MLB team will play together in a virtual season, competing for money to go toward charities. Each player will play every other team once during the regular season, with the top eight players in the standings reaching the postseason, which begins April 30.
Fans can watch on MLB.com as well as on the social channels of MLB, MLB The Show, the players’ teams and the players’ accounts. Here’s more information on the format, every team representative, schedule, and all options to watch.
MLB Communications @MLB_PR
MLB, @MLB_PLAYERS
& Sony Interactive Entertainment have announced the creation of the MLB The Show Players League, the first-ever competitive @MLBTheShow league solely featuring Major Leaguers.Games start tonight. More details: https://t.co/pMXYrMqTAe
Here are the 30 players: https://t.co/i2ISX393s6
Shaq Life
Thursday at 9 p.m. on TNT
Shaq’s new show continues this week after a two-episode premiere last Thursday night. And even away from the Inside the NBA set, the Shaq vs. Chuck jokes still fly.
ESPN
Monday Night Football Classic Replay, Tonight at 8 p.m.
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers, 2009: Brett Favre’s first game against the Packers since coming out of retirement and signing with the rival Minnesota Vikings.
Tuesday MLB Classic at 7 p.m.
1988 World Series Game 1: Oakland Athletics at Los Angeles Dodgers: Kirk Gibson hits a dramatic walk-off home run off Dennis Eckersley.
NBCSN
Monday-Wednesday from 7-11 p.m.
Return to Rio: Highlights and features from the 2016 Summer Olympics
Thursday at 7 p.m. and Friday at 8 p.m.
Return to London: Highlights and features from the 2012 Summer Olympics
CBS Sports Network
Monday-Friday 7-11 p.m.
Tournament Rebound: Encore showings of some of the best NCAA tournament games
Best of B/R Live
Featured event of the day
B/R Live
Monday: Classic Champions League: Liverpool vs. Juventus, 2005
Tuesday: 2018 Champions League Final: Real Madrid vs. Liverpool
Wednesday: 2019 Champions League Group Stage: Tottenham vs. Bayern Munich
Thursday: Classic Europa League: Fulham vs. Juventus, 2010
Friday: ONE Championship Greatest Rivalries: Angela Lee vs. Xiong Jin
Saturday: Champions League Classic Matches, featuring extended highlights and recaps from three matches:
- Barcelona’s comeback against PSG in 2017
- Tottenham’s thrilling 3-2 win over Ajax from the 2019 semifinals
- Manchester United’s wild 4-3 win over Real Madrid in the 2003 quarterfinals
Sunday: AEW Dynamite Replays
Also new on B/R Live this week is the premiere of an interview series on Instagram Live. Head to @BRLive on Tuesday at 1 p.m. for an interview and fan Q&A with Demetrious Johnson, ONE Championship’s most prominent American athlete. Have questions for DJ? Tweet us @BRLive or submit in the comments during the live stream.
Latest League Updates, Schedules, Status
Baseball in Arizona and only Arizona?
Major League Baseball made some waves this week when ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that discussions between the league and players association were focusing on a May return, with all games being played throughout Arizona.
Excitement around the report was outweighed by skepticism surrounding a number of contingencies and uncertainties within the plan, which included unanswered questions on how safe a May return is; the amount of testing; how to keep older higher-risk managers, coaches and umpires safe; separating players from families for the whole season; and bringing in revenue without fans in the stands.
UFC 249 postponed
Nearly one week before UFC 249 was scheduled to take place this Saturday night, UFC President Dana White received a stand-down order from high-level executives at Disney and ESPN, forcing him to postpone all UFC events indefinitely.
Even with headliner Khabib Nurmagomedov out due to travel restrictions and locations in the U.S. not wanting or being allowed to host the event, White had been adamant about continuing uninterrupted, reportedly securing a private island to stage UFC 249 and future events. All of that went away late last week.
Wimbledon was ready
While a number of events, leagues and teams around the world are in financial purgatory with the absence of games, Wimbledon is likely not sweating much. The tournament has paid for pandemic insurance for years, resulting in quite the payout this year to cover the lost two weeks at the All England Club.
New schedule for golf majors in summer and fall
The announcement last week that the Masters had been rescheduled for later this year was joined by more announcements regarding changes in the golf calendar. With the British Open canceled outright, here’s the new schedule for the remaining three major tournaments:
Remember that these are still dependent on public safety and risk at the time of play and could still be adjusted or canceled.
Likelihood of college football in the fall
While many sports fans around the country are hoping that the 2020 football season will be unaffected by the virus, that notion is still very much up in the air. Defending national champion head coach Ed Orgeron of LSU is teaming with team doctors to help fans understand what they must do in order to kick off this fall.
For a complete list and timeline of cancellations and postponements in the sports world, go here.
Actual Sports News Catch-Up
Tavaris Jackson dies in car accident
Former NFL quarterback Tavaris Jackson was killed in a car accident Sunday night in Alabama. Jackson played with the Vikings, Bills and Seahawks during his career and had been the quarterbacks coach at Tennessee State University.
No more XFL
After already canceling the remainder its first season back, the XFL has had to take the next step of suspending all league operations.
NBA 2K champion
Devin Booker claimed the NBA 2K Players Tournament title over the weekend, defeating Phoenix Suns teammate Deandre Ayton in the final. Booker swept the best-of-three final and won $100,000 for a charity to help fight the coronavirus.
Hard Knocks, LA style
HBO’s Hard Knocks will feature two teams this season, following both Los Angeles teams, the Rams and Chargers, whenever training camp begins.
Son to serve
Tottenham forward Heung-Min Son will utilize the suspension of the Premier League to carry out his mandatory military service in his home country of South Korea.
College basketball deja vu
A week after winning the Naismith Player of the Year Awards, Dayton’s Obi Toppin and Oregon’s Sabrina Ionsecu both were named winners of this season’s John Wooden Award.
Sports Internet, Quarantined
Steph sends love to Bay Area nurses
Steph Curry spent a couple of minutes on FaceTime with nurses on the front lines in Oakland to send his support and help lift their spirits.
New uniforms in the NFC South
Division rivals Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers both revealed new uniforms this week.
Speaking of the Falcons, their new running back, Todd Gurley, told his old team to pay up his guaranteed money.
The James household does not belong to LeBron
Daughter Zhuri James has turned into a TikTok star, with the five-year-old routinely leading the family through dance challenge videos.
Federer staying sharp, having fun
Roger Federer is sharing videos of tennis drills from his home, challenging athletes and fans around the world to send in their efforts for some direct feedback from the legend himself.
How far do you need to social distance?
In Chicago, they have a method:
Epic dog one-on-one
Dogs continue to be our only solace.
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