Knicks Clinch NBA Cup Final Victory as Terrence ‘Bud’ Crawford Announces Boxing Retirement

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CBS Sports HQ AM Newsletter Editorial Edition
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Good morning, sports enthusiasts! Austin Nivison here. Big congrats to the Knicks on their NBA Cup victory and a respectful farewell to boxing great Terrence Crawford, who has chosen to retire. Let’s dive into today’s key sports updates.

🏆 Top 5 Sports Highlights for Wednesday:

1. Knicks clinch NBA Cup over Spurs
   In an exciting comeback, the Knicks overturned a five-point deficit in the final quarter to defeat the Spurs 124-113 and claim the NBA Cup title. OG Anunoby stood out with 28 points, including a crucial late 3-pointer, along with nine rebounds and three assists. Jalen Brunson scored 25 points and earned the NBA Cup MVP. NBA Cup veteran Sam Quinn shares insights into what strategies worked best.

2. Terrence “Bud” Crawford retires undefeated at 42-0
   The top pound-for-pound boxer, Crawford, who held five division titles and was undisputed champion in three weight classes, announced his retirement just months after beating Canelo Alvarez. Ending with 31 knockouts, he cements his legacy as one of the all-time greats in boxing.

3. Arch Manning set to return to Texas in 2026
   Despite speculation about turning pro after leading Texas to an upset of No. 3 Texas A&M, Manning is confirmed to be back for another college season. Similarly, USC’s quarterback Jaden Maiava plans to stay with the Trojans for the upcoming year.

4. Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Love declares for NFL Draft
   Love, a Heisman finalist, has announced he’s entering the 2026 NFL Draft. Expected to be a top running back pick, recent mock drafts project him as the ninth overall selection by the Cardinals. He concludes his Notre Dame career with nearly 2,900 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns.

5. ACC revises tiebreaker rules following College Football Playoff snub
   After Duke’s 7-5 team surprisingly won the ACC title and excluded the conference from the playoffs, the ACC is set to update its tiebreak procedures before the 2026 season. The new rules aim to improve playoff qualification fairness, though specific details are forthcoming.

📉 Packers Drop in NFL Power Rankings

The Packers’ recent loss to the Broncos was tough, compounded by major injuries including to star pass rusher Micah Parsons (ACL), right tackle Zach Tom, and safety Evan Williams. Pete Prisco’s updated NFL rankings slide Green Bay down five spots to 10th place. While the Super Bowl remains a possibility, it now appears a steep climb. Prisco notes standout performances are still possible from Jordan Love, Rashan Gary, and Lucas Van Ness despite the injuries. Injuries have also hit the Rams, opening opportunities for other NFC contenders like the 49ers, Bears, and Seahawks.

🏈 College Football Playoff: Top 25 Players to Watch

As the playoffs kick off this weekend, it’s key to know the 12 teams’ most impactful players, ranked by Blake Brockermeyer. Heisman winner Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza tops the list, with Oregon’s Dante Moore praised for his calm, versatile play. This year’s playoffs promise more competitive matchups with recent format changes, giving fans hope for exciting runs from each team.

👍👎 Highlights & What’s On Tonight

• Catch UEFA Women’s Champions League action all day on Paramount+.
• Key games include Old Dominion vs. USF (5 p.m. ESPN), No. 13 Vanderbilt at Memphis (7 p.m. ESPN2), Red Wings vs. Mammoth (7:30 p.m. TNT), Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves (8 p.m. NBA TV), Louisiana vs. Delaware (8:30 p.m. ESPN), and Devils vs. Golden Knights (10 p.m. TNT).

Fan Take:
The Knicks’ NBA Cup victory signifies a hopeful resurgence for New York basketball fans, setting a new tone for the franchise’s future successes. Meanwhile, Crawford’s retirement leaves a legendary mark in boxing, inspiring fighting fans and raising the stakes for new contenders to rise in the sport.