Yardbarker

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans. You can find him on Twitter/X and Threads at @ericsmithling and at Bluesky at @ericsmithling.bsky.social.

EXPERTISE:

NFL, College Football, NBA, Men's and Women's College Basketball, NHL

NBA Finals path clears for Celtics with devastating Pacers injury update

Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) appears unlikely to play in a pivotal Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday, paving a clear path for the Celtics to advance to the next round.

How Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and others' pro starts stack up to WNBA history

The 2024 WNBA rookie class has already made waves not even two weeks into the regular season.

NFL's 10 hottest head-coaching seats entering 2024 season

Eight NFL teams hired new head coaches in the offseason and 14 teams are coming off playoff appearances, so most franchises are probably perfectly content with their HCs. But here are the 10 head coaches who are feeling more heat than their peers heading into the 2024 season.

Watch: Sparks rookie forward Cameron Brink's block saves game for L.A.

Sparks rookie forward Cameron Brink saved the day for Los Angeles in its 70-68 win over the Washington Mystics.

Watch: Jrue Holiday proves importance to Celtics with key defensive play in Game 1 ECF win

Jrue Holiday showed why he could be the key to Boston's chances of winning an 18th league title.

Watch: Corey Seager ruins Phillies fan's nachos with home run

Corey Seager's eighth-inning home run against the Phillies on Tuesday night came with a side of nacho cheese.

Caitlin Clark is first basketball player since Michael Jordan to land this deal

The No. 1 overall pick of last month's WNBA Draft made her league debut last Tuesday and has continued to draw an audience just as she did in college.

Which remaining NBA star can be next first-time MVP?

For the first time in modern NBA history, no active player who previously won MVP is in the final four of the playoffs. Which players on the remaining playoff teams have the best chance to become first-time MVPs in the future?

Watch: Mariners stun Yankees with improbable ninth-inning rally

How did the Yankees blow that? New York held a 4-1 lead over the Mariners in the ninth inning. On the mound was closer Clay Holmes, who entered the game having pitched 20 innings this season without allowing an earned run.

Watch: Canucks' Arturs Silovs' incredible save prevents Oilers from taking early lead

Canucks goalie Arturs Silovs made an incredible save early in Game 7 against the Oilers to prevent Edmonton from taking an early 1-0 lead.

Watch: Caitlin Clark shows off range with logo three, but Fever fall short

Caitlin Clark brought the house down with a logo three against the Sun on Monday night.

ESPN's Paul Finebaum offers grim prediction for Dabo Swinney's Clemson future

After delivering an epic rant following criticism from "Tyler from Spartanburg" last season, chances are Swinney won't take kindly to what "Paul from Memphis" had to say.

Sky win first game of season, Angel Reese sets WNBA record

Angel Reese got her first WNBA win on Saturday, and she set a new league standard in the process.

Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk epic increases excitement for potential rematch

Oleksandr Usyk's split decision win over Tyson Fury for the unified heavyweight belt should only intensify the demand for a rematch.

Three takeaways from Caitlin Clark's third WNBA game

Caitlin Clark and the Fever played their third game of the season on Saturday afternoon against the New York Liberty. Here are three takeaways from the Fever's 91-80 loss.

Watch: Patrick Reed makes incredible eagle on the fly during PGA Championship's third round

Patrick Reed made the best shot of the PGA Championship's third round when he dunked an eagle on the par-five No. 18.

Watch: Caitlin Clark has strong start against New York Liberty

Caitlin Clark looked more like herself again on Saturday against New York.

The three most exciting weeks on the 2024 NFL calendar

With the 2024 NFL schedule here, let's take a look at the three most exciting weeks on the calendar this season.

Toughest, easiest four-game stretches in the NFC South in 2024

With the NFL's 2024 schedule released, here are the toughest (and easiest) four-game stretches for each team in the NFC South.

Highlighting NFC South blockbuster games of 2024 season

The NFL released its complete schedule for the 2024 season on Wednesday. Here is the blockbuster game (and another intriguing matchup) for every team in the NFC South.

Sean Payton's return to New Orleans announced in 2024 schedule leak

Payton was the Saints head coach from 2006-2021, winning the Super Bowl in 2009 and leading New Orleans to four consecutive division titles from 2017-20. 

Three stars on WNBA opening night

The 2024 WNBA season tipped off on Tuesday. Here are our three stars of the night.

See top groupings for Rounds 1 and 2 at 2024 PGA Championship

The pairings for the first two rounds at the PGA Championship this weekend in Louisville were revealed on Tuesday. Below, find when the 10 golfers with the best odds of winning the second major of the year tee off.

The Chiefs are getting the Bengals at the perfect time

NFL schedule makers threw the Kansas City Chiefs a bone on Tuesday.

Celtics show cracks in Game 4 win

The Celtics have more to worry than celebrate about following their uneven Game 4 win over the Cavaliers.