Afghanistan Under-19 158 for 5 (Zadran 73*, Atal 40, Modimokoane 2-37) beat South Africa Under-19 154 (Bird 34, Ghafari 4-15, Haque 3-33) by five wickets

Scorecard

South Africa's home Under-19 World Cup ended in defeat, as they went down to Afghanistan by five wickets in the seventh-place playoff in Benoni. South Africa could only put up 154 after opting to bat, as legspinner Shafiqullah Ghafari and left-arm quick Fazal Haque picked up seven wickets between them. Afghanistan's reply, not always smooth, was led by Test opener Ibrahim Zadran, and they got to their target with just under ten overs to spare.

Interestingly, when the two teams had met in the tournament opener too, Ghafari had been the star in Afghanistan's seven-wicket win, returning 6 for 15 in 9.1 overs. Afghanistan thus made it 2-0 against the home side in the competition, and Ghafari had combined figures of 17.4-5-30-10 in two games against South Africa.

Medium-pacers Haque and Abdul Rahman sent back openers Levert Manje and Andrew Louw by the end of the sixth over with just 17 runs on the board, and Rahman had a second wicket in the form of captain Bryce Parsons soon after, to leave South Africa in a hole. It got worse for them when Jonathan Bird had to retire hurt after being struck in the elbow by a delivery from Rahman in the tenth over. Bird had looked good, hitting five fours in his 22, off 26 balls at that stage.

Luke Beaufort and Tyrese Karelse did fight back for a while, but when they were both sent back by Ghafari, South Africa still had only 80 on the board. The wickets kept falling till No.9 Merrick Brett and No.10 Mondli Khumalo scored some quick runs in a 51-run stand, but both of them were dismissed by Haque in the same over, the 37th of the innings, forcing Bird to come out for a bit of a late flourish. He didn't disappoint, hitting Rahman for a six and a four, but then became the last man out when Ghafari had his number.

It wasn't a huge target, but batting hasn't been Afghanistan's strongest suit, and they needed Zadran to show them the way. He did, hitting a responsible 73 in 113 balls, with seven fours, to take them to the finish line.

He got support up front, with opening partner Sediqullah Atal providing the early impetus in the chase. The two put together 51 for the first wicket in 10.3 overs, and Atal scored 40 of those, in just 38 balls, with four fours and three sixes. There was a bit of a stutter for Afghanistan after that as 51 for no loss became 58 for 3, Odirile Modimokoane picking up two wickets, but Rahman was back at it with the bat this time, and played a good hand of 27 runs in a 86-run stand for the fourth wicket with Zadran.

There was a little bit to do after that, but Zadran made sure there was no late drama.

English cricket looks set to embrace a return towards allowing two overseas players across county competitions as it comes to terms with the implications of Brexit.

The UK officially left the EU at the end of January. While most regulations remain in place, it is currently anticipated that existing trading agreements - including the Kolpak loophole - will be closed when the transition period between the EU and the UK closes at the end of December.

As a result, the ECB has recently issued guidelines stating its expectation that all Kolpak registrations will be invalidated at the end of 2020. This will apply irrespective of the length of an individual player's contracts with their county.

ALSO READ: The Kolpak rule explained

The ECB hopes to minimise the disruption of such a change - and, perhaps, reduce the prospects of a legal challenge - by relaxing the regulations regarding the signing of overseas players. Current proposals - and they are no more than that at this stage - suggest counties will be entitled to field two overseas players in all three domestic county competitions from 2021.

At present, one overseas player is eligible per team in the County Championship and the One-Day Cup, while two are eligible in the T20 Blast. The last time two overseas players were allowed across county competitions was in 2007. It was changed, in part, due to the proliferation of Kolpak registrations. Three overseas players are permitted per team in the Hundred, and several players likely to be affected by the changes were picked up in October's player draft for the new competition's inaugural season.

This compromise has been greeted positively by the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) and several of the more powerful counties. So while it remains possible that an individual (or group of players) with a contract lasting beyond the deadline could launch legal action against the ruling - ESPNcricinfo is aware of agents who have taken legal advice on the issue on behalf of their clients - it seems they will not have the full support of their union in making such a challenge.

"The PCA recognises the legal position of the UK's withdrawal from the EU," Daryl Mitchell, the PCA chairman, said. "These developments will bring England more closely in line with other first-class systems regarding primarily having nationals of that country playing as locals.

"A number of Kolpak registered players have committed to a career in England beyond 2020 and their needs as PCA members are very important to us. Our view is increasing overseas players to two per county in the County Championship and One-Day Cup would be a positive outcome. This would allow opportunities for these players to continue their careers in England and help to maintain standards in the county game."

In the case of the most high-profile players - the likes of Hashim Amla, Simon Harmer or Morne Morkel - the change of criteria would probably make little difference. Instead of being registered as Kolpak signings, they will simply be reclassified as overseas players. One or two other less high-profile Kolpak registrations are also understood to have a clause in their contracts which guarantees them continued employment as the club's overseas player.

ALSO READ: Life as a Kolpak - The Cricket Monthly

While there are likely to be around 17 Kolpak registrations in county cricket in 2020, there are roughly 30 more cricketers whose eligibility is dependent upon a European passport, either through ancestry or a spouse. As things stand - and the ECB changed its 'indicative position' this week after legal advice - this larger group will be eligible for registration in county cricket beyond 2020. All players with British passports, settled or pre-settled status will also have the right to play as local cricketers beyond 2020. As a result, it is quite possible the suggested changes will result in no net reduction in the number of players involved in the county game who are not eligible for England.

There may be positive consequences for other nations, however. If the security offered by Kolpak and EU deals is reduced, it may well be that it dissuades other players from signing such deals or persuades some of those that have to return to the country in which they developed and commit to the international side there. This could prove especially relevant to South Africa, from where a disproportionate number of Kolpak registrations have come. Ironically, the PCA's new chief executive, Tony Irish, was previously in a similar role at the South African Cricketers' Association.

All the ECB's plans are subject to change depending on the outcome of trade talks. If, for example, the UK and EU agree to extend the transition period or renew agreements on familiar lines, it is not impossible the Kolpak loophole will be extended. Equally, it could be that new trade deals with India and Australia allow more opportunities for cricketers from those nations.

Former BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya's son Avishek became the youngest president of the Cricket Association Bengal (CAB) at the age of 38, after being elected unopposed on Wednesday.

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly's elder brother Snehasish Ganguly, a former Bengal batsman, is the new joint-secretary, a post that was vacated by Avishek before his elevation. The CAB president's post was lying vacant after Sourav Ganguly took over the reins of the BCCI last year.

However, Avishek will go for a cooling-off period from November 6, 2021 as per the rules in the constitution. Avishek became the 18th president of CAB, taking charge of the same chair where his father sat in his two terms from 1992-93 to 2006 and then from 2008-09 till his death on September 20, 2015.

"Right from my childhood, I always heard my father saying 'Eden is a temple of worship'. That sentiment will run with me always," Avishek said in his first address as CAB president. "He was very passionate about Eden Gardens. It was really emotional that I could sit in this room. I will only be a fool if I compare myself with any of the former CAB presidents. Their statures were different."

Snehasish recalled his playing days after taking charge of the office.

"It was a dream to play for state and I played for 10-11 years," Snehashish said. "Yesterday, I was really emotional remembering my playing days. Now as an administrator, we have got a very young team and we are confident to take Bengal cricket forward."

With India set to host two global events - the 2021 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup - in three years' time, the priority for the new CAB president would be to renew the Eden Gardens lease with the Ministry of Defence.

"The renewal of lease of Eden Gardens is due in a couple of years. It takes a lot of time to put things in right perspective. We would initiate the process soon," Avishek said. "Earlier it was for 15 years. With the two global events coming up, we don't want the issue to be racked up before a global tournament."

The CAB is also planning to introduce an eight-team women's club league and code of conduct for players.

"We want to have women's club league with eight clubs. We also want to introduce code of conduct of players and support staff. It's necessary to maintain discipline," Avishek said.

The idea of introducing a code of conduct comes in the wake of the controversy surrounding Bengal quick Ashok Dinda who was found abusing bowling coach Ranadeb Bose earlier this season, which later cost him a place in the squad.

Avishek addressed the media interaction with his five-member team of Snehasish, joint-secretary Debabrata Das, treasurer Debasish Ganguly and vice-president Naresh Ojha.

BEREA, Ohio -- New Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry said Wednesday that he's already met with both running back Kareem Hunt and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. regarding their recent offseason incidents that drew headlines.

Hunt was pulled over Jan. 21 by police, who found small amounts of marijuana in a backpack in the back seat of the car he was driving. Hunt was only cited for speeding. But according to dashcam video of the traffic stop police released, Hunt admitted he would've failed a drug test for marijuana. Police also found an open container of vodka in the backpack.

"Obviously with Kareem, we've communicated our expectations for him going forward," said Berry, who, at 32, is now the youngest general manager in the NFL. "We want guys who are going to be tough, smart and accountable on and off the field. Kareem understands that. And we're looking forward to him meshing with our culture going forward."

Hunt served an eight-game suspension last season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. He was released by the Kansas City Chiefs in November 2018, after video from February 2018 surfaced of him kicking a woman in downtown Cleveland. Berry's predecessor, John Dorsey, signed him to the Browns last February.

"It's not good. Kareem knows he's got to do better," Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, who introduced Berry on Wednesday, told reporters. "[First-year head coach] Kevin [Stefanski] and Andrew have talked to him about it, and I'll just leave it at that. What he did is not acceptable. He's got to do better. We have and will continue to work closely with Kareem. But he knows our expectations are higher than what he showed."

Haslam added that Hunt, an impending restricted free agent, still has a future with the Browns if he "can follow the expectations we've laid out for him."

Beckham, meanwhile, temporarily faced an arrest warrant in New Orleans on a misdemeanor complaint of simple battery after video surfaced showing him slapping the buttocks of a Superdome police officer in the LSU locker room after the Tigers' national championship victory over Clemson. Charges, however, were dropped after the officer declined to pursue them. Video also captured Beckham passing out cash to several LSU players on the field, prompting LSU to contact the NCAA and SEC over potential violations.

"We've had really great conversations," Berry said of Beckham, who had surgery Jan. 21 to repair a hip and groin injury. "He's one of the most talented receivers in the league. And we're certainly happy to have him here.

"But again, everybody is going to have to fit into our culture in terms of being tough, smart and accountable. Both of those guys know that."

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- In the days after their loss in Super Bowl LIV, the San Francisco 49ers haven't shied away from reliving the disappointment.

The Niners have already watched the 31-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs again, some even for repeat viewings.

"I've watched the Super Bowl at least five, six times," receiver Emmanuel Sanders said Wednesday. "... It's like watching the Titanic and you hope the ship just don't sink and, for some reason, the ship just keeps sinking over and over. And you go back and watch the game and you just hope that all the plays that we left out there and the possible opportunities that we could have [had] come out victorious. But we didn't.

"That's the reality. So now we've got to move on and look forward to next year and this offseason of grinding and trying to get back and trying to win it again."

The 49ers cleaned out their lockers, with players stopping periodically to speak to the media and reflect on being NFC champions after finishing 4-12 the previous year.

Questions about the future were the order of the day, but most of the Niners couldn't help but offer further thoughts on the pain of coughing up a 10-point lead in the final eight minutes of the Super Bowl.

Most of the Niners who spoke Wednesday offered promises of turning the disappointment into motivation. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner said he watched the game and took notes on what he needs to do to make the "plays that I feel like I could have made that I missed."

At the top of that list was the third-and-15 pass by Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to receiver Tyreek Hill for a gain of 44 yards, which set up Kansas City's 21-point scoring spree with about seven minutes to go.

On the play, Buckner narrowly missed dropping Mahomes for a sack that likely would have forced Kansas City to punt and could have helped put the game away.

"That was probably the biggest play of the game," Buckner said. "We had the momentum. We were up 20-10, we needed to just get off the field. Coming around the corner, hitting him literally as he throws it, and looking up and seeing it complete was probably one of the most gut-wrenching feelings I had in my career.

"That's what sparked their run and I'm going to forever play that play in my head until we win one. It's going to forever be in my head because that was a play that could really determine, in my eyes, winning or losing the Super Bowl."

Buckner said he has a photo on his phone of him nearly bringing Mahomes down and he plans to use that picture as fuel to get better this offseason. Other teammates offered similar examples of near misses that they intend to use to propel them through the offseason.

"As an offense, as a team, we've been in that situation multiple times and answered the bell," quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo said Wednesday about trying to put the game away in the fourth quarter. "It's tough that one time you didn't. But that's what people remember, that's the world we live in and you just have to own up to it and be a man about it.

"It will fuel us in this offseason, fuel me especially in this offseason, to come back better."

There was a similar message in Wednesday's team meeting, where coach Kyle Shanahan, general manager John Lynch and a handful of players and coaches addressed the team. They told the players to be proud of this season and to file away the feeling they had walking off the field at Hard Rock Stadium.

In a viral video making the rounds on social media Wednesday, tight end George Kittle can be seen vowing to return to the Super Bowl with "a m-----f---ing vengeance" in the game's closing moments.

"If it doesn't automatically turn into fuel for you, then I think you're in the wrong sport," Kittle said.

Of course, before the 49ers can turn the page to returning to the game's biggest stage, they will have to go through an offseason sure to bring plenty of change.

Sanders, defensive lineman Arik Armstead and free safety Jimmie Ward are all set to become unrestricted free agents in the next six weeks. None had much certainty about what's to come, though they all expressed interest in returning. Armstead even said he'd be willing to accept a franchise tag if the Niners used it on him.

Kittle and Buckner are also due for big-money contract extensions, though neither was much in the mood to discuss the possibility Wednesday.

While an extension for Kittle is likely, one thing he won't have to worry about is any offseason medical procedures. Knee and ankle issues cost Kittle two games this season, though he played out the rest of the season and playoffs with no apparent problems.

"I missed two games but nothing that requires any surgery," Kittle said. "Just rehab, get the body back to 100%. That's it."

Wide receiver Trent Taylor and running back Jerick McKinnon, both of whom were expected to play key roles but did not appear in any games because of injuries, also shed light on their futures.

Taylor revealed that he had five surgeries to fix the Jones fracture in his foot. Though he still isn't out of a walking boot, he hopes to be soon so he can finally begin his rehab. He has no timetable yet on a return.

McKinnon suffered multiple setbacks in his attempted return from a torn ACL and has not appeared in a game for the Niners since signing a four-year, $30 million deal on March 14, 2018.

Although McKinnon said he's getting better and progressing in his recovery, he knows he's unlikely to return at his current cap number of $8.55 million for next season. He said he's open to figuring out a way to return.

"I'm willing to do whatever," McKinnon said. "My teammates know I want to be a part of this team. The organization knows I want to be a part of this team. So when that time comes, there will be a talk between both parties."

Defensive tackle Earl Mitchell, who re-signed with the Niners late in the season after injuries struck the team, is one player who will not be back. Mitchell came out of retirement to play in the playoffs and joked that he'd be waiting again for his phone to ring next postseason.

Jokes aside, Mitchell, who played 10 NFL seasons, said it's time to call it a career -- this time on his own terms.

"Most likely, I'm done," Mitchell told ESPN. "I'm done. I'm grateful I got that opportunity to come back, but I think that was a good way to finish my career.

"I feel like I got some good closure this time. Last year was pretty rough how things ended. But to come back and to play in the Super Bowl was just surreal."

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Temperatures in the 20s and wind chills in the teens didn't prevent a huge turnout for the first Chiefs Super Bowl victory parade in 50 years.

Chiefs radio broadcaster Mitch Holthus, the master of ceremonies for the post-parade rally at Kansas City's Union Station, said that more than 1 million people attended.

"This is the most beautiful scene I've ever witnessed in my life,'' said Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, one of four players to speak at the rally after the two-mile parade.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, safety Tyrann Mathieu and wide receiver Tyreek Hill were the other players who spoke.

The emotional Kelce was the most colorful. At one point he referred to the Hunts, who own the Chiefs, as "the Clark family.'' He also gave a tribute to the Chiefs head coach in a way that only Kelce could.

"How about 21 years?'' Kelce said. "You all know what that means? Everybody here is thinking, 'Oh, that's how long I need to wait to legally get a drink.' No. Twenty-one years, that's how long it's been turning for my guy Andy Reid.

"And what do we do? We open a can of whoop ass on everybody ... Fourth quarter (of the Super Bowl), six and whatever left on the clock, down by 10 ... We got Pat Mahomes and Andy Reid, baby. How about Sammy Watkins? How about Damien Williams?''

Kelce finished his short speech by shouting, 'You've got to fight for your right to party,'' which sent the fans into a frenzy. Kelce also screamed it on national TV immediately after the Chiefs' AFC Championship Game victory over the Tennessee Titans. The Beastie Boys song of the same title is now an anthem for Chiefs fans. It was heard several times along the route through downtown Kansas City in the hours before the parade.

Mahomes took the mic to chants of "MVP.'' The Super Bowl MVP was hoarse from a busy few days that included the Super Bowl in Miami and a trip to Disney World in Orlando. "When I first got started in Kansas City, the first thing I wanted to do was bring the Lamar Hunt Trophy back to Kansas City, back to this organization,'' Mahomes said of the trophy named for the late founder of the Chiefs. "The second, most important thing I wanted to do, was get the Lombardi Trophy for the greatest coach of all time, Andy Reid, baby.''

Chairman Clark Hunt was the first member of the organization to speak. He lifted the Lombardi Trophy in tribute to Chiefs fans. Many in the crowd weren't even born the last time the Chiefs won the Super Bowl.

"To share this moment together with you is something I will never forget,'' Hunt said.

Reid led the fans in a 'How 'bout them Chiefs!'' cheer and then made a promise about next season.

"Next year, we're coming right back here,'' he said. "One more time, baby.''

General manager Brett Veach noted the resiliency of the Chiefs, who rallied from a 24-point deficit to win their divisional-round playoff game against the Houston Texans and 10-point deficits against Tennessee in the AFC title game and against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV.

"The most resilient people are Chiefs Kingdom, right? You waited 50 years for this and you deserve it," he said.

The parade included not only Chiefs players, coaches and officials but some members of the Chiefs' last Super Bowl-winning team. Among them were linebackers Willie Lanier and Bobby Bell.

Lanier and Bell were among members of the last Chiefs' Super Bowl team who didn't get to participate in that parade. They instead were in Houston preparing for the AFL All-Star Game.

Lanier said after the Chiefs beat the Titans to qualify for the Super Bowl that he was looking forward to being in this year's parade. He said that would complete his Super Bowl experience of 50 years ago.

New York Yankees starting pitcher James Paxton is expected to miss three to four months after having back surgery Wednesday.

The Yankees announced that Paxton underwent a microscopic lumbar discectomy and also had a peridiscal cyst removed. The surgery was performed by Dr. Andrew Dossett in Dallas. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told the New York Post that Paxton first started having back pain at the end of the 2019 regular season. He initially responded well to treatment before experiencing a setback last month, Cashman told the Post.

Paxton left his final regular-season start, at Texas on Sept. 27, after one inning with what the Yankees said was a tight left glute muscle. That ended Paxton's career-best streak of victories in 10 consecutive starts. He was 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA in three postseason starts, allowing five runs in 13 innings.

Hoping to avoid surgery, he had injections in his back last month but ultimately needed the operation when the back pain persisted, Cashman told the Post.

Paxton, 31, went 15-6 with a 3.82 ERA in 29 starts last season, his first with the Yankees. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2020 season.

The Yankees acquired Paxton last offseason in a trade with the Mariners. In an injury-riddled season for the Yankees' staff, Paxton helped New York to an American League East title in convincing fashion. He was 5-6 in July but started to reduce his percentage of fastballs and went on his streak. He agreed last month to a $12.5 million, one-year contract.

His injury weakens a Yankees rotation already missing right-hander Domingo German, who must serve the final 63 games of an 81-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy. He is eligible to return June 5, barring any postponements.

After agreeing to a $324 million, nine-year contract, right-hander Gerrit Cole heads a rotation that includes righties Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka and lefty J.A. Happ. Lefty Jordan Montgomery, who returned in September from Tommy John surgery, is the most likely candidate to replace Paxton in the rotation at the start of the season.

Paxton's injury continues an alarming trend for the Yankees, dating back to last season. New York placed a big league record 30 players on the injured list a total of 39 times last season, then overhauled its training and conditioning staff.

But when New York's pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Tampa Feb. 12, before position players report Feb. 17, not only will the Yankees be without Paxton, but also switch-hitting center fielder Aaron Hicks. He is not expected back until June or July following Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on Oct. 31.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

LOS ANGELES -- U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein is calling for federal rules that crash-warning systems be required on commercial helicopters like the one that crashed in foggy weather last month outside Los Angeles, killing Kobe Bryant and eight other people.

The helicopter carrying Bryant and the others did not have a device called the Terrain Awareness and Warning System that signals when an aircraft is in danger of hitting ground.

The National Transportation Safety Board had recommended the system be required for helicopters. But the Federal Aviation Administration only requires it for air ambulances.

"In order to ensure such a tragedy never happens again, I ask that the FAA commence a rulemaking process to require all commercial helicopters operating in the U.S. to have terrain awareness and warning systems,'' Feinstein, D-California, wrote in a letter Tuesday.

Last week, U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Los Angeles, introduced a bill requiring the FAA to mandate the devices as part of new safety standards.

New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson is officially listed as questionable for Friday night's contest against the Chicago Bulls with a toe sprain.

Williamson was added to the injury report on Wednesday, a day after he struggled from the field in a 120-108 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Against the league's top-ranked defense, Williamson went 5-of-19 from the field and was knocked to the ground several times.

Despite his shooting struggles, Williamson still finished with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists while going 10-of-14 from the free-throw line.

It is the first time Williamson has landed on the injury report since returning from the knee injury that cost him 44 games to start the season.

Initially, Williamson had tighter restrictions on his playing time, but he's averaged 30.8 minutes per game in his last four games.

In his first seven games as a professional, Williamson is averaging 19.6 points and 8.0 rebounds per game while shooting 54.6 percent from the field.

All-Star center Joel Embiid is in one of the worst stretches of his career, and his Philadelphia 76ers are digging themselves a hole in the Eastern Conference, losing three in a row going into Thursday's game against the Bucks in Milwaukee.

Embiid acknowledged to reporters Wednesday that the 76ers don't have an offensive identity right now.

"Like I say from time to time, you don't know what you're getting," Embiiid said. "I don't know if I'm getting into the game and if I'm getting the ball or not."

"Spacing is an issue," he said. "Sometimes we play fast, sometimes we play slow. But at the end of the day, when you think about it and as we try to get ready for the playoffs the game slows down. It becomes a half-court game, and that's where we struggle the most. So hopefully we do a better job the next few games."

Embiid said the issue is not that players have tuned out coach Brett Brown.

"We haven't been winning. Our offense has not been good," Embiid said. "But I always say, coaches are not out there to make shots for us, they don't make plays. They can do a better job of setting everything up, but at the end of the day we make the plays."

On Saturday night in a 116-95 loss to the Boston Celtics, Embiid finished with 11 points on 1-for-11 shooting to go with 5 rebounds, 4 turnovers and a game-worst minus-25 in 23 minutes.

Embiid said that he sometimes struggled with trying to find the right balance between needing to be at the three-point line and needing to be in the post.

"I got to do what I can I feel comfortable being out there," Embiid said. "I got to spend a lot of time at the three-point line, just to make sure there's some spacing. Everybody keeps saying, 'Get in the post!' but if you actually understand basketball, you've got to find that balance. It's not about me, it's about the team. Whatever I can do to help my teammates, the spacing has been a struggle for us, I got to do it. If it means I've got to stay at the three point line all game, I got to do it, at the same time still maximize what I do best. There's also a bad aspect, every team is doubling me every game. It's hard but you have to find that balance, have to keep going."

On Monday, the Sixers suffered their worst loss of the season, falling to the Miami Heat 137-106, and Ben Simmons called them "soft."

76ers center Al Horford was asked if somebody needs to stand up and call somebody out.

"There's some stuff going on in our locker room. We'll keep that internal," Horford said. "But we all know we need to do better, we need to step it up, and it's a great opportunity to do it (Thursday)."

Brown, in his seventh year as coach of the team, also said he thought the players we still listening to him.

"I do," Brown said, then adding, "You'd better off asking them. When you speak to them, speak freely, and I understand the question. It's just I walk in and I know I'm not naive enough to not understand why you've asked about what you've asked. But I've answer it the way I have answered it.

"I look forward to coaching them. When it get to an epidemic stage, this thing you are talking about, I'll admit that. I don't at all right now."