JUST IN: WHY JOE CULLEN CLAIMS MENSUR SULJOVIC'S "SLOW PLAY" IS ACTUALLY ILLEGAL GAMESMANSHIP.
Inside the Ally Pally meltdown as Joe Cullen blasts "The Gentle Giant" for slow play and "fake" celebrations.
Mensur Suljovic got a talking to from referee Kirk Bevins for celebrating too much when he beat Joe Cullen at the World Darts Championship. The veteran got into the third round after a tough win against his British rival, who blew an early lead. It was unexpected since Cullen was expected to win.
The match was tense because Cullen got more and more annoyed with Suljovic's slow pace. After hitting the dart that won him the game, the 53-year-old jumped around the stage, enjoying the crowd at Alexandra Palace. He went to say hello to Cullen, but Cullen wasn't interested, brushing him off and glaring at him.
Suljovic kept enjoying his win, soaking up the applause. He also celebrated winning legs during the match, and at one point, Bevins told him off for taking too long.
After the match, he told Sky Sports about Cullen's anger and said he wasn't slowing down to throw Cullen off.
Suljovic said, "I don’t know; what’s his problem?" I give him missed doubles, everything. I like Joe Cullen, a very nice guy. I never play slow. I do it only for my game. I’m never doing this for him. Sorry Joe, never do this. I love him, man.
Cullen was obviously mad and went on social media right after the match to say Suljovic 'cheated' to win.
If that’s darts, I don’t want any part of it, Cullen wrote. Always liked Mensur away from the board, but that was plain for all to see!
I don’t think I’m alone in feeling this way. The old guard will say it’s part of the game, but word it how you will—it’s CHEATING! That’s not darts.
At the press conference after the match, Suljovic was asked about Cullen's anger and if he had said sorry for playing slowly.
Confused, he said, "Never have I ever said sorry to Joe Cullen in person." I play on that stage; what's his problem?
I say sorry, maybe, to the referee, maybe, but for Joe Cullen? Never. 'You play this, you play this.' Everybody plays differently. I wait maybe 40 seconds before the first dart.
Some guys (gestures throwing motion) and my head (gestures almost being hit in the head by a dart). This is not okay. I don't know what his problem is. What is the problem? I gave him missed doubles and everything.
I'm never doing darts not correctly. Maybe I am (gestures a celebration), my face or 'come on' too much. I like Joe Cullen. He is a very nice guy, but...
Suljovic will play either Luke Littler or David Davies in the third round of the World Darts Championship next week, hoping to keep going at Alexandra Palace.
PATRICK MAHOMES BEGINS INTENSIVE REHAB FOR TORN ACL TARGETING WEEK 1
Patrick Mahomes begins his ACL recovery as Travis Kelce sparks retirement talk while winning a gold chain at the WM Phoenix Open.
For the first time in four years, the Kansas City Chiefs aren’t gearing up for the Super Bowl in February. That’s sent Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce down two very different roads—both unfamiliar in their own way.
Mahomes is in rehab mode, working hard to recover from the ACL he tore back in Week 15. Meanwhile, Kelce’s enjoying his offseason, even as questions about his retirement keep circling after 13 standout years in the NFL.
Both guys love to hit the golf course when they get the chance. But with Mahomes sidelined by his injury, he’s stuck watching from afar. Kelce, on the other hand, got out there for the WM Phoenix Open on February 4. He showed he’s got more than just football skills, too.
“TRAVIS KELCE WITH AN ABSOLUTE DART ON THE 16TH,” Golf Channel posted, hyping up his tee shot on the par 3. He stuck it close and took home the gold WM chain. Mahomes, probably watching from his couch, cheered Kelce on with a quick, fired-up message.
The Chiefs are waiting on Kelce to decide if he’s coming back, and they need an answer soon—ideally before the new league year starts in mid-March. That’s when teams start making trades and signing free agents, about six weeks ahead of the draft in late April.
Kansas City ended last season 6-11, missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade. It’s a rough spot after years of deep postseason runs, five Super Bowl appearances, and three championships. Now, the Chiefs are $54.7 million over the salary cap, the biggest deficit in the NFL, just days before the Super Bowl.
On the upside, they hold the ninth and fortieth picks in the draft. There’s a real chance they could add two rookies who can step in and help right away, giving Mahomes and Kelce some support if Kelce returns.
But Kelce’s motivations? Still anyone’s guess. If he wants one more shot at glory, maybe he comes back. But the Chiefs are facing some tough roster decisions, and another Super Bowl run won’t come easy. Mahomes has to get healthy, and both stars will be another year older by 2026.
Off the field, Kelce’s options look even brighter. His “New Heights” podcast is a hit, and everyone expects TV networks to line up with big offers once he retires. Plus, he’s about to marry Taylor Swift. With so much happening in his personal life, that could tip the scales on whether he calls it a career or suits up for another season.
TRADE MAP: DISCOVER THE EIGHT PLAYERS MOVING IN THE ANTHONY DAVIS BLOCKBUSTER DEAL
The Dallas Mavericks trade Anthony Davis to the Wizards in an 8-player deal, receiving Khris Middleton and five future draft picks.
The Dallas Mavericks just made a huge move, trading 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards in an eight-player deal, according to ESPN.
Dallas gets Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, and Marvin Bagley III, along with two first-round and three second-round draft picks. Washington picks up Jaden Hardy, D'Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum.
The NBA trade deadline hits Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, so the clock’s ticking.
Davis hasn’t seen the court since January 8 because of a hand injury. Before that, he suited up for 20 out of 50 Mavericks games this season, averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 blocks. Last season, after that infamous trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers in February 2025, Davis only started nine times. Fans hated the deal, and the backlash ended up costing GM Nico Harrison his job in November.
In total, Davis started 29 games for Dallas, posting 20.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.8 blocks. The team went 16-13 with him in the lineup.
Right now, the Mavericks are struggling. They’re 19-31, riding a five-game losing streak, and sitting 12th in the Western Conference as they head into a home game against the Spurs.
The Wizards aren’t faring much better. At 13-36, they’re tied for 14th in the East.
Davis is actually the second big-name veteran the Wizards have landed this winter. They traded for four-time All-Star Trae Young from Atlanta on January 9, but he hasn’t played yet because of MCL and quad injuries.
Khris Middleton is the other major piece in this deal. He’s a three-time All-Star and won an NBA title with the Bucks in 2021. The 34-year-old averaged 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 34 games for Washington this year.
Bagley and Russell have both been putting up double figures, too. Bagley, 26, averaged 10.1 points and 5.7 rebounds in 38 games for Washington. Russell scored 10.2 points with 4.0 assists in 26 games for Dallas.