Cade Cunningham led the Detroit Pistons with 22 points and 15 assists as they defeated the Chicago Bulls 127-119 on Sunday afternoon.
Jalen Duren contributed 21 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists, while Malik Beasley added 19 points, five assists, and three steals. Tobias Harris scored 16 points in the win.
Coby White led the Bulls with 22 points. Nikola Vucevic had a triple-double, finishing with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Josh Giddey scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
The Bulls were without their top scorer, Zach LaVine, who missed the game for personal reasons. Chicago guard Dalen Terry also left the game in the third quarter with a left knee injury.
Before this game, the Bulls had won 18 of the last 20 matchups with Detroit.
Vucevic scored nine points in the first quarter, helping Chicago take a 35-30 lead. Detroit took control in the second quarter, ending the half with a 14-4 run to lead 64-54 at halftime.
During that run, Duren had four points, six rebounds, an assist, and a steal. Cunningham led the Pistons at the half with 11 points, and Harris added 10.
Chicago came out strong in the second half, cutting Detroit’s lead to just two with a 14-6 run. Ayo Dosunmu scored the first five points of that stretch for the Bulls.
Cade Cunningham (NBA)
Detroit responded with a 9-2 run to extend the lead to 79-70. Beasley’s short basket off a Cunningham assist put the Pistons back up by 10, at 84-74.
The Bulls closed the gap to four points, but Detroit finished the third quarter with a 9-4 run, taking a 95-86 lead into the final period.
In the fourth, the Pistons scored the first eight points, extending their lead to 17. Simone Fontecchio hit two free throws, and Marcus Sasser assisted Beasley on back-to-back 3-pointers.
Chicago fought back, narrowing the deficit to seven at 113-106 after a Giddey dunk. However, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Beasley hit 3-pointers to put the game out of reach.
A basket by Dosunmu with under two minutes left made it an eight-point game, but dunks by Harris and Duren on the next two Pistons possessions sealed the victory.
Pitcher Jack Flaherty is making his return to the Detroit Tigers, agreeing on a two-year deal worth $35 million..
The source spoke on condition of anonymity since the deal is still pending a successful physical exam.
Flaherty has the option to opt out after the 2025 season and become a free agent. If he does, he will have earned $25 million in signing bonus and salary from the contract.
The 29-year-old right-handed pitcher finished last season with a 13-7 record and a 3.17 ERA over 28 starts, splitting time between the Tigers and his hometown team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, who acquired him at the trade deadline on July 30.
Flaherty played an important role in the Dodgers’ World Series win over the New York Yankees. He pitched five scoreless innings in Game 1, and although he gave up two runs in the sixth, the Dodgers went on to win.
Jack Flaherty pitches in the 1st inning
In Game 5, Flaherty allowed four runs in just 1 1/3 innings, but the Dodgers rallied for a 7-6 victory to win their second championship in five years.
Flaherty started his major league career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2017, and had his best season in 2019, finishing with an 11-8 record and a 2.75 ERA, along with a career-high 231 strikeouts over 196 1/3 innings.
In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Flaherty’s performance declined, ending with a 4.91 ERA. He then struggled with injuries in 2021 and 2022 before being traded to the Baltimore Orioles during the 2023 season.
He signed a $14 million, one-year contract with the Tigers for 2023 and had his best season in five years. Flaherty went 7-5 with a 2.95 ERA before being traded to the Dodgers, where he finished 6-2 with a 3.58 ERA.
Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo kicks the ball during Riyadh Season Cup 2024 final match against Al Hilal at Kingdom Arena Stadium in Riyadh
Cristiano Ronaldo will turn 40 on Wednesday, but he is still showing great form as he gets ready to lead Saudi club Al-Nassr against Al-Wasl in the Asian Football Confederation’s Champions League Elite.
The Portuguese forward, who joined Al-Nassr in December 2022, is currently the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League with 15 goals in 17 games.
If Ronaldo can keep up his good performance in the continental tournament, with two group stage games left and his team already qualified, Al-Nassr could have a chance to win the Asian title for the first time.
“The best birthday gift for Ronaldo is to achieve victory against Al-Wasl,” said Al-Nassr coach Stefano Pioli before the match on Monday. “It is an important match for us and we want the three points.”
Ronaldo, who has won the UEFA Champions League five times with Manchester United and Real Madrid, now has a better chance of winning his first Asian title with Al-Nassr’s recent signing of Jhon Duran from Aston Villa in the English Premier League for around $79 million.
Reports in Saudi Arabia say Duran has already been registered in time to play against Al-Wasl from the United Arab Emirates.
“Duran is in good shape,” Pioli said. “We will decide how best to use him.”
The team will miss former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte, who is absent for personal reasons, as well as defender Ali Lajami and midfielder Otavio, who are both dealing with injuries.
Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after missing a shot
Al-Nassr is currently in third place in its 12-team group, behind Saudi rivals Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli, both of which are unbeaten after six games.
Al-Hilal has won four continental titles, more than any other club in Asia. However, they will be without Neymar for their match against Persepolis of Iran. Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, returned to South America after an injury-filled period where he only played seven times in 18 months for Al-Hilal.
“We are looking forward to the game,” said coach Jorge Jesus. “Our ambitions are always to win at home and in Asia.”
Al-Ahli, which includes former Premier League stars like Riyad Mahrez and Ivan Toney, has the offensive strength to win the Champions League for the first time. The Jeddah-based team is currently in second place and will face Al-Sadd in Qatar.
All 12 teams in the western zone of the tournament are still in the running to finish in the top eight and move on to the knockout stage.
Jonathan Quick protects the net in the 2nd quarter
As the buzzer rang Sunday night, Jonathan Quick’s New York Rangers teammates rushed to celebrate with him in the crease.
The 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights marked Quick’s 400th career victory, making him the first U.S.-born goaltender to achieve this milestone. The victory was also significant as it ended New York’s three-game losing streak.
After the game, Quick immediately credited his teammates for the win.
“Great effort up and down the lineup,” the 39-year-old goaltender said. “Everybody competed. … That was a gutsy effort.”
Quick, a lifelong Rangers fan from Connecticut, had 370 wins with the Los Angeles Kings before joining New York for his second season. He was asked about the personal meaning behind the win.
“It means I have been lucky enough to play with a lot of great hockey players who value winning and put that above all else,” Quick said. “I’m just grateful that I have been on some great teams over the course of my career, this one included here.”
Quick is now the 15th goalie in NHL history to reach 400 wins, and the third active one, joining Marc-Andre Fleury (572) and Sergei Bobrovsky (418). He is also the fourth goalie to have played for the Rangers, following Henrik Lundqvist, Terry Sawchuk, and Jacques Plante. Lundqvist reached the 400-win mark eight years ago.
Chris Osgood is next on the list with 401 wins, and Grant Fuhr is at 403. Lundqvist, who spent his entire career with the Rangers, finished with 459 wins, placing him sixth all-time.
Jonathan Quick warms up before the game
Quick had been 0-1-2 since his 399th win against Boston on January 2. He is 7-5-2 for the current season, after earning 18 wins last year.
Quick, who won Stanley Cups with the Kings in 2012 and 2014, was also part of the Vegas Golden Knights’ championship team in 2023. He has been a finalist for the Vezina Trophy twice and topped 30 wins six times with Los Angeles.
Rangers coach Peter Laviolette praised Quick’s veteran leadership as a backup to Igor Shesterkin, saying it has had a positive impact on the whole team.
“If you watch him on a daily basis, it’s not hard to figure out why he’s reached that number,” Laviolette said. “It’s his work ethic, it’s the teammate that we get to see on a daily basis. He’s a great person, works hard, total professional.”
Defenseman K’Andre Miller, who scored the go-ahead goal in the Rangers’ three-goal third period against the Golden Knights, highlighted Quick’s contributions off the ice.
“Opening up the door for guys… putting up waters, just doing anything he can to be a part of the team and make sure the energy is up and we’re staying locked into games,” Miller said.
Artemi Panarin, the Rangers’ leading scorer, who had a goal and two assists in the win, shared his excitement for Quick’s milestone.
“Happy for him, congratulations,” Panarin said. “I’m hoping he gets more.”
Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly laughs during practice in Carson, Calif., Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, ahead of Rose Bowl College Football Playoff game against Oregon
Chip Kelly is making his return to the NFL as the Las Vegas Raiders’ new offensive coordinator, according to a source familiar with the decision who spoke on condition of anonymity, as the team has not yet officially announced the hire.
Kelly had been the offensive coordinator for Ohio State’s national championship team this past season. He’s also had head coaching stints at Oregon, UCLA, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the San Francisco 49ers.
This is the second major move made by the Raiders’ new coach, Pete Carroll, who last week decided to keep defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
With Kelly now on board, the Raiders are hoping to revitalize an offense that struggled last season, ranking fourth from the bottom in the league with just 303.2 yards per game and dead last in rushing, averaging only 79.8 yards per game.
One of Kelly’s key tasks will be finding a quarterback who can compete in the AFC West, where star quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Bo Nix are all leading their teams to playoff appearances. Mahomes, in particular, is aiming for his third consecutive Super Bowl appearance with the Kansas City Chiefs.
But the Raiders’ offensive issues go beyond just the quarterback. They failed to replace running back Josh Jacobs, who signed with the Green Bay Packers. They also lost top wide receiver Davante Adams, who was traded to the New York Jets during the season.
Davante Adams warms up before the game
Despite these challenges, there are some bright spots. Rookie tight end Brock Bowers had a standout season, Jakobi Meyers posted his first 1,000-yard receiving season, and offensive linemen Jackson Powers-Johnson and DJ Glaze showed promise as rookies, along with tackle Kolton Miller.
Kelly built his reputation as an innovative offensive coach during his time at Oregon, first as offensive coordinator in 2007 and 2008, then as head coach from 2009 to 2012. Under his leadership, Oregon went 46-7, made it to the national championship game in 2010. The Ducks’ high-tempo offense, which wore down opposing defenses, was a key feature of Kelly’s success.
Kelly’s next step was with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he had a strong start, going 10-6 in his first two seasons. However, after a 6-9 record in 2015, he was let go. The San Francisco 49ers hired him for the 2016 season, but he lasted only one year with a 2-14 record.
Kelly returned to college football in 2018 as head coach at UCLA, where his early years were marked by losing records. But he turned things around in his last three seasons, finishing with a 25-13 record. After the 2023 season, Kelly left UCLA to become Ohio State’s offensive coordinator.
There, he helped the Buckeyes dominate in the College Football Playoff, scoring 83 points in the first two rounds before defeating Texas 28-14 in the semifinals and Notre Dame 34-23 in the championship game.
Brian Thomas Jr. runs away in the flag football event
With three years until flag football makes its Olympic debut, one thing is becoming clear: the U.S. team will need a former LSU receiver.
In the Pro Bowl Games, four former LSU players scored a total of eight touchdowns in the flag football game, helping the NFC to a 76-63 win over the AFC on Sunday.
Rookie Malik Nabers of the New York Giants scored two touchdowns for the NFC, and Justin Jefferson of Minnesota added another. Jefferson caught six passes for 46 yards, while Nabers had five receptions for 62 yards.
“We’re on top for sure,” Jefferson said. “It is definitely great to see the guys having fun out here, scoring touchdowns, just making big plays. That’s what we normally do, so it’s good to see us coming out here and doing the same thing.”
The NFC’s victory was pretty much secured when they returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the second half. Budda Baker of Arizona and Byron Murphy of Minnesota were the ones who made those big defensive plays in the high-scoring, offense-focused event.
Jared Goff got the NFC off to a strong start, completing 10 of 11 passes for 126 yards and three touchdowns. Goff and Murphy earned MVP honors for their performances.
Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield threw three touchdown passes for the NFC, with Nabers catching one of them.
Former LSU players continued to dominate the game. For the AFC, Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase scored three touchdowns, including a 45-yard catch from Russell Wilson late in the game. Jacksonville’s Brian Thomas Jr. added two more touchdowns.
Baker Mayfield passes in the flag football event
After scoring his third touchdown, Chase celebrated with a backflip and then did “the Griddy,” a dance popularized by his former LSU teammate, Jefferson.
The NFC started the day with a 14-7 lead after winning six skills competitions on Thursday night. They added to their lead by winning the “Great Football Race” and also won a tug-of-war event on Sunday.
The AFC struggled in the tug-of-war, with players like Dexter Lawrence of the New York Jets, Tampa Bay’s Vita Vea, and Seattle’s Leonard Williams unable to keep their team from being pulled into a foam pit twice during the best-of-three contest.
Dallas Cowboys return man KaVontae Turpin impressed with his speed, and Eli Manning used him as a pass rusher. Turpin was a constant threat, pressuring quarterbacks and making five tackles, including a sack.
The game had a relaxed atmosphere, with players finding ways to pass the time. Pittsburgh’s Cameron Heyward and Tennessee’s Jeffery Simmons played cards on the AFC bench between quarters.
Mayfield, Tampa Bay’s Tristan Wirfs, and Dallas’ Micah Parsons took pictures holding their babies on the NFC sideline, while Cleveland’s Jerry Jeudy spent much of the game signing autographs on the AFC side.
The most exciting finish of the day came in the “Punt Perfect” competition. Jacksonville’s Logan Cooke and Detroit’s Jack Fox went head-to-head in double overtime. After two rounds, the competition was tied, but Cooke won after Fox’s final punt hit the rim of one of the six targets from 35 yards away.
“At the end of the day, everyone came here for a punt-off,” Cooke joked.
Pebble Beach looked just as amazing as it always does, and so did Rory McIlroy.
The mix of one of golf’s biggest stars and one of America’s most beautiful coastal courses gave the PGA Tour just the boost it needed. Both McIlroy and Pebble Beach lived up to their reputations on Sunday at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
McIlroy was playing with great confidence, hitting his shots well and making two important birdies after the turn, when there were several contenders still in the hunt. Then, he made an incredible shot on the 14th hole, driving the ball over a tree down the fairway, leaving him with just a 7-iron to the green on the 571-yard hole, setting up an eagle.
“We both hit 7 there,” said Sepp Straka. “His was 7-iron, mine was 7-wood.”
With his lead secure, McIlroy cruised down the 18th fairway, enjoying the beautiful sunshine and the calm surf. He finished with a par for a 6-under 66, winning by two shots over his friend Shane Lowry.
“There’s some venues in our game that just mean a little bit more than others,” McIlroy said. “That’s probably to do with the history and the people who have won on those courses and what they’ve meant to the game of golf.”
McIlroy has had a few close calls at places like St. Andrews and Augusta National, so winning at Pebble Beach felt special to him.
On a day when six players shared the lead at different points, McIlroy took control for good after making a birdie from a bunker on the 10th hole, hitting a 6-iron to 18 feet into the wind. He then made another birdie with a 7-iron on the 12th hole to extend his lead to two shots.
But the 14th hole was the moment McIlroy really pulled away. From there, no one else could catch him. McIlroy finished with a 5-iron off the tee and was able to celebrate his victory with the crystal trophy, marking his 27th win on the PGA Tour.
Rory McIlroy reacts after putting on the 18th hole
Among active players, only Tiger Woods (82 wins) and Phil Mickelson (45 wins) have more titles. Mickelson was 35 when he reached 27 wins, the same age McIlroy is now.
Lowry had been tied for the lead but fell behind after hitting his second shot on the sixth hole over a cliff. He recovered well, shooting 31 on the back nine, including a birdie on the 18th, to finish second with a 68.
Lucas Glover (67) and Justin Rose (68) finished just one shot behind. Straka, who started the final round with a one-shot lead, struggled with a 72 and tied for seventh.
“I always say I believe when players like Rory McIlroy show up and they have their ‘A’ game, they’re pretty impossible to beat,” Lowry said.
Scottie Scheffler, the world’s number-one player, tied for ninth after a 67, despite dealing with some hand problems earlier in the season.
McIlroy had been inspired by Scheffler’s ability to avoid mistakes. McIlroy adjusted his usual aggressive style and played more carefully this week, finishing with just one bogey over the weekend, even in the cold, windy weather on Saturday.
McIlroy has said that this year is important for him, with a focus on events like the Masters, the British Open, and the Ryder Cup. But starting the season with a win at Pebble Beach was a great way to kick things off.
Rory McIlroy reacts after putting on the 15th hole
“It’s a really cool way to start the season,” McIlroy said. Winning always makes things better, but this week also included a hole-in-one at Spyglass Hill in the first round and his first time playing Cypress Point.
Now, with another trophy in hand, McIlroy heads to Florida with plenty of momentum for the rest of the year.
The sixth hole was where the field started to split. Rose hit his tee shot over the cliff, and Tom Kim’s second shot went toward the ocean. Lowry, in the last group, made a bogey on the hole.
But McIlroy was clearly in control from the second hole, when he made a great pitch over a bunker to set up a short birdie putt.
After McIlroy’s only bogey on the tough eighth hole, he pulled away and left the others fighting for second place.
“When he’s good, he’s great,” said Lucas Glover. “There’s a reason he’s got so many wins and major championships. Impressive round today under pressure.”
McIlroy’s victory at Pebble Beach was his second signature win, following his win at Quail Hollow last year. He earned $3.6 million for the victory, finishing with a total of 21-under 267, just one shot from the tournament record.
Lowry at least made McIlroy work for the win, staying within range until he missed a 7-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole that could’ve made things more interesting. However, Lowry’s final birdie gave him $2.16 million for second place.
Fans boo as the United States national anthem is sung before the Vancouver Canucks and Detroit Red Wings play an NHL hockey game
Fans at a Toronto Raptors game took part in a growing trend of booing the American national anthem at sports events in Canada on Sunday.
The crowd at the NBA’s only Canadian team joined similar reactions that happened the night before at NHL games in Ottawa, Ontario, and Calgary, Alberta. This came after U.S. President Donald Trump made good on his threat to impose tariffs on Canada.
At the Raptors game, fans first cheered for the 15-year-old female singer before booing during “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The mixed sounds of boos and cheers were followed by applause when the Canadian anthem, “O Canada,” played.
In Vancouver, British Columbia, fans booed when Agasha Mutesasira started singing the American anthem at the NHL game between the Canucks and the Detroit Red Wings. “I mean, it’s too bad, right? It is what it is,” said Red Wings forward Patrick Kane, who is from New York. “I guess you can maybe understand it from this side, but seems like it’s a thing that’s going around the league right now.”
Trump declared an economic emergency on Saturday, imposing a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, and 10% on imports from China. This includes a 10% tax on Canadian energy imports, such as oil, gas, and electricity. In response, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexico’s president announced retaliatory tariffs on American goods.
Raptors forward Chris Boucher, who is from Canada, was asked after his team’s win against the Los Angeles Clippers if he had ever seen anything like the anthem booing.
Toronto Raptors forwards Bruce Brown, Scottie Barnes, and Chris Boucher react as fans boo the United States national anthem before NBA basketball game action
“No, no, no,” he said. “But have you ever seen us getting taxed like that?”
Joseph Chua, a Toronto resident attending the game, said he would feel the tariffs “pretty directly” in his job as an importer. However, he didn’t agree with the booing. He chose to stay seated instead.
“I have a bunch of American family, friends that live in the states that are Americans, we travel to America all the time, but I thought chanting, ‘Canada,’ would be a more appropriate stance,” Chua said. “Usually, I will stand. I’ve always stood during both anthems. I’ve taken my hat off to show respect to the American national anthem, but today we’re feeling a little bitter about things.”
“We were already talking about what businesses are Canadian, specifically, what are American, specifically, what to avoid. When I go grocery shopping, I will definitely be trying to avoid American products and groceries.”
While booing the U.S. anthem in Canada is rare, it’s not unheard of, especially in response to global events. In the early 2000s, Canadian fans booed the U.S. anthem to show their opposition to the U.S.-led war in Iraq.
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, who won an NBA championship with the Raptors in 2019, and coach Tyronn Lue did not comment on the booing. However, Lue did sing along to “O Canada,” saying he just enjoys the song.
“I heard it a lot of times being in the playoffs here, so I know it by heart,” Lue said.
The Cavaliers blew out the shorthanded Mavericks with a huge first half performance.
Cleveland scored 91 points, tying the third-most ever in an NBA first half, and went on to win 144-101 over Dallas, which was missing key players due to injuries and the trade of superstar Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier that day.
The top-ranked Cavs (40-9) set several franchise records, including for most 3-pointers (26), most points in a quarter (50 in the first), and largest first-half lead (45). Cleveland also tied their record for 3-pointers in a half by hitting 16 in the first 24 minutes.
“Everyone was just locked in even with the trade and everything that was going on today,” said Cavs All-Star forward Evan Mobley, who scored 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in just 23 minutes. “We started hot and kept our foot on the gas.”
The Phoenix Suns hold the record for most points in a first half with 107 against Denver in 1990. The Golden State Warriors scored 92 against Chicago in 2018, and the Houston Rockets hit 91 against Brooklyn in 2022.
Late in the first half, Sam Merrill, who finished with 27 points and nine 3-pointers for Cleveland, thought anything was possible.
“We were at 80 (points) with like four minutes left and I was like, ‘Man, let’s try to get 100,’” Merrill said. “But these games aren’t always easy. I’ve been a part of games where everyone is out and it’s a close game because it’s hard to have the right mindset in a game like this.”
“It’s such a credit to the starters to come out and play the right way and communicate and defend and share the basketball. To get out to that big lead and then the bench guys come in and keep it going. I’ve been a part of some 80s but 90 (at halftime) is crazy.”
Sam Merrill reacts in the 1st half
Dallas coach Jason Kidd and the Mavericks arrived at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse still processing the trade of Dončić to LA for center Anthony Davis. Kidd then had to face the Cavs without Kyrie Irving and several other injured players.
The game didn’t go well, and Kidd was thankful it wasn’t worse.
“No one got hurt and we were able to give guys time who usually don’t get time,” Kidd said. “We just got off to a slow start. They shot the 3 at a high level and they’ve done that all year.”
Cleveland showed no mercy, making 9 of 11 3-pointers in the first quarter and taking a 31-point lead. They hit seven more in the second quarter and finished 16 of 22 (73%) on 3-pointers in the half.
The scoring spree continued in the second half, and when the Cavs neared their team record for 3-pointers late in the game, Merrill heard his teammates urging him to shoot.
“There was definitely encouragement,” he said. “I didn’t know why everyone was yelling but I figured that was why.”
Merrill’s 3-pointer with 1:49 left broke the previous team record of 25 3-pointers. He missed another a few seconds later, and even Tristan Thompson, who has 10 career 3-pointers in 13 seasons, tried but missed a long-range shot.
It was a much-needed breakout game for Merrill, who had been struggling with his shot. He went 0 for 4 on 3-pointers in the previous game against Atlanta and is shooting 33% from behind the arc this season, five points below his career average.
“It feels good to have a great shooting game like that, but it’s only one game,” Merrill said. “It’s all about getting into a rhythm. There were times this year where I felt I was starting to get into a rhythm and then last game I got sick. So one game was fun but we move on to the next one.”
Luka Dončić posted an emotional farewell to Dallas on Sunday, the same day a trade sending him from the Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for fellow All-NBA player Anthony Davis was finalized.
In a letter to the city, Dončić said he “wanted so badly to bring you a championship” and that he thought he’d spend his entire career in Dallas.
“For a young kid from Slovenia coming to the U.S. for the first time, you made North Texas feel like home,” Dončić wrote. “In good times and bad, from injuries to the NBA Finals, your support never changed. Thank you not only for sharing my joy in our best moments, but also for lifting me up when I needed it most.”
Dončić was hugely popular in Dallas — and across the NBA. His No. 77 Mavericks jersey was the eighth-best seller through NBAStore.com in the first half of the season. On Sunday night, some Dončić items were still available on the Mavs’ store.
His jersey sales are expected to rise again now that the Lakers will sell his new jerseys.
“Grateful for this amazing opportunity,” Dončić wrote in another post, sharing a message from the Lakers welcoming him to Los Angeles. “Basketball means everything to me, and no matter where I play the game, I’ll do so with the same joy, passion and goal — to win championships.”
Luka Doncic (NBA)
Dončić had built strong connections with Dallas outside of basketball, particularly through charitable work. He had donated large amounts of money to various organizations in North Texas and arranged for Jordan Brand sneakers — as part of his sponsorship — to be given to frontline workers during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The feeling was mutual. When Dončić led Slovenia to a spot in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Dallas County Commissioners declared July 6 of that year as “Luka Dončić Day” in honor of both his basketball and charitable contributions.
In just 422 games, Dončić ranks sixth on Dallas’ all-time scoring list, second in 3-pointers behind Dirk Nowitzki, third in rebounds, and fifth in assists.
“To all the organizations I’ve worked with throughout the Dallas community, thank you for letting me contribute to your important work and join you in bringing light to those who need it,” Dončić wrote. “As I start the next part of my basketball journey, I am leaving a city that will always feel like a home away from home. Dallas is a special place, and Mavs fans are special fans.”
De’Aaron Fox takes the ball forward in the 1st half
Victor Wembanyama has a new point guard: De’Aaron Fox is leaving Sacramento and heading to San Antonio.
Fox is a key part of a trade between three teams, which also sends two-time All-Star Zach LaVine from Chicago to Sacramento, Zach Collins from San Antonio to Chicago, and Kevin Huerter from the Kings to the Bulls, according to two people familiar with the deal who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The trade is still pending league approval and won’t be finalized until then.
The trade also includes Jordan McLaughlin going from Sacramento to the Spurs, Sidy Cissoko moving from the Spurs to the Kings, and Tre Jones leaving the Spurs for Chicago. There are also multiple draft picks involved, with Sacramento expected to receive at least three first-round picks, one of the sources said.
The trade was agreed upon just before the NBA’s trade deadline on Thursday. This deal comes on the same day as another major trade, with Luka Dončić being sent from the Mavericks to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis.
Fox’s move to San Antonio is a big deal for the Spurs. Wembanyama, the reigning Rookie of the Year, is continuing to rise in the league. He’s set to play in his first All-Star Game soon, is a strong candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, and could receive MVP votes.
It’s easy to see why Fox, who is eligible for an extension this summer, would want to join the Spurs. Playing with one of the best centers in the game — a 7-foot-4 player like Wembanyama, who’s hard for any defense to stop — is an appealing opportunity for any point guard.
Zach LaVine drives to the basket in the 1st half
Fox is currently averaging 25 points, 6.1 assists, and 5 rebounds per game this season for the Kings. He’s already been an All-Star and an All-NBA player, and now, in his eighth season, he gets a fresh start alongside Wembanyama.
The Spurs were able to make this trade without giving up too much. They kept their large collection of draft picks and didn’t have to part with key young players like rookie Stephon Castle, Jeremy Sochan, or Keldon Johnson. The team also held on to veterans Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes, who are both in their first year with San Antonio.
It’s also a new beginning for LaVine, who heads to Sacramento to reunite with his former Bulls teammate DeMar DeRozan. He’ll also play alongside Domantas Sabonis, who is a regular All-NBA candidate.
LaVine is averaging 24 points per game this season, and he’s on track to hit that mark for the fifth time in his career. He’s a 20.7 points-per-game scorer over his career after playing for both Minnesota and the Bulls.
Huerter, who’s averaged 11.5 points per game in his career, first with Atlanta and then with the Kings, will also get a fresh start after coming off the bench 28 times in 43 games for Sacramento this season.
Collins has averaged 4.6 points with the Spurs, Jones 4.4 points, and Cissoko 1.3 points in 17 games with San Antonio. McLaughlin averaged 1.9 points in 28 games with the Kings.
The Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs have arrived in New Orleans for Super Bowl week.
The teams landed on Sunday afternoon to sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s, just a week before their game on February 9. Players and staff stepped off the planes and onto moveable staircases, heading to waiting buses on the tarmac.
They quickly made their way to downtown hotels in convoys. Most of the Eagles were dressed in black sweatsuits with the “Super Bowl LIX” logo on the chest, while Chiefs coach Andy Reid wore a blue suit with a red tie.
One of the pilots on the Eagles’ plane showed a green-and-white flag from the window that read, “Geaux Birds,” a play on the way French words and many names in Louisiana end with “eaux.”
This year’s Super Bowl comes a month after a terrorist attack on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter on January 1. A man drove a truck onto the sidewalk, killing 14 people before being shot by police. Security was tight at the airport when the teams arrived. Media were kept behind barricades about 50 yards from the players and staff, and no interviews were allowed.
Security barriers can also be seen on Bourbon Street near a memorial for the victims of the January 1 attack.
Nick Sirianni arrives in New Orleans
The Eagles (17-3) made it to the Super Bowl by defeating the Washington Commanders 55-23 in the NFC Championship. The Chiefs (17-2) are looking to be the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls after beating the Buffalo Bills 32-29 in the AFC Championship.
The arrivals marked the start of a week of events leading up to New Orleans’ first Super Bowl since 2013.
“This is the first day of the culmination of eight years of planning,” said Jay Cicero, president of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and the New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee. He mentioned how it’s been eight years since the city won the bid to host this year’s game.
“It’s a little surreal that the teams are arriving,” Cicero said. “We’re excited that this is happening. It’s time to get going.”
Cicero, who was at the airport when the teams arrived, shared that a study from the University of New Orleans found the 2013 Super Bowl brought in about $480 million in spending to the area.
“We’re certainly expecting more than that this time around,” he said.
More than 6,000 media credentials have been issued for the Super Bowl, an increase from the 5,200 given out for the 2013 game, and double the number from the 1997 Super Bowl in New Orleans.
