Tag: Los Angeles

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MLB (Baseball)

Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes confirms the team will talk about bringing Kiké Hernández back to Los Angeles

Kike Hernandez pitches in the 2nd inning

The Dodgers’ roster is packed with top talent, but there’s one important player missing that both fans and players want to see return.

Kiké Hernández is still a free agent, and at DodgerFest this past weekend, fans made it clear they want him back. While GM Brandon Gomes was speaking, fans began chanting, “Kiké! Kiké! Kiké!”.

Gomes tried to reassure fans that the Dodgers would “never close the door” on Hernández, who has said his main goal is to return to the team in 2025. However, this interest seemed a bit one-sided until Gomes clarified things, especially since the Dodgers signed Hyeseong Kim, who is expected to fill the utility role that Hernández has played for most of his eight seasons in LA.

Even though Hernández is still a free agent, it makes sense that other teams would be interested in his versatility. According to Mark W. Sanchez from the New York Post, the Yankees have shown interest in both Hernández and fellow free agent Yoán Moncada.

Sanchez wrote that the Yankees have “inquired on Hernández” but also mentioned that it’s most likely he will return to LA. This delay isn’t unusual; last year, Hernández didn’t re-sign until February 26, after the Dodgers were able to move some players to the 60-day IL, avoiding a complicated roster situation that could have required them to DFA someone from the 40-man roster.

Kiké Hernández runs the bases after hitting a home run

It’s likely that a similar situation will happen this year. Teams can start moving players to the IL at the beginning of spring training, and while a late signing isn’t ideal for Hernández, it seems he would accept any offer the Dodgers make, no matter when it happens.

Last offseason, the Yankees, Tigers, Angels, and Giants were also interested in Hernández. Hernández even said his decision came down to the Yankees and Dodgers before he ultimately returned to LA, partly because of family reasons and the Dodgers’ guarantee that he would start against left-handed pitchers. This could happen again this season, with Kim likely to be on the bench against lefties.

It’s no surprise that other teams have shown interest in Hernández, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he re-signs with the Dodgers.

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FEATURED

In Toronto, the Raptors pulled away in the third quarter to defeat the Clippers

Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers

RJ Barrett scored 20 points and had seven assists, leading the Toronto Raptors to a 115-108 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday afternoon. The Raptors broke a tie at halftime with a dominant third quarter, outscoring the Clippers 31-16, fueled by 19 fast-break points. This victory allowed them to split the season series with the Clippers.

Scottie Barnes added 15 points and seven rebounds for the Raptors, who are playing four straight home games, splitting the first two. Jakob Poeltl contributed a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Gradey Dick scored 18 points, Ochai Agbaji added 12, Immanuel Quickley had 11, and Ja’Kobe Walter chipped in 10.

For the Clippers, James Harden led the way with 25 points, helping the team finish a 2-2 road trip. Ivica Zubac added 18 points, and former Raptor Kawhi Leonard scored 14. Kevin Porter Jr. had 17 points, and Nicolas Batum added 11. Norman Powell, another former Raptor, did not play due to a hip injury.

Los Angeles Clippers and Charlotte Hornets

Toronto played at a fast pace, taking a 36-32 lead after the first quarter. The Clippers erased a seven-point deficit to go up 45-44 on a pull-up jumper by Porter with 8:00 left in the second quarter.

The Clippers held a three-point lead with 59 seconds remaining in the half, but Poeltl made a huge block to stop Zubac from scoring on a dunk. Toronto then scored six straight points, and Amir Coffey’s 3-pointer at the buzzer tied the game 61-61 at halftime.

In the third, Toronto took control, going up by five with 6:06 left after a nice pass from Barnes to Dick for an easy layup. The Raptors then went on an 8-0 run, increasing the lead to 11 when Dick dunked with 3:31 remaining. The lead grew to 18 by the end of the third, with Agbaji scoring a layup off a defensive rebound from Walter, giving Toronto a 92-77 advantage.

In the fourth, Leonard hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 10, but missed two free throws soon after. Walter’s 3-pointer with 5:47 left pushed the lead back to 15. Barrett took a hard fall after making a layup with 4:50 to play but was able to continue playing.

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FEATURED

In Cleveland, the Cavaliers put up 91 points in the first half, dominating the shorthanded Mavericks after the Doncic trade

Donovan Mitchell shoots a 3-point in the 1st half

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.”

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NBA (Basketball)

Luka Dončić shares heartfelt goodbye to Dallas after being traded to the Lakers

Luka Doncic looks over notes in the timeout

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.”

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FEATURED

‘Organizational malpractice’: Sports world weighs in on Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade in Dallas

Luka Doncic grabbing the ball

“The Dallas Mavericks are trading Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. Three-team deal that includes Utah.”

Fans and NBA players were immediately skeptical, questioning how such a massive trade could happen. As other outlets quickly confirmed the news, people began processing the unexpected trade involving two All-NBA players. One of them, Luka Doncic, is only 25 years old and led his team to the NBA Finals just last June.

The Mavericks confirmed the trade on Sunday morning. Utah also got Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2025 second-round pick from the Lakers, with Dallas sending its own 2025 second-round pick to Utah.

Neither Anthony Davis nor Luka Doncic had commented on the trade by Sunday morning. As the news sunk in, NBA players started to share their thoughts, with some pointing out how unpredictable the league has become with the trade deadline approaching on Thursday.

“Gotta pack them bags just in case now a days,” tweeted CJ McCollum of the New Orleans Pelicans. “If the Don (Doncic) got traded, only lord knows.”

Anthony Davis leaps to make the basket

Phoenix’s Kevin Durant told reporters after the Suns’ loss to the Portland Trail Blazers that the trade shows how much the NBA is a business.

“Players are held to a different standard of loyalty and commitment to a program, but the organizations don’t get held to that same standard from the outside world,” Durant said, adding that this trade could lead to even more surprises.

“You see another team trade away somebody like that. This has got to be the biggest trade I’ve seen since I’ve been in the league or since I’ve been watching the sport. This is insane. So yeah, every other team might get confidence and say, ‘F— it, I’ll trade a few of my top players if this ain’t working.’”

It wasn’t just basketball players who were shocked.

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons summed up the reaction of many fans on social media: “Yoo wtf going on in Dallas?”

For Emmanuel Acho, a former NFL linebacker and current TV analyst, the news hit hard.

“As a Dallas native, who went to the Mavs’ first NBA finals in 2006 and the parade in 2011, I can confidently say trading prime Luka Doncic is one of the biggest mistakes in the history of sports. This is organizational malpractice. I am sick.”

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LeBron James hits his 2,500th 3-pointer, records a triple-double, and watches Bronny score in another unforgettable game

LeBron James looks to pass in the 2nd half

LeBron James reached a major milestone on his 31st trip to Madison Square Garden, hitting his 2,500th career 3-pointer and recording his 10th triple-double of the season. He finished with 33 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 128-112 win over the New York Knicks.

This victory improved his record at MSG to 23-8, and it was a special game for his son, Bronny, who was playing at the arena for the first time.

LeBron has played in some amazing games at MSG, from 50-point performances to triple-doubles, but this one felt different, as it marked Bronny’s debut in the building. “I understand the history of this building,” LeBron said.

“So many people that’s come through this building, so many athletes, so many musicians, so many artists, whatever the case may be. And I’ve been part of Madison Square Garden for my 20-plus years, so just try to give back to it.”

In the final minutes, the crowd switched from cheering for LeBron to chanting “We want Bronny! We want Bronny!” Bronny finally got his chance to play, entering with 1:50 left in the game. He made a left layup on his only shot attempt.

Before the game, Bronny had heard his father talk about his love for MSG, but as a rookie, he didn’t feel anything special when he first walked into the arena. It wasn’t until the place was filled with celebrities and fans cheering for him that he understood its significance. “Getting a bucket in here … it’s insane,” Bronny said.

LeBron James in the 1st half

LeBron’s first 3-pointer of the night made him the seventh player in NBA history to reach 2,500 career 3-pointers. He had already passed Kyle Korver to take the seventh spot after making his 2,450th on Dec. 4. Next in line is Reggie Miller, who has 2,560 career 3-pointers. LeBron expressed pride in how much he’s improved over his 22 seasons, becoming just as tough to guard beyond the arc as he is in the paint.

But for LeBron, the most meaningful part of the night was being able to play with his son. “It’s probably the greatest thing I’ve ever been a part of,” he said. The two spent time together in New York on Friday with family and friends before sharing the court on Saturday.

LeBron reflected on how much he missed during Bronny’s childhood, including watching his games in AAU and high school. “For me to be able to see all the buckets he’s had as an NBA player with us, to be here with him is just special,” he said.

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NBA (Basketball)

Luka Dončić traded to the Lakers, Anthony Davis moves to the Mavericks in huge deal

Anthony Davis and Luka Doncic (NBA)

Luka Dončić led Dallas to the NBA Finals last season, while Anthony Davis helped the Los Angeles Lakers win a championship. Now, the two stars are switching teams in a major trade.

Dončić is being traded by the Mavericks, the reigning Western Conference champions, to the Lakers in exchange for Davis, according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity early Sunday. The deal also involves other players: Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris are headed to Los Angeles, while Davis and Max Christie are going to Dallas.

The source added that the Utah Jazz are part of the trade as well. ESPN, which first reported the news, said Jalen Hood-Schifino and two draft picks will go to Utah. The Dallas Morning News confirmed these details.

The trade was announced about an hour after the Lakers defeated New York at Madison Square Garden. Davis was not with the Lakers for the game because he was in Los Angeles for an abdominal injury assessment. Dončić, on the other hand, has not played for Dallas since Christmas Day due to a strained left calf.

“I believe that defense wins championships,” Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison told ESPN. “I believe that getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. We’re built to win now and in the future.”

If the trade goes through, Dončić will join LeBron James to form a new star duo in Los Angeles, while Davis will team up with Kyrie Irving in Dallas. The news immediately shocked fans on social media.

“Luka getting traded from Dallas has to have a deeper story behind it,” Cleveland center Tristan Thompson posted on X. “This just doesn’t happen on a random Saturday night.”

Luka Doncic (NBA)

Knicks guard Jalen Brunson even asked, “April fools right?” It’s not a joke, though.

Dallas will play at Cleveland on Sunday, while the Lakers have a break until they face the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday. The trade still needs NBA approval, and it’s unclear when Dončić and Davis will play for their new teams since both are dealing with injuries and there’s no set timeline for their returns.

Among players with at least 400 games played, Dončić’s 28.6-point average ranks third in NBA history, behind only Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain, both at 30.1. When healthy, Dončić is one of the most dynamic and unstoppable players in the league.

He finished third in MVP voting last season after averaging 33.9 points, 9.8 assists, and 9.2 rebounds per game, a truly historic season. Dončić also tied the fourth-highest scoring game in NBA history on January 26, 2024, when he dropped 73 points against Atlanta. Only Chamberlain (100 points), Kobe Bryant (81 points), and Chamberlain again (78 points) scored more.

Davis, an All-Star for the 10th time this year, turns 32 next month. He was part of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team and helped the Lakers win the 2020 NBA title in the bubble. Like Dončić, Davis is a five-time All-NBA selection.

For Dončić, however, there may be a significant financial impact from the trade. He was eligible for a supermax contract this summer, which could have earned him around $345 million over five years. Now, his extension eligibility could limit him to a five-year deal worth no more than $230 million.

This season, Dončić is averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists, while Davis is putting up 25.7 points and 11.9 rebounds.

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NBA (Basketball)

Norman Powell leads Clippers past Hornets in Los Angeles

Los Angeles Clippers and Charlotte Hornets

Norman Powell scored 27 points, and Kawhi Leonard added 21 points as the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Charlotte Hornets 112-104 on Friday night.

Ivica Zubac and James Harden each scored 14 points, Derrick Jones Jr. had 12, and Amir Coffey came off the bench to score 10 points. The Clippers won their fourth game in the last five.

Miles Bridges led the Hornets with 27 points and nine rebounds, while Vasilije Micic added 20 points. The Hornets lost for the fifth time in their last six games.

Moussa Diabate contributed 11 points and 14 rebounds off the bench, and Josh Green posted 10 points. However, Charlotte struggled with 3-point shooting, making just 7 of 30 attempts. Bridges was 1-for-8 from beyond the arc.

Powell shot 11-for-15 from the field, including two 3-pointers. Leonard hit four of the Clippers’ 11 3-pointers, which helped offset the team’s 18 turnovers and poor free-throw shooting (9-for-16 from the starters).

Charlotte Hornets (NBA)

The Hornets, missing injured guard LaMelo Ball, got close in the final quarter, cutting a 10-point deficit to 97-95. But Powell’s basket and Harden’s 3-pointer extended the Clippers’ lead. Charlotte was down 106-99 after Micic made two free throws with 3:11 left, but Powell and Leonard’s quick back-to-back baskets helped seal the win.

The Clippers led 53-48 at halftime and expanded their lead in the third quarter but had trouble fully pulling away from the Hornets.

Powell has scored 20 or more points in 12 of his last 13 games. Harden, despite six turnovers in four of the last five games, had 10 assists on Friday night.

The Hornets, now 1-4 in their nine-game homestand, outscored the Clippers 35-24 in bench points.

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NBA (Basketball)

Knicks prepare to face Lakers and rival LeBron James in New York

Anthony Davis and Lebron James
Anthony Davis and Lebron James (NBA)

One game before LeBron James’ annual visit to Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks were reminded once again that Jalen Brunson is the superstar they’ve been looking for since James entered the NBA.

Brunson will aim to help the Knicks stay perfect on their five-game homestand when New York faces the Los Angeles Lakers Saturday night in the first meeting between the two teams this season.

The Knicks have been off since Wednesday, when Brunson joined an elite group of franchise legends by scoring 30 points and adding 15 assists in a 122-112 win over the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers continued their six-game road trip Thursday, defeating the Washington Wizards 134-96.

Brunson’s historic performance added to his standout season as the Knicks’ captain in his third year with the team. Named an All-Star starter for the first time on Jan. 23, Brunson is averaging 25.9 points and a career-high 7.5 assists per game. The Knicks are on track to make the playoffs for the third consecutive season after only reaching it once in the nine seasons before Brunson’s arrival.

Brunson was particularly impressive on Wednesday, scoring 18 points in the third quarter as the Knicks took control, and adding seven assists in the fourth quarter as they pulled away. He became the fourth player in franchise history to record at least 30 points and 15 assists in a game, the first since Nate Robinson in 2009.

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson drives past Brooklyn Nets guard Keon Johnson in the second quarter

“He was just special,” said Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns. “‘Cap’ is special. Everyone knows. We needed him to score tonight, we needed him to do what he does best. And he did that. That’s why he’s special. Whenever his name is called in the biggest moment, he’s ready.”

No one has been as consistently ready as LeBron James, who turned 40 in December. Despite his age, he is averaging 23.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 9.0 assists in his 22nd NBA season, with nine triple-doubles. On Thursday, James played just over 26 minutes in the Lakers’ win over the Wizards, finishing with 24 points and 11 assists.

The Lakers led by 33 points at halftime and won by 38. This was their seventh win in the last nine games, and they were in fifth place in the Western Conference as of Friday.

“Don’t overlook the fact that, by the way, he’s 40 years old in Year 22 with every accolade under the sun and he comes out on a Thursday night in a non-nationally televised game against a team that’s really struggling and he’s the tone-setter,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick.

James has averaged 26.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 7.3 assists in 59 games against the Knicks.

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MLB (Baseball)

In Anaheim, Mickey Moniak won his arbitration case against the Angels, while Leiter heads to a hearing

Mickey Moniak hits a home run in the 9th inning

Mickey Moniak won his salary arbitration case against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday, receiving a raise to $2 million instead of the team’s offer of $1.5 million. Melinda Gordon, Samantha Tower, and John Woods made the decision after hearing arguments the day before.

Reliever Mark Leiter Jr. became the first player to go to a hearing with the New York Yankees since pitcher Dellin Betances lost in 2017. Leiter requested $2.5 million, while the Yankees offered $2.05 million. The decision for Leiter will be made after a ruling on Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia and will be announced at the same time as Pittsburgh pitcher Dennis Santana’s decision.

San Diego pitcher Michael King avoided a hearing when he agreed to a one-year deal worth $7.75 million. Milwaukee catcher William Contreras also reached an agreement, guaranteeing him $6.1 million.

Moniak, who hit .219 with 14 home runs and a career-high 49 RBIs last year, was eligible for arbitration for the first time after earning $770,000.

Michael King pitches in the 1st inning

Six other players are scheduled for hearings through February 14. Los Angeles Angels infielder Luis Rengifo has asked for $5.95 million, with the team offering $5.8 million.

On Wednesday, right-hander Jovan Oviedo lost his arbitration case against the Pittsburgh Pirates and will earn $850,000 instead of his requested $1.15 million.

Leiter, who turns 34 in March, had a 4-5 record with a 4.50 ERA in 60 relief appearances for the Chicago Cubs and Yankees. He joined the Yankees on July 30, finishing with a 2-1 record and a 4.98 ERA for them.

He made six postseason appearances, including a key role in Game 4 of the Division Series against Cleveland, where he preserved a 6-5 lead in the seventh inning. The Yankees won 8-6, and Leiter pitched three scoreless innings over four World Series games against the Dodgers.

In addition to Vesia and Rengifo, other players still set for hearings include Washington Nationals first baseman Nathaniel Lowe and St. Louis Cardinals players: outfielder/infielder Brendan Donovan, outfielder Lars Nootbaar, and right-hander Andre Pallante.