I Dig Sports
Editors Note: In a nod to our 90 years of history, each week SPEED SPORT will look back at the top stories from 15, 30 and 60 years ago as told in the pages of National Speed Sport News.
15 Years Ago 2010
News: NASCAR teams will find a little bit less at the pay window this season.
In a move to help out race tracks that have rolled back ticket prices and endured empty seats during the current economic downturn, NASCAR is cutting purses for its NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck series by 10 percent.
The move will benefit the tracks, many of which are owned by NASCARs sister company, International Speedway Corp., in that the speedways are responsible for paying the purses and the sanctioning fees for each event.
Last year we launched an industry-wide effort to help the sport manage budgets in this economy, said NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston in a statement. NASCAR did the right thing to work with the tracks to reduce their costs in order to manage the economic realities.
In return, the tracks have done a great job reducing ticket prices and enhancing the fan experience. Likewise, we worked with the teams to contain costs, such as elimination of testing and other steps.
This is consistent with how virtually every sport and business has adjusted to the economy over the past year.
Team officials have been calm in reacting to the move, with most offering no comment at all.
We cannot and do not expect that purses will increase when the tracks have less revenue to work with, Roush Fenway Racing President Geoff Smith told the Charlotte Observer. Prize money is shared at RFR among the team, drivers and employees, so we will all have to tighten our belts a little more again this year and hope we can still keep our pants up.
We look forward with optimism that we will be able to share fully in the upside of the industrys revenue growth as the economy recovers.
However, the purse drop will not be as dramatic as it may have been thanks to an overall increase in television revenues for this season.
Ninety percent of television money for each race goes to the tracks, with NASCAR keeping 10 percent from that, tracks must put 25 percent back into the purses.
ISC officials reported Thursday they expect the overall TV money to increase by 2.5 percent and that will offset some of the overall 10 percent reduction in purses.
Winners: The 48th annual Rolex 24 At Daytona will go down in the books as a race won by what amounted to a mechanical version of a nobody fielded by a nobody underdog team that had been given little chance of success by the experts.
Yet the triumph posted Sunday at Daytona Intl Speedway by the Action Express Racing Porsche Riley should not have been a surprise.
While the teams name may have been new, as was its owner; former Brumos Racing affiliate Bob Johnson, both Johnson and the team have their roots firmly planted in the soil of the Brumos Porsche camp, the winners here in 2009.
Drivers Joao Barbosa, Terry Borcheller, Mike Rockenfeller and Ryan Dalziel celebrated victory in the 48th annual endurance classic with other former members of the Brumos team now working on the No. 9 Porsche Riley.
This is amazing. I cant even begin to describe it. Twenty-four hours is a long time, but the last 15 minutes couldnt be longer. We have a great team and they work through problems with expertise, said Johnson with less than a quarter-hour remaining in the 24-hour grind.
It was the first time a Porsche-powered machine won in back-to-back seasons since 1986 and 1987. Brumos Racing claimed the Daytona victory in 2009.
The Action Express Racing entry was not just any Porsche Riley, but one carrying the latest edition of the Lozano brothers-developed Porsche Cayenne V-8, mated last fall for the first time to the well-proven Riley chassis.
The conversion of the V-8 from an SUV to a race-track winner was begun several years as a private venture much to the distress of the Porsche factory, which disassociated itself from the project.
In the end, things went perfectly for the winners, the car emerging from the grind dirty and stone dinged, but otherwise unscratched. The team. With Barbosa taking the checkered flag, completed the most laps (755) during the Daytona Prototype era.
Winning overall is a great compliment to the whole crew. They did an amazing job. They never quit. We didnt have the fastest car when we arrived here. but they turned it around and it was very consistent, said Barbosa, who had previously posted a class victory at Daytona.
With 53 lead changes and a multitude of yellow flags in a race that started in a downpour. the journey for the Action Express camp was anything but easy.
30 Years Ago 1995
News: Dick Simon was not a happy camper when he read claims furnished the press by former driver Raul Boesel in the Feb. 1 issue of National Speed Sport News concerning a lawsuit against Simon for prize money Boesel claims the team owner allegedly owes him.
Simon would not comment on the specifics of the claims made by Boesel and manager Tony Pirrone, but did confirm his own suit against Boesel, Pirrone and sponsor Duracell.
Dick Simon Racing, Inc. regrets that it was necessary to bring a lawsuit against Duracell, Raul Boesel, Anthony Pirrone and AJP Marketing, Inc., a statement from Simon read. Simon Racing would have preferred a negotiated resolution of any dispute, and tried for months to reach a compromise. Dick Simon Racing has seen the press release issued by Raul Boesel about the litigation, but will make no comment on it. Dick Simon Racing believes that it is inappropriate to argue the facts and legal issues in the media, but will pursue its claims vigorously through the courts.
Simon is suing the aforementioned parties for breach of contract after Boesel and Duracell left his team in the off-season for Rabal-Hogan Racing. Calls to Duracell President Charlie Keirnan have not been returned.
Winners: As predicted, the 1995 Rolex-backed Daytona 24-Hour IMSA Exxon season opener turned out to be a battle between the tortoises and the hares. In the end, as they did in the fairy tale, the tortoises won this countrys longest race.
Heading the field at the 3 p.m. checkered flag was the Le Mans category World Sports Car Porsche 962-based Kremer K-8 spyder of Jurgen Lassig, Giovanni Lavaggi, young Christophe Bouchut and Marco Werner.
They were the tortoises. The hares, better known as the Ferrari 333SP contingent, were for the most part, back in their garages at the finish, their high-revving engines having gone on an early vacation just after dawn Sunday.
Indeed, only one of the original four Ferraris, the Euromotorsports Racing entry of Massimo Sigala, Fabrizio Barbazza and Francois Migault was running at the finish, mired down in eighth place after numerous mechanical problems. (The trio did salvage something in that they were credited with second place in the Exxon-backed IMSA WSC division.)
Surprisingly, second place did go to one of the supposedly delicate homegrown IMSA open top prototypes, but only after a struggle with another, even more surprising entry. Claiming the runner-up spot was the Brix teams Motorola Oldsmobile-powered Spice of Jeremy Dale, Jay Cochran, Federick Ekblom and Bob Schader, which finished five laps, 2 minutes and 55.540 seconds in arrears.
60 Years Ago 1965
News: ltalian automaker Enzo Ferrari announced last week through his competitions manager that his cars and those or his dealers would boycott the Sebring, Fla., endurance race on March 27.
Eugenio Dragoni, competitions manager for Ferrari, said in Milan that factory cars would not be entered in the race, nor would those belonging to the North American Racing Team of New York and Maranello Concessionaires of London.
Dragoni cited as their reason, the changing of the racing rules to allow sports cars in the event rather than keeping it a race for Grand Touring and Prototypes as it has been in recent years.
The bright red cars of Fenari have won the 12-hour Sebring grind seven times since the race started in 1950, more than any other make.
Fred Kingsbury, Sebring publicist, announced Friday that there would be Ferrari representation in the race, but by private owners. He cited the 330P four-liter prototype entered by Pittsburghs Bill McKelvy for Bob Grossman to drive and the 275LM proto of John Mecom, which Walt Hansgen is expected to handle.
Alec Ulmann, promoter of the Sebring race. said, when apprised of the boycott, obviously threatened by serious American participation, which now includes not only Ford but some specials using General Motors engines and possibly the powerful Chrysler hemi-head powerplant, the great Commendatore, after his seven fat years, is now reluctant to meet some of this equipment, contending that the regulations do not permit the mixing of sports-racing cars with FIA Appendix GT prototype and production cars in prototype championship events in which Sebring is the highest rated in this country with a coefficient of 1.6.
Winners: Les Scott and Bobby Grim were the big guns in the final indoor USAC midget races at the Allen County Coliseum,
Scott, veteran midget chauffeur from Livonia, Mich., took the lead of the -100-lap feature on the ninth lap and was never headed as he captured the big money over a 10-car field.
Driving the Logan Spl., Scott started alongside Ray Elliott, 1964 UARA midget Champion, in the front row and during the close battle that followed Scott staved off several threats including a last 10-lap duel with Bob Mclean in the Rahn Offy.
Lap-after-lap Mclean tried the leader but Scott pinched his car to the inside and that ended the only chance for Mclean as passing outside wasnt the answer.
Mclean was second and EIliott, after having led with his Cooper Falcon at the start and running second until lap 90, finished a very creditable third.
Grim, who led the 27-car field in the three laps against the clocks in qualifications with a terrific 8.86-second lap, placed fourth from last starting spot in the field. Chuck Rodee placed fifth after losing a right-rear tread as did Grim who managed to pass Rodee on the 92nd lap.
CONCORD, N.C. Theres one thing on Carson Macedos mind entering 2025 a World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car championship.
The Lemoore, Calif. native is officially set for his seventh full-time campaign with The Greatest Show on Dirt and fifth since joining forces with Jason Johnson Racing. Macedo and JJR finished third in points each season from 2021 to 2023. They rose to second in 2024. Now, theres only one more spot to climb.
I think its very important to all of our sponsors and partners. Its very important to myself, JJR, Philip (Dietz), Macedo said. I think we all share that same common goal of trying to win a World of Outlaws championship. When youre a kid and youre growing up running Micros and stuff like that, you just never think that its even possible to be out on the World of Outlaws tour let alone battling for a championship. I pinch myself every day to be in the position Im in to be with such a great team with sponsors and partners and people inside the team that really care about you.
The 2024 season produced the best year of Macedos career. The 28-year-old tallied career highs in wins (12), podiums (34), top fives (47), and average finish (5.06). He shined under the bright lights more than once, banking his second National Open for $75,000 at Williams Grove Speedway along with an $83,000 Dennis Roth Classic score in his home state at Thunderbowl Raceway.
Im confident with the way we ended 2024, Macedo said. The second half of the year was by far better than our first half. It gives me a little bit of hope going into 2025 that we can continue that form.
The last several years racing for the Ragin Cajuns team has allowed Macedo to climb up the World of Outlaws record books. Macedos 47 victories rank 18th all-time as he approaches the 50-win club. For a kid that grew up hardly thinking one was possible, its a dream come true to be competing at such a high level and establishing his name among the greats.
Seeing that my name is getting closer and closer to the top is pretty cool, Macedo said. I remember my first win that I got there at Chico (Silver Dollar Speedway) that I got on a prelim night to Gold Cup. I won that race and looking at the World of Outlaws win list one of my heroes out in California at the time was Tim Kaeding. I think he had like 20-something wins, and I remember thinking that would never be possible to win that many races. To look back now and be close to 50 is awesome, and hopefully with the help of JJR and being in such a good position, I can continue to add to it here in the future.
The focus for Macedo and the No. 41 crew is now entirely fixed on a World of Outlaws title. Its what Macedo dreamed of growing up. Its the main goal Jason Johnson had in mind when he established his organization.
The team will have chemistry on their side entering 2025. Two key contributors departed at the end of 2023, leading to Adam Zimmerman and Robby McQuinn filling the vacancies last year. Those two return alongside team leader and crew chief Philip Dietz ready to chase a championship.
But they know it wont be easy. Last year David Gravel finally made his way to the mountaintop after finishing second three times and is in no hurry to relinquish the top spot. Macedo and his crew are gearing up for what promises to be a thrilling battle all season long.
I think its just gotten to a completely different level, Macedo said of the competition to win a title. Theres a part of me in my head that thought if I could run in the top five more than anyone else and have no DNFs, it would be pretty tough to beat somebody like that with those kind of statistics for the championship. But we did that and still didnt win it. Youve got to be in the top five, and if youre not in the top five, you better be in the top 10 and knocking down wins as well.
You cant have DNFs which is tough to do. Push it but not push too hard is a fine balance.
Kraken put struggling goalie Grubauer on waivers
The Seattle Kraken have placed goaltender Philipp Grubauer, one of the team's highest earners, on waivers with the purpose of being assigned to the AHL, the team announced Wednesday.
Demoting Grubauer comes a day after he lost his fifth straight game after allowing five goals on 17 in shots in the Kraken's 6-4 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. Grubauer has allowed more than three goals in each of his five most recent starts.
That specific stretch of games has been emblematic of what's been the most trying season of his career. Grubauer is 5-15-1 with a 3.83 goals-against average and a .886 save percentage. He has the NHL's lowest save percentage, the highest GAA and MoneyPuck lists Grubauer as having the worst Goals Saved Above Expected at minus-17.5 among goalies with more than 15 games.
It's a contrast when compared to Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord, who is 17-12-2 with a 2.45 GAA and a .917 save percentage. Daccord is fifth in save percentage, eighth in GAA while his 16.3 GSVA ranks third in the NHL, according to MoneyPuck.
Entering Wednesday, the Kraken (22-27-3) were eight points behind the Calgary Flames for the second and final Western Conference wild-card spot while 11 points clear of the San Jose Sharks for the NHL's fewest points.
Sending Grubauer to the AHL now raises questions about the future of a player who was once considered to be the face of a new Kraken's franchise back when he signed a six-year contract prior to the start of the 2021-22 season.
Grubauer had won 30 games with the Colorado Avalanche before signing a deal that saw him earn $5.9 million annually. Injuries and inconsistent performances have hindered Grubauer, who has never won more than 18 games since he joined the Kraken.
The 33-year-old, who has the Kraken's fifth-highest cap hit, still has two years remaining on his contract after this season. PuckPedia states that If the Kraken elected to buyout Grubauer, it would be on their books for their next four seasons. The first season would cost the Kraken $1.98 million while the second season would rise to $3.08 million. The final two seasons would cost the club $1.68 million in each year.
Placing Grubauer on waivers also follows suit with what the Los Angeles Kings did with Cal Petersen in 2022 and what the Edmonton Oilers did with Jack Campbell last season.
Petersen signed a three-year deal worth $5 million annually only to be placed on waivers just one year into his new contract. Campbell signed a five-year contract with the Oilers that was also worth $5 million annually and was placed on waivers in his second season before he was eventually bought out.
Sources: Ney eyes Euro return after Santos stint
Neymar is set to sign a short six-month contract on his return to boyhood club Santos as the Brazil international wants to return to Europe's top five leagues after the stint, sources have told ESPN.
Al Hilal terminated his contract six months early on Monday after considerable speculation over Neymar's future, with a move to the Chicago Fire of MLS touted as well as a return to Santos.
However, with the latter result having been confirmed by the Sao Paulo-based team's president on Tuesday, sources told ESPN that the 32-year-old wants to use his time back in his home country to recover his technical and physical abilities after the ACL injury that kept him sidelined for over a year until October 2024.
After that, the sources added, Neymar would like to continue his career in Europe where he has not played since leaving Paris Saint-Germain for the Saudi Pro League in the summer of 2023.
The former Barcelona star is set to be presented at Pacaembu Stadium in Sao Paulo on Friday, with sources saying he could make his debut against Botafogo SP on Feb. 5.
Santos have struggled in recent years, in particular in the 2023 season where they were relegated for the first time in club history.
However, they bounced back to the top flight at the first time of asking in 2024, and are set to tackle this campaign with the help of Neymar, who scored 136 goals in 225 appearances for the club between 2009 and 2013 before making the move to Spain.
Information from ESPN Brasil contributed to this report.
Champions League live blog: Final day of the league phase
Welcome to Matchday 8 of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League season! Europe's premier club competition has its final day in its new format with 18 matches happening at the same time across the continent on Wednesday, providing exciting matchups, top talent and drama.
Enjoy the play-by-play from all the games with reporters such as Tom Hamilton at Aston Villa vs. Celtic, Sam Marsden at Barcelona vs. Atalanta, Rob Dawson at Manchester City vs. Club Brugge, Beth Lindop at PSV vs. Liverpool and Mark Ogden at VfB Stuttgart vs. Paris Saint-Germain.
Who will qualify for the knockout phase? View our permutations here.
Buckeyes assistant on leave, under investigation
A member of Ohio State's football support staff was placed on administrative leave in December because of a university investigation, according to a letter from the school's human resources department obtained by ESPN on Wednesday.
Ohio State quality control coach Joe Lyberger, who worked with the linebackers, received the letter from the school on Dec. 27 informing him that he would be placed on paid leave effective immediately and would not be allowed at the Buckeyes' facilities.
According to the letter, Lyberger was instructed to immediately return all university property and keys, and not delete any "emails, documents, and/or materials produced during your tenure as an employee."
The Columbus Dispatch first reported the story -- less than two weeks after Ohio State beat Notre Dame 34-23 on Jan. 20 to win the College Football Playoff national championship. The news also came on the heels of Penn State hiring former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles for the same position earlier this week.
The letter did not specify the allegations against Lyberger. The investigation was initiated by the school's Office of Institutional Equity, which helps the campus community "prevent and respond to all forms of protected class harassment, discrimination and sexual misconduct," according to its website.
A school spokesman said there would be no comment because it's a personnel matter. Lyberger's Columbus, Ohio-based attorney, Sam Shamansky, told ESPN he is unclear of the accusations against his client.
"I'm not really sure. [The letter] is a bunch of vagaries," said Shamansky. "Can you imagine being in a criminal justice system and not knowing exactly what you're accused of doing? If you've got evidence, show it. If you have videotapes, let's see them. Why are we waiting around? My client has been asking for this information for a month."
Shamansky said he doesn't know how long the investigation will run other than "too long."
"While my client twists in the wind," he said, "the university machine moves at its own pace."
Lyberger, in his fourth season with the Buckeyes, came to Ohio State after working two seasons as a defensive assistant at Bucknell. Before that, he was a graduate assistant at Ohio Dominican University. He graduated from Slippery Rock in 2016, where he also played football.
WNBA's Clark passing on NBA ASG 3-point contest
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark wants her first 3-point contest to come at the WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis and will not participate in a special challenge during NBA All-Star Weekend, her representatives at Excel Sports said Wednesday.
There had been speculation that Clark might participate in a contest similar to the one during last year's NBA All-Star Weekend, when Warriors star Stephen Curry beat the New York Liberty's Sabrina Ionescu in an NBA vs. WNBA 3-point challenge.
Curry and Ionescu have had conversations to return in a variation of the shootout, which could include other NBA and WNBA players such as Klay Thompson of the Dallas Mavericks, sources told ESPN in November.
NBA All-Star Weekend is scheduled for Feb. 14 through Feb. 16 in San Francisco. WNBA All-Star Weekend will be held July 18-19 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
ESPN's Shams Charania contributed to this report.
NBA Power Rankings: Who's rising and falling ahead of the trade deadline?
We're one week from the 2025 NBA trade deadline, and while there haven't been any major moves leading up to Feb. 6, there have been developments across both conferences.
On Tuesday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported the Sacramento Kings are open to trade talks regarding star guard De'Aaron Fox. Plus, to add to the ongoing Jimmy Butler trade saga, Charania also reported the Miami Heat are in "active conversations" with "multiple teams" to move the disgruntled superstar.
With All-Star guards potentially on the move, teams will be keeping a close eye on the standings as they push through the regular season. Are there any league-shifting trades in the works? How will that affect a team's strategy moving forward? Also, how will it affect our power rankings?
All good things to ponder as our NBA insiders break down this week's list.
Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN's Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Michael Wright, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk, Chris Herring and Kevin Pelton) think teams belong this season.
Previous rankings: Preseason | Oct. 30 | Nov. 5 | Nov. 13 | Nov. 20 | Nov. 27 | Dec. 4 | Dec. 11 | Dec. 18 | Dec. 25 | Jan. 1 | Jan. 8 | Jan. 15 | Jan. 22
Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTA | WAS
2024-25 record: 37-8
Previous ranking: 1
Next games: @ GS (Jan. 29), vs. SAC (Feb. 1), vs. MIL (Feb. 3)
Center Isaiah Hartenstein picked up where he left off after sitting out five games because of a lower calf strain, recording 14 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and a block in a win over Portland on Sunday. The Thunder are 23-2 when Hartenstein plays. Four of Oklahoma City's eight losses have occurred when the Thunder didn't have Hartenstein or fellow 7-footer Chet Holmgren, with one loss coming on the night Holmgren fractured his pelvis earlier this season. -- Tim MacMahon
2024-25 record: 37-9
Previous ranking: 2
Next games: @ MIA (Jan. 29), vs. ATL (Jan. 30), vs. DAL (Feb. 2), vs. BOS (Feb. 4)
To start the season, it took Cleveland 20 games before it picked up its third loss. Last week, the Cavs dropped three in a row, their longest losing streak this season. Each of the defeats was gutting in its own way: Darius Garland missed two potential winning free throws with 2.1 seconds left against Houston; Ty Jerome's career-high 33 points weren't enough to get by a Joel Embiid-less Sixers squad; and then another loss to the Rockets despite a 17-point rally in the fourth. -- Dave McMenamin
2024-25 record: 32-15
Previous ranking: 3
Next games: vs. CHI (Jan. 29), @ NO (Jan. 31), @ PHI (Feb. 2), @ CLE (Feb. 4)
Boston suffered another loss Monday, this time to the Rockets on a last-second shot, dropping the Celtics to 13-11 since Dec. 7. But over that stretch, Boston still ranks eighth in offense, fourth in defense and third in net rating. Considering that Boston is coming off yet another deep Finals run, had three players in the Olympics, went to Abu Dhabi during the preseason and the general malaise that comes with a long season, it's hard to get too concerned about a team that has stayed consistently near the top of the Eastern Conference standings. -- Tim Bontemps
2024-25 record: 31-16
Previous ranking: 4
Next games: vs. HOU (Jan. 30), @ MIL (Feb. 2), vs. SA (Feb. 3)
Memphis won six in a row before a rough road setback Monday against the Knicks. Jaren Jackson Jr. has developed into a go-to scorer as the Grizzlies continue to tinker with a new wide-open offense that could prove problematic for teams in the postseason. First, Memphis needs to solve its issues dealing with physical teams and the Grizzlies will get another test in that respect Thursday against a Rockets squad that has beaten them three times this season. -- Michael Wright
2024-25 record: 32-14
Previous ranking: 5
Next games: @ MEM (Jan. 30), vs. BKN (Feb. 1), @ NYK (Feb. 3), @ BKN (Feb. 4)
Coming off its 16th clutch win of the season Monday at Boston, Houston bested Atlanta on the road Tuesday on the second night of a back to back. The Rockets are tied with the Suns for clutch victories this season, and they've won 10 of their past 12 outings and 10 of their past 11 on the road. Second-year forward Amen Thompson is surging, scoring 20-plus points in three of his past six games as Houston collected three wins in the last week over the East-leading Cavaliers and Celtics before Wednesday's win at Atlanta. -- Wright
2024-25 record: 31-16
Previous ranking: 7
Next games: vs. DEN (Jan. 29), vs. LAL (Feb. 1), vs. HOU (Feb. 3), @ TOR (Feb. 4)
The Knicks had gone 45 years without a 143-point showing in a regulation contest before doing it in back-to-back games Saturday and Monday. The NBA's second-most efficient offense notched consecutive wins over the Kings and Grizzlies by that tally -- the Knicks' 60th straight win when holding at least a 15-point lead, the longest active streak in the NBA. The Knicks will continue to be tested, though: They have the East's hardest remaining slate as they head into February and are only one game behind the second-place Celtics. -- Chris Herring
2024-25 record: 28-18
Previous ranking: 6
Next games: @ NYK (Jan. 29), @ PHI (Jan. 31), @ CHA (Feb. 1), vs. NO (Feb. 3)
After winning eight of nine games, the Nuggets opened a five-game road swing with consecutive losses at Minnesota and Chicago. Aaron Gordon has been ramping up in his return from a calf injury and has yet to play more than 25 minutes in his past eight games coming off the bench. But Russell Westbrook has played well, shooting 62.7% and averaging 13.1 points and 5.6 assists, in his past six games. -- Ohm Youngmisuk
2024-25 record: 27-18
Previous ranking: 8
Next games: @ SA (Jan. 31), vs. MEM (Feb. 2), @ OKC (Feb. 3)
With wins in nine of their past 12 games, the Bucks have taken hold of the No. 4 seed in the East as they try to at least secure home-court advantage in the first round. The next three games for Milwaukee will provide a test against playoff teams from the Western Conference: on the road against San Antonio before hosting Memphis then heading to Oklahoma City on a back-to-back. -- Jamal Collier
9. LA Clippers
2024-25 record: 26-20
Previous ranking: 9
Next games: @ SA (Jan. 29), @ CHA (Jan. 31), @ TOR (Feb. 2), vs. LAL (Feb. 4)
The Clippers have three players who have arguments to make the All-Star Game: James Harden, Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac. Harden has a double-double in six of his past eight games, averaging 23.1 points and 10.2 assists in that span. After having 40 points and nine assists in a win over Milwaukee last Saturday, Harden became the seventh player with at least three 40-point games in a season at age 35 or older in NBA history. He also has 10 games with 20 points and 10 assists this season, joining LeBron James, Steve Nash and Lenny Wilkens as the only players 35 or older to do so, according to ESPN research. -- Youngmisuk
2024-25 record: 26-19
Previous ranking: 12
Next games: @ WAS (Jan. 30), @ NYK (Feb. 1), @ LAC (Feb. 4)
Over the Lakers' four-game win streak coming into Tuesday, Anthony Davis averaged 32.8 points on 58.2% shooting, 15 rebounds and 2.5 blocks. The dominant stretch happened to coincide with Davis telling ESPN's Sham Charania that, "I think we need another big," before the trade deadline passes. That momentum came crashing down for both Davis and L.A. in Philly on Tuesday night, with Davis exiting early because of an abdominal strain and the Lakers getting blown out. -- McMenamin
2024-25 record: 25-21
Previous ranking: 15
Next games: @ PHX (Jan. 29), @ UTA (Jan. 30), vs. WAS (Feb. 1), vs. SAC (Feb. 3)
Wolves coach Chris Finch took issue with the team's second-half performance during a win over the Hawks on Monday, calling out the best players for not coming out with more intensity. Minnesota has still won three games in a row, climbing up to seventh place in the Western Conference. They'll have a chance to win back the confidence of their coaches, beginning with back-to-back road games in Phoenix and Utah. The Wolves then return home to host the Wizards and Kings. -- Collier
12. Indiana Pacers
2024-25 record: 25-20
Previous ranking: 10
Next games: vs. DET (Jan. 29), vs. ATL (Feb. 1), @ UTA (Feb. 3), @ POR (Feb. 4)
After a two-game trip to Paris, the Pacers return home for a game for the first time in 11 days on Wednesday against the Pistons. Indiana split games with San Antonio while in France and has continued to look like a different team since the calendar flipped to 2025. Since the beginning of January, the Pacers rank sixth in offensive efficiency and fourth in defensive efficiency. Indiana's 10.2 net rating this month is the second best in the NBA, behind only Oklahoma City. -- Collier
13. Dallas Mavericks
2024-25 record: 25-22
Previous ranking: 11
Next games: @ NO (Jan. 29), @ DET (Jan. 31), @ CLE (Feb. 2), @ PHI (Feb. 4)
Klay Thompson's 21-point explosion in the first quarter of Monday's blowout win over the Wizards was more than he had scored in his previous three games combined. He matched a franchise record and his own this season by making seven 3-pointers in the quarter. "You do that, it reminds you that there's greatness still within you," Thompson said postgame. -- MacMahon
14. Phoenix Suns
2024-25 record: 24-21
Previous ranking: 19
Next games: vs. MIN (Jan. 29), @ GS (Jan. 31), @ POR (Feb. 1), @ POR (Feb. 3)
Benched center Jusuf Nurkic caused some waves last week when he told the Arizona Republic that he and coach Mike Budenholzer "don't have a relationship." But it's hard to argue with Budenholzer's faith in newly-acquired big man Nick Richards. Since trading with Charlotte for Richards earlier this month, the Suns are 4-1 and he has fit in swimmingly -- averaging 11.8 points on 62.9% shooting and 11.2 rebounds. -- McMenamin
15. Sacramento Kings
2024-25 record: 24-22
Previous ranking: 13
Next games: @ PHI (Jan. 29), @ OKC (Feb. 1), @ MIN (Feb. 3)
ESPN's Shams Charania reported Tuesday the Kings are expected to open up talks to trade De'Aaron Fox before next Thursday's deadline, which would take Sacramento in a different direction. Currently built to win now with veteran starters DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis, the Kings will have a difficult time replacing Fox who is averaging 25.2 points and 6.2 assists. Sacramento's decision has a ripple effect on the Hawks, who get the Kings' first-round pick from the Kevin Huerter trade if it lands outside the top 12 picks. -- Kevin Pelton
16. Detroit Pistons
2024-25 record: 23-23
Previous ranking: 18
Next games: @ IND (Jan. 29), vs. DAL (Jan. 31), vs. CHI (Feb. 2), vs. ATL (Feb. 3)
Since their five-game winning streak to start January, the Pistons have been no more than two games in either direction from .500. An impressive pair of wins last week at Houston and Atlanta were followed by more disappointing performances in a loss at Orlando and a 19-point defeat Monday against the East-leading Cavaliers. After wrapping up their five-game trip Wednesday in Indiana, Detroit will be home through the All-Star break. -- Pelton
17. Miami Heat
2024-25 record: 23-22
Previous ranking: 17
Next games: vs. CLE (Jan. 29), @ SA (Feb. 1), @ CHI (Feb. 4)
With Jimmy Butler now suspended through the trade deadline, the Heat will get a 10-day respite from the nonstop drama surrounding their star forward. The question is still the same one that has lingered over the franchise for months: Will there be a suitable deal for Butler by 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 6, or will this standoff drag on for the rest of the season and into the summer? -- Bontemps
18. Orlando Magic
2024-25 record: 24-24
Previous ranking: 14
Next games: @ POR (Jan. 30), @ UTA (Feb. 1), @ GS (Feb. 3)
On Saturday, the Magic had their top three players (Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner) available at the same time for a game since October, and they ended a five-game losing streak with a win over Detroit. The good health was short-lived: Suggs subsequently sat out Monday because of a quadriceps contusion as Orlando lost a double-overtime heartbreaker in Miami. The Magic are 16-9 with a plus-4.2 differential in the 25 games Suggs and Wagner have played together, despite Banchero sitting out the majority of them. -- Pelton
2024-25 record: 23-23
Previous ranking: 20
Next games: vs. OKC (Jan. 29), vs. PHX (Jan. 31), vs. ORL (Feb. 3)
The Warriors are in the middle of a stretch in which they play eight of nine games at home but have lost three of the first six games in that span. Stephen Curry has said that this stretch could "make or break" the Warriors' season as they try to stay above water without Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga. Green (calf) has been cleared to return to practice later this week, but Kuminga will be out for at least another two weeks after injuring his ankle on Jan. 4. The Warriors, who beat Utah on Tuesday, host Oklahoma City, Phoenix and Orlando. Following that, Golden State plays seven consecutive road games and won't return to Chase Center until after the All-Star break. -- Youngmisuk
2024-25 record: 20-23
Previous ranking: 21
Next games: vs. LAC (Jan. 29), vs. MIL (Jan. 31), vs. MIA (Feb. 1), @ MEM (Feb. 3)
Losers of four of their last five, San Antonio hosts former Spur Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers on Wednesday at Frost Bank Center. The Spurs should be well-rested after spending last week in Paris for two games against Indiana, which included a 38-point loss in which San Antonio coughed up a season-high 24 turnovers. Victor Wembanyama scored only three points on three field-goal attempts in the second half. But he has produced three consecutive showings with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, one shy from tying a career-high four straight outings putting up those numbers. -- Wright
21. Atlanta Hawks
2024-25 record: 22-25
Previous ranking: 16
Next games: @ CLE (Jan. 30), @ IND (Feb. 1), @ DET (Feb. 3), vs. SA (Feb. 5)
Atlanta has taken six straight losses since beating the defending champion Celtics on the road in overtime. How bad has the Hawks' offense been in that span? The Hawks join the tanking Nets and Wizards as the only teams to score less than 100 points per 100 possessions over the past five outings. To be fair, Trae Young sat out Monday in a loss against the Wolves, but that still doesn't explain the Hawks' struggles. De'Andre Hunter had a career-best 35 points against Minnesota, but the Hawks will need other players stepping up to stay in contention. -- Herring
2024-25 record: 18-27
Previous ranking: 23
Next games: vs. SAC (Jan. 29), vs. DEN (Jan. 31), vs. BOS (Feb. 2), vs. DAL (Feb. 4)
To show how weak the bottom of the Eastern Conference is: The 76ers lost seven games in a row earlier this month before pulling off back-to-back victories over the Cavaliers and Bulls and gained a game on the 10th-place Bulls in that span. This is why the ongoing belief is that no matter how hard Philadelphia tries, it's probably going to remain in the fight for a play-in spot until the end of the season. -- Bontemps
23. Chicago Bulls
2024-25 record: 20-27
Previous ranking: 22
Next games: @ BOS (Jan. 29), @ TOR (Jan. 31), @ DET (Feb. 2), vs. MIA (Feb. 4)
The Bulls picked up an upset victory over the Nuggets this week before heading out on a three-game trip, which takes them through Boston, Toronto and Detroit. But the Bulls are expected to be without their leading scorer Zach LaVine, who will sit out the trip for personal reasons. LaVine's wife posted on social media that she's expecting the birth of their third child. -- Collier
2024-25 record: 18-29
Previous ranking: 24
Next games: vs. ORL (Jan. 30), vs. PHX (Feb. 1), vs. PHX (Feb. 3), vs. IND (Feb. 4)
The Blazers' four-game winning streak, including a perfect 3-0 trip to the Southeast, was their longest since starting the 2022-23 season 4-0 when Damian Lillard led the way. Even the loss that ended the streak was impressive: a 10-point loss at home to the league-leading Thunder. It's no coincidence the uptick came with Deni Avdija's return to the lineup. Avdija averaged 19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.0 steals in those five games. After combining for only 17 points in his first three games back on the bench, all wins, Scoot Henderson had 25 against Oklahoma City. -- Pelton
25. Toronto Raptors
2024-25 record: 14-32
Previous ranking: 29
Next games: @ WAS (Jan. 29), vs. CHI (Jan. 31), vs. LAC (Feb. 2), vs. NYK (Feb. 4)
After beating New Orleans on Monday night, Toronto has now won six of its last seven games, including sweeping a two-game series in Atlanta and beating the defending champion Celtics. It has been a nice uptick in form for a Raptors team that won only two games in December and is again without Immanuel Quickley, this time because of a left hip strain. -- Bontemps
26. Brooklyn Nets
2024-25 record: 14-33
Previous ranking: 25
Next games: @ CHA (Jan. 29), @ HOU (Feb. 1), vs. HOU (Feb. 4)
It has been tough sledding for Brooklyn, which has lost seven straight -- and 12 of its past 13 -- heading into a Wednesday matchup with the Hornets. Center Nic Claxton has struggled this season and is amid a career-worst 54.0% in efficiency shooting from the field. But with the Nets in a rebuilding season, the young big has shown great potential and instincts. -- Herring
2024-25 record: 12-31
Previous ranking: 26
Next games: vs. BKN (Jan. 29), vs. LAC (Jan. 31), vs. DEN (Feb. 1), vs. WAS (Feb. 3)
The team had a different leading scorer for each of its past four games, a positive for a club whose leading scorer, LaMelo Ball, averages upward of 28 points. The Hornets, now second-to-last in the Eastern Conference standings, can desperately use some development beyond Ball's ability to score; particularly with second-year wing Brandon Miller out indefinitely because of a wrist injury. -- Herring
2024-25 record: 12-35
Previous ranking: 27
Next games: vs. DAL (Jan. 29), vs. BOS (Jan. 31), @ DEN (Feb. 3)
New Orleans finished its most recent three-game trip winless, after cobbling together four straight victories before the start of the trek. The Pelicans face a banged-up Dallas squad Wednesday with Zion Williamson coming off back-to-back games with 28 points or more with seven-plus rebounds. Brandon Ingram, a mainstay in trade-deadline rumors, hasn't played since Dec. 7 (left ankle sprain), and it doesn't appear he'll be back soon. New Orleans is 4-22 this season against sub-.500 teams with an upcoming schedule that includes the Mavericks, Celtics and two road clashes against the Nuggets. -- Wright
29. Utah Jazz
2024-25 record: 10-35
Previous ranking: 28
Next games: vs. MIN (Jan. 30), vs. ORL (Feb. 1), vs. IND (Feb. 3)
Veteran power forward/center John Collins doesn't play often these days, but his rare performances haven't diminished trade interest in him. Collins played in only two games during Utah's 3-14 stretch entering Tuesday night's matchup with the Warriors in which Collins sat out. He averaged 23.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks while shooting 62.1% from the field in his two appearances over the past month. -- MacMahon
2024-25 record: 6-39
Previous ranking: 30
Next games: vs. TOR (Jan. 29), vs. LAL (Jan. 30), @ MIN (Feb. 1), @ CHA (Feb. 3)
Washington has lost 14 straight games and has won a total of only 21 games since the beginning of last season. Kyle Kuzma indicated he wanted to be more aggressive, which means not fitting into the franchise's direction of developing its young prospects. After having 30 points and 11 rebounds in a 119-109 loss at Phoenix on Saturday, Kuzma told reporters, "I just decided to be myself and not really just try to fit into everything that we're doing here, and just really played in the moment." Perhaps Kuzma will be more open to trade discussions this time than he was last season at the deadline. -- Youngmisuk
Right-handed reliever Tommy Kahnle and the Detroit Tigers are in agreement on a one-year, $7.75 million contract, sources told ESPN on Wednesday, fortifying a bullpen that was at the forefront of the team's surge to a postseason spot last year.
Kahnle, 35, whose deal is pending a physical, is coming off a strong season with the New York Yankees in which he posted a 2.11 ERA in 42 innings. Over the past two seasons, Kahnle has a 2.38 ERA, the 11th best in MLB among pitchers with at least 80 innings.
In Kahnle, the Tigers add a reliever who pitches backward more than anyone in baseball. Last season, Kahnle threw his changeup 73.1% of the time -- nearly 20 percentage points higher than any other pitcher. At one point in the 2024 postseason, Kahnle threw 61 consecutive changeups.
When Kahnle is healthy -- an issue in past seasons -- the pitch is a devastating complement to a 94 mph fastball and a show-me slider. Kahnle struck out 46 against 19 walks in 2024 while allowing five home runs. Over his 10-year career, Kahnle is 10-14 with a 3.47 ERA and 452 strikeouts, 173 walks and 40 home runs allowed in 373 innings.
None of Detroit's deep relief core relies heavily on a changeup, giving manager A.J. Hinch a solid complementary arm as he aims to piece together games. With injuries hampering their rotation last fall, Hinch relied heavily on a bullpen that threw a major-league-high 141 innings in September and was third in baseball with a 2.41 ERA.
The Tigers, who on Aug. 10 were 55-63, surged to a 33-13 finish and ousted American League West champion Houston before falling to AL Central rival Cleveland in the division series.
Kahnle's signing continued an active period for relief pitchers, with the Los Angeles Dodgers signing right-hander Kirby Yates to a one-year, $13 million contract and right-hander Ryne Stanek agreeing to a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the New York Mets.
Plenty of solid relief options remain on the market, including right-handers Carlos Estevez, Kenley Jansen, David Robertson, Kyle Finnegan and Adam Ottavino, and left-handers Tim Hill, Brooks Raley, Andrew Chafin, Jalen Beeks and Colin Poche.
Rankings, projections, strategy and cheat sheets
All of your fantasy baseball draft preparation needs collected in one place! Here you'll find rankings, projections, cheat sheets, analysis and strategy. Check back every day for new content through Opening Day of the 2025 season. If this is your first time playing fantasy baseball, might we recommend starting with the basics: The Playbook: How to play fantasy baseball.
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The Playbook: Become an expert in 9 innings
Inning 1: How to play fantasy baseball
Inning 2: League Formats: Which is right for you?
Inning 3: Everything you need to know about salary-cap drafts
Inning 4: How to create the ultimate cheat sheet
Inning 5: Roster optimization
Inning 6: Nine must-follow tips
Inning 7: Staying ahead of league trends
Inning 8: Using advanced stats to get ahead
Inning 9: Mastering the 2025 player pool
Rankings and cheat sheets
Cockcroft: Points-league rankings
Karabell: Head-to-head categories/rotisserie rankings
Advice from our experts
Karabell: The top 10 fantasy baseball prospects for 2025 (1/29)
Karabell: News or Noise (1/24)
Zola: What to expect from Roki Sasaki and other Asian newcomers (1/15)
Cockcroft: Reaction to Juan Soto signing with the New York Mets (12/9)
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2025 Player Projections and Outlooks
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