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Sources: Wolves' DiVincenzo (toe) out indefinitely

Published in Basketball
Monday, 20 January 2025 10:30

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo will be out indefinitely due to left big toe injury and will receive additional opinions, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.

The Timberwolves (22-20) had listed him as out on their injury report Thursday with a sprained left big toe.

DiVincenzo's foot has been placed in a boot. He was averaging 17.5 points, 4.7 assists and 42% shooting on 3's as a starter in last six games.

DiVincenzo recently moved into the starting lineup and scored a season-high 28 points Wednesday in a 116-115 loss to Golden State.

Overall, DiVincenzo is averaging 11 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists this season.

AFTER TERRY ROZIER drilled a wide-open 21-footer to push the Miami Heat to an 18-point lead over a listless Golden State Warriors team, Stephen Curry collected the ball and threw it with both hands at the bottom of the rim.

Curry couldn't hide his frustrations, as coach Steve Kerr called for a timeout with 3:05 left to put in his reserves. He wandered aimlessly from the end of the Warriors sideline to the scorer's table and back to the bench, staring up into the Chase Center air as if he were searching for answers from above.

Less than 24 hours earlier, shrouded by the Jimmy Butler trade drama, the Heat lost in double overtime to the Sacramento Kings. Yet inexplicably, the Warriors were the ones who looked lifeless and disconnected despite 31 points and eight 3-pointers from Curry.

The Warriors started the season 12-3 only to go 7-17 in the next 24 games. They are the first team in NBA history to start 12-3 or better only to stand below .500 later in the season, according to ESPN Research.

Whether it's a 51-point debacle against the Memphis Grizzlies or allowing the Toronto Raptors to win for just the ninth time all season by failing to score in the final 2 minutes in a 104-101 loss, the Warriors keep adding to the buffet of demoralizing losses this season.

"It's very volatile right now in terms of the emotional roller coaster this year," Curry told ESPN. "Similar to what it was like that [2021-22 season that ended with a championship]. I think it's a challenge for us to just try to maintain confidence in what we're doing, what we're building.

"And until we run out of time, we have to maintain it."

When the Boston Celtics visit Chase Center on Monday, Curry and the Warriors will be reminded that their confidence was tested 2 seasons ago before they won their fourth title in eight years with a 4-2 series win over the Celtics. That season, the Warriors started 41-13 but stumbled into a 7-16 slump before rediscovering their championship DNA one more time, something they're hoping to do again.

"Nobody going into that year thought we were a championship contender," Curry said. "And then we won it."

The Warriors appear to be a dynasty on the decline, and it's clear that Curry could use the help of another star player. He can also use good health. Already banged up, Curry sprained his left ankle at the end of Saturday's win against the Wizards and is questionable to play against Boston. Draymond Green injured his left calf in the same game and is out for Monday's game, potentially longer. And Jonathan Kuminga (ankle) and Brandin Podziemski (abdomen) have been out as well.

But as the Feb. 6 trade deadline approaches, Curry, Green and Kerr have made it clear the franchise should not make any "desperate" moves.

Kerr says the three have talked among themselves multiple times about how the Warriors need to be responsible and not sacrifice potential future franchise cornerstones for a move now that has no guarantee of getting the Warriors into the playoffs let alone making a deep run.

"We all agree," Kerr told ESPN. "We all really want this organization to thrive when we are all gone. And that's genuine. That's really rare, but it comes with extreme success.

"It comes with we are on one of the great runs of all time. None of us are bitter or second-guessing anything. We're all sitting here like, man, let's ride this thing out with as much competitiveness, joy as possible, and let's help the organization do everything possible after [we move on]."

But Kerr wants to make it clear to anyone who might think otherwise: The Warriors aren't waving a white flag on the season. And they are not quitting on their superstar's mission for a fifth championship.

"What you're really trying to do is see if you can make some moves at the margins that can help your current team," Kerr told ESPN. "We are going to do everything we can to be as competitive as possible, to put the best team around Steph as possible without mortgaging the future, and that is the right decision."


SHORTLY AFTER THE Warriors' embarrassing effort against the Heat, Warriors co-executive chairman and CEO Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy were in a deep discussion together outside The Bridge Club, located near the team's locker room.

These meetings aren't unusual. But after the 18th loss of the season, Golden State's front office felt like its superstar did on the court minutes earlier.

"They're frustrated," one Western Conference executive told ESPN.

Still, the exec, along with another Western Conference rival front office member, said the Warriors have indicated that if they make any moves, it will likely be closer to the trade deadline.

Golden State's trade options include Andrew Wiggins' $26 million contract, along with younger prospects such as Kuminga, Podziemski and Moses Moody. The expiring contracts of Gary Payton II, Kevon Looney, plus three first-round picks and two second-round picks are also available to deal.

But both Western Conference executives expect the Warriors to wait and see what the market will be on a player such as Chicago Bulls big man Nikola Vucevic as the Feb. 6 deadline nears. Vucevic would give Curry a much-needed scorer. The ideal situation for the Warriors would be expiring contracts for Vucevic, who makes $20 million this season.

The Western Conference executives also noted that if the Warriors slide even further in the standings, they could make a move to cut their luxury tax bill.

During the Curry era, the Warriors have made only two significant trades at the deadline. They acquired Wiggins and a 2021 first-round pick that became Kuminga in a deal that sent D'Angelo Russell to Minnesota in 2020. In 2023, the Warriors dealt 2020 No. 2 pick James Wiseman to the Detroit Pistons in a four-team trade that landed defensive role player Payton and second-round picks back in return.

Curry, who turns 37 on March 14, is no stranger to the Warriors standing pat at the deadline. Playing with a throbbing thumb on his shooting hand and knee pain this season, Curry can live with trade deadline inactivity as long as the front office is putting forth the same kind of sweat in improving the team as he is on the court.

"[We're] trying to be a realistic threat in a playoffs series," Curry said. "If Mike calls and says, 'Hey, this is an opportunity to do X, Y, Z,' I give my opinion.

"My hope is that [if there's no action at the deadline], it's not because of a lack of effort. If we don't have a chance to get better, my whole thing is I want to win, and whatever that means, all efforts are pointed towards that, then I can kind of live with whatever happens."

ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Christmas that Butler had Golden State on his list of preferred destinations. But the two Western Conference executives expect the Warriors to hold off until the offseason if they take a big swing, which means holding on to much of their assets in case a superstar becomes available.

Last summer, the Warriors explored acquiring Lauri Markkanen and Paul George, but didn't want to part with younger prospects such as Kuminga or Podziemski.

Even back at the start of training camp in Hawaii, Green was delivering the message of staying patient and not making any rash moves.

"Can't panic," Green told ESPN. "Not in this league. Panic in this league, you win 25 games for five straight years."

Before a win over the Grizzlies on Jan. 4, Kerr said he had spoken to Dunleavy about how it made "perfect sense" to give this current roster, which added Dennis Schroder in a trade in December, more time before making another move.

"You have to have some reasonability on what a big trade actually means because, one, trades are really hard [to make]," Curry said. "The idea that there's this magical deal that can solve everything is what it is.

"If there's an opportunity to get better and take a step in the right direction with the move that makes sense for the team, then we need to do it. If not, then you address that. But at the same time, that's not for really me and coaches or anybody else down here [on the floor to say]."


IN NOVEMBER 2020, the Warriors were 15-50 before the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Curry played just five games due to injury, and Klay Thompson had missed the entire season with the torn ACL he suffered in the 2019 Finals -- and was slated to miss the upcoming season after tearing his Achilles that fall.

Golden State's brain trust had internal discussions about whether to add an elite two-way point guard such as Jrue Holiday, who seemed like the perfect fit with his lockdown defense and rock-solid offense to complement Curry's and Green's two-man dance and maximize their franchise player's championship window. But New Orleans was looking for significant draft assets.

The Warriors opted to hold on to their lottery picks, building a bridge toward a future after the Curry dynasty, and the Pelicans agreed to trade Holiday to the Milwaukee Bucks, in a blockbuster that included two future first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps, on Nov. 16. Two days later in the 2020 NBA draft, the Warriors selected Wiseman with the second overall pick as their big man of the future. And three days after that, the Warriors traded for Kelly Oubre Jr., sending a 2021 protected first-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

So began the two-timelines era for the Warriors -- trying to extend the Curry championship window while preparing for the post-Curry future of the franchise.

The Warriors took Kuminga seventh overall and Moody with the 14th pick in the following draft.

But four-plus years after opting to go through the draft instead of pursuing a veteran like Holiday -- who won titles in Milwaukee in 2021 and in Boston last year -- Wiseman is gone. Oubre lasted a season in the Bay, and the Warriors learned a hard lesson about what fits best around Curry. And the Warriors traded Jordan Poole and his four-year, $140-million deal to Washington a season after Green punched him in a preseason practice.

There have been some growing pains as the trio of Kuminga, Moody and Podziemski are still developing awareness and experience. The Warriors have to balance trying to win now with Curry while still allowing their younger players to learn and make mistakes.

During the Warriors' 115-113 Christmas Day loss to the Lakers, Austin Reaves drove past Wiggins for a game-winning layup as Kuminga was guarding Rui Hachimura, who was out of bounds on the baseline. Kuminga briefly turned his back, and it was too late by the time he came over to help. But the power forward was beginning to show glimpses of learning how to thrive alongside Curry and Green, averaging 24.3 points and 8.0 rebounds in the six games before he suffered an ankle injury against Memphis on Jan. 4.

After an impressive rookie season, Podziemski struggled at the start of this season, even drawing Kerr's ire about his poor decision-making after a Dec. 3 loss at Denver. Podziemski was in a dreadful 3-point shooting slump before shooting 47% from behind the arc in the nine games before he suffered an abdomen injury on Dec. 28. And Moody, shooting 42.8% from the floor, is still trying to carve out consistent minutes.

The Warriors were hoping for more from their young players as they are trying to prolong Curry's and Green's careers by managing their minutes and holding them out of back-to-backs at times.

Since Nov. 23, when their slide started with a loss against the San Antonio Spurs, the Warriors rank 26th in offensive efficiency, 19th in defensive efficiency and 23rd in pace during that span according to ESPN Research.

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Reacting to Steph Curry saying Warriors shouldn't make big move

Brian Windhorst, Shannon Sharpe and Stephen A. Smith discuss the future of Steph Curry and the Warriors.

"I feel like we have the roster to [win], and you have Steph Curry," said Wiggins, who displayed the kind of two-way game the Warriors need with 24 points and active defense in a 116-115 win at Minnesota on Wednesday.

The way Curry sees it, there are "three really good teams who've kind of separated themselves" from the rest of the league. And then there are nine teams separated by a total of 5.5 games from third to 11th in the West standings.

"There's another bucket [of] teams," Curry said. "[They] just want to get to the playoffs healthy with momentum and know anything can happen in the playoffs series. With a title being the goal, we just want to be in that bucket, and that's attainable [despite] some of our struggles this year."

But Curry can't do it alone. He is averaging 23.0 points and 31.8 minutes per game, both his lowest averages since his five-game 2019-20 season. He will need help. If it's not via trade, then that help will have to come from the roster around him.

"Whether that's personnel issue, adapting to how the league is, execution, you got to address all of that internally in our locker room," said Curry, who spoke to the players on Christmas Day about still having time to turn the season around before losing to the Lakers.

"Figure out how to each play better. That's why everybody gets rings when you win. It's a joint effort of players, coaches, front office, support staff. ... It's not my job to do everybody else's job too. So just trying to make sure we do our part down here, and then hopefully things align."

Curry said Wednesday that anyone who thinks he's OK with being on an average team is "insane." The league's greatest shooter is fixated on winning a fifth ring and thinks this team can surprise in the postseason again.

"Hundred percent feel like we can beat anybody in a playoff series because we've done it," Curry said. "We have the knowhow, and we just want to be able to answer that question with how we're playing and not imagine.

"... We've been there. We know how to do it. Just feel like we can do it again."

Veteran catcher Knapp announces retirement

Published in Baseball
Monday, 20 January 2025 09:46

Veteran catcher Andrew Knapp announced his retirement from baseball Monday.

Knapp, 33, appeared in just three games with the San Francisco Giants in 2024.

He finishes with a .209 batting average and 13 home runs in 328 career games with four teams, most notably the Philadelphia Phillies (2017-21). The Phillies selected the switch-hitter in the second round of the 2013 draft.

"I completely dedicated my life to the game, and the game blessed me with so much," he said in a post to Instagram. "Baseball has given me relationships that I will have for the rest of my life. It has taught be how to fail and how to persevere. It has taught me how to be confident but humble."

Sources: Jays, Santander reach 5-yr., $90M+ deal

Published in Baseball
Monday, 20 January 2025 09:46

The Toronto Blue Jays and outfielder Anthony Santander are in agreement on a five-year contract worth more than $90 million, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Monday, giving the team one of the best hitters available this offseason after failed attempts to land a marquee free agent in recent years.

The deal is pending a physical.

A Rule 5 selection after the 2016 season, Santander ascended to a starting role during the Baltimore Orioles' lean rebuilding years before becoming a key component for the franchise's playoff teams the last two seasons.

Santander, 30, recorded a career year at the right time in 2024, making the American League All-Star team for the first time and posting a .506 slugging percentage with 44 home runs, 102 RBI, and 25 doubles in 155 games before reaching free agency this winter.

The 44 home runs ranked third in the majors last season behind Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani. They were fifth-most ever for a switch-hitter in a single season and the most for a switch-hitter since Lance Berkman hit 45 in 2006.

Santander's shortcomings -- he has a .307 career on-base percentage and isn't a strong defender -- did not prevent him from landing a multiyear contract with an organization that has been thirsting to add impact players.

The Blue Jays have been considered finalists to sign Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes and Roki Sasaki over the last two offseasons, only to fall short in their pursuits. In Santander, Toronto adds a star a tier below those four players, but one that will bolster a lineup centered around Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who is slated for free agency next winter.

Santander also better supplements one of the best starting rotations in baseball as the organization looks to reverse its last-place finish in a loaded American League East.

Because Santander received and rejected a qualifying offer from the Orioles, the Blue Jays will lose their second-highest draft pick in 2025 and $500,000 in international bonus pool room for signing him.

MLB Network first reported Santander had reached an agreement with the Blue Jays.

Rams' Stafford: Will take time to think on future

Published in Breaking News
Sunday, 19 January 2025 21:33

PHILADELPHIA -- Less than an hour after the Los Angeles Rams lost 28-22 to the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round of the playoffs Sunday, quarterback Matthew Stafford was asked about his NFL future.

Glancing at his watch, Stafford noted that the game hadn't ended long ago and that he would "take some time to think about it."

"But I feel like I was playing some pretty good ball," Stafford said.

Asked whether he has football left in him, he said, "Sure feels like it."

Stafford, 36, has two years remaining on his contract, one he and the Rams worked to adjust heading into training camp this season. Rams coach Sean McVay declined to answer a postgame question Sunday about Stafford's future, saying, "I'm not really interested in talking about anything as it relates to next year."

"Right now, I'm just appreciative of this team," McVay said.

McVay spoke emotionally at the podium, discussing his love for this Rams team that went from 1-4 heading into its bye week before winning nine of its next 11 games to take the NFC West.

The longtime coach said the loss to the Eagles -- in which the Rams trailed by 13 points with four minutes, 47 seconds remaining before coming back to within six and in scoring position at the end of the game -- "epitomized the resilience, the grit, the ability to overcome adversity" of the team this season.

As he spoke, McVay said he was "pretty shocked" because he and everyone in the locker room "didn't see it going any other way than us winning that game 29-28."

"Everybody in this locker room, we believe in [Stafford] with every inch of our being," wide receiver Puka Nacua said. "It's a great feeling going out there and knowing that your quarterback is willing to put it all on the line and he's capable of making plays anytime it's asked of him. We have all trust in No. 9."

Stafford completed 26 of 44 passes for 324 yards for two touchdowns and no interceptions. He fumbled twice, losing one in the fourth quarter. Stafford has 15 passing touchdowns in the playoffs for the Rams, tying Kurt Warner for the most in team history, according to ESPN Research.

The Rams had a chance to score and kick an extra point to take the lead, with a first down at the Philadelphia 21 at one minute, 19 seconds left on the clock. After a false start, a 10-yard completion and a sack for a loss of 9 yards on third down, Stafford's fourth-down pass fell incomplete.

"We had every opportunity to be able to win that game at the end there," McVay said. "And we're a couple plays away from me being a lot happier right now. ... I'm happy to be a part of this team and proud of this group. And I'm really bummed out that this journey is over."

Stafford was playing through a rib injury Sunday, one he said he had been dealing with "to a varying degree for some time" but that he aggravated early in the game. He said he "was able to kind of calm it down" and "didn't feel like it was much of a factor" in the game.

"He got his rib early," McVay said. "He got dinged up. But he is a warrior. He's so tough. He represents so many things that are right about what this team became, especially for a city that's hurting and going through some different stuff.

"I think he epitomizes a lot of the stuff that's right at him in terms of toughness, resilience, ability to overcome adversity. He's a total freaking stud. And I thought he was outstanding tonight with the opportunities that he was given. ... I'm sure damn proud of Matthew Stafford."

And though Stafford said he hasn't made any decisions about his future, when recounting the end of the game, he spoke about the next time he was on the field.

"Had a chance for it and didn't get it done," Stafford said. "But I love competing. I love being in those moments. Sure as hell not afraid of them. And competed my ass off and it didn't go the way I wanted to today. Next time I'm out there, line it up. Let's do it again."

Barkley 'chasing greatness' with 205-yard game

Published in Breaking News
Sunday, 19 January 2025 21:33

PHILADELPHIA -- Running back Saquon Barkley set a franchise record for rushing yards in a postseason game with 205 to propel the Philadelphia Eagles past the Los Angeles Rams 28-22 in the NFC divisional round on Sunday.

Barkley now has the third-most rushing yards in a season, including playoffs, in NFL history with 2,329. He trails only Terrell Davis' marks of 2,331 yards in 1997 and 2,476 yards in 1998.

Scampering through the snow at Lincoln Financial Field, Barkley broke off two rushing touchdowns of 60-plus yards, reminiscent of his 255-yard, two-touchdown performance against these same Rams in Week 12. Thanks in large part to Barkley's efforts, the Eagles advanced to the NFC Championship Game, where they'll host the Washington Commanders.

Fans rejoiced by breaking out in "MVP" chants and throwing snowballs after Barkley's 78-yard TD run with under five minutes to play that helped seal the deal.

"The atmosphere was crazy. It was insane," Barkley said. "I've got a smile on my face thinking about it. This is what you dream about. This is why I came to Philly. I wanted to be part of games like this, and I'm just happy to be a part of it."

The win did come at a price, as Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts appeared to injure his left knee after a third-quarter sack in which his leg was pinned under him as safety Jaylen McCollough wrestled him to the ground. Hurts said he expects to play Sunday against Washington.

"It was a tough game, a challenging game. I was able to finish the game," said Hurts, whose mobility was clearly affected after the play. "We'll see how the week goes."

Eagles standout rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell exited the game in the first quarter because of a shoulder injury and was later ruled out.

Barkley passed a franchise mark for most rushing yards in a playoff game set by Steve Van Buren (196) in 1949, also against the Rams.

Beforehand, Barkley called on a couple of distinguished former running backs for help.

He told ESPN he spoke with LeSean McCoy, who famously rushed for 200-plus yards against the Detroit Lions in the Eagles' Snow Bowl victory in December 2013, and asked him for advice for running in the elements.

McCoy told Barkley to "run on your toes." He also said to consult the team's equipment manager, Greg Delimitros, so Barkley had the right length cleats to be able to cut in the snow.

Barkley also texted with former Rams great Marshall Faulk, wanting to know how to best approach a game versus a team that is gearing up to stop you after having previous success against the same squad.

"He told me, 'Don't predetermine plays. Trust your reads and allow your eyes and your feet to be connected. Be patient,'" Barkley said.

After Sunday's contest, Faulk texted Barkley: "Patience and trust. Great job."

Barkley's 205 rushing yards were the fifth most in postseason history. He joined Eric Dickerson as the only players to have a 200-yard rushing game in the regular season and one in the playoffs in their career.

Barkley said he looked up the Eagles' record for most rushing yards in a postseason game this week in the name of "chasing greatness."

"I felt like I had a good game last week [against the Green Bay Packers]," he said, "but you want to create a legacy, and I wanted to have one of those types of games. Just visualizing stuff and wondering what the number is. It's funny how that happened."

Jackson, Ravens refuse to blame Andrews for loss

Published in Breaking News
Sunday, 19 January 2025 21:33

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- After another frustrating finish in the playoffs, a ticked-off Lamar Jackson refused to blame tight end Mark Andrews' dropped pass on a late 2-point conversion attempt for the Baltimore Ravens' 27-25 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Sunday's AFC divisional game.

Instead, the reigning NFL most valuable player directed his anger at the Ravens' three uncharacteristic turnovers.

"Every time we in situations like this, turnovers play a factor," Jackson said while slapping his right hand into his left. "We can't have that s--- and that's why we lost the game. As you can see, we're moving the ball wonderfully ... it's hold on to the f---ing ball. I'm sorry for my language. This s--- is annoying. I'm tired of this s---."

Despite the turnovers -- which included two by Jackson -- the Ravens had a chance to tie the score in the fourth quarter. Jackson's 24-yard touchdown pass to tight end Isaiah Likely trimmed Baltimore's deficit to 27-25 with 1:33 left in the game.

On the 2-point conversion attempt, Jackson's pass hit Andrews in the stomach before the ball slipped through his grasp as he fell backward into the end zone.

"There's nobody that has more heart and cares more and fights more than Mark," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "We wouldn't be here without Mark Andrews. Destiny is a decision that you make and how you handle what comes in your life. Mark will handle it fantastic."

Andrews was not available to speak to reporters after a game in which he made uncharacteristic mistakes.

Before Sunday's game, Andrews hadn't dropped a pass since Week 6 against Washington in October. In the divisional game, Andrews dropped two passes, including the critical 2-point conversion attempt.

Andrews also fumbled near midfield during the middle of the fourth quarter when he had the ball punched out. It was the second fumble of his seven-year career.

"People don't turn on one another," Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton said. "One play doesn't define anybody. He's the all-time-leading touchdown receiver in Ravens history, so for anybody to say anything about him, you have to look in the mirror. He's been a consistent beacon of success the whole time he's been here, and for anybody to take anything away from him and his work ethic, I think it's just unfair."

Jackson spoke to Andrews on the sideline after the failed 2-point conversion in the fourth quarter.

"I'm just as hurt as Mark," Jackson said. "[It's not] his fault. All of us played a factor in that game. It's a team effort. We're not going to put that on Mark because he's been battling all season. He's been doing all the great things he's been doing all season. It [doesn't] always go our way. We want it to, but at the moment in time, it's not going our way. We need to figure it out."

Before rallying the Ravens in the second half, Jackson had an error-filled start. In a season when he threw a career-low four interceptions, Jackson had a pass picked off during the second drive of the game. On the next possession, he fumbled when trying to escape pressure.

It was an erratic performance for Jackson, who hadn't had a multiple-turnover game all season. But this marked his fourth postseason game in which he has thrown an interception and lost a fumble.

"Protecting the ball -- that's the No. 1 priority, and we didn't do it," Jackson said. "Especially me, I'm the leader. I have to protect the ball, so I'm hot."

The Ravens still haven't won consecutive playoff games in Jackson's seven seasons as their starting quarterback. Now, he has to wait another year before beginning another pursuit for that elusive Super Bowl.

"I have to get over this because we're right there," said Jackson, the only multiple NFL most valuable player award winner not to win a Super Bowl. "I'm tired of being right there, we need to punch it in. We need to punch in that ticket. We have to get right in the offseason."

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Josh Allen galloped into the back of the end zone, looked into the stands and flexed.

The Buffalo Bills quarterback followed center Connor McGovern in for the touchdown, which stretched the Bills' lead to 11 points over the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round Sunday. Though the Ravens rallied late, the Bills ultimately held on for a 27-25 win to advance to the AFC Championship Game. A dropped, would-be 2-point conversion by Mark Andrews and a subsequent onside kick recovery helped seal the win for Buffalo.

This will be the second conference title game appearance of Allen's career and ends a streak of three straight divisional round losses.

Allen did not have an eye-popping passing performance in the matchup of MVP favorites -- completing 16 of 22 passes for 127 yards -- but he led the offense to rushing touchdowns on three of four first-half drives. The quarterback also had eight carries for 22 yards.

Bills running back James Cook had 67 yards on 17 carries and kicker Tyler Bass made two field goals, including a 51-yarder. The Bills went 10-0 at home this season, tying their most home wins in a season in franchise history (1990).

The win sets up another postseason matchup between the Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs. This will be the second AFC Championship Game meeting involving Allen and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes -- the pair met in 2020 in Kansas City. It is the fourth time the quarterbacks will meet in the playoffs. The Chiefs have won the previous three games.

Buffalo Bills (15-4)

Describe the game in two words: Statement made. The Bills weren't favored against the Ravens, and there were plenty of questions about how this team measured up to Baltimore. But the Bills answered almost all of them, never giving up the lead after going up 14-7 in the second quarter.

Pivotal play: Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard forced and recovered Mark Andrews' fumble in the fourth quarter. With the Bills leading 24-19, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson connected with Andrews downfield, however, after he caught the pass, Bernard punched the ball out and jumped on it. The play not only gave the Bills offense the ball back late in the game, but stopped what would have been a good gain for the Ravens. The play was part of an opportunistic day for the Bills defense, which forced three takeaways against an offense that had just 11 in the regular season.

Troubling trend: Third-down defense. The Bills defense struggled in the regular season on third downs (43.8%, fourth worst) and that trend continued against the Ravens, who converted 7 of 10 third downs. The Ravens' third-down success helped them mount a second-half comeback. That was showcased by Derrick Henry picking up 17 yards on a third-and-1 in the third quarter. -- Alaina Getzenberg

Next game: at Chiefs (6:30 p.m. ET, CBS, Sunday)


Baltimore Ravens (13-6)

Jackson delivered a performance that was unlike any of his this season -- but was eerily reminiscent of his playoff struggles.

After committing two turnovers, Jackson will have to wait another year to reach that elusive Super Bowl. He had multiple turnovers for the first time all season, but it follows a trend in the postseason.

This was the fourth playoff game Jackson threw an interception and lost a fumble. The Ravens are 0-4 in those games.

Jackson put Baltimore in position to tie the score with 1:33 left in the game when he hit Isaiah Likely for a 24-yard touchdown pass. But Andrews' drop on the 2-point conversion sealed the disappointing defeat.

Jackson falls to 1-4 in divisional round and conference championship games. He remains the only two-time NFL Most Valuable Player not to win a Super Bowl.

Troubling trend: The Ravens' struggles on 2-point conversions. Andrews' drop stopped the Ravens from tying the score and became an all-too-familiar sight. It was the second failed 2-point conversion for Baltimore in this game, and the Ravens finished the season 1-of-5 on 2-point conversions. The Ravens' only conversion came on a designed rushing play.

Pivotal play: Jackson's fumble in the second quarter. With the score tied at 7, it looked like the Ravens were about to take the lead, but another Jackson mistake cost them. After driving to the Bills' 28-yard line, Jackson pulled in a high snap and then lost his grip on the ball when he tried to escape pressure. The Bills returned the fumble 39 yards and scored on Allen's touchdown run four plays later. It was only the second time that Jackson has lost a fumble in his past 12 games.

Describe the game in two words: Uncharacteristic mistakes. After setting a team record in 2024 with the fewest turnovers in a season (11), the Ravens turned the ball over three times against the Bills. The last came in the middle of the third quarter when Andrews had the ball punched away around midfield. This was Andrews' second lost fumble of his seven-year career. -- Jamison Hensley

Thunder's Daigneault earns All-Star coach nod

Published in Basketball
Sunday, 19 January 2025 19:17

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault will lead one of the four teams in next month's NBA All-Star Game in San Francisco.

Daigneault earned his first All-Star head coach nod after the Thunder clinched the best record in the Western Conference through games of Feb. 2, improving to 35-7 with Sunday's 127-101 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

Daigneault is the first Oklahoma City head coach to earn the honor since Scott Brooks in the 2013-14 season.

Daigneault's selection also assures that a Thunder assistant coach will be the head coach for one of the other four NBA All-Star teams. The head coach and an assistant from the Eastern Conference squad with the best record through Feb. 2 will coach the other two teams.

The NBA adopted a new one-night All-Star Game tournament this season with three teams comprised of eight All-Stars drafted to teams by former NBA players Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal of TNT's "Inside the NBA."

The winner of the Rising Stars challenge competition between first- and second-year players will be the fourth team in the All-Star Game tournament.

Field Level Media contributed to this report.

Draymond ruled out vs. Celtics on Mon.; Curry iffy

Published in Basketball
Sunday, 19 January 2025 19:17

SAN FRANCISCO -- Golden State Warriors star forward Draymond Green has been ruled out of Monday's home game against the Boston Celtics with a left calf strain, while Stephen Curry is questionable with a left ankle sprain.

Head coach Steve Kerr said Green was supposed to undergo an MRI on Sunday, and the Warriors are expected to give an update on his injury Monday.

The Warriors could be looking at some time without their defensive leader, who limped off the floor just three minutes into Saturday's game with the calf injury and was ruled out shortly after that.

Green had just returned after missing the three previous games due to illness and a back issue.

Curry, meanwhile, injured his left ankle near the end of Saturday's 122-114 win over the Washington Wizards. He said Saturday in the locker room that he "feels great" and "see you on Monday."

The Warriors (21-20) have been hit hard by injuries. Jonathan Kuminga injured his right ankle on Jan. 4 and was ruled out for at least three weeks. He likely will need longer than that to return. Brandin Podziemski has been out since Dec. 28 with an abdominal injury. Kyle Anderson is out with a glute injury.

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