ew Page 1419 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Wild, Stars fresh and focused after holiday break
The Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars hope to exit the holiday break the way they went into it when they meet on Friday night in Dallas -- as winners.,Both teams entered play Monday on short losing streaks, but came away with victories before getting a few days off the ice.,Dallas knocked off the Utah...

Blazers coach Chauncey Billups to miss 2 games
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups will miss the next two games following the death of his grandmother.,The team confirmed that assistant Nate Bjorkgren will coach Thursday night's home game against the Utah Jazz and Saturday's home date with the Philadelphia 76ers.,The Blazers (9-20) hav...

Red Wings 'reset,' to debut new leadership vs. Leafs
The Detroit Red Wings will return from their Christmas break with a brand new look and perhaps a long-awaited burst of energy.,When the Red Wings face the Toronto Maple Leafs at home for the second time in two weeks on Friday, it will be with a hew head coach after Derek Lalonde and associate coach ...

Report: QB Teddy Bridgewater to unretire, rejoin Lions
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is coming out of retirement to rejoin the Detroit Lions, NFL Network reported Thursday.,Bridgewater, 32, appeared in one game (three snaps) for the Lions last season. He announced his retirement in February and spent the 2024 season coaching his alma mater Miami Northwe...

MWC powers clash as Utah State visits No. 20 San Diego State
A pair of Mountain West Conference powers square off Saturday, when No. 20 San Diego State hosts Utah State in each team's second conference game.,The Aztecs (8-2, 1-0 MWC) climbed three spots in this week's poll and have a five-game winning streak. Head coach Brian Dutcher's squad is ranked in the ...

Red Wings fire Derek Lalonde, hire Todd McLellan
The Detroit Red Wings fired Derek Lalonde and named Todd McLellan their new head coach on Thursday.,Lalonde, 52, is 13-17-4 in his third season on the bench and 89-86-23 overall. Detroit is seventh in the Atlantic Division and on pace to miss the playoffs for the ninth straight season.,McLellan, 57,...

Simona Halep, on comeback trail, pulls out of Australian Open
Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep withdrew from qualifying for the Australian Open, citing knee and shoulder pain.,Halep announced Thursday via Instagram that she also won't compete in the ASB Classic in Auckland, a tune-up for the Australian Open that begins next week. Halep said she began ...

Titans, Jaguars seek spark in battle of struggling AFC South teams
If the Tennessee Titans' contest against the host Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday were a bowl game, some might term it the Tank Bowl.,In a matchup of 3-12 AFC South teams playing out the string of forgettable seasons, it could be argued that the loser will come out ahead in the long run. After all, t...

Short-handed Eagles add QB Ian Book to practice squad
With the quarterback position suddenly an uncertainty, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Ian Book to the practice squad on Thursday.,Book, who was brought in for a visit on Christmas Day, has some familiarity with the organization. He was waived by the Eagles in August 2023 as they finalized their 53-m...

Predators face Blues, look to maintain momentum
Thanks to a strong homestand, the Nashville Predators return from the Christmas break playing perhaps their best hockey of a dismal season. ,Meanwhile, the St. Louis Blues will try to post back-to-back victories for the first time in more than three weeks. ,Riding a four-game point streak, the Preda...

Reports: Miami basketball coach Jim Larranaga to resign
Jim Larranaga is stepping down immediately as coach of the Miami Hurricanes, multiple outlets reported Thursday.,The school has scheduled a news conference for Thursday afternoon.,Larranaga, 75, led the Hurricanes to their first Final Four in school history in 2023, losing to eventual champion UConn...

Buccaneers place S Christian Izien (pectoral) on IR
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed starting safety Christian Izien on injured reserve Thursday, likely ending his season.,Izien, 24, sustained a pectoral injury during last Sunday's 26-24 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas.,The second-year player has 75 tackles, one interception and one for...

Dolphins waiving LB Shaq Barrett from reserve/retired list
The Miami Dolphins are waiving two-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Shaquil Barrett from the reserve/retired list on Thursday, his agent confirmed to ESPN.,Barrett, 32, would be eligible to play again this season if he clears waivers and signs with another team. If another team claims him, however, the vet...

Sabres riding rare momentum into battle with Blackhawks
After ending a 13-game winless drought, the Buffalo Sabres will look to start stringing some victories together when they host the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night.,Buffalo's nightmarish 0-10-3 streak was snapped in emphatic fashion in Monday's 7-1 win over the New York Islanders. All of the Sabre...

No. 25 Baylor aims to shake off rust vs. Arlington Baptist
Baylor is back in the Associated Press Top 25 after a two-week hiatus -- checking in at No. 25 -- and will return to action after more than two-week break when the Bears host Arlington Baptist on Friday night in Waco, Texas.,By all accounts, this should be a tuneup as Baylor prepares for Big 12 play...

Eagles bring in QB Ian Book for visit with Jalen Hurts (concussion) ailing
With the quarterback position suddenly an uncertainty, the Philadelphia Eagles brought QB Ian Book in for a visit on Christmas Day.,Book, 26, has some familiarity with the organization. He was waived by the Eagles in August 2023 as they finalized their 53-man roster.,Starter Jalen Hurts is in the co...

Heat sign G League standout Keshad Johnson
The Miami Heat announced the signing of NBA G League standout Keshad Johnson on Thursday.,The team converted his two-way contract to a standard two-year NBA deal. Terms were not disclosed.,Johnson, 23, has averaged 21.2 points and 8.2 rebounds in 13 starts for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Miami's G Lea...

With question at QB, Eagles bid to wrap up NFC East vs. Cowboys
The Eagles are looking to clinch the NFC East title while completing a rare sweep of the rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in Philadelphia. ,The Eagles (12-3) may have to play without starting quarterback Jalen Hurts, who sustained a concussion during last weekend's 36-33 loss at Washington that snappe...

Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III (ankle) out vs. Bears
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III has been ruled out of Thursday's game against the host Chicago Bears due to an ankle injury.,Walker returned from a two-game absence due to an ailing calf on Sunday before injuring his ankle in the Seahawks' 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.,Zach C...

Chasing playoff berth, Buccaneers take on Panthers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have done enough to stay in the chase for a postseason spot, but they can't afford a slip-up.,The Carolina Panthers will try to knock an opponent out of playoff contention for the second week in a row when they visit the Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon at Tampa, Fla.,"We unde...