w Page 344 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Jake DeBrusk likely to sit out as forward-rich Canucks face surging Kraken
Vancouver coach Adam Foote suddenly has an excess of forwards, as the Canucks have gotten some players back to full strength and added others via the Quinn Hughes trade more than two weeks ago.,Which led to a surprise announcement Sunday.,Top-six winger Jake DeBrusk apparently will be a healthy scra...

Mavericks have recent history on their side against Trail Blazers
The scuffling Dallas Mavericks figure to be happy to see the Portland Trail Blazers on the schedule for Monday night.,Dallas will seek to knock off the host Trail Blazers for the 15th time in the past 18 meetings when the clubs battle for the second time this season.,The Mavericks recorded a 138-133...

Thunder relying more on Chet Holmgren as they face Hawks
When Oklahoma City Thunder big man Chet Holmgren broke into the league in 2023, after missing his first season due to injury, he was wiry and had plenty of room to grow physically.,Now in his third season, Holmgren certainly isn't the most physically imposing 7-footer, but he continues to hold his o...

Scottie Barnes has tough act to follow -- his own -- when Raptors host Magic
Scottie Barnes and the Toronto Raptors will be riding a strong wave of momentum Monday night when they host the Orlando Magic.,Barnes opened Toronto's five-game homestand on Sunday with his seventh career triple-double in a 141-127 overtime victory over the Golden State Warriors.,With 23 points, a c...

Cam Thomas sparking Nets as they welcome turnover-prone Warriors
Cam Thomas returned from missing nearly two months with a hamstring injury and the Brooklyn Nets kept winning.,Coming off a successful return in a reserve role, Thomas hopes to help the Nets extend their winning streak to four games on Monday when they host the Golden State Warriors, who are at .500...

Suns, Wizards look to reach new heights
The Phoenix Suns and host Washington Wizards, two teams riding high, will meet in the third contest of the Suns' four-game road trip on Monday.,The Suns (18-13) could reach a season-high six games over .500; the Wizards have won two in a row for the first time this season and have won four of seven,...

Blue Jackets heating up ahead of road game vs. Senators
The Columbus Blue Jackets visit the Ottawa Senators on Monday night fresh off a come-from-behind victory and the winners of two straight.,Trailing 2-1, the Blue Jackets rallied for three goals in the third period on Sunday for a 4-2 victory over the visiting New York Islanders.,"I love the way we pl...

Steelers-Ravens to decide playoff berth on Sunday night stage
The Pittsburgh Steelers will host the Baltimore Ravens in a battle for the AFC North title and a playoff berth next Sunday night, the NFL announced after the finish of play on Dec. 28.,The loser of the clash between the Ravens (8-8) and Steelers (9-7) will miss the playoffs. Kickoff is set for 8:20 ...

Postgame X-rays negative on Bills QB Josh Allen's foot
Buffalo star quarterback Josh Allen's injured right foot was examined after Sunday's 13-12 home loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and X-rays were negative, Bills coach Sean McDermott said.,"Nothing new has popped up to this point," McDermott said of Allen's health.,Allen played Sunday after injuring t...

Reports: Falcons, Matt Ryan have discussed potential role in front office
Matt Ryan, an NFL Most Valuable Player during a storied career with the Atlanta Falcons, is in conversations with his former team about returning for a role in the front office, according to multiple reports on Sunday.,Fox NFL reporter Jay Glazer reported that Ryan is "seriously considering the move...

Myles Garrett: Steelers focused more on stopping me than winning
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett said he felt like the Pittsburgh Steelers were more focused on preventing him from setting the single-season sack record than winning on Sunday.,Garrett entered Week 17 with 22 sacks -- one shy of breaking the NFL record of 22.5 shared by Pro Football Hal...

Orioles bring back RHP Zach Eflin on 1-year deal
Free agent right-hander Zach Eflin re-signed with the Baltimore Orioles on a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2027 on Sunday night.,Terms were not disclosed, but MLB Network first reported that the contract is worth a guaranteed $10 million.,He became a free agent in November at the conclu...

Philip Rivers 'on board' with any Week 18 QB decision Colts make
Philip Rivers said he has no regrets about coming out of retirement at 44 years old despite losing all three of his starts and knowing that Sunday might have been his final one.,The Colts, who were already eliminated from playoff position, lost their sixth consecutive game with Sunday's 23-17 setbac...

Justin Brazeau's hat trick powers Penguins' blitz of Blackhawks
Justin Brazeau notched a hat trick, Bryan Rust scored twice and Anthony Mantha had a goal and an assist to boost the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins to a 7-3 rout of the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.,Pittsburgh seized control with an explosive first period, beating Chicago goaltender Spencer Knight wit...

Simon Edvinsson's OT winner nudges Red Wings past Maple Leafs
Simon Edvinsson scored with 3:14 remaining in overtime as the host Detroit Red Wings captured a 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday.,Edvinsson skated into the crease and scored on a backhander as the Red Wings maintained a two-point lead in the Atlantic Division.,Moritz Seider and Mason A...

Packers dispel QB1 doubt, plan to stay with Jordan Love
Malik Willis might start again for the Packers in a Week 18 that won't change the playoff standing for Green Bay, but his spot in the quarterback pecking order is unchanged. ,Willis outperformed expectations in the Packers' 41-24 loss Saturday to the Ravens with Jordan Love on the sideline due to co...

Justin Brazeau hat trick powers Penguins blitz of Blackhawks
Justin Brazeau notched a hat trick, Bryan Rust scored twice, and Anthony Mantha had a goal and assist to boost the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins to a 7-3 rout of the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.,Pittsburgh seized control with an explosive first period, beating Chicago goaltender Spencer Knight with ...

North Texas star RB Caleb Hawkins headed to transfer portal
North Texas star running back Caleb Hawkins, the national leader with 29 touchdowns, announced Sunday that he will enter the transfer portal.,The freshman sensation rushed for 1,434 yards and 25 touchdowns and caught 32 passes for 370 yards and four scores for the Mean Green (12-2).,Hawkins' 29 tota...

Jose Alvarado, Mark Williams suspended for roles in Pelicans-Suns fight
The NBA on Sunday announced suspensions for Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado and Phoenix center Mark Williams following their altercation in the Suns' 123-114 win in New Orleans Saturday night.,Alvarado received a two-game suspension without pay, while Williams received one game without pay.,The alterca...

Minnesota out to resume unselfish ways vs. Fairleigh Dickinson
Most of Minnesota's players spent at least part of their winter break distributing presents.,Now that the Golden Gophers are back on campus, coach Niko Medved wants to see those same players maintain the giving spirit by distributing the basketball. ,Minnesota (7-5) will look to get back into its go...