🚨 Texans voice dismay of officials after loss

Eagles make playoff history, Marchand benched in overtime, McDavid faces suspension, A possible Twins buyer, and more

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Sportie Newsletter
January 19, 2025

🏀 Basketball

Mavericks predicted to trade for Pistons' $60 million center following Dereck Lively's injury

The Dallas Mavericks could be adding some much-needed size and toughness to the mix.

The team has Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford handling the center duties, but they can use another big man who can ease their minutes, muck it up down low, and provide a little floor spacing.

FanSided suggests that the organization trades for Isaiah Stewart of the Detroit Pistons.

Stewart's numbers are a bit down across the board this season. He's still rebounding at a high rate but is shooting just 24.2% from three-point range after shooting nearly 40% last season.

🏈 Football

Texans voice dismay with officiating following 23-14 Divisional Round loss to Chiefs

As the Kansas City Chiefs' odyssey for a third consecutive Super Bowl trophy marched onward, the Houston Texans were left stewing.

An underdog ahead of their wild-card home win over the Los Angeles Chargers last week, the Texans assumed an us-against-everybody mantra entering the Divisional Round.

However, after Saturday's 23-14 loss to the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Texans had a more controversial tone, taking umbrage with the eight accepted penalties they drew, in particular a pair of 15-yarders for hitting Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Eagles make NFL playoff history

When the Philadelphia Eagles played the Los Angeles Rams during the regular season, the Eagles piled up 314 rushing yards in a 37-20 win. The first quarter of their rematch was a clear indication they'd get near that number again in the divisional round of the playoffs. 

The Eagles rushed for 115 yards in the first quarter, and a big reason they were able to do that is because they accomplished a feat that no NFL team had pulled off in the postseason in more than 60 years: They had two touchdown runs of 40 yards or more. 

They would end up piling up 285 rushing yards in a 28-22 win over the Rams.

🏒 Hockey

Brad Marchand benched in Bruins overtime

Boston’s team captain, Brad Marchand, didn’t see the ice in overtime or the shootout.

The Bruins’ all-time leading overtime goal-scorer wasn’t on the bench due to injury during those periods. Rather, it was a coach’s decision by head coach Joe Sacco.

Sacco didn’t offer an explanation beyond that while speaking with reporters postgame. “No, he wasn’t hurt, no. Nope,” he said.

When asked if Marchand’s absence was a coach’s decision, Sacco replied:

“Yeah, yeah.”

Connor McDavid, Tyler Myers Face Possible NHL Suspensions

Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid and Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers will have disciplinary hearings with the NHL—and are facing possible suspensions—for a pair of cross-checking penalties in the final seconds of Saturday's 3-2 win for the Canucks.

McDavid got tied up with Vancouver's Conor Garland and cross-checked him in the head, while Myers cross-checked Edmonton's Evan Bouchard. Both were penalized in the game.

⚾️ Baseball

Before Roki Sasaki’s posting, MLB found no evidence of handshake deal with Dodgers

TThe signing of Japanese star pitcher Roki Sasaki by the Los Angeles Dodgers was met with controversy due to pre-signing speculation and concerns about the Dodgers' potential competitive advantage.

While MLB investigations found no evidence of wrongdoing, rumors persisted about a prior agreement. Sasaki's decision to wait until the 2025 international signing period ensured fairness for all teams, though it slightly disadvantaged the Dodgers due to their smaller bonus pool.

Despite this, the Dodgers' recent World Series win, strong pitching development, and the presence of Sasaki's Japanese teammates proved to be significant factors in attracting him to Los Angeles.

Phoenix Suns minority owner Justin Ishbia emerges as bidder for Minnesota Twins

The ownership group that recently purchased the Phoenix Suns — before promptly making a splash by acquiring Kevin Durant — is now interested in buying the Minnesota Twins.

A source briefed on the situation confirmed that Justin Ishbia and his brother, Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner Mat Ishbia, are interested in buying the Twins from the Pohlad family, which began exploring a sale in October after 40 years of ownership. Bloomberg first reported the Ishbias’ interest in the Twins.