MVP Showdown

Good Morning! It’s already Wednesday,, thanks to the short work week. We’re going to dig into some NBA action, including a matchup between MVPs, a comeback by Phoenix, we’re also going to take a look at some hockey, and even some tennis in the land down under!

Let’s get right into it.

Denver Nuggets 121 | Philadelphia 76ers 126

🏆️ We had a battle between former MVPs last night in Philly. Joel Embiid and the Sixers took down the Nuggets in a close matchup. Embiid would end his 16 game streak of scoring 30+ and have 10+ rebounds as he scored 41 but only had 7 rebounds. Embiid was close to a triple-double as he had 10 assists. While Embiid outscored Nikola Jokic (25 points), Jokic didn’t have a problem with rebounds. Jokic grabbed 19 boards but still came up short.

👉️ Jokic was the top scorer for Denver last night although the Nuggets did have double digit scoring from 7 guys.

👀 You might not think there was enough to go around with Embiid scoring 41 but Tyrese Maxey was able get 25 on his own and Tobias Harris had 24.

Sacramento Kings 117 | Phoenix Suns 119

🎬️Let’s set the scene. The Kings were up 22 points with 8:22 to go. They had to feel pretty good as they were about to grab a road win in Phoenix. If Lee Corso were involved with the NBA, he’d say NOT SO FAST!

👉️ Kevin Durant would hit two 3-pointers in a row to change the momentum. Eric Gordon would do the same a few moments later. The Suns would then close the game out on a 23-4 run that included KD hitting two free throws with 1.8 seconds left to get the W. In totality, the Suns had a 32-8 run that completed the comeback.

👀 Grayson Allen tied a Suns franchise record by hitting NINE 3-pointers in this game. Allen finished with 29 points, and KD finished with 27. The Suns are playing with a mostly healthy bunch now and got 16 points from Devin Booker, 13 from Bradley Beal, and 10 points from Jusuf Nurkic.

👍️ The Kings may have lost but they still had a competitive day with Domantas Sabonis grabbing his 11th triple double of the season with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists. De’Aaron Fox also scored 33 points.

NHL News

Seattle Kraken 2 | New York Rangers 5

🥅 Igor Shesterkin helped the Rangers get their 2nd straight win after losing 4 straight by playing lights out in goal.

🏒 The Rangers got the boost they needed from Kaapo Kakko, who rejoined the team after being out for 21 games with a lower-body injury. Kakko scored a goal that put the Rangers up 4-1, and Blake Wheeler scored 2 goals that included an empty netter to seal up the game.

🚌 The Rangers hit the road for the next 4 games as they head out for another west coast trip.

Toronto Maple Leafs 2 | Edmonton Oilers 4

🏆️ We had an NHL matchup between two former MVPs last night when Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid faced off in Edmonton.

🏒 Matthews scored the first goal of the game for Toronto in the opening 30 seconds, and the Leafs would take a 2-0 lead in the 2nd period. The Oilers didn’t count themselves out, as they scored four unanswered goals to get the W at home.

👉️ Matthews leads the league with 33 goals.

🎥 Watch the go-ahead goal below.

Rough Day For Team Owners

These are two separate topics, and we’re just lumping them into the owner’s group.

James Dolan Scandal

The owner of the New York Knicks & Rangers and primary shareholder in MSG Entertainment and The Sphere Las Vegas, James Dolan, has been named in a lawsuit that he sexually assaulted a woman who was traveling with his band in 2013. Dolan has denied these accusations, and the NBA and NHL have read the articles that are in the public domain. Both leagues are awaiting more information before they hand down any disciplinary action. You can read more here.

Jim Irsay Found Unresponsive

There is news that Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay was found unresponsive at his home, and it was caused by some type of drug overdose. This is actually from an incident that occurred early in December 2023. The Colts have released a statement claiming Irsay is recovering from a respiratory illness. We hope everything is okay with Irsay, as he had struggles in the past with alcohol and painkiller addictions.

Australian Open

🎾 Tennis might not be your thing, and that’s okay. Just hear me out. There’s less football on, we’re in the middle of the NBA season, and some games just aren’t that competitive. Golf season is starting up, but we’re missing some bigger names from the competitions, too. Try turning on some grand slam tennis late at night or early in the AM. It’s a great way to start a Saturday morning watching the best in the world compete.

👀 You might even catch Novak Djokovic getting into it with the fans, live in action.

Here’s the schedule for the next few days if you want to tune in.

Wednesday, Jan. 17

Second Round, 3 a.m. - 7 a.m. ET, ESPN2

Second Round, 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. ET, ESPN2

Thursday, Jan. 18

Second Round, 3 a.m. - 7 a.m. ET, ESPN2

Third Round, 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. ET, ESPN2

Friday, Jan. 19

Third Round, 3 a.m. - 7 a.m. ET, ESPN2

Third Round, 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. ET, ESPN2

Saturday, Jan. 20

Third Round, 3 a.m. - 7 a.m. ET, ESPN2

Round of 16, 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. ET, ESPN2

Sunday, Jan. 21

Round of 16, 3 a.m. - 7 a.m. ET, ESPN2

Round of 16, 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. ET, ESPN2

What’s On TV Tonight?

NBA

🏀 Milwaukee Bucks @ Cleveland Cavaliers, 7:30 pm ET on ESPN

🏀 Dallas Mavericks @ LA Clippers, 8:30 pm ET on ABC

College Basketball

🏀 #18 Creighton @ #1 UConn, 7 pm ET on FS1

🏀 Mississippi State @ #8 Kentucky, 7 pm ET on ESPN2

🏀 #25 Texas Tech @ #5 Houston, 9 pm ET on ESPNU

🏀 USC @ #12 Arizona, 10 pm ET on ESPN

NHL

🏒 Detroit Red Wings @ Florida Panthers, 7 pm ET on ESPN+

🏒 Montreal Canadiens @ NJ Devils, 7 pm ET on ESPN+

🏒 Chicago Blackhawks @ Buffalo Sabres, 7:30 pm ET on TNT

That’s all for today. Enjoy your Wednesday, and we’ll see you tomorrow!

-The Daily Breakroom