Friday Facts You Might Have Missed
NFL
It is highly doubtful at this point that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts will take the field come Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Hurts was a limited participant in practice on Thursday. The 24-year-old is battling a shoulder injury that he suffered in week 15 against the Chicago Bears.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will sit out this weeks matchup against the Pittsburg Steelers. This will be his 4th straight game missed due to a knee injury.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was "offically" ruled out of this weeks game against the New England Patriots, head coach Mike McDaniel made the announcement on Friday. Teddy Bridgewater will start for the Dolphins, who are 8-7 heading into week 17 and holding the final AFC wildcard spot.
San Francisco 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel is out for Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders. The 26-year-old was able to return to practice 2 days this week, participating on limited basis both Thursday and Friday. Samuel injured both his knee and his ankle in their win over Tampa Bay on Dec. 11.
NBA
LeBron James putting up a season high 47 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists on his 38th birthday to help take the Los Angeles Lakers to a win over the Atlanta Hawks 130-121. James, who shot 18-of-27 in 40 minutes played, saying after the game:
"I called it before the game, so I had to make it happen. After starting 1-for-5, I didn't know it was going to happen."
Giannis Antetokounmpo putting up 43 points and 20 rebounds on Friday night, helping the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 123-114. The Bucks putting a stop to the 4 game slide they were stuck on. The 28-year-old has topped 40 points in 4 out of the last 6 games.
Jordan Poole scored 41 points, Klay Thompson contributed 31 and had a clutch 3-pointer with just 1:36 left to play, and the Golden State Warriors fended off the Portland Trail Blazers 118-112. The Warriors currently sit with the league's best home record at 16-2.
NHL
The Carolina Hurricanes rolling over the Florida Panthers 4-0 on Friday night. Antti Raanta had 19 saves for his 2nd shutout in a row and the 17th of his career. The Hurricanes scored on 3 power plays giving them a franchise-record 10th consecutive win.
MLB
The Arizona Diamondbacks and free-agent 3rd baseman Evan Longoria have come to an agreement on a 1 year contract. The deal guarantees the 37-year-old $4 million and the opportunity for an additional $1 million in bonuses.
The Boston Red Sox continue on with their questionable off-season journey now saying they are open to hearing trade offers for their starting pitchers. This apparently includes left-hander Chris Sale, regardless of the team saying early in the offseason they had no intention of trading him. Here is a not so secret, secret for you... no one is coming to knock on that door.