Saturday Shenanigans You Might Have Missed
NFL
The Denver Broncos making the announcement on Saturday that they have hired Joe Lombardi as their new offensive coordinator. The 51-year-old served as the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021 and 2022, he was let go last month. Lombardi worked with head coach Sean Payton previously on the New Orleans Saints, serving as the offensive assistant in 2007 and 2008, and quarterbacks coach from 2009-2013.
The Jacksonville Jaguars and defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris have come to an agreement on the terms of a $30 million, 3-year contract extension. The 29-year-old signed with Jacksonville as a free-agent in 2021.
NBA
A wild end to the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76er's game on Saturday night that ended with Boston on top 110-107. Celtics star Jayson Tatum came through with a clutch 3-pointer with the game tied at 107 all, putting them up by 3 with just 1.3 seconds left on the clock. As Tatum backpedaled down the court to go celebrate with his team a GIANT 70-foot flew right over his head and into the basket. The spectacular shot thrown by 76er's big man Joel Embiid was a split second too late, giving the Eastern Conference leading Celtics their 44th win on the season.
Milwaukee Bucks big man Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t play in Sunday game against the Phoenix Suns. The team is saying that he is suffering from a bruised right quadricep. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer saying:
“It’s enough where he can’t play today, but I think we’re also confident that this is just a fairly common occurrence in our league. You hit knees, you knock, sometimes it takes a day or two, and it’s really nothing more than that. The level of conversations have all been kind of along that line.”
NHL
The West-leading Dallas Stars edged out the Vegas Golden Knights in the shootout after a scoreless OT, winning 3-2. Wyatt Johnston and Hintz scored in regulation for Dallas, Jamie Benn had 2 assists, and Jake Oettinger managed 41 saves for the Stars.
The Montreal Canadiens getting hit with bad news on the injury front on Saturday. Rookie defenseman Arber Xhekaj will undergo season-ending surgery on his right shoulder next week, and forward Kirby Dach is out indefinitely with a lower-body injury.
MLB
3rd baseman Manny Machado and the San Diego Padres are finalizing and 11-year, $350 million dollar contract extension. The deal contains no opt-outs and a full no-trade clause.
We are 2 days into the use of the pitch clock in MLB and it has directly affected the outcome of a game for the 1st time. Saturday's Grapefruit League game between the Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox ended with a 3rd strike call on Braves 2nd baseman Cal Conley for pitch clock violation. There were bases loaded, 2 outs and a full count on the batter when Conley was assessed the automatic strike call for the violation.