Good Morning
Like clockwork. We had a plan for today’s top story, but Giannis thought he’d casually break the Bucks’ franchise scoring record late last night (64!).
Reminder: Tomorrow is our last normal edition before the holiday break. We’ll dive into the NCAA Transfer Portal, Draymond Green’s unprecedented suspension, and more before stepping away.
Letter Rip!
NBA
Greek God: Almighty Giannis Scores 64 Points
Giannis Antetokounmpo Breaks Milwaukee Bucks Franchise Record With Career-High 64 Points
There’s a new bar in Milwaukee! Giannis Antetokounmpo made Bucks franchise history on Wednesday night with a 64-point performance in a win over the Pacers (140-126). The previous franchise mark was 57 points set by Michael Redd in 2006. Giannis somehow only had 38 heading into the 4th, but he was dominant down the stretch and scored 26 of the Bucks’ final 36. His 64 points also breaks his own personal mark of 55, and he becomes just the fifth player in NBA history to go for 60 while shooting 70 percent or better (20-for-28 FG, 24-for-32 FTs). There’s another familiar name on that list.
60+ Points / 70% Shooting (NBA History)
Watch: Giannis Goes for Career-High & Franchise Record 64 Points
Ill-Will in Milwaukee
Aside from Giannis’ record-setting night, the game was full of scuffles. Aaron Nesmith and Bobby Portis got into it in the 4th quarter. Portis got ejected. There was confusion afterwards in regards to the game-ball that led to a brawl in the hallway outside the Pacers’ locker room (no video evidence). The Pacers reportedly took the game-ball for Oscar Tshiebwe’s first career points, but Giannis wanted it for his career-high (obviously). We’ll wait and see if the NBA steps in.
Other NBA News & Highlights
Other Top Performers
Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies): 44 points, 7 rebounds
Joel Embiid (76ers): 41 points, 11 rebounds
Brandon Ingram (Pelicans): 40 points
Anthony Davis (Lakers): 37 points, 10 rebounds
*All Links to Highlights
Draymond Green Suspended Indefinitely
The league announced it has suspended Warriors’ Draymond Green “indefinitely” following his latest ejection on Tuesday. Green swung on Suns’ center Jusuf Nurkic. He had already been suspended for five games earlier this season. Draymond is now the second-most ejected player in NBA history (20 total). Only Rasheed Wallace (29) has more. We’ll have more on this developing story in tomorrow’s edition.
Read More
ESPN: Giannis Breaks Records With 64, But Postgame Scuffle With Pacers Mars Bucks’ Win
Yahoo! Sports: Suns Drop 1st Game With All of Big 3 (Durant, Booker, Beal) on Court Together
B/R: Warriors’ Draymond Green Suspended Indefinitely After Flagrant Foul on Jusuf Nurkic Tuesday Night
______________________________________________________________________________________
NFL
The Patriot Way Forward
New England Patriots Reportedly ‘Already Decided’ to Move on From Bill Belichick in 2024
It’s been a growing rumor over the past few weeks, but Wednesday morning brought more light to Bill Belichick’s future with the New England Patriots. The Pats are 3-10 through 13 games, and they’re one of just two teams that have already been eliminated from the playoffs. The other? The Carolina Panthers (1-12), who have already fired their coach. NBC Sports Boston’s Tom E. Curran reported that team owner Robert Kraft has already made the decision to part ways with his six-time Super Bowl champion coach after the season ends. Belichick, in his typically dry deflecting tone, answered questions about the report on Wednesday morning by saying, “I’m getting ready for Kansas City.”
The Patriots rank dead last in the NFL in points per game (13.0). They’ve scored less than 10 points five times this season, including four games without a touchdown and two games where they didn’t score at all (0 points).
Read More
Yahoo! Sports: Patriots Have Reportedly Already Decided to Move on From Bill Belichick in 2024
CBS Sports: Bill Belichick Landing Spots: Potential Suitors for Coach if New England Era Ends
______________________________________________________________________________________
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Paris & Porto Into Final 16
Champions League: PSG & FC Porto Claim the Final 2 Knockout Bids — All Eyes on the Round of 16 Draw
Survival on the final day! Five clubs entered Wednesday with their Champions League Knockout hopes on the line, and only two will be playing in 2024 — Paris Saint-Germain and FC Porto. PSG salvaged a 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund thanks to Warren Zaire-Emergy’s second-half equalizer. That was all they needed to seal their spot alongside Dortmund from Group F. In Group H, a head-to-head between FC Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk would decide the final slot. Porto poured in five goals (5-3) in an offensive outburst. And that’s a wrap on the Group Stage! None of the other five games had a say in the final standings.
Matchday 6 Highlights
FC Porto def. Shakhtar Donetsk (5-3)
PSG draw Borussia Dortmund (1-1)
Atletico Madrid def. Lazio (2-0)
Advanced to Knockout Rounds (16)
Group A: Bayern (16 pts), Copenhagen (8 pts)
Group B: Arsenal (13 pts), PSV (9 pts)
Group C: Real Madrid (18 pts), Napoli (10 pts),
Group D: Real Sociedad (12 pts), Inter (12 pts)
Group E: Atletico Madrid (14 pts), Lazio (10 pts)
Group F: Dortmund (11 pts), PSG (8 pts)
Group G: Man. City (18 pts), RB Leipzig (12 pts)
Group H: Barcelona (12 pts), FC Porto (12 pts)
Round of 16 Draw: Next Monday (Dec. 18)
The 1st Leg of the Round of 16 Begins Feb. 13-14
Read More
FOX Sports: UCL: PSG Advance, AC Milan Eliminate Newcastle, Barcelona Stunned
AP: Galeno’s 2 Goals Power Porto Past Shakhtar 5-3 & Into Champions League 16
______________________________________________________________________________________
STORYLINES
Two Washington sports franchises — the Wizards (NBA) and Capitals (NHL) — will be moving across the river to Virginia beginning in 2028. Monumental Sports and Entertainment owner Ted Leonsis announced the move Wednesday. (CBS Sports)
Justin Herbert joined the list of injured star quarterbacks on Sunday—a list that’s grown long as the season has progressed. But this trend is something the NFL will have to reckon with sooner rather than later. (The Ringer)
Now that Shohei Ohtani’s deal with the Dodgers is finalized, much of this offseason’s focus will center around the starting pitching market, not just in free agency but also the myriad aces reportedly available via trade. (MLB.com)
______________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS
______________________________________________________________________________________
SCHEDULE
Today’s Must-Watch List
Thursday Night Football
Chargers at Raiders (8:15 pm ET, PRIME)
NBA
Cavaliers at Celtics (7:30 pm ET, NBATV)
Timberwolves at Mavericks (8:30 pm ET)
Thunder at Kings (10:00 pm ET)
Warriors at Clippers (10:30 pm ET, NBATV)
NHL
Hurricanes at Red Wings (7:30 pm ET, Hulu)
Lightning at Oilers (9:00 pm ET, ESPN+)
Panthers at Canucks (10:00 pm ET, ESPN+)
©2023 Media Mobilize All rights reserved