Luka’s Intro & Ovi’s Quest

02/05/2025

By: Jeff Yoder

Good Morning!

It’s a short one for the midweek mash-up. Much of the sports news cycle focused on L.A. yesterday with the Lakers’ introduction of Luka Doncic. No. 77 in gold looks pretty good. We’re still assessing the trade fallout with one day left before the deadline. Plus, Alex Ovechkin took one step closer to immortality, and we’re cooking up a fun one before SBLIX…

Don’t miss Friday’s Special Edition — The Super Bowl Underdogs.

Letter Rip!

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NBA

Luka Talks Loyalty in Lakers Intro

Visibly Tired & Still Confused, Luka Doncic Tries to Make Sense of the Trade in Lakers Intro Press Conference

Still stunned. As the NBA trade deadline nears closer (tomorrow), the Lakers introduced the newest face of the franchise yesterday. Make no mistake, Luka Doncic is angry. He stressed that he’s excited to be a Laker, but he was also blindsided like everybody else when the Mavericks traded him to L.A. for Anthony Davis this weekend. He’s not the only one who’s angry. The Mavericks are offering refunds to season ticket-holders who want out. But the man at the center of it all is still processing.

“You can imagine how surprised I was… I didn’t really believe it at first. It was a big shock… I thought I was going to spend my whole career [in Dallas] because loyalty is a big word for me, and I was trying to stand by that.” — Luka Doncic

Luka’s Not Laughing: Anyone watching could sense the pain in his eyes as he stared daggers at the cameras and reporters. He called the past few days “hard moments.” The photo above is one of few with a smile, and it feels feigned. When he was asked if he has a chip on his shoulder after the trade, he replied: “Obviously… You don’t come here for nothing except to win a championship.”

At 25 years old, Doncic’s 28.8 points per game ranks third in NBA history behind Michael Jordan (30.1 ppg) and Wilt Chamberlain (30.1 ppg). His playoff average (30.9 ppg) is second only to MJ. The next decade of Laker basketball revolves around #77.

Since the trade, the Lakers are 2-0. The Mavs are 0-2.

NBA Trade News

Luka Doncic Looked So Sad in His Lakers Introduction (FTW)
Heat Can’t Find Trade Partner (Or Interest) for Jimmy Butler (B/R)
Mavericks Stay Busy, Acquire Caleb Martin From 76ers (ESPN)
Lakers GM Says L.A. Searching Trade Market for Big Man (Yardbarker)

NBA Scores & Highlights

Celtics Withstand Cavs (112-105)

Derrick White (20 pts, Six 3s) Leads the Way

Lakers Throttle Clippers (122-97)

LeBron James (26-8-9), Bronny Hits 1st Career 3

76ers Hold Off Mavericks (118-116)

Joel Embid (29-11-10) in Return From Injury

Nets Beat Rockets in Stunner (99-97)

Brooklyn Hits Two 3s in Final 10 Seconds

Full NBA Scoreboard

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NHL

The Great Chase: 17 & Counting

Alex Ovechkin Now 17 Goals Away From Immortality & Wayne Gretzky’s NHL Goals Record

Seventeen more. That’s the magic number for Alex Ovechkin to etch his name at the top of hockey history after another goal in last night’s Capitals win (6-3) over the Panthers. The Cap’ 39-year-old icon sits at 878 goals, just 17 away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record (894). We’ve been tracking his progression since the season began, but injuries continued to halt Ovi’s trajectory and timeline for the record moment. He went on a tear to start the year with 15 goals in October-November, but he’s scored just 10 since Dec. 1. The Caps have 29 games left in the season. Will Ovi break the record? If so, it should (would) stand for decades.

Active NHL Players in Top-50 (Goals)

2. Alex Ovechkin: 878 Goals

19. Sidney Crosby: 609 Goals

24. Steven Stamkos: 572 Goals

45. Evgeni Malkin: 507 Goals

NHL Scores & Highlights

Capitals Light Up Panthers (6-3)

Alex Ovechkin Scores 878th Career Goal

Oilers Hold Off Blues (3-2, OT)
Connor McDavid (1G, 2A) Scores Winner

Maple Leafs Extinguish Flames (6-3)

William Nylander (3G) Nets 1st Career Hat Trick

Devils Dump Penguins in Shootout (3-2, S/O)

Jack Hughes (2G), Timo Meier Strikes Winner

Full NHL Scoreboard

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OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

TGL (Indoor Golf)

LA Golf Club Takes Down Boston (6-2)

Morikawa Shines, LA Takes Outright Lead in TGL

NCAA Men’s Basketball

#1 Auburn def. Oklahoma (98-70)

Auburn’s 14th Straight Win

#7 Purdue def. Iowa (90-81)

Braden Smith (31 Points, Five 3s)

#12 St. John’s def. #11 Marquette (70-64)

Kadary Richmond (18 pts, 11 reb, 8 ast)

#25 Ole Miss def. #14 Kentucky (98-84)

Matthew Murrell (24 Points, Six 3s)

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SBLIX

Super Bowl LIX Storylines

‘3-Peat’ Trademark Gets the ‘OK’

A victory by the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59 would be beneficial to Basketball Hall of Famer Pat Riley’s financial portfolio. He’s had the term “three-peat” trademarked since 1989. But Riley and the NFL just reached a deal in case the Chiefs make NFL history. (B/R)

The Superdome’s Most Iconic Moments

The Superdome might not be as revered as other American stadiums, but it has hosted more legendary sports moments than any other venue in the country. The flying saucer-shaped dome in New Orleans opened in 1975 with a message: “Welcome to the Future.” (Yahoo! Sports)

The Philadelphia Famiglia

An Italian culture bonds the Eagles amid their recent Super Bowl run. You may notice several coaches wearing Italian flags on the Eagles’ sideline. The shared background plays a real part in bringing the team, and its community, together. (Sports Illustrated)

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OTHER NEWS

Kultida Woods, Mother of Tiger Woods, Dies at Age 80 (SI)

2-Time Slam Champion Simona Halep Announces Retirement From Tennis at Age 33 (AP)

McCaffrey, Mahomes, Hurts & Parsons Led NFL Jersey Sales in 2024-25 Season (B/R)

Packers Kicker Mason Crosby Retires as Franchise’s All-Time Leading Scorer (ESPN)

Marcus Jordan, Son of Michael Jordan, Arrested for DUI, Cocaine Possession (USA Today)

Top Player in College Football Transfer Portal Arrested on Theft Charges (CBS Sports)

President Trump Expected to Become First Sitting President to Attend Super Bowl (Yahoo! Sports)

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SCHEDULE

Tonight’s Must-Watch List