News
The NBA season opened tonight, and it had been a particularly long break for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who didn’t qualify for the NBA bubble after the shutdown. Nevertheless, Collin Sexton picked up where he left off in March, scoring 27 points on 9-for-16 shooting (including 3-for-4 behind the arc), and adding 5 assists, as Cleveland held off Charlotte for a 121-114 win. Sexton also received some good news earlier in the day, as Cleveland announced that it was exercising Sexton’s 4th year option for the 2021-22 season.
Derrick Henry picked up yet another FedEx Ground Player of the Week honor, his fifth of the season. Derrick Henry has now been named FedEx Ground Player of the Week in four of the last five weeks.
Ronnie Harrison and Tony Brown were both designed to return from Injured Reserve today by their respective teams, and cleared to return to practice. Going in the other direction, Quinnen Williams was placed on Injured Reserve with head and neck injuries suffered in last Sunday’s game, thus ending his stellar second season.
Trevon Diggs and Jalen Hurts both had media availabilities today (videos linked). Diggs talks about facing Hurts this coming weekend for the first time. Hurts dropped a “rat poison” reference, to further endear himself to Alabama fans and to introduce Eagles fans to a Sabanism.
Charlotte Morgan has an extensive interview on the In The Circle podcast today. Morgan discusses her recruitment, her time at Alabama, her professional and coaching career, and how she ended up with the CSU-Northridge job.
Ricky Tarrant debuted with Ironi Ramat Gan in Israel today, and led the team in scoring and assists. Ramat Gan erased a Q4 deficit to win 84-80.
Marlon Humphrey and his siblings do a Christmas video every year. Humphrey teased this year’s video (which will apparently be posted on Christmas day) at today’s media availability.
Community Outreach
Kenny King held his 7th annual Christmas Shop-a-Thon in Daphne yesterday. This year’s event treated 30 children aged 6-12 to a spree at Target.
Emma Talley took part in a Zoom call with Mary Browder, a St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital patient, last week as part of the CME Group Tour Championship. LPGA.com has a feature on Talley’s connection with Browder.
Bradley Bozeman hosted a Zoom call today where he read Christmas stories for any children that wanted to attend.
Transactions
- Quinnen Williams – Placed on Injured Reserve by New York Jets.
- Ronnie Harrison – Designated to return from Injured Reserve by Cleveland.
- Tony Brown – Designated to return from Injured Reserve by Cincinnati.
- Mark Barron – Cleared waivers and became a free agent.
- Collin Sexton – 4th year option was exercised by Cleveland.
Injury Report
Wednesday Practice Report
- Did Not Practice – James Carpenter (groin), Julio Jones (hamstring), Dre Kirkpatrick (hamstring, calf), Jarran Reed (chest), Quinnen Williams (concussion, neck)*
- Limited Participation – J.K. Scott (right quadricep).
- Full Participation – Trevon Diggs (foot), Eddie Jackson (hip), Josh Jacobs (knee).
* Williams was placed on Injured Reserve after Jets’ practice today.
Game Results
BASKETBALL Ironi Ramat Gan 84, Hapoel Reg / Givatayim 80. Ricky Tarrant (IRG) – 32 minutes, 21 points (5-9 2pg, 1-4 3pg, 8-11 FT), 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls. Milan 79, Casale 68. Corban Collins - 37 minutes, 10 points (3-8 2pg, 1-12 3pg, 1-2 FT), 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2 fouls. Cleveland 121, Charlotte 114. Collin Sexton – 37 minutes, 27 points (6-12 2pg, 3-4 3pg, 6-9 FT), 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 turnovers, 4 fouls. New Orleans 113, Toronto 99. Kira Lewis Jr – DNP. Sacramento 124, Denver 122 (F/OT). JaMychal Green – DNP (calf strain).
