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Hawks hope to continue hot streak, get revenge vs. Nuggets

NBA: Miami Heat at Atlanta HawksDec 28, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) drives to the basket past Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The Atlanta Hawks have had a streaky start to the first third of the season and are currently trending upward heading into a New Year’s Day road matchup with the Denver Nuggets.

Atlanta has won four in a row, the last one Sunday at Toronto to kick off a season-long six-game road trip, and Wednesday night brings a chance at payback against the Nuggets.

Denver won the first meeting between the teams, 141-111, on Dec. 8, which ended the Hawks’ six-game winning streak.

Atlanta was 7-11 after a loss to Dallas on Nov. 25 but has won 11 of 15 since. The Hawks will try to extend their winning streak without reserve forward Larry Nance Jr., who suffered a broken right hand against Miami on Saturday night and will have surgery on Thursday.

Nance has played in just 15 games and is averaging 9.5 points this season but has been the subject of trade rumors.

Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic has missed four straight games with a lower-leg contusion and is doubtful for Wednesday.

Atlanta’s surge over the last five weeks has been fueled by Trae Young, who leads the team in scoring (22 points) and assists (12.1) per game. Jalen Johnson grabs a team-best 10.2 rebounds per game to complement his 19.9 scoring average.

De’Andre Hunter has been valuable off the bench for the Hawks, trailing only Young with 20.6 points per game.

“We need big moments from certain guys, and Dre has been doing great for us,” Young said. “That’s Sixth Man of the Year right there too. So, we got a couple of guys that can win some awards if we keep winning.”

Russell Westbrook could have a case to win the Sixth Man award. Injuries have pushed him into the starting lineup in 10 of the 31 games. A player has to come off the bench in more games than he starts to be eligible for the award.

Westbrook is averaging 12.1 points, 6.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds and is coming off his 201st career triple-double in a win at Utah on Monday night.

Westbrook scored 16 points on Monday without missing a shot from the field (7-of-7) or foul line (2-for-2) and had no turnovers in the game. He has struggled with his outside shooting at times, but his energy has been a catalyst for Denver.

“He came here for one reason, that’s to help us win a championship,” coach Michael Malone said. “And he hates to lose. And that’s what I also love about him, is that he’s built the right way. I’ll go to war with Russell Westbrook any day.”

Westbrook has started the last three games with Aaron Gordon sidelined with a right calf strain. He has proven his worth, but the Nuggets are led by Nikola Jokic, who notched his league-leading 13th triple-double of the season on Monday night. Jokic entered Tuesday tied for second in the NBA in scoring (31 points per game) and third in rebounds (12.9 per game) and assists (9.5 per game) as he makes a case for his fourth MVP.

Jamal Murray (19.8 points per game) and Michael Porter Jr. (18.7) are second and third in scoring for Denver.

–Field Level Media

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Angels activate OF/DH Jorge Soler from four-game suspension

MLB: Atlanta Braves at Los Angeles AngelsApr 7, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; A fight breaks out between Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo López (40) and Los Angeles Angels right fielder Jorge Soler (12) during the fifth inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Navarro-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Angels activated outfielder/designated hitter Jorge Soler from the suspended list on Sunday and put him in the cleanup spot of the lineup for the series finale against the San Diego Padres.

Soler was given an original seven-game suspension for an on-field fight with former Atlanta Braves teammate Reynaldo Lopez on April 7. Soler appealed the suspension, and it was reduced to four games, while the Angels were in New York last week.

Soler, 34, is batting .231 with five home runs and 18 RBIs in 18 games for the Angels this season.

In 13 major league seasons, Soler is a career .240 hitter with 208 home runs and 568 RBIs over 1,112 games for the Chicago Cubs (2014-16), Kansas City Royals (2017-21), Atlanta Braves (2021, 2024), Miami Marlins (2022-23), San Francisco Giants (2024) and Angels.

Lopez had his own seven-game suspension reduced to five games.

–Field Level Media

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Flyers aim to take 2-0 lead over rival Penguins

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh PenguinsApr 18, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar (80) makes a save against Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Anthony Mantha (39) during the third period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia Flyers got the best of the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 1, but both teams understand that the Keystone State rivals are likely headed for a long series.

The Flyers aim to take a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Penguins when the teams match up Monday in Pittsburgh.

In Saturday’s series opener, Philadelphia posted a 3-2 victory behind third-period goals from Travis Sanheim and Porter Martone. Sanheim, one of the team’s veteran players, scored the go-ahead goal midway through the final session before Martone added an insurance tally with 2:37 remaining.

Martone’s goal proved to be critical as Bryan Rust scored with 1:01 to play. However, Philadelphia goaltender Dan Vladar stayed firm down the stretch as the Flyers held on.

“I think I understand the level that’s needed to play in the playoffs,” said Sanheim, who helped keep Sidney Crosby off the scoreboard. “I understand the challenge ahead and my job, playing against top guys.”

Crosby and Sanheim received penalties late in the third period – Crosby for slashing and Sanheim for cross-checking – that forced both key players off the ice for the final stretch.

“That’s going to be part of a series,” Crosby said. “I think we’ve got to stay out of it a little bit more and trust that when they do it and try to start it up, that they’re going to get penalized for it. But that’s more something I think they’re looking to do. We’ve got to stay out of it and trust they’ll be undisciplined.”

Jamie Drysdale also scored for Philadelphia, while Rasmus Ristolainen notched a pair of assists. The headline, though, was Martone with the game-winning goal in his postseason debut.

“Everyone’s been great,” said the 19-year-old Martone, the sixth pick in the 2025 draft. “I think we were all pretty excited going into this game, being able to play in the playoffs. For me, it’s my 10th NHL game. It’s pretty special, and it’s an opportunity you can’t pass up.”

Philadelphia is in the postseason for the first time since 2020, while Pittsburgh is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2022. The Penguins certainly don’t want to go down 2-0 in the series before heading across the state for Games 3 and 4.

“(The Flyers) make it hard,” Pittsburgh coach Dan Muse said. “I think that’s part of their game. They’ve been doing that for a while. … They can make it difficult. I think we got away from things that worked. Part of that is the intensity. Everything is ramped up here in the playoffs.”

Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin was a force in Game 1 with a goal and an assist. He has 68 goals and 114 assists in 178 career playoff games.

“We played good all year long,” Malkin said. “We know how we play and we just, like, maybe nervous too much or we want (it) too much. We just (weren’t) thinking a little bit, I think.”

The Flyers are expecting a crisper overall effort by the Penguins in Sunday’s affair.

“We did a good job, but we know they’re going to respond,” Philadelphia captain Sean Couturier said. “We know they’re going to come hard next game. We’ve got to keep respecting their skill and just be prepared.”

–Field Level Media

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Best College Basketball Transfer Portal Players Still Available

Dec 6, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Milan Momcilovic (22) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn ImagesDec 6, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Milan Momcilovic (22) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

The college basketball portal window has lived up to expectations so far, as long as your expectations were pure chaos.

Approximately a third of all Division-I players — what was projected to be over 3,000 players — have entered the portal.

Louisville landed the top portal player, Kansas big Flory Bidunga, to anchor the elite class of transfers it is assembling.

But there is still plenty of talent available in the portal, which is set to close for entries early next week.

Here’s a look at the best players remaining in the portal:

Milan Momcilovic

Ranked by On3, 247Sports and ESPN as the best transfer still available, Momcilovic is coming off an exceptional shooting season at Iowa State.

In his third season with the Cyclones, the 6-foot-8 forward saw his shooting percentages jump up significantly, making 50.6% of his shots and a nation-leading 48.7% of his 3-pointers.

Mind you, that perimeter performance wasn’t in a small sample size. He finished the season with 136 made threes, ranking fifth nationally with 3.7 made shots outside the arc per game.

Momcilovic also entered his name in the NBA draft. But considering he’s not considered a first-round pick, it’s entirely possible he returns for his senior season at some school and immediately gives their offense a big shooting boost.

John Blackwell

Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25) passes against the High Point Panthers during the first half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn ImagesMar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25) passes against the High Point Panthers during the first half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

Similar to Momcilovic, Blackwell has been a gradual bloomer in college basketball at Wisconsin.

He went from 8.0 points as a freshman to 15.8 as a sophomore and, most recently, 19.1 points per game this season for the Badgers. The 6-foot-4 guard also made his impact in a number of ways with 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game, making 43% of his shots and 38.9% of his 3-pointers.

With a finalist list of Alabama, Arizona, Duke, Louisville, Illinois and UCLA, that shows the caliber of teams in on Blackwell coming off his second straight strong season in Madison.

Juke Harris

Harris exploded onto the scene at Wake Forest this past season.

He jumped up from 6.1 points per game as a freshman to 21.4 as a sophomore, good for third-most in the ACC.

Harris was only a 33.2% perimeter shooter, but made 44.4% of his total shots, showing his ability as a slasher and jumpshooter. He also led the Demon Deacons in rebounds (6.5 per game) as a 6-foot-7 guard.

He’s reportedly receiving interest from a number of top teams in the portal, including defending champs Michigan, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Massamba Diop

Arizona State Sun Devils center Massamba Diop (35) battles for position with Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Graham Ike (15) on Nov. 14, 2025, at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe.Arizona State Sun Devils center Massamba Diop (35) battles for position with Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Graham Ike (15) on Nov. 14, 2025, at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe.

Arizona State didn’t have a very good 2025-26 season, finishing 17-16 and seeing head coach Bobby Hurley fired after the season.

But one thing the Sun Devils did have going for them was an exceptional season from freshman big Massamba Diop, who unfortunately for them and new coach Randy Bennett entered the portal after the season.

The 7-foot-1 native of Senegal finished second on the team in scoring (13.6 ppg) and rebounding (5.8). He was also second in the Big 12 in blocks (2.1) behind Bidunga.

A 30.8% 3-point shooter in a small sample size (8 of 26) and a 56.9% shooter from the floor, Diop showed his well-rounded ability which could make him a star on a better team next season.

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