Two recent Cleveland Cavaliers have a chance to go head-to-head for the first time for new teams nearly 2,500 miles from their old home when the Los Angeles Clippers visit the Sacramento Kings on Friday night.

Dealt from the Cavaliers in separate trades 48 hours apart earlier in the week, Darius Garland is hopeful of making his Clippers debut while De’Andre Hunter is set to suit up for the second time for the Kings when the Pacific Divisions clubs clash.

Garland could only sit and watch when the Cavaliers, coincidentally, were scheduled to play the Clippers in Los Angeles on Wednesday while their trade, which brought James Harden to Cleveland, was still pending approval.

With Harden also sitting out, the Cavaliers won the game 124-91.

Meanwhile, in Sacramento, the Kings introduced Hunter to his new home fans before a 129-125 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Hunter, acquired for Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis, had just nine points in 26 minutes as a starter in his Kings debut.

The last time Garland and Hunter went head-to-head actually wasn’t all that long ago. While Garland had been a career-long Cavalier, Hunter was acquired by Cleveland from Atlanta last February. He had previously faced Garland in Hawks-Cavaliers matchups 12 times, with the Hawks winning seven of those games.

While the Clippers could have Garland in the lineup Friday, they likely won’t have Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson, who were picked up at Thursday’s deadline along with three draft picks for Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown.

Garland hasn’t played since Jan. 14 because of a sprained big toe on his right foot, but reportedly has indicated he’s ready to return as soon as the Clippers need him.

Coach Tyronn Lue hasn’t said when that will be, but clearly has already envisioned a new look with the speedy Garland moving into the spot vacated by the lead-footed Harden.

“He’s different from James and we can play different with a faster pace,” Lue noted to reporters after the deal. “It’s going to be exciting. I’ve known DG for a while, and having a young point guard under my tutelage, I think it’s the first time I have had one since Kyrie (Irving).”

The Clippers have lost two in a row and three of four since Kawhi Leonard, Harden and Zubac led a 9-1 surge that got Los Angeles back in playoff contention. The visit to Sacramento tips off a four-game trip.

Despite the arrival of Hunter, the Kings dropped a 10th straight when outfinished by the Grizzlies on Wednesday.

Sacramento was mentioned in as many rumors as any team leading into the deadline, but in the end, elected to retain Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Russell Westbrook.

Kings coach Doug Christie said he looks forward to pairing Hunter with Keegan Murray, who is being pointed to a return from a sprained left ankle after the All-Star break.

“I’m just excited to see them (together),” Christie told reporters in the wake of the Cleveland trade. “When you think about it, you got two long wings. They both play the right way for the right reasons. They are team players. They’re going to do all the little things that equate to winning.”

–Field Level Media

The United States finalized its roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic on Thursday, locking in a group that features both reigning Cy Young Award winners, multiple Most Valuable Players and retired Los Angeles Dodgers icon Clayton Kershaw.

Most players already had confirmed their plans to compete in the tournament that begins March 5, but Thursday’s announcement revealed the Americans’ complete arsenal of arms and deep collection of infielders to go with just four primary outfielders.

“We constructed this roster with one goal in mind: to bring home a WBC Championship for the U.S. fans,” Team USA general manager Michael Hill said in a statement. “I would like to thank the Major League Clubs for trusting us with this incredible group of talented players.”

“Building this team was never easy, but it was done with purpose and pride,” Team USA manager Mark DeRosa added. “These players know what it means to wear USA across their chest, and we’re ready to go to work and bring the World Baseball Classic trophy back home.”

The U.S. has won only one WBC, in 2017. The Americans lost to Japan in the 2023 final — the last time the tournament was played.

New York Yankees star Aaron Judge serves as the team’s captain and will be joined in the outfield by veteran Byron Buxton and up-and-comers Corbin Carroll and Pete Crow-Armstrong.

The 37-year-old Kershaw, who retired from his legendary MLB career after the Dodgers’ World Series title, previously had said he would pitch in this WBC. It’s not clear to what extent he will be used.

The Americans don’t have to worry about starting pitching. American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal and National League Cy Young winner Paul Skenes will anchor the rotation.

The United States opens pool play against Brazil on March 6 in Houston before facing Mexico on March 9 and Italy on March 10. The championship game will be played March 17 in Miami. Here’s the team’s 30-man roster:

Catchers

Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners

Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers

Infielders/utility

Alex Bregman, 3B, Boston Red Sox

Ernie Clement, UTIL, Toronto Blue Jays

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, free agent

Bryce Harper, 1B, Philadelphia Phillies

Gunnar Henderson, SS, Baltimore Orioles

Brice Turang, 2B, Milwaukee Brewers

Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Kansas City Royals

Outfielders

Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins

Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks

Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs

Aaron Judge, New York Yankees

Designated hitter

Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies

Pitchers

David Bednar, RHP, New York Yankees

Matthew Boyd, LHP, Chicago Cubs

Garrett Cleavinger, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays

Clay Holmes, RHP, New York Mets

Griffin Jax, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays

Brad Keller, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies

Clayton Kershaw, LHP, retired

Nolan McLean, RHP, New York Mets

Mason Miller, RHP, San Diego Padres

Joe Ryan, RHP, Minnesota Twins

Paul Skenes, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Tarik Skubal, LHP, Detroit Tigers

Gabe Speier, LHP, Seattle Mariners

Michael Wacha, RHP, Kansas City Royals

Logan Webb, RHP, San Francisco Giants

Garrett Whitlock, RHP, Boston Red Sox

–Field Level Media

Nimari Burnett scored a career-high 31 points to lead No. 2 Michigan to a 110-69 rout of Penn State in a Big Ten contest on Thursday in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Burnett went 11 of 16 from the field overall and 7 of 10 from 3-point range while playing just 21 minutes. L.J. Cason, Trey McKenney and Morez Johnson each scored 12 points for Michigan (21-1, 11-1 Big Ten), which is now off to its best start in school history.

Michigan shot 60.6% from the field overall (40 of 66), including 51.7% from 3-point range (15 of 29), and held a 44-21 rebounding advantage.

Freddie Dilione V scored 19 points and Josh Reed and Melih Tunca each had 15 points in defeat for Penn State (10-13, 1-11), which shot 2 of 20 from 3-point range and 37.1% overall (23 of 62).

Going up against a bigger Michigan frontline was going to be challenging enough for Penn State, but the task got harder for the Nittany Lions at the beginning of the game when 7-foot freshman center Ivan Juric was ruled out with an illness.

Michigan dominated the first half, taking a 56-24 lead into the locker room. The Wolverines shot 21 of 32 from the field overall and made 7 of 13 shots from 3-point range in the half. Meanwhile, Penn State was 0 of 10 from the 3-point line in the first half.

The second half wasn’t much different, as Michigan built a 42-point lead on Burnett’s triple that made it 76-34 with 14:40 remaining.

The Wolverines reached the 100-point mark with 3:23 left when a 3-pointer by Will Tschetter gave Michigan a 100-59 lead.

It was the eighth time this year that Michigan has scored at least 100 points in a game.

Michigan left little doubt from the start, opening the game on a 15-2 run and going up 26-10 with 8:50 remaining in the first half.

The Wolverines later went on a 9-2 run to grab a 44-18 lead with 3:38 until halftime.

–Field Level Media