The Los Angeles Lakers will play against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, January 2, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena. Both teams are looking to improve their performance as they face injuries and recent losses. The game promises to be competitive as each team seeks to regain momentum.
Key Facts
The game between the Lakers and Grizzlies is on January 2, 2026, at 10:30 PM ET.
It will be shown on the FanDuel Sports Network Midwest Extra in Missouri.
You can watch the game live via streaming on Fubo, which offers a free trial.
The Lakers have lost four out of their last five games.
Key Lakers players Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura are currently injured.
Luka Dončić and LeBron James are leading players for the Lakers.
Ja Morant is the main player for the Grizzlies.
Both teams have faced injuries and are struggling with consistency.
The Cleveland Browns are considering a change in their head coach position after another unsuccessful season under Kevin Stefanski. Deion Sanders, a well-known college coach, has been mentioned as a potential candidate for the role, partly because his son, Shedeur Sanders, is the team's rookie quarterback. Sanders is currently coaching at the college level with a record of 43 wins and 27 losses.
Key Facts
The Cleveland Browns are expected to replace head coach Kevin Stefanski after the 2025 NFL season.
The team is likely to have a high pick in the 2026 NFL Draft due to their performance.
Deion Sanders, a popular college coach, is rumored to be a potential candidate for the Browns' head coach position.
Sanders' son, Shedeur Sanders, is a rookie quarterback for the Browns.
Deion Sanders has a coaching record of 43 wins and 27 losses in college football.
Sanders recently coached the Colorado Buffaloes to a 3-9 record in the 2025 season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are considering reuniting with Cody Bellinger, a former player of theirs, as he enters free agency. Despite the New York Yankees already making him an offer, the Dodgers are predicted to be strong competitors in trying to sign the star outfielder. Bellinger previously played for the Dodgers for six seasons and had a successful year with the Yankees.
Key Facts
Cody Bellinger is a free agent, meaning he is available to sign with any team.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are interested in bringing Bellinger back to their team.
The New York Yankees have already made an offer to Bellinger.
Bellinger played for the Dodgers for six years and won MVP in 2019.
MLB analyst Jenny Cavnar believes the Dodgers will be strong competitors for Bellinger against the Yankees.
Bellinger had a strong performance with the Yankees, hitting 29 home runs and 98 RBIs last season.
The Dodgers recently signed reliever Edwin Díaz from the New York Mets.
Sam Leavitt, the quarterback from Arizona State, has entered the NCAA transfer portal to find a new team and improve his chances for the NFL Draft. The Kentucky Wildcats have emerged as a leading candidate to recruit him, despite not being traditionally known as a strong football school.
Key Facts
Sam Leavitt was the quarterback for the Arizona State Sun Devils.
Leavitt entered the NCAA transfer portal this offseason to join a new team.
Kentucky Wildcats are currently seen as a top contender to recruit Leavitt.
Kentucky aims to secure the first visit with Leavitt.
In the 2025 season, Leavitt completed 60.7% of his passes with 1,628 yards, 10 touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Injuries ended Leavitt’s 2025 season early.
In 2024, he had better stats, with 2,885 passing yards and 24 touchdowns.
Kentucky finished their 2025 season at 5-7, not qualifying for a bowl game.
The Boston Red Sox are seen as the most likely team to sign free agent third baseman Alex Bregman, although the Toronto Blue Jays are also showing interest. Bregman previously played well during a past season with the Red Sox. The Red Sox will need to spend a significant amount of money to secure Bregman if the Blue Jays make a competitive bid.
Key Facts
Alex Bregman is a free agent third baseman.
The Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays are interested in signing him.
The Red Sox are considered the most likely team to sign him.
Bregman played well with the Red Sox during a previous season.
The Blue Jays might pursue him if they lose Bo Bichette.
Signing Bregman will likely be expensive for the Red Sox, especially if the Blue Jays make a strong bid.
If Bregman doesn't return to the Red Sox, they might use Marcelo Mayer at third base.
The Los Angeles Lakers are giving Dalton Knecht a chance to play more and prove himself. Head coach JJ Redick plans to add Knecht to the rotation to address the team's poor three-point shooting. Knecht has struggled to get playtime since returning to the Lakers, but this change could help him secure a regular role.
Key Facts
Dalton Knecht was almost traded to the Charlotte Hornets last year.
The trade did not happen because the Lakers decided not to clear Mark Williams.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick wants to improve the team's three-point shooting by giving Knecht more playtime.
The Lakers rank low in the league for three-point percentage.
Knecht was the 17th pick in the NBA draft from Tennessee.
As a rookie, Knecht averaged 9.1 points in 19.2 minutes per game.
This season, Knecht's playtime is down to 13.3 minutes per game, and he scores 5.7 points on average.
Redick's plan for Knecht starts with the game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
The New York Mets are looking to strengthen their starting pitching rotation after missing the playoffs. The team may opt to trade for Minnesota Twins pitcher Joe Ryan instead of signing a high-priced free agent. This potential trade would involve sending top prospect Jonah Tong to the Twins.
Key Facts
The Mets did not make the playoffs this season, finishing with an 83-79 record.
The team has a high payroll but lost key players like Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz in free agency.
New York traded Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil and is revamping its roster.
The Mets have signed Devin Williams and Luke Weaver to improve their bullpen.
Instead of signing a costly free agent, the Mets might trade for pitcher Joe Ryan from the Minnesota Twins.
Joe Ryan, an All-Star, had a 3.42 ERA and struck out 194 batters this past season.
The Mets could offer top pitching prospect Jonah Tong in a trade for Joe Ryan.
Luke Littler reached his third consecutive PDC World Championship final with a 6-1 win over Ryan Searle. Littler is the fourth player to achieve three straight finals in this championship. He will face the winner of the second semi-final between Gian van Veen and Gary Anderson.
Key Facts
Luke Littler won 6-1 against Ryan Searle in the semi-final.
This is Littler's third consecutive PDC World Championship final.
Littler's semi-final match average was 105.35.
Littler is the fourth player to reach three consecutive PDC World Championship finals.
Ryan Searle started strong but couldn't maintain his lead.
Littler hit 10 scores of 180 during the match.
Littler's checkout percentage was 58.8% in this match.
The winner of the Gian van Veen vs. Gary Anderson match will be Littler's opponent in the final.
Detroit Pistons player Jalen Duren injured his right ankle during a game against the Miami Heat. This is his second ankle injury this season, and it could keep him out for one to two weeks. The Pistons are currently leading the Eastern Conference, but Duren's absence might affect their performance.
Key Facts
Jalen Duren is a player for the Detroit Pistons basketball team.
Duren hurt his right ankle during a game against the Miami Heat.
This is his second ankle injury this season.
He initially tried to continue playing but left the game in the third quarter.
The injury might sideline him for one to two weeks.
Duren is averaging a career-high 17.9 points and 10.6 rebounds this season.
The Pistons have a strong position in the Eastern Conference but face challenges with other key players also injured.
The Golden State Warriors will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in an NBA game on Friday, January 2, 2026. The game will be held at the Chase Center, and viewers can watch it on the FanDuel Sports Network or live stream it through Fubo or Prime Video.
Key Facts
Game date: Friday, January 2, 2026.
Time: 10:00 PM ET.
TV Channel: FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City.
Live streaming options include Fubo and Prime Video.
The Golden State Warriors aim to extend their three-game home winning streak despite injuries and player absences.
Stephen Curry is questionable for the game due to a sprained ankle.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are performing well with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the team.
The Thunder recently won against the Portland Trail Blazers and stand strong in the Western Conference standings.
The Arizona Diamondbacks considered trading their star player, Ketel Marte, during the offseason. However, it seems unlikely that Marte will be traded, as the Diamondbacks might keep him instead. Teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox showed interest, but acquiring Marte would require giving up a lot.
Key Facts
The Arizona Diamondbacks thought about trading Ketel Marte, a star infielder.
Teams interested in Marte included the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, and Cincinnati Reds.
Trading Marte would need a significant return, possibly including a top starting pitcher.
Joel Reuter from Bleacher Report predicted the Diamondbacks will keep Marte this offseason.
The Diamondbacks could look into signing pitchers through free agency rather than trading Marte.
Marte is considered valuable, and keeping him might help strengthen the team’s lineup.
The situation could change if the Diamondbacks receive an excellent offer or if Marte requests a trade.
South Carolina's head football coach, Shane Beamer, expressed disappointment that his assistant coach, Sterling Lucas, was hired by LSU without any prior heads-up. Beamer mentioned an "unspoken rule" in college football where head coaches usually inform each other before hiring an assistant, which did not happen in this case.
Key Facts
Shane Beamer is the head coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks football team.
Sterling Lucas, Beamer's assistant coach, recently accepted a job with LSU.
Beamer mentioned an "unspoken rule" where coaches usually notify each other about hiring plans, but this did not happen.
Lucas was part of South Carolina's staff since 2022 and held the position of Defensive Run Game Coordinator.
LSU's coaching changes followed the firing of Brian Kelly and the hiring of Lane Kiffin.
Lane Kiffin previously coached Ole Miss and participated in the College Football Playoff discussions with that team.
The hiring of Lucas was part of Kiffin's efforts to build a new coaching staff at LSU.
The Oregon Ducks recently advanced to the College Football Playoff semifinals after defeating Texas Tech. Shortly after, Daylen Austin, a four-star cornerback from Oregon, decided to enter the transfer portal, along with several other players from the team.
Key Facts
Oregon Ducks advanced to the College Football Playoff semifinals by beating Texas Tech 23-0.
Daylen Austin, a four-star cornerback from Oregon, entered the transfer portal.
Austin played in all 14 games last year and three games this season.
He did not play in the College Football Playoff games against James Madison and Texas Tech.
Austin is one of 11 Oregon players, including five defensive backs, to enter the transfer portal.
Other players such as wide receivers Kyler Kasper and Justius Lowe, and quarterback Austin Novosad, also left the team.
Austin is ranked as the No. 10 player in California and the No. 12 cornerback nationally for the class of 2023 by 247Sports.
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed confirmed he will return for the 2026 season after a notable year. Reed sent a message to fans saying, "I'm back," securing his role in the team and maintaining stability amid roster changes.
Key Facts
Texas A&M ended the 2025 season with an 11–2 record and played in the College Football Playoff.
The Aggies lost the quarterfinal match against Miami with a score of 10–3.
Marcel Reed, a sophomore, stood out with 3,169 passing yards and 493 rushing yards during the season.
Reed chose not to transfer or enter the NFL Draft and will stay for the 2026 season.
Reed was a four-star recruit, joining Texas A&M over more than 20 other offers.
He is one of the most marketable athletes in college sports, with an estimated NIL value of $2.1 million.
Nine other Texas A&M players are entering the transfer portal, possibly affecting the team's roster.
The transfer portal is open from January 2 to January 16, giving coaches a chance to rebuild the team.
Eric Lauer, a pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, had a strong season in 2025 after joining the team on a minor league contract. Despite his good performance, the Blue Jays might not offer him a contract extension after next season due to recent pitching additions and his upcoming free agency.
Key Facts
Eric Lauer, a 30-year-old pitcher, plays for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Lauer missed the entire 2024 season but joined the Blue Jays on a minor league deal.
In the 2025 season, he appeared in 28 games for Toronto and started 15.
He had a 3.18 ERA and struck out 102 batters during the season.
Lauer is arbitration-eligible for one more season before becoming a free agent.
The Blue Jays might not extend his contract due to new pitchers joining the team.
Lauer may prefer a team where he can be a starting pitcher instead of a reliever.
Six Alabama football players entered the transfer portal after the team's defeat in the College Football Playoff. The transfer portal allows college players to leave their current team and join another one. Alabama must now find new players as they prepare for future games.
Key Facts
Six players from Alabama's football team have entered the transfer portal.
These players include Noah Carter, Olaus Alinen, Jalen Hale, Joseph Ionata, Richard Young, and Jaylen Mbakwe.
The transfer portal gives players the opportunity to move to other teams where they might find more playtime.
Alabama lost to Indiana in the College Football Playoff, prompting changes in their lineup.
The transfer portal for college football players will close on January 16, 2026.
The system allows teams to have fewer backup players, as more transfer to other schools seeking better opportunities.
Alabama's strength has traditionally been its depth, but the transfer portal era challenges this advantage.
The Michigan State Spartans will play the Nebraska Cornhuskers in a college basketball game on Friday. Michigan State has a strong team led by star guard Jeremy Fears Jr., while Nebraska is undefeated this season. The game will take place at Pinnacle Bank Arena and can be watched live on Peacock.
Key Facts
The game is scheduled for Friday, January 2, 2025, at 9:00 PM ET.
Michigan State Spartans hold a 12-1 record and rank No. 9 in the nation.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers are ranked No. 13 and have a perfect 13-0 record this season.
Jeremy Fears Jr. is a key player for Michigan State, recently scoring 21 points with 11 assists in a win.
Nebraska is strong at home with a 9-0 record and excels in defense and rebounding.
The game is a key matchup in the Big Ten conference.
The game can be streamed live on Peacock, a streaming service offering various sports events.
Michigan's football team had some challenges in the 2025 season and is now bringing in a new head coach, Kyle Whittingham. They are actively recruiting players from the transfer portal, including standout wide receiver Wyatt Young. Young had a strong 2025 season, making him a top target for several colleges.
Key Facts
Michigan's football team finished the 2025 season with a 9–3 record.
The team went to the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl but lost to Texas.
Sherrone Moore, Michigan's head coach, was fired due to alleged misconduct.
Kyle Whittingham, formerly of Utah, is hired as Michigan's head coach starting in 2026.
Michigan is looking to add new players from the transfer portal.
Wyatt Young, a successful wide receiver from North Texas, is a top recruitment target.
Young recorded 1,264 receiving yards and earned First-Team All-American Athletic Conference honors in 2025.
Austria's skier Katharina Liensberger will miss the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics due to a serious knee injury from a training accident. She needs surgery for a fracture, torn meniscus, and ligament injury. This injury ends her current skiing season.
Key Facts
Katharina Liensberger is an Austrian skier who won a silver medal in the 2022 Olympics.
She suffered a knee injury while training and will have surgery.
Her injuries include a fractured tibial plateau, torn meniscus, and medial collateral ligament injury.
Liensberger's skiing season is over, and she will not compete in the upcoming Winter Olympics.
She was a slalom world champion in 2021.
Liensberger had a successful history including a team gold and slalom silver in Beijing.
Concerns have been raised about the safety of high-speed skiing following several recent accidents among top skiers.
Rory McIlroy talked about the abusive crowd behavior he faced during the Ryder Cup in New York, where Europe won against the United States. McIlroy mentioned that U.S. captain Keegan Bradley could have spoken against the crowd's actions but did not do so at the event.
Key Facts
Rory McIlroy faced constant heckling during the Ryder Cup in New York.
Europe's team won the Ryder Cup by defeating the U.S. 15-13.
McIlroy's wife and daughter experienced abusive behavior from the crowd.
McIlroy said Keegan Bradley, the U.S. captain, did not address the crowd's behavior.
The event took place at Bethpage Black, a golf course in New York.
McIlroy compared the hostile atmosphere to past Ryder Cups in 1999 and 2016.
McIlroy noted that the crowd's behavior was worse than any he had previously encountered at the Ryder Cup.
