Sports Brief: January 22-26

Thunder Dominates Spurs in Clash of Rookies

In a highly anticipated showdown between promising NBA rookies Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama, the Oklahoma City Thunder emerged victorious, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 140-114. The win solidified the Thunder’s standing at the top of the Western Conference, tying them with the Minnesota Timberwolves at an impressive 31-13 record.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showcased his leadership with a stellar performance, contributing 32 points and 10 assists to the Thunder’s fourth consecutive victory. Despite the pre-game focus on Wembanyama and Holmgren, both players displayed remarkable sportsmanship and team-first mentality.

Holmgren, who had 17 points and nine rebounds, downplayed the matchup, emphasizing the team’s goal of securing a win. Coach Mark Daigneault echoed this sentiment, emphasizing basketball as a team sport, not a one-on-one contest.

Wembanyama, the Spurs’ standout rookie, put up an impressive fight with 24 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks. The 7-foot French sensation exhibited a diverse skill set, including a spin move around Holmgren and a powerful one-handed dunk.

The Thunder’s balanced attack proved to be crucial, as six players scored in double figures, including Aaron Wiggins with 22 points. Holmgren’s three-pointer early in the fourth quarter extended Oklahoma City’s lead to 103-76, but Wembanyama responded with a powerful two-handed dunk and continuous high-level play.

San Antonio’s coach Gregg Popovich acknowledged Wembanyama’s relentless effort. 

“He plays hard. He competes. He’s learning every day,” Popovich said. 

However, the Spurs struggled to contain Oklahoma City’s efficient offense, shooting 56% from the field and capitalizing on only 18 three-pointers.

Despite Devin Vassell’s 21-point effort, the Thunder’s dominance was evident, leading by 19 points early in the second half. The Spurs’ 9-for-32 shooting from beyond the arc and 30 points off turnovers sealed their defeat.

As the Thunder prepares to face the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, the budding rivalry between Holmgren and Wembanyama continues to captivate fans. With Holmgren earning back-to-back Rookie of the Month titles and the Thunder’s consistent success, the Rookie of the Year race remains tight, promising an exciting second half of the season

Milwaukee Bucks Hire Doc Rivers as Head Coach

The Milwaukee Bucks have secured veteran NBA coach Doc Rivers to fill their head coach vacancy. This decision comes on the heels of the abrupt dismissal of Adrian Griffin, who, despite a commendable 30-13 record in his first stint as a head coach, was let go after just 43 games.

The news of Rivers’ appointment was initially reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and later confirmed by CNN Sports. Rivers, a seasoned coach with a wealth of experience, is expected to bring stability and leadership to the Bucks as they aim for another deep playoff run.

According to The Athletic, Rivers had already been involved with the team during Griffin’s tenure, serving as an informal consultant “at the behest of the Bucks.” Additionally, Rivers had been contributing as a commentator for ESPN’s NBA broadcasts and making routine appearances on The Ringer’s The Bill Simmons Show.

This marks Rivers’ fifth coaching stint since the turn of the century, having previously led the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers. While he boasts an impressive coaching career with over 1,000 wins, Rivers has failed to guide a team to a single Conference Finals appearance since leaving Boston in 2013.

The 62-year-old coach is set to lead a team loaded with talent, including reigning two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and newly acquired superstar Damian Lillard. The Bucks aim to reclaim their 2021 championship title, and Rivers will be tasked with navigating the team through the pressures of such an expectation.

Rivers’ coaching journey began in 1999 with the Orlando Magic, and his extensive experience will be crucial as the Bucks push for the championship in the 2023-24 season. However, Rivers will need to address recent postseason shortcomings, including a notable collapse with the 2020 Clippers and a surprising upset with the 2021 76ers.

As Rivers takes the helm in Milwaukee, basketball enthusiasts eagerly await to see how he elevates the Bucks’ performance and whether he can add another championship to his illustrious coaching career.

Who Will Make It to the Super Bowl?

With the NFL playoffs advancing towards Super Bowl LVIII, only four teams remain in contention: the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens. Each team has unique challenges and uncertainties heading into the conference championships, raising questions for fans and analysts alike.

The Chiefs have had a late-season resurgence, led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes and a trio of offensive weapons in Travis Kelce, Isiah Pacheco and emerging rookie Rashee Rice. However, the formidable defense of the Baltimore Ravens poses a significant threat. If Rice is blanketed on the perimeter, can Kelce and Pacheco step up as reliable playmakers for Mahomes? The answer may determine the outcome of the AFC Championship.

Despite their impressive 13-5 record, the 49ers face questions about quarterback Brock Purdy’s performance and the team’s ability to handle adversity. With health concerns for playmaker Deebo Samuel and Purdy’s performance under pressure, the 49ers must prove they can overcome challenges, especially against a resilient Detroit Lions team in the NFC Championship.

The Lions’ success hinges on quarterback Jared Goff, particularly in away games where he has been less effective. With the 49ers boasting a tenacious defense, including players like Fred Warner, Goff’s composure and protection becomes critical. The run game led by David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs also needs success against the 49ers’ stout run defense for the Lions to have a chance.

The Ravens’ success against the Chiefs relies on starting strong, especially against a potent Kansas City defense. Quarterback Lamar Jackson needs to navigate the pressure from Chris Jones and George Karlaftis while utilizing his legs effectively. A quick start is imperative for the Ravens to control the game, rushing with a strong attack led by Jackson and a solid defense.

In terms of injuries, Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey (calf) plans to return for the AFC Championship after limited practice and teammate TE Mark Andrews (ankle) is expected to play after full participation in practice. Chiefs NT Derrick Nnadi (tricep) remains uncertain for the AFC Championship, having missed practice, while Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco (ankle, toe) has had limited participation, potentially impacting the Chiefs’ rushing game.

Likewise, 49ers WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder) has also had limited practice, and both Lions G Jonah Jackson (knee) and Lions C Frank Ragnow (ankle, toe, knee, back) have not practiced at all, raising concerns about their availability.

As the countdown to Super Bowl LVIII continues, these teams must anticipate the answers to these questions and navigate through injuries to secure a spot in the championship game.

Tara Vandeer Becomes Winningiest College Basketball Coach in History

Tara VanDerveer, the legendary head coach of Stanford’s women’s basketball team, etched her name in sports history with a monumental 65-56 victory over Oregon State on Sunday. The win marked VanDerveer’s 1,203rd career victory, surpassing the previous record held by renowned coach Mike Krzyzewski. Her coaching journey, spanning over four decades, is a remarkable tale of dedication, resilience and unparalleled success.

VanDerveer’s roots in basketball trace back to her collegiate days at Indiana University in the early 1970s, where she observed and learned from the legendary Bob Knight during men’s basketball practices. Undeterred by the challenges women’s sports faced within the era, she pursued her passion, playing guard for Indiana. Her coaching career took flight on Dec. 1, 1978, with a win for Idaho, and she has never looked back since.

Having coached at Idaho and Ohio State before joining Stanford in 1985, VanDerveer defied skeptics who doubted the potential of the Cardinal program. In just three seasons, she transformed a struggling team into a Sweet 16 contender, setting the stage for the powerhouse program Stanford would become. Her coaching prowess led to her first national championship in 1990, followed by another in 1992 and a historic third in 2021, a span of 29 years showcasing her adaptability and longevity.

A brief hiatus in 1996 saw VanDerveer guide the USA National Team to Olympic gold, maintaining an unblemished record through 60 preparation games. Despite contemplating retirement in 2015, she heeded a friend’s advice, took a summer sabbatical and returned to continue her winning legacy. VanDerveer has not only accumulated more victories than 355 Division I women’s programs, but has also nurtured numerous players into first-team All-Americans and WNBA contributors.

The recent milestone victory was a homecoming for VanDerveer, celebrated in front of a near-capacity crowd at Maples Pavilion. Former players, including stars like Jennifer Azzi and Chiney Ogwumike, joined the festivities, emphasizing the familial bond created by the Hall of Fame coach. The 70-year-old maestro displayed her trademark humility, expressing gratitude to the fans and players, and even requesting the Stanford band to pause their performance for a moment of reflection.

Messages of congratulations poured in, with a video tribute featuring luminaries like Billie Jean King, Steve Kerr, Dawn Staley and Coach Krzyzewski himself. The historic achievement adds only another accolade to VanDerveer’s illustrious career and highlights her impact as a mentor and guardian of women’s basketball.

As VanDerveer stands alone at the pinnacle of all-time coaching victories, she acknowledges a formidable figure in her rear-view mirror — Geno Auriemma. The UConn coach is nipping at her heels with 1,196 wins, setting the stage for a friendly rivalry which has spanned nearly four decades. The race for the title of the winningest coach in college basketball is poised to continue, leaving fans eager to witness the unfolding chapters of this enduring saga.