ESPN Sports Center Update for January 14th, 2025
AP Sports Summary for January 14th, 2025:
Rams overwhelm Vikings 27-9 in wild-card playoff game moved to Arizona because of LA wildfires
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Matthew Stafford threw two touchdown passes and the Los Angeles Rams overwhelmed the Minnesota Vikings, sacking Sam Darnold an NFL playoff record-tying nine times to win 27-9 Monday night. The NFC wild-card game was moved out of Southern California because of devastating wildfires. Rookie Jared Verse returned a fumble for a 57-yard score for the Rams, who looked comfortable in their adopted home of State Farm Stadium from the first snap. LA drove for a touchdown on the opening drive and built a 10-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. The game was played in Glendale, Arizona, nearly 400 miles east of the Rams' home stadium.
Sam Darnold's career-best season ends with a thud as he takes 9 sacks in playoff loss
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Sam Darnold's renaissance pushed Minnesota to one of the NFL's best records, offering the hope of a deep playoff run. A disappointing night in the desert rammed Darnold and the Vikings right out of the postseason. Darnold was ineffective for most of of his first playoff start, losing two turnovers while being sacked nine times in the Vikings' 27-9 loss the Los Angeles Rams. Steady for most of his turnaround season, Darnold finished 25 of 39 passing for 245 yards with a touchdown and an interception. One of the sacks caused a fumble that Jared Verse returned 57 yards for a touchdown.
Mike McCarthy won't return as the Cowboys' coach. Deion Sanders could be a candidate to replace him
DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says Mike McCarthy will not return as the team's coach. Jones said Monday that the organization and McCarthy mutually agreed to part ways. McCarthy's contract expired following a 7-10 season. The Cowboys haven't been past the NFC divisional round since their 1995 Super Bowl season. A person with knowledge of the conversation says Jones has spoken about the job with University of Colorado coach Deion Sanders, who played on the Cowboys' last Super Bowl-winning team. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no formal interview has been arranged.
Lakers, Clippers return to their home courts after days of fire devastation across Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Lakers and the Clippers both went back to work Monday night in Los Angeles' first two NBA games since catastrophic wildfires killed at least 24 people and destroyed significant sections of their hometown. The Lakers hosted the San Antonio Spurs in their downtown arena, while the Clippers hosted the Miami Heat in their brand-new Intuit Dome in Inglewood about 10 miles south of downtown. Lakers coach JJ Redick and his family lost their home in the Pacific Palisades in the fires Tuesday. He was grateful to get back on the court with his players.
Lakers lose to Spurs 126-102 in their 1st game back after wildfire postponements
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Victor Wembanyama had 23 points and eight rebounds, Harrison Barnes scored 10 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Lakers 126-102 in Los Angeles' first game back from two postponements due to the wildfires devastating the area. Anthony Davis had 30 points and 13 rebounds, and LeBron James added 18 points and eight assists for the Lakers in their first home game since catastrophic wildfires killed at least 24 and burned thousands of structures. Devin Vassell and Stephon Castle scored 23 points apiece for San Antonio.
Lakers retire Michael Cooper's No. 21 on an emotional night for the Hall of Fame guard from Pasadena
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Michael Cooper spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers as a defense-minded guard who always focused on helping his Showtime teammates to be stars. When the Lakers raised Cooper's No. 21 to the rafters on Monday night, Cooper relished his turn to be in the spotlight. The 17-time NBA champion Lakers honored Cooper in a halftime ceremony during their game against the San Antonio Spurs, unveiling his No. 21 jersey on the wall of honor at their downtown arena between Magic Johnson's No. 32 and James Worthy's No. 42.
Monfils outduels fellow Frenchman in an Australian Open 1st-round match for the ages
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The 38-year-old Gael Monfils has held off fellow Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in five sets to advance to the second round of the Australian Open. Much was made of the aging entertainer's match against the up-and-coming 21-year-old with the booming serve and the bright future in tennis. Monfils wasted match points in the third set and again on Mpetshi Perricard's serve in the fifth before finally clinching the win. Monfils warmed up for the year's first major by winning a title in New Zealand last weekend. Earlier, No. 8 Emma Navarro needed 3 hours and 20 minutes to edge Peyton Stearns 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5), 7-5 in an all-American women's first-round contest.
A.J. Brown's sideline read skyrockets to No. 1 hottest seller on Amazon
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown could launch a book club of his own after a little sideline reading skyrocketed self-help author Jim Murphy overnight to the hottest seller on Amazon. The Eagles wide receiver passed on the playbook and checked out an inspirational title — Brown casually ignored the action in Philadelphia's playoff game and flipped through the pages of Murphy's book, "Inner Excellence." The little-known book by the mental skills coach was listed No. 1 on Amazon's best sellers list as of Monday morning. It jumped to the top spot after previously being ranked 523,497th. It had yet to crack the top 100 for sales in 2025, however.
Texas man charged with stalking WNBA and Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark
A 55-year-old Texas man has been charged with felony stalking Indiana Fever star and WNBA rookie of the year Caitlin Clark. Marion County prosecutors wrote in a court filing Saturday that Michael Thomas Lewis is accused of repeated and continued harassment of the 22-year-old Clark. Authorities say Clark posted numerous messages — some sexually threatening — on Clark's X account. Prosecutors wrote in the filing Clark felt terrorized, frightened, intimidated and threatened as a result. The FBI learned the X account belonged to Lewis and that the messages were sent from IP addresses at an Indianapolis hotel and downtown public library. Jail records show Lewis is due in court on Tuesday.
Philadelphia mayor announces new plan to keep 76ers arena in South Philadelphia, pursue WNBA team
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers will partner with Comcast Spectacor to build a new arena in South Philadelphia and abandon a deal to move downtown. The stunning news comes as a relief to critics of the plan to put a $1.3 billion arena between City Hall and Chinatown. Mayor Cherelle Parker on Monday calls it "a curveball," but also "a win, win, win, win for Philadelphia." But some critics and city council members sat they feel betrayed after two years of fraught negotiations. Sixers owners say they will also work with Comcast and the city to pursue a WNBA team.
AP-Scorecard
Here are the scores from yesterday's sports events:
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NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Final Minnesota 120 Washington 106
Final Toronto 104 Golden State 101
Final Detroit 124 New York 119
Final Houston 120 Memphis 118
Final L.A. Clippers 109 Miami 98
Final San Antonio 126 L.A. Lakers 102
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NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final Philadelphia 4 Florida 3
Final Calgary 5 Chicago 2
Final Edmonton 1 Los Angeles 0
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NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Final L.A. Rams 27 Minnesota 9
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TODAY'S SPORTS SCHEDULE
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NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Cleveland at Indiana 7 p.m.
Oklahoma City at Philadelphia 7 p.m.
Phoenix at Atlanta 7:30 p.m.
New Orleans at Chicago 8 p.m.
Sacramento at Milwaukee 8 p.m.
Denver at Dallas 9:30 p.m.
Brooklyn at Portland 10 p.m.
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NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Anaheim at Washington 7 p.m.
Dallas at Toronto 7 p.m.
Philadelphia at Columbus 7 p.m.
San Jose at Detroit 7 p.m.
Seattle at Pittsburgh 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Boston 7 p.m.
Florida at New Jersey 7:30 p.m.
Ottawa at N-Y Islanders 7:30 p.m.
Calgary at St. Louis 8 p.m.
Vancouver at Winnipeg 8 p.m.
Vegas at Nashville 8 p.m.
Montreal at Utah 9 p.m.
N-Y Rangers at Colorado 9 p.m.
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TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
(15)Mississippi St. at (1)Auburn 7 p.m.
Miami at (3)Duke 9 p.m.
(21)Mississippi at (4)Alabama 7 p.m.
Missouri at (5)Florida 9 p.m.
(7)Marquette at DePaul 7 p.m.
(11)Texas A&M at (8)Kentucky 7 p.m.
(19)Illinois at Indiana 7 p.m.
Ohio St. at (24)Wisconsin 9 p.m.
(25)Baylor at Arizona 11 p.m.
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