The surging Boston Celtics can even their regular season series with the visiting Golden State Warriors when the teams meet Thursday night.
Golden State, which beat Boston in last year’s NBA Finals, defeated the Celtics 123-107 at home on Dec. 10. Klay Thompson (34 points) and Stephen Curry (32) led the Warriors’ offense in that victory. Curry’s 32-point effort included six 3-pointers. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 31 points and nine rebounds.
Brown has missed Boston’s last three games with a groin injury that occurred against the New Orleans Pelicans on Jan. 11. He is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game.
Brown is averaging 27.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said he expected Brown to miss “about a week.”
The Warriors (16.3) and Celtics (15.6) enter Thursday’s game ranked first and second among NBA teams in 3-pointers made per game. It will be Golden State’s first trip to Boston since clinching its fourth championship in eight seasons in Game 6 of the NBA Finals last year.
The matchup also features two of the league’s top scorers in Boston’s Jayson Tatum at 31.1 points per game and Curry at 29.3 points, although with 30 games played, Curry is just outside of qualification for the scoring-title chase.
Tatum passed Larry Bird for most 50-point games in Celtics’ history when he scored a season-high 51 points during Boston’s 130-118 victory over Charlotte on Monday. It was the fifth time in his NBA career he scored at least 50 points in a regular-season game and his first 50-plus point effort since last season. Bird scored at least 50 points four times.
Tatum scored 49 in a win over Miami earlier this season, and had a career-high 60 points against San Antonio in 2021.
Monday’s victory extended Boston’s winning streak to seven games. What has been the key to the recent success?
Curry tossed in 41 points in Golden State’s most recent game, a 127-118 road win against the Washington Wizards on Monday. The Warriors entered that contest having lost four of their last five.
Jordan Poole added 32 points in the win, and Golden State received 17 points, 10 assists and six rebounds from Draymond Green.
The game was close until Curry and Poole made back-to-back 3-pointers that handed the Warriors a 123-114 lead with 1:29 remaining.
Boston guard Malcolm Brogdon cut his forehead during a collision with Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball with 7:13 remaining in the second quarter Monday. He left the game but returned later in the quarter.
Golden State has a 5-17 record in road games this season.
The Detroit Pistons will “host” one of their Central Division rivals on Thursday afternoon but they’ll be nearly 4,000 miles from their home arena.
They will play the Chicago Bulls in Paris. It’s the first NBA game in Europe since 2020 and the league’s 12th in France since 1991.
The Bulls played two preseason contests in Paris in 1997. The Pistons, who are playing for the first time in France, have played regular-season games in London (2013) and Mexico City (2019).
Chicago has defeated Detroit 12 straight times, including a 132-118 win on Dec. 30 when Zach LaVine poured in 43 points.
It will be a special game for Pistons third-year guard Killian Hayes, who grew up in France as well as Florida. He also played professionally in France before getting drafted.
With Cade Cunningham sidelined by a season-ending shin injury, Hayes has become a fixture in the Pistons’ lineup. He’s started 31 of 44 games, averaging 10.0 points, 5.7 assists and 1.3 steals. He’s averaging 14.6 points and 8.0 assists this month.
The Pistons, depleted by injuries, have lost five of their last six games. In their last outing on Sunday afternoon, they fell at home to the New York Knicks 117-104.
Chicago snapped a three-game losing streak that same day by defeating Golden State 132-118. Center Nikola Vucevic tied his career high with 43 points.
Vucevic will look for another highly productive outing in a city he has visited many times.
DeMar DeRozan hasn’t played the last three games due to a quad injury but could be back in action on Thursday. Even if DeRozan plays, Bulls coach Billy Donovan wants to make sure Vucevic continues to get plenty of offensive touches.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS on Saturday
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Practice Report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Tuesday
LS Ross Matiscik (back), G Brandon Scherff (abdomen)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Tuesday
WR Jamal Agnew (shoulder), C Luke Fortner (back), QB Trevor Lawrence (toe), WR Kendric Pryor (shoulder)
Wednesday
WR Jamal Agnew (shoulder), C Luke Fortner (back), QB Trevor Lawrence (toe), LS Ross Matiscik (back), WR Kendric Pryor (shoulder), G Brandon Scherff (abdomen)
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Practice Report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Tuesday
WR Mecole Hardman (pelvis)
Wednesday
WR Mecole Hardman (pelvis)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Tuesday
DE Frank Clark (groin)
Wednesday
DE Frank Clark (groin)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Tuesday
WR Skyy Moore (hand), CB L’Jarius Sneed (hip)
Wednesday
WR Skyy Moore (hand), CB L’Jarius Sneed (hip)
NEW YORK GIANTS at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES on Saturday night
NEW YORK GIANTS
Practice Report
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Tuesday
LB Landon Collins (ankle), WR Isaiah Hodgins (ankle), CB Adoree’ Jackson (back), S Julian Love (hamstring), CB Fabian Moreau (hip), LB Azeez Ojulari (quadricep)
Wednesday
LB Landon Collins (ankle), WR Isaiah Hodgins (ankle), S Julian Love (hamstring), CB Fabian Moreau (hip), LB Azeez Ojulari (quadricep)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Tuesday
S Jason Pinnock (abdomen)
Wednesday
CB Adoree’ Jackson (back), S Jason Pinnock (abdomen)
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
The Eagles did not practice Tuesday. The Tuesday practice report is an estimation.
Practice Report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Tuesday
CB Avonte Maddox (toe)
Wednesday
DE Brandon Graham (illness, not injury related – resting player), CB Avonte Maddox (toe)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Tuesday
T Lane Johnson (groin), DT Linval Joseph (calf), DE Robert Quinn (back)
Wednesday
CB James Bradberry (not injury related – resting player), WR A.J. Brown (not injury related – resting player), DT Fletcher Cox (not injury related – resting player), G Landon Dickerson (not injury related – resting player), T Lane Johnson (groin, not injury related – resting player), C Jason Kelce (not injury related – resting player), DE Robert Quinn (back, not injury related – resting player), G Isaac Seumalo (not injury related – resting player), CB Darius Slay (not injury related – resting player), DE Josh Sweat (not injury related – resting player)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday
DT Linval Joseph (calf)
CINCINNATI BENGALS at BUFFALO BILLS on Sunday
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Practice Report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Wednesday
G Alex Cappa (ankle), CB Tre Flowers (hamstring), DT D.J. Reader (not injury related – resting player), T Jonah Williams (knee)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday
CB Eli Apple (neck), DE Joseph Ossai (shoulder), S Michael Thomas (hamstring)
BUFFALO BILLS
Practice Report
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday
CB Dane Jackson (knee), DT DaQuan Jones (calf), DE Jordan Phillips (shoulder), S Jordan Poyer (knee)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday
QB Josh Allen (right elbow), CB Cameron Lewis (forearm), WR Isaiah McKenzie (hamstring)
DALLAS COWBOYS at SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS on Sunday night
DALLAS COWBOYS
The Cowboys did not practice Wednesday. The Wednesday practice report is an estimation.
Practice Report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Wednesday
T Jason Peters (hip)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday
S Jayron Kearse (knee), DE Demarcus Lawrence (foot)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday
S Israel Mukuamu (hamstring), CB Trayvon Mullen (illness), T Tyron Smith (knee)
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Practice Report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Wednesday
QB Jimmy Garoppolo (foot), CB Ambry Thomas (ankle), T Trent Williams (not injury related – resting player)
DOMINANT DEBUTS: Three of the eight starting quarterbacks in the Divisional Playoffs, presented by Intuit TurboTax, made their postseason debuts last week in historic fashion.
New York Giants quarterback DANIEL JONES became the first player in NFL history with at least 300 passing yards (301), two touchdown passes (two) and 70 rushing yards (78) in a playoff game in New York’s victory at Minnesota. Jacksonville quarterback TREVOR LAWRENCE passed for 288 yards and four touchdowns in the Jaguars’ 27-point comeback victory over the Chargers and became the sixth quarterback ever with at least four touchdown passes in his first-career playoff start. In San Francisco’s victory over Seattle, BROCK PURDY became the first rookie quarterback ever with four total touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) in a playoff game and had the most passing yards (332) by a player making his first career playoff start since 1937.
Lawrence and Purdy can join SCOTT BRUNNER as the only players ever with at least three touchdown passes in each of their first two career playoff games.
Additionally, Jones and Purdy can join MARC BULGER, Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN FOUTS, MATT HASSELBECK and MATTHEW STAFFORD as the only players ever with at least 300 passing yards in each of their first two playoff games.
Purdy, who was selected with the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, is aiming to become the fifth rookie quarterback in NFL history to start and win a Divisional Round playoff game. He can also join MARK SANCHEZ (six touchdown passes in 2009 postseason) as the only rookie quarterbacks ever with four-or-more postseason touchdown passes.
The rookie quarterbacks to start and win a Divisional Round playoff game in NFL history:
QUARTERBACK
TEAM
GAME
FINAL SCORE
Mark Sanchez
N.Y. Jets
2009 AFC Divisional at San Diego Chargers
NYJ 17, SD 14
Joe Flacco
Baltimore
2008 AFC Divisional at Tennessee
BAL 13, TEN 10
Ben Roethlisberger
Pittsburgh
2004 AFC Divisional vs. N.Y. Jets
PIT 20, NYJ 17
Shaun King
Tampa Bay
1999 NFC Divisional vs. Washington
TB 14, WAS 13
— DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS —
CHIEFS KINGDOM: The KANSAS CITY CHIEFS will be making their 2022 postseason debut this week after winning their seventh-consecutive AFC West division title and earning a first-round bye as the AFC’s No.1 seed.
With a win against Jacksonville on Saturday (4:30 PM ET, NBC/Peacock/Telemundo), Kansas City will become the third team in NFL history to appear in five consecutive Championship Games, joining the New England Patriots, who advanced to eight straight AFC Championships from 2011-18, and the Oakland Raiders, who advanced to five consecutive AFC Championships from 1973-77.
Head coach ANDY REID has led Kansas City to each of the past four AFC Championship Games, after leading Philadelphia to five NFC Championship Games earlier in his career. With a win on Saturday, he will become the third head coach in NFL history to appear in 10 Conference Championships, joining BILL BELICHICK (13) and Pro Football Hall of Famer TOM LANDRY (10).
Reid has 19 career postseason wins and can tie Landry (20) for the second-most in NFL history. Only Belichick (31) has more.
The head coaches with the most career postseason wins in NFL history:
HEAD COACH
TEAM(S)
POSTSEASON WINS
Bill Belichick
Cleveland, New England
31
Tom LandryHOF
Dallas
20
Andy Reid
Philadelphia, Kansas City
19
Don ShulaHOF
Baltimore Colts, Miami
19
Joe GibbsHOF
Washington
17
In three playoff games last year, quarterback PATRICK MAHOMES totaled at least 275 passing yards and three touchdown passes in each contest. With three touchdown passes on Saturday, he will join MATT RYAN as the only players in NFL history with at least three touchdown passes in four consecutive playoff games. Buffalo’s JOSH ALLEN also has a chance to accomplish the feat this week.
Mahomes has recorded at least three touchdown passes in seven of his 11 career playoff games, fourth-most in NFL postseason history. With three touchdown passes on Saturday, he will tie AARON RODGERS (eight games) for the third-most postseason games ever with at least three touchdown passes.
The players with the most postseason games with at least three touchdown passes in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM(S)
GAMES
Tom Brady
New England, Tampa Bay
13
Joe MontanaHOF
San Francisco, Kansas City
9
Aaron Rodgers
Green Bay
8
Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City
7
Mahomes’ top target in his career has been tight end TRAVIS KELCE, as they have connected on 11 postseason touchdowns over the past five years. With another touchdown between the pair, they will tie the Pro Football Hall of Fame tandem of JOE MONTANA and JERRY RICE (12 touchdowns) for the second-most postseason touchdowns between a quarterback-receiver pairing in NFL history. Only TOM BRADY and ROB GRONKOWSKI (15) have more.
The quarterback-receiver pairings with the most postseason touchdowns in NFL history:
QUARTERBACK
RECEIVER
TOUCHDOWNS
Tom Brady
Rob Gronkowski
15
Joe MontanaHOF
Jerry RiceHOF
12
Patrick Mahomes
Travis Kelce
11
Kelce enters the 2022 postseason with at least 95 receiving yards in each of his past six playoff games, the longest such streak in NFL postseason history. In 15 career playoff games, he has totaled 106 receptions for 1,291 yards and 12 touchdowns.
With 99 receiving yards on Saturday, Kelce will surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer MICHAEL IRVIN (1,315) and ROB GRONKOWSKI (1,389)for the third-most receiving yards in NFL postseason history.
With 100 receiving yards on Saturday, Kelce will tie Pro Football Hall of Famer JERRY RICE (eight games) for the most postseason games with at least 100 receiving yards in NFL history.
The players with the most postseason receiving yards in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM(S)
RECEIVING YARDS
Jerry RiceHOF
San Francisco, Oakland Raiders
2,245
Julian Edelman
New England
1,442
Rob Gronkowski
New England, Tampa Bay
1,389
Michael IrvinHOF
Dallas
1,315
Travis Kelce
Kansas City
1,291
With a touchdown reception, Kelce will surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer JOHN STALLWORTH (12 touchdown receptions) for the third-most postseason touchdown receptions in NFL history.
The players with the most postseason touchdown receptions in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM(S)
TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS
Jerry RiceHOF
San Francisco, Oakland Raiders
22
Rob Gronkowski
New England, Tampa Bay
15
Travis Kelce
Kansas City
12
John StallworthHOF
Pittsburgh
12
— DIVISONAL PLAYOFFS —
DUAL-THREAT QUARTERBACKS: The NEW YORK GIANTS and PHILADELPHIA EAGLES will meet for the third time this season on Saturday night (8:15 PM ET, FOX/FOX Deportes). Eagles quarterback JALEN HURTS ranked fourth among quarterbacks with 760 rushing yards in 2022, while the Giants’ DANIEL JONES ranked fifth with 708.
Saturday’s meeting will mark the first playoff matchup in NFL history in which both starting quarterbacks each had at least 600 rushing yards in the regular season and the fifth with each having at least 500 rushing yards.
The postseason games featuring two starting quarterbacks each with at least 500 rushing yards in the regular season in NFL history:
ROUND
GAME
QUARTERBACKS (RUSHING YARDS)
RESULT
2022 NFC Divisional
N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia
Daniel Jones (708) & Jalen Hurts (760)
???
2015 NFC Divisional
Seattle at Carolina
Russell Wilson (553) & Cam Newton (636)
CAR 31, SEA 24
2014 NFC Divisional
Carolina at Seattle
Cam Newton (539) & Russell Wilson (849)
SEA 31, CAR 17
2013 NFC Champ.
San Francisco at Seattle
Colin Kaepernick (524) & Russell Wilson (539)
SEA 23, SF 17
2013 NFC Divisional
San Francisco at Carolina
Colin Kaepernick (524) & Cam Newton (585)
SF 23, CAR 10
Philadelphia’s defense led the NFL with 70 sacks this season, tied for the third-most by a team in the regular season in NFL history. With three sacks on Saturday night, the Eagles will surpass the 1985 New York Giants (72 sacks) and 1983 Los Angeles Raiders (72) for thefourth-most sacks by a team in a single season, including playoffs, in league history.
The teams with the most sacks in a season in NFL history, including playoffs:
TEAM
SEASON
SACKS
Chicago Bears
1984
82
Chicago Bears
1985
80
Oakland Raiders
1967
74
Los Angeles Raiders
1983
72
New York Giants
1985
72
Philadelphia Eagles
2022
70
— DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS —
CINCINNATI STARS: The CINCINNATI BENGALS are aiming for their second-consecutive AFC Championship Game appearance and fourth overall in franchise history.
Last year, quarterback JOE BURROW – who was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft – became the third quarterback selected in the first round to start a Super Bowl within his first two seasons in NFL history.
With a win at Buffalo on Sunday (3:00 PM ET, CBS/Paramount+), Burrow, age 26, will become the first quarterback selected No. 1 overall to win five playoff games prior to his 27th birthday. He can also join RUSSELL WILSON and BEN ROETHLISBERGER as the only quarterbacks ever to win five playoff games within their first three seasons.
Wide receiver JA’MARR CHASE led the team with nine receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown in Cincinnati’s victory over Baltimore last week, marking his fifth-consecutive playoff game with at least five receptions.
With five catches on Sunday, Chase will become the fourth player in NFL history with at least five receptions in each of his first six career playoff games, joining LARRY FITZGERALD, DEANDRE HOPKINS and WES WELKER.
Chase has 452 career postseason receiving yards and with 12 receiving yards on Sunday, will surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer RANDY MOSS (463) for the second-most postseason receiving yards ever by a player in his first two seasons. Only CHARLIE BROWN (643) has more.
The players with the most postseason receiving yards in their first two career seasons in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM
RECEIVING YARDS
Charlie Brown
Washington
643
Randy MossHOF
Minnesota
463
Ja’Marr Chase
Cincinnati
452*
*In second season
— DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS —
TOP BILLING: The BUFFALO BILLS are aiming for their second AFC Championship Game appearance in the past three years and can improve on their 13-1 home playoff record since 1970 when they host Cincinnati on Sunday (3:00 PM ET, CBS/Paramount+).
Last week, quarterback JOSH ALLEN passed for 352 yards and three touchdowns in their win over Miami, his third-straight playoff game with at least 300 passing yards and three touchdown passes. If he accomplishes the feat again on Sunday, he will become the first player ever with at least three touchdown passes and 300 passing yards in four consecutive playoff games.
In seven career playoff games, Allen has totaled 17 touchdown passes. With three touchdown passes on Sunday, he can become the first player in NFL history to reach 20 postseason touchdown passes in eight-or-fewer playoff games.
The players to reach 20 touchdown passes in the fewest postseason games in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM(S)
GAMES TO REACH 20 TD PASSES
Drew Brees
San Diego Chargers, New Orleans
9
Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City
9
Dan MarinoHOF
Miami
9
Josh Allen
Buffalo
7*
*Has 17 career postseason touchdown passes
Over his past two playoff games, wide receiver GABE DAVIS has totaled 314 receiving yards and five touchdown receptions, with over 100 receiving yards and a touchdown reception in each game. He can become the fourth player in NFL history with at least 100 receiving yards and a touchdown reception in three-or-more consecutive postseason games.
The players with at least 100 receiving yards and a touchdown reception in the most consecutive postseason games in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM
CONSECUTIVE GAMES
Larry Fitzgerald
Arizona
4 (Jan. 3, 2009 – Feb. 1, 2009)
Randy MossHOF
Minnesota
3 (Jan. 9, 2000 – Jan. 6, 2001)
Jerry RiceHOF
San Francisco
3 (Jan. 8, 1989 – Jan. 6, 1990)
Gabe Davis
Buffalo
2* (Jan. 23, 2022 – Jan. 15, 2023)
*Active streak
Tight end DAWSON KNOX also recorded a touchdown reception last week, marking his fifth-consecutive game with a touchdown reception, going back to Week 14 of the regular season. He can become the third tight end in NFL history with a touchdown reception in six consecutive games within a single season, including playoffs, joining ROBGRONKOWSKI (2011 and 2014) and TRAVISKELCE (2020 and 2021).
— DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS —
POSTSEASON HEAVYWEIGHTS MEET: When the SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS host the DALLAS COWBOYS on Sunday night (6:30 PM ET, FOX/FOX Deportes), two of the most successful postseason teams in league history will meet.
Dallas has 36 postseason wins and with a victory on Sunday would tie the New England Patriots (37 postseason wins) for the most in NFL history. San Francisco has 35 postseason wins and with a victory, would tie Dallas, Green Bay and Pittsburgh for the second-most all-time.
The franchises with the most postseason victories in NFL history:
TEAM
WINS
SUPER BOWL TITLES
New England
37
6
Dallas
36
5
Green Bay
36
4
Pittsburgh
36
6
San Francisco
35
5
Last week in their win at Tampa Bay, Dallas quarterback DAK PRESCOTT recorded 305 passing yards and five total touchdowns (four passing, one rushing). It marked his fourth-consecutive postseason game with a rushing touchdown, the longest streak by a quarterback in NFL history.
It also marked his fourth-career playoff game with both a touchdown pass and a rushing touchdown, tied for the third-most such games ever. With a touchdown pass and rushing touchdown on Sunday, Prescott will tie TOM BRADY (five games) for the second-most such playoff games in NFL history. Only Pro Football Hall of Famer STEVE YOUNG (seven) has more.
The players with the most postseason games with both a touchdown pass and a rushing touchdown in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM(S)
GAMES
Steve YoungHOF
San Francisco
7
Tom Brady
New England, Tampa Bay
5
John ElwayHOF
Denver
4
Donovan McNabb
Philadelphia
4
Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City
4*
Dak Prescott
Dallas
4*
*Active in 2022 postseason
In last week’s victory over Seattle, San Francisco running back CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY totaled 136 scrimmage yards (119 rushing, 17 receiving) and a touchdown reception, marking his second-consecutive postseason game with at least 100 scrimmage yards and a touchdown.
If he accomplishes the feat again on Sunday, McCaffrey will become the fourth player ever with at least 100 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in each of his first three career playoff games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer TERRELL DAVIS, LARRY FITZGERALD and ARIAN FOSTER. He can also join RICKY WATTERS as the only running backs ever with a touchdown reception in three consecutive postseason games.
Nevada women’s basketball goes back on the road to face Colorado State on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
Larry Burnett will have the call on 94.1 FM/1450 AM with a 20 minute pregame show prior to tipoff. Fans can also listen live online through the Varsity Network. The game will be available to watch on the Mountain West Network and live stats can be accessed through Sidearm.
Thornton, Colorado, native Alyssa Jimenez will be playing just over an hour from her hometown on Thursday. Jimenez is off to her best season at Nevada, leading Nevada in scoring and rebounding. Jimenez, who is averaging 13.8 points per game and 8.3 rebounds per game in Mountain West games this season, is coming off back-to-back double-doubles on Jan. 14 and Jan. 16. She is the first player to record at least four double-doubles in the same season since Terae Briggs in 2018-19.
Nevada has had one fourth of its roster have at least one career 20-point outing. Ormiston registered a career-high 26 points on Dec. 11 against Santa Clara and dropped 21 points in the Pack’s next game on Dec. 17 against Oregon State. Guards Audrey Roden and Victoria Davis have also had 20-point games this season.
Nevada is 5-1 this season when it holds its opponents to under 60 points. The Pack held San Jose State to 47 points on Dec. 29, the lowest point total by a Nevada opponent in a conference opener since the Pack joined a league in the NCAA Era. They held Utah State to just 20.9 percent shooting on Jan. 14, the lowest percentage held by Nevada in a Mountain West game since the Pack joined the conference in 2012-13.
SCOUTING COLORADO STATE Colorado State remains on the top of the Mountain West standings, leading the conference in scoring (79.0 points per game) and field goal percentage (.473). The Rams also lead the nation in assist/turnover ratio (1.80).
McKenna Hofschild leads the nation in assist/turnover ratio with a 4.54 mark, while also leading the conference in scoring (370 points, 21.8 points per game) and assists (127). Destiny Thurman also adds production for Colorado State by scoring 14.9 points per game while Cailyn Crocker pours in 11.6 points per game.
After securing two home wins, the Henderson State women’s basketball program will travel to Magnolia, Ark. to face in-state foe Southern Arkansas on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. inside the W.T. Watson Athletic Center.
REDDIES REPORT Henderson (8-6, 5-3) scored big in the second half, putting up 49 points on its way to an 85-65 victory over Southwestern Oklahoma State. Ashley Farrar led the way with 30 points and was one of four players to record double-digit points.
Against SWOSU, the Reddies outrebound the Lady Bulldogs 47-28 and scored 14 points off second-chance opportunities. HSU currently ranks in the league’s top half in rebounds, averaging 39.9 a game, which is the fifth-best in the GAC. Abbie Jiles leads the team in defensive rebounds with 68, while Bobbi Bazzle has a team-high 34 offensive rebounds.
Jill Thomas’ team has shot the ball well lately, shooting a combined 44.8 percent from the field against Northwestern and Southwestern Oklahoma State. For the season, the Reddies are converting 37.7 percent from the field and 33.2 percent from the three-point line.
Henderson’s three-point defense will be tested against SAU, who leads all Division II in triples made per game (14.0). However, HSU does not give many clean looks from beyond the arc, with opponents only shooting 27.6 percent at the three-point line. In Henderson’s eight wins, teams are averaging just 3.4 triples a game.
In the first meeting this season, Henderson and Southern Arkansas played in a high-scoring overtime thriller, which the Reddies won 98-90. Farrar scored a game-high and career-high 44 points in the team’s win. HSU has a good record inside the W.T. Watson Athletic Center with seven victories and four defeats, though the last two meetings in Magnolia have gone the Muleriders way.
SCOUTING SOUTHERN ARKANSAS In the Muleriders’ last outing, they defeated Southeastern Oklahoma State 74-59 to get their second league win of the season and snap a two-game losing streak. The win over the Savage Storm improves SAU to 6-8 overall and 2-6 in the GAC.
Southern Arkansas’s number one three-point attack made 21 triples in its win over the Savage Storm while shooting 44.7 percent from deep. SAU is averaging 39.9 three-point attempts a game which is the most for any team across Division II women’s basketball. The Muleriders had 47 attempts from beyond the arc against Southeastern Oklahoma State.
Another staple of SAU’s game is its high press. The Muleridres have forced turnovers all season when they press high up the court, as opponents are averaging 25.0 turnovers a game. Diamond Morris leads the team with 26 steals and is one of five players to record 20 or more.
Henderson State meets Southern Arkansas for the second time this season and the first in Magnolia when the two teams face off from inside the W.T. Watson Athletic Center Thursday, Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m.
REDDIES REPORT The Reddies dropped back-to-back nail biters over the weekend against Northwestern and Southwestern Oklahoma State by a combined six points. Against the Bulldogs, HSU managed just five three-pointers while SWOSU netted 11 triples to come away with the five-point victory, 75-70. Henderson got 46 of its 70 points from Franck Kamgain (17), Malik Riddle (15) and Alvin Miles (14).
Kamgain continues his career scoring streak as he now has scored in double figures in 12 consecutive games, marking the longest HSU streak of that kind since Kaylon Tappin scored 10 or more in 18 straight contests during the 2017-18 season. Among the 25 leading scorers in the GAC this year, the senior from Kansas City, Missouri is tied with Southeastern’s Jett Sternberger for the longest active such streak.
As a team, Henderson is one of just three programs in the conference to be averaging at least 70 points on offense while holding their opponents below 68 points per game. The Reddies continue to be an excellent rebounding team as well, averaging 37.6 a game. On the offensive glass, HSU is third in the GAC and 53rd in Division II with 11.6 boards an outing. Both Tomislav Miholjcic (5.9) and Riddle (5.6) rank among the Top-17 rebounding leaders in the league.
On Thursday, the Reddies will look to break its current three-game losing streak, having not lost four in a row since head coach Jimmy Elgas‘ second season with the program in 2016-17. The men have fared well against Southern Arkansas in recent years, having won three straight, including last season in Magnolia when Ryan Boyce hit a buzzer-beater three to lift HSU over SAU, 65-62. Henderson leads the all-time series against the Muleriders, 110-78.
In the season’s first matchup against Southern Arkansas, all five starters for Henderson scored in double figures, led by Miles with 18 on 6-of-11 shooting and 3-of-4 at the line as the Reddies won their GAC Opener, 75-67. The Muleriders held a two-point lead at halftime and then a four-point advantage early in the second frame before HSU outscored SAU 38-26 over the final 15 minutes of game action.
SCOUTING SOUTHERN ARKANSAS Since losing to Henderson St. in its conference opener, Southern Arkansas has gone on a run, winning seven straight prior to its most recent loss to Southeastern Oklahoma St. During that winning streak, SAU averaged 81.4 points per game while holding its opponents to 68.4 points.
In the Muleriders’ 11-point loss against the Savage Storm last Saturday, SAU shot just 24.1 percent (7-29) from three and 35.2 percent (25-71) from the field. Gregory Hammond Jr. scored a team-high 20 points with 14 rebounds, followed by Brock Schreiner’s 11 points as the only two Muleriders to score in double figures.
Southern Arkansas boasts three guys who are averaging 5.7 or more rebounds per game as SAU is one of the premier teams on the glass, leading the league in combined team rebounds (39.6) and offensive rebounds (13.9). The Muleriders’ rebounding margin over their opponents is 8.6, which ranks 13th in Division II. In the first matchup with the Reddies, HSU held the slight rebounding edge, 36-34.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, MN – The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have signed right-handed pitcher Chris Paddack to a three-year contract extension through the 2025 season.
Paddack, who turned 27 last week, made five starts for the Twins in 2022, going 1-2 with a 4.03 ERA (22.1 IP, 10 ER), two walks, 20 strikeouts and a 1.21 WHIP before undergoing Tommy John Surgery on his right elbow in May.
The 6-foot-5, 217-pound right-hander has made 66 career appearances (65 starts) between the Twins and San Diego Padres, going 21-21 with a 4.20 ERA (330.1 IP, 154 ER), 67 walks, 330 strikeouts and a .242 opponent batting average. He was named to Baseball America’s Major League All-Rookie Team in 2019 after going 9-7 with a 3.33 ERA (140.2 IP, 52 ER) in 26 starts for the Padres.
The Austin, Texas native was originally drafted by the Miami Marlins in the eighth round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft out of Cedar Park High School in Cedar Park, Texas.
