Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Colts to start Flacco Sunday; Johnson joins Ravens as new wide out; plus more news

The Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks Anthony Richardson (5) and Joe Flacco (15) warm up before a game against the Houston Texans in Houston on Sun Oct 27, 2024 (AP News photo)

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong:

#1 Former Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco will be the starting quarterback after the Indianapolis Colts have benched Anthony Richardson. The Colts coaching staff met on Tuesday and decided to make the change. The decision was made after Richardson requested to come out of last Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans for one play as Richardson said he was “tired.

#2 Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson who under center leads the number one offense in the NFL. The Ravens have landed a key wide receiver from the Carolina Panthers Diontae Johnson who just needs to pass a physical. This is Johnson’s second trade this season who started the year with the Pittsburgh Steelers before joining the Panthers.

#3 The Wayne County prosecutors office are seeking an arrest warrant for Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams for a concealed weapons charges. Williams was carrying a weapon in a car when he was stopped by the Detroit Police on Oct 8 for a moving violation.

#4 The NBA has fined the Philadelphia 76ers $100,000 for public statements concerning the health status of Joel Embiid. The investigation showed that the 76ers did not violate the player participation policy regarding Embiid’s missed games but the Sixers made public comments that did not properly show issues with his knee.

#5 The Golden State Warriors Andrew Wiggins sat out with an injury due to a lower back strain. Wiggins was questioned whether he would play on Tuesday on Sunday Wiggins back tightened up. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said that it was not one particular play that caused the back tightening up.

Join Jessica Kwong every other Wednesday for Headline Sports at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria: Sabonis’ 25th triple double joins elite club of NBA players

The Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) is doubled teamed by the Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul Reed (44) and guard Buddy Hield (17) in the second half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Mon Mar 25, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Tyrese Maxey had a game-leading 21 points in the first quarter. Not far behind Maxey was Keegan Murray, who scored 17 points. 

#2 Domantas Sabonis scored his 25th triple double of the season, Sabonis also had 11 points, 13 rebounds, with 10 assists.

#3 Sabonis’ accomplishments makes him the fifth player all time for NBA players who have scored 25 triple doubles or more in a season joining Nikola Jokic, Russell Westbrook, Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson.

#4 Kings head coach Mike Brown said that Sabonis is having a phenomenal. Coach Brown said that Sabonis should have been first, second or third NBA All Star or have earned the MVP. Despite all his work he gets very little national attention.

#5 The Kings host the Dallas Mavericks on tonight at Golden 1. It’s back to back nights for the Kings they have the home court advantage. Mavericks (42-29) have won four in a row coming into tonight’s game and have won seven of their last ten games. The Kings (42-29) have the same identical record as the Mavericks and have won two in a row coming into tonight’s game.

Join Tony for the Kings podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings Win Cliff-Hanger Beating Orlando 109-107

The Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) takes the ball against the Orlando Magic center Mortiz Wagner (21) in the first half at the Kia Center in Orlando on Sat Mar 23, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

After losing a game to the worst team in the NBA Thursday night, the Sacramento Kings (40-29) went on to beat one of the best Saturday night. The Kings beat the Orlando Magic (42-28) in a crazy game where there were insane lead changes numbers-wise. The game went right down to the wire with the Kings coming out on top 109-107. This was not a game for the faint of heart. It was a great and badly needed win for the team.

Saturday evening the Kings traveled to Orlando for a matchup with the Magic. The Kings lost a shocker to the Washington Wizards Thursday night 109-102. Whether they took the Wizards lightly which hardly seems the case or they were just off their game, they cannot afford losses this late in the season. These two teams are evenly matched so fans were in store for a real barn burner.

The first half was close from start to finish. As the two teams headed to the locker room after the first two quarters the Magic had a slim lead 56-54. After the first 12 minutes, the Kings had a 27-26 lead. The Magic went on to win the second quarter 30-27 and thus the halftime lead 56-54. This game had proven to be as close as expected.

The Kings fought for the third quarter winning it 27-25 and this game was knotted at 81. The Kings made a move in the fourth quarter. Keegan Murray was having a monster game making 6 of 7 from beyond the arc.

De’Aaron Fox was needed to provide his fourth quarter magic as the clock wound down to under four minutes with Sacramento leading 99-94. The Kings had hit 15 triples so far in this game.

The Magic had pulled to within three points several times during the final minutes of this game with Sacramento fighting to hang onto the lead. With 21.2 seconds left on the clock, the Magic had taken the lead 107-106.

Orlando’s Jalen Suggs fouled Fox who hit both free throws and Sacramento took back the lead 108-107 with two seconds left in the game. Orlando went on to foul Keon Ellis who hit one of two free throw and that was the game. The Kings had won a nail-biter 109-107 against one of the best in the NBA.

Fox had the high for the Kings with 31 points and Domantas Sabonis had yet another double double, his 66th this season. This one was his 53rd in a row tying Kevin Love for the longest streak. Sabonis finished with 21 points. Murray had a terrific game with 22 points going 6 of 7 from downtown. Ellis continues to play lights out with 19 points improving with every game.

“Heck of a win for our guys. They put pressure on the rim and they had a huge size advantage. I thought our group showed resilience and we rebounded well,” said Head Coach Mike Brown after the game. “When you are not shooting well, you have to defend. We won the possession game in a tough environment,” he said.

Monday night the Kings return home to Golden 1 Center to take on the Philadelphia 76ers. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

After slow start, Warriors offense blows out the Philadelphia 76ers 127-104

Golden State Warriors Andrew Wiggins (left) goes for an underhand shot against the Philadelphia 76ers Paul Reed (right) in the first half at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Wed Feb 7, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

After scoring the fewest points (15) in the first quarter, the Golden State Warriors woke up and routed the Philadelphia 76ers 127-104. The Warriors beat the Sixers in San Francisco on January 30th. In that game, the Sixers’ star big man, Joel Embiid, tore his meniscus and had to leave the game.

Embiid will have surgery to repair the tear, and it is unknown how long Embiid will be on the shelf. As a result of Embiid not being in the lineup, the Sixers have lost six of the last seven games played. With the win, the Warriors have won four of their last five games and are 3-1 on the current five-game road trip. The Warriors won their tenth game on the road this season. Last year, The Warriors won 11 and lost 30. 

The Warriors could not generate any offense in the first quarter, and the Sixers won the quarter 22-15. Warrior guard Stephen Curry connected on a three-point shot and was fouled. Sixers’ coach, Nick Nurse, challenged the foul, and the call was reversed. Curry three was taken off the board, and the referees charged Curry with an offensive foul. 

In the second quarter, the Sixers increased the lead to ten, 27-17. The Warriors offense came to life as the Warriors went on a 10-0 run to tie the game 27-27. Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga paced the Warrior attack, and the Warriors finished the first half with a three-point advantage, 48-45.

The Warriors outscored the Sixers 33-23 in the second quarter. Kuminga and Wiggins had 11 points each. The Warriors’ big Three, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and Curry, put seven points on the board in the first half. Thompson had five, and Curry did not make a basket from the floor. Curry made two free throws. 

The Warriors blew the game open in the third quarter. The Warriors scored 43 points, while the Warriors’ defense held the Sixers to 23. To start the third period, the Warriors went on a 25-7 run. Thompson, Wiggins, and Curry all made shots. The Warriors led 91-68 at the end of the third quarter.

The Dubs led by thirty, 101-71, after Thompson connected on a three.    

The Warriors’ head coach, Steve Kerr, pulled his starters from the game. Dario Saric, Lester Quinones, Cory Joseph, Gui Santos, and Moses Moody were on the floor to finish the game. The Warriors won 127-104.

Game Notes: With the win, the Warriors improved to 23-25. The Sixers fell to 30-20.

Wiggins had a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Wiggins played well on both ends of the court. Thompson and Kuminga each had 18. Curry finished the night with nine. Every Warrior player that went onto the court scored. Lester Quinones led the bench with 13 points.

As a team, the Warriors shot 50% from the floor. The Warriors knocked down 16 three-point shots. The Warriors pulled down 59 rebounds, and the offense recorded 30 assists. The Warriors had seven steals and eight blocks. 

The Sixers Ricky Council led his team with 17. Tobias Harris (13), Kenyon Martin (15), Patrick Beverly, and Tobias Harris each had 13. Former Warrior Kelly Oubre put 11 on the board. 

The Warriors finish the five-game road trip Thursday night against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis. The game will start at 5 pm.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Warriors look to win their second straight game tonight in Philadelphia

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives on the Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) in first half action at the Barclay Center on Mon Feb 5, 2024. The Warriors are in Philadelphia Wed Feb 7, 2024 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia (AP News photo)

On the Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

#1 Jerry, the Warriors pulled another one off where they had to come back from behind and they can give most of the credit to guard Stephen Curry who led with 29 points on Monday night.

#2 The Warriors also got help from Jonathan Kuminga who finished second in scoring with 28 points. Kuminga scoring played huge since he and Curry finished in large numbers to get by the Brooklyn Nets.

#3 Jerry, there was little doubt the Warriors were trying to make amends for losing to the Atlanta Hawks last Saturday after Curry put in a full on effort with 60 points only to lose it.

#4 The Warriors started the game against the Brooklyn Nets questionable hitting only two out of 11 three pointers, turned the ball over ten times, the Nets capitalized scoring 15 points on Warriors turnovers while Golden State managed to get 43 points in the first half.

#5 The Warriors have won three of their last four games and tip off against the Philadelphia 76ers at Well Fargo Center in Philadelphia for a 4:30pm PT tip. The Warriors won the last time they faced the 76ers in San Francisco on Tue Jan 30th. Golden State’s defense were able to hold back 76ers star shooter Joel Embiid for that last win.

Join Jerry Feitelberg for the Warriors podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors bounce back beat 76ers 119-107; Curry leads with 37 points in win

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (13) is fouled by the Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) as they land on the Chase Center floor in San Francisco on Tue Jan 30, 2024 (AP News photo)

Bj Jerry Feitelberg

Having lost the last two games by a single point, the Warriors rebounded to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 119-105 Tuesday night at the Chase Center.

The Sixers’ big man, Joel Embiid, the reigning NBA MVP, scored 70 points in a game last week. The Warriors’ task was to find a way to slow down Embiid. It would be challenging as the Warriors did not have Klay Thompson available to play. Thompson was under the weather. Steve Kerr had rookie Brandin Podziemski start in the backcourt with guard Stephen Curry.

The revamped Warriors lineup had Draymond Green at the center position, and the forwards were Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins. All five Warrior starters finished in double figures. Kuminga scored 26 points and was terrific in the fourth quarter.

For Kuminga, it was his seventh game in a row with 20-plus points and his 24th straight game in double figures. Wiggins, averaging about 14 points a game, kicked in with 23. Curry led the Warriors with 37 and was magnificent in the fourth quarter.

The Sixers won the first quarter 28-23. The Warriors’ offense was sluggish in the first period. Green paced the Warrior’s in the second quarter with nine points. The Warriors were trailing 44-36 when they went on a 12-2 run to lead 48-46. The Sixers tied the game at 50-50. Kuminga made a bucket to give the Warriors a two-point lead 52-50 at the half.

The Warriors picked up the pace in the third quarter. Curry made two threes to give the Warriors a 12-point advantage, 69-57. The Warriors increased the lad to 14. The Sixers went on a 9-0 run to cut the lead to five, 80-75. Trayce Jackson-Davis and Kuminga made the last three baskets of the quarter to propel the Warriors into a nine-point lead 86-77.

The Sixers came out firing in the fourth quarter, scoring 30 points. However, they needed to find a way to stop Curry, Kuminga, and Wiggins. They failed as the Warriors outscored them by three points to win the quarter 33-30 and the game 119-107. Curry and Kuminga did most of the damage.

Game Notes: With the win, the Warriors improved to 20-24, while the Sixers fell to 29-17.

The Warriors had four starters in double figures. Curry led the team with 37 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, connecting on eight threes in 13 tries. Wiggins followed with 23 points, five boards, and four assists. Kuminga had 26 points and seven rebounds.

Podzienski added 11 points, six rebounds, and three assists. The Warrior bench added 13 points. As a team, the W’s shot 55% from the floor. The Warriors made 14 three-point shots.

The Warriors defense held Embiid to 14 points. Embiid was five-for-18 from the floor. Embiid was saddled with five fouls and left the game with a knee injured late in the fourth quarter. Tobias Harris led the Sixers with 26 points and 10 rebounds.

Former Warrior Kelly Oubre tallied 14 points. Patrick Beverly had 12. The Sixers had two bench players record double-figures. Furkan Korkmaz, averaging 1.8 points per game, came off the bench to tally 19 points. Jaden Springer added ten in a losing cause.

The Warriors play seven of their next nine games on the road. The Warriors will be in Memphis to play the Grizzlies on Friday night.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Curry, Warriors try and regroup after two one point loses in a row; Golden State hosts 76ers Tuesday night

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry takes the ball down the floor against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat Jan 27, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 Barbara, the Los Angeles Lakers handed the Golden State Warriors their second consecutive one point loss the first being last Thursday to the Sacramento Kings and the Lakers on Saturday both were loses on the Warriors home court.

#2 The Lakers LeBron James played a huge role in the Warriors loss with a triple double and a team leading 36 points for the win.

#3 This was a back and forth game and it had LeBron and Curry also going back and forth and it wound up to be double overtime neither team wanted to surrender.

#4 Curry shot the lights out of the ball with 46 points, seven assists, three rebounds, and once again carried the weight of the team in a lost cause.

#5 Barbara, Team USA basketball managing director Grant Hill said while Draymond Green helped the Olympic team in 2016 win, it was Green’s twice suspended this season that costed him not being selected to the 2024 Olympic team. Hill basically said that Team USA hopes he keeps working on his issues giving him the best opportunity to do what he needs to do to get better.

#6 The Warriors duel with the Philadelphia 76ers (29-15) who no easy customers and have won six of their last ten games. The Sixers are on a two game skid but don’t underestimate them as one of the NBA’s top three teams in the Eastern Conference. Tip with the Sixers and Warriors 7:00pm PT Tuesday night at Chase Center.

Join Barbara Mason for the Warriors podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Harris helps 76ers stay in front of Kings in 112-93 win at Wells Fargo Arena

The Philadelphia 76ers small forward Tobias Harris (12) dunks in front of the Sacramento Kings Sabonis Domantas (10) in the first half at the Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia on Fri Jan 12, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Philadelphia 76ers (21-13) small forward Tobias Harris scored a team leading 37 points to help beat the Sacramento Kings (23-15) 112-93 at Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia.

#2 It was pretty much was the Sixers who were in command all game long over the Kings.

#3 The Sixers also got scoring from point guard Tyrese Maxey who finished second in scoring with 21 points.

#4 The Kings leading scorer was De’Aaron Fox who had 21 points but the offense just didn’t have enough to catch the Sixers.

#5 The Kings are slipping a bit of late and their task doesn’t get any easier as they take on the Milwaukee Bucks in Milwaukee on Sunday at 4pm PT.

Join Jeremiah Salmonson for Kings podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings Outplayed by Philadelphia 76ers Losing 112-93

The Philadelphia 76ers Tyrese Maxey (0) shows some confidence as the Sacramento Kings Sasha Venzenkov (7) runs in front up the court at Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia on Fri Jan 12, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the Sacramento Kings (25-25) lost to the Philadelphia 76ers (24-13) being outplayed at every turn. They trailed at the half 65-46 and the Sixers refused to letdown from start to finish. The Kings trailed close to twenty points throughout the entire fourth quarter. The final was 112-93.

Game recap: Philadelphia jumped all over the Kings in the first half of play. The Kings hung in the first quarter although ended up falling short as the quarter came to an end trailing 29-21. The Sixers began to really pour it on in the second quarter leading at halftime 65-46. 

They were outplaying the Kings offensively and the ten turnovers were also an issue. The Sixers had the advantage from the field as well as from beyond the arc. At the half Domantas Sabonis only had two points so Philadelphia had suffocated him. The Kings really struggled in the first two quarters of play and they had two quarters left to turn things around.

The third quarter was a close one which didn’t do much for the Kings cause since they had trailed by 19 points at the half. Sacramento had a huge mountain to climb if they wanted back in this game.

The Kings continued to turn the ball over and after three quarters had 14. Three’s were not falling for Sacramento only shooting 25% from downtown while the Sixers were at 52%. The Kings were having an improved offensive effort but weren’t able to provide many stops.

 Sacramento continued to plug away and after three quarters cut the Sixers lead to 87-73. The Kings won the third quarter 27-22 and they were also forcing Philadelphia turnovers.

Sacramento needed a whole lot more in the fourth quarter if they wanted to pull this game out and it would all start with more stops. It had been an uphill climb for the Kings all night as the 76ers continued their offensive dominance.

 Every time the Kings made a move the 76ers answered outscoring Sacramento 9-2 in the early minutes of the fourth quarter refusing to letup. The final was 112-93 and Philadelphia’s three game losing had come to an end.  

Tobias Harris was gave the Kings all sorts of problems finishing with 37 points. The absence of Embiid didn’t seem to hurt Philadelphia at least in this game. Tyrese Maxxy also gave Sacramento a lot of grief scoring 21 points.

It was a slow start for Sabonis although he did pick it up in the second half finishing with 12 rebounds and 14 points. The high for the Kings was De’Aaron Fox with 21 points. Sacramento had 17 turnovers were 8 of 38 from beyond the arc. It was not a great offensive night for Sacramento.

Post game notes: Friday night the Kings took on the 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers came into this game sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference while the Kings are in fifth place in the Western Conference. 

The Kings won on Wednesday night beating the Hornets 123-98. The 76ers lost an overtime game on Wednesday losing to the Atlanta Hawks 139-132. They snapped their three game losing streak and they it without Joel Embiid who was out for a third straight game with a knee injury. 

The Kings have now lost two of their last six games with Friday night’s defeat and couldn’t take advantage of the absence of Joel Embiid. Sacramento has lost nine straight meetings against Philadelphia.

It doesn’t get any easier for the Kings heading into Milwaukee to take on the Bucks Sunday. The Bucks are currently in second place in the Eastern Conference. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 4:00 PM.      

  

Kings Dominate Hornets 123-98 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte

The Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis drives to the net against the Charlotte Hornets center Nathan Mensah and guard Terry Rozier at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte on Wed Jan 10, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

There would be no ugly start for the Sacramento Kings (23-14) in Wednesday night’s game against the Charlotte Hornets (8-27). They won every quarter in the game with the final 123-98 in favor of the Kings at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte. Once again Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray stole the show; Sabonis with 24 points and Murray with 25.

Game recap: The Kings did have a much better start in this game than they did Wednesday night. They won the opening quarter 33-28. They went on to win the second quarter 38-31 leading at the half 71-59. The Hornets began to made a bit of a move after trailing by as much as sixteen points in the second quarter. 

Sabonis continued his stellar play with 18 points and six rebounds in the first half. Keegan Murray who had a slow start last night finished the half with 21 points en route to another terrific game. 

De’Aaron Fox who also struggled last night in the opening quarter had 13 points in the half. They also cleaned up the turnovers with only four in the first half. Sacramento had a great first half and were looking to continue to contain Terry Rozier and Miles Bridges in the second half. Rozier and Bridges were doing most of the heavy lifting for the Hornets in the first half.

Four minutes into the third quarter, the Kings had taken their largest lead of the game 82-62. The Hornets had cut the Kings 23 point lead to 15 as the third quarter expired but Sacramento continued to lead 95-80. Charlotte was having little success containing Sabonis as he continued to dominate.

With under four minutes left on the clock the Kings had this game well in hand leading 117-91. The Sacramento starters came out of the game and the bench took over. The Hornets were looking to sweep the Kings after winning their first two matchups but Sacramento had different plans. They led the entire second half winning the game 123-98 handing Charlote their 28th loss of the season.

Murray had the high for the Kings with 25 points and Sabonis was close behind with 24 points and he also had ten rebounds. Malik Monk had 20 off the bench and team leader Fox finished with 19 points. With Murray and Sabonis shooting so well it takes so much pressure off Fox which can go a long way to keeping him healthy. Right now this team doesn’t have a single injury and that is something that they really want to preserve going forward.

The Hornets got some outstanding minutes from Rozier with 22 points and Bridges with 24 points. 

Post game notes: After a scary first quarter Tuesday night against the Detroit Pistons, the Kings got a far different start in Wednesday night’s game against the Hornets. The Kings were outplayed in the first quarter of the Pistons game 47-29 and that was something that they didn’t want to see again any time soon. They were able to turn things around and win that game 131-110. The Hornets have been struggling this season losing Wednesday night to the Chicago Bulls 119-112.

Next up on this road trip for the Kings will be the Philadelphia 76ers Friday night. Both teams have similar records so this game has the makings of a real battle. The Sixers are favored to win this game. Joel Embiid is one of the Sixers main threats although he has missed his last two games with a swollen knee. He is doubtful in Friday’s game but that could change in the days leading up to Friday’s matchup. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 PM at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.