G League Action: Kings hold onto 113-107 victory; Lakers late come back not enough in Stockton win

Stockton Kings forward Isaiah Crawford (11) runs the floor against the South Bay Lakers at Adventist Health Arena in Stockton on Sat Jan 11, 2025 (Stockton Kings X photo)

By William Espy

The Stockton Kings kept rolling as they hosted the South Bay Lakers on Saturday night. The Kings entered the night 5-1 on the season, while the Lakers were 1-4.

The Kings, led by Mason Jones (23 points), Terry Taylor (23) and Skal Labissiere (20) offensively. Meanwhile, those in attendance didn’t get to see the biggest name playing in South Bay, as Bronny James didn’t travel with the team. Instead, the Lakers saw strong offensive performances from Quincy Olivari and Jordan Goodwin, who both had 22 points on the night.

Jones had a strong night in terms of scoring, but he simply wasn’t afraid to shoot. He had 15 attempts from beyond the arc, going 6-15 from three and 6-18 overall. Every Kings starter was in double-digits for points, an impressive feat in itself but they also got some relief from their second unit.

Isaiah Crawford and new addition Chasson Randle both did a great job disrupting the Lakers defensively, as they had four and three steals respectively on the night.

Turnovers were truly the difference-maker, as the Lakers out rebounded the Kings and were even more efficient. They had five more turnovers than Stockton though, and it ended up being just a six point game. If South Bay had been more careful with their possessions, it could’ve easily been a win for the struggling team.

The Lakers nearly launched a late comeback, outscoring Stockton by 14 points in the fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late as the Kings walked away with a 113-107 victory against the team from Southern California.

The Kings narrowly avoided a loss to a team that hasn’t had a great start to the season, but for coach Quinton Crawford, a win is a win at this juncture. The Kings find themselves second in the Western Conference, behind only the 5-0 Santa Cruz Warriors. The Kings will now head on the road, as they’ll visit the Salt Lake City Stars on Tuesday night in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Headline Sports with Charlie O: All games will not be sell outs in Sacramento; Jays sign Guerrero Jr for $28.5 million for one year; plus more news

Sutter Health Park the interim home of the Sacramento A’s between 2025-2027 is sold out of season tickets. Each home game is expected to be sold out for 2025 with a capacity of 14,000. (AP file photo)

On Headline Sports with Charlie O:

#1 The incoming Sacramento A’s have announced they have sold out all their season tickets for their first interim year in Sacramento. Sutter Health Field where the Athletics will play is expected to be sold out for every game this season.

#2 When the A’s move to Las Vegas the A’s are hoping that will be the same goal sell outs for every single home game when they move there for their target date 2028.

#3 The Toronto Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr have come to an agreement avoiding salary arbitration when Guerrero had agreed on a $28.5 million one year deal. Guerrero hit .323, 199 hits, 30 home runs, and 103 RBIs.

#4 The Houston Astros are relieved to reach a deal with left hand pitcher Framber Valdez in a contract worth $18 million for one season. Valdez was 15-7 with an ERA 2.91 last season. The Astros were hoping to hold onto some of their key pitchers going into the 2025 season.

#5 Major League Baseball has banned the two fans who interfered with Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Mookie Betts when Betts was reaching over into the first base stands at Yankees Stadium for a pop foul. One fan pried open his glove with the ball in it and the other tried to hold onto Betts right hand when he was resisting the two fans trying to get the baseball. For their trouble the two fans Austin Capobianco and John P Hansen have been banned from all MLB events and game indefinitely according to MLB.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Athletics relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: Kotsay talks about adjustment and getting to know Sacramento

Sacramento A’s manager Mark Kotsay addresses the media during Winter Meetings on Tue Dec 10, 2024 in Dallas. Kotsay spoke with the media on Mon Jan 6, 2025 regarding the A’s getting ready to play at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento for the 2025 season (Tom Gutierrez AP file photo)

On the A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 Mark Kotsay manager of the A’s met with the media on Mon Jan 6, 2025 at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel in downtown Sacramento and said regarding leaving Oakland and starting in Sacramento that change is never easy and that’s its never easy leaving from what your leaving behind that meaning the Oakland fanbase.

#2 Kotsay who spent the day in Sacramento and got a chance to go to the Sacramento Kings game on Monday and getting a chance to see the energy at Golden 1 Center and the support that the Kings get Kotsay said that’s a vision of the A’s future.

#3 Kotsay said that there is a sense of a lot of excitement regarding the A’s moving to Sacramento and brining Major League Baseball to a city that hasn’t had it before.

#4 Kotsay said that it’s important that the baseball is and the A’s are about the Sacramento Community and that any kind of community that the A’s can build and get support in makes it more comforting and life becomes a little bit easier.

#5 Kotsay was real and said that also there is a level of uncomfortability that can challenge you that makes you stronger and that the A’s are fully aware of that and that the Sacramento community is important and being part of the Sacramento community.

Daniel Dullum does the Sacramento A’s relocation podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Islanders Sink Utah HC 2-1 On Late Third Period Goal

New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech (3) and goalie Marcus Hoberg (50) blocks the goal against the Utah Hockey Club’s center Klayton Keller (9) in the second period at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Sat Jan 11, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Tom Walker

SALT LAKE CITY–Utah was unable to hold on to their 1-0 lead in the third period, losing 5 out of their past 6 home games.

The Utah Hockey Club welcomed the New York Islanders to Delta Center on Saturday night for the third game of a 7-game homestand. The last time the two squads faced off in New York, Utah bested the Islanders 5-4 in overtime. Utah split the previous two home matchups this week with a loss to the Florida Panthers and a victory over the San Jose Sharks.

Connor Ingram returned to the Utah net for the first time since November 18. The 2024 Masterton Trophy winner had been sidelined with an upper-body injury followed by a leave of absence while caring for his mother who passed away from cancer in December. Ingram stood tall in the opening frame, turning away 14 Islanders shots, while his counterpart Markus Hogberg stopped five.

Utah forward Nick Schmaltz put Utah on the board at 1:13 of the second period with his 8th goal of the season, assisted by Michael Kesselring and Logan Cooley, just 34 seconds after killing off the remainder of a first period penalty to Barrett Hayton for tripping. Ingram turned away New York’s five shots during the period which ended with a 1-0 home team lead.

At 3:36 of the third period, Islanders center Brock Nelson tied things up with his 12th goal of the season, assisted by linemates Anders Lee and Mathew Barzal. With time running out in the period, the Islanders swarmed the Utah net and Barzal put the puck past Ingram for his 4th of the season, assisted by Lee and Nelson, to give New York a 2-1 lead and the eventual victory.

After the game, Connor Ingram was asked how it felt to be back out on the ice. “It felt good. It was a long couple months off there. It felt good to be back out there. Lucky for me, I got a chance in Tucson during the week. So I got a little bit in game shape. It felt good.” Asked about the support of his team upon his return, Ingram said, “It’s been good. I can’t ask for anything else. The guys have been great, the team has been great, management has been great. I have no complaints.”

Head coach André Tourigny addressed Ingram’s performance in his first game back. “He was really, really, good. All game long, he was solid (and) made key saves. He was, for sure, one of the bright sides of the game. (Jack McBain) had big blocked shots a few times in the game; paid a price a few times on the PK. Those are the highlights for me.” Describing the goal which cost Utah the game, Tourigny said, “Turnover in the neutral zone to get into our zone. We’re gapped out because of our puck decision in the neutral zone. Then from there, it’s a broken play; dirty puck. That’s the way you score in a tight game. It was tough for us to create clean chances, it was tough for them to create clean chances. I think they scored on one clean chance and the other they went for the broken play. I think we had a few clean chances as well; we hit the post twice. We could not bury our chances.”

Next up for Utah is a Tuesday tilt against the Montreal Canadiens.

Sharks Fall 3-1 Against Minnesota Mark Andre Fleury’s Final Dance at SAP Center.

San Jose Sharks hosted Minnesota Wild on Pride Night Festivities at SAP Center in San Jose on Sat Jan 11. 2025 (Sharks Media)

By: Fernando Abarca (San Jose Sharks Beat Writer)

After losing in Utah on Friday night, Our Teal had to get back on their feet quickly as they hosted the Minnesota Wild at home for Saturday action. This game was fueled by physicality, toughness, and experience. Minnesota comes into this game with five wins of their last six, knew they had control of the momentum while the Sharks made it a third loss in a row.

Despite the Sharks’ strong game, Marc Andre Fleury was the star player who recorded 36 shot saves, a milestone for the future Hall of Famer.

Minnesota got the first point when a defensive error by William Eklund gave the puck away for Minnesota. San Jose defensively failed to stop, leaving Askarov vulnerable and Marco Rossi would score the visitors’ first go-ahead point of the night.

Despite the Sharks’ good game, Marc Andre Fleury was the star player who recorded 36 shot saves, a milestone for the future Hall of Famer.

Minnesota got the first goal when a defensive error by William Eklund gave the puck away for Minnesota. San Jose defensively failed to stop leaving Askarov vulnerable and Marco Rossi would score the first go-ahead goal of the night for the visitors.

Matt Boldy then went into the neutral zone with a powerful wrist shot to make it 2-0 in the second period. Despite this 2-0 lead, the Sharks tried to close the gap with a goal by William Eklund in the final minutes of the second period assisted by Walman and Celebrini.

The goal tried to give some breathing room, but it just wouldn’t be enough.

In the late third, a turnover on Celebrini sealed the 3-1 lead with an empty netter by Mats Zucarrello to close out the series of games they had at home since late December.

Once again, poor decisions, carelessness, and technical errors cost the game, but it must be stressed that the Sharks played and tried to get the result but it just wasn’t their night.

Now, the Sharks will be on the road for a long time starting the trip in Detroit this coming Tuesday night.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal get first ACC sweep in defeating Virginia

The Stanford Cardinal and Virginia Cavaliers battled it out under the rim all day long at Maples Pavilion as the Cardinal came away with a 88-65 win on Sat Jan 11, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Big night for the Cardinal Maxime Raynaud who chalked up his 13th double double, Raynaud is first in the NCAA Division I in double doubles.

#2 The Cardinal picked up their 11th win of the season over the visiting Virginia Cavaliers 88-65 on Saturday. The win today marks the first ACC sweep for the Cardinal as they defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies on Wednesday and got a win over the Cavaliers on Saturday.

#3 Michael, with Raynaud he knew what to do when he got the ball and wound up leading the Cardinal in scoring with 24 points he was able to grab four rebounds.

#4 Michael, talk a little about the job that Oziyah Sellers did finishing in double figures with 15 points and two rebounds and finishing second in scoring.

#5 It’s off to Wake Forest to face the Demon Deacons. The Deacons are 12-4 and on a three game losing streak. Fourth in the ACC. The Cardinal tip off with Wake Forest Wed Jan 15th for a 3:30pm PST tip off.

Join Michael Roberson for the Stanford Cardinal podcast Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cardinal Shalantly defeated the Cavaliers 88-65; Sweeping the Commonwealth of VA. on the Farm

Stanford Cardinal forward Jaylen Thompson (24) drives on the Virginia Cavaliers forward JT Power (23) at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Sat Jan 11, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (11-5, 3-2 ACC) beat the Virginia Cavaliers (8-8, 1-4 ACC) 88-65, and swept the two conference schools from the state known as the “Mother of Presidents” over a three-day period inside Maples Pavilion.

Stanford got off to a TREEmendous start to the game. They hit two three pointers before their Atlantic Coast visitors knew what happened. Freshman forward Donavin Young and junior guard Oziyah Sellers both confidently stroked consecutive Threes immediately after tip off.

Virginia was not cavalier in their attempt to compete with the Cardinal. They performed a 6-0 run and led by as much as three points. There were eight lead changes and two ties during the first 20 minutes of gameplay.

However, the Cardinal responded with another 6-0 run and led as many as 10 points by intermission, and kept the lead for good. That was the halftime margin, due to a runnin 3-pointer at the buzzer by senior guard Jaylen Blakes.

At the half, Stanford maintained a double-digit advantage, 40-30. Maxime Raynaud led both teams with 10 points and 5 rebounds, while junior guard Isaac McKneely paced the Cavs with 9 points.

The Cardinal partially duplicated the beginning of the game, as they did the second Stanza. Sellers opened the final half two with a three to put them up by 13 points. They did not hit two in a row, as they did in the first, but held on to a significant lead throughout the second 20-minute block.

Stanford increased that 13-point lead to as high as 23, but the Cavaliers continued to battle back. They actually got the deficit as low as nine points momentarily, by way of a 7-0 run. Stanford trumped that with a 10-0 run of their own.

After the Cardinal withstood their guest’s best punches, they cruised through the last minutes of the contest to a 23-point victory, 88-65. Stanford is undefeated at home in ACC play, and 3-0 in the Bay Area, including the conference opener at Berkeley against Cal.

Raynaud led all players with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Sellers contributed 15 points, while Blakes added 10 points to the Cardinal’s cause.

McKneely topped Virgina with 22 points and Jacob Cofie tallied 11 points and 5 rebounds.

The Cardinal will next be in action Wednesday, January 11, as they travel to North Carolina to take on Wake Forest at 6:30 ET on ESPNEWS. Virginia heads back to Charlottesville to host SMU on the same date at 9:00 PM ET on the ACC Network.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings win sixth straight game beat Celtics 114-97

Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis (11) shoots against the Boston Celtics Luke Kornet (40) during the second half at TD Garden in Boston on Fri Jan 10, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Sacramento Kings won their sixth in a row beating one of the NBA’s toughest teams the Boston Celtics 114-97 at TD Garden on Friday night as the Kings embark on a three game road trip.

#2 The Kings had a offensive resurgence in the fourth quarter scoring 38 points to the Celtics 21 points. The Kings just rose to the occasion with explosive offense and their defense allowed the Celtics just 21 points.

#3 High scorers DeMar DeRozan with 24 points, Domantas Sabonis with 23 points and Malik Monk came in third with 22 points. DeRozan, Sabonis, and Monk no doubt rose to the occasion in the win.

#4 For Sabonis with his 23 points he got a career high 28 rebounds talk about the game that Sabonis had and the surprising win over the Celtics.

#5 The Kings tip off against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on Sunday. The Bulls won their last game against the Washington Wizards 138-105 in Chicago. The Bulls are tenth in the Western Conference and have won five of their last ten games.

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

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: Sharks face Wild on second of back to back nights; Tough loss on Friday in Utah

Utah Hockey Club’s center Barrett Hayton (27) takes control of the puck against the San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro defenseman (38) in the first period at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Fri Jan 10, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 The Utah Hockey Club’s Barrett Hayton scored a late goal that proved to be the gamer to defeat the San Jose Sharks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City for a 2-1 win on Friday night.

#2 Utah’s Nick Schmaltz scored and goaltender Karel Vejmelka stopped 18 shots and Utah picked up their third win in 12 games.

#3 Fabian Zetterlund scored the Sharks only goal of the night it was his 12th of the season. The Sharks goaltender Alexander Georgiev stopped 23 Utah shots. The loss was the Sharks second straight loss.

#4 Zetterlund scored a wrist shot for San Jose at 58 seconds in the first period. Utah turned around and tied the game at 6:57 in the second period when Schmaltz hit a snap shot from 30 feet away.

#5 Back to back night for the Sharks they face off against the Minnesota Wild Saturday night at SAP Center in San Jose. The Wild are second in the Central Division they have won six of their last ten games and are just three points behind the first place Winnipeg Jets this game could be a handful for San Jose?

Mary Lisa covers the San Jose Sharks for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings Pull Major UpSet Over Celtics 114-97 – Winning Their Sixth Game in a Row

Boston Celtics Jaylen Brown (7) drives on the Sacramento Kings Keegan Murray (11) in first half action at TD Garden in Boston on Fri Jan 10, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

In one memorable game, the Sacramento Kings (19-19) pulled off a crazy upset over the Boston Celtics (27-11) and they did it without De’Aaron Fox by the score of 114-97. DeMar DeRozan had the high for the Kings with 24 points and Domantas Sabonis had 23 points and 28 rebounds , a career high (that is not a misprint) in his most amazing double double of the year. Mllak Monk finished with 22 points and Keegan Murray had a sensational game with 19 points. They now extend their win streak to six in a row.

Game recap: Sacramento got a great start in the opening 12 minutes of play leading after one quarter 34-27. The Celtics got a bit of a slow start but made up for it winning the second quarter 28-19 and leading at the half 55-53 in a very close first half.

The third quarter was as close as it could be and this game was looking as if it would go down to the wire. Sacramento edged Boston in the third 23-21 and this game was all tied up going into the fourth quarter 76-76. The Kings were keeping up with the Celtics shot for shot and it would all come down to the final 12 minutes.

It all fell apart in the fourth quarter for Boston. The Kings dominated the glass, the paint and finished the game with 18 shots from downtown. They shot 43% from the field to the Celtics 40%. They had 12 turnovers to Bostons 15.

They out-rebounded Boston 56 to 43 and shots from beyond the arc were impressive 38% to Boston’s 26%. The Kings dominated at every turn against a full strength Boston playing a flawless fourth quarter outscoring the Celtics 38-21 for a final of 114-97 in a major upset winning their sixth game in a row.

The Kings came in as underdogs and came out victorious. Sabonis had an amazing game finishing with 23 points and a career high 28 rebounds. This was his 33rd double double this season. Coming into this game the NBA’s previous high for rebounds this season was 23 by Victor Wembanyama and Sabonis shattered that.

DeRozan had the game high with 24 points and nine assists. Monk finished with 22 points and eight assists. Murray really stepped up in this game adding 19 points.

The high for the Celtics was Jaylen Brown with 28 points. Jayson Tatum was quiet in this game with 15 but had 12 rebounds. He struggled with protecting the ball committing eight turnovers. In a game that was tied at 76 after three quarters, it was Sacramento not the Celtics that took command going on a 24-9 run to open the fourth quarter.

The Kings had yet another strong game outscoring Boston 48-40 in the paint and also had a sizeable rebound edge. Sacramento had outhustled the Celtics all night and really turned it all around in the fourth quarter doing it all without Fox who missed his third game with injury.

Game notes: Friday night the Kings traveled to Boston for a matchup with the Celtics. This was the Kings biggest challenge taking on the number two Celtics in the Eastern Conference and pulling it off with a lopsided fourth quarter outscoring the Celtics 38-21.

The Kings now on a six game win streak Friday night and the sixth win was monumental. Fox was not on the floor still struggling with a right glute contusion while the Celtics were almost at full strength. They have not beaten the Celtics in three years and with the win the Kings extend their win streak to six.

The Sacramento Kings take a lot of confidence into Chicago where they will take on the Bulls Sunday looking for win number seven. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 12:30 PM. There is hope that De’Aaron Fox can play on Sunday. He was questionable for Friday night’s game and with a few more days of rest perhaps he will be able to take the floor.