12/18/21 Sports Wrap-Up
NBA: Topping off the NBA news today is the New Jersey Nets and Kyrie Irving. The Allstar guard for the Nets refused to comply with the Covid-19 vaccine mandate across the NBA. Besides being a league matter, it is also a New York State matter. New York has its own mandates in place that professional sports teams must comply with, requiring players to have up to date vaccines, especially with travel outside of the United States. With that being said, the Brooklynn Nets and Irving have held their ground till recently. With Covid-19 hitting many teams across the NBA, the Nets have changed their minds and are allowing Kyrie Irving to travel with the team and play only road games. Something Kyrie has been trying to do all season. It is unsure how the team will start incorporating Kyrie back into the line-up. The Nets next scheduled away game is Dec 23 against the Portland Trailblazers.
The Charlotte Hornets were in Portland last night. They lost 125-116. Charlotte started off slow and never really got it going. LaMelo Ball returned to action and looked good with 27 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists. Miles Bridges was impressive with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 11 assists. Damian Lillard led all scorers with 43 points, 4 rebounds and 8 assists. The Hornets are back in action tomorrow night as they face the 23-5 Suns in Phoenix. This game has a 8pm scheduled start time.
In other NBA news. The Los Angeles Lakers forward, Anthony Davis, had to leave the game yesterday a few times. Early in the first quarter he rolled his ankle and had to get treatment in the locker room, he returned quickly to the floor after that. Then later in the third quarter the superstar injured his left knee, collapsing in the tunnel on his way back to the locker room. They called it a knee contusion and will re-evaluate the injury today.
NFL: In the latest news of the Urban Meyer saga, The Jacksonville Jaguars have stated that they fired Meyer “With Cause”. This will allow Jacksonville not to pay Urban Meyer the remaining money due in their contract. It is rare that you see a team use the “with cause” clause on a contract
There were two games scheduled today in the NFL on the NFL Network. The early game was the Las Vegas Raiders at the Cleveland Browns at 4:30pm. This game now has been moved to Monday night, played before the regularly scheduled game, it will still only be on the NFL Network. This is due to Covid-19 illnesses. There are 11 starters and 20 players on the Cleveland team currently under Covid protocol. The late game is the New England Patriots traveling to Indianapolis to take on the Colts at 8:20pm. This game is still being played.
Tomorrow at 1pm on FOX, the Buffalo Bills will host the Carolina Panthers. Both teams are coming off a loss and need to get the win. Josh Allen will be back in action for the Bills.
New Orleans Saints at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night at 8:20pm on NBC.
The Monday night games include the rescheduled Raiders versus the Browns on the NFL Network at 5pm and the Minnesota Vikings at the Chicago Bears at 8:15pm on ESPN/ABC.
NHL: In a move to cut down on Covid-19 illnesses, the country of Canada is bringing back some attendance protocols and guidelines. In some instances, no fans are in attendance at all, like tonight in Montreal. The number of players and team staff infected with Covid-19, across the entire league is becoming staggering. There are four games postponed today due to Covid-19.
The Hurricanes are scheduled for action tomorrow as the host the Nashville Predators at 5pm. The roster is still in question for the Carolina club as it has been a merry go round of players on and off the Covid protocol list.
MLB: The New York Mets have finally made their decision on their next Manager. Mets owner Steve Cohen just announced today via Twitter at 1:44pm, that Buck Showalter is their next manager. Showalter last managed in 2018 for the Baltimore Orioles and is 65 years old. Buck Showalter has also managed the New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers.
Local Sports: In last night’s Varsity Boys basketball action, the East Columbus Gators took care of business and defeated West Bladen 60-42.
West Columbus went into Lakewood and got the win, 58-33
In the Varsity Girls basketball games, West Bladen beat East Columbus 38-29.
East Bladen hands South Columbus their nineth loss of the season, defeating them 56-12.
No more local games are scheduled for this weekend.
State and school mandates state masks are required to enter all games
- State Mandate Masks Are Required For Entrance To All Games
– Vinny Pagano is the Sports Editor for Columbus County News and Sports Director for WTXY Kool 103.9FM & AM1540. Local Sports stories can be sent to [email protected]
