Sports Desk

On the eve of the Dodgers’ final regular season series at Dodger Stadium, Clayton Kershaw announced his retirement. There would be one final regular season start at home, then one final regular season start at Seattle, then one final World Series appearance at Dodger Stadium, then one final World Series championship celebration at Dodger Stadium.

“I know they’re going to get one more next year,” Kershaw told the crowd, “and I’m going to watch just like all of you.”

This is Hollywood, so get me rewrite. Kershaw did not change his retirement script Thursday, but he did alter it, joining Team USA for the World Baseball Classic.

Team USA opens the World Baseball Classic in Kershaw’s home state of Texas, facing Brazil on March 6. For all that Kershaw has accomplished in his Hall of Fame career — a most valuable player award, three Cy Young awards, three World Series championships, 3,000 strikeouts and a no-hitter among them — he never has participated in the World Baseball Classic.

Kershaw committed to play for Team USA in 2023, saying it would be “probably my last chance to do it.” He was unable to secure the insurance required for MLB participants after spending time on the injured list in 2022 because of a back injury.

“It’s just such a great group that it would have been really fun to be a part of,” Kershaw said then. “It’s almost like an All-Star Game with meaning. I was getting really excited about it.”

At the height of his career, Kershaw would have been an easy choice to start the most important games for Team USA. But the Team USA roster features Cy Young winners Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal as well as top starters Logan Webb and Joe Ryan, so Kershaw appears more likely to make any appearances out of the bullpen.

That is how the Dodgers used him in the postseason. Kershaw made two relief appearances during their championship run, most memorably in the 12th inning of Game 3 of the World Series. The Toronto Blue Jays had the bases loaded with two out, and Kershaw came in to retire Nathan Lukes on a ground ball, in a dramatic eight-pitch at-bat.

Edgardo Henriquez and Will Klein combined to follow Kershaw with six scoreless innings, and the Dodgers won in the 18th inning — their only World Series victory at Dodger Stadium — on a home run by Freddie Freeman.

This will be the sixth World Baseball Classic. Team USA has won once, in 2017 at Dodger Stadium. Japan has won three times, including the most recent tournament in 2023, with Shohei Ohtani striking out then-Angels teammate Mike Trout for the final out.

Kershaw will join longtime Dodgers catcher Will Smith on Team USA. The WBC finals this year are scheduled for Miami from March 15-17.

Tommy Fleetwood finishes with monster putt to move to within three shots of leader Rory McIlroy at the Dubai Invitational. Fleetwood won the inaugural title last year.

READ MORE: McIlroy takes early lead at Dubai Invitational

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Hi, and welcome to another edition of Dodgers Dugout. My name is Houston Mitchell. Let’s take a look at the biggest remaining free agents this offseason.

Let’s take a look at the top remaining free agents and if they fill any Dodger needs. Click on the players name to be taken to his baseball-reference.com page. The age listed is the age on opening day this season.

Kyle Tucker, 29, outfielder

Tucker had a great first half of the season with the Cubs (.280/.384/.499) and a poor second half (.231/360/.378). Turns out he was dealing with a hairline fracture in his right hand and later had a strained calf muscle. It was the second straight season hampered by injuries (he played in only 78 games in 2024 because of a right shin injury).

Some experts think he will get 10 years, $400 million, but will his recent injury history bring that number down? He would fit well in the Dodgers outfield, but it seems unlikely they would pay that much for him. He has talked to the Dodgers, Blue Jays and Mets. The Mets have apparently offered him three years, $150 million.

Bo Bichette, 28, shortstop

You remember Bichette from the World Series, where he hit .348 with a homer and six RBIs. Bichette is a solid hitter (career OPS+ of 121), but he has one problem: he can’t field. If the Dodgers signed him, they would have to move him to second base, where he is also a bad fielder. That could move Tommy Edman to center field, Andy Pages to right and Teoscar Hernández to left. Bichette could get eight years, $200 million. Would the Dodgers take diminished defense to get his bat in the lineup? It seems that if the Dodgers were to sign Bichette, or Tucker, they would give fewer years with a higher average value.

Cody Bellinger, 30, outfielder

Bellinger has apparently reached an impasse with the Yankees in negotiations to re-sign with them. Can the Dodgers swoop in and bring in a familiar face? It seems unlikely. They didn’t part ways under the best of circumstances. Bellinger’s numbers last season were inflated somewhat by playing half his games in Yankee Stadium. But since 2023, he is hitting .281/.338/.477 with 73 home runs, and, get this, finished in the top 20 among the most difficult hitters to strike out last season. He could slot in at any outfield spot for the Dodgers and also give Freddie Freeman a rest at first base. He really is a perfect fit for the Yankees though.

Framber Valdez, 32, starting pitcher

Valdez has spent eight seasons with the Astros and has a 3.36 ERA, winning 81 games. He is the top starting pitcher on the market and will probably get $30 million a season. The Dodgers don’t really need to spend that much on starting pitching right now.

Ranger Suárez, 30, starting pitcher

Suárez has spent eight seasons with the Phillies, good for a 3.38 ERA. If Valdez is the No. 1 pitcher out there, Suárez is 1A. He has been on the IL for part of each of the last five seasons, which will hurt his deal. Again though, it doesn’t seem like the Dodgers need a high-priced starter this season.

This just in: Right after I wrote this, Suárez agreed to a five-year, $130-million deal with the Boston Red Sox.

Those are the three big position players and two top pitchers left on the market. As far as relievers go, the Dodgers already signed Edwin Díaz to anchor the bullpen and he was considered the top bullpen arm on the market. They might make another pitcher signing or two, but it seems unlikely it will be a big name.

As far as predictions go, I learned a long time ago not to try to predict what Andrew Friedman is going to do. He may just decide to make one of his famous multi-team trades for someone. And the Dodgers like to wait and see what is happening and then swoop in at the last minute with an attractive offer to a player who may feel he is being undervalued by others. The Dodgers have won two titles in a row, and their reputation among players around the league is sterling. Some players will take less to come here (Teoscar comes to mind). We will just have to wait and see what happens. But, if you forced me to make a prediction, I’d say the Dodgers don’t sign any of these guys unless they are willing to accept fewer years.

Also keep in mind that there will probably be a lockout by the owners after this season. They desperately want a salary cap and by most accounts they will be fine staying locked out into the 2027 season to get one. That could keep both sides from making usual free agent deals this offseason.

For a look at another opinion, check out our free-agent tracker here.

Dodgerfest is nearly here

The Dodgers will hold their annual fan festival, called DodgerFest, on Saturday, Jan. 31. This year’s event, hosted by Joe Davis and Stephen Nelson, will feature on-stage interviews with Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani.

Tickets go on sale to the public on Friday. You can click here for more information. The event begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at 2 p.m.

The event will feature a yard sale and a mystery bag fundraiser for the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. There will also be VIP experiences, which will come with an extra charge, including player meet-and-greets, a Stadium Club lunch featuring a Dodger star, Dodger clubhouse tours, a Vin Scully Press Box tour, a tour focusing on Jackie Robinson’s legacy and photo opportunities with the 2024 and 2025 World Series trophies.

In case you missed it

Why $100 million in endorsements says Shohei Ohtani is the global face of sport

And finally

The top 10 Dodgers moments in the 2025 postseason. Watch and listen here.

Until next time…

Have a comment or something you’d like to see in a future Dodgers newsletter? Email me at houston.mitchell@latimes.com. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.

In a statement, the organisation explained its Interim Integrity Unit “dismissed the complaints as the current IBSF rules and regulations did not give grounds for a breach of the international rules, the code of conduct, and respectively the code of ethics”.

However, it “noted that the Canadian coach and the national federation shall be reminded that, whilst acting within the letter of the IBSF code of conduct, it is expected that all parties concerned should also act within the spirit of the code, whose aim is to promote fair play and ethical conduct at all times”.

In quotes reported by DW,, external double world champion Uhlaender alleged she was told of the plan by Canada coach Joe Cecchini and described it as having “nailed my coffin” as she attempted to qualify for a sixth Olympics.

Rival federations alleged the move was aimed at protecting Canada’s Games quota.

Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton had earlier defended the decision, saying it had been made following “careful consideration of athlete health, safety, and long-term development”.

It was a controversial decision because images shown on television gave the impression that Wirtz was ahead of the last defender by a clear margin.

But the KMI Panel unanimously backed Madley, saying: “The VAR intervention to award the goal was supported as correct, given the tight margin of the offside call and thicker offside lines used for these incredibly tight calls.”

The game went on to finish 2-2 with Fulham boss Marco Silva describing Wirtz’s goal as “a clear offside” and calling for clarification.

Silva said the club had contacted Professional Game Match Officials to raise a complaint.

BBC Sport understands that the discrepancy lies in the choice of frame by the broadcaster.

The VAR selected the frame when Bradley first made contact with the ball, not when it left his foot.

The broadcaster froze the picture one frame later which gave the impression Wirtz was more obviously offside.

From Ben Bolch: In the final minutes, Trent Perry absorbed a hard foul that sent him tumbling to the court. When he rose, a wide smile split his face as he walked toward the free throw line.

It was impossible not to feel good about everything unfolding around him.

After a steady uptick, Perry increasing his production given the chance to take an injured teammate’s spot in the starting lineup, the UCLA sophomore guard reached new heights here on a rainy, chilly night.

Playing with an elevated confidence that showed in every move he made, Perry scored 22 of his career-high 30 points in the second half Wednesday night at the Bryce Jordan Center, shaking his team out of an early malaise as the Bruins pulled away for a 71-60 victory over Penn State.

Each of Perry’s four three-pointers in the second half seemed to come at a pivotal moment, including one from the corner off an inbounds pass from Donovan Dent that increased the Bruins’ lead to five points. He later added a three-pointer at the end of the shot clock to push his team’s advantage into double digits.

“All the coaches have been just telling me, ‘Let it fly, be aggressive,’ ” said Perry, who made seven of 13 shots, four of eight three-pointers and all 12 free throws. “I mean, with Skyy [Clark] out, they’ve just been telling me, ‘You’re playing with Donny, he’s going to find you, be aggressive,’ and that’s what’s going on.”

Continue reading here

UCLA box score

Big Ten standings

Kiki Rice leads UCLA women

Kiki Rice had 25 points on eight-for-nine shooting and Lauren Betts posted her third straight double-double, leading No. 3 UCLA past Minnesota 76-58 on Wednesday night.

Betts staved off early foul trouble to finish with 17 points and 10 rebounds as the Bruins (16-1, 6-0) stayed unbeaten in Big Ten play and pushed their winning streak to 10 straight games. Their only loss was to No. 4 Texas in Las Vegas on Nov. 26.

Rice hit all three of her three-point attempts to make the Gophers pay for packing the paint, as the Bruins shot 60% from the field (27 for 45) against the top defensive team in the nation. UCLA had by far the highest final score in a regulation game this season against Minnesota, which was giving up an average of 51.8 points per game entering the night.

Continue reading here

UCLA box score

Big Ten standings

Matthew Stafford will embrace the cold

From Gary Klein: He played 12 seasons in the NFC North before he was traded to the Rams, so quarterback Matthew Stafford is no stranger to cold-weather games.

On Sunday night, when the Rams play the Chicago Bears in an NFC divisional-round at Soldier Field, game-time temperatures could include a wind-chill below zero degrees.

Stafford, citing historic NFL games that were played in tough weather, said on Wednesday that he would embrace the elements.

“There’s something to it, right, that feels right when football’s outdoors, you’re playing late in the year, it’s cold, it means a lot,” Stafford said, adding, “I know it’s going to be a great crowd there, and it’ll be a lot of fun.”

Stafford, 37, suffered a sprained right index finger Saturday against the Carolina Panthers but still passed for 304 yards and three touchdowns, with an interception, in the 34-31 wild-card victory.

Continue reading here

NFL playoffs schedule

All times Pacific
Divisional round
NFC
Saturday
No. 6 San Francisco at No. 1 Seattle, 5 p.m., (FOX, FOX One, FOX Deportes)

Sunday
No. 5 Rams at No. 2 Chicago, 3:30 p.m. (NBC, Peacock, Telemundo, Universo)

AFC
Saturday
No. 6 Buffalo at No. 1 Denver, 1:30 p.m., (CBS, Paramount+)

Sunday
No. 5 Houston at No. 2 New England, noon (ESPN/ABC, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes)

Conference championships
Sunday, Jan. 25
AFC
Noon, (CBS, Paramount+)

NFC
3:30 p.m. (FOX, FOX One, FOX Deportes)

Super Bowl
Sunday, Feb. 8, NBC, Time TBA

Redick defends LeBron

From Thuc Nhi Nguyen: LeBron James, playing on back-to-back nights for the first time this season, had 31 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds in the Lakers’ win over Atlanta on Tuesday.

“It’s remarkable,” coach JJ Redick said of James. “His competitive stamina is off the charts.”

Redick said he didn’t expect James to play Tuesday. Then James dominated with his third 30-point game of the month and his 61st 30-point double-double as a Laker, passing Kobe Bryant for seventh most in franchise history.

“I don’t take for granted the LeBron stuff,” Redick said. “It’s unfortunate actually — not to go on a little tangent here — but it’s actually unfortunate how much this guy puts into it and how much he cares and the way certain people talk about him. It’s crazy. Come be around him every day and see how much this guy cares. It’s off the charts.”

Continue reading here

Clippers win again

Kawhi Leonard scored 33 points and James Harden added 22 points as the Clippers extended their winning streak to four games with a 119-105 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.

The victory moved the Clippers (17-23), who were once 6-21, only a half-game behind Memphis for a play-in spot this postseason.

Yanic Konan Niederhauser scored 16 points and Jordan Miller added 11 points with 10 rebounds as the Clippers improved to 11-2 since Dec. 20.

Continue reading here

Clippers box score

NBA standings

Get your 2028 Olympics tickets

From Thuc Nhi Nguyen: With ticket registration for the 2028 Olympics opening at 7 a.m. PST on Wednesday, LA28 has outlined the next steps fans can take to secure their spot at the L.A. Games.

Registration began Wednesday and runs until March 18. Fans who sign up at la28.org can begin purchasing tickets as soon as April 2. The first purchasing window from April 2 to April 6 is reserved for locals living near venue cities in Southern California and Oklahoma City. The first general public drop is from April 9 to 19.

Fans in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Ventura, San Bernardino, Oklahoma, Canadian and Cleveland counties will input their ZIP Codes during registration to be entered into the locals presale. When purchasing tickets, they must use the local ZIP Codes on their billing address.

Continue reading here

Kings lose to Vegas

Mark Stone scored 25 seconds into overtime, Jack Eichel had three assists and the Vegas Golden Knights beat the Kings 3-2 on Wednesday night.

Eichel found Stone in front for a shot into an open goal.

The Golden Knights recovered to win their season-best fifth straight after Brandt Clarke tied it at 2 for the Kings with 1:27 remaining in regulation.

Kevin Fiala had a goal and an assist, and Darcy Kuemper made 24 saves for the Kings, who have lost four of five.

Continue reading here

Kings summary

NHL standings

THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

1965 — In one of the most notable trades in NBA history, the San Francisco Warriors deal Wilt Chamberlain to the Philadelphia 76ers for Connie Dierking, Lee Shaffer, Paul Neumann and cash.

1967 — The NFL’s Green Bay Packers win the first Super Bowl series by defeating the Kansas City Chiefs of the AFL, 35-10.

1978 — The Dallas Cowboys take advantage of eight Denver turnovers en route to a 27-10 victory over the Broncos in the Super Bowl. Butch Johnson’s diving catch in the end zone completes a 45-yard touchdown pass from Roger Staubach and puts the Cowboys ahead 20-3 in the third quarter.

1994 — Ricky Watters of San Francisco scores an NFL postseason-record five touchdowns as the 49ers beat the New York Giants 44-3.

1994 — Lawrence Taylor announces his retirement from the NFL.

1995 — San Diego linebacker Dennis Gibson twice knocks down passes in the end zone — the last one on fourth down — to preserve the Chargers’ biggest NFL victory, a 17-13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC championship.

1997 — Patrick Lalime becomes the first goalie since NHL expansion in 1967 to open his career with a 15-game unbeaten streak as Pittsburgh beats Hartford 3-0.

2000 — The Jacksonville Jaguars steamroll their way into the history books and the AFC championship game. In the second-most overpowering playoff performance ever, the Jaguars rout the Miami Dolphins 62-7. The 55-point margin is the second-largest in playoff history.

2001 — Peace College beats Bennett College 98-3 in women’s college basketball as Bennett sets an NCAA Division III women’s record for fewest points scored.

2004 — Michelle Wie shoots a respectable round of two-over 72, leaving her nine strokes behind the leader after one round at the PGA Sony Open in Honolulu. Wie, 14, is believed to be the youngest player ever on the PGA Tour.

2005 — Michelle Kwan wins her ninth title at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, tying Maribel Vinson for the all-time record.

2011 — Kyle Kuric’s layup with four seconds remaining caps a furious rally by No. 18 Louisville and the Cardinals stun Marquette 71-70. Louisville trails by 18 with 5:44 to go but close the game on a 24-5 run fueled by guard Preston Knowles.

2011 — Sixth-seeded Green Bay routs the Falcons 48-21 in Atlanta as Aaron Rodgers throws for three touchdowns and runs for one. The 48 points are the most for the Packers in a postseason game.

2012 — New York’s Eli Manning throws three touchdown passes and the Giants shock the Green Bay Packers 37-20 in an NFC divisional playoff game. The Packers, 15-1 in the regular season, become the seventh consecutive Super Bowl champ not to advance to the Super Bowl the next year.

2017 — Justin Thomas wins the Sony Open with the lowest 72-hole score in PGA Tour history. Thomas caps off his wonderful week at Waialae that began with a 59 with his second straight victory. He two-putts a birdie from 60 feet on the par-five 18th and closes with a five-under 65 to set the record at 253. Tommy Armour III shot 254 at the 2003 Texas Open.

2017 — Aaron Rodgers throws a 36-yard pass to a toe-dragging Jared Cook on the sideline, and Mason Crosby kicks a 51-yard field goal on the next play as time expires, sending Green Bay to the NFC championship game with its eighth straight win while thwarting a Dallas rally in a 34-31 victory in the divisional round of the playoffs.

2023 — Lakers LeBron James surpasses 38,000 NBA career points, joining only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, in 113-112 loss to Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena.

Compiled by the Associated Press

Until next time…

That concludes today’s newsletter. If you have any feedback, ideas for improvement or things you’d like to see, email me at houston.mitchell@latimes.com. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.

Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah says new manager Liam Rosenior has asked the squad to “trust in themselves” and to “rely on each other” following his appointment at Stamford Bridge, replacing Enzo Maresca who left the club earlier this month.

READ MORE: Rosenior to talk to Sterling and Disasi about Chelsea exile

Mark Stone scored 25 seconds into overtime, Jack Eichel had three assists and the Vegas Golden Knights beat the Kings 3-2 on Wednesday night.

Eichel found Stone in front for a shot into an open goal.

The Golden Knights recovered to win their season-best fifth straight after Brandt Clarke tied it at 2 for the Kings with 1:27 remaining in regulation.

Braeden Bowman and Mitch Marner also scored for Vegas, and Akira Schmid made 22 saves. The Golden Knights have picked up a point in six straight games.

Kevin Fiala had a goal and an assist, and Darcy Kuemper made 24 saves for the Kings, who have lost four of five.

Clarke jammed in Adrian Kempe’s centering pass at the left post with Kuemper off for an extra attacker.

Schmid got his third straight win, and his 14-4-5 record has helped the Golden Knights navigate the absence of top goaltender Adin Hill because of a lower-body injury.

Hill hasn’t played since Oct. 20 but could be available when the Golden Knights return home Thursday for the second game of a back-to-back.

Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.2m – Burnley (h)

Burnley‘s defence, the second worst away from home, is always one to target and Wirtz has been on a fine run recently.

He was barely a threat in the 0-0 draw at Arsenal, but prior to that he had three returns in four games including two 10-pointers.

In those four games, he and forward Hugo Ekitike – who missed one of them – have stood out above all other Liverpool attacking assets.

Look at the figures for those games:

Wirtz – 11 shots, two big chances, 11 chances created, two goals, one assist and one set of defensive contribution points.

Ekitike – 16 shots, four big chances, three goals and an assist.

Those two are the Liverpool assets FPL managers should trust.

Bruno Guimaraes, Newcastle, £7.2m – Wolves (a)

While the Brazilian is on this run of form – 10, 10 and 11 points in consecutive games – you have to pick him.

He’s scored three goals from just five shots and only three of those shots have been from in the box. Logic says his run of points can’t continue but… Wolves away.

Despite the bottom side’s improved form, you still have to target them.

Antoine Semenyo, Manchester City, £7.6m – Manchester United (a)

It doesn’t look like Pep Guardiola is going to spend any time gently easing Semenyo into his side. The Ghana forward has gone straight into the team and scored in his first two matches.

Is anyone expecting the Manchester derby to be tight? City have lost their best two centre-backs and United have been unable to keep clean sheets all season.

Semenyo’s Bournemouth production looks likely to continue at his new club.

Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea, £6.4m – Brentford (h)

Only Brentford‘s Kevin Schade (12) has had more big chances from midfield this season than Fernandez (10).

Only Bruno Fernandes (35%) has a higher expected goal involvement when on the pitch than the Argentine (34%).

While FPL managers wait for Cole Palmer to rediscover top form, the much cheaper Fernandez is the Chelsea asset to pick.

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS

BOYS
CITY SECTION
AMIT 61, Lake Balboa College 44
Animo Bunche 47, Annenberg 46
Bernstein 69, Hollywood 49
Bert Corona Charter 47, Valley Oaks CES 31
Birmingham 75, Taft 56
Bravo 77, Lincoln 67
Cleveland 72, Granada Hills 47
Crenshaw 71, Dorsey 49
Downtown Magnets 77, Central City Value 46
Eagle Rock 58, LA Wilson 55
El Camino Real 55, Chatsworth 53
Fairfax 66, Westchester 64
Foshay 89, New West Charter 55
Gardena 68, Wilmington Bannung 63
Garfield 68, Legacy 45
Granada Hills Kennedy 69, Panorama 36
Grant 87, Monroe 38
Harbor Teacher 60, Dymally 14
LA Marshall 55, Franklin 41
LA Roosevelt 43, Huntington Park 40
LA University 61, Contreras 30
Locke 72, Port of LA 65
Marquez 76, Torres 44
Mendez 110, Belmont 17
MSCP 98, Horace Mann UCLA 21
North Hollywood 76, Chavez 34
Orthopaedic 50, USC-MAE 47
Palisades 87, LA Hamilton 48
RFK Community 69, Roybal 49
San Fernando 62, Van Nuys 53
San Pedro 74, Carson 50
Sotomayor 70, Elizabeth 22
South Gate 30, Bell 26
Sun Valley Poly 69, Verdugo Hills 54
Sylmar 96, Reseda 50
Triumph Charter 83, Lakeview Charter 13
Vaughn 71, VAAS 28
View Park 69, Hawkins 53
West Adams 64, Jefferson 57

SOUTHERN SECTION
Aliso Niguel 45, Trabuco Hills 41
Apple Valley 70, Ridgecrest Burroughs 64
Arroyo 58, Rosemead 46
Azusa 66, Sierra Vista 54
Baldwin Park 43, Garey 29
Banning 73, Cathedral City 24
Beckman 68, El Toro 58
Big Bear 70, Miller 52
Bishop Diego 56, Foothill Technology 45
Blair 68, Temple City 51
Buckley 90, Le Lycée 54
Cantwell-Sacred Heart 61, Mary Star of the Sea 31
Charter Oak 63, Northview 49
Citrus Hill 79, Heritage 46
Corona Centennial 78, Eastvale Roosevelt 75
Corona del Mar 61, Huntington Beach 51
Culver City 59, Lawndale 56
Dos Pueblos 76, Buena 37
Downey 84, Paramount 47
Duarte 53, Nogales 51
Edgewood 67, Bassett 31
Edison 79, Fountain Valley 75
Gabrielino 58, Pasadena Marshall 28
Gahr 60, Bellflower 45
Glendora 73, Bonita 63
Grace 57, Santa Clara 53
Hacienda Heights Wilson 55, Rowland 51
Hesperia 80, Sultana 23
Highland 57, Palmdale 43
Holy Martyrs Armenian 65, Santa Monica Pacifica Christian 53
Indian Springs 91, Entrepreneur 30
Indio 64, Yucca Valley 57
La Canada 59, South Pasadena 48
Lakeside 48, Vista del Lago 43
La Puente 50, Pomona 18
La Salle 35, Cathedral 22
La Serna 73, California 66
Leuzinger 57, Beverly Hills 35
Long Beach Poly 77, Long Beach Cabrillo 53
Mesa Grande Academy 65, River Springs Charter 18
Orcutt Academy 63, SLOCA 17
Oxnard 56, Ventura 33
Packinghouse Christian 64, Crossroads Christian 34
Palmdale Aerospace Academy 69, Lucerne Valley 35
Paloma Valley 54, Canyon Springs 33
Patriot 72, La Sierra 50
Peninsula 58, South Torrance 51
Pioneer 56, Oxford Academy 49
Public Safety Academy 58, River Springs 41
Ramona 92, Jurupa Valley 59
Redlands Adventist Academy 49, Loma Linda Academy 46
Riverside King 67, Norco 44
Riverside Poly 55, Rancho Verde 52
Rolling Hills Prep 83, Geffen Academy 33
Salesian 55, St. Geneveieve 40
San Bernardino 75, Pacific 60
San Clemente 65, Capistrano Valley 41
San Marcos 59, Oxnard Pacifica 54
San Marino 65, Monrovia 33
St. Anthony 78, St. Paul 55
St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy 62, St. Monica 54
Southlands Christian 54, Samueli Academy 50
Thacher 58, Cate 46
Valley View 78, Arlington 48
Warren 66, Norwalk 44
Westlake 73, Newbury Park 42
West Torrance 82, Animo Venice 17
Whitney 62, Glenn 58
Yucca Valley 57, Indio 64

INTERSECTIONAL
Animo City of Champions 51, Alliance Ouchi 45
SEED LA 71, Alliance Ted K. Tajima 29
West Torrance 82, Animo Venice 17

GIRLS
CITY SECTION
AMIT 37, Lake Balboa College 20
Annenberg 22, Animo Bunche 16
Bell 53, South Gate 18
Bernstein 33, Hollywood 30
Birmingham 65, Taft 28
Carson 52, San Pedro 36
Central City Value 73, Downtown Magnets 9
Crenshaw 55, Dorsey 37
Diego Rivera 38, Angelou 30
Eagle Rock 43, LA Wilson 20
El Camino Real 74, Chatsworth 40
Gardena 46, Wilmington Banning 19
Garfield 78, Legacy 15
Granada Hills 53, Cleveland 24
Granada Hills Kennedy 79, Panorama 3
Grant 60, Monroe 0
Harbor Teacher 87, Dymally 6
Huntington Park 49, LA Roosevelt 12
Marquez 37, Torres 31
Maywood CES 52, Maywood Academy 25
MSCP 50, Horace Mann UCLA 14
Narbonne 53, Rancho Dominguez 10
RFK Community 66, Roybal 6
Sotomayor 50, Elizabeth 18
Sylmar 58, Reseda 15
USC-MAE 46, Orthopaedic 25
Verdugo Hills 76, Sun. Valley Poly 11
Washington 62, LA Jordan 7
West Adams 53, Jefferson 9

SOUTHERN SECTION
Baldwin Park 35, Garey 16
Banning 64, Cathedral City 21
Bellflower 61, Firebaugh 4
Canyon Springs 45, Valley View 20
Capistrano Valley Christian 45, Santa Ana Calvary Chapel 39
Carpinteria 38, Hueneme 22
Chaminade 67, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 59
Corona Centennial 84, Eastvale Roosevelt 23
Costa Mesa 62, Ocean View 27
Desert Chapel 60, RSCSM 6
Duarte 49, Nogales 47
Edgewood 46, Bassett 17
El Rancho 52, Whittier 51
Fillmore 53, Del Sol 19
Fullerton 44, Santa Ana 16
Gabrielino 53, Pasadena Marshall 16
Garden Grove 48, Katella 37
Glendora 55, Bonita 47
Hacienda Heights Wilson 64, Rowland 41
Harvard-Westlake 42, Louisville 23
Heritage 61, Hemet 23
Hesperia 70, Sultana 16
Indian Springs 44, Entrepreneur 8
ISLA 26, Le Lycée 25
Laguna Beach 55, Northwood 43
Lakeside 39, Vista del Lago 32
La Puente 41, Pomona 8
La Serna 59, California 18
Lawndale 64, Culver City 53
Loma Linda Academy 52, Redlands Adventist 28
Long Beach Jordan 42, Long Beach Wilson 40
Lucerne Valley 44, PACS 30
Lynwood 63, Gahr 5
Mayfair 41, Dominguez 21
Mesa Grande 57, River Springs 3
Milken 67, Shalhevet 47
Miller 31, Big Bear 26
Norte Vista 36, Rubidoux 33
NOVA Academy 51, Downey Calvary Chapel 13
Oak Hills 69, Serrano 22
Oaks Christian 85, Calabasas 31
Paloma Valley 41, Hillcrest 37
Paramount 67, Downey 29
Patriot 39, La Sierra 38
Pioneer 65, Oxford Academy 54
Ramona 52, Jurupa Valley 33
Ridgecrest Burroughs 69, Apple Valley 37
Riverside King 56, Norco 8
Riverside North 40, Citrus Hill 32
Riverside Poly 45, Rancho Verde 29
River Springs 41, Public Safety Academy 3
Rolling Hills Prep 65, Geffen Academy 7
Rosemead 36, Arroyo 21
San Bernardino 60, Pacific 10
San Marino 55, Monrovia 21
Santa Monica 54, Compton Centennial 24
Santa Paula 72, Channel Islands 24
Sierra Vista 49, Azusa 18
Southlands Christian 32, Samueli Academy 20
South Pasadena 47, La Canada 44
Tustin 49, Laguna Hills 43
Twentynine Palms 43, Coachella Valley 31
Villanova Prep 34, Santa Clara 24
Walnut 43, Diamond Bar 23
Warren 52, Norwalk 41
West Covina 54, Covina 34
Western Christian 72, Acaciawood 7
Westlake 54, Newbury Park 48
Yucca Valley 36, Indio 35

INTERSECTIONAL
SEED LA 23, Alliance Ted K. Tajima 19

Kayla Harrison has been ruled out of her bantamweight title defence against Amanda Nunes at UFC 324 in Las Vegas next week after suffering an injury.

The UFC has not yet revealed the extent of the injury, but American media are reporting Harrison requires surgery on herniated discs in her neck.

The bout, which was set to be the co-main event at the T-Mobile Arena on 24 January, has been “postponed to a later date”, the UFC says.

The promotion has not announced a replacement bout and has instead promoted former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley’s contest with Song Yadong to the co-main event.

Harrison, 35, was set to make the first defence of her title against returning former double champion Nunes in a bout UFC president Dana White had described as “the biggest women’s fight of all time”.

Former two-time PFL lightweight champion Harrison beat Julianna Pena in June to win the belt in only her third UFC fight.

Brazil’s Nunes, who many regard as the greatest women’s mixed martial artist of all time, was set to compete in her first bout since retiring from the sport in 2023.

The 37-year-old former bantamweight and featherweight champion is the only woman in history to hold UFC titles in two separate divisions.

The card on 24 January will be headlined by Britain’s Paddy Pimblett, who is set to face American Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title.

Kawhi Leonard scored 33 points and James Harden added 22 points as the Clippers extended their winning streak to four games with a 119-105 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.

The victory moved the Clippers (17-23), who were once 6-21, only a half-game behind Memphis for a play-in spot this postseason.

Yanic Konan Niederhauser scored 16 points and Jordan Miller added 11 points with 10 rebounds as the Clippers improved to 11-2 since Dec. 20 after starting the season 6-21.

The victory came without starting center Ivica Zubac (ankle) and starting forward John Collins (groin), while Leonard (ankle) was on a minutes restriction. Leonard finished seven of 11 from three-point range in 30 minutes.

Kyshawn George scored 23 points and Khris Middleton added 17 for the Wizards, who lost their fourth consecutive game and fell to 0-2 on a four-game trip.

Marvin Bagley III scored 15 points with 11 rebounds for Washington, which remained shorthanded after CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert were traded Friday and new addition Trae Young (knee, quad) remains out. Young will be reevaluated after the All-Star break.

The Wizards were further depleted when center Alex Sarr was ejected with 1:45 remaining before halftime after receiving his second technical foul of the game.

The Clippers led 37-22 after one quarter and were up by 20 at 54-34 with 6:47 remaining in the first half.

The Wizards went on a 30-13 run to open the second half and pull within 83-81 with 3:26 remaining in the third quarter. The Clippers pushed their advantage to 96-89 to start the fourth quarter.

Leonard scored 11 consecutive points for the Clippers early in the fourth quarter with his three-pointer with 6:14 remaining giving the Clippers a 110-95 lead.

“Extra pass.”

Cleveland High coach Dagem Asfaw was yelling to his players at the end of the first half during a timeout to stop playing selfish basketball and start making the “extra pass.”

They listened in the second half Wednesday, and the Cavaliers took off, blowing out Granada Hills 72-47. The first three baskets in the third quarter were threes off passes. It’s clear that Cleveland (11-6, 1-0) has the most talented team in the West Valley League and the only question is will the players decide to find the open man. When they do, it’s doubtful any team will beat them.

Sophomore Sho Evans finished with 17 points and made four threes. Serigne Deme had 11 of his 13 points in the first quarter and finished with four dunks. TJ Wansa scored 13 points, all in the second half. Cleveland led by nine points at halftime.

Birmingham 75, Taft 57: Tekeio Phillips had 19 points and Charles Eleri 16 for the Patriots (10-4, 1-0) in their West Valley opener.

El Camino Real 55, Chatsworth 53: The Royals pulled out the win. Aarsh Singh, Aaron Krueger and Chris Rutherford each scored 11 points for Chatsworth.

Fairfax 66, Westchester 64: The Western League rivalry game goes to the Lions. Domonick Bowie Jr. had 16 points and Chris Stokes 15.

Palisades 87, Hamilton 48: The Dolphins had four players reach double figures. Jack Levey and EJ Popoola each had 22 points, Phillip Reed 19 and OJ Popoola 16.

San Pedro 74, Carson 50: Elias Redlew finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the 16-4 Pirates. AJ Bobich added 16 points.

Los Alamitos 57, Newport Harbor 40: Isaiah Williamson contributed 15 points for the Griffins.

Calabasas 64, Oaks Christian 62: The Coyotes handed Oaks Christian its first Marmonte League defeat in double overtime. Noah Simon made a three-point shot at the buzzer of the second overtime, his only points of the night. Tristan Cardoso and Johnny Thyfault each scored 16 points.

Verbum Dei 80, Bosco Tech 64: Sophomore Chase Coleman scored 20 points for Verbum Dei.

Girls basketball

Harvard-Westlake 42, Louisville 23: Valentina Guerrero, back from injury, scored 13 points for the Wolverines.

Sierra Canyon 79, Marlborough 31: Jerzy Robinson contributed 29 points and 10 rebounds for Sierra Canyon.

Birmingham 65, Taft 28: Kayla Tanijiri led the way for the Patriots with 15 points and Laecy Wilkins had 14 points.

However, former Celtic midfielder John Collins believes an experienced striker could change everything.

“It’s hard playing football without a natural centre forward,” he said on BBC Scotland’s Sportsound. “Someone you can hit and you know it’ll stick.

“If you’re a midfielder you can play one-twos, knowing they can bounce it off you. You can’t do that with Maeda, he likes to run in behind. You can’t link with him.

“He’s up there doing his best, but he’s not a real centre forward for me. A good centre forward can change everything.

“You’re getting half chances, next thing you’re 3-0 up. The chances Celtic do create, if you’ve got a good striker you’re winning comfortably.”

Right-back Julian Araujo has arrived on loan from Bournemouth this month, as Celtic also look to address weaknesses in other areas, amid injuries to some key players too.

Becuase while profligacy has been costly at times this season – especially in the ill-fated Wilfried Nancy eta – it was not their major problem against Falkirk.

They only managed two shots on target and were outplayed in spells by John McGlynn’s side, who hassled in midfield and worked incredibly hard.

As a result, the hosts created the better chances and played some slick football.

Callum McGregor was isolated on the ball in midfield, despite Nygren and Arne Engels starting alongside him.

Collins believes the team also needs another athletic midfielder and a winger too.

“Engels has good games and very average games. Nygren comes in and out of games, and lacks consistency,” the former Celtic assistant said.

“One player who always wants the ball is Callum McGregor. Week in, week out he’s at a level. They’ve got to get more quality in the central area.”

Celtic’s next league game is a critical one away to Hearts, a match that will help define the destiny of the title.

If there are no new faces ready to go by then fans will be furious, never mind the much-loved O’Neill’s call for patience.

The message from McInnes has been clear all season – ‘judge us after two rounds of fixtures’. The campaign has now reached that stage.

And if this is to be Hearts’ Judgement Day, Baningime’s red card somehow helped their cause for salvation.

Going into this game, they were the heavy favourites. St Mirren are circling the drain, an injury crisis in midfield having ripped the heart out of Stephen Robinson’s League Cup winners.

But being expected to win is not something Hearts have always been comfortable with. In their only blip in form this season, they were held by St Mirren, Dundee United, Motherwell and Kilmarnock, and lost to a struggling Aberdeen side.

Those were all games – Motherwell away aside, perhaps – that Hearts would have targeted wins from.

But, instead, it is in games against the Old Firm in which they have shone.

Not since 1960 had they won three consecutive games against their Glasgow rivals. They won the league that season.

They’re currently on a run of four, with Celtic at home on the horizon.

It could be those encounters that make the difference, but it is one such as the triumphs over Dundee and St Mirren that suggest they won’t fall away.

Twice they were a man down, twice they continued to fight and claim wins.

“Talk about statement results,” pundit Allan Preston said on Sportsound. “This is a statement result for Hearts. Down to 10 men since the 15th minute and they deserved to win by more.”

If there is such a thing as a statement draw, Hearts have managed that, too. Trailing 3-0 to Motherwell in late August, it seemed McInnes’ bubble was about to burst. Instead, they came back to draw 3-3.

They couldn’t manage the same feat against Hibernian in the Edinburgh derby just after Christmas, but they were a Raphael Sallinger super save away from a point.

Lynn Jones didn’t have a question ready.

The 64-year-old veteran reporter for the Jacksonville Free Press was attending Jaguars coach Liam Coen‘s postgame news conference Sunday after his team’s 27-23 playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Three other reporters had already asked game-specific questions when the microphone was passed to Jones, who was still looking at her notes and trying to figure out what to ask the first-year coach immediately after a heartbreaking end to the season.

She ended up not asking anything at all.

Instead, Jones spent 22 seconds of the six-minute news conference offering Coen words of encouragement and praise. Things like, “I just want to tell you congratulations on your success, young man” and “You hold your head up, all right? You guys have had a most magnificent season.”

Jones told The Times in a phone interview Tuesday that the words “just flowed out of me.”

Those words prompted what appeared to be a genuine smile from Coen, who answered each of Jones’ seven comments with a variation of “thank you, ma’am” or “I appreciate it.”

“The man was hurting,” Jones told The Times. But then “he starts smiling. ‘Yes, ma’am, yes, ma’am.’ And he felt better to know that it’s OK, it’s going to be OK. ‘I’ve done a great job,’ you know? So I was glad to make him feel that way.”

Video from the session quickly went viral. ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on X, “This is an awesome post-game exchange between a reporter and Jaguars HC Liam Coen.”

Associated Press reporter Mark Long expressed a different point of view.

“Nothing ‘awesome’ about fans/fake media doing stuff like that,” Long wrote in an X post that has since been deleted. “It should be embarrassing for the people who credentialed her and her organization, and it’s a waste of time for those of us actually working.”

Many others have weighed in on either side of the issue. ESPN personality Pat McAfee wrote in a lengthy X post that sports writers who criticized Jones’ actions are “curmudgeon bums” whose “opinions and thoughts are coming from a place of wanting to destroy sports.”

“feels like some journalism was actually done there,” McAfee added of Jones’ approach.

ESPN reporter Brooke Pryor wrote on X: “look, it’s a kind sentiment, but it’s not the job of a reporter to console a coach in a postgame press conference. Pressers are to ask questions to gain a better understanding of what happened or figure out what’s next — and do it in a limited amount of time.”

Time wasn’t an issue for Jones, who said every reporter with a question had the opportunity to ask it. She added that her brief interaction with Coen seemed to lighten the mood a bit in the room.

Rev. Bernice King, daughter of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., released a statement in support of Jones.

“Humanity + compassion done = unprofessional,” King wrote. “If so, the world could certainly use more ‘unprofessionalism’ right now. Thank you, Ms. Jones.”

Jones, who worked for the Jaguars as an administrative assistant during their inaugural season in 1995, has no problem admitting she’s a fan of the team she now covers. She also has been a reporter for more than three decades, including the last 18 years at the Free Press, and bristles at being labeled “fake media.”

“That’s where I draw the line,” she said. “That’s why I have not responded to the gentleman from the AP or anyone else for that matter, because it doesn’t affect me. I know my credibility. I know what I do and how we do it as an organization.

“They’ve been talking about us being a small-town market, but we have a big heart. We here at the Free Press, we do things intentionally and in a manner that’s reported from all eyes, you know, every community in that sense.”

On Tuesday, the Free Press — a member of the National Newspapers Publishers Assn., which represents more than 200 Black-owned newspapers in the United States — started selling apparel featuring the newspaper’s name, Jones’ name and some of the uplifting phrases she used during her interaction with Coen.

“Join the Free Press family and the Lynn Jones movement of nothing but love and get your t-shirt, hoodie or sweatshirt today,” the newspaper wrote on Instagram. “ALL PROCEEDS will go towards scholarships and internships to teach young journalists a positive spin to reporting!”

Jones said her actions at Coen’s news conference were typical for her. “Oh, that’s me,” she said, “anybody will tell you.”

She added: “I’m a passionate person, so when I’m in these environments, it’s easy to be able to have a warm interaction with these individuals.”

World Boxing Assn. lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis is wanted by Florida police in connection with an alleged domestic violence incident last fall.

A warrant has been issued for Davis’ arrest on charges of battery, false imprisonment and attempted kidnapping, Miami Gardens Police Executive Officer Emmanuel Jeanty said Tuesday during a news conference.

“At this time, the Miami Gardens Police Department is actively working with the United States Marshals’ Fugitive Task Force to locate and apprehend Mr. Davis,” Jeanty said.

On Oct. 29, a woman reported to Miami Gardens police that Davis had entered a club where she was employed, grabbed her by her throat and hair and “forcefully escorted her down a stairway and toward the parking garage,” Jeanty said.

The woman — who said she’d been in an “intimate relationship” with Davis that had ended about a month earlier — said the boxer released her inside the garage. She said she suffered minor injuries, according to Jeanty.

A police investigation included the review of “video surveillance footage that corroborates key elements of the victim’s statement,” Jeanty said.

The alleged victim was not named by police, but on Oct. 30, Miami Dade resident Courtney Rossel, an ex-girlfriend of Davis’, filed a civil lawsuit against Davis on claims of battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping and intentional infliction of emotional distress related to an alleged Oct. 27 incident at her workplace. The case remains open.

Davis had been scheduled to fight Jake Paul on Nov. 14 in Miami, but the bout was canceled days after Rossel filed her lawsuit.

He played 12 seasons in the NFC North before he was traded to the Rams, so quarterback Matthew Stafford is no stranger to cold-weather games.

On Sunday night, when the Rams play the Chicago Bears in an NFC divisional-round at Soldier Field, game-time temperatures could include a wind-chill below zero degrees.

Stafford, citing historic NFL games that were played in tough weather, said on Wednesday that he would embrace the elements.

“There’s something to it, right, that feels right when football’s outdoors, you’re playing late in the year, it’s cold, it means a lot,” Stafford said, adding, “I know it’s going to be a great crowd there, and it’ll be a lot of fun.”

Stafford, 37, suffered a sprained right index finger Saturday against the Carolina Panthers but still passed for 304 yards and three touchdowns, with an interception, in the 34-31 wild-card victory.

On Wednesday, he said that he suffered no residual effects in the immediate aftermath, that the finger was feeling “great” and that it would not affect his ability to grip or throw the ball on Saturday.

“Whatever it was there is gone now,” he said.

Still, all eyes will be on Stafford, and how the finger might affect his performance, when the Rams play the Bears in only the third playoff matchup between the teams.

“Fortunately,” coach Sean McVay said, “Matthew’s played in these conditions.”

Stafford said he would wear a snug, warming layer under his uniform that he first used with the Lions. Cold weather does not bother him, he said, and each game requires unique adjustments.

“You can’t just bunch ‘em all together,” he said, adding, “You just kind of figure it out as you go.”

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford passes against the Philadelphia Eagles in last season’s NFC divisional playoffs.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Stafford has a 12-10 career record against the Bears. His 22 games against them is tied for the second most against any team, one behind the Minnesota Vikings.

He has a 5-7 record against the Bears at Soldier Field.

It did not go well for the Rams and Stafford the last time they played there. On Sept. 29, 2024, Stafford completed 20 of 29 passes for 224 yards, with an interception, in a 24-18 loss. The Rams had the ball with 1:03 left, but the Bears intercepted a pass to seal the Rams’ defeat.

Stafford played in two cold-weather games last season.

In late December against the New York Jets, the wind-chill factor was 14 degrees. Stafford completed 14 of 19 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown, with an interception, in a 19-9 victory.

In last season’s NFC divisional-round game at Philadelphia, with a wind-chill factor of 27 degrees, Stafford completed 26 of 44 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-22 defeat that ended with the Rams at the Eagles’ 22-yard line and an incomplete pass intended for Puka Nacua.

Now he faces a Bears defense that ranks poorly in most statistical categories, but leads the NFL with 23 interceptions. The unit also recovered 10 fumbles.

“That’s how they’ve thrived,” Stafford said.

During the regular season, the Bears gave up 24.4 points and 361.8 yards per game, which ranked 23rd and 28th, respectively, among 32 NFL teams. They were 27th in rushing defense (134.5 yards per game) and 22nd in pass defense (227.2)

Veteran safety Kevin Byard III had a league-best seven interceptions, cornerback Nahshon Wright five and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds four for a team that defeated the Green Bay Packers 27-24 in the wild-card round.

“They’ve got a… talented back end that catches the ball when it’s in their area,” Stafford said. “They do a nice job up front as well affecting the pocket.”

The Rams are preparing for Sunday in sunny and warm conditions in Woodland Hills. McVay joked that the Rams were going to get “the biggest cold plunge ever, and everybody’s going to see if we can sit in that thing for three hours.”

Hot or cold, the preparation will be the same, according to Stafford.

“We don’t care what the weather is here, what it is there,” he said. “Just go play.”

Neil Robertson completed an unprecedented eighth 6-2 win in the first round of the Masters as he advanced past Chris Wakelin into the quarter-finals.

Wu Yize started the sequence when he defeated defending champion Shaun Murphy on Sunday at Alexandra Palace.

And by the time world number one Judd Trump progressed past Ding Junhui on Wednesday afternoon, the odds of such a remarkable run of repeat scorelines were at 44,000-1.

No more than four first-round contests had previously ended 6-2 at any Masters tournament, but when two-time winner Robertson made superb back-to-back century breaks after the interval to establish a 4-2 advantage, a clean sweep appeared inevitable.

Wakelin, making only his second appearance at the Masters, as a last-minute replacement for record eight-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, was unable to arrest the trend.

“I wasn’t even thinking about winning the match – I was thinking just win it 6-2,” joked Robertson on BBC Four.

“I didn’t know if someone in the audience had maybe had a pound on all the matches being the same scoreline or something. It is amazing. I hope I have made someone a multi-millionaire. I have never seen anything like that before.”

Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry, added: “It is phenomenal. You would normally at least three 6-5 scores because of the nature of the tournament.

“It has been incredible. After the interval players have really stepped up.”

Ken Doherty, who won the 1997 world title, echoed those comments, adding: “I have never seen anything like this in snooker.”

Australia’s Robertson, who knocked in superb breaks of 116, 135 and 102, will now face Kyren Wilson in the last on Friday (19:00 GMT).

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There was little to suggest that January football doesn’t matter, as two strong sides played out a feisty and entertaining encounter in turgid conditions.

Derry could have rattled the net with the very first play of the game, Conor Glass, who was making his Dr McKenna Cup debut claimed the throw-in, starting a move that ended with Paul Cassidy having his effort saved by Gavin Mulraney.

Donegal could have had a goal of their own soon after, Turlough Carr had his shot bravely saved by Shea McGuckin, who was making his senior inter-county debut.

It was the home side who played with the advantage of the wind in the first half and three points from both Niall Loughlin and Lachlan Murray had Derry 0-10 to 0-7 in front at half-time.

Michael Langan and O Baoill led the Donegal fight on the scoreboard, the latter rattling the crossbar going for goal in the dying stages of the half.

McGuinness introduced Finbarr Roarty, Hugh McFadden and Ryan McHugh at half-time, which meant the Tir Chonaill had 12 players that played in the All-Ireland final defeat to Kerry on the field.

Donegal upped the intensity and after Conor McAteer hit the first score of the half, the visitors registered 1-7 without reply to move from four behind to six ahead.

That spell included a goal from O Baoill, who raced through to score after latching onto a loose McGuckin kick-out, while Mulraney also came forward to fire over a two-point free.

Ciaran Meenagh’s side would go over 18 minutes without a score before Sean Kearney stopped the rot.

Kevin Muldoon and Conor Doherty traded scores, before three quickfire points from Kearney, Matthew Downey, and another from Doherty, put two between the sides heading into injury time.

Donegal would keep possession, before Muldoon fisted over a second point and Conor McCluskey had a goal chance saved by Mulraney.

Substitutes McHugh and Conor McCahill scored late points before Ryan Mullholland scored a late consolation goal for Derry.

Dom Taylor has been given a six-month suspension for failing a drugs test during the PDC World Championship in December.

A statement from the Darts Regulation Authority confirmed that the 27-year-old had admitted breaching anti-doping rules.

At a hearing on 7 January, the DRA Disciplinary Committee said it was “satisfied that Taylor’s ingestion of both cocaine and cannabis occurred out of competition and was not following the commencement of the World Championship”.

Taylor had previously served a one-month ban following a failed drugs test towards the end of 2024 and the sanction for his second offence is in line with UK Anti-Doping’s (Ukad) rules.

Englishman Taylor had won his first-round match against Oskar Lukasiak but news of his failed drugs test and suspension was released before his scheduled second-round match against Jonny Clayton.

Welshman Clayton, who was the fifth seed at Alexandra Palace, received a bye through to round three as a result.

Taylor later posted on Facebook to say he was “sincerely sorry” for his actions, that his mental health had been affected by a number of personal traumas and that he would be “getting the help” he needed.

As a result of the findings, Taylor forfeited his £25,000 prize money for reaching the second round of the World Championship.

That meant he dropped just outside the top 64 in the PDC’s world rankings and has therefore lost his PDC tour card for 2026.