Traditional powers Ohio State, Georgia and Alabama exit the College Football Playoff along with Texas Tech. Upstarts Indiana, Ole Miss, Miami and Oregon continue on.
NBA Trade Rumors 2025-26: Michael Porter Jr. hot name, but market overall slow for stars
Just over one month to the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline and trade talks are picking up some momentum. Here is the latest around the league.
Expect slow trade deadline
There will be trades. Maybe a lot of smaller trades around the Feb. 5 deadline.
However, if you're expecting another NBA blockbuster in February, well… sorry. The vibe in league circles has become to expect trades centered on tax/cap relief with some role players on the move, but the bigger names — Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis, Trae Young — are likely stay put due to a combination of a limited market and the restrictive tax aprons. ESPN’s Tim Bontemps talked to an Eastern Conference executive and got this quote:
"I don't see an eventful trade deadline, but that could set up for a crazy summer."
That said, there will be trades, and the name to watch is…
Michael Porter Jr.
Player most likely to be traded before the Feb. 5 deadline? Brooklyn's Michael Porter Jr.
The former Denver Nugget, 27, is in the middle of the best season of his career, averaging 25.8 points and 7.5 rebounds a game while shooting 41% from 3-point range (having the full-time green light in Brooklyn helps). That has drawn interest from a number of teams.
• Milwaukee has interest as it looks to upgrade around Giannis Antetokounmpo, reports Sam Amick at The Athletic. Porter Jr. is seen as potentially superior and certainly less expensive than bringing in Zach LaVine.
• The Warriors have had internal discussions about adding Porter, Jake Fischer reports at The Stein Line. That's a long way from getting a deal done, but it shows the Warriors' mindset of adding to their core.
• With Utah apparently not making Lauri Markkanen available, Detroit could kick the tires on a Porter trade, Fischer adds.
Where he lands is up in the air, but MPJ is the hottest name on the trade rumor mill right now.
Bucks interested in Anthony Davis? Dejonte Murray?
While Atlanta is still considered the team at the front of the line for an Anthony Davis trade, that line is long. Miami and Toronto are in it, with a lot of teams, such as Sacramento, at least considering a move.
Enter the Milwaukee Bucks.
They meet all the criteria of a team that might chase Davis, something Zach Lowe talked about on his podcast.
"When Dallas fired Nico Harrison and I went through all the fake Anthony Davis trades, I said right away, you've got to look at teams that are desperate to win and underperforming and can bundle some expiring salary. And I said like I'd look at the Bucks... To me, if the Bucks continue on this stance of buy buy buy, they're just a lock to end up with one of these sort of distressed high leverage high salary players like a Zach LaVine, Michael Porter Jr., I mentioned AD."
Milwaukee also may consider bringing in Dejounte Murray, a player they looked at previously, reports Fischer at The Stein Line.
The bottom line in Milwaukee is simple: It is not trading Antetokounmpo at the deadline, but to avoid having to do it this summer, the Bucks need to find a way to win more and are considering every option to make that happen.
Stop talking LeBron to Warriors
LeBron James and Stephen Curry had such great chemistry playing alongside one another while winning gold at the Paris Olympics. The Warriors are trying to add players to win now, the Lakers are moving on from the LeBron era to the Luka Doncic era, so what about…
No. LeBron's agent and long-time friend Rich Paul shot down the idea emphatically on the latest episode of the Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul podcast. It started with Kellerman trying to stir things up, saying, "Bill Simmons said a couple of days ago… he said, look, the numbers work… LeBron and Steph have always said that they wanted to play together. What about Jimmy Butler for LeBron James?"
Rich Paul was emphatic in shooting it down.
"Because I don't like to get into that. It's not going to happen. So why are we talking about things that are not going to happen?"
Welcome to the world of sports talk, where making up fake trades — usually wildly unrealistic fake trades — then arguing about why a team should do them is its lifeblood.
Warriors not trading Butler, Green
While Golden State is testing the market for Jonathan Kuminga (who can't be traded until Jan. 15), the reality is that to land a real difference maker the Warriors would have to package Kuminga with another player and picks.
That has led to some speculation about a Draymond Green with Kuminga trade — or maybe Jimmy Butler straight up for Anthony Davis — but the Warriors aren't doing any of that, reports Sam Amick at The Athletic.
Team sources say they're staunchly against the notion of trading either Draymond Green or Jimmy Butler, which creates quite a predicament when you're trying to match salaries of high-level players.
The Warriors are still actively looking at trade options, which brings us to…
Jonathan Kuminga
The Warriors are talking to teams about a potential Kuminga trade, and Sacramento still has some interest. However, after another unimpressive season in Golden State — he has been on the court in just one of the team's last 10 games — there isn't much of a return coming back to the Bay Area in any deal, The Athletic’s Sam Amick said on Sactown Sports Radio 1140:
"For one, the Kings and everyone else, the price has gone down, it just has. So what does that look like in a possible Kings deal, because the Warriors are known to not have interest in Malik Monk, and he was front and center in those discussions in the offseason. So is it a [DeMar DeRozan] thing potentially? Who knows? I don't probably see that happening."
Teams are willing to take a flyer on Kuminga, but they do not give up players or picks of real value in those trades.
Clippers not trading stars
We've written in this space before that the LA Clippers were not going to have a fire sale, they have not been looking to trade James Harden or Kawhi Leonard at all. That is especially true with the team on an impressive six-game win streak.
If you doubt me, here is what Amick wrote at The Athletic.
If anything, league sources say the Clippers are expected to explore the prospect of adding an impact player around Harden and Kawhi Leonard as a way to revive their season in the second half. They can match a star-player level salary with expiring deals, with the contracts of John Collins ($26.5 million), Bogdan Bogdanović ($16 million this season; team option worth $16 million next season), Brook Lopez ($8.7 million this season; team option for $9.1 million next) and Nicolas Batum ($5.6 million this season; team option for $5.8 million next) all potentially handy on that front.
While the Clippers are open to a big move, they would not take on long-term salary that extends past 2027 (unless the player were a young star who could be part of their future). That lack of wanting long-term money on the books is why trading for Anthony Davis — who wants a massive contract extension this summer — is highly unlikely. (Plus, the one player the Clippers love and have on the books past 2027 is center Ivica Zubac, and he and Davis would be an odd fit next to one another.)
Peach Bowl preview: Indiana, Oregon meet in rematch in CFP semifinal
The Peach Bowl will mark the second meeting this season between No. 1 seed Indiana and No. 5 Oregon, following Hoosiers’ 30-20 road win in October.
The ACC had an improved nonconference showing. That could help its cause for more March Madness bids
It wasn't long after sixth-ranked Duke finally fought off a pesky Georgia Tech team that coach Jon Scheyer pointed to the lesson emerging from the Blue Devils' Atlantic Coast Conference opener. Notably, the ACC had a stronger showing in marquee nonconference matchups and has shown more depth of quality teams compared to last year with Duke operating as a one-team show on the way to the Final Four. “I just feel like the league as a whole, it's so much better,” said Terrence Oglesby, a college basketball and NBA TV analyst who played at Clemson.
Former Sharks Goalie Is Having Incredible Season
The Colorado Avalanche are having a fantastic 2025-26 season. At the time of this writing, they have a ridiculous 30-2-7 record and are 10 points ahead of the second-place Dallas Stars in the NHL standings. The Avalanche have also won each of their last nine games, so they are showing no signs of slowing down.
One of the many reasons for the Avalanche's dominant first half of the season has been the play of former San Jose Sharks goalie MacKenzie Blackwood. The 29-year-old is having himself an incredible 2025-26 campaign and is only getting better as the year rolls on.
In 16 games so far this season with the Avalanche, Blackwood has recorded a 13-1-1 record, a .924 save percentage, a 2.07 goals-against average, and two shutouts. He has also won all seven of his last starts and has had a .920 save percentage or better in each of them. With this, there is no question that the former Sharks goalie is on fire right now.
Yet, as awesome as Blackwood has been playing this season, he was snubbed from Team Canada's Olympics roster. This has naturally made some hockey fans surprised, as Blackwood has been simply marvelous in 2025-26.
Steve Kerr explains ‘misunderstanding' that led to viral Draymond Green argument
Steve Kerr explains ‘misunderstanding' that led to viral Draymond Green argument originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
After over a decade together as player and coach on the Warriors, Draymond Green and Steve Kerr are no stranger to their share of verbal disputes.
But after an in-game incident on Dec. 22 between the pair ended with Green in the locker room and online video of the spat garnering countless views, Kerr shouldered the blame for what, to many, felt like a different argument from the rest.
While both sides have moved on amicably from the situation, the Warriors coach on Tuesday explained what led to the heated interaction during an appearance on the “Tom Tolbert Show.”
“First of all, it was a misunderstanding,” Kerr told Tolbert. “Draymond was talking to the refs, and I had called a timeout because I thought we lost our focus. And I wasn’t mad at him, but he was talking to the ref for a long time, and then I see five of our players over there trying to bring him back and he had been ejected the night before. So I started yelling his name, ‘Draymond! Draymond!’ Basically just telling him to, asking him to get to the huddle.
“He thought I was yelling at him because of a turnover he had just made, and so he says something snarky, I say something back snarky, and next thing you know, we’re yelling at each other. We’re at each other’s throats, and then it all comes to bear. But I should have been calmer at that time. Like, I know Draymond so well and there’s always a buildup to these things, and he’s such an emotional player and passionate player and he had been frustrated for a couple of days, and I recognized that, but I needed to recognize it and do something about it in the huddle.
“I needed to be the the the calming force, and so we went back and forth and I regretted not being the calming calming one in that conversation.”
The Warriors ultimately won that game against the Orlando Magic in a blowout, 120-97, and have gone 3-1 since.
Both Kerr and Green are extremely competitive, as evidenced by their four NBA championships together and the several times they’ve exchanged words.
But they each are not afraid to admit when they’re wrong, and it’s clear that after apologies were exchanged on both sides, Kerr is able to look back on the whole thing with a chuckle.
Blueshirts and Panthers, Outdoors In Miami is UNBELIEVABLE!
When Gary Bettman took command of the National Hockey League 33 years ago, the idea of major league hockey succeeding in The Sunshine State was iffy, to say the least.
The Tampa Bay Lightning had just been born and from one season to another the Bolts' players couldn't tell whether they'd be playing in a makeshift arena or a baseball field or – with
cockamamee ownership – if they'd wind up playing at all.
Flash forward to January 2, 2026 and the Lightning have become one of the league's most successful franchises artistically, monetarily and ownership-wise.
Drive across Alligator Alley to beautiful Downtown Sunrise and there you'll find yet another Floridian success story, the two-time Stanley Cup champion Panthers.
But tonight, the title-holders will take a sentimental journey of sorts to Miami, the Panthers original home, and face the Rangers on, of all places, a baseball field – LoanDepot Park.
Bettman, Inc. is pulling off what once was considered an impossibility, an outdoor NHL game surrounded by the sheltering palms of the Florida Marlins home field. So, how amazing is this?
Floridian author-beat writer for Florida Hockey Now – who grew up at old Madison Square Garden – Alan Greenberg, puts it best:
"This game is a tribute to how hockey has grown in Florida in recent years," says Big Al. "With the Panthers or the Lightning having been in the Stanley Cup Final for six straight years, hockey interest has grown exponentially, especially on the Panthers side which had lagged for years."
If it takes Two to Tango, the franchise also needed player support to make this work.
Greenberg: "The players love it. Even guys like Brad Marchand and Jeff Petry, plus head coach Paul Maurice, have been here twice before. This Winter Classic is unique because of the Florida venue."
The NHL creative geniuses showed their worth, dividing the stadium into a winter wonderland right out of Northern Ontario on one side and, as for the Floridians, I'll let Greenberg explain:
"On the other side, the decor simulates the Tropics with beach chairs and a mural of the ocean. It's a perfect contrast to the fake snow and simulated ice for the Canadian sport of curling on the cold side."
Credit for this amazing event goes to the league's leaders, Commissioner Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and their make-the-seemingly-impossible-happen, NHL President of Content and Events, Steve Mayer.
Let this most astonishing Winter Classic begin!
Rangers Hoping To Use Winter Classic As A Way To Turn Around Their Season
The 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic comes at a critical point in the New York Rangers’ season.
As the Rangers stepped onto the ice at LoanDepot Park on Thursday afternoon ahead of their Friday night Winter Classic matchup against the Florida Panthers, a vibrant, joyous mood was evident among the team.
The Winter Classic only happens once a year, so the opportunity to play in an event of this magnitude is certainly not taken for granted.
“There's a certain level of excitement around these events that I think brings out the very best in our sport,” Mike Sullivan said. “I think it's such a privilege to have the opportunity to participate in these types of events. I think the league does a tremendous job in making each one of these unique in their own way… All of these events in my experience over the years are so unique, and I think the league does a great job in just embracing each venue and making each one of them different in how they play themselves out.
“I think for the players and their families, I think it's an opportunity to create lifelong memories. I think these types of events, players and coaches and all of us that have the privilege to participate in these types of events, we'll talk about these events 20 years from now.”
Players were laughing and smiling with one another as they got onto the ice with excitement and curiosity.
While the Rangers did partake in a practice, it was no ordinary one. A mixture of family members, media people, and fans surrounded the ice in what was more of a spectacle as opposed to a practice.
After the practice, the players were embraced by their family on the ice, some of whom got the special opportunity to skate with their kids, partners, and parents.
“It’s special,” Zibanejad said on being able to share the ice with his family. “I’ve been lucky enough to play a few of these events before. Each one of them is special in its own way. When you get to share those moments and share moments with your family and the ones close to you, it means a lot. It becomes a bigger thing than if you would. I’m just happy I get the opportunity to do so.”
Friday night’s matchup will also mark the first time the NHL is hosting an outdoor game in Florida.
When you think of any outdoor game and specifically the Winter Classic, the Sunshine State isn’t exactly the destination that likely comes to mind.
It’s truly a unique set of circumstances, which the Rangers seem to be embracing.
“I was pleasantly surprised maybe because just the perception of playing hockey outdoors in Florida at this time of year would suggest it's hard to keep ice,” Sullivan emphasized. “I thought it (the ice) was actually in pretty good condition given the circumstances. It's always a challenge in this type of an event. I thought it was pretty good today.”
Through all of the hoopla and spotlight that the Winter Classic presents, it’s hard to remember that there are still two points on the line that come from this game.
For the Rangers, this event couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. We are now just past the midpoint of the 2025-26 season, and New York’s play has been sporadic to say the least.
They currently sit with a 19-18-5 record and find themselves on the outside looking in of the playoff picture. Going into this matchup, they've also lost three consecutive games.
At this point in the season, every game and every point is so important.
If the Blueshirts continue to go down this rabbit hole of inconsistent play and if the playoffs are out of their reach by around the time of the trade deadline in March, Rangers general manager Chris Drury may be forced to take a selling approach and focus on accumulating assets for the future.
The Rangers are viewing the Winter Classic as an opportunity to reset and hope that it will be a turning point in their season.
“Obviously, against the two-time defending cup champions in a big stage, I think maybe it could help us get that ship going in the right direction,” said Adam Fox. “There's only so many games before the (Olympic) break, and then maybe the standings start to sort out a little bit. Some teams have to make decisions on which direction they're looking to go, so I think a good opportunity for us to get going here a little bit and have a good finish before the break.”
Adam Fox Expresses Disappointment Regarding U.S. Olympic SnubThe 2026 U.S. Olympic Team will not include New York <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/">Rangers</a> defenseman Adam Fox.
The entirety of 2025 was a difficult year to fathom for all involved with the Rangers. The team missed the playoffs during the 2024-25 campaign and despite making a substantial move during the offseason by hiring Mike Sullivan to be the team’s head coach, New York hasn’t shown signs that they could get back to Stanley Cup contending status.
However, 2026 is a new year, and it all starts with the Winter Classic.
“It’s opportunities like this. I think, looking back at how it's been, how it ended last season, how it's been this season so far, I think definitely,” Zibanejad said of whether the Rangers are using the Winter Classic as a way to change their perspective as a team. “Obviously, you don't want to be in that position to have that as a moment, but we're, we're in it now.
“Having this opportunity to play an outdoor game with all the families here, and a special game like this, obviously the two points mean a lot, but I think the two points add a lot more to the experience too.”
Blues Defenseman Philip Broberg Named To Team Sweden's Olympic Roster
St. Louis Blues defenseman Philip Broberg has been named to Team Sweden's 2026 Men's Olympic roster.
This will be Broberg's first time competing for Sweden at the senior level, as he previously represented Sweden at the U-17s, U-18s, Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, and World Juniors Championship. He won gold at the U-18s, silver at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup and bronze at the world juniors.
Broberg is in his second season with the Blues, and he's taken another step forward in his development. The 24-year-old has scored two goals and 13 points in 41 games while skating on the Blues' top pairing and averaging 23:12 of ice time. His 23:12 is nearly three minutes more than he played in his first season with the Blues. His ice time also leads the Blues and ranks 31st in the NHL.
The 6-foot-4 defender has become a defensive stalwart while being a potent puck mover. The offensive numbers have translated; Sweden won't need Broberg to be a driving force offensively. With defenders like Rasmus Dahlin, Erik Karlsson and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Sweden needs defenders they trust to play a stout defensive game against teams like Canada and the USA.
Broberg isn't a lock to be in the lineup from day one, but he'll have every opportunity to fight for a bottom pairing role. His size, skating and defensive capabilities should keep him in contention.
Sweden's roster:
Forwards:
Jesper Bratt, New Jersey Devils
Leo Carlsson, Anaheim Ducks
Joel Eriksson Ek, Minnesota Wild
Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators
Pontus Holmberg, Tampa Bay Lightning
Adrian Kempe, Los Angeles Kings
Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche
Elias Lindholm, Boston Bruins
William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs
Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
Rickard Rakell, Pittsburgh Penguins
Lucas Raymond, Detroit Red Wings
Alexander Wennberg, San Jose Sharks
Mika Zibanejad, New York Rangers
Defenseman:
Rasmus Andersson, Calgary Flames
Philip Broberg, St. Louis Blues
Jonas Brodin, Minnesota Wild
Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Toronto Maple Leafs
Gustav Forsling, Florida Panthers
Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning
Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh Penguins
Goaltenders:
Filip Gustavsson, Minnesota Wild
Jacob Markstrom, New Jersey Devils
Jesper Wallstedt, Minnesota Wild
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Dylan Larkin Gets Call From Team USA While Multiple Other Red Wings Snubbed
Just as he was for the highly successful Four Nations Face-Off tournament, Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin has been officially chosen to represent the United States in the Olympics next month.
THAT'S OUR CAP 🇺🇸
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 2, 2026
Congrats to Dylan Larkin on being named to the @usahockey roster for #MilanoCortina2026! pic.twitter.com/0LjyagBALi
However, his teammate Alex DeBrincat was not among the names chosen by Team U.S.A. general manager Bill Guerin, who also manages the Minnesota Wild.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
Additionally, forward Patrick Kane, who is only two goals shy of 500 in his Hall of Fame career and is considered arguably the greatest American-born player in NHL history, also wasn't selected.
DeBrincat has enjoyed a torrid scoring pace, having already tallied 21 goals; he's on pace to reach 41 if he continues his current trajectory.
Meanwhile, Kane has experienced multiple injuries this season that have limited his availablility, a likely factor in Guerin's decision not to extend an invitation to him.
Larkin was a force for Team U.S.A. during the Four Nations Face-Off, scoring the game-winning goal against Team Canada in the preliminary-round.
The full USA roster is as follows:
Team U.S.A. forwards
Jack Eichel, Golden Knights
Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs
Brady Tkachuk, Senators
Matthew Tkachuk, Panthers
Matt Boldy, Wild
Kyle Connor, Jets
Jake Guentzel, Lightning
Jack Hughes, Devils
Clayton Keller, Mammoth
Dylan Larkin, Red Wings
J.T. Miller, Rangers
Brock Nelson, Avalanche
Tage Thompson, Sabres
Vincent Trocheck, Rangers
Team U.S.A. defensemen
Brock Faber, Wild
Noah Hanifin, Golden Knights
Seth Jones, Panthers
Jake Sanderson, Senators
Jaccob Slavin, Hurricanes
Zach Werenski, Blue Jackets
D Quinn Hughes, Wild
D Charlie McAvoy, Bruins
Team U.S.A. goaltenders
Connor Hellebuyck, Jets
Jake Oettinger, Stars
Jeremy Swayman, Bruins
The Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place between Feb. 6-22 in Milano and Cortina, Italy. There will also be a lengthy break in the NHL schedule in February to accommodate the return of NHL players to Olympic competition.
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Crystal Palace seal club-record £35m Brennan Johnson transfer from Spurs
Manager Glasner pleased club got deal done swiftly
Johnson says he is ‘super excited’ to make move
Oliver Glasner credited Crystal Palace’s hierarchy for completing the signing of Brennan Johnson from Tottenham for a club record £35m on the second day of the transfer window.
The Wales forward has a four-and-a-half-year deal and is expected to be part of Palace’s squad that will face Newcastle on Sunday. Glasner has made no secret of his desire to bolster the FA Cup winners after a demanding debut campaign in Europe and has criticised Palace’s lack of preparedness in previous transfer windows. But the Austrian manager said he was delighted with the signing of the 24-year-old after Palace saw off competition from Bournemouth.
Continue reading...Panthers' Gustav Forsling Named To Team Sweden's Olympic Roster
Florida Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling has been named to Team Sweden's 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic roster.
This will be the first time the 26-year-old has competed at the Olympics, but he has previously represented Sweden at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and the World Junior Championship. Last season at the 4 Nations, Forsling played in all three games but failed to record a point.
Forsling's 2025-26 campaign has gone as smoothly as his previous seasons with the Panthers. He's on pace to score just two goals and 29 points, but he and his defense partner, Aaron Ekblad, have had their fair share of issues.
Recently, Forsling and Ekblad's play has improved, and they are trending in the right direction. Forsling will, without a doubt, play in all of Sweden's games and play a critical role defensively at 5-on-5 and on the penalty kill.
Sweden isn't considered in the same tier as favorites Canada and the USA, but it's still considered one of the favorites to win a medal and challenge for gold. The last time NHL players played in the Olympics, Sweden won a silver medal, losing to Canada in the 2014 final.
Sweden's roster
Forwards:
Jesper Bratt, New Jersey Devils
Leo Carlsson, Anaheim Ducks
Joel Eriksson Ek, Minnesota Wild
Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators
Pontus Holmberg, Tampa Bay Lightning
Adrian Kempe, Los Angeles Kings
Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche
Elias Lindholm, Boston Bruins
William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs
Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
Rickard Rakell, Pittsburgh Penguins
Lucas Raymond, Detroit Red Wings
Alexander Wennberg, San Jose Sharks
Mika Zibanejad, New York Rangers
Defenseman:
Rasmus Andersson, Calgary Flames
Philip Broberg, St. Louis Blues
Jonas Brodin, Minnesota Wild
Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Toronto Maple Leafs
Gustav Forsling, Florida Panthers
Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning
Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh Penguins
Goaltenders:
Filip Gustavsson, Minnesota Wild
Jacob Markstrom, New Jersey Devils
Jesper Wallstedt, Minnesota Wild
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Celtic v Rangers: Pick of the stats
- Celtic are winless in their past four league games against Rangers (D2 L2); they had only failed to win four of their previous 12 Old Firm derbies in the Scottish Premiership beforehand (W8 D3 L1).
- Both of the past two league Old Firm derbies have been drawn; Celtic and Rangers haven't played out three successive league draws since October 2002.
- Celtic are winless in the past three occasions that their first league game of a calendar year has come against Rangers (D1 L2), although each were at Ibrox. When playing their league opener of a year at home to Rangers, Celtic are unbeaten in four (W2 D2) since a 4-2 defeat in 1994.
- Rangers have only lost their opening league match in one of the past 14 calendar years (W11 D2), going down 2-1 away to Kilmarnock in 2019.
- The last league meeting between Celtic and Rangers in August featured just nine shots and 0.34 expected goals. Since Opta have this data in the competition (from 2019-20), it's the lowest xG on record in a Scottish Premiership match, and also the second-lowest shot tally in this time, ahead of only St Johnstone v Livingston in May 2021 (seven).
- Celtic have lost five of their 19 league games so far this season. It's already their most defeats in a single campaign since 2020-21 (also five), while they last suffered more defeats in 2012-13 (seven).
- Rangers have won four of their past five league games (L1), just one fewer than they had in their first 14 this term (W5 D8 L1). Both of their defeats so far have been against league leaders Heart of Midlothian.
- This will be the first league Old Firm derby for both Celtic's Wilfried Nancy and Rangers' Danny Röhl.
Ex-Grizzlie De'Anthony Melton says Warriors had no business winning 2022 title
Ex-Grizzlie De'Anthony Melton says Warriors had no business winning 2022 title originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – As an opponent in May 2022, De’Anthony Melton had a microscopic view of the Warriors’ last championship team. Now that he is on their payroll, he’s comfortable going public with what many have whispered for 3.5 years.
“In ‘22, they had no business winning the championship,” Melton, then with the Memphis Grizzlies, said during a guest appearance on the “Dubs Talk” podcast, which debuted Friday. “They had no business there. There were so many teams better than them. But they just fought. They just willed their way. And everybody played, they played their role.”
Melton is not alone in that reaction. Former Golden State general manager Bob Myers admitted nobody saw it coming. Coach Steve Kerr says the ’22 NBA Finals win over the Boston Celtics was a case of coming together at the right time – and having Stephen Curry.
The Warriors entered the 2022 playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, with a 53-29 record. The Grizzlies finished at 56-26 to earn the No. 2 seed and homecourt advantage in the conference semifinals against Golden State.
“We wanted to kill the dynasty so bad,” Melton recalled. “You had to show us. You had to come and really show us. It was like ‘OK, why are y’all so good, why are you so great? We’re not going to lay down, let y’all tell us why, but you got to come out here and get it.
“We really felt that day in and day out, and game in and game out, we just take it game by game because you never know what could happen. Next thing you know, you could be up 3-2.”
The Grizzlies, young and impetuous, saw the Warriors as old news that should be discarded from the elite.
“Some (Warriors) got families and kids,” Melton said. “They got paid. They were paid up already. We were all young and hungry. It was like ‘Come on with it.’ ”
The teams split the first two games in Memphis before the Warriors swept Games 3 and 4 at Chase Center. A 3-1 lead is considered “commanding,” but the Grizzlies responded with a 134-95 rout in Game 5. This was, again, a series.
Golden State answered with a 110-96 win in Game 6, banishing the Grizzlies and advancing to the Western Conference finals.
“In ’22, nobody thought the Warriors were going to go on to win, you know what I mean?” Melton said. “But it was crazy to see them having to go through us and that would be one of their tougher series.”
The Warriors had the fourth-best record in the league, but the Celtics entered the playoffs as the hottest team, going 26-6 over their last 32 games. Golden State was a slight favorite because of its postseason experience and championship core.
And Curry, whose spectacular Game 4 performance – 43 points when the rest of the starting lineup combined for 35 – tilted the series and moved him to the doorstep of his first Finals MVP award.
Melton, whose favorite team a decade ago was the Oklahoma City Thunder, had a perception of Curry at that time that matched that of many outside observers: Great shooter.
Melton’s perception of Curry as a teammate much of last season and this season is, well, greatly expanded.
“He’s amazing,” Melton said. “That’s all you could say sometimes. Dudes like that, they continue to put the work in, and they love the game so much that you see them day in and day out. Before, I was seeing him on the outside looking in. Now, I’m on the inside, seeing the work he puts in, the everyday work, the consistency that he has. You can see as to why he’s continued.
“His ability to shoot the ball is out of this world, but it’s his ability to be conditioned and run around, his physicality and just be able to still be able to get open and get a shot off and stuff like that. He’s averaging pretty much 30 (points per game) now – at 37 years old. You’ve just got to admire that type of stuff and just to help as much as possible.”
That admiration, however, does not change Melton’s view of the past, something he occasionally mentions to Gary Payton II, who was a pivotal player in the ’22 Finals.
“I talk to GP still, to this day, like ‘I don’t know how y’all won it ’22,’ ” Melton said. “I don’t. I don’t. I don’t know why or how or for what.”
Pair Of Kraken Wingers Earn Spots On Team Finland's Olympic Roster
Seattle Kraken wingers Kaapo Kakko and Eeli Tolvanen have been named to Team Finland's 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic roster.
Kakko played on Team Finland's 2025 4 Nations Face-Off roster, skating in two games and notching one assist. Now in his second season with the Kraken, Kakko is beginning to find his game again, but injuries have hampered the campaign. In 22 games, the 24-year-old has scored just two goals and nine points.
His spot on the roster is determined by what he's done previously for Finland, while Tolvanen's selection is based on his stellar play.
The 26-year-old ranks second on the team in points, recording seven goals and 25 points in 38 games. His shooting percentage is lower than it has been in recent years, but his playmaking has hit a new level, on pace for a career high in assists (39) and points (54).
Tolvanen was a surprise omission from Finland's 4 Nations Face-Off roster, but he put the work in to earn a spot on their Olympic team. He joined Finland's 2025 World Championship roster, where he recorded seven goals and nine points in eight games, ranking second in goals among all players.
Finland will be hard-pressed to win a medal at this tournament without superstar center Aleksander Barkov, their captain. The Florida Panther is out with an ACL injury and won't be ready in time for the Olympics.
Finland's roster:
Forwards:
Joel Armia, Los Angeles Kings
Sebastian Aho, Carolina Hurricanes
Mikael Granlund, Anaheim Ducks
Erik Haula, Nashville Predators
Roope Hintz, Dallas Stars
Kaapo Kakko, Seattle Kraken
Oliver Kapanen, Montreal Canadiens
Joel Kiviranta, Colorado Avalanche
Artturi Lehkonen, Colorado Avalanche
Anton Lundell, Florida Panthers
Eetu Luostarinen, Florida Panthers
Mikko Rantanen, Dallas Stars
Teuvo Teravainen, Chicago Blackhawks
Eeli Tolvanen, Seattle Kraken
Defenseman:
Miro Heiskanen, Dallas Stars
Henri Jokiharju, Boston Bruins
Mikko Lehtonen, ZSC Lions (NLA)
Esa Lindell, Dallas Stars
Olli Maatta, Utah Mammoth
Nikolas Matinpalo, Ottawa Senators
Niko Mikkola, Florida Panthers
Rasmus Ristolainen, Philadelphia Flyers
Goaltenders:
Kevin Lankinen, Vancouver Canucks
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Buffalo Sabres
Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators
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