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Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb.

76ers HC Nick Nurse sounds finished with at least one starter

The Philadelphia 76ers will need much more from the team's supporting cast, including starter Tobias Harris if they don't want to fall behind the New York Knicks 2-0 in their best-of-seven first-round series.

76ers might regret not stealing Game 1 against the Knicks

The Philadelphia 76ers could have flipped home-court advantage on the New York Knicks in Game 1 of their first-round series on Saturday. Instead they left with a frustrating loss and troubling questions.

Anthony Edwards shares hilarious take on battle with Kevin Durant

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards battled two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant in Saturday's Game 1 win over the Phoenix Suns and lived to tell the tale.

Watch: Hurricanes goaltender makes incredible desperation save in win vs. Islanders

Frederik Andersen may have already notched the save of the postseason. 

Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell torched the Magic on practically no sleep

The Cleveland Cavaliers knocked off the Orlando Magic, 97-83, to take a 1-0 advantage in the best-of-seven first-round series, largely due to an incredible outing by guard Donovan Mitchell.

Watch: Hurricanes waste little time striking first in playoff opener vs. Islanders

The Carolina Hurricanes wasted little time opening the scoring in this year's Stanley Cup playoffs, scoring less than two minutes into Game 1 against the New York Islanders. 

Watch: Brewers rookie goes yard again to make impressive MLB history

Milwaukee Brewers rookie outfielder Jackson Chourio may be young, but his talent is already very, very evident.

Without Zion Williamson, Pelicans knock off Kings, clinch No. 8 seed in the West

The New Orleans Pelicans finished the season a perfect 6-0 against the Sacramento Kings, but the final victory meant the most.

Watch: Pelicans go on massive run to grab lead over Kings at halftime

The New Orleans Pelicans made a statement to close out the first half of Friday's play-in tournament matchup.

Watch: Florida standout ties incredible NCAA home run record

Florida baseball standout Jac Caglianone just can't stop hitting home runs.

Comments from ex-Coyotes owner should concern NHL

What has transpired around the Coyotes doesn't paint an optimistic picture for the franchise's future.

Mel Kiper Jr. shares classy tribute to late NFL executive Bill Tobin

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. offered a touching tribute to former NFL executive Bill Tobin, who died on Friday.

Former NFL QB ranks Jayden Daniels ahead of the field in this surprising category

The former NFL QB said Daniels is "easily" the best at this skill.

Watch: Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon puts exclamation point on historic season

In game No. 82, Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon put an exclamation point on an already historic 2023-24 campaign, recording point No. 140 to set the single-season franchise mark. 

Former GM eviscerates Falcons brass for passing on Bill Belichick

The tirade comes after a recent ESPN story claimed that a call from Robert Kraft potentially prevented Belichick from landing the Falcons' head-coaching gig.

Utah NHL franchise is already garnering support from fans

NHL hockey is coming to Utah, and fans are seemingly excited by the franchise's arrival. 

How Alex Meruelo can bring hockey, and the Coyotes, back to Arizona

On Thursday, the NHL Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale and relocation of the Coyotes. While the bones of the franchise, including roster, draft picks and hockey operations, will head to Salt Lake City, Utah, the Coyotes aren't dead yet. 

How Knicks have the edge over rival 76ers heading into first-round matchup

Here are three reasons why the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed should be the pick over Philly and reigning MVP Joel Embiid. 

Watch: Bulls' DeMar DeRozan turns defense into thunderous and-one dunk

The Chicago Bulls left an exclamation point on the first half of Wednesday's play-in tournament matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, thanks to solid defense and better offense late. 

Is Joel Embiid's conditioning a concern for the 76ers?

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid returned from injury in time for the team's playoff run, beginning with a slim 105-104 play-in victory over the Miami Heat on Wednesday. However, the NBA's reigning MVP looked far from 100 percent on a night when the team's supporting cast carried much of the weight.

Insider explains Commanders' unique approach to sorting out draft prospects

The Washington Commanders are hosting draft prospects a-plenty this week.

Latest milestone furthers Andrew McCutchen's HOF case

Former MVP Andrew McCutchen became the latest member of the 300-home run club on Sunday, but he also joined another elite list, which could further his chances of landing in Cooperstown. 

Watch: Cubs rookie belts HR in his fourth consecutive game

The 2024 MLB season is still in its infancy, but one would be hard-pressed to find a hotter hitter in the league right now than Cubs rookie first baseman Michael Busch.