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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.

February 26, 2023  |  Portland Trail Blazers

Blazers' Damian Lillard posts career-high 71 points in win over Rockets

The Trail Blazers star had yet another earth-shattering performance Sunday night against the Rockets, becoming the eighth player in NBA history to record 70 or more points in a game.

February 26, 2023  |  Atlanta Hawks

Hawks' Trae Young goes after fan on social media

On Sunday night, Young took to social media, where he had an unflattering interaction with a fan and self-identified Hawks' season ticket holder. 

February 26, 2023  |  NHL

Sharks turned down several massive offers for Timo Meier before trade to Devils

While Seravalli clarified that the offers were in exchange for Meier and other assets, the packages were significant. One proposal included first- and second-round draft picks with a top prospect, while the other featured multiple first-rounders and a mid-tier prospect. 

February 26, 2023  |  Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs' Mark Giordano sets painful NHL record

During Sunday's Leafs contest with the Seattle Kraken, Giordano recorded the 2,045th blocked shot of his career, passing Kris Russell for the all-time NHL lead. 

February 26, 2023  |  NFL

NFL competition committee to discuss making roughing-the-passer penalty reviewable

Much like the mystery surrounding what is and isn't a catch, there seems to be no simple fix coming for roughing-the-passer calls.

February 26, 2023  |  Nashville Predators

Barry Trotz set to replace longtime Predators GM David Poile

The Predators organization underwent a seismic shift on Sunday with news that their longtime president of hockey operations and general manager will retire at the end of the league year. 

February 26, 2023  |  NBA

Jaylen Brown called out 'hostile' Sixers crowd after Celtics win

Despite the despicable fan behavior, Brown and the Celtics had the last laugh. Brown led the Celtics in scoring on Saturday with 26 points in a 110-107 Boston victory, capped off by a game-winning three-pointer from Jayson Tatum with two seconds left in the fourth quarter. 

February 26, 2023  |  NBA

Watch: Jayson Tatum's late heroics lift Celtics over 76ers in chaotic ending

Tatum's late-game magic helped the Celtics hold on to the NBA's best record. It also ended Philadelphia's five-game winning streak and gave Boston yet another victory over the Sixers.

February 25, 2023  |  Boston Bruins

Watch: Linus Ullmark tallies empty-netter, becoming first Bruins net-minder to score a goal

The Bruins goaltender made franchise and NHL history on Saturday night after scoring an empty-net goal against the Canucks. 

February 25, 2023  |  NBA

Jeff Van Gundy: NBA All-Star Game should be 'abolished like the Pro Bowl'

After another snooze-fest of an NBA All-Star Game last weekend, the ESPN commentator has joined others in calling for the outright elimination of the annual showcase. 

February 25, 2023  |  San Francisco 49ers

Watch: 49ers long snapper announces extension with epic video

Pepper posted a video to social media confirming he reupped with the 49ers for the next three years, but not before pulling on some heartstrings. 

February 25, 2023  |  NBA

Kings' De'Aaron Fox dismisses Clippers' pickup of Russell Westbrook

The Kings point guard shared some poignant thoughts on the Clippers' recent acquisition after defeating the division rival Friday night in the second-highest-scoring game in NBA history. 

February 25, 2023  |  San Diego Padres

Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. closing in on spring training debut

Fernando Tatis Jr. is expected to make his spring training debut next week.

February 25, 2023  |  St. Louis Cardinals

Cardinals manager rips umpire after handshake snub

The rivalry between St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol and umpire C.B. Bucknor continued on Saturday, thanks to some alleged immature behavior from the longtime MLB official. 

February 25, 2023  |  Miami Dolphins

Despite Twitter rant, Dolphins' Byron Jones reportedly isn't retiring

If his comments weren't an official retirement announcement, one could be coming soon, especially if what Jones says about his current physical status is accurate.

February 25, 2023  |  San Diego Padres

Manny Machado sounds optimistic about future negotiations with Padres

It's hard to believe the Padres, which own the third-highest payroll in baseball, won't cough up the extra cash to keep Machado around.

February 24, 2023  |  Philadelphia 76ers

Sixers president shares interesting comments on James Harden's future in Philly

Things are going well for the Philadelphia 76ers, but rumors that star point guard James Harden might go elsewhere, namely the Houston Rockets, after the season persist. 

February 24, 2023  |  Los Angeles Rams

Rams Pro Bowl CB Jalen Ramsey responds to trade rumors

If this is the end of the line for Ramsey in L.A., he'll leave the Rams with a Super Bowl ring, four Pro Bowls and two All-Pro nods over three-plus seasons.

February 24, 2023  |  MLB

MLB's pitch clock already delivering one massive change to games

Major League Baseball has instituted several changes ahead of the 2023 season in an effort to bring more action to the game while increasing the entertainment value for fans.  One of the more significant changes was the addition of the pitch clock, adopted to help speed the game up.

February 24, 2023  |  NBA

Suns expected to target former MVP on buyout market

The Phoenix Suns are reportedly eyeing Derrick Rose as a potential addition to the team should the Knicks buy out the former MVP.

February 24, 2023  |  Ohio State Buckeyes

Scout compares Ohio State wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba to Chargers' Keenan Allen

A longtime scout compared Ohio State wide receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba to Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen.

February 24, 2023  |  NFL

Two surprising suitors emerge for QB Jimmy Garoppolo

Jimmy Garoppolo will have a new home in 2023 after seemingly having one foot out of the door in San Francisco for what seems like forever. The only question

February 24, 2023  |  NBA

Former 76ers teammate rips Ben Simmons for last season's antics

It's been a little more than a year since the Philadelphia 76ers traded away disgruntled point guard Ben Simmons, but a former teammate still holds a grudge over how the three-time All-Star left. 

February 23, 2023  |  Philadelphia 76ers

76ers' P.J. Tucker shares brutally honest opinion on team's leaky defense

The Philadelphia 76ers came from behind to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies, 110-105, on Thursday night, but starting forward P.J. Tucker wasn't pleased.

February 23, 2023  |  MLB

Angels star Shohei Ohtani ranked No. 1 player in baseball for second consecutive year

To the surprise of no one, Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani earned the No. 1 spot in this year's MLB Network "Top 100 Players Right Now" rankings, culminating on Thursday night.