NFL

Commanders hire Dan Quinn as head coach

It’s hard to dispute Quinn’s exploits as a defensive coordinator, but his head coaching record (43-42) is less stellar. Head coaching records can be situational, though, and the situation Quinn faced with the Falcons changed from advantageous to difficult over time. With Washington, Quinn will surely face challenges, but the slate is pretty clean, so the Commanders’ new regime will have its choice on how to construct the roster. This is a great fresh start for Quinn and a decent, albeit unspectacular hire for the Commanders.

Grade: C+

Raiders hire Kliff Kingsbury as head coach

Kingsbury is a bright offensive mind with a fast-paced spread-out offense that has already seen success in the NFL with the Cardinals. Fortunately for the Raiders, Kingsbury will be able to solely focus on the offensive side of the ball and scheming, two areas of the game in which he thrives. Las Vegas lacks talent on offense, particularly at quarterback, but hiring Kingsbury gives the team a better chance at success.

Grade: A

Ravens promote Zach Orr to defensive coordinator

The 31-year-old Orr has never been a defensive coordinator at any level prior to this promotion, but the former linebacker was an excellent player for Baltimore for three years prior to a career-ending injury, and is clearly loved by John Harbaugh. Due to a lack of experience, there’s obviously some risk associated with this move, but I have a feeling Orr will fare just fine calling the shots for the Ravens’ defense.

Grade: B+

Rams promote Chris Shula to defensive coordinator

This feels like a Sean McVay decision (and it should be), since not only have Shula and McVay coached together in Los Angeles since 2017, but both coaches also played at Miami (OH) together. At 37, Shula is young, but has been around the game for a long time, and should be ready for an increase in responsibilities.

Grade: B-

NBA

Grizzlies receive: Victor Oladipo and three second-round picks
Rockets receive: Steven Adams

I don’t mind this move for Memphis. Moving Adams and his salary for next season weakens the Grizzlies for 2025, but adding three second-round picks in exchange for the 30-year-old is a nice trade-off. Victor Oladipo and his expiring deal are irrelevant with regards to this trade and moving forward in the NBA. His time is up.

Handing over three second-round picks for a player that won’t suit up this season isn’t wise of Houston, but Adams should be important for Houston next season, playing behind Alperen Sengun.

Grizzlies Grade: B+
Rockets Grade: B-

Lakers 114, Celtics 105

Well, this one was a surprise. Playing without LeBron James and Anthony Davis, nobody would’ve been faulted for not giving the Lakers a chance to win at Boston last night. The play of Austin Reaves turned the tide of this matchup. Reaves, who is more than capable of shiny performances, scored 32 points.

Boston’s three starting guards brought very little offense to the table last night, and most of the blame should fall on the shoulders of Jaylen Brown. Named an All-Star last night, Brown limped to just eight points in this game on 4-for-12 shooting.

Knicks 109, Pacers 105

It might only be early February, but it’s always win at all costs for Tom Thibodeau. The minutes load for New York’s starters last night:

Jalen Brunson (37)
Donte DiVincenzo (38)
Josh Hart (38)
Precious Achiuwa (43)
Isaiah Hartenstein (36)

This isn’t sustainable, and it won’t be necessary once the Knicks get healthier, but at least it’s working in the short term, especially when Jalen Brunson scores 40 points.

Cavaliers 108, Grizzlies 101

Cleveland played with its food quite a bit in this game, but per usual, talent won out against a Grizzlies club missing a litany of players. Darius Garland is still getting readjusted to game speed, as the shifty guard tallied just nine points yesterday, but Donovan Mitchell’s exploits, along with some tough team defense, have been all that’s been required lately for Cleveland to win. Mitchell dropped 25 points in this tilt.

The losses are probably going to keep piling up for the 18-30 Grizzlies, but this is a good time for the franchise to identify previously underutilized talent that could help the team in the future. Memphis might have something with Santi Aldama and Vince Williams. Aldama has been mostly effective all year for the Grizzlies, but Williams has come on strong lately, and recorded 17 points last night.

NCAAB

High Point 93, Longwood 76

The Big South has several halfway decent teams, but as time goes on, it’s becoming more and more apparent that it’ll require a large upset in the conference tournament for High Point not to advance to its first NCAA Tournament. Kezz Giffa is pretty electric scorer for the Panthers, and he tallied 24 points on just 12 field goal attempts yesterday.

UNC Wilmington 80, Charleston 74

After an odd loss to Stony Brook on Saturday, this was a statement win for UNC Wilmington. The Seahawks are now 6-3 in CAA play, and with Trazarien White on the roster, a deep run in Washington, D.C. is in play in March.

Monmouth 67, Drexel 62

Drexel had an opportunity in this game to put some space between it and the rest of the CAA, but Justin Moore’s struggles prevented that. The sophomore guard shot just 4-for-15 and turned the ball over five times. Drexel now has UNC Wilmington and Charleston as its next two games. Ouch.

Campbell 69, Elon 67

Anthony Dell’Orso is a keeper for Campbell. The sophomore guard was a nice player a year ago, but he’s elevated his game in year two, and had 17 points and 10 rebounds last night.

Sacred Heart 77, Stonehill 72

It’s going to take some time for Stonehill. The Skyhawks are in just their first Division I season, but sit at 2-21.

Milwaukee 68, Purdue Fort Wayne 65

The Mastodons are crashing hard. After a 13-2 start, PFW has dropped six of its past seven, and it won’t get any easier with Youngstown State up next. Purdue Fort Wayne shot just 31.9 percent as a team yesterday.

Troy 84, Georgia Southern 63

It’ll take a strong showing in Pensacola next month, but Troy can absolutely win the Sun Belt Tournament. The Trojans play fast, but they use it to their advantage, as evidenced by their 14-8 record. Look out, James Madison, Appalachian State and Louisiana.

Vermont 81, Albany 59

It’s the middle of winter, and that means it’s the time of year Vermont is kicking the teeth in of its America East competition. Last night was no different for John Becker’s 17-5 Catamounts, who will only be challenged by Bryant and UMass Lowell in the conference tournament next month.

Bellarmine 96, Kennesaw State 95

It’s been bad loss after bad loss for Kennesaw State recently. Last Wednesday, it was North Alabama. On Saturday, it was at Central Arkansas. Yesterday, it was Bellarmine. The Owls don’t have much time left to figure things out. Last season’s close loss in the NCAA Tournament to Xavier feels like ages ago.

MLB

Brewers receive: Joey Ortiz, DL Hall and 2024 No. 34 overall pick
Orioles receive: Corbin Burnes

This trade, along with Craig Counsell’s departure earlier this winter, signals at least the early stages of the shifting of eras in Milwaukee. Burnes is one of the game’s 10 best starters, and while losing him will damage the Brewers’ rotation, the 29-year-old is slated to hit free agency after this season. In return for Burnes, Ortiz and Hall won’t shake up the top of any prospect lists, but each player should provide value to the Brewers over a longer period than Burnes would have. In a wide-open NL Central, Milwaukee should’ve let Burnes’ market play out longer. This isn’t a great return for the 2021 NL Cy Young winner.

Orioles fans should be over the moon. Moving solid prospects, along with a valuable draft pick, is difficult to stomach, but Burnes, surrounded by an endless amount of young talent, should make Baltimore a potential juggernaut in 2023. There’s certainly doubt that Burnes will resign with Baltimore next winter, but at this price, it’s not a big deal if he doesn’t, especially if the O’s capture their first World Series title since 1983 this fall.

Brewers Grade: C-
Orioles Grade: A