It’s Wednesday. Take a breather. The NHL and NBA headline today’s mid-week edition, but we’re gearing up for another epic weekend starting with tomorrow’s loaded edition featuring MLB Opening Day and Final Four previews. There’s a mid-week watch list with your name on it at the bottom of today’s letter.
Connor McDavid Keeps Making History While Leading Oilers to 7-Game Point Streak
Connor McDavid probably won’t get to 70 goals by season’s end, but it won’t stop the Oilers’ star from notching one of the most historic point-scoring seasons in NHL history. McDavid slapped an assist in Monday’s win over the Coyotes (5-4) for his 140th point of the season. He added three more assists last night in another win over the Golden Knights (7-4) to help Edmonton gain in the West. With his performances this week, McDavid is the first skater since 1996 to tally 140-point season. Both Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr achieved the feat in the 1995-96 season. McDavid also became just the seventh player in league history with 60-plus goals and 80-plus assists in a season.
Oil Change: The Oilers were 8th in the West on January 1, but a seven-game point streak (6-0-1) has McDavid and company three points out of the top spot in the West.
143 Points & Counting: McDavid now sits at 143 points on the season. Only two players have ever notched a 160-point season — Wayne Gretzky (9) and Mario Lemieux (4) — and they did it 13 times. Three of the top six points leaders this season reside in Edmonton. The Year of McDavid continues…
Dwyane Wade, Dirk Nowitzki & Gregg Popovich Headline 2023 Hall of Fame Class
The finalists for the 2023 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class were unveiled on Tuesday, and it features six undeniable basketball greats. Dwayne Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker and Pau Gasol mark the four NBA players while Gregg Popovich (coach) and Becky Hammon (WNBA/coach) fill out the ballot. Wade and Nowitzki are the stars of the class, claiming four combined NBA championships and a Finals MVP for each. They’re the most recognizable stars associated with the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks from the early 2000s. And then there’s Pop, the NBA’s all-time leader in wins and a handful of titles with the Spurs. French players Parker and Gasol add some international talent to the 2023 class, and Hammon boasts six WNBA all-star appearances and a recent WNBA title as the head coach of the Las Vegas Aces.
2023 Hall of Fame Class
Dwyane Wade
Dirk Nowitzki
Pau Gasol
Tony Parker
Gregg Popovich
Becky Hammon
The 2023 Hall of Fame enshrinement in Springfield, Massachusetts, is scheduled for Aug. 12.
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Will the Astros repeat? Is it finally time for the Yankees? Can the Dodgers put it all together? Six teams stand at the top in the eyes of oddsmakers. With Opening Day on Thursday, let's look at the 2023 World Series odds for all 30 clubs. (FOX Sports)
NBA scouts traveling to the Final Four will be mostly focused on two teams. While it's difficult to identify any pro potential in the San Diego State-Florida Atlantic game, there will be a handful of interesting prospects in the Connecticut-Miami game. (Bleacher Report)
Want drama? The Masters 2023 guarantees it with PGA and LIV golfers sharing the stage. There’s no getting around it. A conflict has erupted in the men’s professional game, and this year’s Masters field will feature foot soldiers from both sides of the fight. (Golf.com)