BY JEFF YODER

DEC. 14, 2023 | SUBSCRIBE | WEB VIEW

Good Morning 👋

Like clockwork. We had a plan for today’s top story, but Giannis thought he’d casually break the Bucks’ franchise scoring record late last night (64!).

Reminder: Tomorrow is our last normal edition before the holiday break. We’ll dive into the NCAA Transfer Portal, Draymond Green’s unprecedented suspension and more before stepping away.

Letter Rip!

HOLIDAYS

🗓️ Holiday Schedule: The Sportsletter Team is off for the holidays beginning next Monday (Dec. 18). We’ll return to our normal schedule on Wednesday (Jan. 3). You’ll receive 3-4 newsletters from us over the break, so keep your eyes open.

CFB Bowl Guide (Saturday, Dec. 16)
Underdog Features (Wednesday, Dec. 20/27)
2023 Sports Rewind (Friday, Dec. 29)

🏈 Play The Sportsletter’s Holiday NFL Pick ‘Em

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*Winner Gets $100 / Top-10 Make Playoffs

NBA

Greek God: Almighty Giannis Scores 64 Points 😤

Photo: Stacy Revere / Getty Images

Giannis Antetokounmpo Breaks Milwaukee Bucks Franchise Record With Career-High 64 Points

There’s a new bar in Milwaukee! Giannis Antetokounmpo made Bucks franchise history on Wednesday night with a 64-point performance in a win over the Pacers (140-126). The previous franchise mark was 57 points set by Michael Redd in 2006. Giannis somehow only had 38 heading into the 4th, but he was dominant down the stretch and scored 26 of the Bucks' final 36. His 64 points also breaks his own personal mark of 55, and he becomes just the fifth player in NBA history to go for 60 while shooting 70 percent or better (20-for-28 FG, 24-for-32 FTs). There’s another familiar name on that list.

60+ Points / 70% Shooting (NBA History)

Giannis Antetokounmpo (2023)
Damian Lillard (2023)
Karl Malone (1990)
David Thompson (1978)
Wilt Chamberlain 4X (1961-69)

Watch: Giannis Goes for Career-High & Franchise Record 64 Points

Ill-Will in Milwaukee

Aside from Giannis’ record-setting night, the game was full of scuffles. Aaron Nesmith and Bobby Portis got into it in the 4th quarter. Portis got ejected. There was confusion afterwards in regards to the game-ball that led to a brawl in the hallway outside the Pacers’ locker room (no video evidence). The Pacers reportedly took the game-ball for Oscar Tshiebwe's first career points, but Giannis wanted it for his career-high (obviously). We’ll wait and see if the NBA steps in.

Other NBA News & Highlights

Other Top Performers

Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies): 44 points, 7 rebounds

Joel Embiid (76ers): 41 points, 11 rebounds

Brandon Ingram (Pelicans): 40 points

Anthony Davis (Lakers): 37 points, 10 rebounds

*All Links to Highlights

Draymond Green Suspended Indefinitely

The league announced it has suspended Warriors’ Draymond Green “indefinitely” following his latest ejection on Tuesday. Green swung on Suns’ center Jusuf Nurkic. He had already been suspended for five games earlier this season. Draymond is now the second-most ejected player in NBA history (20 total). Only Rasheed Wallace (29) has more. We’ll have more on this developing story in tomorrow’s edition.

Yahoo! Sports: Suns Drop 1st Game With All of Big 3 (Durant, Booker, Beal) on Court Together

B/R: Warriors’ Draymond Green Suspended Indefinitely After Flagrant Foul on Jusuf Nurkic Tuesday Night

NFL

The Patriot Way Forward ➡️

Photo: Chris Unger / Getty Images

New England Patriots Reportedly ‘Already Decided’ to Move on From Bill Belichick in 2024

It’s been a growing rumor over the past few weeks, but Wednesday morning brought more light to Bill Belichick’s future with the New England Patriots. The Pats are 3-10 through 13 games, and they’re one of just two teams that have already been eliminated from the playoffs. The other? The Carolina Panthers (1-12), who have already fired their coach. NBC Sports Boston’s Tom E. Curran reported that team owner Robert Kraft has already made the decision to part ways with his six-time Super Bowl champion coach after the season ends. Belichick, in his typically dry deflecting tone, answered questions about the report on Wednesday morning by saying, “I’m getting ready for Kansas City.”

The Patriots rank dead last in the NFL in points per game (13.0). They’ve scored less than 10 points five times this season, including four games without a touchdown and two games where they didn’t score at all (0 points).

CBS Sports: Bill Belichick Landing Spots: Potential Suitors for Coach if New England Era Ends

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Paris & Porto Into Final 16 ⚽️

Photo: Octavio Passos / Getty Images

Champions League: PSG & FC Porto Claim the Final 2 Knockout Bids — All Eyes on the Round of 16 Draw

Survival on the final day! Five clubs entered Wednesday with their Champions League Knockout hopes on the line, and only two will be playing in 2024 — Paris Saint-Germain and FC Porto. PSG salvaged a 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund thanks to Warren Zaire-Emergy’s second-half equalizer. That was all they needed to seal their spot alongside Dortmund from Group F. In Group H, a head-to-head between FC Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk would decide the final slot. Porto poured in five goals (5-3) in an offensive outburst. And that’s a wrap on the Group Stage! None of the other five games had a say in the final standings.

Matchday 6 Highlights

FC Porto def. Shakhtar Donetsk (5-3)

PSG draw Borussia Dortmund (1-1)

AC Milan def. Newcastle (2-1)

Atletico Madrid def. Lazio (2-0)

Advanced to Knockout Rounds (16)

Group A: Bayern (16 pts), Copenhagen (8 pts)

Group B: Arsenal (13 pts), PSV (9 pts)

Group C: Real Madrid (18 pts), Napoli (10 pts),

Group D: Real Sociedad (12 pts), Inter (12 pts)

Group E: Atletico Madrid (14 pts), Lazio (10 pts)

Group F: Dortmund (11 pts), PSG (8 pts)

Group G: Man. City (18 pts), RB Leipzig (12 pts)

Group H: Barcelona (12 pts), FC Porto (12 pts)

Round of 16 Draw: Next Monday (Dec. 18)

The 1st Leg of the Round of 16 Begins Feb. 13-14

AP: Galeno’s 2 Goals Power Porto Past Shakhtar 5-3 & Into Champions League 16

STORYLINES

🏀 🏒 Moving to the Suburbs

Two Washington sports franchises — the Wizards (NBA) and Capitals (NHL) — will be moving across the river to Virginia beginning in 2028. Monumental Sports and Entertainment owner Ted Leonsis announced the move Wednesday. (CBS Sports)

🏈 The NFL’s QB Injury Crisis

Justin Herbert joined the list of injured star quarterbacks on Sunday—a list that’s grown long as the season has progressed. But this trend is something the NFL will have to reckon with sooner rather than later. (The Ringer)

⚾️ Hungry for Pitching

Now that Shohei Ohtani’s deal with the Dodgers is finalized, much of this offseason’s focus will center around the starting pitching market, not just in free agency but also the myriad aces reportedly available via trade. (MLB.com)

NEWS 📰

SCHEDULE 🗓️

Today's Must-Watch List

🏈 Thursday Night Football

Chargers at Raiders (8:15 pm ET, PRIME)

🏀 NBA

Cavaliers at Celtics (7:30 pm ET, NBATV)

Timberwolves at Mavericks (8:30 pm ET)

Thunder at Kings (10:00 pm ET)

Warriors at Clippers (10:30 pm ET, NBATV)

🏒 NHL

Hurricanes at Red Wings (7:30 pm ET, Hulu)

Lightning at Oilers (9:00 pm ET, ESPN+)

Panthers at Canucks (10:00 pm ET, ESPN+)

Download The Sportsletter's Must-Watch Calendar

THE TEAM

Writer & Editor: Jeff Yoder

Product Manager: Matthew Cahill

Lead Designer: Joe Stella

Assistant Writer: Marissa Kasch

Social Media: Aaron Yorke

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