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Good morning! Be a top seed today.
Splash: A casual dozen
Well before Golden State’s game last night, Steph Curry was considered the best shooter ever of all time. Look up most any NBA shooting record and it belongs to Curry. I don’t have to belabor the point here.
Even at 36 years old, Curry can still take the air out of a building. In Orlando, in a game the Warriors probably should’ve lost, Curry exploded for — ahem — 56 points and 12 3-pointers. Two quick facts:
- This was Curry’s 45th game with nine or more 3-pointers made. It’s obviously the most in NBA history, and No. 2 is Damian Lillard with … 14. Absurd.
- Curry also scored 22 points in the third quarter, the 42nd 20-point quarter of his career. That’s the most in NBA history, too. Oh, and the Magic scored 21 points altogether in the third as Golden State (32-27) won 121-115.
The Warriors have won five straight, and if Curry is shooting like this, they can beat anyone.
Sneak Peeks: Let’s peer into the bracket future
I really love that the NCAA releases early looks at top tournament seeds in the weeks leading up to March Madness. It’s an easy layup that builds anticipation.
The selection committee previewed its top 16 seeds for the women’s tournament yesterday. Here’s your top four:
- UCLA
- Texas
- USC
- Notre Dame
None of these selections are surprising, and frankly any one of the four could end up as the No. 1 overall seed. The next four teams are more interesting: South Carolina, UConn, LSU, NC State. The Gamecocks and Tigers have combined for the last three national titles, while the Huskies have the presumed No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft. My point: The top of the sport is stacked.
That means conference tournaments will play a huge role in finalizing seeding, which is great for us. See the full 16-seed list here.
News to Know
Hunter wants to play both ways
Colorado star Travis Hunter said at the combine yesterday he intends to play both wide receiver and cornerback in the NFL, while acknowledging the decision will ultimately lie with his future team. I thought he was calm and confident talking about doing something few have done, which is where braggadocio usually comes in. To Hunter’s credit, NFL teams disagree on where he should even start, which speaks to his talent.
Popovich speaks
In a statement, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich confirmed he will not return to the team this season, saying he will “continue to focus on (his) health” and work toward a return in the future. Popovich, 76, suffered what the team called a mild stroke in November. More details here.
More news
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Rooting Interests: Dominik Shine and the call that finally came
Allison Farrand / Ilitch Sports
There may be nothing more inspiring than an older player getting a call-up. The athlete who’s toiled longer in the minor leagues of a sport than most. Dominik Shine is that guy.
Although the 31-year-old Shine made his NHL debut for the Red Wings a month ago, his impact is far from over, as Max Bultman wrote in a great feature yesterday. A great arc of this entire saga I want to highlight:
- At its core, this guy’s story is a movie script. A Detroit guy goes undrafted and signs with the hometown franchise out of college. He becomes a stalwart of the team’s minor-league affiliate, but never gets his name called. He wonders if this is just where his career ends, right outside the proverbial door. Then, boom, at 31, he’s in.
- It was a great story. Injury-riddled Detroit went 4-0 with Shine in the lineup, but sent him back to AHL affiliate Grand Rapids once healthy. In Grand Rapids, though, the story hit harder: So many young players saw Shine as a mentor, the guy helping shepherd them to the NHL — yet Shine was never getting the call-up. Then he did.
I urge you to read the story today because it is simply a heartwarming, happy tale that we may all need right now.
Watch and Listen
📺 NBA: Cavaliers at Celtics
7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
The East’s two best teams in what should be a feisty playoff atmosphere. Boston is the defending champion. Cleveland is ready.
📺 NCAAM: Davidson at VCU
7 p.m. ET on ESPN 2
Let’s dig into the mid-majors as March approaches. VCU is the best team in the A-10 (for now) and has won seven straight. The Rams still need every win they can get, though.
Get tickets to games like these here.
🎙️ At the NFL combine, much of the talk is on which stars will be on the move soon via trades and free agency. The Athletic Football show has ideas. Watch here.
Pulse Picks
Remember the minor-league catcher who allegedly gave away pitches? Sam Blum visited Derek Bender to get his side of the story. It’s startling.
Sam Vecenie has an updated 2025 NBA Draft Big Board, where it’s Cooper Flagg and then … it gets interesting. See the full list.
RIP to Gene Hackman, who died yesterday at 95. Dan Shanoff wrote a great ode to Hackman’s performance in “Hoosiers,” which was formative for me.
All 14 NWSL teams debuted their 2025 kits yesterday. You know you want to see them. Bay FC’s are the best to me.
Chris Vannini has an intriguing investigation into what EA Sports has to do to keep everyone happy after the smash success of College Football 25. Just put LSU’s levels to 100 and I’ll be thrilled.
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said the quiet part out loud: College football’s scheduling is barreling toward crisis.
Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: Sam Amick’s fantastic Luka Dončić column. Catch up here.
Most-read on the website yesterday: Our feature on Thomas Perry, the smartest and toughest NFL prospect you’ve never seen play.
(Top photo: Ray Seebeck / Imagn Images)
