The sports record: LeBron James out of COVID-19 protocols, will play tonight

whats up, I'm your host, Houston Mitchell. Let's get right to the information.

Dan Woike on the Lakers: It's the kind of information that might've even made a young Russell Westbrook pull his head out of his textual content e-book after studying on the eve of a large online game in los angeles that essentially the most noted participant should be reinserted into the combine.

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LeBron James' quick return to the Lakers lineup from the NBA's COVID-19 protocols after a false-positive verify is the category of large deal that elevates an already massive game — besides the fact that it wasn't all the time that manner for probably the most local stars taking part in in it.

growing up in los angeles, Westbrook didn't spend loads of time thinking about the simmering NBA contention in his metropolis. It wasn't simply since the Lakers have been the metropolis's established champion and the Clippers had been by and large a punching bag.

James will be returned within the lineup after multiple rounds of poor assessments have him cleared and able to play after missing the group's win Tuesday in Sacramento.

He'll be on the courtroom with a Lakers crew that's hopeful its on an upward trajectory after profitable consecutive video games with a lineup that's getting more healthy after a ragged beginning. shield Avery Bradley will eva de thumb surgical procedure, whereas veteran forward Trevor Ariza, who train Frank Vogel mentioned became a key to the Lakers' small-ball lineups, changed into a participant in his first observe for the reason that the starting of training camp. Bradley can be in a position to play together with his thumb in a splint whereas Ariza remains doing noncontact work.

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Thuc Nhi Nguyen on the Trojans: avid gamers went to follow simplest to mysteriously return to the John McKay core. Some assistants, who walked onto the USC's apply container early, did a similar U-flip. best a season that has hit very nearly each roadblock feasible could turn a seemingly mundane Wednesday observe into an extra detour.

An impromptu assembly delayed the delivery of USC's apply Wednesday, and Donte Williams didn't stroll up the tunnel toward the follow field unless 25 minutes previous the scheduled delivery time. The meantime train wore a major expression, however once he spotted reporters ready on the proper of the ramp, he flashed a smile.

The Trojans are putting on a courageous face amid one closing twist to their chaotic season. Saturday's online game at California represents what should be would becould very well be the least consequential video game in fresh USC history. Neither group has bowl aspirations. because they were each out of the c onference title race when Cal (4-7, three-5 Pac-12) suffered a COVID-19 outbreak in November, the matchup changed into rescheduled for the day after the Pac-12 title online game. enthusiasts may are looking to display up with slumbering luggage for the 8 p.m. kickoff time.

On the different aspect of the postponed season finale waits an uncertain future for USC. Newly hired head train Lincoln Riley patrolled the sideline at practice this week.

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tracking Lincoln Riley's USC recruits: Mater Dei's Raleek Brown commits to Trojans

BASEBALL

invoice Shaikin on baseball: As predominant league groups lavished close to $2 billion on players within the remaining days forward of Wednesday evening's lockout, enthusiasts and analysts frantically searched for clues toward the decision of baseball's labor mess. crew owners had been Oprah someday — a big fats contract for you, for you, for all of you! — and the Grinch the next. What does all of it suggest?

After Commissioner Rob Manfred and union chief Tony Clark staged information conferences Thursday, what it all skill appears undeniable. The homeowners spent all that money on the premise that baseball's economic equipment below the subsequent collective bargaining settlement will appear fairly a good deal the equal because it did below the historical one.

The owners, as a minimum, already have determined how the lockout will end. as the house owners appear to see it, according to the news conferences from both sides, the gamers will again off on what th ey have prioritized as core considerations, or the subsequent primary league online game will take vicinity a protracted, long term from now.

since house owners value younger gamers greater than ever, the union argues, the homeowners may still pay more youthful avid gamers more advantageous than ever: salary arbitration after two years in its place of three; free company after five years instead of six.

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Dodgers have to handle their skinny starting rotation when the lockout ends

Lockout starts off with the Angels still wanting starting pitching

RAMS

Gary Klein on the Rams: He changed into selected fifth in the 2016 NFL draft and played three-plus seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

however Rams celebrity cornerback Jalen Ramsey observed Thursday that it could be just another online game when the Rams play his former group Sunday at SoFi Stadium.

Ramsey, 27, earned three pro Bowl selections with the Jaguars. but his time with the group also was marked by way of his arrival to 2019 practising camp in a car that resembled a financial institution truck, an on-box argument with former instruct Doug Marrone and, reportedly, a request to be traded.

In October 2019, the Rams sent two first-circular picks and a fourth-round opt for to the Jaguars in alternate for Ramsey. Eleven months later, they gave him a five-yr extension that protected $seventy one.2 million in ensures and will be worth as lots as $a hundred and five million.

"I'm in fact grateful for my time there and that whole experience," Ramse y mentioned of Jacksonville after observe. "Like, it was part of my life that I necessary, that I appreciated, and that i went via things there that make me an improved man nowadays, make me recognize the situation I'm in these days even more."

CHARGERS

Jeff Miller on the Chargers: it is December, and the Chargers' second-main rusher continues to be Justin Herbert.

despite the fact that Herbert has first rate mobility, this doesn't mirror neatly on a running video game that — as with the 2021 Chargers in conventional — has struggled to keep constant creation.

This offense ranks twenty second in yards rushing, averaging 103 per game. individually, Austin Ekeler is also 22nd, at fifty four.9.

After Ekeler, the crew's subsequent three operating backs — Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree III — have combined to hurry for only 231 yards, which is 12 fewer than Herbert has managed.

Of that total, seventy five came on one rush with the aid of Jackson in opposition t New England. do away with that play and the trio has carried 61 instances for 156 yards, an average of 2.6 per effort.

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NFL Week 13 picks: expenses beat Patriots; Rams leap lower back

Antonio Br own among three NFL avid gamers suspended for violating COVID guidelines

defense lifts Cowboys to a 27-17 victory over sinking Saints

UCLA BASKETBALL

Ben Bolch on the Bruins: UCLA's basketball video game in opposition t Washington on Sunday in Seattle remained in limbo after the Huskies were forced to put off their Pac-12 conference opener as a result of COVID-19 considerations within their software.

One grownup close to the circumstance instructed The instances on Thursday that seven Washington avid gamers and coaches had established superb for the virus, leading to the postponement of the Huskies' game against Arizona on Thursday evening.

A Washington athletic department spokesperson spoke of he could not focus on what number of contributors of the crew and training workforce have been beneath COVID-19 protocols however brought that the avid gamers and group of workers were one hundred% vaccinated, that means any tremendous tests would contain step forward circumstances. As of Thursday afternoon, the spokesperson spoke of, Sunday's online game remained not off course to be performed.

Washington perform ed Nevada on Nov. 24, six days earlier than Wolf Pack instruct Steve Alford introduced he had validated tremendous for COVID-19 and would isolate for 10 days. Nevada assistant educate Craig Neal didn't attend the crew's seventy nine-66 victory over Pepperdine on Tuesday after being held out on account of COVID-19 protocols.

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Can UCLA broadcaster Josh Lewin cowl two video games in two states right through a 10-hour span?

KINGS

Andrew Mangiapane and Milan Lucic scored on the vigour play, and the Calgary Flames received their fourth straight street video game, three-2 over the Kings.

Matthew Tkachuk had a aim, Jacob Markstrom make forty saves and the Flames superior to a league-main 10-2-2 on the road.

Alex Edler acquired his one centesimal profession intention and Alex Iafallo also scored, but the Kings lost for the seventh time in eight video games. Cal Petersen made 29 saves.

ANGEL city

Kevin Baxter on Angel metropolis: Angel metropolis FC obtained the rights to a 2d two-time World Cup champion Thursday, buying midfielder Julie Ertz in a alternate with the Chicago crimson Stars.

In L.A. Ertz, 29, might be reunited with forward Christen Press, her teammate with Chicago and on world champion country wide teams in 2015 and 2019. besides Ertz, Angel city additionally got Sarah Gorden, 29, an NWSL defender of the year nominee. Angel city will additionally get an international slot from the purple Stars for 2022 and 2023. In change, Chicago can have full roster protection from Angel city in this month's enlargement draft.

Angel metropolis opens plays within the NWSL next spring.

THIS DATE IN activities

1943 — Notre Dame quarterback Angelo Bertelli wins the Heisman Trophy.

1946 — military halfback Glenn Davis is termed the Heisman Trophy winner.

1950 — Tom Fears of the Rams has 18 receptions against eco-friendly Bay.

1950 — Cloyce field of the Detroit Lions has 302 yards receiving and ratings 4 touchdowns towards the Baltimore Colts.

1956 — Wilt Chamberlain ratings 52 points in his collegiate debut with Kansas.

1957 — Texas A&M halfback John David Crow is called the Heisman Trophy winner.

1972 — Bobby Howfield of the big apple Jets kicks six container dreams against New Orleans.

1973 — Dick Anderson of the Miami Dolphins intercepts four passes, returning two for touchdowns, against Pittsburgh.

1979 — USC halfback Charles White is termed the Heisman Trophy winner.

1982 — Tommy Hearns wins the WBC welterweight title with a 15-round determination over Wilfred Benitez in New Orleans.

1994 — Sixth-ra nked Florida beats undefeated and third-ranked Alabama 24-23 within the first SEC Championship game performed in Atlanta.

1999 — Marshall beats Western Michigan 34-30 on the last play of the MAC Championship game. Down 30-27 with 4 seconds left within the online game, Chad Pennington throws his a centesimal profession touchdown circulate to Eric Pinkerton as time expires to supply the Thundedring Herd their third consecutive MAC title.

2000 — The 200-yard rushing games with the aid of Mike Anderson, Corey Dillon, Warrick Dunn and Curtis Martin mark the first time in NFL heritage that 4 runners have 200 yards on the equal day. Its certainly not took place thrice in a single day. Anderson rushes for an NFL rookie listing 251 yards and four touchdowns in Denver's 38-23 victory over New Orleans.

2004 — Bode Miller wins his fourth race of the season within the downhill at Beaver Creek, Colo., and Daron Rahlves is second to give the U.S. its first 1-2 finish on t he realm Cup circuit. The closing time U.S. men went 1-2 in any elite international race turned into 1984, when Phil Mahre won the Olympic slalom in Sarajevo and twin brother Steve took the silver medal.

2005 — USC wins its 34th consecutive video game and sixteenth straight against a ranked opponent, beating No. 11 UCLA 66-19. The sixteen victories towards linked Press ranked teams is one more advantageous than Oklahoma, which gained 15 from 1973-76.

2014 — The Philadelphia 76ers keep away from tying the record for the worst start to a season in NBA heritage, ending their 0-17 skid with an eighty five-77 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

2015 — Aaron Rodgers throws a 61-yard landing move to Richard Rodgers with no time left to provide the green Bay Packers a 27-23 comeback victory over the Detroit Lions. Detroit went ahead 17-0 after its first three drives and capped the outlet possession of the third quarter with a box aim to go ahead 20-0.

2017 — Tom Brady continues his profession-long dominance of the Buffalo bills completing 21 of 30 for 258 yards and an interception in New England's 23-3 victory. He improves to 27-three against Buffalo and breaks Brett Favre's checklist for wins through a quarterback in opposition t anyone opponent.

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and eventually

Charles White discusses his time at USC. Watch and listen right here.

except next time...

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