Luke Walton has been feeling the heat recently, but thankfully for us, he’s coping with a terrific sense of humor. The Los Angeles Lakers head coach recently was the subject of a LaVar Ball tirade, as the father of rookie point guard Lonzo Ball accused Walton of losing control of the team. Fast forward to Sunday night, when Walton was asked about Ball’s playing time following L.A.’s 132-113 win over the Atlanta Hawks. Here’s his awesomely NSFW answer: “His dad was talking (expletive), so I took him out early,” Walton cracked, waiting a few good seconds before adding, “I’m just kidding.” Most of LaVar’s gripes involve Walto... NESN.com
Sports
Bills’ Tyrod Taylor Suffers Head Injury On Final Drive Of Loss To Jags
Through 58 minutes Sunday’s AFC Wild Card Round matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the Jacksonville Jaguars was relatively uneventful. The final two minutes were a different story, however. Buffalo trailed 10-3 late in the fourth quarter of what was an old-fashioned, defense-heavy affair. Facing a 3rd-and-five from his own 42-yard line, Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor scrambled for two yards, but took a vicious hit from Jags defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. at the end of the play. The 28-year-old laid motionless while medical staff attended to him, but eventually got to his feet and walked off the field on his own power. Here’s the play: NESN.com
Bruins Notes: Patrice Bergeron’s Hot Streak Continues With Four Goals
Patrice Bergeron has never won the Hart Trophy, but it’s hard to find many NHL players more valuable to their team than the Boston Bruins center. Bergeron literally does it all for the B’s. He creates offense, shuts down the opponent’s top line and excels on special teams. In Saturday night’s 7-1 blowout win over the Carolina Hurricanes at TD Garden, Bergeron’s scoring prowess made the difference for Boston. The veteran forward scored a career-high four goals, while also adding an assist for a five-point night. He won 13 of his 17 faceoffs, too. Bergeron is in the midst of an impressive offensive stretch over ... NESN.com
Rookie Matt Grzelcyk Making Big Contributions On Blue Line For Bruins
Matt Grzelcyk turned 24 years old on Friday, but he’s been composed like a veteran on the Boston Bruins’ blue line in his rookie season. The Boston University product has contributed one goal and four assists while tallying a plus-13 skating on the third pairing alongside Kevan Miller. For more on the Grzelcyk’s impact on the Bruins, check out the “NESN Sports Today” video above, presented by People’s United Bank. ... NESN.com
MLB Rumors: Yankees Still Eyeing Manny Machado, Recently Contacted Orioles
The New York Yankees already made the offseason’s biggest splash, and they’re reportedly considering another move that might blow the competition out of the water. Fanrag Sports’ Jon Heyman reported Friday, citing sources, that the Yankees again contacted the Baltimore Orioles about third baseman Manny Machado. Heyman did indicate a deal — at least at this time — “seems less than great,” but he also pointed out the Yankees might have the best chance to land the superstar third baseman from the O’s. As Heyman points out, the Yankees have been able to shed some burdensome payroll in the last year or so — despite acquiring Gianca... NESN.com
Scott Boras Refutes Eric Hosmer’s Reported Offers From Padres, Royals
One of the biggest free agents in Major League Baseball appeared destined for one of two teams, but now his agent is reeling in those rumors a touch. A report Wednesday noted free agent first baseman Eric Hosmer had offers from the San Diego Padres and Kansas City Royals, the latter of whom he’s played the entirety of his seven-year career for. But Hosmer’s agent, Scott Boras, told The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal that such reports were “inaccurate,” but neglected to go into any more detail. That could mean any number of things, including something as minuscule as the figures being off. Or, knowing how Boras operates, it very well could ... NESN.com
Why Skip Bayless Thinks Kyrie Irving Is Under More Pressure Than LeBron James
All roads in the NBA lead back to LeBron James. At least it does in Skip Bayless’ mind. And heading into Wednesday’s matchup between the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers, Bayless was all-in on his hot takes between James and Celtics guard Kyrie Irving. And his belief Wednesday — a somewhat tepid take by his standard — was that Irving now is under “ten-times more pressure” to succeed than LeBron is. “It was similar to what (Kevin) Durant did with (Russell) Westbrook,” Bayless said on his talk show on FS1. “Kyrie got tired of — I got this from a source very close to Kyrie and I’m going to say it again because I