The Los Angeles Lakers (9‑2) visit the Atlanta Hawks (7‑4) at State Farm Arena on Jan. 13, 2026, with tip‑off slated for 7:00 PM EST. Atlanta must contain Luka Doncic’s 40‑point averaging to chase a fifth straight win. The Hawks’ starting five—Kingston Flemings, Nickeil Alexander‑Walker, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu—will battle the Lakers. The game airs on Peachtree TV (WPCH) and Atlanta News First, streams via Amazon Prime, NBA League Pass (out‑of‑market) and YouTube TV, and is broadcast on Sports Radio 92.9 the Game.
The Los Angeles Lakers lose guard Austin Reaves to illness ahead of Monday night’s game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Reaves, who dropped a career‑high 43 points in the Lakers’ 121-116 win over Detroit on Sunday, has been ruled out, forcing Los Angeles to seek other scoring options. The Lakers gain a boost, however, as Luka Doncic returns after missing the Pistons game, averaging 40.1 points this season. Reaves has been on a November tear, posting 27.0 points per game over five contests.
The Kansas City Chiefs end a two‑game losing streak with a 35‑12 victory over the New York Jets, highlighted by defensive tackle Chris Jones’ historic achievement. In his 11th season, Jones records two sacks, two tackles for loss and moves into second place on the franchise’s all‑time sack list with 90.5, trailing only Derrick Thomas. He adds four combined tackles and a pass deflection. Offensively, Patrick Mahomes throws 23 of 31 for 242 yards and two TDs, while Kenneth Walker III rushes for 102 yards and a score. The Chiefs next face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10, a game that could tie them with the Broncos for the AFC West lead.
After Kansas City’s 35-12 win over the New York Jets, kicker Harrison Butker faced a hostile home crowd after missing two late‑game field‑goal attempts (56‑yard and 51‑yard) in Week 9. With seven misses in nine weeks—the most in the NFL and a 63.2% conversion rate—Butker took responsibility, saying the boos are “part of it.” Coach Andy Reid said no roster move is imminent, even as the Chiefs added former Ravens kicker Justin Tucker to the practice squad for competition. The team now turns its focus to the upcoming matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Bengals clinch their first win outside the U.S., beating the Falcons 34-17 at Madrid’s Bernabéu to improve to 6-2 and tie Pittsburgh atop the AFC North. Joe Burrow throws for 271 yards, three TDs and runs for another, while Ja’Marr Chase adds 155 yards and a TD, sparking a debate for Offensive MVP. Defensive standouts include LB Barrett Carter’s game‑sealing interception and S Bryan Cook’s 10 tackles. Unsung Hero nominations highlight Dohnte Meyers’s 163 all‑purpose yards and kicker Evan McPherson’s 23‑straight field goals, a franchise record. The blog invites fans to vote on MVP and Unsung Hero candidates ahead of the Steelers showdown.
The Jacksonville Jaguars fire up their defense before the Nov. 10 trade deadline, acquiring former Pro Bowl safety Jessie Bates III from the Atlanta Falcons for a 2027 second‑round and a 2028 fifth‑round pick, and trading for Saints defensive tackle Davon Godchaux. The Saints receive a conditional 2028 sixth‑rounder that could become a 2027 pick. With both players added, the 6‑2 Jaguars position themselves as AFC Super Bowl contenders ahead of their Week 14 Monday Night clash with the Steelers.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have become the NFL’s trade‑deadline frontrunner, acquiring three impact players in just one day. Jacksonville trades a 2027 first‑rounder, a 2029 second‑rounder, plus a 2028 fifth‑ and sixth‑round pick for Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis (No. 13 overall in 2022). The Jaguars also add Falcons safety Jessie Bates III and Saints defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, sending away additional future picks. At 6‑2, Jacksonville sits as the AFC’s No. 3 seed, holding the tiebreaker over the Steelers, who now face a tougher road: a Week 11 clash against a Davis‑less Eagles and a Week 14 Monday Night Football showdown with a now‑loaded Jaguars that looms as Pittsburgh’s toughest remaining game.
The Atlanta Braves face a tough offseason decision on right‑handed outfielder Jurickson Profar, who has been suspended for PEDs in two consecutive seasons. While GM Alex Anthopoulos says the club will discuss the issue internally, veteran beat reporter Mark Bowman argues Profar’s return is unlikely, noting the franchise would have to absorb his $15 million salary and risk cultural damage. Bowman predicts the Braves will prioritize signing a new right‑handed outfielder instead, making Profar’s departure the most plausible outcome.
Week 9 sees every NFC South team sitting at three wins. The Buccaneers fall 24‑27 to Chicago as Caleb Williams tosses four picks, while the Panthers lose 21‑26 to Denver despite Bryce Young’s late rally. The Saints snap a 2‑5 start, edging the Browns 23‑22 in overtime to claim a third win and a chance at the division lead next week. Atlanta endures a 17‑34 defeat at Kansas City, plagued by penalties and a porous defense. All four clubs enter Week 10 with the same 3‑6 or 3‑5 records, keeping the South’s title race wide open.
The Braves’ $20 million gamble on shortstop Ha‑Seong Kim flopped after a hand injury sidelined him for two months, leaving him with a .116 average, .359 OPS and –0.7 WAR in just 51 games. While Atlanta is unlikely to re‑sign him, Philadelphia is reportedly eyeing the 31‑year‑old as a low‑cost, bounce‑back option, especially with free‑agent Mauricio Dubon seeking a multi‑year deal. Kim’s poor season was heavily injury‑related, making him an intriguing buy‑low candidate for the Phillies as the offseason begins.
The Lakers host the Hawks on Monday with Luka Dončić back after missing Sunday’s win, while guard Austin Reaves is listed as questionable due to an illness. Reaves, who dropped 43 points in Dončić’s absence, may be limited, and Quentin Grimes also misses the game with a right‑finger sprain. That leaves Dončić likely to carry the scoring load, continuing his historic pace of over 40 points per game and a chance to hit another 50‑point night—a feat matched only by Michael Jordan’s 300‑point eight‑game stretch. The injury report sets up a potential Dončić showcase against Atlanta.
The Braves’ 10‑year, $212 million extension with Austin Riley is now deemed one of MLB’s most untradeable deals. After three MVP‑caliber seasons (2021‑23) and a steep decline post‑injury, Riley posted a .219 average, 80 OPS+ and just 20 homers in 2026, leaving six years and $132 million on his contract. General manager Alex Anthopoulos’s strategy of locking in young talent early now limits the team’s flexibility, and Riley’s sliding performance makes other clubs wary of taking on his remaining salary. At 29, his future impact remains uncertain.
While the numbers won't make headlines, Daniels is giving the Hawks everything they need - it's resulting in wins, too.
Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski insists Atlanta isn’t “punting” on the 2026 season despite a 3‑6 record and recent losses to the Buccaneers and Bengals. With the trade deadline looming, the team shipped safety Jessie Bates III to the Jaguars for a 2027 second‑round and a 2028 fifth‑round pick, a move aimed at future depth as Bates heads toward free agency. Stefanski says the goal remains winning the NFC South, believing the squad can still reach 7‑8 wins and snap the playoff drought dating back to 2017.
Atlanta head coach Kevin Stefanski rejects tank‑play rumors after the Falcons trade safety Jessie Bates III to Jacksonville for future draft picks. Despite losing a defensive leader who recently forced a key fumble against Tampa Bay, Stefanski says the team isn’t “punting” on the season. The Falcons sit 3‑6 in an NFC South where every club has three wins, keeping them in the divisional race. Front office eyes long‑term flexibility, while Atlanta’s next challenge is a home showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The 31-year-old veteran batted .116 in 2026 but has a Gold Glove Award on his resume.
The Braves’ biggest offseason priority, according to MLB insider Mark Bowman, is adding a right‑handed hitter. After a NLDS loss to the Dodgers, Atlanta ranks 26th in the league with a .679 right‑handed OPS, while the left side sits at .751. Declines from Austin Riley and Sean Murphy, plus Jurickson Profar’s suspensions, have crippled the offense, and playoff struggles from Ronald Acuña Jr., Drake Baldwin and Matt Olson only magnified the issue. Securing a potent RH bat could be the most impactful move to revive Atlanta’s lineup and keep the team in the NL contention race.
Jaguars make another defensive move after acquiring safety Jessie Bates from Atlanta.
The Falcons’ gamble on 42‑year‑old veteran kicker Nick Folk is backfiring. After a 72.2% conversion rate—five misses in nine games and his first sub‑40‑yard miss since 2017—Folk is posting his worst numbers since 2009. The article argues the team should have pursued a younger, long‑term solution instead of a short‑term fix, especially as Atlanta rebuilds, highlighted by the recent trade of Jessie Bates III. With eight games left, the Falcons could use the period as a tryout for emerging kickers.
Joe Burrow's 34-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid lifts his MVP odds above Josh Allen, according to BetOnline. Burrow completed 24 of 29 passes for two TDs, raising his season stats to a 74% completion rate, 2,386 yards and 23 touchdowns, and becoming the first NFL player to post four straight games with four TD passes and a 70% completion mark. The Bengals (6-2) tie the Steelers for the AFC North lead and aim to extend their four‑game streak when they host Pittsburgh on Nov. 15.
The Atlanta Braves are circling veteran right‑hander Sonny Gray as a potential partner for ace Chris Sale, creating a "1‑2 old man's punch" in the rotation. Gray, 37, posted an 18‑5 record with a 2.72 ERA for the Boston Red Sox in 2026 and entered free agency after declining his 2027 option. Sale continues to dominate with a 14‑9 record, 2.16 ERA and 200 strikeouts. With MLB free agency in full swing and a possible lockout looming after the collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 1, the Braves hope to lock down Gray quickly to add stability before offseason negotiations disrupt the market.
Fox 4 sideline reporter Taylor Burr turned heads at Arrowhead Stadium, posting a photo of her black leather motorcycle jacket, wide‑leg jeans and gold‑buckle belt that went viral during the Chiefs‑Jets game. While Burr’s outfit stole social‑media spotlight, the Chiefs snapped a two‑game skid with a 35‑12 win, as Patrick Mahomes threw for 242 yards and two TDs despite an elbow strain, and Kenneth Walker added 102 rushing yards plus two receiving TDs. The victory sets Kansas City up for a cautious approach ahead of their next matchup with the Falcons.
The Lakers head to Atlanta on Monday night (7 p.m. ET) after a 9‑2 start highlighted by a 43‑point effort from Austin Reaves in a win over Detroit. Luka Doncic, who missed that game with back tightness, is cleared for the Hawks matchup, while Reaves is listed as questionable due to illness and Quentin Grimes sits out with a finger sprain. The Hawks, riding four straight victories, will test the Lakers' momentum against wing defender Dyson Daniels. Injury updates and the upcoming schedule are the key takeaways.
Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić is off the injury report for Monday's game against the Atlanta Hawks after missing Sunday's win against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday because of lower back tightness.
The Jacksonville Jaguars boost their Super Bowl chances by trading for three-time Second‑Team All‑Pro safety Jessie Bates III from the Atlanta Falcons, sending a 2027 second‑round and a 2028 fifth‑round pick. With Bates, the Jaguars' odds jump to +950, the fourth‑best in the NFL behind the 49ers (+550), Bills (+650) and Bears (+850). Jacksonville sits 6‑2, fresh off a 33‑10 win over Baltimore, ranking second in points allowed (15.1) and first in turnover ratio (+9), though their pass defense is 22nd. Bates brings 28 career interceptions and could be re‑signed before hitting free agency.