Good Morning! Here’s what happened in the world of sports on Thursday, February 20.

4 NATIONS FACE-OFF

This tournament exceeded everyone’s expectations. Each game was intense, the players fought like the Stanley Cup, and fans around the world bought into the competition. Last night’s final was an exclamation point– especially for the birthplace of hockey.

Connor McDavid scored a beautiful game-winning goal to lead Team Canada to a 3-2 overtime victory over the USA. Canada opened the scoring with Nathan MacKinnon, before Brady Tkachuk tied things late in the first period. America took a 2-1 lead midway through the second period, before Canada evened the score a few minutes later. A nervous and scoreless third sent the game to the extra period, before Canada’s biggest star won the game, the tournament, and hockey bragging rights for his country. If you missed the game last night, it’s worth watching the highlights– for the exceptional hockey and the electric playoff atmosphere:

Also, a huge shoutout to Team Canada goalie Jordan Binnington. In the same building where he won the Stanley Cup as a member of the St. Louis Blues, Binnington put on one of the best big-game performances of any goalie in recent memory. 14 of his 31 saves came in the third period and overtime, including a few absolutely insane ones late in the game to keep his country alive. If you remember from our tournament preview nine days ago, I wrote this about Canada’s shot to win the title–

NBA

The break is over and a lot of teams were back in action. But for the second night in a row, this section is focused on the purple and gold. That’s because of LeBron James. On the second night of a back-to-back, the 40-year legend scored 40 points, leading the Lakers to a 110-102 victory over Portland:

BASEBALL

Spring training is here! Live baseball has been played! Most notably of all, the Major Leagues are officially testing an automatic balls-and-strikes system. I am remaining neutral on this until we see more of it in action. Take a look for yourself as history was made in yesterday’s Cubs-Dodgers game:

NOTEWORTHY NEWS

Victor Wembanyama has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 NBA season due to a blood clot in his right shoulder. An unfortunate end to a promising second year for the Frenchman, but the Spurs organization is optimistic about a full recovery for the future. Because he hasn’t played the required 65 games, Wemby is now ineligible to win Defensive Player of the year.

Aaron Boone signed a two-year contract extension to remain manager of the New York Yankees. His deal now runs through 2027.

Dallas Cowboys lineman Zack Martin is retiring after 11 incredible seasons. A 2014 first-round pick out of Notre Dame, Martin had as many holding penalties accepted as he did All-Pro seasons (7). That’s pretty remarkable.

ESPN and Major League Baseball have agreed to terminate their broadcast deal after the 2025 season. ESPN wanted to pay the league less money, which Major League Baseball shockingly did not like. Commissioner Rob Manfred released a lengthy statement, highlighted by this sentence: “Furthermore, we have not been pleased with the minimal coverage that MLB has received on ESPN’s platforms over the past several years outside of the actual live game coverage.” Sorry in advance to everyone who watches SportsCenter during the summer months. It’s going to be even more reports from Cowboys training camp and speculation about LeBron.

THIS WEEKEND’S BIG GAMES (all times Eastern)

NBA:

• Knicks @ Cavaliers, 7 PM on ESPN

• Timberwolves @ Rockets, 9:30 PM on ESPN

• Lakers @ Nuggets, 8:30 PM Saturday on ABC

• Knicks @ Celtics, 1 PM Sunday on ABC

• Mavericks @ Warriors, 3:30 PM Sunday on ABC

• Grizzlies @ Cavaliers, 7 PM Sunday on ESPN

• Thunder @ Timberwolves, 9:30 PM Sunday on ESPN

NHL:

• Wild @ Red Wings, 12:30 PM Saturday on ABC

• Capitals @ Penguins, 3 PM Saturday on ABC

• Oilers @ Capitals, 1 PM Sunday on TNT/Max

• Rangers @ Penguins, 3:30 PM Sunday on TNT/Max

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL:

• (1) Notre Dame @ (13) NC State, Noon Sunday on ESPN

• (25) Illinois @ (4) USC, 4 PM Sunday on FS1

• (7) LSU @ (14) Kentucky, 4 PM Sunday on ESPN

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL:

• (16) Marquette @ Villanova, 7 PM on FS1

• (14) Michigan @ (12) Michigan State, 8 PM on Fox

• (6) Tennessee @ (7) Texas A&M, Noon Saturday on ESPN

• (8) Iowa State @ (5) Houston, 2 PM Saturday on ESPN

• (18) Clemson @ SMU, 4 PM Saturday on ACC Network

• (17) Kentucky @ (4) Alabama, 6 PM Saturday on ESPN

• (3) Duke vs Illinois, 8 PM Saturday on Fox

• UConn @ (10) St. John’s, Noon Sunday on Fox

PREMIER LEAGUE: Liverpool @ Manchester City, 11:30 AM Sunday on Peacock

Thank you again for your continued support of The Remix! Appreciate all of you. Have a wonderful weekend– see you on Monday