Herschel Walker, the football legend who unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate in Georgia, has been chosen by President-elect Donald Trump to be ambassador to the Bahamas.

Trump made the announcement Tuesday in a post on Truth Social, his social media website. He described Walker as "a successful businessman, philanthropist, former Heisman Trophy winner."

Walker, a Republican, tried to unseat Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock two years ago with Trump's endorsement. Walker benefited during the campaign from nearly unmatched name recognition from his football career at the University of Georgia and in the NFL. But he fell short in his efforts, unable to overcome a bevy of damaging allegations, including claims that he paid for two former girlfriends' abortions despite supporting a national ban on the procedure.

He campaigned for Trump this year in his home state of Georgia.

To hold the ambassador position, Walker will need his nomination approved next year by the Republican-led Senate.

Walker had a storied football career at Georgia from 1980 to 1982, with the Bulldogs going 34-5 in his three seasons. He led them to an undefeated record and national championship in 1980, and in 1982, he won the Heisman Trophy.

After a stint in the USFL, Walker played for more than a decade in the NFL, making two Pro Bowls and enjoying stints with the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Two days after Dave Clawson announced his resignation, Wake Forest is set to hire Washington State's Jake Dickert as his replacement, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.

Dickert is in his third full season at Washington State and guided the Cougars to an 8-4 record this year. He took over midway through the 2021 season after Nick Rolovich was fired by the university for declining to take the COVID vaccine, and Dickert was promoted to permanent head coach following the regular season.

Dickert, 41, is 23-20 overall at Washington State, which played in a two-team Pac-12 this season and pieced together a schedule after the other teams bolted for other conferences. The Cougars started 8-1 before losing their last three games. Washington State was Dickert's first head coaching job. He spent the first part of his coaching career in the Division II and FCS ranks before joining the Wyoming staff under Craig Bohl in 2017. Dickert was Wyoming's defensive coordinator in 2019 and was hired that next year as Rolovich's defensive coordinator at Washington State.

Washington State was 11th nationally this season in scoring offense (36.8 points per game), with quarterback John Mateer leading college football with 44 total touchdowns. Dickert announced Monday that Mateer was entering the transfer portal, and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle also left to take the same position at Oklahoma State.

Clawson was at Wake Forest for 11 seasons and took the Deacons to seven bowl games. He guided Wake Forest to 11 wins and the ACC's Atlantic Division title in 2021 and won eight games the next season, but the Demon Deacons' record dipped to 4-8 each of the past two seasons. Clawson will stay on at Wake Forest in an advisory role. His resignation comes amid sweeping changes in college sports with NIL payments to players and the transfer portal.

"You can't do something successfully, and it's not fair to the players or the institution if you're doing something that your whole heart and soul isn't into," Clawson said at his resignation news conference. "I did not want to do this; in my perfect world I'd be having this press conference in three or four years. But I just looked at kind of where the industry is right now, and I just felt like it was time."

In a dramatic shift, the Ivy League's football teams are now going to be able to compete for FCS national championships.

Starting in the 2025 season, the Ivy League teams will now be able to play in the FCS postseason.

The genesis for the change for the Ivy League to play in FCS playoffs came via a proposal from Ivy League student-athletes. And the proposal from the league's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) was approved Tuesday by a vote of the Ivy League Council of Presidents.

"The Ivy League prides itself on a storied tradition of impact, influence and competitive success throughout the history of college football. We now look ahead to a new chapter of success and to further enhancing the student-athlete experience with our participation in the NCAA FCS playoffs," said Ivy League Executive Director Robin Harris in a statement. "I want to commend the students on our SAAC for their thoughtful and thorough proposal as well as their commitment to the league's legislative process.".

Football had loomed as the only sport that Ivy League teams could not compete for NCAA national championships in. The league had long ended its season at the end of the regular season. The Ivy League has confirmed with the NCAA that the league's winner will get an automatic bid to the FCS playoffs starting in 2025.

The 2024 season culminated with Columbia, Dartmouth and Harvard earning a share of the Ivy League title. Over the next several months, the league will develop tiebreakers to determine how its automatic qualifier will be awarded when there are co-champions in the future.

Kirk Cousins did not view it as a short-term move. The quarterback said he signed with the Atlanta Falcons on March 11 not only because of the $100 million in guarantees over four years, but because it was a place where he wanted to retire.

His wife, Julie, is from Georgia, and her family, who lives in the area, are diehard Falcons fans.

But when Atlanta surprisingly drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall draft pick on April 25, it raised questions about Cousins' future.

After Tuesday, that future has arrived sooner than expected.

The Falcons named Penix the starter one day after Cousins added to his league-leading interception total of 16. The Falcons beat the Las Vegas Raiders 15-9 on Sunday to end a four-game skid, but it was hardly the type of performance that silenced the growing speculation a quarterback change was imminent. Cousins was 11 of 17 for 112 yards with a TD and the pick. His 9.0 QBR was the second lowest in the league in Week 15, better than the 3.6 by Cleveland Browns QB Jameis Winston (also benched Tuesday).

In comes Penix, the former Washington star who has an exceptional arm and had a 91.3 QBR last year on deep routes at the college level.

Here are five key questions facing Cousins, Penix and the Falcons, who have a 29% chance to make the playoffs, according to FPI.

Why make the move now?

Marc Raimondi: Falcons coach Raheem Morris said in the preseason that the time to bench a quarterback is when he can no longer win games. During Atlanta's 6-3 start, Cousins ranked fourth in passing yards (2,328) and was tied for fourth in passing touchdowns with 17. He was one of eight players with multiple games of four passing touchdowns this season.

Then the wheels came off.

From Weeks 10-14, Cousins became the first player since Brett Favre in 2005 to throw at least eight interceptions without a passing touchdown in a four-game span.

On Monday, it was clear the coaching staff didn't trust him. For the first time in his career, Cousins didn't throw a pass on first down in the first half and had only 17 pass attempts total.

What does the Falcons' remaining schedule look like and what are their playoff chances?

Raimondi: Penix will get his first regular-season start against the 2-12 New York Giants on Sunday at home (1 p.m., ET, Fox). The Falcons are 8-point favorites.

After that, the Falcons visit the Washington Commanders for a game flexed to "Sunday Night Football."

Atlanta finishes up at home against the Carolina Panthers. Those are three winnable games and two the Falcons should win. So, maybe Penix saves the season. If not, he still gets much-needed reps going into 2025.

What will the reaction be in the locker room?

Raimondi: Even-keeled. If Cousins remained the starter, his teammates would have fought for him. Now they'll ride with Penix, who has been supportive and a class act since his arrival.

Penix was given the locker next to that of safety Jessie Bates III, which was no accident. Bates is one of the team leaders and among the most respected players in the NFL. He has helped take Penix under his wing and kept him motivated for when the team would need him.

How did Penix look in preseason and how can he spark the offense?

Raimondi: Penix played one game, going 9-of-16 for 104 yards without a touchdown or interception against the Miami Dolphins. The Falcons didn't play him in their other two preseason games with Morris saying they had seen enough of him.

During training camp, Penix was inconsistent at times, which isn't surprising for a rookie. But he also made some throws that made one understand why the Falcons were high enough on him to take him at No. 8. The arm talent is undeniable.

Cousins has not been able to throw the deep ball and seems to have lost velocity.

What does this mean for Cousins' future in Atlanta?

Jeremy Fowler: It's effectively over. Hard to see a scenario in which the team turns to Cousins in 2025. The Falcons made clear in their statement that Penix is the quarterback "moving forward." Translation: We aren't looking back.

That leaves the player and team weighing their options. Cousins' contract is tradeable. Paying him $62.5 million in guarantees for 14 starts is painful, but his only guarantee on the books for next year is his $27.5 million base salary. Capable veteran quarterbacks will have suitors.

At least five teams currently scheduled to draft in the top 10 in April need quarterback help, only the supply won't meet the demand in a class considered weaker at the position. Atlanta, low on leverage because of the benching, could offer to cover some of the salary to facilitate a deal. Though Cousins' market would not be as robust as younger, more productive options such as Sam Darnold, perhaps Cousins can sell improved mobility to potential landing spots in his second season after his Achilles tear. And it takes only one team to believe in his remaining skill set. Cousins has been chosen for the Pro Bowl four times, as recently as 2022.

The second inaugural NBA Cup has concluded, with the Milwaukee Bucks crowned as tournament champions Tuesday night after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The regular season, however, continues to roll on as teams and players will look to turn things around in the new year.

In the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics seem as untouchable as they were expected to be entering this season. While the Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers have tumbled down the standings to start the season, they hope 2025 will ring in more wins.

The wild West has definitely lived up to its name with four teams -- Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers -- all six games back of the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder.

Here is where all 30 teams stack up in this week's power rankings.

Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN's Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Michael Wright, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk, Chris Herring and Kevin Pelton) think teams belong this season.

Previous rankings: Preseason | Oct. 30 | Nov. 5 | Nov. 13 | Nov. 20 | Nov. 27 | Dec. 4 | Dec. 11

Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS

1. Boston Celtics

• 2024-25 record: 21-5

• Previous ranking: 1

• Next games: vs. CHI (Dec. 19), @ CHI (Dec. 21), @ ORL (Dec. 23)

There was a brief injury scare for Boston when Kristaps Porzingis left Sunday's win over the Wizards with a heel injury, but Porzingis downplayed its severity postgame. Injuries are just about the only thing that could derail Boston, as the Celtics are casually on pace to win 65 games and remain a favorite to become the first defending champion to repeat since 2018. -- Tim Bontemps

2. Cleveland Cavaliers

• 2024-25 record: 23-4

• Previous ranking: 2

• Next games: vs. MIL (Dec. 20), vs. PHI (Dec. 21), vs. UTAH (Dec. 23)

Could we be seeing the start of Evan Mobley's ascent as a scorer? The fourth-year big man has been Cleveland's leading scorer in three of their past five wins, including a career-high 41 points on 16-for-23 shooting (6-for-8 from 3) against Charlotte. The former No. 3 pick is averaging 18.6 points and shooting 55.6% from 3 in his first five games of December as the Cavs continue on pace to become the third team in league history to win 70 games. -- Dave McMenamin

3. Oklahoma City Thunder

• 2024-25 record: 20-6

• Previous ranking: 3

• Next games: @ ORL (Dec. 19), @ MIA (Dec. 20), vs. WAS (Dec. 23)

Entering the NBA Cup title game Tuesday, Oklahoma City was 17-2 when at least one of the Thunder's 7-footers was available for the entire game. That includes a 9-1 record since free agent addition Isaiah Hartenstein (12.5 PPG, 12.3 RPG) made his Thunder debut after recovering from a broken hand. "He's been amazing," OKC star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said. "Obviously, we lacked a little bit of physicality in the past as a group, and he's been able to plug that hole immediately." -- Tim MacMahon

4. Memphis Grizzlies

• 2024-25 record: 18-9

• Previous ranking: 5

• Next games: vs. GS (Dec. 19), @ ATL (Dec. 21), vs. LAC (Dec. 23)

The Grizzlies won 10 of their past 12 games, but after Sunday's loss to the Lakers, star guard Ja Morant pointed out some of the team's weaknesses. Memphis ranks second in the NBA in pace but Morant mentioned teams often slow the team down and score off of Grizzlies fouls and struggle on the offensive glass. Memphis wants to keep playing fast but the Grizzlies rank 28th in opponent free throw attempts (25.9 per game) and 27th in opponent second-chance scoring (15.1 points per game). -- Michael Wright

5. Houston Rockets

• 2024-25 record: 17-9

• Previous ranking: 6

• Next games: vs. NO (Dec. 19), @ TOR (Dec. 22), @ CHA (Dec. 23)

Houston recently hit a rough spot, losing three of its past five contests. But the Rockets continue to perform in clutch situations, winning four of their past five games that were within five points in the last five minutes of play. Cold shooting continues to hold Houston back. The Rockets rank 28th in field goal (43.7) and 3-point percentage (32.2), and the club sits in the lower third of the league in paint field goal and midrange field goal percentage. Houston could get momentum back as it plays its next four games against three teams that own a combined record of 19-61. -- Wright

6. Dallas Mavericks

• 2024-25 record: 17-9

• Previous ranking: 4

• Next games: vs. LAC (Dec. 19), vs. LAC (Dec. 21), vs. POR (Dec. 23)

Power forward P.J. Washington has established himself as one of the West's most essential role players. The Mavs are 1-5 in games Washington has missed this season, including the NBA Cup knockout round loss in Oklahoma City. That's one of only two losses for the Mavs in the month since Washington returned from a sprained knee. He has averaged 14.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.2 steals while typically taking the toughest defensive assignment to start games during that stretch. -- MacMahon

7. Milwaukee Bucks

• 2024-25 record: 15-11

• Previous ranking: 13

• Next games: @ CLE (Dec. 20), vs. WAS (Dec. 21), @ CHI (Dec. 23)

The Bucks had a dominant showing in their win against the Thunder on Tuesday night, claiming the 2024 NBA Cup crown. After starting the season 2-8, the Bucks still have the best record in the NBA since Nov. 12, going 12-3 in their past 15 games. They rank eighth in defensive efficiency during that span while Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo have emerged as the highest scoring tandem in the NBA, averaging a combined 58.4 points. -- Jamal Collier

8. New York Knicks

• 2024-25 record: 16-10

• Previous ranking: 7

• Next games: @ MIN (Dec. 19), @ NO (Dec. 21), vs. TOR (Dec. 23)

Mikal Bridges, who had a slow start to the season, has been highly effective on the offensive end in December. He's averaging 21.1 points -- up from 14.7 points in November -- and has a sterling 66.5% effective field goal rate over the course of the month, the NBA's best among players who've attempted at least 75 shots. It's a highly welcomed sign for the Knicks, whose new-look offense had already been among the NBA's most efficient before Bridges' increased success, but looks primed to take off even more. -- Chris Herring

9. Orlando Magic

• 2024-25 record: 17-11

• Previous ranking: 9

• Next games: vs. OKC (Dec. 19), vs. MIA (Dec. 21), vs. BOS (Dec. 23)

Losing Franz Wagner to the same oblique tear that put Paolo Banchero on the sidelines has tested the limits of the Magic's successful depth and defense. Orlando has lost three of the past four, including the game where Wagner was injured late, and Banchero has yet to return to practice. With both leading scorers out, the Magic is relying heavily on guard Jalen Suggs, who scored a career-high 32 points in Orlando's NBA Cup loss at Milwaukee. He shot 4-of-19 in a home loss to the Knicks on Sunday. -- Kevin Pelton

10. Denver Nuggets

• 2024-25 record: 14-10

• Previous ranking: 10

• Next games: @ POR (Dec. 19), @ NO (Dec. 22), vs. PHX (Dec. 23)

Denver has run hot and cold since mid-November. And Monday was no exception, as the Nuggets blew a 23-point lead and went down 10 in the fourth quarter before pulling out a nail-biting win over the Kings. A good sign for Denver (winners of three straight) was that Jamal Murray came to life and looked like his old clutch self in crunch time, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter, including a 16-foot go-ahead bucket. -- Ohm Youngmisuk

11. Golden State Warriors

• 2024-25 record: 14-11

• Previous ranking: 8

• Next games: @ MEM (Dec. 19), @ MIN (Dec. 21), vs. IND (Dec. 23)

The Warriors' slump continued as Luka Doncic and the hot Mavericks handed coach Steve Kerr's team its eighth loss in 10 games. But Dennis Schroder joined the team this week to give Kerr a much-needed ball handler to help Stephen Curry organize the offense, hit perimeter shots, defend and help run the second team. Kerr says the Warriors will adapt to Schroder and utilize his pick-and-roll strengths. For a team that has been searching for the right combinations and rotations, the Warriors will have to incorporate Schroder off two practices before playing at Memphis and Minnesota this week. --Youngmisuk

12. Minnesota Timberwolves

• 2024-25 record: 14-11

• Previous ranking: 14

• Next games: vs. NYK (Dec. 19), vs. GS (Dec. 21), @ ATL (Dec. 23)

Since Anthony Edwards called out the team following a loss Nov. 27, the Wolves have won six of seven games to get themselves back into the playoff picture. They are currently tied with the Suns for the No. 6 seed and final playoff spot entering what could be an emotional game Thursday. Minnesota will host the Knicks and Karl-Anthony Towns, his first game against the Wolves following a shocking trade before training camp. -- Collier

13. Phoenix Suns

• 2024-25 record: 14-11

• Previous ranking: 15

• Next games: vs. IND (Dec. 19), vs. DET (Dec. 21), @ DEN (Dec. 23)

Kevin Durant returned from a three-game absence with a left ankle sprain and led the Suns to two straight wins, averaging 25 points and 7.5 assists. Phoenix hosts Indiana and Detroit this week before a home-and-home series with Denver on Dec. 23 and Christmas Day -- a good litmus test for both teams just a half-game apart from one other in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race. -- McMenamin

14. Miami Heat

• 2024-25 record: 13-11

• Previous ranking: 11

• Next games: vs. OKC (Dec. 20), @ ORL (Dec. 21), vs. BKN (Dec. 23)

While plenty of noise continues to surround Jimmy Butler and his future in Miami, Tyler Herro continues to play like someone making a case for his first All-Star appearance. He's averaging 24.1 points and shooting 41.3% from 3 on over 10 attempts per game, joining Anthony Edwards and Stephen Curry as the only players to be averaging double-digit attempts while shooting over 40% from deep. -- Bontemps

15. LA Clippers

• 2024-25 record: 15-12

• Previous ranking: 12

• Next games: @ DAL (Dec. 19), @ DAL (DEC. 19), @ MEM (Dec. 23)

The Clippers halted a three-game slide by obliterating the Jazz at Intuit Dome on Monday. More important than the wins and losses, however, is the much-needed break in the schedule and the extra practice time to get Kawhi Leonard closer to a potential return from his right knee inflammation. Ty Lue told reporters Monday that he wasn't sure yet if Leonard will travel with the Clippers to Dallas, where they play two games this week. Even if Leonard doesn't travel, it's another sign of progress that he wasn't immediately ruled out. --Youngmisuk

16. Atlanta Hawks

• 2024-25 record:14-13

• Previous ranking: 17

• Next games: @ SA (Dec. 19), vs. MEM (Dec. 21), vs. MIN (Dec. 23)

Although Atlanta came up short in the NBA Cup semifinals against the Bucks, the Hawks built confidence through the high-stakes experience with a handful of players 25 or younger on their roster. They feel they're building an identity as a long, disruptive club that can beat teams by creating extra possessions. Hawks coach Quin Snyder's club, which ranks fifth in offensive rebound percentage, logged 22 offensive boards, including four on one particularly backbreaking possession in a come-from-behind win at Madison Square Garden to beat the Knicks and advance to Las Vegas. "That's where you take a team's soul," Hawks center Clint Capela said of the extra chances. -- Herring

17. Los Angeles Lakers

• 2024-25 record: 14-12

• Previous ranking: 16

• Next games: @ SAC (Dec. 19), @ SAC (Dec. 21), vs. DET (Dec. 23)

LeBron James' return to the court Sunday coincided with JJ Redick trotting out a new starting lineup, with Max Christie joining James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura. The hope is for Christie to become a quintessential 3-and-D wing with that group, and his first showing was a success: He helped limit Ja Morant to 6-for-21 shooting and 7 turnovers in a win over Memphis and went 1-for-2 from the outside. -- McMenamin

18. Sacramento Kings

• 2024-25 record: 13-14

• Previous ranking: 19

• Next games: vs. LAL (Dec. 19), vs. LAL (Dec. 21), vs. IND (Dec. 22)

The Kings' three-game winning streak ended in frustrating fashion Monday, when they led by 10 with four minutes remaining but saw the Nuggets score on each of their final nine possessions to come back and win a 130-129 thriller. In a conference where just 2.5 games separate Denver in fifth from Sacramento in 12th place -- 1.5 games out of the play-in tournament if the season ended today -- those kinds of outcomes could loom large in the final standings. -- Pelton

19. San Antonio Spurs

• 2024-25 record: 13-13

• Previous ranking: 18

• Next games: vs. ATL (Dec. 19), vs. POR (Dec. 21), @ PHI (Dec. 23)

Nobody expected the young Spurs to be .500 at this point. But San Antonio needs to pull itself out of this current funk as the Spurs have lost four of their past six. Injuries have led to inconsistent lineups on a night-to-night basis. But the one constant has been San Antonio's penchant for slow starts. The Spurs average 25.9 points in the opening quarter this season, good for 24th in the NBA. San Antonio has trailed after the first quarter in 17 games, and surprisingly won eight of those outings. -- Wright

20. Indiana Pacers

• 2024-25 record: 12-15

• Previous ranking: 21

• Next games: @ PHX (Dec. 19), @ SAC (Dec. 22), @ GS (Dec. 23)

Indiana has won back-to-back games and three of its past four, which the Pacers hope is a sign of things to come as they look to turn around their season. The upcoming schedule will provide a stiff test if the Pacers want a shot at making up ground in the East standings: Their next nine games are against opponents who are currently at or above .500. -- Collier

21. Chicago Bulls

• 2024-25 record: 12-15

• Previous ranking: 22

• Next games: @ BOS (Dec. 19), vs. BOS (Dec. 21), vs. MIL (Dec. 23)

Guard Josh Giddey was having one of his best games -- 11 points, eight assists and nine rebounds -- before he had to be helped to the locker room Monday night after turning his ankle in the third quarter. Chicago is hoping to get good news on Giddey as it prepares for a tough schedule over the next week: a home-and-home with Boston and then hosting Milwaukee. -- Collier

22. Detroit Pistons

• 2024-25 record: 11-16

• Previous ranking: 23

• Next games: vs. UTAH (Dec. 19), @ PHX (Dec. 21), @ LAL (Dec. 23)

After a three-game losing streak dropped the Pistons to a season-low six games below .500, they responded with their best win of the season, taking down the Knicks behind a 29-point, 15-assist triple-double from Cade Cunningham. On Monday, Detroit beat Miami in overtime for the second time this season, bouncing back both times after a late Heat run in regulation. At 11-16, the Pistons are holding the last play-in spot in the East and simulations using ESPN's Basketball Power Index show them reaching the postseason 33% of the time. --Pelton

23. Brooklyn Nets

• 2024-25 record: 10-16

• Previous ranking: 20

• Next games: @ TOR (Dec. 19), vs. UTAH (Dec. 21), @ MIA (Dec. 23)

One question that comes up frequently in league circles is: "How many wins can the Nets afford to pile up this season?" After being pegged in the preseason to finish with one of the league's worst marks -- something that will increase their changes at drafting ESPN's No. 1 prospect Cooper Flagg -- Brooklyn got out to a surprising 9-10 start under new coach Jordi Fernandez, one that might have been too competitive to stay in the hunt for a top pick. All of which helps explain the team trading starting guard Dennis Schroder to Golden State. The Nets' front office knows the team needs to develop. But it also knows that winning at too fast a clip will hinder the team's long-term development. -- Herring

24. Philadelphia 76ers

• 2024-25 record: 8-16

• Previous ranking: 24

• Next games: vs. CHA (Dec. 20), @ CLE (Dec. 21), vs. SA (Dec. 23)

An already brutal season in Philadelphia got worse over the weekend. Joel Embiid suffered his third facial fracture of his career and one of the team's rare bright spots this year, Jared McCain, is out indefinitely after suffering a meniscus tear that will require surgery. Embiid's status for Philadelphia's Christmas Day game is unknown for a second straight season. -- Bontemps

25. Portland Trail Blazers

• 2024-25 record: 8-18

• Previous ranking: 25

• Next games: vs. DEN (Dec. 19), @ SA (Dec. 21), @ DAL (Dec. 23)

The Blazers missed an opportunity to snap their losing streak Friday, hosting a San Antonio team without guards Stephon Castle, Tre Jones and that lost Chris Paul when he was ejected in the first quarter. Up as many as 17 in the fourth quarter, Portland allowed the Spurs to rally and win on Victor Wembanyama's two free throws in the final seconds. The Blazers have been competitive lately, only losing their past three games by a combined 18 points. -- Pelton

26. Charlotte Hornets

• 2024-25 record: 7-19

• Previous ranking: 26

• Next games: @ WAS (Dec. 19), @ PHI (Dec. 20), vs. HOU (Dec. 23)

The injury-prone Hornets got an early Christmas gift Monday by finally being able to see their starting five -- LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Josh Green, Miles Bridges and Mark Williams -- play together for the first time. The outing was mixed, with Charlotte losing to Philadelphia and Miller exiting early with an ankle sprain. But merely having those players work together was a massive step forward for first-year coach Charles Lee and the organization to take stock of the club. -- Herring

27. Toronto Raptors

• 2024-25 record: 7-20

• Previous ranking: 27

• Next games: vs. BKN (Dec. 19), vs. HOU (Dec. 22), @ NYK (Dec. 23)

Toronto is playing without long-term building blocks Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley and continue to lose as a result. There's a long way to go this season, but as of now the Raptors sit in fourth in the race to the bottom of the standings, giving them a very real chance of getting a top pick in what is a star-studded 2025 NBA draft. -- Bontemps

28. Utah Jazz

• 2024-25 record: 5-20

• Previous ranking: 29

• Next games: @ DET (Dec. 19), @ BKN (Dec. 21), @ CLE (Dec. 23)

After allowing at least 130 points in three consecutive non-overtime games for the first time in franchise history, Utah is on pace to have statistically the worst defense in NBA history. The Jazz are allowing 120.7 points per 100 possessions, which ranks last in the league by a margin of two points. The most points per 100 possessions ever allowed by a team in a full season: 119.6, an unfortunate record shared by last season's Jazz and the 2022-23 Spurs. -- MacMahon

29. New Orleans Pelicans

• 2024-25 record: 5-22

• Previous ranking: 28

• Next games: @ HOU (Dec. 19), vs. NYK (Dec. 21), vs. DEN (Dec. 22)

New Orleans has lost 13 of its past 14 largely due to injuries. Six players sat out Sunday's loss at Indiana. Brandon Ingram and Herb Jones returned Dec. 5, but the former suffered a sprained ankle in just his second game back and has been out the past three contests. Four of the top six players remain healthy, but that group has been ineffective on the floor in limited minutes together. After a matchup Thursday at Houston, the Pels tip off what might become a brutal five-game homestand against four opponents with a combined .625 winning percentage. -- Wright

30. Washington Wizards

• 2024-25 record: 3-21

• Previous ranking: 30

• Next games: vs. CHA (Dec. 19), @ MIL (Dec. 21), @ OKC (Dec. 23)

Since snapping a 16-game losing slide against Denver, the Wizards have dropped three straight. Thursday's game against the 7-19 Hornets is a good shot for Washington to grab a fourth win. Washington plays Charlotte twice at home in the next four games with road contests at Milwaukee and Oklahoma City sandwiched in between. One Wizard making the most of his opportunity of late is fifth-year forward Justin Champagnie, who is averaging 16.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 1.2 blocks in his past four games. -- Youngmisuk

The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners voted 5-2 in favor of funding $312.5 million worth of bonds Tuesday night. What sounds like a simple procedural move was far from it. Over the past six weeks, the $1.3 billion stadium deal for the Tampa Bay Rays -- celebrated in July by all parties as a watershed moment for a franchise that had spent nearly two decades trying to build a new ballpark -- has found itself in jeopardy. And it all started Oct. 29.

Less than three weeks after Hurricane Milton tore through the roof of Tropicana Field and caused tens of billions of dollars more in damage on Oct. 10, the Pinellas commission convened to approve the bonds needed for the new stadium. What the Rays believed would be a rubber stamp turned into a mess when the commission postponed the vote. While commissioners said the delay stemmed from wanting to know where the Rays would play in 2025 (in mid-November they would name George M. Steinbrenner Field, the New York Yankees' minor league stadium outside of Pinellas County in Tampa, as their new temporary home), the team felt betrayed.

Thus began a back-and-forth with both sides casting blame on the other. The delay in the bonds, the Rays said, would delay opening the stadium until 2029, instead of 2028 as planned. The extra construction costs, the team said, would be excessive. One of the county commissioners, Chris Latvala, told the Tampa Bay Times that the Rays put the cost at $200 million. To complete the project, the Rays said, they would need additional financial assistance from their partners in the project, Pinellas County and the city of St. Petersburg, where the new stadium would reside, on the same site as the Trop but with a multibillion-dollar development surrounding.

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred traveled to Florida last week in an attempt to shore up the growing divide among the parties. Latvala, who previously had voted no on the deal, flipped to a yes on Tuesday night, he told the Times, because of Manfred's pledge for the Rays to remain in Tampa Bay. Latvala went on to criticize Rays owner Stuart Sternberg, saying: "I hope our vote today helps set the wheels in motion for a new owner and a new era of the Tampa Bay Rays."

Another commissioner, Rene Flowers, framed the vote as a call for the Rays to show their commitment as well. The team can terminate the agreement at any time. With the county's money pledged, as well as $287.5 million from St. Petersburg in a 4-3 city council vote, Flowers told the Times: "All eyes will now be watching to assure that the Rays uphold their part of this deal."

Where does it go from here? Here's everything you need to know about where the project stands, what the future of Tropicana Field looks like and whether the Rays could find another home.

What stands between the Rays and getting a new ballpark in St. Petersburg?

Besides politics and money? Oh, not much.

Certainly the messy beginning of the partnership does not portend better relations going forward. But if the sides can find agreement on a number of issues -- namely the "funding gap" the Rays say the commission caused by the delay and how the Trop fits into the future -- a new stadium remains possible. St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch stands firmly behind the project, but Flowers said Tuesday she was against the commission giving any more money.

After Tuesday night's vote, Rays president Matt Silverman issued a statement saying: "It was unsurprising to see the Commissioners acknowledge how important the Tampa Bay Rays and our stadium development agreement are to this community and its citizens. As we have made clear, the County's delay has caused the ballpark's completion to slide into 2029. As a result, the cost of the project has increased significantly, and we cannot absorb this increase alone. When the County and City wish to engage, we remain ready to solve this funding gap together."

What is the timeline for deciding whether a new stadium will happen?

In order for the bonds to be sold, the Rays must meet a number of conditions. At the forefront is the team showing it has the money to cover its obligation on stadium costs. The team has until March 31, 2025, to satisfy the conditions. MLB is expected to give the team a $100 million loan, and the Rays have expressed confidence they have the financing for the remainder of the money.

What is the status of Tropicana Field, and will the Rays ever play there again?

Eighteen of the 24 fiberglass panels on the stadium's roof ripped off during Hurricane Milton. The stadium, long ridiculed for being outdated and far too empty for a franchise as good as the Rays, transformed overnight into the lasting image of the damage the storm wrought.

St. Petersburg is obligated to repair the stadium. The city estimated it can do so in time for the 2026 season for $55.7 million. On Wednesday, the city council pledged $1.4 million for rebuilding plans.

The Rays' position is that the Trop would not be ready until the last year of their lease in 2027 -- that the damage done to the stadium, beyond the roof, is too exceptional. Part of the calculus going forward is whether the parties continue with rebuilding the Trop or consider taking the money pledged toward its repair and offer it to help bridge the funding gap.

If the proposed stadium isn't opening until 2029, could the Rays just play at Steinbrenner Field until then?

Highly unlikely. The Rays are treating Steinbrenner as a stopover, not unlike how the Athletics are using another minor league stadium, Sutter Health Park, to set up shop before their planned move to Las Vegas in 2028.

It's not just the weather concerns -- the combination of extreme heat and rain in the summer that, accordingly, have the Rays on the road for 35 of 48 games between July 4 and the end of August. Deposing a minor league affiliate of an organization in the same division is simply something that's not likely to be agreed upon for an extended period of time.

Where would the Rays play, then?

Good question. Would MLB give them permission to moonlight in a potential expansion city? Could they find somewhere to play in Pinellas County for three more years? Is Omaha, which the Wall Street Journal reported could host the Rays, really a possibility? It's all unknown. Just as important as the next few years is what comes after that. The goal is for the Rays to know where they're going to be in 2028 and 2029 as early as 2026. Though as the A's showed this year, those sorts of timelines tend to be more fluid than the "deadlines" suggest.

Let's say somewhere along the way, the St. Petersburg stadium falls through. Would Tampa be a viable option?

As it stands, no. The Rays have explored stadium options in Hillsborough County in the past, only for the efforts to fail.

Hillsborough voters renewed a half-cent sales tax in November, but the expectation is that money for the stadium will be earmarked for the NFL's Buccaneers, whose lease at Raymond James Stadium runs out in 2028.

If, for some reason, Pinellas County is off the table, perhaps Hillsborough and the city of Tampa would take a different tack with the Rays. For now, though, as long as the stadium deal remains in place, the team is not permitted to engage with other municipalities. It's a leverage point that theoretically pushes the Rays toward a deal, because without the ability to seek options outside of Pinellas, terminating the agreement would come with additional risk.

In that case, would Sternberg seek to relocate the team?

He did tell the Times in mid-November that relocation "is not an unlikely conclusion." Whether Sternberg would sell the Rays to someone pledging to keep the team in the Tampa Bay area, continue owning the team if it moved or sell it to a new owner who plans to relocate all remains unknown.

Would MLB owners let them relocate?

Maybe. The Rays' attempts to build a new stadium have lasted 17 years. A similar failure to secure a stadium in Oakland led to MLB greenlighting the move of the A's to Las Vegas. Owners view the Tampa Bay market favorably, so the preference is for an MLB team to remain there -- something reinforced by Manfred's efforts.

At least 23 of the league's 30 owners need to vote in favor of a potential move.

What would be the most likely destinations if the Rays do move?

The usual suspects: Nashville, Tennessee; Salt Lake City; Charlotte, North Carolina; Portland, Oregon; Austin, Texas; and Raleigh, North Carolina. Don't forget Montreal. In 2019, the Rays received permission from MLB to explore splitting its home games between the Tampa Bay area and Montreal. In January 2022, the MLB executive council killed the proposed plan.

How would the Rays moving impact MLB's future expansion timeline?

They're inextricably tied. Manfred's commitment to keeping baseball in the Tampa Bay area would either entail keeping the Rays in town now or approving their move to a new city and offering an expansion franchise when baseball decides to go from 30 to 32 teams.

The league has not taken any formal steps to expand. Manfred has long said that he wants the A's and Rays' stadium issues taken care of before the league moves to expand. Considering how quickly what looked like the Rays' triumph of a stadium deal turned imperiled, the desire for clarity looks more and more warranted.

Former world number one Simona Halep has received a wildcard for Australian Open qualifying.

The 33-year-old Romanian was given a four-year doping ban that was reduced to nine months this year.

Halep, who maintained her innocence after being charged with two separate doping offences, returned to action in Miami in March and last competed on the WTA Tour in October in Hong Kong, where she lost in the first round.

The former French Open and Wimbledon champion is ranked 877 in the world.

Halep was runner-up to Caroline Wozniacki in the 2018 Australian Open final.

She reached the fourth round on her most recent appearance in 2022.

"I have been working hard to get ready for the 2025 season," said Halep.

"The Australian Open has provided me with some of the best moments in my career, so I can't wait to be back in Melbourne and playing in front of the Aussie fans."

Sixteen-year-old Australian Cruz Hewitt will aim to emulate father Lleyton by making his Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open after he was handed a qualifying wildcard.

Lleyton Hewitt, a two-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one, made his major debut as a 15-year-old at Melbourne Park after coming through qualifying in 1997.

Qualifying runs from 6-9 January and the Australian Open starts on 12 January.

Harlequins captain Alex Dombrandt has become the latest player to sign a new contract in a string of extensions at the Premiership club.

The England number eight took over the Quins captaincy from South African Stephan Lewies in the summer.

Vice-captain Cadan Murley and England colleagues Marcus Smith and Fin Baxter are among the other players to have committed their future to The Stoop in recent weeks.

Dombrandt, 27, has scored 76 tries in 144 appearances in the famous quarters and has 20 international caps.

"This is a club that I love and I think we're going places with the players we have in the squad and group of coaching staff," he told the Harlequins website., external

Cassius Cleaves, Will Porter, Will Evans, Tyrone Green, Sam Riley, Nick David and Lewies have all signed new deals since the beginning of November.

The club have not revealed the length of any of the contracts, apart from the one signed by England fly-half Smith until 2028.