This is For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Have feedback? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey! Now, here’s Mike Sykes.
Goooood morning, winners! Thank you so much for rocking with the Morning Win today. We appreciate you. I hope you’re having an excellent Friday and have a nice weekend ahead of you.
The South Carolina vs. LSU matchup was everything we thought it’d be. The stakes and drama were already built in with how good these two teams are. All we needed them to do was show up and, boy, did they ever?
South Carolina wound up winning 76-70, but that is not how this game seemed like it would go. LSU dominated for all but four minutes of the game. As it turns out, though, those were the final four minutes of the night. And that was more than enough for South Carolina to take the lead and never let it go.
Angel Reese fouled out. Then Bree Hall started hitting clutch shots (with a little help from Aliyah Boston!). Hailey Van Lith helped LSU with a bit 3-pointer late herself, but it wasn’t enough in the end. With Reese on the bench late South Carolina was just too good.
In the end, this always felt like the outcome we were going to get. Not because LSU wasn’t good enough — no, that team was more than enough to beat the still-undefeated Gamecocks.
But, man. Dawn Staley just seemed like she knew that wasn’t going to happen.
If you watched the game, you saw her. Just as calm as ever on the sideline. A real buoy in the middle of a tense ocean. She was unmoved by almost anything that happened.
And, look, folks. This was a really tense game. Those jump-up-off-the-couch moments came frequently. I was moved. The crowd was moved. The players were moved. Even Kim freaking Mulkey was moved. You know who wasn’t, though? Dawn. She just stood there — arms crossed, head tall, Chanel broach shining. Even in the most tense moments of the 4th quarter, Staley always kept her calm about her.
It was so incredible to see because you know, on the inside, a million different things are going through her head. No matter what, though, she’s as chill as a cucumber on the outside. That’s how her team settles down and makes it through in the way it did.
What Dawn has been able to do this season is so impressive. She lost her entire starting lineup from a 36-1 team that looked like one of her best. Now, here we are today, and this team is once again undefeated at 18-0.
Everyone wants to know how. How in the world is Dawn Staley doing this? I don’t think we need to ask that question anymore. We just watched it.
The All-Stars are out
The NBA’s All-Star starters are finally here, folks! For once, I think the fans actually got things right. Well, mostly right, anyway.
Here’s a quick rundown of the teams:
— East: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, Damian Lillard, Tyrese Haliburton
— West: Nikola Jokic, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Shai Gilgeious-Alexander, Luka Doncic
Charles Curtis has a more complete look at the teams here that you should absolutely check out.
I feel like these teams are good. The only real gripe I think you could have is that non-Haliburton guard spot in the East. Jalen Brunson certainly is playing like an All-Star starter, which a lot of Knicks fans will point out. I think there’s also a really good case for Donovan Mitchell there, too.
But, hey. Damian Lillard is Damian Lillard. He’s worthy. Is it a bit of a legacy pick? Sure. But it’s not like he’s not playing well. Plus, the Bucks are 31-13. Having two All-Star starters is fine.
There are still reserves to pick, so if your guy isn’t here don’t trip! There’s more to come.
RELATED: These All-Star jerseys are actually solid, too. Way to go, Nike. Y’all finally got another one.
Djokovic is down
Novak Djokovic won’t be getting his 25th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open this year.
Djokovic had what he called one of the “worst Grand Slam matches I’ve ever played” against Jannik Skinner, effectively ending his streak of 33 consecutive wins in Melbourne.
"This is one of the worst Grand Slam matches I've ever played!"
Brutal honesty from Novak Djokovic – who sets the highest standard for himself.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/jWOZUmKzcq
— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 26, 2024
“He outplayed me completely today. I was, in a way, shocked with my level in a bad way. Not much I was doing right in the first two sets,” Djokovic told reporters after the match.
This is what it looks like when age is catching up to you. That’s not three times in the last nine weeks that Djokovic has lost to Skinner, specifically. His time is coming. The competition is catching up.
If he’s going to push that Grand Slam record out even further, he’s going to need to do it pretty soon. Up next is the French Open.
Photo Friday: Skiing is flying
This is Slovenia’s Timi Zajc flying through the air on his skis in the first round of the FIS Ski Flying World Championships.
I have no idea how skiers bend this way without absolutely tearing their legs to shreds, but it’s incredible. My man is really flying. Nice.
Quick hits: What’s next for Bill Belichick? … Jim Harbaugh is just what Justin Herbert needs … and more
— Here are five options for Bill Belichick after the Falcons told him no thanks. He should probably just retire. Here’s more from Cory Woodruff.
— Robert Zeglinski thinks Jim Harbaugh is exactly what Justin Herbert needs to become more than the statistical darling of the NFL.
— Steph Curry challenged Sabrina Ionescu to a 3-point competition. Please, NBA, make it happen. Here’s more from Bryan Kalbrosky.
— Kim Mulkey’s outfit is outrageous. Charles Curtis has more on it here.
— Speaking of coaching hires, Raheem Morris is back! Here’s Cory again with more.
— Donna Kelche is accepting of all her son’s shirtlessness. We love to see it. Here’s Andrew Joseph with more.
That’s a wrap, folks! Thanks so much for rocking with us today. We appreciate you. Have a fantastic weekend. Be safe out there. Peace.
-Sykes ✌️