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RELIEF FOR AUSTRALIA: JOSH HAZLEWOOD FIT, SEAN ABBOTT FACES SIDELINE SPELL

Sean Abbott ruled out of the first Test vs West Indies with a hamstring injury. Josh Hazlewood cleared after a scare. Get the latest updates on Pat Cummins' recovery and Australia's bowling attack for Perth.

Relief For Australia:  Josh Hazlewood Fit, Sean Abbott  Faces Sideline Spell
Australia Relieved As Hazlewood Returns - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Both Hazlewood and Sean Abbott, a reserve Test quick, departed the Sydney Cricket Ground for evaluations during the Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and New South Wales.

Hazlewood received the all-clear, but Abbott, who was included in Australia's 15-man team, was not allowed to play in the first Test match in Perth, which began on November 21.

According to a statement from Cricket Australia, "Hazlewood departed the field late in Victoria's innings at the SCG today feeling pain in his right hamstring."

"He had preventative scans, and they showed no signs of muscle strain. In preparation for the first Test in Perth, he will train as scheduled.

Sean Abbott also departed the field due to pain in his left hamstring. A moderate-grade hamstring damage was confirmed by scans.

"His return to play plan will be formulated over the coming weeks, and he will not be available for selection for the first Test match in Perth."

Losing Hazlewood would have been a severe blow to Australia, who had lost captain Pat Cummins due to injury for at least the first Test match.

Cummins will be replaced by Scott Boland in the assault, which also includes Mitchell Starc, a left-armer.

Brendan Doggett, who has not been capped, is the team's other pace option.

After suffering a back injury, Cummins told the media in Sydney that he was bowling at 90% and preparing to play in the second day-night Test match in Brisbane on December 4.

"Going from nothing to attempting to prepare for a Test match in four weeks is still quite extreme. He added, "But we are going to give it a decent shot."

STEPH CURRY'S "TRUE HOOPER" VERDICT ON COOPER FLAGG. IS HE THE NEXT GOAT?

Steph Curry hails Cooper Flagg as a "true hooper" after the rookie's historic 27-point Christmas debut. See the full NBA reaction.

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Steph Curry crowns Cooper Flagg

After the Warriors beat the Mavericks 126-116 on Christmas, Steph Curry had some good things to say about Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg. It was Curry's fifth Christmas Day win and his 12th game playing on the holiday.

Curry said Flagg is a real player and a competitor, and it's easy to forget how young he is. He also said Flagg has a bright future. “I’m glad he got this experience his first year and understands what the bright lights feel like. The league is in good hands.”

Flagg topped all scorers with 27 points in his Christmas Day debut, hitting 13 of 21 shots. He also grabbed six rebounds and dished out five assists. He really stepped up on a big stage and is already getting props from other NBA superstars.

Curry didn't hold anything back, calling Flagg a true hooper”. Flagg started slow, with just two points in the first quarter, but then took off. He joined LeBron James as the only teens ever to score at least 25 points on Christmas.

The 19-year-old also made some history, becoming the first rookie since Pete Maravich in 1970 to put up at least 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists on Christmas Day. So far this season, Flagg is averaging 19.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 31 games. He's the team's second-leading scorer and third-best rebounder, proving why he was the top pick in the 2025 draft.

In a game against the Denver Nuggets a couple of days before Christmas, Flagg almost had a triple-double with 33 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. He also nailed a season-high four three-pointers, which helped Dallas win 131-130.

Flagg plays with a lot of poise, is comfortable handling the ball, and makes good decisions on offense. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd talked about Flagg after the Warriors game.

Kidd stated Flagg was doing everything off the pick and roll; he was playing at a very high level for the team, and they needed that.

Curry knew about Flagg way back when he was in high school, where he was the number one recruit in the class of 2024. He was named Gatorade National Player of the Year.

Flagg attended Curry’s elite camp in 2023 and impressed many. The camp had other top high schoolers, and even Curry joined in on some scrimmages.

Flagg has been in the spotlight for a while now, and he keeps showing why he's so good.

PACKERS CONFIRM JORDAN LOVE WILL MISS WEEK 17 DUE TO CONCUSSION

Jordan Love is officially OUT for the Packers vs Ravens game. Malik Willis will start at Lambeau as Green Bay eyes the NFC North.

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Jordan Love ruled OUT

The playoffs are coming up, and the Green Bay Packers are getting ready to face the Baltimore Ravens in a really important game. If Green Bay wins, they'll be in a good spot to win the NFC North. For Baltimore, a win would help them get into the AFC playoffs.

In the last game, against the Chicago Bears, Green Bay's quarterback, Jordan Love, got hurt in the first half and had to leave the game. Malik Willis, the backup, took over whilst Love nurses a concussion and also a shoulder injury.

Green Bay was really hoping Love would be back for the big game against Baltimore. But, bad news: it sounds like he's probably going to have to sit this one out on Saturday.

ESPN's Adam Schefter said on Friday that Malik Willis would be starting quarterback instead of Love for the Ravens game.

Willis isn't in top condition either. He's been dealing with a shoulder injury and some kind of sickness. He was okay when he stepped in and helped the Packers get ahead, but after that, things fell apart.

Rotowire says that Love had to pass a concussion test with a doctor this week, so there wasn't much time for him to get cleared to play. Because of that, it looks like Green Bay won't have him available.

They're up against a Ravens team that really needs to win to keep their small chance of making the playoffs alive. The good thing for the Packers is that they're playing at home at Lambeau Field, so the fans will be cheering them on.

While it's too bad that Love won't be playing, Baltimore also has a problem with their starting quarterback, Lamar Jackson. So, it might end up being a game of the backups. The most important part is getting Love healthy for the playoffs.

Right now, Green Bay is the seventh seed in the NFC playoffs, but they could move up if they win their remaining games. Although, if the Bears beat the 49ers this weekend, Chicago will win the NFC North.

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