Jonas Valanciunas out with calf strain

Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas will be re-evaluated in four weeks after suffering a right calf strain Wednesday against the Toronto Raptors, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.

The Nuggets are currently without four of five starters, including three-time MVP center Nikola Jokic, who's also out at least four weeks with a knee injury.

Valanciunas made his first start of the campaign Wednesday with Jokic sidelined and posted 17 points and nine boards in 23 minutes. The veteran has averaged 8.5 points and 4.7 rebounds in 33 appearances this season.

Fernando Mendoza crushes Alabama

Fernando Mendoza threw three touchdown passes, Indiana's defense thoroughly throttled Alabama, and the top-seeded Hoosiers roared into the College Football Playoff semifinals with a 38-3 victory in the 112th Rose Bowl on Thursday.

Mendoza passed for 192 yards in his first game since winning his school's first Heisman Trophy, but the hard-nosed Hoosiers (14-0, No. 1 CFP seed) won the Rose Bowl for the first time in school history by dominating the Crimson Tide (11-4, No. 9 CFP seed) at the line of scrimmage.

Indiana scored the game's first 24 points before pouring it on with fourth-quarter rushing TDs from Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby, wrapping up a jubilant win in the 112th edition of the Granddaddy of Them All.

Jarvis left off Team Canada roster

Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis was blunt when describing how it felt to be left off Canada's Olympic roster.

"Sometimes you gotta eat a shit sandwich and chew on it for a little bit," Jarvis told team reporter Walt Ruff on Thursday, referencing a quote from former Hurricane Justin Williams. "It doesn't taste good, but you move on."

Jarvis added: "Obviously, it's something I really worked for and wanted to achieve, but there's nothing you can do about it now. I gave myself a couple of days to take it in, feel emotions, and now it's just move past it and get ready for the season."

Lamar Jackson will start vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Lamar Jackson told reporters Thursday there's a "100%" chance he'll start Sunday night's winner-take-all game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Baltimore Ravens quarterback missed the team's last game due to a back contusion. He added that he's been doing "a lot of treatment" and feels "great right now."

Jackson said he'll wear protective gear Sunday, though he doesn't expect it to affect how he plays, according to Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Banner.

Tatsuya Imai signs with Houston Astros

Tatsuya Imai is coming to Major League Baseball.

The Japanese right-hander agreed to a deal with the Houston Astros, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Imai's deal is for three years and includes opt-outs after every season, a source told The Athletic's Chandler Rome.

The 27-year-old's contract is worth a maximum of $63 million and starts at $18 million per year with the opportunity to rise to $21 million based on innings pitched, Rome reports, citing a source.

His pact is similar in annual average value to the two-year, $34-million deal his countryman Munetaka Murakami signed with the Chicago White Sox on Dec. 21. Imai's deal has the third-highest AAV for any Japanese pitcher behind Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Masahiro Tanaka, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

Napheesa Collier ankle surgery

Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier will have surgery on both ankles and is expected to be sidelined four to six months, including the upcoming Unrivaled season, the 3-on-3 women's basketball league announced Thursday.

Collier had been rehabbing ankle injuries suffered during the WNBA season but said last month that she was working back to full strength so she could be available for Unrivaled's second season, which begins Monday.

The 2024 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year suffered a sprained right ankle during an August game against the Las Vegas Aces and missed several weeks. She then hurt her left ankle in Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals against the Phoenix Mercury.

Chris Tanev out for significant time

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev is set to miss "significant time" due to a groin injury, head coach Craig Berube announced Wednesday.

"They're looking at things going forward here, so I'm not gonna speculate on what they're gonna exactly do. But he's gonna be out a while," Berube said, per The Athletic's Jonas Siegel.

Tanev recently returned from a 23-game absence for an upper-body injury but made only three appearances before being sidelined again. The 36-year-old has suited up 11 times this season.

Enzo Maresca leaves Chelsea as head coach

Enzo Maresca has left his role as Chelsea head coach after 18 months in charge, the Premier League club announced Thursday.

"Chelsea Football Club and head coach Enzo Maresca have parted company," said a club statement.

The Italian's exit from Stamford Bridge comes with the club fifth in the Premier League table -- 15 points adrift of leaders and London rivals Arsenal -- with one win in their last seven top-flight games.

Sweden dominates USA 6-3

Sweden defeated the United States 6-3 at the 2026 World Junior Championship on Wednesday, clinching the top spot in Group A.

It's the first regulation loss for the Americans at the world juniors since 2023.

Sweden will face Latvia in the quarterfinals Friday, while the United States will play Finland.

Canada beats Finland 7-4

Canada pulled away against Finland with a thrilling 7-4 victory on New Year's Eve to win Group B at the 2026 World Junior Championship.