The LA Clippers and Boston Celtics are two teams both needing to make a statement win on Wednesday. Unfortunately, both teams have been dealing with a myriad of injuries and the situation has unexpectedly gotten a bit worse.
LA entered the day without Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac, while also having James Harden, Norman Powell, and others listed as questionable. Boston had their own stars listed as questionable, with both Jrue Holiday and Al Horford on the report.
Now, on the morning of the game, the Celtics have officially downgraded Kristaps Porzingis to questionable against the Clippers due to a non-covid illness.
Celtics Injury Report Update vs. LA Clippers (1/22):
Jrue Holiday – Right Shoulder Impingement – QUESTIONABLE Al Horford – Left Big Toe Sprain – QUESTIONABLE Kristaps Porzingis – Illness (Non-Covid) – QUESTIONABLE
After dealing with a long-term injury to start the season, Porzingis has remained very available for the Boston Celtics; he’s played in eight of the last nine games for the team.
Through 19 games this season, Porzingis is averaging 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks on 47/38/84 shooting from the field. The last time he played the Clippers in November, he torched them with 16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks on 50% shooting from the field.
If both Porzingis and Horford are unavailable for the Celtics against LA, it’ll be a huge relief for the Clippers who are without their big man Ivica Zubac. LA does have Mo Bamba available, but he’s a completely different caliber of center than Zubac.
The LA Clippers and Boston Celtics face off at 10:30 p.m. EST on Wednesday.
The Boston Celtics suffered a major blow ahead of their highly anticipated matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers as their star player, Jayson Tatum, has been unexpectedly downgraded due to an undisclosed injury.
Tatum, who has been a standout performer for the Celtics this season, was initially listed as questionable for the game but has now been ruled out, leaving fans and teammates alike disappointed.
This unexpected setback has put a damper on what was expected to be a thrilling showdown between two of the top teams in the league. Without Tatum on the court, the Celtics will have to rely on their depth and resilience to overcome the formidable Clippers.
It remains to be seen how this absence will impact the outcome of the game, but one thing is for certain – the Celtics will have to step up and fill the void left by their star player in order to secure a victory against a tough opponent.
FBI’s longtime deputy director, who had been expected to temporarily replace director Christopher Wray on an acting basis during the transition into the new Trump administration, says he is retiring. Paul Abbate made the unexpected announcement in an email to senior officials Monday ahead of President Trump’s inauguration, CBS News confirmed.
“When the Director asked me to stay on past my mandatory date for a brief time, I did so to help ensure continuity and the best transition for the FBI. Now, with new leadership inbound, after nearly four years in the deputy role, I am departing the FBI today,” Abbate wrote in the letter, according to the Associated Press, which obtained a copy of the email.
Abbate had been running the FBI for only one day after Wray stepped down as director on Sunday. Wray was named by Trump during his first term and had been director for more than seven years. He announced his retirement when Trump said he wanted Kash Patel to be the director.
Abbate’s email did not say who would replace him atop the bureau during the interim. Following the inauguration, the White House posted a list of acting leaders that said Brian Driscoll will serve as head of the FBI until the position is filled.
Paul Abbate, deputy director of the FBI.
Jacquelyn Martin / AP
Abbate’s abrupt departure after 28 years with the FBI creates additional tumult for a law enforcement agency that had already been preparing for upheaval in the event Patel is confirmed. A Trump loyalist, Patel has repeatedly criticized FBI leadership and decision-making and has alarmed Democrats with statements that suggest he would be willing to use the FBI to exact retribution on Trump adversaries.
Abbate held a variety of leadership roles in his nearly three-decade career at the FBI, including head of the bureau’s Detroit and Washington field offices and executive assistant director for the criminal, cyber, response and services branch. He was named deputy director, the No. 2 position responsible for the FBI’s investigative activities, in 2018.
“As you move forward, continue to stay true to our core values, be there for our partners, and take care of those who serve alongside you. Thank you for your service,” Abbate wrote.
Andres Triay
contributed to this report.
The sudden retirement of the Acting FBI chief has sent shockwaves through Washington as President Trump’s pick for the position awaits confirmation. The unexpected departure comes at a critical time for the bureau, which is facing scrutiny over its handling of high-profile investigations. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story. #FBI #Trump #retirement
Warning: Spoilers for Chicago P.D. season 12Tracy Spiridakos’ role as Detective Hailey Upton in Chicago P.D. was considered a fan-favorite in the hit NBC drama. Upton’s relationship with Detective Jay Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer), her father-daughter bond with Sergeant Hank Voight (Jason Beghe), and her unrelenting work ethic on challenging cases made her a standout. After seven seasons on the show, Upton’s departure from the Chicago PD cast raised the question of who would replace her as detective and be the second highest-ranking member of the Intelligence unit.
Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati) would eventually be promoted to detective in season 12, episode 6, “Pawns,” after years of dedicated work alongside Hank’s team. Burgess’s upgraded status is possible due to Upton’s departure and willingness to tackle more responsibility and leadership in Intelligence. While being a detective may complicate her relationship with Adam Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger) and daughter Makayla (Ramona Edith Williams), Burgess can convince Voight she can perhaps lead the unit one day, whether it be in Chicago P.D season 13 or at some other point in the future.
Upton’s Absence Leaves Room For Others To Grow In Intelligence
Since Upton joined Voight and his unit, she has always supported them and is devoted to her work when solving cases. Reminiscent of everyone on the team, Upton has a history of personal turmoil (including issues with her father) and gritty confrontations with a variety of criminals and murderers. However, after Halstead leaves Upton to serve in the Army in Bolivia, and she and Voight’s near-death experience against a serial killer in the season 11 finale, the detective emotionally leaves Chicago to move on to another job so she can evaluate herself and recover.
Tracy Spiridakos, who played Detective Hailey Upton in Chicago P.D., exited the NBC police procedural show following the season 11 finale.
Upton’s departure is not surprising considering Halstead’s decision to leave Chicago before her, along with a track record of detectives who have come and gone, like Erin Lindsay (Sophie Bush) and Antonio Dawson (Jon Seda). Upton leaving underscores the dark toll it takes for law enforcement to work in the cold and brutal crime world of Chicago. While the crew and spectators will miss Upton, her absence leaves room for other characters to expand their storylines, including Kevin Atwater (LaRoyce Hawkins), Dante Torres (Benjamin Levy Aguilar), and newcomer Kiana Cook (Toya Turner).
Anyone In Intelligence Can Be Promoted To Detective
Upton’s former position as Detective is also left vacant and up for grabs for anyone in the unit who is qualified. Ruzek and Atwater are possibilities due to their extensive time in Intelligence and their expertise in undercover work. However, Burgess is the best candidate for the job because she is one of the most reliable officers in Intelligence with the ability to control her emotions and separate her personal and professional lives. She also has leadership qualities when guiding and supporting her fellow officers, especially during traumatic situations.
As Burgess embraces her new role as detective, there are more possibilities in which new officers can join Intelligence and make the team even stronger.
From her days as a patrol officer to working with Intelligence, Burgess has the necessary experience to be second-in-command. Reminiscent of Upton, Burgess has also faced dangerous perpetrators in near-death situations and is willing to sacrifice her career to protect a teammate, such as standing by Dante when he didn’t disclose his relationship with Gloria Perez. As Burgess embraces her new role as detective, there are more possibilities in which new officers can join Intelligence and make the team even stronger in Chicago P.D.’s future.
Chicago P.D. season 12 returns with episode 9 on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 10 pm ET on NBC.
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Release Date
January 8, 2014
Cast
Jason Beghe
, Marina Squerciati
, Patrick John Flueger
, LaRoyce Hawkins
, Amy Morton
, Jesse Lee Soffer
, Tracy Spiridakos
, Jon Seda
Creator(s)
Michael Brandt
, Derek Haas
, Matt Olmstead
Seasons
12
Writers
Dick Wolf
Directors
Dick Wolf
Showrunner
Dick Wolf
Hailey Upton’s Exit Unexpectedly Fixes Chicago PD’s Oldest Problem
The departure of Hailey Upton from Chicago PD has left fans shocked and saddened, but it may have inadvertently solved one of the show’s longest-running issues. Upton’s character, played by Tracy Spiridakos, had been a divisive figure among fans since her introduction in season four. Some viewers found her abrasive and unlikable, while others appreciated her no-nonsense attitude and fierce loyalty to her colleagues.
However, with Upton’s sudden departure in the middle of season nine, the show has been forced to recalibrate and refocus on its core characters. This shift has allowed for more screen time and development for fan-favorites like Voight, Burgess, and Atwater, who had been somewhat overshadowed by Upton’s presence.
Furthermore, Upton’s exit has created an opportunity for the show to explore new storylines and dynamics that were previously unexplored. Without Upton’s strong personality dominating the screen, the other characters have been able to shine in their own right and showcase their individual strengths and vulnerabilities.
While Upton will be missed by many fans, her unexpected exit may have ultimately been a blessing in disguise for Chicago PD. By removing a polarizing character and allowing the show to refocus on its core strengths, Upton’s departure has breathed new life into the long-running series and reinvigorated the storytelling. The future of Chicago PD looks brighter than ever, thanks in part to Hailey Upton’s unexpected exit.
Thursday afternoon, the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) announced the death of Jeremy Laymon, known by fans as Jax Dane. The former NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion and multi-time NWA National Heavyweight champion passed away at 48 years old on Wednesday, December 25. According to NWA, Dane passed due to complications from a heart attack that occurred in late November 2024.
Dane first broke into the professional wrestling world in 2012 as part of NWA Houston, teaming with Raymond Rowe — known in modern WWE as Erik of The War Raiders — under the name The Path of Resistance. He began to make appearances in NJPW in 2013, and shared the ring with talent such as KUSHIDA, Shelton Benjamin, and Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson. In 2015, he claimed both the NWA National Heavyweight Championship and the NWA World Heavyweight title, the latter by defeating former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroyoshi Tenzan.
Dane carried the title for a whopping 419 days (one of the longest reigns in modern NWA history) holding the gold well into 2016 before dropping it to Tim Storm, after which he began to break into other high-profile independent promotions, such as Ring of Honor, IMPACT (as Wilcox), and Ohio Valley Wrestling. He returned to NWA in 2020, where he became a two-time NWA National Heavyweight Champion and was seen wrestling as recently as October 2024, when he and Storm defeated Jake Dumas and Zyon on the October 26 episode of “NWA Powerrr.”
“Very few people have been as influential to my wrestling career as Jax,” Storm said via press release. “He was completely unselfish. That is no more evident than in our current tag team. He put me squarely on his shoulders and made it happen.”
Wrestling Inc. extends our condolences to Jeremy Laymon’s friends and family.
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Jax Dane dead, NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion, Jax Dane death, professional wrestler dead, unexpected death, wrestling news, NWA champion dies at 48, Jax Dane tribute, wrestling community mourns, wrestling world shocked
