Today in Sport: February 9th, 2025

Anthony Davis dominates in Dallas debut, Manchester City survive FA Cup scare, and Australia take care of business against Sri Lanka, plus more!

Written by Lachlan Sherriff

Davis Dominates in Dallas Debut

After arriving in Dallas a week ago, Anthony Davis made his Mavericks debut today. And he didn't disappoint.

Taking on the Rockets at home, Davis immediately made an impact with 26 points and sixteen rebounds, while also contributing with seven assists and three blocks. Davis also hit both his attempts from behind the three point line. The Mavericks ended up winning 116-105.

However, American Airlines Center held their breath when Davis, who's struggled with injuries in the past, left the game after 31 minutes with an injury, which was a worry after he left his final Lakers game with an abdominal injury, Thankfully though, he appears to be okay.

"Just the leg got tight, like a little spasm. Just came back and tried to get it loose and everything. Obviously, dealing with the ab strain still, so just tried to get it loose. It wouldn't really loosen up and let go, but it's nothing serious. I'm fine."

- Anthony Davis after exiting the game with an injury

Max Christie also impressed for the Mavericks with 23 points, as the two former Lakers players led the way for Dallas in scoring. Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson both had thirteen.

Dallas will take on Sacramento at home in their next game.

Lakers Left Empty Handed After Williams Fails Physical

The trade deadline may have passed, but NBA fans were still greeted to one final shock today, as a trade between the Lakers and Hornets was cancelled due to Mark Willliams' failing a medical.

Williams, who's averaged 15.6 points and 9.6 points this season, was set to leave the Hornets to join the Lakers, in exchange for Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a first round pick and a pick swap.

Williams has missed 127 of his last 212 games through injury, a record that concerned many Lakers fans following the trade. However, GM Rob Pelinka had full faith in Williams' ability to stay healthy.

"We fully vetted his health stuff, led by Dr. Kris Jones at UCLA Health and Dr. Leroy Sims on our team, and he's had no surgeries. So these are just parts of, he's still growing into his body. We vetted the injuries he's had, and we're not concerned about those."

- Lakers GM Rob Pelinka, prior to Williams failing his medical

Despite Williams' back being his main concern, it is believed the trade was cancelled for other reasons.

Since the trade deadline has passed, it was too late for the Lakers to make a trade, or alter the original trade with Charlotte. The only options were accept or decline the trade, and they chose the latter.

The Lakers backcourt depth now looks weak, to say the least. With Anthony Davis now in Dallas, the Lakers bigs consist of Jaxson Hayes, Jarred Vanderbilt, Markieff Morris and Maxi Kleber, the latter coming off a surgery.

If the Lakers still wish to strengthen the center position, their only option now is to sign a free agent. Mo Bamba, JaVale McGee, Dwight Howard and Montrezl Harrell, who have all played for the Lakers in the past, may be potential options.

The Lakers, with Knecht and Reddish, will play their next game at home against the Jazz. Williams' and the Hornets will travel to Detroit to play the Pistons.

Man City Survive Scare Against Leyton Orient

Thanks to one of the strangest own goals in recent memory, Leyton Orient fans allowed themselves to believe they were going to pull a cupset against reigning EPL champions Manchester City.

Tottenham loanee Jamie Donley winded back a strike from fifty yards and almost scored one of the greatest goals in FA Cup history, cruelly being denied by the crossbar. But an unfortunate deflection off Stefan Ortega saw the ball ricochet off the German and into his own net. Leyton Orient took a 1-0 lead, which is how it would remain at half time.

The entire football community minus Man City fans would have been behind Orient to pull off the cupset. But sadly, it wasn't to be, as new signing Abdukodir Khusanov scored his first goal in sky blue.

Extra time appeared to be on the cards, but a Kevin de Bruyne winner off a Jack Grealish assist would break the hearts of Leyton Orient, advancing City to the next round with a 2-1 win.

When asked if he thought his team would struggle as much as he did against a League One side, Pep Guardiola had this to say.

"We played a really good game, it was a typical FA Cup game - that's why this competition is unbelievable. We knew that they were strong and they'd run in the channels. They are a really good team and incredibly well managed but we created a lot of chances. I'm happy to go through."

- Pep Guardiola after Manchester City's win against Leyton Orient

The next round of the FA Cup is yet to be drawn. Manchester City play Real Madrid in their next game, at home in the Champions League.

Australia Make Easy Work of Second Test In Sri Lanka

After winning the first series convincingly, Australia have defeated Sri Lanka in the second test in equally as impressive fashion.

Going into the final day, Australia only led by 54 runs, with the Sri Lankans having two wickets in hand. Nathan Lyon would soon dismiss Kusal Mendis via a Steve Smith catch, before Beau Webster bowled Lahiru Kumara. After Kamara's dismissal, Australia only needed a measly 75 to win.

Sri Lanka would manage to salvage one wicket, with Mendis catching Travis Head, but Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne both finished not out as Australia won the series by nine wickets.

This confirmed a 2-0 whitewash for the Aussies, who conclude their summer with wins against both India at home, and Sri Lanka away. They'll take on South Africa next, in June.

England Edge Out France In Six Nations Thriller

After a loss to Ireland the week prior, England returned to Twickenham Stadium in hopes they would have better luck against the French.

Louis Bielle-Biarrey opened the scoring for France, before Ollie Lawrence quickly responded, making it 7-7 at half time.

The two teams would continue to add to the scoreboard, before Bielle-Biarrey thought he had won it with his second try of the game, making it 25-19 to France late in the second half.

However, England would continue to fight, and a wonderful pass from Fin Daly led to Elliott Daly scoring the winning try in the dying seconds, much to the joy of the home fans.

After the win, England coach Steve Borthwick praised his side for their nail-biting victory.

"I think the players handled themselves really well throughout that last period of the game. That was a tough Test match and France are an exceptional side with world-class players throughout their team and we were really tested. You can talk about the tries scored and there were some good tries, I think you can talk about how hard the players ran back to make tackles and save tries. That's a measure of how much these players care about this team."

- England coach Steve Borthwick after England's 26-25 victory over France

Elsewhere, Italy won their first game of the Six Nations, 22-15 over Wales. Italy now sit fifth in the standings, while Wales sit sixth, still without a win.

France sit on top, while England are second, however both will be overtaken by the winner of tomorrow's Scotland vs Ireland game.

England will stay in London and welcome rivals Scotland to Twickenham Stadium in their next game. France, meanwhile, will make the trip into Rome to play Italy.