Sports Update Thursday 6/23/2022

>>Avalanche Take 3-1 Lead After Overtime Win Over Lightning

(Tampa, FL)  —  The Avalanche are one win away from claiming the Stanley Cup.  Nazem Kadri scored the game-winner in overtime as Colorado edged the Lightning 3-2 in Game Four of the Stanley Cup Final in Tampa. Colorado will look to clinch its first title since 2001 as the series shifts to Denver for Game Five on Friday.

>>NBA Draft Tonight

(Brooklyn, NY)  —  Dreams will be made in Brooklyn tonight.  The 2022 NBA Draft is being held at Barclays Center.  Auburn forward Jabari Smith Jr. is expected to be the first player selected in tonight’s draft.  The Orlando Magic are currently in possession of the number one pick.  The Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets round out the top three selections.  Duke forward Paolo Banchero [[ ban-CARE-oh ]] and Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren are also among the favorites to go at the beginning of the draft.

>>Report: Trail Blazers Acquire Grant From Pistons

(Undated)  —  The Trail Blazers are getting Damian Lillard some help.  ESPN reports Portland is acquiring forward Jerami Grant from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for a 2025 first-round draft pick and multiple second round picks.  The first round selection comes via the Milwaukee Bucks and is protected from picks one through four.  Grant was limited to 47 games last season, but averaged 19.2 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.

>>Travelers Championship Preview

(Cromwell, CT)  —  The Travelers Championship is teeing off at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut.  Harris English returns after winning the tournament a year ago.  English took down Kramer Hickok in an eight-hole playoff for the victory.  Marc Leishman and Patrick Cantlay will be joining the defending champ.

>>Baylor Lands Five-Star Guard Ja’Kobe Walter

(Undated)  —  The Baylor Bears are landing one of the top shooting guards from the class of 2023.  Five-star guard Ja’Kobe Walter announced Wednesday that he is committing to play for Baylor.  Walter chose the Bears over offers from Texas, Alabama, Auburn and various other schools.  The 6-foot-5 guard is ranked by 247-sports as the top shooting guard from his class.  Walter is the second 2023 verbal commitment for Scott Drew and Baylor.

>>Report: NFL Legend Tony Siragusa Dead At 55

(Baltimore, MD)  —  Former NFL player Tony Siragusa is dead at the age of 55.  TMZ reports former Baltimore Ravens teammate Jamal Lewis confirmed his death.  Siragusa played defensive tackle for the Ravens and Indianapolis Colts over an eleven year career, winning the Super Bowl with Baltimore in his final season.  No cause of death has been released.

>>Ravens’ Jaylon Ferguson Dies At 26

(Baltimore, MD)  —  The Baltimore Ravens are announcing the death of 26-year-old linebacker Jaylon Ferguson.  The team released a statement on Wednesday morning, saying it’s “profoundly saddened” by Jaylon’s passing.  The team also called him a “respectful young man with a big smile and infectious personality.”  The NFL echoed that sentiment, saying Jaylon’s family is asking for “prayers and privacy” at this time.  No other details about his death have been released.