Sports Night: Kings’ playoff hopes could be a mirage
Kings: Substantial improvement not seen
Don’t be fooled by the fact the Kings are in playoff contention at this point in the season for the first time in years. That can’t hide their 12-20 record, often sluggish play to begin games and league-worst defense. And don’t forget that home loss Wednesday to the Philadelphia 76ers, the worst team in the league.
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49ers: Turlock girl has Kaepernick in her corner
Mya Sanchez, an 11-year-old from Turlock, will compete in the finals of the NFL’s annual punt, pass and kick competition this weekend in Indianapolis. She got there with help from a former neighbor, 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. The NFL flies each entrant plus one adult to the finals. Kaepernick bought plane tickets so Sanchez’s entire family – Mya’s parents and two younger brothers – could go.
49ers: Shake-up in coaching staff?
San Francisco linebackers coach Clancy Pendergast reportedly is about to join the USC staff. Jim Tomsula, the 49ers’ head coach, isn’t commenting.
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Hometown Report: Reflecting on a memorable year
The year in high school sports gave us upstart champions, lasting gestures of sportsmanship and athletes who bounced back from adversity. Highlights include a state championship by the McClatchy girls basketball team.
Rose Bowl: Stanford romps, 45-16
Christian McCaffrey catches a 75-yard touchdown pass on the opening snap and returns a punt 66 yards for another score while setting the Rose Bowl record with 368 all-purpose yards, propelling No. 5 Stanford to a 45-16 victory over the sixth-ranked Hawkeyes.
Sugar Bowl: Ole Miss can’t miss, 48-20
Chad Kelly throws for 302 yards and four touchdowns – three to Laquon Treadwell – and No. 16 Mississippi beats No. 13 Oklahoma State 48-20 in the Sugar Bowl.
Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State cruises, 44-28
Ezekiel Elliott runs for 149 yards and matches a Fiesta Bowl record with four touchdowns, sparking No. 7 Ohio State’s prolific offense in a 44-28 win over No. 8 Notre Dame.
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This story was originally published January 1, 2016 at 10:02 PM with the headline "Sports Night: Kings’ playoff hopes could be a mirage."