Jackie Robinson Day
April 15 is Jackie Robinson Day, as Jackie Robinson made his Major League Baseball debut on April 15, 1957. This year is the 75th Anniversary of the day Robinson broke the league’s color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
MLB retired Robinson’s No. 42 in 1997 and Jackie Robinson Day began in 2004. Players, managers and umpires all wear No. 42 on April 15, and this year, all the 42s will be in Dodger Blue. The league produced a tribute video, “Play, Run, Win, Rise”, that is narrated by Leslie Odom Jr. and written by Eljon Wardally. It will be played in every host stadium on Friday.
Paul George
When the Los Angeles Clippers host the New Orleans Pelicans Friday night to try to clinch the eighth spot in the Western Conference playoffs, they will be without guard Paul George, and that is going to be tough.
Per ESPN, George tested positive for COVID-19 and has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols. George was out for three months this season with a torn UCL in his right elbow. While playing, George averaged 24.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists. The Clippers, who were playing for the seventh seed, lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday.
The winner of Friday night’s game will play the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs.
Stephon Gilmore to the Colts
The Indianapolis Colts continue to bolster their defense, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that they are adding CB Stephon Gilmore to their secondary with a two-year, $23 million contract. On Thursday, the Colts signed safety Rodney McLeod, so clearly the secondary is a priority.
Gilmore comes to Indianapolis from Carolina by way of New England, as the Panthers traded a 2023 third-rounder to the Patriots to get him this past October. He was activated in Week 8, after recovering from a quad injury, finishing the season with 15 solo tackles and two interceptions.
Luka Doncic
The Dallas Mavericks host the Utah Jazz in the first round of the NBA playoffs to tip off (pun intended) their playoff run on Saturday at 1 pm ET/10 am PT. However, they will do so without their superstar, Luka Doncic. Per ESPN, Doncic will miss Game 1 with a strained left calf, and Game 2 isn’t looking all that promising either.
Doncic averaged 28.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and 8.7 assists this season. A Mavs team without Luka is far from ideal.
Kelvin Joseph
The Dallas Police Department wants to speak with Cowboys’ cornerback Kelvin Joseph regarding a March 18 shooting that killed 20 year-old Cameron Ray.
Joseph’s attorney, Barry Sorrels, says that his client was a passenger in the car but not the shooter, telling the Dallas Morning News, “… Kelvin was unarmed and was not looking for violence. He found himself in a situation that escalated without his knowledge or consent…”
Per surveillance video released by police, an incident occurred between two groups of friends, including Joseph and Ray. Later, shots were fired, and police responded to a shooting that took place in the 3600 block of Greenville Ave.