Ball Girl #117: Your Weekend Sports Primer

In case you didn’t get the memo: Ball Girl is back!

Your sports bestie is back, three times a week in your inbox with all the tea. And soon, even more entertainment on TikTok, Instagram, and Spotify (hard launch incoming shortly). TLDR, we’re becoming the Kardashians of sports news: we’re freakin’ everywhere. Whether you're here for the touchdowns, the drama, or just to have something new to talk about at the water cooler, we got you.

🏀 NBA: Tune Ins for Weekend Ahead

Jokic’s Mastery Meets the Clippers’ Grit: Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers, Friday, December 13, 2024, at 9:00 PM ET.
The Denver Nuggets are living the nightmare of every group project veteran: Nikola Jokic, their center (and reigning MVP), is carrying the squad like his life depends on it, while the rest of the team shows up with bad excuses and empty notebooks. Injuries to stars Jamal Murray (point guard) and Aaron Gordon (forward) have exposed Denver’s depth, or lack thereof. This game feels like Jokic trying to pass a test with everyone copying his homework.

On the flip side, the Clippers are having their Grit Girl moment. Missing their franchise faces, Kawhi Leonard (forward) and Paul George (forward), they’ve turned into the team equivalent of a Pinterest DIY—scrappy, unexpected, and shockingly effective. With Kris Dunn balling out as their point guard and Norman Powell (guard/forward) stepping up as the surprise star, their defense is as tight as your jeans after Thanksgiving. Will Denver’s one-man show be enough, or will the Clippers prove that teamwork really does make the dream work?

The Duel of Depth vs. Star Power: Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks: Friday, December 13, 2024, at 8:30 PM ET.
The Warriors and Mavericks are the ultimate "what kind of team are you" test. The Warriors? They’re the veteran who’s been through it all—fighting with a stingy defense led by Draymond Green (forward) and leaning on Stephen Curry (point guard), the human cheat code who’s basically dragging them through games. But outside of Curry? The offense is… thin, like the plot of a rom-com.

Then there’s Dallas, embracing their new main-character energy. Luka Dončić (point guard) is playing like he has something to prove, and Kyrie Irving (guard) has stopped burning sage and started burning defenses. Add in young stud Dereck Lively II (center) and role players like Quentin Grimes (guard), and the Mavericks are looking scary balanced. Will Golden State’s MVP reliance hold up, or is this the game Dallas announces, "We’re here, and we’re hot"?

🏒 NHL: What to watch this Weekend

A Battle of Rebuilding vs. Reinvention: St. Louis Blues vs. Dallas Stars, Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 8:00 PM ET.
The Dallas Stars are like a well-oiled machine that’s a little dusty on offense but gleaming on defense. With Miro Heiskanen (defenseman) as their Norris Trophy-worthy anchor, they’ve built their identity on locking teams down. Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz (forwards) are having a meh year, but their depth and defensive swagger have kept them looking like Stanley Cup material.

The St. Louis Blues? They’re still figuring it out. Think of them as a band that replaced its lead singer—they’ve got potential but need to find their rhythm. Jordan Binnington (goalie) has been shaky, and while Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou (forwards) are shining, the rest of the team hasn’t hit its stride. The Stars are here to flex their elite status, and the Blues are just trying to avoid an identity crisis.

Fire Meets Ice in a Battle of Surprises: Florida Panthers vs. Calgary Flames, Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 10:00 PM ET.
Florida Panthers fans, you’re living the high-risk, high-reward lifestyle. The Panthers’ offense, led by Matthew Tkachuk (forward), is a flamethrower, but their goalies are—well, let’s just say they’re not stopping much. This game is about proving that you can outscore any problem, but how long can that last?

The Calgary Flames, meanwhile, are the underdog story we all root for. Rookie goalie Dustin Wolf is a revelation, their defense-first identity is grinding out wins, and they’ve built a gritty squad that’s surprisingly fun to watch. It’s the hockey version of fire versus ice, and we’re all winners if this one gets messy.

🏈 NFL: RB Besties and a Pennsylvania Showdown

• Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday 4:25pm
  Steelers have been a stealthily talented team this season. Despite being upset by the Browns a few weeks ago, they are one win away from clinching a playoff spot. They’re a gritty team with a tough defense. Enter potentially the only grittier team: the Eagles. They, too, can clinch a playoff spot with a win, but only if the Commanders also either lose or tie against the Saints. They’ve had shining moments this season but just last week, they barely beat the 3-10 Panthers. This is shaping up to be a good ol' Pennsylvania showdown. Two PA teams, both fighting for a playoff spot and both about as subtle as a bull in a china shop. Expect a few moments where you wonder if these teams are trying to play football or audition for a reality TV show. 

• Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions, Sunday 4:25pm
  Is the Bills' road game curse real? Their defense has been playing like that one friend who says they're "on their way" and then shows up three hours later. But QB Josh Allen has been playing MVP-caliber football — must be his recently announced engagement to Hailee Steinfeld. The Lions have won 11 games straight with a harder schedule than the Bills. They have the best running game in the league, thanks to running back duo Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Despite playing the same position, these two are besties, calling themselves Sonic & Knuckles and supporting each other no matter what.🥹 Both of these teams lead their divisions and have basically booked their playoff tickets, so this game will be more entertaining than watching your grandma try to have a conversation with your gen-z cousin this holiday season.

📢 Gossip

• Bill Throwing Shade
  Bill Belichick recently announced he’s accepted a job coaching UNC’s football program and will step away from the NFL. He won a record six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots, although his last Super Bowl was seven years ago (and with a certain Tom Brady in the QB role). Despite having won of the best resumes in the NFL, word on the street is that he had trouble finding another NFL coaching gig. A close confidant of Bill’s described this decision as a big “f*** you” to the NFL — apparently, Bill is ‘disgusted’ with the NFL and is looking forward to college ball. Whatever his stance, we’re looking forward to the chaos that his presence will likely bring to the college football landscape.

That’s all the tea we’ve got for you today. Have a great weekend, ballers!