You're locked in to Sports Desk, let's get into it.
Portland is making it official — the Trail Blazers have hired Micah Nori as their new head coach, pulling him from Minnesota where he spent five seasons as a Timberwolves assistant. This comes one year after Chauncey Billups' sudden exit, and on the heels of Portland's first playoff appearance in five years under interim coach Tiago Splitter. Nori had interviewed with Chicago and New York before Portland pulled the trigger, and now he gets his shot at the top job.
Shifting to Edmonton, the Oilers have hired Mike Babcock as head coach, and the hockey world is raising eyebrows hard. Babcock's previous tenure in Toronto ended in disgrace, and bringing him back at what feels like a franchise crossroads is a gamble that could define this organization for years. With Connor McDavid's prime window narrowing, this is not the moment to be rolling the dice on a polarizing hire.
And we cannot move on without acknowledging ESPN analyst Matt Miller, who revealed Tuesday he survived a near-fatal car accident in Missouri, was airlifted to Mercy Hospital, and underwent a life-saving amputation of his left arm. He also suffered multiple fractures and broken ribs. The sports world is rallying around him, and we're wishing Matt a full and steady recovery.
That's your play-by-play. Sports Desk, back to the booth.
