SPORTS SECTION E
Thursday, January 22, 2026
NFL PRO PICKS - Page E4
‘Buddy’ scores season high 25 By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net
GOLDEN State Warriors guard Chavano “Buddy” Hield (7) moves the ball during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A Vásquez)
THE Golden State Warriors lost to the Toronto Raptors 145-127 on Tuesday night in San Francisco. The game marked the Warriors’ first game since star
forward Jimmy Butler suffered a season-ending torn right ACL in the previous night’s win over the Miami Heat. Butler exited that game midway through the third quarter and was later ruled out for the season. His absence loomed over Tuesday’s game and shifted
the offensive load for players like Chavano “Buddy” Hield. Hield, the 33-year-old veteran sharpshooter, delivered the Warriors’ top performance finishing with 25 points on what was a season high for him, making six 3-pointers and accounting for a significant share
of Golden State’s scoring against Toronto’s defence. Hield shot 6-for-9 from beyond the arc and finished with a field goal percentage near 50 per cent (6-for-13 from the floor) - a strong efficiency night for Buddy whose scoring opportunities
HIELD - SEE Page E3
Albury reaches 1,000 career points milestone in Division-I By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net DEYTON Albury crossed a milestone this month when he scored his 1,000th career Division-I point, a marker that caps a steady, upward climb from junior college to the Mountain West. Albury, 23, reached the milestone during New Mexico’s recent stretch of games. He stands at 1,004 Division-I points and 1,515
total collegiate points when Chipola (JUCO) totals are included. Albury’s path has been traditional for a rising international guard starting with two seasons at Chipola College (freshman 2021-22 and sophomore 2022-23), one standout year at Queens University of Charlotte (2023-24), a season at Utah State (2024-25), and then a transfer to New Mexico (2025-26). At Chipola he developed as a complementary scorer and rebounder — averaging
4.4 points and 2.7 rebounds as a freshman and growing to 10.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 2022-23. The move to Queens in 2023-24 produced the biggest statistical leaps, averaging 17.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists while starting 28 of 32 games, earning ASUN Newcomer of the Year and third-team all-conference honours. That season included a 29-point, 11-rebound game at North
MILESTONE - SEE Page E3
NEW Mexico guard Deyton Albury shoots during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against San Diego State on Saturday, January 17, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
LAKERS centre Deandre Ayton reacts to being injured against the Nuggets on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Ayton leaves game with eye injury By MICHAEL KELLY Associated Press DENVER (AP) — Luka Doncic had 38 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists, and the Los Angeles Lakers rallied to beat the Denver Nuggets 115-107 on Tuesday night. LeBron James, who was not voted an All-Star starter for the first time since his
rookie season, scored 19 points for Los Angeles, which played the second half without centre Deandre Ayton due to a left eye injury - he contributed four points and eight rebounds in 15 minutes. Jamal Murray scored 26 of his 28 points in the first half for Denver and added 11 assists, but shot just 1 for 5 in the second half.
With Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II sitting courtside, the short-handed Nuggets led by 16 in the third quarter despite missing four rotation players, including Nikola Jokic, who has missed the last 12 games with a hyperextended left knee.
INJURED - SEE Page E2