Sports

ATLANTA — The Rams wanted to make the playoffs in the worst way. Mission accomplished. They’re headed to the playoffs in the worst way imaginable. Monday night’s 27-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons was an abomination — you could feel that vibe in the postgame locker room — but the Rams need to study it, even if…

ATLANTA — The Rams already knew they will be on the road for the playoffs, a difficult assignment for any team. It’s trending toward becoming one especially tough for the Rams, who only a few weeks ago appeared to be the class of the NFC, if not the NFL. Not anymore. On Monday night, the Rams for…

p]:text-cms-story-body-color-text clearfix”> Two weeks before the Alamo Bowl, USC got its best news of the bowl season: Star quarterback Jayden Maiava was forgoing the NFL draft to stay in L.A. for another year. Two days later, TCU’s star quarterback, Josh Hoover, delivered his own announcement: He was entering the transfer portal. Those two decisions will…

The Lakers underwent some soul-searching at practice Saturday, with coach JJ Redick starting the conversation before allowing players to speak freely about the team’s issues. It was an attempt by Redick and the team to prevent things from spiraling out of control after three consecutive losses. When the Lakers faced the Sacramento Kings on Sunday…

Opening day at Santa Anita might have been delayed by two days because of heavy rain, but it was worth the wait for no other reason than to watch the stretch run of the $200,000 Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes. And for trainer Bob Baffert, it was even better than that. Not only did Nysos and…

EDMONTON, Canada — Jason Hills grew up in a rural hamlet in southern Alberta so small there were no traffic lights. Which wasn’t a problem because there wasn’t any traffic either. But there was a curling rink. “There was nothing else really to do,” Hills said. “So if you weren’t curling you’d go hang out at the…

SATURDAY’S RESULTS BOYS CITY SECTION Harbor Teacher 52, Maywood Academy 36 SOUTHERN SECTION Alemany 70, Saugus 63 Alta Loma 68, Orange Vista 65 Arcadia 52, San Gabriel Academy 47 Arroyo Valley 59, Jurupa Valley 48 Azusa 66, Bolsa Grande 53 Banning 55, San Gorgonio 47 Beverly Hills 47, Highland 41 Bishop Amat 92, Pioneer 45…

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL FRIDAY’S RESULTS BOYS CITY SECTION Wilmington Banning 57, Harbor Teacher 56 SOUTHERN SECTION AGBU 62, Desert Christian Academy 24 Alta Loma 50, Eastvale Roosevelt 43 Arlington 73, Costa Mesa 46 Arcadia 64, Mayfair 59 Azusa 76, Ambassador 56 Beaumont 53, La Quinta 39 Bell Gardens 57, Covina 41 Beverly Hills 54, Camarillo…

p]:text-cms-story-body-color-text clearfix”> Bill Plaschke writes, “If the Trojans truly want to return to greatness, being selected for the CFP is the goal. Not beating Notre Dame. Not even beating UCLA.” That’s 100% wrong. As a USC alum (1965) and longtime fan, those are the only things that do matter. I have often said that if…

Rams players enjoyed the day off they got for Christmas, perhaps no one more than Puka Nacua. The previous week, the star receiver was fined $25,000 by the NFL after he made critical comments about officials during a livestream and then again in a social media post immediately after the Rams’ crushing 38-37 overtime defeat…