A few things have happened since we last left you on Christmas Eve.

The biggest event came on Christmas day, when the Sixers couldn’t close out the Celtics in overtime. Philly led by two with under a minute to go before Kyrie Irving made a floater to tie things up at 108. JJ Redick missed a game-winning shot to force overtime, where Boston would pull away late.

Joel Embiid put most of the blame on his shoulders but mentioned that he wanted the ball a little more in the fourth. Most are blaming Brett Brown. But if there’s any blame, it should be on the lack of production from the bench. It’s obvious that it’s a weaker unit than it was last year, even with Fultz out. Most of the guys are streaky. If the Sixers do want to seriously compete in the Eastern Conference, they should go out and make the effort to get another role player or two before the trade deadline. Who knows how the buyout market will be either.

They’re back in action tonight as they continue their holiday road trip in Utah to take on the Jazz. Tip-off is set for 10:30 PM on NBC Sports Philadelphia and TNT. You can expect some boos towards the reigning Rookie of the Year (Ben Simmons) after he “stole” the award from Donovan Mitchell (not the Rookie of the Year).

The Roundup:

After Sunday’s thrilling win over the Texans, the Eagles continue to get a little healthier. Jason Peters is expected to play on Sunday against the Redskins, and Mike Wallace was activated off IR. Here’s the “estimated” injury report.

Speaking of the Redskins, they cut DJ Swearinger for criticizing the coaching staff. The Arizona Cardinals picked him up on waivers.

Nick Foles was also named the NFC’s Offensive Player of the Week.

The Flyers resume action tonight as they take on the Tampa Bay Lightning. Puck drop is at 7:30 PM on NBCSN.

A Flyer prospect was on fire last night at the World Junior Championships. Morgan Frost of Team Canada scored three goals and two assists in Canada’s 14-0 (!) win over Denmark. It was a clinic. Noah Cates of the 2017 class, along with Joel Farabee, Jay O’Brien, and Jack St. Ivany of the 2018 class are all on Team USA. They beat Slovakia 2-1 last night.

Speaking of young guys, Phil Varone‘s showing his potential with the big club:

Hard to believe those are the words from the best player in the American Hockey League last season. Yet Varone was resigned to the belief that he may never get a sniff with the Flyers — even after capping an impressive 2017-18 season with 70 points in 74 games earning the Les Cunningham Award as the AHL’s MVP.

That type of debut with any organization normally would have generated some hype and anticipation coming into training camp, but Varone doesn’t qualify as that can’t-miss prospect. Guys like him and T.J. Brennan and Colin MacDonald are considered the establishment, a veteran core called upon to lead by example for the promising high-draft picks who are transitioning from junior hockey to the professional level.

In all likelihood, if Ron Hextall was still calling the organizational shots, Dave Hakstol would still be behind the bench, Carter Hart would still be plugging away with the Phantoms and Varone would have never made the trip down the Northeast Extension.

“Honestly, no, I don’t think so,” Varone said when asked if he’d be with the Flyers with Hextall as GM. “And that’s why I didn’t think much about it. I wasn’t worried about it. Not that I thought it was going to happen that quickly with the change, but I think good things happen when people put their head down and stick to it and do the right things. That’s what I’ve thought about most of my career.

“I think there’s a little bit of a different mindset now with the changes that have gone on. I’m just trying to make the most of it. I’m trying to make everyone who decided to call me up look good and I’m glad I can stick.”

Be sure to check out the latest episode of Snow the Goalie as well.

The Phillies are making some more news, but it’s not with Bryce Harper or Manny Machado. They’re still interested in Corey Kluber of the Indians.

In other sports news, the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl between Boston College and Boise State was cancelled due to lightning. Gotta love college athletics.

TCU defeated Cal in the Cheez-It Bowl 10-7 in overtime. It was probably worse than the aforementioned cancelled bowl game.

In the news, a fire damaged three houses in Ocean City.

After a big day for the stock market, don’t be surprised if they fall yet again today.