during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

CHARLES ODUM

I cover Atlanta pro sports and college sports in Georgia.

FILE - New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga smiles during a spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Senga is expected to begin throwing within one week after tests revealed inflammation in his right shoulder has cleared. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

Mets right-hander Senga given medical clearance, may begin throwing within 1 week

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga is expected to begin throwing within one week after tests revealed inflammation in his right shoulder has cleared.

CORRECTS TO SADDIQ BEY, INSTEAD OF BRUNO FERNANDO - Atlanta Hawks forward Saddiq Bey (41) loses control of the ball as he drives against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 6, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Bey, Bogdanovic each score 23 points as Hawks recover, beat Cavaliers 112-101

Saddiq Bey scored 23 points and the Atlanta Hawks recovered after losing a 21-point lead to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-101.

Angel Reese has 17 points, 15 rebounds as No. 9 LSU overwhelms Georgia, 80-54

Angel Reese added another double-double to her season-long list with 17 points and 15 rebounds and No. 9 Louisiana State beat Georgia 80-54 for its seventh straight win.

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) shoots against Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)

Jalen Johnson has 22 points as Hawks never trail in runaway 124-97 win over Jazz

Jalen Johnson scored 22 points with 13 rebounds and the Atlanta Hawks never trailed after scoring the first 12 points and beat the Utah Jazz 124-97.

Daniel Suarez reacts after winning the NASCAR auto race at Atlanta Motor Speedway Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024, in Hampton, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Suarez takes aim on NASCAR Cup Series championship run following important win in Atlanta

Daniel Suarez ended speculation about his future with Trackhouse Racing by winning a thrilling finish to the NASCAR Cup Series race in Atlanta.

Daniel Suarez (99), left, edges out Kyle Busch (8), center, and Ryan Blaney (12) at the finish line to win during the NASCAR auto race at Atlanta Motor Speedway Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024, in Hampton, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Daniel Suarez edges Blaney, Busch in thrilling 3-wide finish to claim Cup Series win at Atlanta

Daniel Suarez edged Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch in a three-wide finish to win a crashed-filled NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Hill wins 2nd straight Xfinity race to open season as teammate Love runs out of gas at Atlanta

Austin Hill won his second straight NASCAR Xfinity race to open the season, surging to the lead on an overtime restart when teammate Jesse Love ran out of gas, for a dramatic ending on Atlanta Motor Speedway.

William Byron celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Byron, Busch and other NASCAR drivers are still adjusting to Atlanta’s reconfigured track

NASCAR drivers are still making adjustments in the third year of Atlanta Motor Speedway’s reconfigured track with higher banks.

Michael McDowell looks up at speeds during a practice session for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

Michael McDowell finally wins first NASCAR Cup Series pole in Atlanta in 467th career start

Michael McDowell says his first NASCAR Cup Series pole in his 467th career start wasn’t a surprise. Following a close runner-up finish in last week’s Daytona 500 qualifying, McDowell says he knew his Front Row Motorsports Ford would be fast.

Love tops Atlanta qualifying, becomes 1st NASCAR Xfinity driver to win pole in first 2 career races

Jessie Love became the first driver to win poles in his first two career NASCAR Xfinity starts by claiming the top spot for Saturday’s race in Atlanta.

Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) shoots as Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Hawks’ front-line depth takes another hit with Okongwu out for ‘foreseeable future’

The Atlanta Hawks are preparing to be without center Onyeka Okongwu for an indefinite period of time, leaving the team with front-line depth issues as it returns from the All-Star break.

FILE - Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick faces reporters during an NFL football news conference, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass., to announce that he has agreed to part ways with the team. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

Falcons owner Blank says Bill Belichick never asked for player personnel control in interviews

Speaking for the first time about the coach search that led to the hiring of Raheem Morris, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank says former New England coach Bill Belichick made no demands for control of player personnel in Atlanta, as was widely speculated.

FILE - Atlanta Hawks general manager Landry Fields speaks during a news conference, Friday, July 1, 2022, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Hawks, allowing the most points per game in the NBA and struggling to remain above the cutoff line for the play-in tournament, surprised many by not making a move before Thursday's trade deadline. General manager Landry Fields said Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, no offer, including any much-speculated deal involving shooting guard Dejounte Murray, fit the team's long-term goals. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

Hawks hold onto Dejounte Murray, make no deal as GM Landry protects long-term interests

The Atlanta Hawks, allowing the most points per game in the NBA and struggling to remain above the cutoff line for the play-in tournament, surprised many by not making a move before Thursday’s trade deadline.

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris speaks during an NFL football news conference, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Raheem Morris seeks a Super Bowl title for Atlanta after loss 7 years ago that still ‘stings’

Raheem Morris is motivated to make the most of his second chance as the Atlanta Falcons’ coach. Specifically, Morris wants to help the Falcons achieve something they couldn’t when he was on their staff seven years ago.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry reacts after scoring in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Stephen Curry scores season-high 60 points in Warriors’ 141-134 OT loss to Hawks

Stephen Curry scored a season-high 60 points in Golden State’s 141-134 overtime loss to Atlanta on Saturday night, with Trae Young scoring 35 points to help the Hawks outlast the Warriors.

Alabama forward Jarin Stevenson (15) and Alabama forward Mouhamed Dioubate (10) clebrate after defeating Georgia in an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Sears uses strong second half to score 23 points as No. 24 Alabama rallies past Georgia 85-76

Mark Sears scored 19 of his 23 points in the second half, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 4:09 remaining, and No. 24 Alabama recovered from a slow start to beat Georgia 85-76.

Georgia Tech forward Tafara Gapare, left, and Miles Kelly, right, celebrate after beating North Carolina 74-73 during an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Alex Slitz)

Naithan George’s layup in final seconds lifts Georgia Tech to 74-73 win over No. 3 North Carolina

Naithan George scored a go-ahead layup with 7.7 seconds remaining and Georgia Tech beat No. 3 North Carolina 74-73 to end the Tar Heels’ 10-game winning streak.

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) moves against Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (5) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Doncic scores franchise-record 73 points, tied for 4th in NBA history, as Mavs edge Hawks 148-143

Luka Doncic scored a franchise-record 73 points, tied for the fourth-most in NBA history and surpassed only by Wilt Chamberlain and Kobe Bryant, to power the Mavericks to a 148-143 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) grabs a rebopund from Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Luka Doncic reaches 65 points, sets Mavs records for points in a half and a game against Hawks

Luka Doncic has set the Dallas Mavericks record for points in a game — reaching 65 with almost a quarter to spare.

FILE - Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero looks on before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. Evero met again with the Atlanta Falcons to discuss their head coaching vacancy, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, joining Rams assistant Raheem Morris and former Patriots coach Bill Belichick in receiving second interviews.(AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman, File)

Falcons interview former Titans coach Mike Vrabel, meet again with Carolina assistant Ejiro Evero

Former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel had an in-person interview with the Atlanta Falcons to discuss their head coaching vacancy.

FILE - Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. The Atlanta Falcons interviewed Raheem Morris for the head coaching vacancy on Saturday,, Jan 20, 2024, adding a familiar name to list of candidates. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)

Falcons interview Rams’ Raheem Morris, Bills’ Joe Brady after 2nd meeting with Bill Belichick

The Atlanta Falcons have interviewed Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and Buffalo Bills quarterbacks coach and interim offensive coordinator Joe Brady for their head coaching vacancy.

Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick faces reporters during a news conference, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass., held to announce that he has agreed to part ways with the team. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Falcons make plans for 2nd interview with Belichick after talking with Eagles’ Johnson

The Atlanta Falcons are planning for a second interview with Bill Belichick after talking with Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson for the head coaching vacancy.

Michigan running back Blake Corum and coach Jim Harbaugh ride a firetruck during a parade celebrating Michigan's college football title, in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024. (Jacob Hamilton/Ann Arbor News via AP)

Jim Harbaugh interviews with Falcons for head coaching vacancy after talking with Chargers

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh has interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons for their head coaching vacancy, his second interview in two days.

Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick faces reporters during a news conference, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass., held to announce that he has agreed to part ways with the team. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Bill Belichick interviews with Falcons for head coaching job

Bill Belichick signaled he’s ready to get back to coaching less than a week after parting with the New England Patriots, speaking with the Atlanta Falcons about their vacant position.

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) scores against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Trae Young starts strong, scores 36 points as Hawks beat Wembanyama-led Spurs, 109-99

Trae Young sank his first six 3-point attempts to spark Atlanta’s hot-shooting start and the Hawks bounced back from their worst offensive game of the season to beat the San Antonio Spurs 109-99.

Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht (3) goes in for a shot as Georgia's Silas Demary Jr. (4) and Jalen DeLoach (23) defend during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Knecht scores 36 points as No. 5 Tennessee recovers to beat Georgia 85-79

Dalton Knecht scored 36 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with less than 2 minutes remaining, and No. 5 Tennessee recovered after losing a 14-point lead to beat Georgia 85-79.

Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (1) scores as Atlanta Hawks guard Patty Mills (8) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Pacers overcome Haliburton’s absence to beat Hawks 126-108

Buddy Hield and Obi Toppin each scored 18 points and the Indiana Pacers overcame star Tyrese Haliburton’s absence with balanced scoring, beating Atlanta 126-108 on Friday night to continue their season dominance over the Hawks.

Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris (12) goes in for a shot as Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) defends during the first of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Jalen Johnson stars as Hawks outlast Embiid-less 76ers, 139-132 in overtime

Jalen Johnson hit two tying free throws in overtime and then added a go-ahead 3-pointer with 39 seconds remaining, sending the Atlanta Hawks to a 139-132 victory over Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia 76ers.

New York Knicks' OG Anunoby, left, tries to get a shot past Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

76ers again hold out reigning MVP Joel Embiid against Hawks with knee injury

Philadelphia center Joel Embiid, the reigning NBA MVP, missed the 76ers game at the Atlanta Hawks with swelling in his left knee.

Atlanta Falcons heads coach Arthur Smith faces reporters after his team's 37-17 loss to the Chicago Bears after an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Arthur Smith expresses ‘love and appreciation’ for Falcons players in team meeting after firing

Arthur Smith was back at the Atlanta Falcons’ practice facility for a final meeting with his players after he was fired late Sunday night.