The Dallas Mavericks picked up their 13th win of the regular season on Friday. But the 125-112 win over the Portland Trail Blazers proved to be costly, as Kyrie Irving exited the contest in the first half with an apparent foot injury.

Irving was fouled near the basketball late in the second quarter, causing the Mavericks point guard to fall to the floor. Irving’s teammate Dwight Powell then accidentally stepped on Irving’s foot. The eight-time All-Star was visibly in pain and remain down on the court’s hardwood for several minutes.

Irving was able to shoot a pair of free throw attempts. Sixth-year Mavs player Tim Hardawway Jr. then quickly drew a foul in order to give Irving an opportunity to substitute out of the game. Irving was taken to the locker room area for further evaluation. He was ultimately ruled out for the remainder of the game.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Dallas coach Jason Kidd said the team will know more this weekend about the extent of Irving’s injury.

Dante Exum had 23 points for the Mavericks, and Hardaway scored 20 off the bench. NBA superstar Luka Doncic finished with a team-high 32 points and grabbed six rebounds.

“He was right there waiting at the door [of the locker room] when we came in,” Hardaway told reporters after the game. “He was good. Great spirits. Just happy that he’s OK. When we all got to the locker room and saw on social media how it looked, the pictures, obviously it didn’t look too good. … Hopefully he won’t be out long.”

LEBRON JAMES REITERATES DESIRE TO OWN NBA FRANCHISE IN LAS VEGAS: ‘HOPEFULLY I CAN BRING MY FRANCHISE HERE’

Anfernee Simons had 30 points, eight assists and five rebounds in his second game back from right thumb surgery for a Blazers team missing three starters. 

Malcolm Brogdon and Deandre Ayton were both out with right knee soreness, and Jerami Grant was sidelined for the second consecutive game as he remains in the NBA’s concussion protocol.

Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving (11) reacts  during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. (Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports)

Shaedon Sharpe added 24 points, nine rebounds and five assists for Portland (6-15). Toumani Camara had 14 points and nine rebounds.

“I thought we responded well,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. “They had some really good shot-making, but we stayed in there and made it a game. We just could never really get control.”

Dallas led the entire way, and by as much as 19 in the first half. Portland made several pushes, even cutting Dallas’ lead to one in the second half, but was never able to break through.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“We took their best punch when they cut the lead,” Hardaway said. “We weathered the storm. It was a team effort.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Tennis Hall of Famer Chris Evert revealed on Friday the return of her cancer and announced that she will temporarily step away from the booth. 

Evert, who works as an on-air announcer for ESPN, revealed in January 2022 that she whad been diagnosed with stage 1C ovarian cancer.

“Since I was first diagnosed with cancer two years ago, I’ve been very open about my experience,” Evert said Friday in a statement released through ESPN. “I wanted to give you all an update. My cancer is back. While this is a diagnosis I never wanted to hear, I once again feel fortunate it was caught early. 

SERENA WILLIAMS TRIES ODD REMEDY TO TREAT BURN — BREAST MILK

“Based on a PET CT scan, I underwent another robotic surgery this past week. Doctors found cancer cells in the same pelvic region. All cells were removed, and I have begun another round of chemotherapy.” 

Evert, 68, won 18 Grand Slam tournaments, was a former No. 1 in the WTA rankings and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1995.

Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert talk to the media during a press conference on Day 5 of the GNP Seguros WTA Finals Cancun 2023 part of the Hologic WTA Tour on November 2, 2023, in Cancun, Mexico  (Robert Prange/Getty Images)

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

She has been an analyst for ESPN since 2011 but will be unable to be on the call at the Australian Open in January. 

“I will be unable to join my colleagues when ESPN makes its return to Melbourne for the Australian Open next month,” Evert’s statement continued. “But I’ll be ready for the rest of the Grand Slam season!”

Evert’s sister, Jeanne Evert Dubin, died from ovarian cancer in February 2020 at age 62.

Chris Evert sighted during the women’s quarterfinals match at the Miami Open on March 27, 2019, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL.  (Michele Sandberg/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Evert announced that she was “cancer-free” in an op-ed for ESPN in January 2023 and that there was a “90% chance that the ovarian cancer will never come back.”

“I encourage everyone to know your family history and advocate for yourself,” Evert said. “Early detection saves lives. Be thankful for your health this holiday season.”

Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.

Christian Ponder was walking in Central Park watching the College Football Playoff selection show on his phone and fell to his disappointment when his alma mater, the Florida State Seminoles, missed out on making the four-team field despite finishing the season undefeated.

Ponder said he was still “very disappointed” when he learned Florida State would not be making the bracket. However, he was most perturbed with how it all played out in the first place and how the College Football Playoff Selection Committee allegedly broke from precedent.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

“The result is outrageous,” Ponder told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. “The fact that they’ve gone against, what, 25-26 years of precedent between the BCS and this College Football Playoff where an undefeated Power 5 Conference champion has always had the opportunity to compete for a national championship until this year.

“I think the hardest time trying to figure out how Texas went from what seven in the country to jumping up to the three seed in the playoff system as a one-loss team who lost to a not great (Oklahoma) team in the middle of the season, beat an Alabama team that was a very different Alabama team early on the season than how they finished, how both those teams were able to leapfrog Florida State.”

FROM OUTKICK: COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACHES ARE NOW IN NIL BIDDING WARS INSIDE TRANSFER PORTAL WITH $100K SHAKEDOWNS FROM THEIR OWN PLAYERS

Christian Ponder, #7 of the Florida State Seminoles, scrambles against the Florida Gators at Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium on Nov. 29, 2008 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Marc Serota/Getty Images)

The former Minnesota Vikings quarterback, who spoke to Fox News Digital on behalf of his new business venture called The Post, took issue with the criteria that appeared to keep Florida State on the outside looking in.

CFP Committee Selection Chairman Boo Corrigan said Florida State was a different team without Jordan Travis, who was lost due to a season-ending knee injury.

“And the fact that we’re making assumptions about potential performance because Jordan Travis got hurt, Ponder continued. “How do we know that Tate Rodemaker isn’t a better quarter than Jordan Travis? Obviously, Jordan was one of the best players in all of college football this year and last year as well but still, to make that assumption to be a part of the process I think is completely absurd.”

He pointed to Cardale Jones leading Ohio State to a national championship and Tua Tagovailoa subbing in for Jalen Hurts to help Alabama come back to defeat Georgia for a title.

TIM BRANDO DISCUSSES FLORIDA STATE PLAYOFF SNUB, CFP SELECTION CRITERIA: ‘THE PROCESS IS THE TRAVESTY’

“For that to be about the process, to me, is insane. I think it’s clearly an SEC bias and the SEC has been one of if not the best conferences in the last decade,” Ponder said. “I don’t think the SEC was as strong of a conference this year, nor do I think the Big 12 was that strong of a conference this year. 

Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder warms up prior to taking on Wake Forest at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

“I get the arguments against the ACC but to go undefeated, have an out of conference schedule that includes LSU and Florida, at Florida and in a neutral site against LSU, and to win those games – I just don’t know what else they cold do so I think the outcome was definitely absurd.”

Florida State will play Georgia in the Orange Bowl.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

No. 1 Michigan will play No. 4 Alabama in the Rose Bowl while No. 2 Washington plays No. 3 Texas in the Sugar Bowl. Both games take place on Jan. 1. The winners will meet for the national championship.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

The 2023 Heisman Trophy race has been a close affair the past three months with multiple players having the best odds to win the award throughout the season. 

For most of the year, the most prestigious individual award in sports appeared destined to land in the hands of a Pac-12 quarterback. 

USC star Caleb Williams, the reigning Heisman winner, was the favorite for the early part of the season before Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. took the lead. 

In the final weeks of the season, it became clear the award had become a two-person race. Entering conference championship weekend, Oregon’s Bo Nix had the best odds of winning the award, with LSU’s Jayden Daniels a close second. 

WHAT WAS LEARNED FROM CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND: THE 12-TEAM PLAYOFF CANNOT COME FAST ENOUGH

On Monday, the four finalists for the 2023 trophy were announced, and one will take home the Heisman Trophy Saturday. 

Let’s take a look at the four players who will be in New York Saturday.  

Jayden Daniels, LSU Tigers

Not playing in the SEC championship game may have actually helped LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels in his pursuit to become the third LSU player to win the Heisman. 

With Oregon’s Bo Nix taking the best odds into conference championship weekend, Daniels was forced to sit and watch from home. 

But Nix was unable to lead his Ducks to the Pac-12 title and into the College Football Playoff, leaving the door open for Daniels to win the award despite three regular-season losses. 

Jayden Daniels of the LSU Tigers runs the ball during a game against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium Oct. 7, 2023, in Columbia, Mo.  (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Daniels’ numbers are eye-popping. He threw for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and four interceptions. On the ground, Daniels rushed for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

He led the Tigers to a 9-3 record despite having a defense that allowed the second-most yards and third-most points per game in the SEC. 

If Daniels wins the 2023 Heisman Trophy, he will become just the fourth player since 1986 to win the award with three losses in the regular season. 

Bo Nix, Oregon Ducks

It was all right there for Nix and the Oregon Ducks Dec. 1 with the eyes of the college football world focused on Las Vegas. 

Oregon had an opportunity to exact revenge for its Week 7 loss to Washington, and Nix was presented with the opportunity of locking up the Heisman Trophy in the Pac-12 championship game. 

Neither occurred. 

The Huskies defeated Oregon for the second time this season, knocking the Ducks out of the CFP conversation and making Nix vulnerable Saturday. 

Nix has had a stellar season, throwing for 4,145 yards and 40 touchdowns, while completing 77.2% of his passes. 

Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10) passes during the PAC-12 championship against the Washington Huskies Dec. 1, 2023, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.  (Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

MICHIGAN’S BLAKE CORUM BELIEVES TEAM ALREADY HAS ‘CHIP ON OUR SHOULDER’ GOING INTO CFP

His career has been a lengthy one. He played three seasons at Auburn before transferring to Oregon for his final two college years. 

Nix set the NCAA record for most career starts this season and has a record of 21-5 at Oregon.  

It’s a career that will be remembered for years to come. Now the question remains: Will Nix’s name be remembered when the Heisman Trophy is discussed? 

Michael Penix Jr., Washington Huskies

An undefeated season and a berth in the playoff means you’ve earned a right to be in New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony. 

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has done nothing but win this season, and the Huskies became the first Pac-12 team to go 13-0 heading into the bowl season. 

Against Oregon in the Pac-12 championship game, Penix was brilliant, completing 27 of 39 passes for 319 yards, one touchdown and an interception. 

Michael Penix Jr. (9) of the Washington Huskies celebrates a touchdown in the second half during the Pac-12 championship game against the Oregon Ducks at Allegiant Stadium Dec. 1, 2023, in Las Vegas.  (Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images)

DEION SANDERS, WHO STARRED AT FLORIDA STATE IN COLLEGE, WON’T FRET ABOUT CFP SNUB: ‘I CAN’T BE UPSET’

In 13 games, Penix threw for 4,218 yards, 33 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. 

Most importantly, Penix will be competing for a national championship, something the three other finalists cannot say. 

Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State Buckeyes

The only non-quarterback finalist is arguably the best NFL prospect of them all. 

Marvin Harrison Jr. became the fifth Ohio State Buckeye to be a Heisman finalist in the past six years after a fabulous junior season. 

His 14 receiving touchdowns are tied for second most in the country, and he finished the season with 67 catches for 1,211 yards. 

Marvin Harrison Jr. of the Ohio State Buckeyes walks up the field during the second half of a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“That award is for the most outstanding player, not the player with the most stats,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said of Harrison after beating Michigan State, according to The Athletic. “He’s made a major impact on this game, three touchdowns and really only played a half of football.”

Harrison is attempting to become just the fourth true wide receiver to take home the Heisman. Tim Brown of Notre Dame, Desmond Howard of Michigan and DeVonta Smith of Alabama are the three receivers to win the award. 

The 124th installment of the Army-Navy college football game, better known as “America’s Game,” will be played in New England for the very first time, something former Patriots great Rob Gronkowski thinks is the perfect place for this famed contest. 

Gronkowski is also using “America’s Game” to give back to those that fought for our freedoms as members of the Army and the Navy. 

Gronkowski helped the United Services Automobile Association (USAA), the proud sponsor of the Army-Navy Game and the official “Salute to Service” partner of the NFL, give away two National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides to deserving families of military veterans. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Army Sgt. Robert Trevino will be receiving a 2022 Chevy Silverado, which has been retrofitted to accommodate his disability, while Navy Petty Officer Kyle Kohlgraf and Alexandria Torres Schroeder will receive a 2019 Chevy Blazer as well. 

“They were well deserved, there’s no doubt about that,” Gronkowski told Fox News Digital. “And USAA does such a great job giving away these vehicles through their ‘Recycled Rides’ program. So thankful for USAA for including me in the giveaways. It just makes it that much better that a guy like myself, a football stud, gets to give away vehicles to an Army stud and a Navy stud and to their families.

“The reactions on their faces are unbelievable. I love to do it.”

USAA CEO Wayne Peacock and NFL legend Rob Gronkowski pose with Army and Navy mascots at USAA’s Army-Navy NABC Recycled Rides event in Boston on Friday. (Sophie Park/AP Images for USAA)

VETERANS’ HOTEL RESERVATIONS FOR ARMY-NAVY GAME CANCELED IN MASSACHUSETTS AMID MIGRANT INFLUX

This isn’t the first time Gronkowski has helped USAA give away vehicles to deserving veterans via the “Recycled Rides” program, but this is the first time he’s doing so with the Army-Navy game “right in my backyard,” as he put it. 

Having spent years winning championships with the Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Gronkowski’s appreciation for the military and its veterans has increased exponentially. 

He believes Patriots owner Robert Kraft is a big reason why that’s the case today, and why it’s especially important this storied rivalry writes its next chapter right outside of Boston. 

“It is definitely America’s game and it represents the nation well,” Gronkowski explained. “It represents the military well right here in my backyard because Mr. Robert Kraft and the Kraft family do such a great job providing and raising awareness for our military.

“There’s many times we had military members at practices, meet-and-greets with them at training camp, because they love our military. Robert Kraft stands for our military. He loves to give back to them, and I love to give back to them myself.”

Kraft added in a statement about the game: “In New England, we value history, honor tradition, and celebrate sports rivalries. That’s why we are so thrilled for the opportunity to host America’s Game at Gillette Stadium in 2023.”

USAA also leaned into the crucial history that Boston has in our country, especially when it comes to the American Revolution. The company unveiled a 374-pound bag of tea, sourced from three veteran-owned small businesses, that was imported to the site of the USS Constitution for public display ahead of the game. 

The bag of tea will be traveling throughout Boston during the Patriot Games on Friday, as well as a Fan Fest activation at Gillette Stadium. It will then be donated to the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. 

Like every spectator that will flock to Gillette Stadium on Saturday afternoon, Gronkowski is excited to see these two branches of the military go head-to-head on the same gridiron he graced in his career.

NFL legend Rob Gronkowski, center, and USAA executives pose with members of the Kohlgraf family (U.S. Navy), who were gifted a vehicle at USAA’s Army-Navy NABC Recycled Rides Car Gifting in Boston on Friday. (Sophie Park/AP Images for USAA)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

But while this is a game where two rivals go at it on the field, the camaraderie and respect that’s been showcased for the last 123 years is what truly matters. 

For one Saturday during the college football season, all eyes are focused on a single game. 

Army and Navy will square off for the 124th time on Saturday at Gillette Stadium for a 3:00 p.m. ET kickoff in Foxborough, MA. 

The matchup is being played away from Philadelphia, PA, for the next four years, starting with Saturday’s game in New England. “America’s Game” will then head to Washington, D.C. in 2024, Baltimore in 2025 and New Jersey in 2026.

TIM BRANDO DISCUSSES FLORIDA STATE PLAYOFF SNUB, CFP SELECTION CRITERIA: ‘THE PROCESS IS THE TRAVESTY’

“We’ve got our 250th anniversary of the Revolution coming up this year and I can’t think of a better way to kick it off than with America’s Game here,” Massachusetts governor Maura Healy said during the kickoff luncheon, according to the New England Patriots website. 

Both teams enter Saturday’s game with a record of 5-6 and neither will be playing in a bowl game this season, meaning the matchup will be the final sendoff for seniors on both sidelines. 

It will be a game between two programs known historically for running the football, and the 2023 offenses are no different. 

Army is 10th in the country with 209 rushing yards per game, while Navy rushes for 200.5 yards per contest, good for 14th in the nation. 

A general view of the American Flag being parachuted into the stadium by the Navy Leap Frog parachute team prior to the 123rd Army Navy game on December 10, 2022 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.   (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Special teams and rushing defense will likely decide the game, the latter of which the Midshipmen hold the advantage. Navy allows 121.9 yards per game on the ground to Army’s 180.5. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

As is usually the case, the uniforms will receive a good amount of coverage as both teams unveiled their special garb in November. 

Navy and Under Armour unveiled a uniform that will honor the Silent Service, the U.S. Submarine Force, its families and supporting personnel. 

Navy will honor the U.S. Submarine Force. (Navy Athletics)

“The entire uniform is flooded with Eclipse Navy (UA’s darkest shade of navy blue) to mimic the covert design of a submarine hull,” Navy athletics wrote regarding the uniforms. “The uniform was purposefully designed to embody the Force’s nickname: Silent Service. The overall design was intended to be simple and utilitarian to convey the stealth purposes of a submarine’s design.”

The Black Knights teamed up with Nike and will wear uniforms that tell the story of the 3rd Infantry Division during the opening phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

“On December 9, Army West Point Football honors and represents the soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division and their tactical acumen on the field in Foxborough,” Army athletics wrote regarding the uniforms. “In adopting their mottos, symbols, and ethos on the field of friendly strife, we seek to emulate their application of these characteristics to defeat our rivals.”

The Army football uniform for the 2023 Army-Navy Game honors the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division and its April 2003 “Battle of Baghdad” combat mission in Iraq.  (Danny Wild/Army football)

Last year’s game was a thrilling matchup that saw Army defeat Navy in double overtime. 

The Midshipmen lead the all-time series 62-54-7 with the two service academies splitting the last four contests.