Welcome to Thursday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

THURSDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
NHL: Canadiens at Bruins, 7 p.m. (NESN)
NHL: Penguins at Rangers, 7 p.m. (NHL Network)
NBA: Knicks at Grizzlies, 8 p.m. (TNT)
NBA: Magic at Warriors, 10:30 p.m. (TNT)
College basketball: Clemson at Boston College, 7 p.m. (ESPN2; WEEI)
College basketball: Virginia at Duke, 9 p.m. (ESPN)
College basketball: Gonzaga at St. Mary’s, 11 p.m. (ESPN2)
MLS: Draft, noon (ESPN2)

AROUND THE WEB:

♦ Following Wednesday’s New York Daily News story in which unnamed Jets players blasted Mark Sanchez for being “lazy and content,” some players came to the quarterback’s defense.

“It was completely false,” offensive lineman Matt Slauson said. “Mark is the hardest-working quarterback I’ve every played with. He puts in more time than anyone. Every since he came in he’s been all about improving the team and winning. His whole life is about making the Jets the No. 1 team in the NFL.”

Added defensive lineman Marcus Dixon: “Whoever said all that, they’re out of their minds and just trippin’. You can’t blame a season on one guy. I mean, come on. It’s all unfair. We have Mark Sanchez. He’s our quarterback. He’s our guy. And that’s how just about everyone in that locker room feels.”

♦ Longtime sports agent Leigh Steinberg, the inspiration for the movie “Jerry Maguire,” filed for bankruptcy protection Wednesday in Santa Ana, Calif.

“I just lost track while I was in rehab,” Steinberg said, acknowledging he has had an alcohol problem but insisting he has been sober since 2010.

♦ Former NBA player J.R. Smith is still in China, locked into a contract with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls. Apparently, his sister isn’t enjoying the experience. One website has photos said to be of Stephanie Smith getting into an altercation with fans of the Bayi Rockets during a recent game. The accompanying report indicates she also threw a bottle on the court after a call went against her brother.

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On Jan. 12, 1997, the Patriots beat the Jaguars 20-6 in the AFC championship game, secured when which Patriot returned a fumble 47 yards for a touchdown with 2:36 left?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “This is his team right now, until everybody else gets it going,” – Celtics coach Doc Rivers, on point guard Rajon Rondo

STAT OF THE DAY: 970 – Career games as a Celtic for Paul Pierce, putting him one behind Kevin McHale for third place on the all-time list

‘NET RESULTS: Blake Griffin goes to Lob City with Chris Paul during the Clippers’ overtime victory over the Heat on Wednesday night.

TRIVIA ANSWER: Otis Smith

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Glen Yarbrough turns 82 Thursday.

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