The GIST: In alignment with Clark’s moving commentary, much of the response to Monday’s events underscores a crucial reminder: people come first, games are secondary. With that in mind, here are the key conversations sparked by the ongoing situation.

NFL backlash: The league remains in hot water as many question why it took so long to postpone Monday’s game, especially as players were visibly distraught after watching their teammate and peer be administered CPR on the field.

• Thankfully, the adults in the room (aka Bills head coach Sean McDermott, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor and the players) stepped in to do the right thing and put mental health first.

• The league has since said the game will not be resumed this week and that they have not made a decision on a potential makeup date. They also said there are no changes to this weekend’s schedule — the regular-season finale — as of yet.

Medical emergency history: Hamlin’s cardiac arrest was eerily reminiscent of recent terrifying incidents across sports. The world watched on with horror earlier this season when Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (pronounced TUNG-o-vai-LOA) was stretchered off the field after taking a hard hit and entering a trauma response.

• Many comparisons are also being drawn to Danish soccer midfielder Christian Eriksen, who collapsed on the pitch after suffering a cardiac arrest during the 2020 UEFA Euro Championship. Eriksen notably returned to play less than a year later.

• As Clark so succinctly and strongly put it, “we got to see a side of football that is extremely ugly. A side of football that no one ever wants to admit exists.”

The human response: The entire football and sports community has rallied around Hamlin, best evidenced by the overwhelming support for the toy drive he launched back in 2020. As of Tuesday evening, a whopping 200K donors have contributed nearly $6M, far surpassing the original $2,500 goal. A powerful and inspiring reminder that it’s way bigger than ball.

The GIST: There’s nothing like the start of a new year for some reflection, so let’s take a look at who’s hot (and who’s not) across the association.

• First things first, though, a caliente trend. Five players are averaging over 30 points (aka a BFD), setting the league up for what could be its best offensive year…ever. Straight fire.

Eastern Conference: The Boston Celtics are at the top of the class, leading the entire league and the Eastern Conference (EC) with 26 wins. Hot on their tail are the Giannis Antetokounmpo (pronounced YAHN-nees AH-ded-KOOM-poh)–led Milwaukee Bucks and the surging Brooklyn Nets, who are riding a 12-game win streak.

• But a few EC teams are in danger of tanking flunking out. The typically playoff-contending Atlanta Hawks are shockingly under .500. Looks like Troy Bolton was right — it is hard to balance basketball and Drama Club.

• And then there’s the Detroit Pistons, who sit at the very bottom of the league with just 10 wins this season. Time to get’cha head in the game, boys.

Western Conference: The EC boasts the best team in the NBA, but the league’s leading scorer, the Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Dončić, is making a run for valedictorian. Last week he became the first player to record a triple-double with at least 60 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists. No wonder he’s tired.

• Meanwhile, the consistent Denver Nuggets are on top of the Western Conference, with Ja Morant’s Memphis Grizzlies and Zion Wiliamson’s New Orleans Pelicans close behind.

Record-breakers: The holiday-break hoops also brought some note-worthy history. LA Laker LeBron James now stands with Michael Jordan as the only NBA players over 35 years old to post back-to-back 40 point games.

• And don’t forget about Cleveland Cavalier Donovan Mitchell, who rang in the new year with a casual 71-point game on Monday, making him just the seventh player to eclipse the 70-point mark. That’ll do.