Welcome to The Sporting Tribune Podcast Network and a new episode of The Sporting Tribune Today, our every-weekday show on sports in Southern California, Las Vegas and Hawaii. Host Grant Mona reacts to a massive Sunday for American sports, from the high-stakes atmosphere of the World Baseball Classic in Miami to a playoff-level showdown at Crypto.com Arena that saw the Lakers continue their surge up the Western Conference standings.
Segment One: Team USA Survives a Nailbiter in Miami Team USA is heading to the WBC Championship! Grant breaks down the U.S.’s gritty 2–1 victory over a star-studded Dominican Republic squad in front of a raucous sell-out crowd.
The Skenes Factor: Grant reacts to a dominant outing from Paul Skenes, who lived up to the hype by stifling the Dominican bats for over four innings.
The Power of the Youth: Analysis of the solo shots from Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony that provided all the offense the U.S. needed.
Controversy at the Cup: Grant discusses the drama surrounding the game’s final out—a called strike three against Geraldo Perdomo that has the baseball world buzzing.
Segment Two: “We Approached It Like a Playoff Game” The Los Angeles Lakers secured what Grant calls their “win of the year,” a thrilling 127–125 overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets. We hear from a fired-up JJ Redick, who discusses the team’s mental toughness after blowing a double-digit lead only to reclaim it when it mattered most.
The Luka Special: Reaction to Luka Dončić’s 30-point triple-double, capped off by his game-winning fadeaway with 0.5 seconds left in OT.
The “Perfect Miss”: Grant breaks down Austin Reaves’ high-IQ play at the end of regulation—intentionally missing a free throw and grabbing his own rebound to force the extra period.
Contender Status: With the Lakers officially moving into 3rd place in the West, Grant asks the players if the “boogeyman” narrative surrounding Denver is finally dead.
The podcast can be heard every day on Apple, Google, Spotify, iHeart Radio, TuneIn and wherever you get your podcast and every weekday on the radio on KIRN 670 AM and 95.5 FMHD3 in Southern California, 98.5 The Bet in Las Vegas and the Hawaii Sports Radio Network 95.1 FM and 760 AM in Hawaii.