Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, safety Tyrann Mathieu is expected to sign with the Saints and the deal should be finalized in the coming days.
A native of New Orleans, Mathieu had a free-agent visit with the organization in early April. When the Saints did not address safety during the draft, it left a void for Mathieu to fill.
It’s also a better time for the Saints to sign Mathieu because as of 4 p.m. ET on Monday afternoon, free agents no longer factor into the compensatory pick formula.
Mathieu just wrapped up a three-year tenure with the Chiefs. He started 16 games in 2021, recording 76 total tackles, three interceptions, six passes defensed, and three fumble recoveries.
A third-round pick in the 2013 draft, Mathieu has 26 career interceptions and 76 passes defensed. He will turn 30 later this month.
As a service to fans who have a general interest in the National Hockey League but have no idea what's happened since the Tampa Bay Lightning raised the Cup for the second straight postseason, we're happy to provide this FAQ as a guide to the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs. And for you die-hard puckheads, here is your official refresher before the games begin.
Are the Stanley Cup playoffs finally back to normal?
As normal as a two-month battle of attrition that can be upended by a hot goaltender can be.
It was a full 82-game season in the NHL for the first time since 2018-19. No neutral-site "bubble" cities for the playoffs. Fans at full capacity in buildings. All four divisions back to their traditional configurations after last season's COVID-necessitated realignment. Although we miss that all-Canadian division, this means we're back to the wild-card conference playoff format the NHL has used since 2014. The only thing abnormal about the 2022 playoffs is that they're starting on May 2, because of the Olympic break this season.
NHL players didn't go to the Olympics, did they?
Sadly, they did not, although our loss was Slovakia's gain. Although the NHL and its players collectively bargained to allow them to play in the 2022 Beijing Olympics, there was an out clause if the 2021-22 season was materially impacted by the COVID pandemic.
Which it was: 131 games were postponed and rescheduled this season. Hundreds of players and coaches entered the league's COVID protocols after positive tests, especially when the omicron variant arrived. By the end of the season there were 1,004 skaters and an NHL-record 119 goalies who played at least a game this season. Which is one reason (of many) why goal scoring went so cuckoo-bananas.
How much was scoring up this season?
Way up. Like, "some games looked like low-scoring NFL games" up.
With an average of 6.3 goals per game, this was the highest-scoring NHL season in 26 years. The NHL saw eight players break 100 points, the most since 1995-96, and 51 players score 30 or more goals, the highest total since 1993-94. There were historic individual performances, like Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews becoming the first 60-goal scorer since Steven Stamkos in 2011-12 and Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi scoring 96 points to become the highest-scoring defenseman in 29 years.
There were historic team performances, too, like the Florida Panthers scoring 340 goals to become the highest-scoring NHL team since the 1995-96 Pittsburgh Penguins.
Wait, are the Florida Panthers good? The same Florida Panthers that haven't won a playoff series in 26 years?
One and the same. The Panthers won the Presidents' Trophy for having the NHL's best record (122 points), just the second time in franchise history they crossed 100 points in a season. Left wing Jonathan Huberdeau set a team record with 115 points. The rich got richer at the NHL trade deadline, as the Panthers acquired Philadelphia Flyers star (and pending free agent) Claude Giroux.
Incredibly, this success comes with a first-time head coach behind the bench: Andrew Brunette, who took over on an interim basis after head coach Joel Quenneville's resignation following the release of an investigation into how the Chicago Blackhawks handled allegations by Kyle Beach that former video coach Brad Aldrich sexually assaulted him in 2010. Under Brunette, the Panthers won the Atlantic Division in a walk. But then again, it was a walk for the entire Eastern Conference playoff field this season.
What happened to parity?
It had no home in the East. For the first time in NHL history, all eight teams in the Eastern Conference playoffs cracked 100 points in the standings. There was a 16-point gap between the final wild-card team (the Washington Capitals) and the highest-placing non-playoff team (the New York Islanders). This made for a playoff race that was "over at Halloween," as one NHL coach sarcastically told me. But it was a different story in the West.
Wait, the Golden Knights didn't make the playoffs?
Nope. For the first time in their long, storied history (i.e., five years) the Golden Knights did not qualify for the postseason. They lost a de facto playoff game in Dallas on April 26 that all but ended their season.
They were one of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup this season, even before a blockbuster trade for disgruntled Buffalo Sabres star Jack Eichel in November. But a slew of injuries to key players like winger Mark Stone and goaltender Robin Lehner -- and salary-cap headaches of their own making -- led to their demise.
Fans around the NHL relished in the schadenfreude, particularly because of the way Vegas unceremoniously parted ways with goalie Marc-Andre Fleury last offseason, trading him to the Blackhawks. In the end, he's in the playoffs, and the Golden Knights are not.
According to Caesars Sportsbook, the Colorado Avalanche are the top choice to win the Cup (+330), after finishing second to the Panthers (+550) in the Presidents' Trophy race (119 points). They won the Central Division and will face the Predators, the second wild-card team, in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. The Avalanche caught a break as Predators standout goalie Juuse Saros suffered a late-season ankle injury that could impact his status for the series. Not that they needed a break, given that the Avalanche had 80-point seasons from Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon, Nazem Kadri and Cale Makar. Plus, goalie Darcy Kuemper has been one of the NHL's best in 2022. The Avs are ready to break through.
Here are the rest of the Cup future odds, per Caesars:
What are the other first-round series in the West?
Minnesota Wild (No. 2, Central Division) vs. St. Louis Blues (No. 3, Central Division). The Wild had their best offensive season in franchise history, powered by a 47-goal season from star winger Kirill Kaprizov. The Blues had their best offensive season since the 1990-91 season, powered by star winger Vladimir Tarasenko (82 points), who went from requesting a trade last offseason to leading the Blues in scoring. This could be a beautifully bruising series.
Edmonton Oilers (No. 2, Pacific Division) vs. Los Angeles Kings (No. 3, Pacific Division). The Connor and Leon show was in full effect, as McDavid (123 points) and Draisaitl (110) carried the Oilers to the postseason. Another big factor in their success: Swapping out coach Dave Tippett with interim coach Jay Woodcroft in February, which turned around several metrics for Edmonton.
The Kings were one of the surprises of the NHL, making the playoffs for the first time since 2018. It was the veterans who led the way, including centers Anze Kopitar and Phillip Danault as well as a resurgent season from goalie Jonathan Quick. One bummer for this matchup: Kings star defenseman Drew Doughty is out for the season with a wrist injury. They could use him here.
The Leafs haven't won a playoff series since 2004 -- including last season's stunning first-round loss to Montreal -- and are searching for their first Stanley Cup win since 1967. They have MVP favorite Auston Matthews centering a dominant line with Mitch Marner and 26-year-old rookie Michael Bunting. They also have questions about their goaltending and postseason fortitude.
This is the most compelling playoff series of the first round, full stop. Especially when you consider what the fallout in Toronto could be if the Leafs go out in the opening round for the sixth straight season.
What are the other matchups in the East?
Florida Panthers (No. 1, Atlantic Division) vs. Washington Capitals (second wild card). The high-octane Panthers take on the Capitals, who watched superstar Alex Ovechkin miss the last few games of the regular season after injuring his shoulder on a slide into the boards. If he's not 100 percent, Washington is in trouble; then again, given the state of their goaltending and the Panthers' offense, they're in trouble anyway.
Carolina Hurricanes (No. 1, Metro Division) vs. Boston Bruins (first wild card). The Hurricanes had their most successful season as a franchise (116 points) thanks to a balanced offensive attack and outstanding goaltending from Frederik Andersen, who unfortunately suffered a late-season injury that could impact his status for this series. The Bruins no longer have playoff mainstays in goalie Tuukka Rask (who retired) and center David Krejci (who left to play in Czech Republic). But they still have a core of Patrice Bergeron (a pending free agent), Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy, supported by a cast that includes Taylor Hall and Hampus Lindholm. The Bruins have eliminated the Hurricanes in two of the past three postseasons.
New York Rangers (No. 2, Metro Division) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (No. 3, Metro Division). The Rangers are in a first-round series for the first time since 2017 thanks in large part to Igor Shesterkin, the 26-year-old goalie who should win the Vezina Trophy in a walk, and could get serious MVP consideration as well. But it's not a one-man show; the Rangers have also gotten tremendous seasons from forwards Artemi Panarin (96 points), Mika Zibanejad (81 points), Chris Kreider (52 goals) and last year's Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox. Their window to win his just opening.
The Penguins, meanwhile, are trying to keep theirs propped open. Sidney Crosby (84 points in 69 games) was their MVP, in a season that could be the last ride for the Pittsburgh core: Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Bryan Rust are among the team's pending free agents. One point of concern: Goalie Tristan Jarry, outstanding in the regular season, has a broken foot and his availability for this series could be impacted. Casey DeSmith would have the crease in his absence.
So who wins the Stanley Cup?
Better question: How will the Stanley Cup be won? If the playoffs continue the offensive bonanza of the regular season, that will favor teams like the Panthers and the Leafs. (And keep in mind that if Florida wins, that means 24-year veteran Joe Thornton lifts the Cup for the first time.)
If the postseason reverts back to the tight-checking, low-event hockey as is playoff tradition, perhaps it favors teams like the Flames and Hurricanes. Then you have a team like the Lightning, who have shown in the past two seasons that they can win in either manner.
No one knows what to expect, which is the unique charm of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Well, that and a championship trophy that can be used as both a champagne glass and a beer mug. Take that, Larry O'Brien Trophy!
If Game 1 was any indication of how the rest of the second-round series between the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors will be, then we're in for a treat. In a back-and-forth battle that came down to the very last possession of the game, the Warriors were ultimately able to prevail with a 117-116 win to take a 1-0 lead.
The Warriors were able to win despite the fact that Draymond Green was ejected in the second quarter for a flagrant foul that the referees found to be egregious enough to kick him out. Without Green for the second half, Golden State had to dig deep, and was able to do just that. Jordan Poole led the Warriors with 31 points, nine assists and eight rebounds off the bench. Steph Curry had 24 points and four assists, and Andrew Wiggins added 17 points and eight rebounds.
On the other side, the Grizzlies got major contributions from their two young stars. Ja Morant led all scorers with 34 points along with 10 assists and nine rebounds, and Jaren Jackson Jr. had a double-double with 33 points and 10 rebounds. Ultimately, though, their combined production wasn't quite enough to propel Memphis to a Game 1 win.
The Grizzlies will now have to regroup and look to bounce back in Game 2 on Tuesday night. Before moving ahead to that game, though, here's a look at four takeaways from Golden State's Game 1 win.
1. Poole party
Poole was Golden State's best player on Sunday afternoon, and his production was a major factor in their victory. Steve Kerr opted not to start Poole, but that didn't diminish his overall playing time as he ended up playing a team-high 38 minutes in the game. In those 38 minutes, Poole dropped 31 points on 12-of-20 shooting from the floor, and he also grabbed eight rebounds. In addition to his scoring, Poole's playmaking was also huge for the Warriors, as his nine assists were also a team high.
Poole's presence makes the Warriors especially dangerous this postseason, and you saw exactly why in Game 1. None of Curry, Klay Thompson or Green had an especially great game, and in the past the Warriors likely would have lost such a contest. Now, though, Poole was there to kind of offset the struggles of the star trio. Without him, the Warriors would have dropped this one. Ultimately, it doesn't matter if Poole starts or not as long as he's logging major minutes and helping his team win.
2. Morant and Jackson make Grizzlies history
Memphis didn't get the win, but its young star duo of Morant and Jackson did make some major franchise history as they became the first pair of teammates in Grizzlies history to each score 30 points in a playoff game.
It's a pretty impressive feat given the talent that the Grizzlies have had on their roster in the past. The bad news for Memphis obviously is that it wasn't able to get a win even with Morant and Jackson making history. Moving forward in the series, the Grizzlies will need a bit more from the rest of the roster.
3. Kerr bolsters postseason resume
Kerr is no stranger to postseason basketball, and more importantly, he's no stranger when it comes to winning in the postseason. With Golden State's victory in Game 1, Kerr climbed up to ninth on the NBA's all-time playoff wins list with 82, passing K.C. Jones in the process.
Kerr now sits seven wins behind Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who is eighth all-time. It might be hard for Kerr to catch up to Spoelstra this postseason given that Spoelstra's Heat are also still playing, but Kerr certainly has a real chance to move up into the top five before all is said and done.
4. Young talent on full display
The NBA's young talent was on full display in Game 1. Three players in the game scored 30-plus points (Morant, Jackson and Poole) and all three of those guys are 22 years old. That marks the first time in NBA postseason history that three players age 22 or younger all had 30 points in the same game.
With players like Morant, Jackson and Poole, the league is clearly in good hands moving forward.
Asked if his No. 8 Chevrolet received damage following two on-track incidents, Reddick offered the most candid response.
“Oh yeah. Back bumper, the right side. I’m pretty sure I’ve wet myself in the seat a few times so we’re gonna have to put a new insert in it too,” Reddick said with a laugh. “More to come.”
Reddick may have been able to joke away some of his struggles, but the crashes justified early nerves expressed by the drivers even before they got onto the racetrack.
Last week’s winner Ross Chastain and defending series champion Kyle Larson both expressed uneasiness before hopping into their cars for practice Saturday.
“I think probably all us drivers are a little nervous before we go out for this practice session …,” Larson said. “It’s been edgy, and this place is already naturally edgy getting into the corner, so I think we could see some cars crash but it’s pretty cold and should hopefully have more grip than if it was hotter.”
Reddick spun once and later contacted the wall exiting Turn 2 while following Ty Dillon. The two-time Xfinity champion was less than pleased with his car.
“As of right now, I just need to survive the race,” Reddick said. “I mean I’m not even gonna make the end of Stage 1 the way this weekend’s been going for us.
“Something’s really, really wrong. I like things that are hard to drive, but this is beyond that.”
Byron and Bilicki suffered the hardest hits and will start Sunday’s race in backup cars. In Group A’s session, Bilicki got loose at the exit of Turn 2 and slammed into the inside wall nose-first, destroying the front of the No. 77 Chevrolet.
Byron crashed at the beginning of Group B’s session, when an overconfident drive into Turn 3 sent the No. 24 Chevrolet sideways and slamming into the Turn 3 wall. Byron took full blame for his crash but noted the aerodynamic changes from the previous car to the Next Gen car still provide a learning curve.
“This track is one of those that you rely on downforce the most. Downforce and sideforce,” Byron said. “So the fact that we have no sideforce on entry now with a symmetrical car, it’s the place where that’s going to be the biggest penalty. Not surprised that it happened, but there’s a lot of things I could’ve done to not make it happen.”
Erik Jones, who qualified 25th, fears passing will be a significant challenge Sunday.
“It’s always tough to pass here,” Jones said. “And seeing what we’ve struggled with a bit. I don’t know, hopefully we can pass. I mean I hope we can pass. I just think it’s going to be tough (Sunday) for sure with as edgy as the cars are and the way Dover’s raced the last few years, it’s going to be tough.”
Logano’s TV time no small factor
Of the 10 Xfinity Series races this season, Joey Logano has joined FOX Sports to broadcast seven. The only ones he missed were Daytona, Martinsville and Talladega.
To contribute to the television side of NASCAR has been a conscious decision for Logano, who at age 31 is already in his 14th full-time Cup season.
“It’s something I would like to do some day when I retire,” Logano said, “but I’ve got a long ways before that. Not too soon, but I enjoy doing it while I can.”
Logano is also keen on contributing to the growth of NASCAR in part of creating what he hopes is one day a Hall of Fame career.
“To me, that’s what a Hall of Famer is, right? And a goal of mine is to be in the Hall of Fame,” said Logano, the 2018 Cup champion. “I don’t believe you are a Hall of Famer if you just win races and leave. That’s just taking and not making the sport a better place than it was when you got there. That, to me, is how you define a Hall of Famer.
“Everyone has their own ways of defining what that is, but I think if you’ve found a way to make the sport better than it was when you got here for the next generation, that’s deserving.”
Toyota talks continue for Busch
One week after stirring controversy over whether he would return to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2023, Kyle Busch said he, Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota spoke further this past week.
Toyota Racing Development President David Wilson told NBC Sports last week Busch’s comments left him a “little disappointed,” but Busch indicated all parties have cleared the air.
Busch, who wore a T-shirt with the word, “clickbait,” sprawled across his chest, was asked at Talladega where he stood in contract discussions with JGR: “I’m not getting antsy about it. If it happens, it happens. If it don’t, it don’t. Goodbye.”
“It frustrates me that short comments are sometimes taken out of context,” Busch said at Dover. “I answered the questions and didn’t elaborate, and it takes elaboration to kind of fully tell a story. So you can tell the story as you want with less words.”
“Lot of stories this week,” he added, clearing his throat and gesturing to his T-shirt.
Each team on today’s slate is elite in its own right and our crew of NBA analysts betting tonight’s double-header in four different ways. Check out our Sunday best bets below.
Austin Wang: After completing a first round sweep of the Brooklyn Nets, the Boston Celtics look dangerous and poised to make a push for the championship. The road continues on Sunday against the defending champions, Milwaukee Bucks.
They completed the sweep on Monday evening, so they’ve had an opportunity to get an extra few days of rest. This is crucial as Robert Williams III is still recovering from a torn meniscus and Jaylen Brown is nursing a hamstring injury.
The big news on the Bucks’ front is Khris Middleton will likely be absent this entire series with a Grade 2 sprained MCL. Middleton is a beast on both sides of the ball. The Bucks may still have been able to squeak by the Bulls in Round 1, but this is a huge step in class from the Bulls to the Celtics.
The Celtics are the top-rated defensive team in the league, and have found their touch on the offensive side of the ball, finishing the season eighth in Offensive Rating. The Bucks have struggled with their defense and I don’t anticipate they will have the same success as they did vs. Chicago.
The Celtics have been very good against the spread versus the Bucks in recent seasons. They are 9-1 ATS in this matchup dating back to the 2019-2020 season, per our Bet Labs tool. In addition, the Celtics won and covered in all four games at home during this same timeframe.
The Bucks are 2-5 straight up and 0-7 ATS in their last seven Game 1s, dating back to the 2019-2020 season. They have struggled in this spot and I see this trend continuing.
The Celtics are the healthier, more well-rested team with the better defense. I’m taking Boston to come out and assert their dominance against the defending champs. I’m playing this at -4.5 and would play it up to -5.
Matt Moore: The Bucks always start slow. It’s bizarre, but true. In Game 1s under Mike Budenholzer, the Bucks team total has gone under in nine of out of 10 games. Milwaukee has shot five percentage points below expectation in all those games. They quite simply miss the looks they should hit in these games. It even extends to unimpressive teams like Chicago in the first round. The only time they went over their team total was against the Pistons in the first round back in 2019.
Meanwhile, the Celtics are the best defense in the league with a switch-heavy scheme that will make life difficult for the the Bucks without Khris Middleton.
In the range of outcomes, the Bucks can win a grind-it-out defensive battle and can lose something similar or in a blowout but it’s very unlikely they put up a big number on the Boston defense, in Boston, in this Game 1.
Joe Dellera: Grayson Allen has been an absolute savage without Khris Middleton this year and has continued to thrive during the playoffs.
On the season he sees a significant uptick in his usage and scoring without Middleton. He jumps from 9.3 PPG with him to 17.9 PPG without him and he’s coming off of 13, 27, 22 against the Bulls in the three games Middleton missed.
This Celtics’ defense is much better than the Bulls’ but they still allow 3-point attempts at about a league average rate, and he will have Giannis and Jrue Holiday taking the attention off of him.
His points prop is currently at 10.5 after being immediately bet up from 9.5. He has cleared this line in 13-of-16 games without Middleton, and it’s simply too low for this game against the Celtics. Trust him to do so even against Boston’s league leading defense.
Brandon Anderson: The Grizzlies were the last team to survive Round 1, and that may be telling. Memphis struggled to put Minnesota away and looked the inferior team much of the series. Credit the Grizzlies for three double-digit comebacks, but Memphis also dug itself that deep hole repeatedly and that part matters too.
It also matters that Memphis just gutted out a win late Friday night before a Sunday afternoon tip. The Warriors are rested and have had time to prepare for this matchup, while the Grizz had very little time to recover or look ahead. Golden State’s offense is especially good early in series, before teams have a chance to adjust to all the movement and cutting. This is not the team you want to face on short rest or preparation.
Golden State turnovers will be a problem this series, no doubt. But I’m not sure where else Memphis has a real advantage. The Grizzlies really struggled to score against the Wolves when it wasn’t in transition or second chance. Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks shot 42% on a combined 24 2-point attempts per game. That is bad offense. If Memphis couldn’t score on Minnesota, how in the world will the Grizzlies score on this elite Warriors defense?
The numbers are not kind to teams on short rest on Game 1, at home or not. If this game were in San Francisco, the Warriors would be huge favorites and a threat to run away in front of a home crowd. Memphis doesn’t have to travel and gets the home advantage, but that swing might just be buying us value on the Warriors since we get this under a bucket.
Going from Minnesota to Golden State will be jarring, and multiple steps up the ladder for Memphis. I like the Warriors to get the job done in Game 1 and take control of the series early. I’m also looking to play the Warriors on the series. You can parlay a Game 1 and series win for +115 at DraftKings. I also like playing both Warriors to win in five (+450) and six (+280). Memphis is good to to get swept but I’m not sure they get this to seven either.
If the Warriors use this rest advantage to grab Game 1, they control the series going forward with Games 3, 4, and 6 coming with that huge Oracle home court advantage. If you like Golden State here, you have to like them in the series too.
Moore: Despite Memphis significantly more money than the ticket count, which indicates big money coming in on the Grizzlies, the line has moved a full point at some books from -1.5 to -2.5, indicating that the money that matters, sharp money, is moving it towards Golden State.
That’s probably in part because of how Golden State has looked fully healthy. the way the Grizzlies underperformed vs. the Wolves, and the tactical problems that the Warriors’ switch-all defense will provide.
But a bigger issue might simply be rest. According to Bet Labs, underdogs in Game 1 coming off two days between games are 17-21 (44%) ATS. Dogs are also 13-39 straight up in those Game 1’s, though this does mark just the third time since 2003 that the home team in a Game 1 with two days off has been a dog.
Steve Kerr is 13-10 ATS all-time in Game 1s. Ja Morant openly said after Game 6 Friday night that he and the team were tired. This is a choice spot for the Warriors to jump on Memphis and take home-court right from the start of the series.
LAS VEGAS -- Shakur Stevenson jogged around the ring with his hands held high as the seconds ticked away on the biggest night of his career.
For 12 rounds, he practically played with Oscar Valdez in what turned out to be an utter mismatch in the ESPN main event Saturday night before 10,102 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Stevenson is simply that good.
He used an excellent southpaw jab, one of the best weapons in boxing, to keep Valdez at range and set up his own powerful left hand to the body. The unanimous-decision victory by scores of 118-109, 117-110 and 118-109 handed Stevenson a second title at 130 pounds.
"I'm a superstar in this sport," said Stevenson, 24. "I want to collect all the belts at 130 and become undisputed. I deserve to be a superstar, so that's what I gotta do."
Stevenson (18-0, 9 KOs) floored Valdez in Round 6 with a cuffing right hook that sent him stumbling into the ropes before a second right hand knocked him to the canvas when he was already off-balance.
The defensive-minded Stevenson pressed forward and unloaded power shots in an attempt to finish the fight, but Valdez survived, just as he did when he suffered knockdowns in three previous bouts.
"I told myself, 'I'm gonna shut [Valdez's fans] up,' and as the fight went on I heard crickets," Stevenson said.
Valdez (30-1, 23 KOs) simply couldn't find his way past Stevenson's jab. The hand speed and size disparity also made matters tough for Valdez, who usually threw one punch at a time, whereas Stevenson strung together combinations.
Valdez seemingly searched for one fight-ending haymaker, like the one he scored in February 2021 to knock out Miguel Berchelt and win the WBC junior lightweight title, but that sort of shot never came close to materializing.
"He was just the better fighter this night," said Valdez, 31. "He did what he had to do to win the fight. He's a great fighter. His speed is there, power is there."
Valdez lunged forward behind a high guard and caught many of Stevenson's shots on his gloves, but every time he inched closer, Stevenson took a step backward and unleashed a few more jabs. Stevenson often mixed in a straight left to the body, a punch that scored over and over.
Another left to the midsection stunned Valdez in Round 10, but Stevenson was far more patient this time, content to pile up rounds en route to the decision win.
The career-best performance followed Stevenson's win over Jamel Herring in October, which marked his first fight against a reigning titleholder. Against Herring, Stevenson used an aggressive attack that featured plenty of pressure on his way to a 10th-round TKO victory.
The win made Stevenson a two-division champion -- like Valdez, he also won a title at 126 pounds -- and established him as ESPN's No. 1 boxer at 130 pounds. Valdez previously was rated No. 1 but was removed from the rankings after he tested positive for the banned substance phentermine.
Despite the adverse finding in August, Valdez was allowed to defend his title against Robson Conceicao in September, a fight he won via unanimous decision.
"I'm not a cheater. Never have been. Never needed it," Valdez told ESPN's Mark Kriegel in September. "A lot of people saying, 'You're a cheater. You're using steroids. You came back positive.' It's just, it's heartbreaking for me."
Now, Valdez must contend with the first loss of his professional career, but he could find his way to another title shot soon. Stevenson holds two of the division's four belts and said he aims to become undisputed junior lightweight champion. It's also possible, Stevenson said, that he will move up to lightweight for his next fight.
At 135 pounds, he could find himself matched with Devin Haney in the future. Haney is set to fight George Kambosos for the undisputed lightweight championship June 4 in Australia. Haney was ringside in Las Vegas after signing a multifight deal with Top Rank, the company that promotes both Valdez and Stevenson.
"Devin is definitely a huge fight for me; Devin is a helluva fighter. We can line it up in the future," said Stevenson, an Olympic silver medalist from Newark, New Jersey.
He added: "You line 'em up, name 'em, I'm ready for whoever."
