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Takeaways: Flyers Back on Track With a Win Over Panthers

There are wins that look good on the stat sheet, and then there are wins that feel like something. The Philadelphia Flyers’ 4–2 victory over the Florida Panthers was both—a night where resilience, structure, and just enough swagger turned what could’ve been a miserable road trip into a momentum-builder.

Down 2–0 against a team that punishes mistakes for fun, the Flyers didn’t fold. They climbed, they pushed, they clawed back, and they took two points in regulation for their NHL-leading 10th comeback win of the season. 

1. Emil Andrae, Take a Bow!

Emil Andrae has been in a weird spot with the Flyers this season—he's proven that he's an NHL-caliber defenseman, but there always seemed to something that kept him getting shuffled between Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley.

Why the Time is Now for Emil Andrae to Cement His Place in the FlyersWhy the Time is Now for Emil Andrae to Cement His Place in the Flyers<i><b>(Header/feature image courtesy of Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)</b></i>

Currently, he's has made consistent displays of smart exits, confident puck touches, and little hesitation to get involved physically. Against Florida, however, he really popped.

The 23-year-old defenseman scored his first goal of the season—and the Flyers' first goal of the game—kicking off a night that can comfortably be described as "the Emil Andrae game."

After his goal came the assist on Matvei Michkov’s tally (which was initially credited as a second goal for Andrae). It was a perfect encapsulation of what Andrae can be when he’s reading the game at NHL speed: a connector, a stabilizer, a creator.

And maybe most importantl, after a tough night in Tampa on Monday, Andrae showed that he's more than capable of bouncing back in style. 

2. Shifting From “Reactive” to “Self-Correcting,” and That’s a Major Step in Their Development Curve.

The Flyers love a comeback (partially evidenced by going to overtime nine times out of the 22 games they've played so far this season), but this one didn't come because of some lucky bounces. In a video posted to Flyers socials, head coach Rick Tocchet emphasized how he doesn't want to hear anything about "stealing these two points" because "we earned them."

He's entirely correct. This Flyers team has become incredibly adept at identifying shortcomings in their game, and making tangible strides to fix them promptly and without much fuss. Wednesday night looked like a team applying adjustments collaboratively.

Not only are they identifying and fixing issues from game to game and period to period, they're becoming better and better at adjusting in real time—mid-period, mid-shift. That’s what matters. That’s what good teams do. And it’s the clearest sign yet that Rick Tocchet’s influence is settling into the group’s muscle memory.

3. Just What the Doctor Ordered After Tampa Bay.

The loss to the Lightning was flat. It was the kind of performance that can snowball on a long road trip if you let it.

The Flyers didn’t let it.

They corrected what mattered—generated consistent offense, stayed connected defensively, didn’t break under pressure, and scored on their chances instead of waiting around for the perfect play.

This game could’ve spiraled after going down 2–0. Instead, the Flyers did what they’ve done all year: they got up. They responded. They dictated the final 40 minutes of hockey against the reigning Cup champs.

And winning in regulation against Florida? That’s not just two points—that’s a tone-setter for the rest of the trip.

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9 things New York sports fans can be thankful for on Thanksgiving

Gratitude is the buzzword of this part of the holiday season and that applies in New York sports fandom, too. Even if some of our major area teams are as disappointing as that bland green bean casserole your aunt always brings to Thanksgiving dinner. 

But we do have a so-called "big four" team with genuine championship hopes in the Knicks, an already-crowned champ in Gotham FC, a raucous baseball offseason in bloom, two of the best offensive players in baseball history, young pitchers with seemingly-limitless potential, and more. 

Our cup of Thanksgiving cheer runneth over, no? So let’s celebrate our annual tradition – here are nine things for New York sports fans to be thankful for. Read it and eat. 

Title town? 

The Knicks are really good. Don’t be afraid to embrace it, even if they haven’t soared to the top of the East just yet. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns are a fabulous guard-big duo, Josh Hart is a living, breathing blue-and-orange energy drink and the team can really "score the basketball," one of our favorite guilty-pleasure nonsense sports phrases. The Knicks are poised for another deep playoff run. Sure would be fun if it went further than last season’s Eastern Conference Finals loss.

Getting it right (field)

Both the Mets and Yankees have all-timers manning right field these days in Juan Soto and Aaron Judge. Yes, they’ve both been on this list before. But you don’t stop serving stuffing at Thanksgiving, do you? We need consistency here, just like you need it at a holiday feast. Soto and Judge are our New York sports anchors – whatever crazy stuff happens on the playing fields, courts and ice in this town, we can rely on them for Cooperstown-worthy numbers and callbacks to Ted Williams and Babe Ruth. Last season, Soto led MLB in walks and topped the NL in steals (!) and on-base percentage and also swatted 43 homers. Judge, who won his third MVP in the last four years, led MLB in average, on-base, slugging, and OPS, and also bashed 53 homers. Keep it up, fellas. 

Sep 2, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Nolan McLean (26) delivers in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.
Sep 2, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Nolan McLean (26) delivers in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. / David Reginek - Imagn Images

Young ace city

The Mets have Nolan McLean. The Yankees have Cam Schlittler. Both were so impressive last season in their first taste of the majors that it’s prompted all kinds of long-term dreaming for this pair of talented pitchers. Starting the MLB All-Star Game against each other someday? How about Game 7 of a real Subway Series? OK, maybe we’re getting ahead of ourselves. But did you see what McLean, a spin-rate savant, did in fashioning a 2.06 ERA in eight starts? Or how Schlittler destroyed the Red Sox in the deciding game of a playoff series? 

Made of Stearns stuff

Did Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns have a good 2025 season? No, not really. Soto worked out nicely, though. The rest of his moves? Eh. Stearns’ Mets were a huge disappointment. But he’s on this list because it’s clear after the Brandon Nimmo trade that Stearns is going to give us a compelling offseason as he remakes the Mets with his run-prevention vision. The Mets’ hot stove will be, well, hot. We love that sort of thing. The Mets need help in all categories, from offense to defense to starting pitching and the bullpen. They’ve got hard choices looming on big-name incumbents such as Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz, too. Will Stearns’ moves work this time? We don’t know. But we can’t wait to see what happens. 

The kid is alright (and then some)

Matthew Schaefer turned only 18 in September and he’s already one of the most talked-about players in the NHL because of the impact he’s had on the Islanders. The top overall draft pick in 2025 is a smooth, brilliant skater with offensive flair. They are chanting his name at UBS Arena, his ice time is soaring, and folks can’t decide whether the better defenseman comp is Denis Potvin or Bobby Orr. Lofty company! Earlier this year, Schaefer became the youngest defenseman in NHL history to notch a multi-goal game. Who’s mark did he beat? Orr’s. We are watching the beginning of something really special. 

New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (44) reacts after a play against the Denver Broncos during the second half at Empower Field at Mile High
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (44) reacts after a play against the Denver Broncos during the second half at Empower Field at Mile High / Ron Chenoy - Imagn Images

Energy twins

Cam Skattebo is out for the year and Jaxson Dart has missed time with a concussion, but the two rookies have injected hope and fun into the Giants, despite the team’s horrendous won-loss record. We’re still talking about Skattebo, even though he’s not on the field, thanks to his recent pro wrestling cameo. (BTW, you don’t have to be outraged about everything, grumps). And we can’t wait until he’s back on the gridiron. Dart, meanwhile, has been so good that the Giants just might have found their long-term answer at quarterback. In the NFL, that’s something big, even if everything else needs a lotta work.

Jet fuel?

There’s not much to go ga-ga over in terms of what’s happening on the field for the Jets, which you know full well if you’ve been watching the games. But we are dreamers, aren’t we? That’s why Gang Green’s fans should be grateful for the team’s upcoming cornucopia of draft capital. The Jets have two first-round picks in the next draft, including, presumably, a very high one once they play out this loss-filled string. And they have three more first-rounders coming in the following draft. If they nail a bunch of those picks, including a quarterback, who knows what might be next? Hoping might not make it so, but draft picks could.

Champions league

We love winners in New York, right? Only had a few recently, though, but we’re lucky that Gotham FC is the local entrant in the National Women’s Soccer League. They just became the lowest seed ever – they were eighth – to win the NWSL title with a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit. Rose Lavelle scored the game’s lone goal and it was enough to send the club down Broadway in a championship procession that also saw the players get keys to the city. It was Gotham’s second title in the last three seasons. All hail Gotham FC.

Cole brewing

Gerrit Cole won’t be ready for the start of the baseball season as he finishes injury recovery. But he should be back in the Yankees rotation at some point -- and it’s a welcome return for those who appreciate masters of their craft. Cole, a thinking fan’s ace, will be pitching at 35 after missing an entire season. It’ll be fascinating to watch how he navigates that while potentially giving the rotation a mighty 1-2 punch with Max Fried.

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NBA Minutes Report: Tyler Herro and Brandon Miller return to shake up their rotations

Welcome to the Fantasy Basketball Minutes Report. Every week, I will be going through each team's updated minutes per game to see which players are seeing the court more or less than in previous weeks. With this information in hand, I'll try to discuss any relevant fantasy risers or fallers; players who we should be adding off waivers or removing from our teams.

The charts below are also great for exploring on your own. You can track the minutes over the last three games, five games, ten games, and for the entire season to see what trends stand out to you.

All of this data was made accessible by Kyle Bland, who is incredibly talented and also incredibly generous, so make sure to give him a follow to check out all of his baseball data as well.

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Utah Jazz
2025-26 Fantasy Basketball Top 200 Rankings: Kawhi Leonard returns, and should we trust Lauri Markkanen?
Check out the latest fantasy basketball rankings update as December approaches.

Atlanta Hawks

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Nickeil Alexander-Walker35.535.432.9
Jalen Johnson34.736.235.5
Dyson Daniels32.833.333.2
Kristaps Porziņģis27.42826.7
Onyeka Okongwu27.228.329.4
Zaccharie Risacher24.723.724.5
Vít Krejčí24.52826.9
Mouhamed Gueye20.617.417.5
Luke Kennard19.418.118.1

Zaccharie Risacher returned from a brief absence last week, and Kristaps Porzingis has also gone back to his regular allotment of minutes, so the only real missing piece remains Trae Young. Meanwhile, Nickeil Alexander-Walker has taken a major leap with Young out, averaging 20 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game over his last eight games, making him a top-60 fantasy player. Porzingis, Oneya Okongwu, and Jalen Johnson also continue to deliver, and the Hawks have been playing well without Young.

Boston Celtics

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Jaylen Brown34.434.833
Payton Pritchard34.234.232.2
Derrick White33.434.433.5
Jordan Walsh25.724.323.7
Anfernee Simons22.32122.3
Sam Hauser19.617.519.2
Neemias Queta17.522.824.4
Josh Minott15.315.318.2

It seems like Josh Minott has started to cede some of his minutes in the rotation, which makes some sense since he's not really been producing much of the last couple of weeks. Neemias Queta is dealing with an ankle injury, whch is why his minutes have dipped, but he's been solid with 10.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game over the last two weeks. You don't really need to consider anybody in fantasy here other than Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard.

Brooklyn Nets

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Noah Clowney37.833.131
Michael Porter Jr.32.43333
Nic Claxton30.830.530.8
Egor Dëmin28.525.723.6
Terance Mann2425.726.3
Tyrese Martin23.62322.4
Ziaire Williams21.925.324.9
Drake Powell19.920.621.8
Day'Ron Sharpe17.21715.9

Cam Thomas remains out until the middle of December, but the Nets haven't made any major changes to their rotation. Egor Dëmin is starting to see more minutes but is averaging 8.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists over the last two weeks, so there are still major gains to be made before he really impacts what's happening on the court. Noah Clowney has been heating up in his extra minutes, putting up 18.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game over his last six. There's not much for fantasy basketball managers there besides points and blocks, but he's been inching closer to top-100 territory.

Charlotte Hornets

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Miles Bridges33.234.736
Kon Knueppel32.735.135.7
Brandon Miller26.626.626.6
Sion James26.425.528.3
LaMelo Ball2626.726.8
Collin Sexton25.525.925.8
Moussa Diabaté21.921.925
Ryan Kalkbrenner19.322.923.8
Tre Mann18.816.722.4

The Hornets are getting healthy again with Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball and Collin Sexton all back in the lineup. Ryan Kalkbrenner dealt with a small injury earlier in the week, but he's now back on the floor as well. That has meant fewer minutes for Tre Mann and a slight dip for Kon Knueppel who has been outside the top 100 over the last week (it's just a three-game sample size). Miles Bridges has also seen a bit of a usage hit since Miller and Ball came back, but all three of those guys, plus Knueppel, need to be rostered in all fantasy formats.

Chicago Bulls

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Josh Giddey33.632.434
Coby White33.331.331.1
Ayo Dosunmu31.228.626.7
Tre Jones23.923.927.8
Nikola Vučević23.827.529.6
Jalen Smith23.219.918.7
Matas Buzelis23.123.426.2
Patrick Williams22.918.920.6
Isaac Okoro16.920.825.6
Kevin Huerter14.61924.5

Kevin Huerter is dealing with a pelvic issue, which explains his minutes decrease, and Isaac Okoro is battling a back injury, so that's why his minutes have dropped. As a result, we've seen more Ayo Dosunmu and Jalen Smith. Dosunmnu is mostly a scorer off the bench, averaging 17.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists over his last seven games. Tre Jones has come back fro his own ankle injury and stepped into a larger role, putting up 10 points and 11 assists in 28 minutes on Monday.

Cleveland Cavaliers

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Donovan Mitchell33.534.135
Evan Mobley33.534.434.9
Lonzo Ball29.726.924
De'Andre Hunter28.828.429.6
Darius Garland282825
Jaylon Tyson27.827.829
Nae'Qwan Tomlin21.819.419.3
Dean Wade21.324.223.2
Sam Merrill—27.927.2
Jarrett Allen—26.524.7

Sam Merrill is dealing with a hand injury, and Jarrett Allen has a finger injury, so they have both missed time of late; however, Allen was also seeing his minutes reduced a little bit with the Cavs leaning more on Evan Mobley. No player has really stepped up in the rotation over the last few weeks, but Mobley is doing well with his increased usage, posting 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game over the last two weeks, which is top-60 value in fantasy leagues. Darius Garland also returned for two games but then sat out one as he continues to manage a toe injury, so we may have to expect that kind of cautious usage over the next week or so.

Dallas Mavericks

P.J. Washington34.632.429.4
Cooper Flagg33.231.634.8
Max Christie282830
Brandon Williams2725.126.7
Daniel Gafford26.926.325.8
Naji Marshall24.926.328.8
Klay Thompson21.421.623.2
Dereck Lively II17.917.816.2
D'Angelo Russell9.818.920.7
Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis was back at practice on Wednesday and may be coming back soon. I recorded a video on what that could mean for Dereck Lively, Daniel Gafford, and P.J. Washington, so you can check that out here. Brandon Williams has also been a top-100 player over the last two weeks, averaging 12.3 points, 5.9 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game, so he can be rostered in more places.

Denver Nuggets

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Jamal Murray38.237.736.4
Nikola Jokić36.536.534.6
Cameron Johnson35.335.128.7
Peyton Watson33.833.929.6
Tim Hardaway Jr.28.324.924.1
Bruce Brown25.325.125.3
Spencer Jones20.115.414.8
Aaron Gordon3.417.926.1
Christian Braun26.1

The Nuggets are dealing with injuries to Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun, which has shaken up the rotation a bit. I think Cameron Johnson and Peyton Watson are the big winners here, and I covered that in this video I recorded this week. Gordon should be out another 4-5 weeks, so this is a situation to monitor.

Detroit Pistons

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Cade Cunningham34.934.636.6
Duncan Robinson30.431.331.5
Jalen Duren29.329.131.6
Ausar Thompson28.12729.2
Tobias Harris25.325.325.3
Isaiah Stewart21.22220.3
Caris LeVert19.919.320.3
Ronald Holland II14.118.322.6
Jaden Ivey13.913.913.9
Daniss Jenkins9.618.423

Tobias Harris and Jaden Ivey are back, which means the Daniss Jenkins fun is over. He played well and probably deserves a bigger role in this rotation, but it's simply not happening now that the team is healthy. Ivey is being eased in a bit more than Harris, which makes sense given the nature of his injury, but we should expect his role to grow a bit as the weeks go on. Harris is right back to averaging 14 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 block per game, which is about 130 on the fantasy player ranker. However, his return has also led to yet another dip in production for Ausar Thompson, who is averaging 9.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.3 steals in the three games than Harris has been back for.

Golden State Warriors

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Draymond Green34.133.228.8
Stephen Curry31.832.430.9
Jimmy Butler III31.733.331.7
Moses Moody29.230.628.5
Brandin Podziemski25.427.427.4
Quinten Post2220.916.7
Will Richard19.718.519.4
Al Horford18.122.621.6
Buddy Hield17.819.918

Jonathan Kuminga remains out and Steph Curry had a quad injury on Wednesday, so we'll need to keep an eye on that going forward. Al Horford is also dealing with sciatica, and I'm not sure I've ever seen two players miss games with sciatica in the same season before. The fringes of the rotation keep changing but nobody is really stepping up apart from Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green. This hasn't been a great start to the season for the Warriors.

Houston Rockets

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Amen Thompson39.539.538
Kevin Durant35.238.936.5
Jabari Smith Jr.35.235.933
Alperen Sengun35.137.636.3
Reed Sheppard33.630.527.6
Aaron Holiday23.42115.4
Josh Okogie21.418.820.6
Steven Adams19.823.721.5
JD Davison14147.4

Tari Eason remains out until the middle of December, and Steven Adams is dealing with an ankle injury. We also had Kevin Durant miss two games this week for personal reasons, which is why you see slight uptick in minutes for nearly everybody else in the rotation. Durant isn't expected to be out for much longer, so things should go back to normal by the end of this week.

Indiana Pacers

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Andrew Nembhard35.134.132.2
Pascal Siakam34.134.634.2
Bennedict Mathurin33.231.831.8
Ben Sheppard25.327.224.5
Jay Huff24.121.518.6
Jarace Walker23.62525.6
T.J. McConnell21.318.717.1
Isaiah Jackson20.420.820.2

Aaron Nesmith remains out, but the rest of the lineup is starting to get healthy. T.J. McConnell is starting to see his minutes tick up now that he's been back for about two weeks, and Jay Huff is starting to get consistent minutes as a big, averaging 8.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game over the last two weeks. That's elite rim protection, but not much else. Sadly, that has helped to cap Isaiah Jackson's minutes, and it doesn't appear that the breakout is coming.

NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers
Fantasy Basketball Week 2 Injury Report: Luka Dončić, Anthony Edwards headline the list of sidelined stars
The Pacers, Lakers and Thunder are among the teams with lengthy injury reports at the halfway point of Week 2.

Los Angeles Clippers

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
James Harden34.634.336.9
Ivica Zubac33.23334.2
John Collins29.828.327.6
Kris Dunn27.226.627.5
Kawhi Leonard272727
Kobe Sanders24.726.224
Nicolas Batum2219.120.8
Chris Paul16.516.716.7

Even though Derrick Jones Jr. remains out until the New Year and Bradley Beal is out for the season, the Clippers welcomed back Kawhi Leonard this week, which is a small boost. Kobe Sanders continues to play his normal allotment of minutes, even with Leonard back, and John Collins has remained in the starting lineup, but Collins hasn't been producing in that role. In fact, there's really nobody of interest here for fantasy purposes apart from Leonard, James Harden and Ivica Zubac.

Los Angeles Lakers

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Luka Dončić37.638.236.7
Austin Reaves36.236.734.7
LeBron James32.132.132.1
Rui Hachimura28.630.231.7
Deandre Ayton21.726.927.8
Jaxson Hayes2118.416.6
Jake LaRavia18.622.825.8
Marcus Smart18.222.326.6
Gabe Vincent18.118.118.1

LeBron James is back and now playing his full allotment of minutes. James, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves have all continued to produce together and should remain strong fantasy assets in 30+ minutes per night. For now, Rui Hachimura continues to start, and Marcus Smart has seen his minutes dip, but the Lakers may want Smart as an on-ball defender since they don't really have another one. Deandre Ayton missed a game on Wednesday and had to leave Monday's game early, so his minutes and Jaxson Hayes' minutes have been impacted by that short-term injury.

Memphis Grizzlies

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Jaylen Wells32.428.526.8
Jaren Jackson Jr.32.332.630.1
Santi Aldama30.629.128.2
Cedric Coward28.727.327.3
Vince Williams Jr.27.727.324.2
Cam Spencer23.923.922.6
Zach Edey22.323.323.6
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope21.420.320.6
Jock Landale1817.221.3

Ja Morant will be out for at least another week, which means we'll continue to see Vince Williams Jr. be a solid member of this rotation. He's averaging 7.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 9.8 assists, and 1.5 steals over his last six games, which makes him a top 50 player in fantasy. He should probably be added in most places until Morant is back. Santi Aldama has also started to pick up the pace of late, averaging 16.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game over the last two weeks. He was a trendy name heading into the season, so it's nice to see the production start to come. Zach Edey is currently dealing with a head injury but he shouldn't miss too much more time.

Miami Heat

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Andrew Wiggins31.332.934
Tyler Herro30.930.930.9
Davion Mitchell30.62830.3
Bam Adebayo30.229.729.7
Norman Powell29.127.830.8
Kel'el Ware28.626.628.3
Jaime Jaquez Jr.27.528.230
Pelle Larsson2727.126.7

Tyler Herro is back, but the Heat also played games without Andrew Wiggins and Norman Powell this week and Nikola Jović also continues to miss time, so we've yet to see this team at true full strength. We might need another week to see how this rotation truly shakes out.

Milwaukee Bucks

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Ryan Rollins35.234.933.1
Myles Turner31.231.931.3
AJ Green29.833.129.7
Gary Trent Jr.28.531.128.6
Kyle Kuzma24.226.928.4
Bobby Portis24.225.423.8
Andre Jackson Jr.18.118.19.1
Jericho Sims17.115.814.3
Giannis Antetokounmpo1331.6

Giannis Antetokounmpo feels like he's getting closer and closer to getting back onto the court, and we may even see him return this weekend. That would push Jericho Sims back out of the rotation and likely be a hit to Bobby Portis' usage since he has really picked it up over the last few games. Ryan Rollins continues to roll this season, and has been one of the bigger surprises in the league. He needs to be rostered in far more fantasy leagues since he's been a top 30 player all year.

Minnesota Timberwolves

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Anthony Edwards40.237.335.4
Jaden McDaniels3632.831.5
Rudy Gobert35.934.632.7
Julius Randle35.333.132.3
Donte DiVincenzo33.332.531.3
Naz Reid24.824.925.7
Mike Conley17.31918.9

Minnesota has probably had the most consistent lineup and rotation of any team in basketball this season. Not much is changing here.

New Orleans Pelicans

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Trey Murphy III35.135.335.2
Saddiq Bey33.727.729.8
Zion Williamson3130.230.2
Jeremiah Fears27.427.827.5
Yves Missi26.421.418.5
Jose Alvarado2522.822.8
Derik Queen2426.927.8
Micah Peavy22.719.816.3
Jordan Hawkins17.316.115.4

Jordan Poole remains out, and Dejounte Murray is out until January, so we're still getting a lot of Jeremiah Fears minutes, and he's been pretty solid, going for 16.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.5 steals per game over the last two weeks. Derik Queen continues to be one of the better rookie stories of the season, but he was on the bench for a lot of the second half on Monday as the team went with the "hot hand" approach, so his spot in the rotation still doesn't feel as solid as we want it to be.

New York Knicks

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Mikal Bridges35.836.435.1
Jalen Brunson34.534.634.1
Miles McBride34.432.325.9
Karl-Anthony Towns34.23433.4
Josh Hart33.432.929.5
Jordan Clarkson22.622.820.9
Mitchell Robinson16.918.517.3
Tyler Kolek16.316.39.9
Guerschon Yabusele12.412.811

The Knicks are still without OG Anunoby and Landry Shamet has a shoulder strain that will cost him a month, which means Tyler Kolek has joined the rotation over the last few games. We're still also getting plenty of run from Miles McBride and Jordan Clarkson off the bench, but the overall usage hasn't changed much, with Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mikal Bridges really dominanting things for the Knicks.

Oklahoma City Thunder

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander32.332.331.3
Cason Wallace28.427.927.6
Chet Holmgren27.12927.4
Isaiah Hartenstein24.725.525.8
Luguentz Dort24.426.826
Ajay Mitchell23.925.427.8
Isaiah Joe20.421.524.2
Alex Caruso18.218.816.9

We are inching closer and closer to Jalen Williams returning and then we'll see how this rotation truly chakes out. Things have remained pretty consistent in the interim

Orlando Magic

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Desmond Bane29.931.934.6
Franz Wagner29.330.934.5
Anthony Black28.229.327.4
Jalen Suggs23.726.427
Tristan da Silva2325.626.3
Wendell Carter Jr.21.827.630.3
Goga Bitadze19.317.216.6
Tyus Jones18.915.413.4
Paolo Banchero27.2

Paolo Banchero remains out for the Magic, which has led to a bump in minutes and usage for Anthony Blackthat I covered here. I think Black needs to remain a big part of this offense. Wendell Carter Jr. missed one game with an ankle injury, but has also played just 22 minutes per game in the last two games he did play as well, in part because Goga Bitadze has earned more minutes. That could become more of a committee job. Jalen Suggs was ejected on Tuesday, which is why his minutes total seems to have fallen in the last three games.

Philadelphia 76ers

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Tyrese Maxey38.338.938.5
VJ Edgecombe38.237.536.1
Quentin Grimes33.533.631.8
Justin Edwards28.725.321.6
Dominick Barlow26.623.624.5
Andre Drummond26.230.129.8
Paul George22.52222
Eric Gordon22.422.414.2
Jared McCain21.116.514

We know that Paul George is going to be on a minutes limit and likely won't play back-to-backs for a bit, but he's back on the court, which is nice. VJ Edgecombe is still playing big minutes despite dealing with a calf injury that could keep him out a bit, and we know that Joel Embiid and Kelly Oubre Jr. remain out for a bit longer. That has allowed Andre Drummond to keep playing enough minutes to be a borderline top 100 player with 9.3 points, 14.2 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game over his last six games. Tredon Watford also got hurt on Tuesday night and will be out two weeks, which could mean extra minutes for Dominick Barlow.

Phoenix Suns

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Devin Booker38.135.634.8
Dillon Brooks33.532.631.1
Royce O'Neale32.932.228.8
Collin Gillespie31.131.227
Mark Williams28.626.226
Jordan Goodwin27.926.923.6
Oso Ighodaro17.816.514.9
Ryan Dunn25.222.9
Grayson Allen25.9
Jalen Green6.8

Jalen Green, Grayson Allen, and Ryan Dunn are all out with injuries, so that has led to extra minutes for Jordan Goodwin and Collin Gillespie. Gillespie has looked pretty good of late, posting 16.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game over the last two weeks. That has been good for top 80 value in fantasy leagues. That production could dip as soon as this weekend when Allen and/or Dunn might return to the floor.

Portland Trail Blazers

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Deni Avdija31.634.434.1
Toumani Camara29.531.933.8
Jerami Grant29.231.129
Kris Murray27.626.925.5
Sidy Cissoko24.523.819.5
Donovan Clingan24.426.826.6
Shaedon Sharpe21.521.529.9
Caleb Love21.424.121.4
Robert Williams III17.818.715.9

Jrue Holiday will be out until the first week of December, and Scoot Henderson remains out til the end of December, so that has led to more minutes for guys like Sidy Cissoko and Caleb Love. Neither one of them is doing a lot with those minutes, and we've actually just seen Jerami Grant's usage tick up. It's been nice to see Donovan Clingan play well of late, averaging 13 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game over his last eight games.

Sacramento Kings

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Keegan Murray39.73838
DeMar DeRozan33.129.930.2
Zach LaVine33.131.131.2
Russell Westbrook29.827.927.5
Precious Achiuwa27.526.522.4
Malik Monk24.923.223.1
Dennis Schröder21.324.926.5
Drew Eubanks16.419.515.8
Keon Ellis15.918.517.5

Domantas Sabonis will be out for up to a month with a knee injury, and I covered all the repercussions of that in a video here.

San Antonio Spurs

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Harrison Barnes3533.531.5
Devin Vassell33.934.132.4
De'Aaron Fox32.633.133.5
Julian Champagnie31.228.826.6
Keldon Johnson26.726.624.3
Luke Kornet26.226.323.9
Jeremy Sochan16.81915.9
Dylan Harper16.516.516.5

Dylan Harper returned on Wednesday and should see his minutes tick back up as he gets healthier. Victor Wembanyama is also expected back next week, and Stephon Castle could be back as early as this weekend, so we should see the normal Spurs rotation back very soon.

Toronto Raptors

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Brandon Ingram37.134.434.5
Scottie Barnes36.134.933.6
Immanuel Quickley32.733.332.7
Jakob Poeltl29.227.628.4
Ja'Kobe Walter25.422.617.1
Jamal Shead21.620.220.4
Sandro Mamukelashvili21.420.119
RJ Barrett20.227.829.2
Gradey Dick12.514.216.2

RJ Barrett is dealing with a knee injury, which could keep him out until the middle of next week, if not longer. That has led to more minutes for Ja'Kobe Walker, but not much value. Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram are taking on a larger scoring role, and Jamal Shead has been doing a bit more facilitating, putting up 6.8 points and 8.0 assists over the last four games, which has him ranked around the top 130. Jakob Poeltl also seems to be turning the corner from his back injury, which has led to an uptick in minutes for him, but his usage is relatively low, so he's more of an asset for rebounds, and the Raptors will continue to monitor him on back-to-backs.

Utah Jazz

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Keyonte George35.737.334.7
Lauri Markkanen34.436.334.8
Ace Bailey27.323.224.4
Jusuf Nurkić25.728.828
Kyle Anderson23.621.818.5
Svi Mykhailiuk23.224.725.8
Kyle Filipowski20.720.821
Isaiah Collier19.12323.2

Not many changes here for the Jazz over the last week. Isaiah Collier was on a bit of a heater, but that run has started to dwindle, so his minutes have started to decrease a bit. Jusuf Nurkić continues to play consistent minutes with Walker Kessler out, and Kyle Filipowski will spike the odd good game, but there is not much here. Ace Bailey is averaging 15.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.7 steals over the last three games, so that has been a solid little upturn. He's a name to watch.

Washington Wizards

NameLast 3Last 5Last 10
Alex Sarr32.829.631
Kyshawn George32.433.532
CJ McCollum29.930.630.4
Bilal Coulibaly28.428.426.4
Khris Middleton27.627.525.9
Corey Kispert26.721.220.5
Bub Carrington20.719.824
Justin Champagnie19.616.313.5
Tre Johnson19.417.923
Marvin Bagley III23.716.7

Marvin Bagley III is battling a hip injury, as is Tre Johnson, which has caused them to miss time. Corey Kispert has seen an uptick in playing time and was shooting the lights out on Tuesday before he hurt his thumb. Few of the guys who have earned minutes because of that have done anything worth discussing, and this team really just revolved around breakouts from Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George and solid production from CJ McCollum, who is averaging 20.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists over his last six games.

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Champions League review: Arsenal erupt, PSV stun Liverpool and Benfica revive

Arsenal rout Bayern to stake a claim as Europe’s best, Liverpool spiral again, Benfica revive under Mourinho, and Estevão dazzles on a crowded week of stars

• Bayern Munich’s unbeaten run and claim to be the best team in European football were both punctured at the Emirates. Arsenalwere rampant against an opponent who have handed them so much pain in the past. The Gunners opened the scoring through their habitual set-piece goal, Jurriën Timber fulfilling the role of the absent Gabriel Magalhães. Lennart Karl, the 17-year-old, showed off his chops with a fine goal; from within Bayern have found the player they desired when they were thwarted in moving for Florian Wirtz. After that, Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze took control in midfield, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli scoring the goals, the latter a humiliation of Manuel Neuer’s sweeper-keeper stylings. Amid the fug of the extended Champions League group-stage format, where matches between elite clubs are routine rather than novelty, this was still a statement victory. “I think they had an incredible match against, in my opinion, the best team in Europe,” Mikel Arteta said of his players. That status surely now lies with his team: Arsenal top the group-stage table with a 100% record.

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Geraint Thomas lands new Ineos role as struggling team make major reshuffle

  • Retired rider to work closely with head of sport Brailsford

  • ‘This team has been my home since day one,’ says Thomas

Geraint Thomas has been appointed as the new director of racing at Ineos Grenadiers, a few weeks after retiring from competition at this year’s Tour of Britain. “This team has been my home since day one, and stepping into this role feels like a natural next step,” Thomas said.

The move by Thomas, who won the Tour de France in 2018, has been long-expected and comes after a major management reshuffle at Ineos Grenadiers, under which the sports directors Zak Dempster and Oli Cookson moved to the revamped Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe team.

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'He's Got Ice In His Veins': Easton Cowan Ends Scoring Draught With Game-Tying Goal In Maple Leafs' Overtime Win Over Blue Jackets

After demanding better out of himself last week, Easton Cowan showed everyone what type of player he can be when he's at his best with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

With less than seven minutes remaining in the game, Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski found the back of the net, putting the Maple Leafs down 1-0. It was a massive blow for Toronto, who had played pretty well up to that point.

It was adversity within adversity.

The Maple Leafs were either going to leave Nationwide Arena in Columbus with their eighth loss in nine games or somehow come back late and win the game. They elected to go with the latter, beginning with what occurred just over three minutes after Columbus' goal.

John Tavares worked tirelessly down low in the Blue Jackets' zone to keep the puck. Down on one knee, and with one hand on his stick, the 35-year-old pushed the puck to William Nylander behind the net.

Nylander, on his backhand, fed it quickly in front to Cowan, who potted it past Jet Greaves to tie the game. It was Cowan's first goal in six games, and his second of the season. You could understand how big the goal was by how lively his celebration was.

"Yeah, it felt good to bury it and help my team," Cowan said.

Nylander would follow it up with his 15th-career overtime winner, giving Toronto their first win in eight days. After his first 15 games in the NHL, Cowan has two goals and five assists for seven points.

"I think he's playing pretty good hockey," Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said after the game.

"Is there mistakes? Definitely. He's a young kid, and there's going to be mistakes, but he learns from them, in my opinion, and he listens, and he wants to get better. And he's just got ice water in his veins. Like, he doesn't feel the pressure.

"He just plays, and he knows his capabilities and what he can do."

The 'Ice in his veins' comment from Berube on Cowan comes as no surprise. The forward dominated his final year of junior, finishing with the most points in the OHL Playoffs and Memorial Cup last spring.

It's no doubt difficult to make the jump from junior to the NHL. But if there's anyone who enjoys the moment of trying to tie or win the game for their team, it's Cowan.

"Yeah, he's very chill," Nylander, a noted chill guy himself, said. "But you know, always focused on getting better. Even in practice, you see it. Very determined, and that's what I love to see."

For any player, finding the back of the net gives them confidence. It was clear that Cowan's frustrations were mounting with every game that went by, where he didn't capitalize on his chances.

The goal, and the timing of it, wasn't only a massive marker for the Maple Leafs but a huge point to potentially boost Cowan's play in an even more positive direction.

"Yeah, that’s huge," Auston Matthews said.

"I think, like he said, he’s been getting lots of chances, and it’s amazing what that does for your confidence going forward. It’s going to be great to see him here down the stretch here of these next couple of games. And I thought that he’s just been all over.

"He moves his feet. He’s a very smart player and he gets himself into good spots and uses his skill to create opportunities, whether it’s for him or his linemates. He’s just going to continue to get better and better."

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Canadiens: For Better Or For Worse

After bouncing back against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night, the Montreal Canadiens were hoping to start their three-game road trip on the right foot when they took on the Utah Mammoth.

Adam Engstrom was inserted in the lineup, playing the first NHL game of his career, which meant that Arber Xhekaj was a healthy scratch for the first time since Kaiden Guhle went down to an injury. It wasn’t easy, but in the end, the Canadiens prevailed.

Canadiens Scratching Arber Xhekaj & Prospect Debuting vs. Utah
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Canadiens: A Date With The Mammoth

400 For The Captain

Nick Suzuki seemed to be skating better tonight. He was clearly playing through the pain for a couple of weeks after a selfless shot block against the Philadelphia Flyers. Since being separated from Juraj Slafkovsky, Suzuki and Cole Caufield had been trying to get used to playing alongside Zachary Bolduc, and on Wednesday night, they looked like they belonged together.

The trio was behind the Canadiens’ two first-frame lamplighters, even though the first one came on the power play, all three were on the ice, and Bolduc finally got his fifth of the season. He hadn’t scored since October 22 against the Calgary Flames, and the goal is sure to help with his confidence.

Suzuki scored the second goal interestingly. Bolduc gave the puck away to the Mammoth high up in his own zone before getting it back and launching the attack the other way. Seconds later, Suzuki scored his sixth goal of the season, which was also the 400th point of his seven-year career. Four hundred points in just 477 games, that's 0.84 points-per-game.

The pivot wasn’t done, though. He added a second goal in the third frame and finished the game with three points, just like Zach Bolduc, who achieved the feat for the first time in his career.

The Second Period Slump

We often hear in hockey about players being plagued by the sophomore jinx. After solid rookie seasons, they underperform the following year with no rhyme or reason. The Canadiens are a bit like that, but it’s about the second year for them, it’s about the second period,

Martin St-Louis’ men were playing an intelligent and mostly prudent game in the first frame, not forcing the play and taking what the game was giving them, as the coach had so often preached. Nine minutes into the second, however, Alex Carrier sent the puck into the stands and was given a delay-of-game penalty, which woke the Mammoth up.

Even though the host had not scored on the power play since the start of November, they didn’t miss the opportunity, scoring three goals in just over four minutes and noticeably shifting the momentum.

Before the game, the Habs had a minus-eight differential in the middle frame; after that game, their differential now stands at minus-11. This is unacceptable, and St-Louis has got to find a way to keep his team performing for 60 minutes. While Jakub Dobes couldn’t be held responsible for the power play goal, he certainly would like to get that third goal back.

The Bounce Back

After a disastrous second frame, the Canadiens “bounced back” in the third. Not that the team effort was fantastic, but Dobes shut the door on the 15 shots he faced in the final 20 minutes, several of which were dangerous. Without him, the Habs do not leave Utah with two points tonight, thanks to a 4-3 nailbiter of a win.

Meanwhile, the Canadiens only took five shots in the final frame (just like in the second), but they made them count. Montreal scored twice through Suzuki (his second of the game) and Ivan Demidov, who got the game-winning goal on a fantastic drag and release. His first goal in eight games.

Against one of the top penalty-killing teams in the league, the Canadiens managed to score two power-play goals on only three opportunities. Eager to start a winning streak, St-Louis really cut his bench in the final frame: Jared Davidson played only 5:23 on the night, Florian Xhekaj 8:51, and Joe Veleno 10:28. Meanwhile, Engstrom only skated 10:42 in his NHL debut.

The Canadiens will be back in action on Friday afternoon when they’ll visit the Vegas Golden Knights in the first game of a back-to-back, which they’ll conclude against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday afternoon. It will be interesting to see who the coach sends between the pipes on Friday. Dobes has just signed the last two wins, while Samuel Montembeault is still trying to find his game. With a back-to-back, both will play…

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Three takeaways: Panthers can't build on strong start against Flyers, Carter Verhaeghe starting to turn a corner

The Florida Panthers dropped a tough one to the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night.

Florida jumped out to a 2-0 lead against the visiting Flyers but couldn’t hold on, allowing a pair of very late goals en route to a 4-2 defeat at Amerant Bank Arena.

It was a game that the Panthers felt they could have, and should have, come out on top.

As has been the case in each game Florida has face the Flyers this season, Philly goaltender Dan Vladar played outstanding between the pipes, but that still shouldn’t have cost the Cats two points.

Here are Wednesday’s takeaways:

SOLID FIRST 40

Despite allowing a pair of second period goals, the Panthers were pleased with how they were playing through forty minutes.

Philadelphia got off only five shots during the middle frame and were outshot by the Florida 20-12 through the first two periods.

If not for several sparkling saves by Vladar, the Panthers likely would have pulled away.

“I liked the first two periods an awful lot,” said Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice. “I thought we were really quick with the puck, and our decisions, we were really confident with it, and that started to fade.”

DECISIONS SLOWED DOWN

As the game progressed, it felt like the Panthers started gripping their sticks a little tighter.

Passing lanes seemed to shrink and it became much more difficult to get shots on net, taking away from Florida’s ability to build momentum while simultaneously giving the Flyers more confidence.

That makes it all the more exasperating for the Panthers, as they were still in the driver’s seat in the game’s final minutes and had two points in their grasp.

“I thought we were slow with the puck,” said Maurice. “I think they got in on some pucks and we were just late getting to some loose pucks that were laying around, and they maintained that control. Their D got moving up top, and we needed to get in a few of those shot lanes.”

VERHAEGHE HEATING UP

One of the big positives to take from the past several games for Florida is the play of Carter Verhaeghe.

He has logged three multi-point outings over his past five games after having none all season, and he’s scored in consecutive games for the first time since Games 3 and 4 against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round of last year’s playoffs.

If Verhaeghe can resume producing the way he has during the majority of his time with the Panthers, it will go a long way toward helping the team keep pace in the playoff race while Florida’s injured players continue healing and working their way back to the lineup.

“I thought the three games prior to him scoring, he was moving pretty darn good, and it wasn't going for him,” Maurice said. “But he is now moving, and he's getting the puck off his stick, and he's faster with it, and he's faster…that line's been very good for us.”

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Photo caption: Nov 26, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) moves the puck against Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale (9) during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

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Plaschke: Thanks for the ride! 13 moments that defined the Dodgers' 2025 World Series title run

Dodgers pitchers Roki Sasaki, right, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto celebrate with teammates and their interpreters.
From right, Dodgers pitchers Roki Sasaki, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto embrace with their interpreters after the Dodgers defeated the Blue Jays, 6-5, in Game 3 of the World Series. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

They were going to win. They were going to lose. All in one breath, all in one month.

Win. Lose. Win. Lose. Win. Lose.

Win!!!

Weeks later the chest still pounds, the throat still thickens, the mind still has not completely grasped.

The Dodgers won their second consecutive World Series championship this fall in pure dramatic art.

Read more:Complete coverage: How the Dodgers won the 2025 World Series

A catch worthy of a statue. An out at home plate by history-making inches. A cheating outfielder steals a victory. A struggling first baseman steals a marathon. A sore-handed catcher steals a title.

The greatest postseason game by one player in baseball history. The greatest World Series by one pitcher in baseball history. The greatest moment by a Dodger benchwarmer in baseball history, a guy so embedded in the landscape of Los Angeles sports that he will be forever known simply by two abbreviated versions of his name...

Miggy Ro.

Enough said.

It’s perhaps appropriate today to give thanks for the drama, thanks for the art, thanks for the breathtaking uncertainty of the diamonds of October.

Thanks, baseball, for creating the tableau for the Dodgers’ 13 most memorable playoff moments, one for every win, one for every scream, one for every occasion when you thought it couldn’t get any crazier.

Then it did.

Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos.
The Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos is out at third after Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts gets the throw from Max Muncy and applies the tag in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the NLDS at Citizens Bank Park. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

The Wheel

Who knew the Dodgers could so deftly field a bunt play? And who knew that this teamwork would strike the first big postseason blow against their most talented postseason opponent?

Division Series, Philadelphia Phillies, Game 2, ninth inning, the Dodgers lead 4-3 but there is a runner on second with none out.

A normally fielded bunt by Bryson Stott would have moved Nick Castellanos to third and put him in perfect position to tie the game. But the Dodgers ran the little-used “Wheel Play” in which third baseman Max Muncy fielded the bunt and spun and threw to Mookie Betts to tag Castellanos and save the game.

Betts suggested the play. Manager Dave Roberts signed off on the play. The Dodgers teamwork made the play work.

“We do a pretty good job of putting each other in good spots to be successful,” Betts said afterward.

The rest of the baseball world soon learn just how successful.

Andy Pages (44) watches as the Phillies pitcher Orion Kerkering (50) can't get to the ball.
Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages watches as Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Orion Kerkering can't field the ball cleanly in the 11th inning of Game 4 of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium. Hyeseong Kim scored on the play to win the game. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Orion’s Fallen Star

A year earlier, the Dodgers clinched the World Series on a night of New York Yankees meltdowns.

This autumn, the Dodgers clinched the division series on a night of a singular, stunning meltdown.

Dodger fans will forever see Phillies’ reliever Orion Kerkering botching Andy Pages’ grounder, panicking, then throwing wildly home to allow Hyeseong Kim to score the winning run in the 11th inning of Game 4, sending the Dodgers to the championship series.

It was the play that launched the three-sentence scream heard around town at various times for the rest of the nutty postseason...

“That’s it? We won? We won!”

'Feeling Good'

The Dodgers cued up Shohei Ohtani’s walk-up song by Michael Bublé one afternoon in honor of his rarest of performances.

During the day off in the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers, Ohtani stunningly left the indoor cage and took on-field batting practice for one of the first times this season.

He was, at the time, two-for-his-last-25 with a dozen strikeouts. He was facing criticism that his pitching was affecting his hitting. The weight of the series was resting his giant shoulders.

He promptly put on a show, 14 of his 32 batting-practice swings resulting in home runs, including one that bounced off the right-field roof, a massive light show that contained a singular message.

“I got this.”

Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a long homer against the Milwaukee Brewers in NLCS.
Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits one of his three home runs in Game 4 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

He’s Got This

Two days after the momentous batting practice show, Ohtani did it for real, putting on a postseason pitching and hitting display for the ages, starting a wondrous debate that continues to this day.

What was more impressive?

His first-inning leadoff home run that followed three first-inning strikeouts?

His fourth-inning home after striking out the last two batters in the top of the inning?

Read more:Shohei Ohtani to participate in World Baseball Classic, but will the Dodgers star pitch?

His seventh-inning home run that came almost immediately after he was pulled from the game and should have been resting?

Since the fourth-inning blast soared over the right-field roof, um, er, I’ll go with that one.

And oh, his three-homer, 10-strikeout, six-plus innings performance sent the Dodgers to the World Series.

Where things really got interesting

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) in the 12th inning during game three of the World Series.
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw stands on the mound during the 12th inning of Game 3 of the World Series. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

The Farewell

It was eight pitches. It resulted in one out. It made barely a sound amid the fireworks that surrounded it.

But perhaps no single moment of the postseason was more enduring than Clayton Kershaw coming into World Series Game 3 against the Toronto Blue Jays with two out in the 12th inning and escaping a bases-loaded jam by inducing a ground ball by Nathan Lukes.

Because, it turns out, after 18 years, it was Kershaw’s last out as a Dodger.

And what if he had blown it? What if his legendary October demons had engulfed him one last time?

The way the crowd was so tensely silent during the Lukes at-bat, one got the feeling that everyone was thinking the same thing.

The collective sigh of relief was only overshadowed by the roar.

Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman reacts to his walk-off home run in the 18th inning in Game 3 of the World Series.
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman reacts to his walk-off home run in the 18th inning in Game 3 of the World Series. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

The Dance

It’s not fair that Freddie Freeman’s 18th-inning home run to end what equaled the longest World Series game will be somewhat forgotten in the wake of last year’s game-winning World Series grand slam.

But what I’ll remember most from this year’s heroics was the iconic celebration afterward, a dancing Ohtani skipping down to the bullpen with a dancing Roki Sasaki to engage in a group hug with a dancing Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

The three Japanese stars had truly found a home in Chavez Ravine, in each other, and in October.

The Dodgers had only a two-games-to-one lead in the World Series at the time, but was there any doubt their three Japanese stars would let them lose?

The Belly Flop

During the day off workout before the Dodgers would be faced with overcoming a three-game-to-two deficit in Toronto, Roberts issued the strangest challenge.

He claimed he could beat speedster Kim in a race around the bases.

The bet lasted barely 90 feet, as Roberts stumbled and face-planted just past second base, a pratfall which was captured on social media and celebrated by his laughing players.

His team loved the hell out of Roberts for doing it, and used the relaxed atmosphere to spark themselves to consecutive backs-to-the-wall victories.

“Of course it makes you smile and it makes you have a good time,” said Rojas.

Those good times were just beginning.

Second baseman Miguel Rojas gets the throw from first baseman Kiké Hernández.
Dodgers second baseman Miguel Rojas gets the throw from Kiké Hernández, left, to double off the Toronto Blue Jays' Addison Barger to end Game 6. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Señor October

Whether it’s hitting three home runs in an NLCS clinching game against the Chicago Cubs in 2017 or hitting a homer in the NLDS clinching game against the San Diego Padres seven years later, Kiké Hernández has seemingly always been in the middle of the dynasty Dodgers' success.

But never before had he stolen a game without his bat.

That’s what happened in the final breaths of Game 6 of the World Series when Hernández played against-all-orders shallow and picked off an Andrés Giménez line drive and threw to second to double off a straying Addison Barger and end the game with an intact 3-1 edge.

A role player during the regular season, Hernández had once again saved them when it mattered most.

Remember that catch and throw when you don’t see him again until next October.

Los Angeles Dodgers Miguel Rojas reacts while rounding the bases.
The Dodgers' Miguel Rojas reacts while rounding the bases after his solo home run tied the score in the ninth inning of Game 7. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

Miggy Ro

This requires only one sentence, because it’s already been ingrained deep in your soul.

Two outs from elimination in Game 7, on a full-count pitch from Toronto closer Jeff Hoffman in the ninth inning, Miguel Rojas tied the score by hitting his only his second home run since the All-Star break.

Miggy Ro forever.

Oh, Yeah, Wait, One More

In the bottom of the ninth in Game 7, playing second base with the infield in, Rojas cleanly fielded a grounder and threw out Isiah Kiner-Falefa by inches at home plate to save the game.

Kiner-Falefa has since taken plenty of grief for not taking a bigger lead from third that would have allowed him to beat the throw, but the bottom line is, Rojas made the great catch and throw and Will Smith made the great play and the Blue Jays were simply doomed.

Miggy Ro forever… again.

Center fielder Andy Pages (44) reaches to catch the fly ball in game seven.
Center fielder Andy Pages reaches to catch a fly ball hit by Blue Jays' Ernie Clement for the out as he collides with Kiké Hernández, left, to end the ninth inning of Game 7. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

The Statue

If the Dodgers were to hire a sculptor to encapsulate their 2025 playoff run, the artist would undoubtedly bronze a replica of Andy Pages leaping over Hernández in left field to snare an Ernie Clement fly ball with two out and bases loaded in the ninth to send the game to extra innings.

It was then that you just knew the Dodgers were going to win this. Somehow, the Dodgers were going to win this.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (16) is is congratulated after he hit a solo home run.
Dodgers catcher Will Smith is congratulated after he hit a solo home run during the 11th inning of Game 7. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The Home Run

The most understated Dodger hit, possibly the most understated World Series Game 7 game-winning home run ever, an 11th inning drive that cannot be overstated for one reason.

Two months earlier, Smith had broken his throwing hand. Two months earlier. A broken throwing hand. For a catcher. Think about that.

From Bulldog to…. 

Orel Hershiser made Dodger history in 1988 with postseason pitching resilience that cemented his famous nickname.

So with “Bulldog” taken, what should everyone call Yamamoto?

Read more:'Dodgers Rule': Graffiti artist Chaka and others draw inspiration — and murals — from World Series champs

Three World Series wins in a span of eight days? Nearly three innings to close out Game 7 after throwing 96 pitches the night before?

The locals will have a joyous holiday season to figure it out.

Happy Dodgers. Happy history. Happy Thanksgiving.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Todd McLellan Holds Red Wings' Feet To Fire After Loss To NHL-Worst Predators

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When the Detroit Red Wings were defeated by a 5-1 final score on Oct. 9 against the Montreal Canadiens in their home opener, head coach Todd McLellan stated in no uncertain terms that the group as a whole would not take the next step until they were able to figure out how to avoid such letdowns.

On Wednesday evening against the NHL-worst Nashville Predators, the Red Wings got another tough lesson in what McLellan was referring to.

The Predators, who also had the NHL's worst goals-per-game average, scored a season-high six tallies as part of a 6-3 win at Little Caesars Arena. 

McLellan's frustration was evident in his postgame media availability as he had to once again re-hash the same thing he's repeatedly talked about. 

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“Until this team figures out that they have to value checking and defensive play, I’ll keep telling you the same things," McLellan said. "Lo and behold, here I am again. So back to the drawing board again." 

Both Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider acknowledged that the Red Wings had a lack of focus in the third period, during which the Predators would twice score two goals in a span of less than 60 seconds. 

When asked the potential reasons behind that lack of focus, McLellan didn't have the answer.

"I have no idea why our group would feel or think that way," McLellan said. "I have no idea."

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As far as what he felt about the rest of their game, he pulled no punches. 

“Didn’t like our game most of the night,” McLellan said. “I thought we were quite casual early in the game. Our passing was horrendous. There was nothing crisp about our game.”

The Red Wings missed an opportunity to gain a pair of valuable points in the standings on a night when teams they're competing with in the Atlantic Division like the Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators all managed to win their respective games. 

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Warriors expect injured Steph Curry to miss ‘week or a little more,' per report

Warriors expect injured Steph Curry to miss ‘week or a little more,' per report originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors will have to navigate the next week or so without superstar guard Steph Curry.

Golden State expects Curry to miss “a week or a little more” because of a quad contusion he sustained in Wednesday night’s loss to the Houston Rockets, ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater reported Thursday, citing sources.

The good news for the Warriors, per Charania and Slater, is that Curry appears to have avoided a serious injury.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters after Wednesday’s game that Curry was scheduled to undergo an MRI.

Curry sustained the injury late in the fourth quarter against the Rockets, and while he initially played through the injury, he was forced to head to the locker room in the final seconds of the loss.

Bottled up by the Rockets’ defense, Curry finished with 14 points on 4 of 13 shooting from the field and 2 of 9 from 3-point range.

If Curry misses exactly one week, he won’t play in the Warriors’ next three games — at home against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, Dec. 2 and on the road against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, Dec 4.

Beyond that, the Warriors have a road back-to-back against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, Dec. 6 and the Chicago Bulls on Sunday, Dec. 7.

Because the Warriors didn’t qualify for the 2025 NBA Cup quarterfinals, they won’t play again until Thursday, Dec. 11 or Friday, Dec. 12.

So if Curry needs more than a week to recover, he could eye the unannounced regular-season game.

The Warriors went 1-2 when Curry missed a three-game stretch earlier this season due to an illness.

Sitting at 10-10 ahead of Saturday’s game against the Pelicans, Golden State appears to be at an inflexion point, with Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler calling out their teammates following Wednesday’s loss.

Wins already are hard to come by for the Warriors right now, and that task will be even tougher without Curry for the next few games.

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Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, nearing breaking point, sound alarm about Warriors

Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, nearing breaking point, sound alarm about Warriors originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – After the Warriors faded down the stretch Wednesday night, trudging into the locker room wearing a 104-100 loss to the Houston Rockets, Jimmy Butler III cleared his throat and spat out flames.

“We don’t box out,” Butler said. “We don’t go with the scouting report. We let anybody do whatever they want. Open shots, get into the paint, free throws. It’s just sad.”

A few minutes later, Draymond Green came along, throwing another level of heat directed at the play of the Warriors this season – again directed at the defense.

“Our defense is s—t,” Green said. “Because it’s not necessarily the numbers. How do you feel when you out there? And it’s just letdown after letdown. It’s bigger than the numbers, you know what I’m saying? Defense is about demeanor. If there’s letdown after letdown, then it kills your demeanor, it kills your bravado, then you’re just a soft team.

“It’s bigger than the numbers. Like, what does the other team feel when you’re defending them? And right now, they don’t feel no force. Even if you’re getting stops. Yeah, we got great coaches, we gon’ have a good scheme. But what about the force? We don’t have that.”

The Warriors, at least the accomplished veterans, don’t like the product they’re delivering to themselves and their fans. They came to training camp with visions of making one more run toward a championship, coming together to earn a fifth ring for Stephen Curry and Green, a first for Butler and a second for first-year Warrior Al Horford.

But 20 games into the season, the Warriors keep circling the block instead of marching toward their goal. Progress, regression, progress, regression. They return to the same place, profoundly displeased with their inability to cross the street and make real strides.

Standing in the locker room, Butler pointed at the cloth covering the board where the game plan and scouting reports are posted and defended the work of coach Steve Kerr and his staff, blowing off the notion of Kerr pointing the finger at himself.

“I just think we need to do what we’re supposed to, be out there doing as players,” Butler said. “I don’t care what Steve says. It’s not on him, and it’s not on the coaches. Y’all can’t see (the board), but it’s back there somewhere. Yeah, they write everything up there for us to do, and they put us in the position to be successful. We go over it the day before, the day of. We got to go out there and execute, man.

“So don’t listen to Steve. And he said, ‘This is on me,’ and he got to be better. Nah, it’s on these guys around this locker room.”

This is not the first time this season that Butler and Green have pointed out the team’s recurring inadequacies. They raised similar issues 16 days ago after the Warriors were blown out by the Thunder in Oklahoma City. Golden State’s record was 6-6 after that loss, and it is 4-4 since.

Circling the block.

Some of Golden State’s defensive statistics seem which seem acceptable, ranking 10th in defensive rating. Other statistics, not so much. The Warriors are 15th in field-goal percentage defense and 22nd in rebounding, both of which are central components of defense.

Butler and Green look beyond the numbers, and peer into the team’s overall disposition. How does it respond to even the slightest adversity? They don’t like what they see.

“When we’re making shots, we’re celebrating, we’re cheering,” Butler said. “We’re doing all those things. When we’re not and when the game’s not going our way, we put our head down and we mope. And then we don’t box out, we don’t get back, we foul, we do all the bad things.

“When it’s going good – you know, some people call it front-running – but when it’s going good, it’s all smiles.”

There were no smiles among the Warriors late Wednesday night. The locker room, rollicking on Monday, was dissatisfied and somber, partly because they lost a home game in which they held a 12-point lead at the half and partly because Stephen Curry left in the fourth quarter with a right quad contusion.

The Warriors have been better with Curry (9-7) than without him (1-3), but five weeks into the season, they’ve yet to sustain the slightest whisper of momentum.

How do the Warriors break this chain of futility?

“It requires individuals, all of us, as individuals, to take on your challenge,” Green said. “If you take on your challenge, then we can make the team thing work. The only way the team thing works is if we take on the individual challenge.

“And right now, we are individually – and I know everybody likes to twist words – we are individually f—ing awful.”

The Warriors are not bleeping awful by NBA standards; 17 teams have better a record, 12 are worse. They are, in certain aspects, deeply awful by the standard set by Curry and Green and expected by Butler.

When the vets spoke up two weeks ago, there was a welcome response. The Warriors won three in a row. And now, once again, the vets are speaking up, this time a bit louder.

Is anybody listening?

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Sabres Lose Against Pens, Fall Back Into Division Basement — And It Could Get Worse From Here

Sidney )Crosby (left); Jason Zucker (right) -- (Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Images)<br>

The Buffalo Sabres are currently on a competitive roller-coaster ride. On Wednesday, they came into their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on a high, as they’d won four of their past five games, and they climbed out of the Atlantic Division’s basement, Things were looking up.

Then, on Wednesday, the Sabres put in an effort that wasn’t good enough to beat a sliding Pens team and solidify Buffalo’s spot in the Eastern Conference standings. The Sabres were beaten 4-2 by the Penguins, and that development, combined with the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 2-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, means that the Sabres once again are the worst team in the East. 

.The Sabres managed to tie the game against Pittsburgh at the 7:20 mark of the third period on a Jason Zucker goal. But 31 seconds after Zucker’s goal, the Penguins struck again on a Bryan Rust goal to make 3-1. And from there, the Penguins never looked back. They got a good performance out of Tristan Jarry, and they limited Buffalo to only 19 shots on net.

But here’s the deflating part: in the highly-competitive Atlantic, all eight teams in the division played on Wednesday. And by the time the day was done, five Atlantic teams were victorious, so climbing up the division was for the most part extremely difficult. And because the Sabres were one of those three loser teams in the Atlantic, they had more separation between them and most of the teams in the division.

Star Center Norris Nearing A Return To Action -- But Can He Stay Healthy?Star Center Norris Nearing A Return To Action -- But Can He Stay Healthy?Sabres veteran center Josh Norris is rumored to be returning from injury soon, which will give Buffalo a boost. But his injury history leaves lingering doubts about his ability to stay on the ice.

Thus, Buffalo can’t be content with just having a competitive game against any opponent. There’s a real and increasing pressure hanging over the Sabres, and every defeat they deal with is another nail in the coffin for coach Lindy Ruff and GM Kevyn Adams. And every loss is another step toward extending Buffalo’s Stanley Cup playoff drought to 15 years.

The Sabres’ next stretch of schedule is particularly daunting, as they take on the New Jersey Devils, Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg Jets (twice) and Philadelphia Flyers. All of those teams have had solid success this season, so Buffalo will be in tough to climb the Atlantic standings.

Despite Sabres' Surge, Buffalo Faces Long Road Back To RelevancyDespite Sabres' Surge, Buffalo Faces Long Road Back To RelevancyThe Buffalo Sabres' playoff drought looks like it will extend for another year. But Sabres fans want more from the team than that. No more promises. Every game now dictates their fight for survival.

Buffalo’s poor start to the season now hangs over the Sabres. No matter what they do, they seem like they’re stuck at the bottom of the Atlantic.

The only way out of their current place in the standings is a slew of wins – and so far this season, Buffalo hasn’t shown they can do that.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.