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Avalanche Shake Off Sluggish Start, Erupt for Three Goals in Second Period Against Flames

The Colorado Avalanche stumbled out of the gate, but once they found their footing, the Calgary Flames had no answer.

After a sloppy opening period filled with defensive-zone turnovers and timely saves from Scott Wedgewood, the Avalanche erupted for three unanswered goals in the second period to turn a 1-1 deadlock into a commanding 4-1 lead. Devon Toews led the charge with his second goal of the night, while Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon joined the scoring frenzy as Colorado seized control heading into the final 20 minutes.

First Period

Colorado got off to a shaky start after a defensive-zone turnover led to a dangerous rush chance for Calgary, but Scott Wedgewood was up to the task, denying Mikael Backlund on back-to-back opportunities.

The Flames handed the Avalanche their first power play at 6:23 after being caught with too many men on the ice. Aydar Suniev, appearing in just his eighth career NHL game, served the bench minor.

However, Colorado's power play got off to a rocky start when another costly turnover sent Joel Farabee in alone on a shorthanded breakaway. Wedgewood came up big once again, flashing the glove to rob Farabee and keep Calgary off the board.

At the midway point of the period, the Avalanche looked flat. Calgary held a 5-2 edge in shots, and Colorado struggled to establish any sustained offensive pressure. It's hard to build momentum when you're constantly coughing up the puck in your own zone.

Despite those early struggles, the Avalanche broke through with 5:06 remaining in the period. Cale Makar found Devon Toews all alone in the soft ice of the low slot, where he redirected the puck past Flames netminder Devin Cooley, who had left the left side of the net wide open.

It was Toews' first goal of the season, coming just four games into the campaign. By comparison, he didn't find the back of the net until Colorado's 25th game last season.

Calgary didn't take long to respond.

With 2:30 remaining, Adam Klapka pulled off a slick toe drag around Josh Manson before unleashing a blistering wrist shot that rang off the left post and into the net, tying the game at 1-1.

Toews was sent to the penalty box with less than a minute remaining after tripping Yegor Sharangovich, giving Calgary a power play that carried into the second period.

Both teams headed to the dressing room deadlocked at one after an opening period in which Wedgewood's timely saves helped the Avalanche overcome an otherwise sloppy start.

Second Period

After a sluggish opening 20 minutes, the Avalanche flipped the script in the second period, finding their offensive rhythm and wasting little time taking control of the game.

After needing 25 games to score his first goal last season, Devon Toews already has two in just four games this time around. He netted his second of the night after taking a pass from Noah Juulsen and firing a shot from just inside the blue line that sailed through a screen set by Zach L'Heureux and past Cooley, giving Colorado a 2-1 lead.

Less than three minutes later, Nathan MacKinnon sprung a streaking Cale Makar, who blew past the Calgary defense with a burst of speed as he crossed the blue line. Closing in on Cooley, Makar unleashed a blistering wrist shot that beat the Flames netminder to double Colorado's lead.

The onslaught continued just over two minutes later when MacKinnon hammered home a one-timer off a slick feed from L'Heureux, extending Colorado's lead to 4-1. It was MacKinnon's third goal in four games, while L'Heureux picked up his second point of the night.

What had been a frustrating opening period quickly turned into a showcase of Colorado's offensive firepower, with the Avalanche capitalizing on their opportunities and putting Calgary firmly on its heels.

Parker Kelly was penalized for interference with 22 seconds left in the frame. 

Colorado entered the third period with a commanding 4-1 lead, just 20 minutes away from bouncing back from Wednesday's tough 3-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.

Third Period

Cale Makar has made a habit of unleashing highlight-reel slap shots this season, and 5:35 into the third period was no exception. After Nazem Kadri's pass deflected off Nathan MacKinnon's stick, Makar pounced on the loose puck and hammered it home to extend Colorado's lead to 5-1.

Less than a minute later, Jaden Schwartz scored for the second straight game to make it 6-1. After attempting to redirect a point shot from Brett Kulak, T.J. Hughes reacted quickly to the loose puck and slipped a pass to Schwartz in the slot, where he blasted it past Cooley.

Calgary answered shortly afterward when Mikael Backlund redirected a shot past Wedgewood off the rush, cutting Colorado's lead to 6-2.

The Flames continued to chip away at Colorado's lead just 1:11 later when Yegor Sharangovich threaded a cross-ice pass to Kevin Bahl, who ripped a shot past Wedgewood and into the top corner to cut the deficit to 6-3.

Colorado apparently took exception to Calgary's quick scoring burst and wasted little time responding. Just 1:13 later, offseason acquisition Jaden Schwartz struck again, netting his second goal of the night and third in the last 24 hours after also finding the back of the net in Wednesday's loss to Winnipeg.

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How did LeBron James do in Sixers debut? Stats from 76ers vs. Nets preseason game

LeBron James made his debut for the Philadelphia 76ers. Sort of.

The NBA's all-time leading scorer suited up for the team's preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, Oct. 8 at Barclays Center and was in the starting lineup.

The crowd cheered enthusiastically as James did his pregame ritual, tossing chalk in the air, for the first time in the blue No. 23 jersey.

James' first field goal came in the second quarter via a reverse layup with an assist from Tyrese Maxey. The future Hall of Famer credited the rising star as a major factor in choosing to join the 76ers this offseason. The bucket put Philadelphia up 40-39.

He got his first points in the first quarter when he was fouled by Keon Ellis and made both free throws.

James got his first assist as a member of Philadelphia in the first quarter when he dished the ball to VJ Edgecombe for a layup.

The four-time NBA champion was substituted out of the game at halftime with the score 58-56 in favor of Philadelphia. He had 10 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 turnovers and a steal in 18 minutes of play.

James became a member of the 76ers this offseason as a free agent after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers. He joins former MVP Joel Embiid and former NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, who joined the team in a blockbuster trade with the Boston Celtics.

What were LeBron James' stats in 76ers preseason debut?

James had 10 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 turnovers and a steal. He played 18 minutes in the first half.

More: LeBron James, 76ers' loaded starting 5 play preseason game: Did we learn anything?

Here's his full stats rundown:

  • Minutes: 18
  • Points: 10
  • FG: 1-for-1
  • Free Throws: 8-for-8
  • Rebounds: 4
  • Assists: 5
  • Steals: 1
  • Blocks: 0
  • Turnovers: 2
  • Fouls: 1

76ers highlights vs. Nets

When will LeBron James make his 76ers debut in regular season?

James will make his first official start for the Philadelphia 76ers during the NBA's opening night on Tuesday, Oct. 20. He will play against the defending champion New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How did LeBron James do in Sixers debut? Stats from 76ers vs. Nets preseason game

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Austin Reaves to make preseason debut against Kings

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 7: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball before an NBA game against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on February 7, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin Terrell/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After sitting out the first two exhibition contests, Austin Reaves will make his preseason debut against the Kings on Thursday.

Head coach JJ Redick announced pregame that Reaves would return to the court, his first appearance since signing his big deal to return to the Lakers this summer.

However, Reaves is not going to be joined by his teammates who also missed the first two games. Walker Kessler remains out after jamming a finger during practice while Collin Sexton and Arthur Kaluma are also sidelined.

Joining them for Thursday’s game are Ziaire Williams, Cameron Carr and Dalton Knecht. Williams had some soreness, as Redick described, while Carr and Knecht took hits leading to contusions.

Reddick has remained steadfast that these injuries are not long-term concerns. After a flurry of games this week, the Lakers will be off until Tuesday before wrapping up the preseason with a game next Friday.

With over another week of games remaining — and additional practice coming after that — there isn’t any real reason to worry about any of the players who have yet to make an appearance. In fact, Redick said pregame that Kessler would play in preseason games.

Notably not mentioned during any of those injury updates is Luka Dončić, which means not only is Reaves playing on Thursday, but fans will get to see the superstar pair on the court together for the first time this season.

While this happened plenty of times last season, something about this being a new era of Lakers basketball makes it feel like a bigger deal to see them on the floor together, ushering the Lakers forward.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

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Jake Oettinger has second straight shutout in the Stars' 4-0 victory over the Sabres

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Jake Oettinger made 26 saves for his second straight shutout, Mikko Rantanen had a goal and three assists and the Dallas Stars beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-0 on Thursday night.

Oettinger has 18 career shutouts. He stopped 13 shots Monday night in a 5-0 home victory over San Jose.

Jason Robertson, Sam Steel and Roope Hintz also scored to help Dallas win its second in a row after two opening losses. Wyatt Johnston had three assists.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 14 shots for Buffalo. The Sabres had won the first two games of a five-game homestand.

Robertson scored at 9:03 of the first period and the Stars added three more in the second. Sam Steel connected on a snap shot at 9:36, Rantanen scored on a backhander with 6:03 left and Roope put in a snapper on a power play with 4:26 remaining.

Up next

Stars: At Pittsburgh on Saturday night.

Sabres: Host Utah on Saturday night.

___

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

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Luka Garza headlines Celtics win over the Cavaliers, 124-113

CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 08: Luka Garza #52 of the Boston Celtics shoots over Jaylon Tyson #20 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second quarter of the preseason game at Rocket Arena on October 08, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After a packed week of NBA preseason games, Boston finally took to the court against the Cavaliers in Cleveland. For coaches and fans of both franchises it was the first opportunity to see their new look teams in a game setting. Boston showcased it’s newest additions and rookies as they took the game 124-113 on the road, Luka Garza led the way with 22 points and 10 boards. Jordan Walsh and Baylor Scheierman both had 16 points and Devin Carter scored 17 points in a fine debut.

Joe Mazulla handed the coaching keys over to his assistants with Tony Dobbins at the helm for the first half and DJ MacCleay took the reins for the second half of game 1 of the 2026-27 preseason. Boston started with a complete curveball lineup of veteran debutant Mike Conley, Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh, and Luka Garza. Cleveland countered with a potential regular season starting lineup with Evan Mobley, Jarret Allen, Donovan Mitchell, Jaylon Tyson, and Peyton Watson.

Paul George started in street clothes, so C’s fans will need to wait to see his first game as a member of the Boston Celtics. Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Mitchell Robinson, Sam Hauser, and Ron Harper Jr. joined George on the bench.

Baylor Scheierman scored the first points of the game for Boston, a play after Jaylon Tyson knocked down the first score with a three-pointer. Luka Garza hit on his first triple of the game from the top of the key as both teams settled into the action. Garza snagged a big offensive board and scored with three white Cavs jerseys surrounding him, scores tied 7-7.

With a heavy emphasis on offensive rebounding, the Cavs got out and ran for a ton of early fast breaks, they took an early 5-point lead in the first quarter. Mike Conley flashed a nifty pass deep to the corner to find Hugo Gonzalez wide open, the Spaniard lacing a corner three for his first points of the preseason.

CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 08: Jayson Tatum #0 and Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics sit on the bench during the first quarter of the preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on October 08, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Rookie Chris Cenac Jr. and new signing Devin Carter were the first Celtics off the bench for Tony Dobbins. Cenac Jr. scored his first points of the game with a loud two-handed dunk as Scheierman found him with the assist, wrapping the ball behind his back off a loose ball hustle play. Devin Carter scored his first points as a member of the Boston Celtics with a tomahawk dunk on the break over Watson.

Rookies Milos Uzan and Dillon Mitchell saw time late in the quarter for Boston. Uzan showed the stroke with a triple from the 45, and Carter rattled home a straight-on three of his own as Boston took the lead 30-26. Dillon Mitchell went two for four from the line in his first trips to the NBA free throw line. Boston up by 3 points, 32-29 after one quarter.

Cenac Jr. showed his athleticism early in the second quarter with a fast break two-handed dunk in full stride; Mike Conley found the rook on the break with the assist. Mike Conley showed his veteran savvy as he drove on Mario Hezonja to score on a floater along the baseline. Devin Carter kept up the scoring as he drove into the chest of Peyton Watson to score his tenth point of the game. Carter is staking a claim on the 15th roster spot, as he currently sits on an Exhibit 10 contract.

The Celtics enjoyed an extended training camp in Charleston, South Carolina, and that bonding and chemistry was evident as the newcomers and rookies looked pretty well integrated into the flow of the offense in game one of preseason. Boston kept the pressure on the Cleveland glass; they had 12 offensive rebounds with 5 minutes left in the first half.

CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 08: Devin Carter #99 of the Boston Celtics shoots during the first quarter of the preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on October 08, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Hugo Gonzalez looked good in his second quarter stint with a fluid three-pointer and a Euro step up-and-under layup. Jordan Walsh hit a tough, high arcing jumper over Jarrett Allen as the shot clock expired at the two minute mark, Boston up 65-58. Luka Garza was outstanding in the first half, he played 16 minutes and had 16 points, 7 rebounds (4 offensive), and 2 blocks. Boston took a 9 point lead into the change rooms at the half, 71-62.

Scheierman opened the scoring for Boston in the second half with a deep three-pointer that was all nylon. The Cavliers sat their starters to start the second half. Cleveland reeled off 12 straight points after the Scheirman three, Meleek Thomas, Mario Hezonja active for the home team forcing DJ MacLeay to call a quick timeout. Jordan Walsh broke the scoring drought for Boston in the paint, game tied at 76.

Boston kept the pressure on Cleveland, extending the lead to 5 points, 91-86. DJ MacLeay and the Celtics coaches were cycling through bench players to keep the pace high in the third quarter. Boston was giving up a ton of transition buckets as the third quarter ended, the held on to 99-96 lead after three.

Conley, Garza, Scheierman, and Walsh headed to the bench to watch the final quarter after a decent showing against the Cavs starters sans James Harden. DJ MacLeay brought on Amari Williams, Dillon Mitchell and the training camp players to finish things off. Dillon Mitchell skied for an alley Oop dunk and Tucker DeVries showed the shooting touch drilling back-to-back triples.

It wasn’t a pretty end, but the C’s held on to take a comfortable win on the road. Dillon Mitchell was active for Boston in his first game, stuffing the stat sheet for 10 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal. First round pick, Chris Cenac Jr. had 7 points, 4 blocks and 8 rebounds, he showed signs of being a contributor during the regular season. Hayden Gray had 6 points on the night and Milos Uzan chipped in 6 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.

The Celtics travel home to Boston for their second preseason game, hosting the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday 10th of October.

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How readers of The Post voted on fate of the Yankees — and who they want getting the boot

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. walks back to the dugout after the final out of the ninth inning of Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium, Image 2 shows Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman during pre-game warm-ups

The votes are in, and Yankees fans are out for change after an ugly sweep at the hands of the Rays ended the Bombers’ season in the ALDS. 

A poll conducted by The Post showed — unsurprisingly — that respondents want Aaron Boone gone after the ballclub fell well short of the lofty expectations bestowed upon it, with nearly 85 percent of more than 11,000 voters calling on the Yankees to give him the boot. 

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“I’ve been calling for Aaron Boone’s firing for years, and not for any specific baseball reason. Just the simple fact that he hasn’t won with the talent on that team. George [Steinbrenner] would have fired him long ago,” one person commented on The Post’s website. 

Boone has not won a championship since taking over as manager in 2018, making just one World Series appearance — a 2024 loss to the Dodgers — in nine seasons at the helm. 

Whether poll participants will get their wish from general manager Brian Cashman is uncertain, with the longtime GM calling Boone a “really good manager.” 

Aaron Boone and GM Brian Cashman are seen during pregame warmups before the Yankees’ win over the Red Sox on Sept. 12, 2025 at Fenway Park. Jason Szenes / New York Post
How readers of The Post voted.

Those same poll participants, though, aren’t generally fans of the general manager, with 73 percent (8,535) calling for Cashman’s job. 

Cashman has been general manager for 29 seasons — including four World Series titles (1998, 1999, 2000, 2009) and seven American League pennants. 

However, Cashman has faced plenty of criticism over his allegiance to Boone and the personnel moves he’s made over the past few seasons as the championship drought has dragged on. 

Jazz Chisholm Jr. walks back to the dugout after the final out of the ninth inning of their season-ending Game 3 loss to the Rays in The Bronx. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

“Cashman should go or change the organization’s approach to hitting,” another voter commented. “Need to stop relying on the home run. That doesn’t work in the playoffs against better pitching. Concentrate on putting the ball in play and minimize strikeouts. Get players that can hit .270-.280. Play baseball the way it’s supposed to be played. Also, we need a typical leadoff hitter, not have Rice or the likes of Grisham batting leadoff.

A stat shown on the TBS broadcast showed Tampa opponents made 188 errors this year against them. Most in the majors. That’s because they make contact and force you to make a play. If Cashman won’t dictate that change then he must go.” 

A majority of poll participants also want to see Jazz Chisholm Jr. (91 percent), Trent Grisham (88 percent) and slugger Giancarlo Stanton (86 percent) get the boot. 

Anthony Volpe saw his stock rise among those who took part in the polling, with 79 percent saying he should stay with the team. 

“Stanton, Chisholm gotta go. Yanks need [a] catcher big time,” another voter explained in a comment. “Stop playing with Volpe’s head [and] make him [the] everyday second baseman. Rice, Jones, Bellinger, Judge, Lombard, Volpe should be everyday. Add a 3rd baseman and catcher and lineup is set. Pitching, if healthy, is set. Boone time for a change.” 

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Final Score: Cavs lose first preseason game 124-113 to Celtics

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 8: Meleek Thomas #15 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the game against the Boston Celtics on October 8, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers took their first loss of the preseason in a 124-113 defeat to the Boston Celtics.

Donovan Mitchell, Jaylon Tyson, Peyton Watson, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen started the game for Cleveland. James Harden was ruled out with ankle soreness.

Boston was without Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Peyton Pritchard, Mitchell Robinson, and Paul George.

This was Cleveland’s first chance to see what Watson could look like next to their other star players. He opened the game by defending Mike Conley, taking on the challenge of protecting the point-of-attack. Watson’s perimeter defense will be key to his role in the starting five.

The Cavs trailed 32-29 after the first quarter as Boston nailed 6-of-17 three-point attempts.

Tyson led the Cavs in scoring during the first half. He scored 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting, making his way to the basket for a handful of easy buckets — including a hail-mary touchdown from Craig Porter Jr. in transition.

Kenny Atkinson said before the game that Cleveland’s starters would rest for the entire second half. He stuck to his word, starting Mario Hezonja, Tyrese Proctor, Meleek Thomas, Craig Porter, and Thomas Bryant in the third quarter.

This game had all the makings of preseason. Weird lineups. Half-hearted effort and a ton of three-point attempts.

But it also had some of that preseason strangeness that leads to fun as well.

Bryant stormed the floor for a deep seal in the paint within his first 10 seconds of being on the court. That’s what we’re all here for, right?

The second half was more enjoyable in terms of watching stuff that might actually matter. The rookie, Meleek Thomas, had a few standout moments that serve as brief flashes of what he could one day become. His on-ball creation is raw but entertaining. His defensive intensity could put him in the rotation ahead of schedule.

We also saw Hezonja thaw himself out in the third quarter after a frigid start to his NBA return. He felt slow in the opening minutes, losing the ball and missing the mark. It wasn’t until a quick stretch that included a three-pointer and a downhill dime that the picture of what Hezonja can be in Cleveland came into focus.

Still, Cleveland was downed by Boston’s sporadic three-point shooting. The Celtics finished with 17 three-pointers and handed the Cavs the loss.

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'Football 301' on 49ers vs. Seahawks: Brock Purdy and his offensive machine face their biggest test

It's not every day you see a Week 5 matchup as impactful as this week's NFC West clash between the San Francisco 49ers (4-0) and Seattle Seahawks (3-1) on Sunday afternoon in Seattle. With NFC playoff implications and a long-standing rivalry at stake, the stage is set for what Yahoo Sports NFL analyst Nate Tice aptly dubbed the "Hoss Fight of the Week." Tice and fellow Yahoo analyst Matt Harmon discussed the matchup on this week's episode of the "Football 301” podcast and how they expect the game to play out Sunday.

Coming into this game, the 49ers' offense has looked untouchable. Tice said San Francisco "is tipping the scales in every single stat." The Niners haven't allowed a sack all season, a feat that seems almost fictional in today's NFL. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has his offensive machine humming, QB Brock Purdy is leading the way as "the dot at the top right of every chart right now" thanks to scorching-hot efficiency and command.

The chess match between Shanahan and Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald is a heavyweight bout. Seattle's defense, loaded up front, will look to feast if the 49ers stick to what was comfortable. The Niners, meanwhile, might look to stress the boundaries with hard play-action and hope for chunk gains, but Seattle's back end has proven tough.

As Harmon pointed out, San Francisco's lack of elite wide receiver depth could show in this matchup as George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey have carried much of the load this season.

Harmon also highlighted San Francisco's tendency to "get away with it," using its creative playbook to mitigate a lack of star power on the outside. But this, he said, was a week where even the best schemers will be tested by top-level athletes and disciplined execution.

Harmon confidently predicted: "I feel like this is the week that the no sacks taken streak gets broken." Why? The Seahawks' defense is starting to find its groove, especially in the trenches, and this would be the toughest front the Niners have faced this season.

The Seahawks have been one of the league's best against the run, ranking third in running back stuff rate and allowing just 0.5 yards before contact on running back carries. Explosive runs? Nearly non-existent. Pass defense? Even better — only eight explosive passes allowed all season compared to the league average of 18.

The Niners' renowned ground game will be tested, especially with Kyle Juszczyk expected to be out with a knee injury. Tice wonders how Shanahan might adapt, given that Seattle has devoured zone runs this season, allowing just two explosive plays and leading in stuffs against zone concepts. But gap and duo runs offered a glimmer of hope, as Seattle was only average against duo.

A critical subplot involved the Seahawks' near-total embrace of zone coverage: "90% zone rate on all downs, 90% on late downs — the lowest rate of Cover 1 in history," noted Tice. If there's an edge for Shanahan, it might be in leaning on play-action away from those cloud corners, as the Chargers managed a few times.

Harmon dubbed the Seahawks' run offense vs. the 49ers' run defense "movable object versus a stoppable force" as both units have struggled this year. The Seahawks have cycled through running backs with injuries to Zach Charbonnet and George Holani. Emanuel Wilson had flashed some effectiveness, but the team has largely languished near the bottom of the league in efficiency stats.

Seattle might be able to find some explosive runs on the duo concepts that have troubled San Francisco. But would Seattle call enough of them? Gap concepts, jet sweeps and creative use of speedy playmakers like Rashid Shaheed (lined up as a running back for change-of-pace plays) could be the X-factor.

In the passing game, QB Sam Darnold will need to be aggressive, Tice said. The 49ers are vulnerable to chunk plays if you challenge the middle of the field. But Darnold is a high-variance player — sometimes brash enough to make those throws, sometimes a little trigger-happy and error-prone.

Both Tice and Harmon leaned toward the Seahawks pulling this one out, with Harmon predicting Seattle to cover the 3-point spread. "A little more sound sometimes," Tice said of Seattle, noting their discipline and ability to avoid breakdowns. Both hosts agreed: Seattle's defense was at worst the second-best in the league, and the Niners' offense hadn't yet faced a test like this.

But, just as crucially, the Seahawks' offense, though full of questions at running back and right guard, still "do the things you want to do — explosive passes" and, sometimes, that's what it takes to win.

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LeBron James, 76ers' loaded starting 5 play preseason game: Did we learn anything?

NEW YORK — LeBron James, just like always, walked to the scorer’s table.

And, just like always, he picked up the bottle of talcum powder, dusted a tiny bit off to his right and left sides, and then he caked his right hand. It was the same chalk toss, the same staccato claps and the same strut toward center court. The jarring difference, of course, was the bright blue uniform bearing PHILA across the chest.

It’s a new era, indeed.

James made his 76ers debut Thursday, Oct. 8 in Philadelphia’s second preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets, in which all five starters played together for the first time in a competitive game. And with that, coach Nick Nurse and the rest of the NBA world caught the first glimpse of the revamped Sixers, who wield arguably the best starting five in the world and who enter the 2026-27 season with massive expectations — championship ones.

And if this first look is indicative of where the 76ers are as a collective, it’s clear there are issues to smooth, like turnovers and slight miscommunications. But it’s undeniable that the offensive structure in place has the potential to ascend to the upper tiers of the league.

How did LeBron James do?

James, for the most part, served as point-forward, facilitating offense and deploying his exceptional vision to whistle passes all over the floor. At this stage of his career, it’s what he does best.

The 76ers missed their first shot of the game, a 14-foot turnaround jumper from Joel Embiid. After that, Philadelphia converted its next 7 field goal attempts. By that point, James had not put up a single shot; he had, however, dished out 3 assists by then.

James made his only shot attempt but drained all 8 free throw attempts to finish with 10 points — second-most among starters and behind All-Star point guard Tyrese Maxey’s 14 — 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 turnovers. All 5 assists came in the first quarter.

“It’s a small sample size, and we’re still trying to learn each other on the floor,” James told reporters after the game. “We’re still trying to put each other in the position to be successful and complement each other the best way we can on the floor. But it’s going to take some time.”

When given a crease, James was aggressive in attacking the basket, though everything was under control. He played his game, patiently waited for players to get open.

The luxury Nurse now has is three superb ball-handlers in James, Maxey and shooting guard VJ Edgecombe. Each can initiate actions, though Brown and Embiid are both more than capable of effective spurts of on-ball play.

“Some good, some bad,” Nurse told reporters when asked to characterize the play of his starting unit. “Good to get them out there for the first time. Obviously, it’s kind of what the preseason is for. I think there was some really good things happening right off the bat; some back cuts and good passing, et cetera.

“But then I think there were segments where we turned the ball over a lot, which we can never do. A little clunky in segments, too, but it’s preseason. First time they’re together.”

What 76ers still need to work on

Despite that abundance of creators, turnovers and timing plagued Philadelphia, which committed 14 turnovers in the first half, against only 12 assists on 16 made field goals. For Philadelphia to compete, that figure is way too high, and it turned into 16 Nets points off of those turnovers, seven of which were on Embiid.

They were most often the product of crowded spacing, passes slightly off target, or slight timing misjudgments, all of which should be corrected with time. After all, this group is still learning how to play together, and it’s requiring some players — Brown, chief among them — to adapt to entirely new roles.

Though Embiid, Brown and Edgecombe were on the floor to start the second half, James and Maxey were not. None of the five starters played the fourth quarter as the Nets went on to win 114-108.

Philadelphia 76ers forward Lebron James (23) defends Brooklyn Nets forward Julius Randle (30) during the first half at Barclays Center.

In the first half, the 76ers made 57.1% of their shots, and it became clear that Nurse wants this group to play with space, looking for outlets on skipahead passes to compromise the opposing transition defense.

If there was any play that flashed the promise of this experiment, it came just minutes into the game.

Maxey brought up the ball and slipped to the right wing before delivering a behind-the-back bounce pass to Embiid, who was at the top of the key. Embiid fielded the pass, but quickly skipped it over to James, who was on the left wing. James carved his way into the lane and zipped a no-look bounce pass to Edgecombe, who was cutting along the baseline: wide open dunk.

It wasn’t even a set play, and all the communication was nonverbal.

“It’s just all a read,” Edcombe said. “When there’s someone like (James) who demands so much gravity and attracts so much attention, I just have to play off him. … We made eye contact, and I went to the rim.”

As long as the Sixers can play like that, fluidly and decisively, with clean passes, they might just live up to their massive expectations.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James, 76ers' loaded starting 5 play preseason game: Did we learn anything?

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Jordan Clarkson happy to do his part with Knicks — and knows role

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Jordan Clarkson shoots a jumper during the Knicks' preseason game against the Wizards on Oct. 8, 2026 at Madison Square Garden

Unlike a year prior, Jordan Clarkson’s free agency included no buyouts or last-minute calls.

He experienced the Knicks and wanted more of that.

“It was pretty chill, honestly,” Clarkson said of his summer. “I knew I wanted to come back here, so it was easy.”

No other meetings or offers were considered by Clarkson or his representative, Rich Paul.

“We really didn’t listen to anything else,” the guard said ahead of Thursday night’s 111-109 preseason loss to the Wizards at Madison Square Garden. “I told my agent and everybody that I wanted to come back here, and if the money situation worked out, I wanted to come back. Not do anything else.”

It worked out for a second straight year, as the unrestricted free agent signed a veteran-minimum deal with the Knicks. In 2025, he first had to negotiate a buyout with the Utah Jazz and agreed to the Knicks deal while attending Wimbledon. There were alternatives back then.

This time, Clarkson’s one-year, $3.9 million deal arrived later in free agency — July 9 — but without much surprise.

The Knicks, according to sources, appreciated his locker-room presence. Even if Clarkson doesn’t play, he’s encouraging his teammates, getting along with everybody, going with the flow.

That’s not always the case with veterans who are suddenly faced with dips in opportunities — especially those with Clarkson’s resume.

He ranks seventh in the NBA in all-time bench points and needs just 39 more to surpass No. 6 Thurl Bailey.

Sacrificing with grace will probably be important again this season for Clarkson, who is part of a crowded backcourt with no guarantee of playing time.

Barring a trade, the Knicks have Landry Shamet, Jose Alvarado and Miles McBride above Clarkson on the depth chart.

Jordan Clarkson shoots a jumper during the Knicks’ preseason game against the Wizards on Oct. 8, 2026 at Madison Square Garden. NBAE via Getty Images

But Clarkson, who scored seven points in nine minutes Thursday, can separate himself as a longer body — he’s 6-foot-5 — who can press the ball handler on defense and sometimes create a shot for himself.

The big difference, as Clarkson noted, is a clearer understanding of his fit.

Whereas a year ago Clarkson was being sold a volume-scoring role off the bench, the 34-year-old now understands his path to playing time is geared toward defense and rebounding.

It took a benching to understand that last year. Now he’s ready.

“I know it’s not my regular role that I’ve played before I got here,” Clarkson said. “But it’s something I’ve fallen in love with, and I love playing my role and playing for this team and playing for each other. I think that was the biggest thing last year that I’ve learned.”

Per 36 minutes, Clarkson averaged his fewest points and field goal attempts since he was a rookie in 2014-15.

Defense was never part of Clarkson’s reputation — if anything, he was considered a negative on that side of the floor — but a transformation turned him into a rotational piece of an NBA champion.

Clarkson liked it so much he wants to do it again — even after averaging career lows in minutes, points and shot attempts.

“For us, it’s not about numbers. It’s all about winning the game and doing anything to win the game,” Clarkson said. “And I think a lot of us put things behind us to make that common goal happen.

“And that’s from the coaching staff to everybody down the line. I think we all got to understand on what it means to be a part of this team and a part of the Knicks. So I think that’s been set, and that’s why I wanted to come back. I love the standard. I love the culture here.”

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Brewers manager Pat Murphy drops gauntlet on Dodgers as NLCS rematch heats up

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy walks across the field during a game against the San Diego Padres, Image 2 shows The Los Angeles Dodgers pose for a group photo on the field after winning the National League Division Series, Image 3 shows Los Angeles Dodgers players celebrate in the locker room, spraying champagne after defeating the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS

Pat Murphy is taking the Brewers in seven.

The Milwaukee manager didn’t hold back when discussing the upcoming National League Championship Series against the Dodgers.

“We’re going to do our best to stay with them and beat them in 7 games.”

Manager Pat Murphy of the Milwaukee Brewers walks across the field after making a pitching change in the fourth inning. Getty Images

“We’re gonna be more ready than we were last time, I believe. That doesn’t guarantee anything but we got to be ready for what they say is the best team in baseball, but we think we are,” Murphy said after the Brewers defeated the Padres in the NLDS Wednesday night.

The Dodgers also faced Milwaukee in the NLCS last season, but the Brewers have played arguably better baseball in 2026. LA swept the Brewers on their way to the World Series in 2025.

This year, the Brewers have largely been unstoppable with a roaring offense and NL Cy Young candidate Jacob Misiorowski. In the same way, the Dodgers have also looking sharp with a 100-win season and a lights-out rotation full of aces.

The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate in the locker room after defeating the Atlanta Braves in game four of the NLDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Los Angeles Dodgers pose for after winning Game 4 of baseball’s National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves. AP Photo/Mike Stewart

While Milwaukee boasts the best record in baseball, the Dodgers own back-to-back World Series titles to support their efforts in October.

The series won’t be easy for either team.

It’s a matchup poised for great baseball as the small-market Brewers take on the sport’s juggernaut. And the Dodgers have shown that spending money doesn’t guarantee a championship unless a team has all the right pieces.

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Tales From the Island of Misfit Toys: Remembering the Golden Knights’ Inaugural Season with James Neal

Nobody arrives in Las Vegas by accident. Some come chasing a jackpot, some come running from a bad streak, and a few come because there’s simply nowhere left to go. The inaugural Golden Knights were all three: a roster of strangers dealt a fresh hand in a city built on second chances.

With the exception of Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith, who previously played together in Florida, the inaugural Golden Knights team was one full of strangers in a strange land, a land that had never had a major professional sports team to call its own.

When they arrived in Vegas, those inaugural Golden Knights all had one thing in common: on paper, they were a collection of spare parts that 30 other teams had cast aside and given up on. 

Back in 2017, James Neal jokingly referred to the team as the “Golden Misfits.” But that nickname took on a life of its own, serving as a rallying cry that turned strangers into brothers.

He loves that it’s still in circulation.

“Yeah, I definitely still get a kick out of hearing it,” Neal laughed. “Hearing it just brings back a lot of really good memories of all the guys getting together. [We hadn’t] been in a situation like that ever really… You kind of had a fresh start after coming from a position or a team that wasn’t too fond of you, or you kind of felt like they gave up on you. So it was kind of a fitting name at the time. It was kind of a joke that turned into something where we kind of put our backs against the wall, and went out there, and played for, and became proud of.”

You might not remember this, but the Golden Knights weren’t supposed to be good that year. They were supposed to be pretty bad, actually. Broadcasters and analysts projected that they’d finish as a lottery team. 

“I just went in with an open mind,” Neal said. “I didn’t put any crazy expectations on it; I just wanted to go in and enjoy it. For me, it was a contract year, and it was kind of like, you know, they’re gonna stack up on some older guys, and they’re gonna trade us because we weren’t going to be that good. So there were just a lot of different things going through my mind coming into it.”

Neal was fresh off hand surgery after a tough loss in the Stanley Cup Final, and he couldn’t take part in training camp. In fact, he wasn’t even sure he’d be ready for the first game of the regular season. But when the season began, he was in the lineup.

“I sure am glad that I was healthy enough and ready to go for game one, because it was a fun, fun first game,” said Neal. “ I think those first two games in Dallas and Arizona kind of set the tone for how our season was going to go.”

Of course, Neal didn’t just play in that first game in Dallas. He also scored the Golden Knights’ first goal, cementing his legacy in franchise history and ensuring he’d be the answer to trivia questions for years to come.

“It’s really cool,” he admitted. “It’s definitely something I talk about and joke about to people. It’s something I’m very proud of. In the moment, in the game, you don’t realize how you’re going to look back on things… It was pretty surreal, and a really cool moment. And after I scored that goal, I’ll never forget going back to the bench and just seeing the excitement on the guys’ faces. Guys were just so excited and so fired up, for our team, for us, just for each other.”

The players’ excitement for each other didn’t waver as the year went on. That year, the “Golden Misfits” proved that they were far more than the sum of other teams’ parts. Their regular-season record of 51-24-7 was the best of any NHL expansion team, and it was enough to finish first in the Pacific Division.

Of course, it helped that many of those Misfits enjoyed career years. William Karlsson scored 43 goals, a single-season record that still stands 10 years later. Jonathan Marchessault recorded 75 points. Reilly Smith hit 60 points. And at age 33, Marc-André Fleury recorded 29 wins and an average save percentage of .927, which was, at that time, a career-best. 

“Everyone was so excited for each other,” said Neal.

Neal attributes some of that historic success to Gerard Gallant, the first head coach of the Golden Knights.

“The way he brought us in, and the way we went to practice every day, it was pretty simple,” Neal said. “It was ‘play hard, work hard for each other, and the rest will kind of take care of itself ’… And if you do that, good things are going to happen, for yourself and for your teammates and for your team.”

Neal said he’d always remember the passion with which the city of Las Vegas embraced their first major professional sports team.

“The way the city embraced us, the fan support… And then the rink, going into T-Mobile every night, the place was rocking,” he said. “You couldn’t get more energy and more excitement out of a rink than we did at T-Mobile.

“You didn’t realize how many people were from Las Vegas, didn’t realize how many people were dying for a sports team to root for,” Neal continued. “They were kind of dying to grasp onto a team that was theirs. And for the Golden Knights to be the first team to come there, I think everyone kind of grasped onto us. And then for us to have success and do what we did just kind of made it even better. And we hit the ground running, and it was fun.”

That inaugural season was a whirlwind. It was historic. It was a year of redemption. 

But like Neal kept repeating, most of all– and most importantly– that year was fun. For many of the players, that inaugural season was about falling back in love with the game they played as kids.

“I just remember going to the rink excited every day, going to the rink with a smile on my face, and having fun,” Neal said. “Yeah, it was just a whole different atmosphere. I think guys were used to kind of going to the rink, you know, maybe pissed off or not in the best moods. And it was kind of a complete 180 for everybody.

“It was a special year all around,” he continued. “Everybody just became so close so fast; right from the first get-together, we all went out, had dinner, and kind of got right to it. From the first win all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals, it was just an enjoyable year… Every day, we just enjoyed each other.

“And I think if you ask all the guys the same question, what was their favorite year playing hockey, I would say 95% of them would say the first year with Vegas.”

Saturday will be the 10th anniversary of the first Golden Knights home game. To celebrate, they’re going all-out in true Vegas fashion. The Welcome to Impossible Weekend festivities begin at 11 a.m. on Friday with a free autograph session during the team’s practice at City National Arena. 

Fans will also have another chance to get autographs from members of the inaugural team at Fan Fest, which runs from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday before the Golden Knights’ home game against the Los Angeles Kings.

James Neal is one of the players returning to Las Vegas for the festivities. The others? Well, you’ll have to wait and see.

“First off, I can’t believe it’s already been 10 years. That flew by,” Neal chuckled. “I’m just looking forward to coming back and seeing old faces. I know that Turk, our coach, is coming… I was excited to hear that he was coming back because of the role that he played in bringing the guys together right from the start; I was excited to see that. And getting on the group text and shooting guys messages and seeing everybody excited to come back was pretty cool. I’m really looking forward to it.”

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Logan O’Connor Steps Away From Avalanche After Father’s Sudden Death

Logan O’Connor was getting close to returning to the ice. Now, hockey can wait.

The Colorado Avalanche announced Thursday that O’Connor’s father, Myles, had died suddenly at age 59. The news came just hours before Colorado was set to face the Calgary Flames.

Myles had played in the NHL himself. A defenseman, he spent time with the New Jersey Devils and the then-Anaheim Mighty Ducks between 1990 and 1994. He appeared in 43 NHL games, recording three goals and four assists.

He continued playing after leaving the NHL, eventually heading to Japan to join the Nippon Paper Cranes. In the 1997-98 season, he had four goals and 11 assists in 31 games.

His son went on to make his own mark in hockey. Logan played at the University of Denver before making his NHL debut with the Avalanche in the 2018-19 season. He was also part of Colorado’s Stanley Cup run in 2022.

Since then, O’Connor has put up 45 goals and 60 assists in 356 regular-season games. Colorado signed him to a six-year extension in September 2024.

He had been working his way back from a lower-body injury and was in contention to make his season debut against Calgary. That return is on hold as he steps away to be with his family.

The Avalanche shared their condolences with O’Connor and his family. The team will look to honor Myles during Thursday’s game.

Colorado lost 3-2 to Winnipeg on Wednesday, despite putting 34 shots on goal to the Jets’ 19. The Flames are next, with less than 24 hours between games.

Colorado has had the better of Calgary lately, winning 12 of their last 15 meetings. Last season, the Avalanche won all three matchups and outscored the Flames 15-4.

Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas combined for 14 points in those games. Kadri will face his former team, while Scott Wedgewood is expected to make his first start of the season in goal.

Now the mission is to win one for Myles.

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George Lombard Jr. could be silver lining for this dreadful Yankees’ end

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows New York Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. reacts after the final out of the ninth inning during Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the New York Yankees 4-3 to win the ALDS and advance to the ALCS, Image 2 shows New York Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. hits a single in the second inning during Game 3 of the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium, Wednesday, October 7, 2026, Image 3 shows Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero grounds out to New York Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. in the fourth inning of Game 3 of the ALDS, Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at Yankee Stadium
George Lombard during Game 3 of the ALDS

Several minutes after both the predictable and unthinkable — another team celebrating on the Yankee Stadium turf, this time the Rays after sweeping through the ALDS — three Yankees lingered on the top step of the dugout. They stared. They absorbed. They stored what will be used as fuel. 

Paul Blackburn peeled off the railing and began making his way to the clubhouse. Soon after, Aaron Judge followed. 

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And finally, the last Yankee to force himself from watching the revolting sight was the youngest: George Lombard Jr. 

“I’m going to have to learn from it and keep this feeling with it and use that in the work next year,” Lombard said after the Yankees were eliminated Wednesday night in The Bronx. “… It sucks. It hurts. There’s a lot of things that go into it, but yeah, it’s definitely a feeling that you don’t want to feel after your last game. 

“It’s definitely going to be on my mind a lot.” 

The Yankees will not fondly remember 2026, when Judge and Giancarlo Stanton missed much of the season, their replacements did not adequately replace them, and yet another campaign ended in disappointment, but it is at least possible it will be recalled as the year Lombard earned his shot. 

A year that started in Double-A Somerset, where Lombard did not even last a month, ended as the everyday playoff shortstop for the Yankees. 

George Lombard Jr. stares out to the field after the Yankees’ season-ending Game 3 loss to the Rays in The Bronx. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

He showed flashes of brilliance defensively, and his fourth-inning highlight — in which he charged a chopper that had leaped over Max Fried, barehanded it and slung a throw to cut down Junior Caminero — might have been remembered if the game had finished differently. He also showed that he is 21 years old, both with his six-game error streak and in being part of the Game 2 defensive meltdown. 

Offensively, he performed better than expected. The Yankees would welcome further steps, but a prospect known more for his glove and headiness hit .237 with a .699 OPS in his first 42 games before holding his own in October. 

George Lombard Jr. throws out Junior Caminero during the Yankees’ Game 3 loss to the Rays. Robert Sabo for New York Post

Lombard’s first playoff run, albeit brief, finished at 6-for-18 (.333) with six singles and four strikeouts. On Wednesday, he was a bright spot in stroking a hard-hit single, adding another on a slow roller to third and later walking, using an automated ball-strike system challenge — which has been a strength of his — to earn the trip to first. 

“It was definitely a good experience for the first year,” said Lombard, who replaced Anthony Volpe and José Caballero at shortstop in early August. “I’m going to take everything with me because it’s not the way we want to end going forward.” 

There is little known about the 2027 Yankees infield. Can they really bring back Ryan McMahon, who is owed $16 million for next season, made a costly error in Game 2, was benched in Game 3 and simply did not hit enough this season? Is Jazz Chisholm Jr., who also was benched for the elimination game, a goner as a free agent? Are the Yankees serious about Luis García Jr. possibly getting work at second base, which would open first for Ben Rice? Is Paul Goldschmidt, who wants to keep playing, still an option as a lefty-killer at first? Where do Volpe and Caballero fit? 

George Lombard hits a single in the second inning of the Yankees’ Game 3 season-ending loss to the Rays. Robert Sabo for New York Post

The best bet among the group is that Lombard, a 2023 first-round pick whose first taste of major league life included more promise than problems, will be back at shortstop. 

And motivated. 

“Definitely a lot to take from it,” said Lombard, who was particularly upset about Judge, Stanton and Goldschmidt coming up short of a title. “It just sucks to go out like this.”