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Mavericks vs Rockets Preview and Injury Update: Game 1, Let’s do this

MACAU, CHINA - OCTOBER 11: Kyrie Irving #11 of Dallas Mavericks pulls up Cooper Flagg #32 of Dallas Mavericks during NBA China Games 2026 between Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets at The Venetian Arena on the Cotai Strip on October 11, 2026 in Macau, China. 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 Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks start the 2026-27 season by visiting the Houston Rockets. After playing twice in the preseason in Macau, these two face off twice in the first 10 days of the season. Divisional rivals playing four times in a month? Familiarity breeds contempt, even when two of the games were just tune ups. Here’s the main things you need to know tonight.

  • WHO: Dallas Mavericks at Houston Rockets
  • WHAT: Game 1, Lock in folks!
  • WHERE: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
  • WHEN: 7:30 pm CST
  • HOW: KFAA

On the injury front, Dereck Lively and Santi Aldama start the year on the injury report with long known about issues, though Coach Dusty May insists that Aladama is close to taking the court. New addition Tarik Biberovic will miss the contest with heel bursitis, which doesn’t sound comfortable. Caleb Martin will also miss the game with a thumb sprain.

As of this writing, Steven Adams is questionable for the Rockets with calf tightness. That’s one of those areas teams don’t mess around with, so unless he feels great, I actually would bet he misses the game.

Newly signed two-way guard Walter Clayton Jr. will be with Dallas and available tonight.

These two teams are in very different places in the team cycle. Dallas is trying to claw their way out of the bottom five in the Western Conference. The Rockets had an embarassing post-season exit, but were injury laden last season and hope to finish among the league’s elite with a talented, but mercurial squad. Keep an eye on the Dallas rotations and the Maverick defense tonight. The latter will take weeks to sort itself out but I’m curious what combinations May tried. The latter was very bad for most of the preseason and I expect them to pick up the pace.

If you’re checking out this post, it’s for one of two reasons:

  • Injury report news
  • Discussion and comment thread

If you’re part of the former, please consider signing up for an account. You get way fewer ads, and you can comment! If you’re part of the latter group: GO GET THE APP. I’m serious. The app has some real-time features specifically for game threads like this one and you can comment and get notified really, really easily. It’s part of what’s keeping this whole series of sites going. So go do it for us and in doing so, you’ll see why the experience is simply better.

Consider joining me on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube; I will be going live tonight after the game and it’s the show where I need y’all to join and participate!

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Knuble, Vladar propel Flyers past Sabres for third straight win

Knuble, Vladar propel Flyers past Sabres for third straight win originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

In just his second career NHL game, Cole Knuble led the Flyers to a 3-1 win Wednesday night over the Sabres at KeyBank Center.

Knuble bookended the scoring with the first two goals of his career. His second gave the Flyers important insurance in the third period. He made a couple of nice moves before banking a shot off the goaltender.

Trevor Zegras provided the Flyers’ other goal. Oliver Bonk collected two assists.

Dan Vladar had another strong effort in net.

The Flyers (3-6-3) have won three straight after opening the season with nine consecutive losses. Rick Tocchet’s club has scored nine goals over these three victories. It had just 11 through that nine-game skid.

The Flyers won in Buffalo, New York, for the first time since Nov. 3, 2023. They had lost in their previous four trips. They face the Sabres (4-4-2) two more times, with both matchups in Philadelphia.

• At development camp in July, Patrick Sharp said the Flyers had “high expectations” for Knuble.

You can see why.

Not only did Knuble score two goals in his second NHL game, but he also had two in the preseason and one in his rookie game before main training camp. So that’s five goals in six games.

Knuble is a constant worker and he showed it on his goal in the first period.

The 22-year-old forward battled between two Sabres to keep the puck alive in the offensive zone. He then made his way to the net and deposited a loose puck from a Bonk shot that was blocked.

Knuble unleashed a big fist pump as the TNT broadcast flashed to his parents celebrating in the stands. His father Mike Knuble played 338 career regular-season games for the Flyers over two stints with the club.

Two nights ago, Knuble made his NHL debut at Xfinity Mobile Arena, where he went to games growing up. This is a special time for him. And he has really impressed, too.

• Vladar was outstanding with 27 saves on 28 shots.

When Buffalo emptied its net, the 29-year-old had a couple of huge stops on Jack Quinn.

In the first period, Vladar denied 16 shots. The only goal he allowed came with 35 seconds left in the second period when the Sabres were on the power play.

Over his last three starts, Vladar has a 1.30 goals-against average and .953 save percentage.

Buffalo netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 23 of the Flyers’ 26 shots.

• The Flyers’ power play has found some momentum with a goal in three consecutive games.

Zegras extended the Flyers’ lead to 2-0 late in the first period when he batted home a puck out of the air.

In the second period, the Flyers failed to capitalize on a 5-on-3 opportunity for 1:13 minutes. But the power play has been better. It has helped spark the Flyers’ offense and some key players, too.

• Tyson Foerster returned to the lineup after missing the Flyers’ 3-2 win Monday night over the Avalanche because of an injury to the area of his right hand.

Michael Bunting was a healthy scratch to make room for Foerster, who played 16:47 minutes.

Travis Konecny, Owen Tippett, Rasmus Ristolainen and Cam York remained out with their injuries.

• The Flyers are back in action Saturday when they welcome Cutter Gauthier and the Ducks to Xfinity Mobile Arena (1 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

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How Clippers fans can get free parking and new jerseys on opening night

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Clippers are doing their part and trying to welcome fans back to the Intuit Dome to start the 2026-27 season with select promotions on Wednesday, October 21.

The Clippers will host the Sacramento Kings in a Pacific Division battle.

The Clippers will have new faces on the court this season, having essentially hit the restart button with their roster. The team moved on from notable players such as Kawhi Leonard and James Harden over the past season and got younger in the process.

The Clippers drafted Keaton Wagler out of Illinois with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft. The team also acquired Rui Hachimura as a free agent during the offseason.

Here's everything you need to know about the promotions on opening night:

Clippers offer free parking for fans

Fans attending the game must arrive at the East or West parking garage by 6:30 p.m. There is a limit on the number of spaces available.

Fans who prepaid for parking in advance may receive a refund if they secure a free spot.

Clippers jersey swap promotion

Fans can bring an eligible jersey to the plaza outside of the arena and choose a new Icon Navy Swingman jersey with the name of a current Clippers player on the back. The opportunity is limited to the first 4,000 ticketed fans to complete a swap, and it is one per person. It will begin 4-7 p.m. PT.

The fan’s jersey being brought for the swap must be either an NBA team’s Swingman or Authentic jersey featuring a current Clippers player, or a Clippers Swingman or Authentic jersey featuring a current or former Clippers player. Giveaway and replica jerseys will not be deemed eligible for this promotion.

Clippers t-shirt giveaway

The Clippers will also offer a free “home opener” shirt for the first 10,000 fans in attendance as well.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Clippers fans can get free parking and new jerseys on opening night

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LIVE DISCUSSION: Charlotte Hornets at Brooklyn Nets, 7:30 PM ET

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 14: Mikel Brown Jr. #0 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the game against the Miami Heat on October 14, 2026 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. 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 Eric Espada/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

New jerseys, new court, new Nets. Right?

It’s a new era in Brooklyn, an uncertain one, but one in which the Nets aren’t trying to lose games to improve their draft position. That was the reality over the past two seasons.

Now, the Nets are building around Egor Dëmin and Mikel Brown Jr. — their two lottery picks from the 2025 and 2026 Drafts, respectively. Three-time All-Star Julius Randle is a new face to watch. Other new faces such as Keon Ellis and Mo Wagner offer intrigue.

The Nets will need to be solid defensively in order to create in the open floor, which will be an advantage for a team with an average age of 24.3 years.

On the other side, the Charlotte Hornets are coming off a dramatic offseason. LaMelo Ball and Josh Green were traded in exchange for Naz Reid, a 2033 first-round pick, three second-round picks and three future first-round pick swaps. Subsequently, the Timberwolves sent Randle and the draft rights to Joshua Jefferson to the Nets in exchange for the draft rights to guard Isaiah Evans, as part of a four-team trade involving Brooklyn and Chicago.

The Hornets won’t have Kon Knueppel, Coby White, or Grant Williams in this one.

Game Info & Broadcast Details

  • Who: Charlotte Hornets (0-0) at Brooklyn Nets (0-0)
  • What: Opening Night
  • Time: 7:30 PM ET
  • TV/Streaming: YES & DAZN
  • Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

Injury Report: Who’s Out?

Brooklyn Nets:

  • Tayler Bilodeau: OUT (Right Shoulder Sprain)

Charlotte Hornets:

  • Kon Knueppel: OUT (left hamstring)
  • Coby White: OUT (left calf)
  • Grant Williams: OUT (right hamstring)

Game Preview | Jordan Greene

“Mikel Brown Jr. will not be in the starting lineup… the Nets performance team is being cautious. MBJ will play with a minutes restriction and off the bench. His first official minutes as an NBA player will begin when he’s introduced not as a starter but from the bench. Think 24 minutes. That should still be enough to get his feet wet against NBA level competition…”

💬 Discussion

Share your thoughts and react, but please be respectful. NetsDaily prides itself on being a safe space for Nets and basketball fans alike to have healthy conversation. Reach out to Anthony Puccio or Net Income with any issues.

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Who is Jason Kanzler? New name emerges in Mariners coaching search

Nov 5, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Chas McCormick (20) and major league coach Jason Kanzler (41) celebrate after the Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in game six winning the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

There’s a new name being bandied about for the Mariners manager position; The Athletic reports that, in addition to known quantities Joe Espada and Rocco Baldelli, the Mariners are also interviewing 36-year-old Jason Kanzler, currently director of player development for the Cubs.

Kanzler has a background as a player: he was drafted by the Twins in 2013 out of SUNY Buffalo and spent three years as an outfielder in Minnesota’s system, topping out at the High-A level. After being released in 2015, he taught public school for a few years while building his own performance training business, coaching Cape Cod League baseball in the summers, before transitioning to coaching full-time. Eventually he landed in the Astros system, where he worked his way up from a minor-league hitting coordinator in 2019 to the World Series champion big-league club in 2022 (putting him solidly past the most scandal-soaked years of the Astros, although it was a near miss with the Brandon Taubman debacle). The Cubs hired Kanzler as director of player development prior to the 2024 season, a role that is currently overseen by Justin Toole in the Mariners organization but most Mariners fans might associate with Andy McKay, who held the position for seven years before the Mariners promoted him to assistant GM in 2022; McKay moved to the Guardians prior to the 2026 season to take an on-field role.

It’s more relevant to talk about Toole and McKay as analogues for Kanzler than it is to talk about Baldelli or Espada, both of whom have years of experience managing at the big-league level. Kanzler’s background is more on the minor-league and independent side, with some of the hallmarks you find in people who are more invested on the player development side. Kanzler has a Twitter account (@KanzlerThinks) that hasn’t been updated since 2020, shortly after he began his big-league coaching career in earnest, which hits many of the same beats you’ll find in skimming Twitter feeds from other young coaches – he rails about the youth sports industrial complex (yes!), says the best training equipment is A Hill (eyeroll), and rewrites the lyrics to “The Sound of Silence” to be about hitting development (?) on a post dated on Christmas Day 2019 (???). A peek at Kanzler’s LinkedIn touts his “proficiency” in Spanish, which is certainly preferable to not proficient, and a “broad coding background” (his Twitter bio identifies him as a “hobbyist programmer”), suggesting he’s at least not adverse to integrating technology.

Kanzler was hired to oversee Cubs player development at a time when the Cubs had the most MLB Pipeline Top 100 prospects in baseball (7) – interestingly, he told MLB.com shortly after his hiring that he actually felt the strength of the farm was a challenge, noting that the big-league club – which had just added Pete Crow-Armstrong – was set up to be competitive for several years, meaning the farm would be depleted by trades, and emphasizing the importance of making sure the farm was deep and robust in order to weather those trades. That’s a similar situation to what Kanzler, should he become the Mariners manager, would be walking into in Seattle. The Mariners started the season with seven top-100 prospects, but have already promoted four of them – Colt Emerson, Kade Anderson, Lazaro Montes, and Michael Arroyo – to the big leagues, triggering a new contention cycle but also resetting the next wave of prospects on the farm. Kanzler, over his time with the Cubs, would be familiar with both managing the farm and seeing how that wave of young players integrate with the existing big-league clubhouse, making him uniquely positioned to understand where the Mariners are headed into 2027.

The question, of course, is if Kanzler has enough experience on the big-league side of things to translate those learnings into success for the Mariners. Kanzler was 34 when he joined the Cubs, two years younger than Justin Toole was when he took up the same position with the Mariners; at 36, he’s almost ten years younger than Baldelli, 15 years younger than Espada, and over 20 years younger than the Mariners’ last skipper, Dan Wilson.

But age doesn’t determine personality; yesterday I wrote about how the new Mariners manager must be able to empower a clubhouse culture of leadership and accountability. Espada, for all his years of experience, inherited a clubhouse that Astros beat writer Chandler Rome, on 710 Seattle Sports’s Bump and Stacy show, described as “self-policing.” Whoever is given the Mariners managerial position will have significantly more work to do in building clubhouse culture, and Kanzler’s youthful energy – even if some of it comes off as sparkle-motion-level cringe-y – could be a spark in invigorating a clubhouse that often felt stagnant and directionless. Plus, we already know his potential clubhouse leader Cal Raleigh is no stranger to a parody song himself.

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Robin Yount and others from Milwaukee’s 1982 World Series team hope the Brewers finally win it all

MILWAUKEE — Hall of Fame shortstop Robin Yount says he feels a different level of anxiety watching the Milwaukee Brewers now than when he was playing for them during their only other World Series run.

“It’s almost like watching your kids play,” said Yount, who was the American League Most Valuable Player when the Brewers reached the 1982 Fall Classic. “You’re a lot more nervous watching your own kids play than when you played yourself. And I kind of feel that way now.”

Yount and the rest of the 1982 Brewers are hoping this year’s Milwaukee team can settle some unfinished business by winning the franchise’s first World Series title.

The 1982 Brewers won the AL pennant and led 3-1 in the sixth inning of Game 7 of the World Series that year before falling 6-3 to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Brewers are finally back on this stage 44 years later.

The Brewers swept the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL championship series to earn this matchup with the AL champion Tampa Bay Rays. Game 1 is Friday in Milwaukee.

“In my 80 years on this planet, I have never been more impressed with a team — the way they played against the Dodgers — in my entire life,” said Larry Hisle, who played nine games for the Brewers in 1982 before undergoing shoulder surgery that essentially ended his 14-year major league career.

Different types of teams

On the surface, this year’s Brewers don’t have much in common with the 1982 squad.

The 1982 team was known as Harvey’s Wallbangers, a nod to Milwaukee’s drinking culture, Brewers manager Harvey Kuenn and the fact that the Brewers hit an MLB-leading 216 homers that year. This year’s Brewers hit just 154 homers to match the second-lowest total in the majors.

But the two teams do share some traits.

Jerry Augustine, a pitcher on the 1982 team, said that squad “had respect for each other about going out and playing the game the way it’s supposed to be played.”

“This team is exactly the same,” Augustine said. “They respect each other. They go out and play hard. They don’t give up. When you play this team, you’d better be ready to play 27 outs.”

Cecil Cooper, a first baseman on the 1982 team, said he’s appreciated the Brewers’ approach at the plate during this playoff run.

“You watch every at bat, these guys are grinding,” Cooper said. “They’re not out there just wailing away at the first pitch. They’re grinding at bat after at bat. That’s what you do. That’s what winners do.”

That 1982 team’s star-studded roster featured five Hall of Famers in Yount, third baseman Paul Molitor, catcher Ted Simmons and pitchers Rollie Fingers and Don Sutton.

Panthers GM Zito was Brewers bat boy in 1982

The list of familiar names on that team isn’t limited to the players. Florida Panthers general manager and hockey operations president Bill Zito was a Brewers bat boy and clubhouse attendant that year. He did laundry, rubbed mud on baseballs for better gripping and played catch in right field with outfielders between innings.

Zito brought the Stanley Cup into the Brewers’ clubhouse during the summer of 2024, after the Panthers won their first of two straight NHL championships.

Would his name be on the Stanley Cup twice if he hadn’t been a Brewers bat boy? Zito doesn’t think so.

“I’m guessing maybe some of the guys working there now realize what an unbelievable opportunity it is, to learn and to be around professional sports,” Zito said. “The lessons that you take away, maybe I didn’t understand them at the time. … But now, reflecting back, they were all so important.”

The 1982 squad remains beloved in Milwaukee and was a subject of a documentary, “Just a Bit Outside,” that came out in 2024.

Milwaukee started slowly that year until Kuenn took over and provided a spark after the June firing of Buck Rodgers. The Brewers clinched the AL East title by winning a winner-take-all game at Baltimore on the final day of the regular season. They rallied from two games down to beat the California Angels in the best-of-five ALCS.

Longtime Brewers fans continue to vow that the Brewers would have won the World Series if Fingers hadn’t injured his forearm that September, preventing him from pitching in the postseason.

“We got a parade when we lost the World Series,” Yount said. “How often does that happen?”

Yount, who is generally regarded as the greatest player in Brewers history, has called that 1982 postseason the greatest time but also the worst time of his career because of the way it ended. The pain of losing Game 7 sticks with him.

“Yeah, it stings,” the 71-year-old Yount said. “It hurts. I’m not going to lie, I’ll never get over it until the Brewers win one. So I’m hoping. I hope this happens more often than every 44 years, but I’m pretty excited this year. If it takes another 44, I’m not sure I’m going to be here for that one.”

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Dodgers’ Dalton Rushing undergoing elbow surgery, leaving 2027 role unclear

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Los Angeles Dodgers' Dalton Rushing hits a three-run home run against the Seattle Mariners, Image 2 shows Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tanner Scott hugs catcher Dalton Rushing after a game

Shohei Ohtani avoided surgery after his injury-plagued 2026 season.

Dodgers backup catcher Dalton Rushing, however, wasn’t so lucky.

Rushing was set to undergo an internal brace procedure on Wednesday to address the damaged ligament in his right throwing elbow, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation.

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Dalton Rushing hits a three-run home run against the Seattle Mariners during the fourth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Los Angeles. Wally Skalij for CA Post
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Dalton Rushing celebrates with Teoscar Hernandez and Kyle Tucker after hitting a three-run home run against the Seattle Mariners during the fourth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Los Angeles. Wally Skalij for CA Post

The operation will come with a nine-month timeline to return to full catching duties, as the Los Angeles Times first reported, but the expectation is that he could be ready as a hitter by the beginning of next season.

Rushing initially hurt his elbow at the beginning of August, while playing catch in the outfield before the start of a game. He spent much of the final two months of the regular season on the injured list, returning for only six days in early September before going down again when he suffered a setback in his throwing progression.

Rushing was healthy enough to be activated for hitting-only duties during the final week of the regular season. However, he did not make the team’s postseason roster, bypassed by rookie sensation Josue De Paula as the team’s left-handed bench bat in October.

Now, more uncertainty awaits Rushing, who is two years removed from his debut as one of the club’s top prospects.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tanner Scott hugs catcher Dalton Rushing (68) after the final out of the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York, Friday, July 17, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

For all the strides he took in his second MLB campaign –– batting .246 with 12 home runs and 36 RBIs in 80 games, including an extended stint in June and July as the fill-in starter behind the plate during Will Smith’s neck injury –– his place in the team’s long-term plans remains unclear.

Rushing’s surgery likely opens a pathway for Hunter Feduccia to begin next season in the backup catcher role, where he impressed as Rushing’s replacement down the stretch this year.

Where Rushing will fit into the early-season roster is unknown.

Though he could still offer an option off the bench with his bat, there might be few opportunities for regular playing time with Shohei Ohtani entrenched as the designated hitter and Freddie Freeman at first base.

It’s all just another setback for the 25-year-old slugger, who has yet to truly flourish at the big-league level.

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Drew Commesso Receives Praise In The Hockey News' Goalie Issue 2026

The Hockey News recently released its "Goalie Issue 2026". This issue covers one of the most fascinating positions in professional sports: a goaltender in the National Hockey League. If you would like to grab this edition, you can find it here. 

The Chicago Blackhawks have Spencer Knight as their number one goaltender. They received him in the blockbuster trade that they made with the Florida Panthers a couple of years ago, headlined by Seth Jones. 

As of right now, Arvid Soderblom is the backup goalie in Chicago, but many assume that this will be his last year in that role. He only has one year left on his contract. 

Not only does Soderblom's deal expire, but Drew Commesso's contract goes from being a two-way deal to a one-way deal at the same time that Soderblom's expires. That indicates that the plan is for Commesso to take the reins behind Knight in 2027-28. 

Commesso was featured in the Goalie Issue of The Hockey News as part of the "Goalie of the Future" section, where each team has one goalie prospect written about. For Commesso, author Jared Clinton wrote:

"It’s no longer a matter of if, so much as when, for DREW COMMESSO. While his AHL numbers are strong but not spectacular, the 2020 second-round pick looked comfortable and calm in the Blackhawks’ crease over his three NHL appearances last season. Right now, there’s a Spencer Knight-shaped roadblock in Commesso’s way if he has his sights set on the top job. Overtaking Arvid Soderblom for the backup gig, though? It’s not out of the question Commesso sees regular second-string duty by season’s end."

The Blackhawks selected Commesso in the second round (46th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft, and he has been developing ever since. Before assuming the role of starting goalie for the Rockford IceHogs, Commesso went to Boston University, where he was outstanding. Now, his time in Rockford is serving as further development before he starts to get some good playing time in the NHL. 

Sometimes, teams rush goalies they think are going to magically save their franchise. The Blackhawks have not done that with Commesso. They traded for Knight, which helps, but they have only let Commesso play in the NHL during injury emergencies. 

In his 5 NHL appearances, Commesso has a record of 2-2-0 with 1 shutout, 2.61 goals against, and a .901 save percentage. There have been flashes of NHL-caliber goaltending, and it won't be long before he realizes that lifelong dream of sticking in the NHL. Whether it's at the end of this year or the start of next year, he'll get his shot. 

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Champions League: Silva sparks Real Madrid’s demolition of Leipzig as Lask stun Sporting

  • Bernardo Silva opens scoring as Madrid win 4-1

  • Galatasaray sweep past Lille; 10-man Inter edge Shakhtar

Real Madrid claimed a third Champions League victory in as many games by thrashing RB Leipzig 4-1 on Wednesday, with Kylian Mbappé and Yan Diomande among the goals for José Mourinho’s side.

Bernardo Silva opened the scoring for Madrid from close range towards the end of a tight first half, with Arda Guler doubling the record 15-time European champions’ advantage soon after the interval.

Continue reading...
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Champions League: Silva sparks Real Madrid’s demolition of Leipzig as Lask stun Sporting

  • Bernardo Silva opens scoring as Madrid win 4-1

  • Galatasaray sweep past Lille; 10-man Inter edge Shakhtar

Real Madrid claimed a third Champions League victory in as many games by thrashing RB Leipzig 4-1 on Wednesday, with Kylian Mbappé and Yan Diomande among the goals for José Mourinho’s side.

Bernardo Silva opened the scoring for Madrid from close range towards the end of a tight first half, with Arda Guler doubling the record 15-time European champions’ advantage soon after the interval.

Continue reading...
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Injuries, Kristaps Porzingis cast a cloud over Warriors’ season opener

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) dribbles against Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (00), Image 2 shows Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis warms up with a basketball, Image 3 shows Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and guard Stephen Curry talk during a break in the game

LOS ANGELES — The word of the year for the Warriors: Availability.

Before they could even take the court Wednesday night to open their season against the Lakers, who wasn’t in uniform was already as much of a talking point as anybody who was.

A quick recap of the week that was leading up to tipoff:

  • Steph Curry gave fans in attendance for a light-hearted open practice a heart attack when he pulled up gimpy and limped off the court. Conditioned to fear for the worst, they let out a collective sigh of relief when it was revealed only to be a mild ankle tweak.
  • Brandin Podziemski, one of 18 players not to miss a game last season, was ruled out for opening night because of back soreness, and Charles Bassey, their one center who isn’t over the age of 40 or dealing with a mysterious illness, was also unable to go with knee tendinitis.
  • Then, an ESPN report surfaced that the issue preventing Kristaps Porzingis from playing also has him “seriously contemplating his future in basketball.”

How’s that for a tone-setter for the season ahead on opening night?

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, left, and guard Stephen Curry (30) talk during a break against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first quarter. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

If there was one game that we could reasonably expect to see the Warriors at full strength, it would have been the first one of the season. If Golden State can’t even enter the season healthy, how is this all going to play out over the 81 games that follow?

While Curry walked away from his practice scare, the Warriors still need to manage his playing time — along with Draymond Green and Al Horford, at a minimum — to keep him healthy and fresh at age 38 with a knee issue that gets worse with overuse.

Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski dribbles against Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (00) in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center in San Francisco, California, Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

For as underwhelming as last season may have been, the Warriors wouldn’t have even qualified for the play-in without Podziemski picking up the slack during Curry’s absence.

He was the Warriors’ one ironman in a sea of DNPs.

Podziemski was going to be asked to play an even bigger role this season, as indicated by the $110 million extension he signed a week before opening night. But in his first chance to prove he’s worth the money, Podziemski was forced to watch from the bench in street clothes.

Bassey is almost as essential in the Warriors’ ability to get through the season. He may not make or break the outcome on opening night, but Golden State will need his size when Horford and Porzingis aren’t able to go, which is expected to be on a regular basis — if not nightly, in Porzingis’ case.

Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, April 10, 2026. AP Photo/Scott Marshall

The situation with the Latvian big man got even murkier hours before tipoff when the Warriors responded to the ESPN report with their second statement in as many weeks. According to ESPN, they have begun to explore trading Porzingis after he caught them off guard when his illness cropped up before training camp.

While the Warriors declined to comment “on trade speculation or reports regarding his health-related matter or future,” they added that they were “not anticipating Kristaps being around the team in the immediate future.” That’s a notable shift from last week, after Porzingis met with team doctors, when they said that although he would remain out indefinitely, he would “be around the team.”

Porzingis didn’t accompany the team to Los Angeles, where the Warriors and Lakers were shielded inside Crypto.com Area from the stormy conditions outside.

But Golden State couldn’t escape the dark cloud casting a shadow over its season on opening night.

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Lightning beat Golden Knights 6-2 as Kucherov ties franchise points record

Tampa Bay Lightning v Vegas Golden Knights

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 20: Nikita Kucherov #86 and Emil Lilleberg #78 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrate Kucherov’s third-period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on October 20, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lightning defeated the Golden Knights 6-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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LAS VEGAS (AP) — Anthony Cirelli scored twice, Nikita Kucherov had three points to tie Tampa Bay’s career scoring record, and the Lightning extended their strong start by beating the Vegas Golden Knights 6-2 on Tuesday night.

The Lightning (7-2) are off to their best start since opening 7-1-1 in 2020-21, when they repeated as Stanley Cup champions.

Vegas had won seven of eight.

Kucherov has at least one point in all 15 games he’s played against the Golden Knights. That ranks behind only Mario Lemieux (26 games against Calgary) and Tomas Sandstrom (17 games against Tampa Bay) among players who scored in every game against an opponent. Connor McDavid had a 17-game streak against New Jersey that ended in January.

With a goal and two assists, Kucherov increased his total to 1,137 career points, pulling even with former teammate Steven Stamkos for the club record.

Brandon Hagel, John Carlson and Victor Hedman also scored for the Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 32 shots.

Ivan Barbashev scored his first goal of the season for the Golden Knights, and Mark Stone got his fifth in three games. Carter Hart made 15 saves on 21 shots.

Cirelli gave Tampa Bay a 3-2 lead 6:44 into the second period off a pass from Kucherov, then scored unassisted to make it 4-2 at 10:09.

Both teams played a wide-open game. Each side scored twice in the first period before the Lightning broke it open with three goals in the second for a 5-2 lead. Those five goals came on 14 shots, the last from the left point by Hedman that somehow got by Hart late in the second.

Kucherov’s breakaway goal early in the third made it 6-2.

Golden Knights forward Brett Howden, drafted 27th overall by the Lightning in 2016, played in his 500th career game. It was his 322nd for Vegas.

Up next

Lightning: Visit the Colorado Avalanche on Friday.

Golden Knights: Visit the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.

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Defending champion Hurricanes beat Canucks 6-3 to take NHL lead

Carolina Hurricanes v Vancouver Canucks

VANCOUVER, CANADA - OCTOBER 20: Nikolaj Ehlers #27 of the Carolina Hurricanes breaks away from Jamie Oleksiak #4 and Filip Hronek #17 of the Vancouver Canucks before scoring in the third period at Rogers Arena on October 20, 2026 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Verity Griffin/Getty Images)

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Logan Stankoven and Nikolaj Ehlers each scored twice and had an assist and the Carolina Hurricanes beat Vancouver 6-3 on Tuesday night to take the NHL points lead and hand the Canucks their eighth straight loss.

Nicolas Deslauriers also had two goals for the defending Stanley Cup champion Hurricanes (8-2-1). Jackson Blake added three assists, and Pyotr Kochetkov stopped 14 shots, They rebounded from a 3-2 loss at Calgary on Sunday night.

Linus Karlsson, Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Max Sasson scored for the Canucks (2-8-1).

Leevi Merilainen provided a bright spot for Vancouver with 38 saves. He stopped Sebastian Aho on a penalty shot in the second period after Canucks center Elias Pettersson was caught throwing his stick.

Up next

Hurricanes: At Edmonton on Thursday night.

Canucks: Host Detroit on Thursday night.

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Mavericks sign Walter Clayton Jr. to two-way contract

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 07: Walter Clayton Jr. #4 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against Goga Bitadze #35 of the Orlando Magic during the game during a 2026 NBA Preseason game at FedExForum on October 07, 2026 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks signed Walter Clayton Jr. to a two-way contract on Wednesday, adding the No. 18 pick of the 2025 NBA Draft to the team’s final roster.

Clayton joins the Mavericks after a rookie season where he averaged 7.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists across 69 games for the Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies. He was a part of the package Memphis received in the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade and averaged 9.7 points and 5.6 assists a game in 24 games, including six starts, for the Grizzlies.

Memphis waived him on Monday after failing to find a trade partner for the 2025 first-round pick. Dallas picked him up after he cleared league waivers on Wednesday.

Clayton struggled to find a groove for most of his rookie season, but seemed to find his footing towards the end of the season. He scored in double figures in 11 of his last 18 games and shot 47% from the field and 50% from 3-point range in April to bring his percentages up to 37% and 30% for his rookie year.

Per the NBA’s two-way contract rules, Clayton is eligible to appear in up to 50 games for the Mavericks this season but would be ineligible for any postseason/play-in games unless Dallas were to convert him to a full-time contract. He will earn half of the NBA’s rookie-scale salary this season.

Clayton adds depth a depleted Mavericks backcourt and could see playing time quickly as Dallas looks to solidify the team’s bench rotation when Kyrie Irving is not on the floor. Clayton was named the Most Outstanding Player in the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament after helping lead the University of Florida to a national championship.

Clayton averaged 18.3 points a game for the Gators en route to the school’s third national title.

Late add: It appears that Clayton will not only be with the team in Houston for the season opener at the Rockets on Wednesday, just hours after signing the two-way deal, but he will be active, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

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Kings pick up long-awaited first win of season with their best offensive output so far

Los Angeles Kings v Washington Capitals

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 20: Alex Laferriere #14 of the Los Angeles Kings skates against the Washington Capitals during the third period at Capital One Arena on October 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Through their first six games, the Los Angeles Kings had scored a league-worst 12 goals. As a result, they were the NHL’s sole winless team entering Tuesday night.

But the Kings’ offense made a late push at the end of the first period against Washington, and that propelled Los Angeles to a 5-2 win over the Capitals.

“Obviously it was a tough start, and the longer it goes, the more you feel that pressure to get one,” said goalie Darcy Kuemper, who made 30 saves. “But I think going into the third in the tie game, we just talked amongst ourselves and said, ‘Everyone’s going to dig down, we’re going to get this job done.’ So it was a big win for us.”

Los Angeles (1-6-2) was down 2-0 in the first period but tied it in a span of 31 seconds with goals by Adrian Kempe and Artemi Panarin.

“Obviously it’s hard to play with a lot of confidence when you haven’t won a game,” Kempe said. “Seeing the pucks go in, I think helped everybody a lot.”

The Kings had scored just four goals over their past four games. They exceeded that total against Washington and had their highest-scoring game of the season thanks to Scott Laughton’s late empty-netter.

Erik Gustafsson made it 3-2 in the third period, and Kempe gave LA a two-goal advantage with his second of the game.

Los Angeles lost center Quinton Byfield in the first to an upper-body injury that coach Peter Laviolette said would be evaluated Wednesday.

“To be down 2-0, it would’ve been easy for us to kind of put our heads down and say, ‘Here we go again. Another one getting away from us,’” Kuemper said. “But instead we got huge response by those guys. What a shift to get two goals to finish the period. And then you feel like you’re right back in the game and feel like you have a chance. And like I said, we wanted to get that monkey off our back and you could see everyone bear down and get the job done.”

It was Laviolette’s first win of his seventh stint as an NHL head coach.

“Everybody’s happy,” he said. “I mean the guys have been working hard.”

Now that the pressure is off, the Kings hope they can settle into the season.

“I don’t think it’s unusual for teams to go on losing streaks throughout the year, but when it’s at the start of the year, it gets magnified and it feels a lot worse for us,” Kuemper said. “It looks a lot worse. So nice to get a win and now we just got to get rolling.”