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The Dodgers-Blue Jays World Series had record-setting ratings. Here's what it means

Toronto, Ontario, Saturday, November 1, 2025 - The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after winning Game seven of the 121st World Series between the LA Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
The Dodgers celebrate after winning Game 7 of the World Series at Rogers Centre in Toronto. It was the most-watched MLB game since Game 7 of the 1991 World Series. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Two years ago, the Dodgers set out to become Japan’s team. The Toronto Blue Jays are Canada’s team.

When the two teams collided in this year’s World Series, the ratings hit the stratosphere.

The deciding Game 7 of the World Series attracted a record 51 million viewers across the United States, Canada and Japan, Major League Baseball said Wednesday, making it the most-watched MLB game since Game 7 of the 1991 World Series.

The series averaged 34 million viewers across the three countries, the largest global audience for the World Series since 1992. The audience outside the U.S. was the largest ever — even with other countries yet to be tallied.

Read more:'Work to do': Four questions the World Series champion Dodgers face this offseason

In the U.S. alone, an average of 16.1 million viewers watched each game, an increase from last year even with the New York Yankees out and a Canadian team in. (The series was a more dramatic seven games this year and five last year, which helped.)

For the third consecutive year and fifth time in six years, the World Series had a higher rating than the NBA Finals — this year, 56% higher.

The strong World Series ratings — and attendance that rose for the fourth consecutive year — underscore the risk owners would take if they locked out players next winter and shut down the sport in a quest for a salary cap.

After a work stoppage that cost the league the end of the 1994 season and the start of the 1995 season, average attendance did not rebound to pre-strike levels until 2006. Attendance soon dipped again as game times routinely crept past three hours — the pitch clock has solved that — and amid the pandemic.

Even with the recent gains, attendance remains 10% below its 2007 peak.

The Atlanta Braves, despite missing the playoffs for the first time since 2017, announced Wednesday that 2025 revenues through Sept. 30 had hit $671 million — up 10% from last year — and profits had hit $36 million.

The Braves’ revenues included $71 million from the Battery, their ballpark-adjacent development that depends largely upon selling three million tickets to Braves games every year. (As a publicly traded company, the Braves are legally required to release financial data; the Dodgers and most other teams are not.)

Los Angeles led all U.S. television markets in World Series ratings, followed in order by San Diego, Seattle, St. Louis and Milwaukee, according to Fox data.

Read more:Money helped Dodgers win the World Series. But they say culture got them through Game 7

Both the current and future homes of the Athletics — Sacramento and Las Vegas, respectively — ranked among the top 10.

In Japan, a country with one-third the population of the U.S., the World Series averaged 9.7 million viewers. In Canada, a country with one-tenth the population of the U.S., the series averaged 8.1 million viewers.

The Game 7 broadcast in Canada was the most-watched of any English-language broadcast on record aside from the 2010 Winter Olympics, which were held in Vancouver.

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

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Mets' 2026 MLB spring training schedule

The Mets will play their first spring training game of 2026 on Feb. 21, when they open their Grapefruit League schedule against the Marlins at Clover Park.

New York will play 29 spring games in total, including two against World Baseball Classic teams -- against Nicaragua on March 3 and Israel on March 4.

The Spring Breakout Game -- featuring many of each team's best prospects -- will take place for the Mets on March 19 when they host the Rays. 

Here's the Mets' full spring training schedule:

Feb. 21: vs. Marlins
Feb. 22: @ Yankees
Feb. 23: @ Blue Jays
Feb. 24: vs. Astros
Feb. 25: vs. Cardinals
Feb. 26: @ Astros
Feb. 27: @ Cardinals
Feb. 28: vs. Nationals
Mar. 1: vs. Astros
Mar. 3: vs. Nicaragua (WBC team)
Mar. 4: vs. Israel (WBC team)
Mar. 5: @ Nationals
Mar. 6: @ Marlins
Mar. 7: @ Cardinals
Mar. 8: vs. Yankees
Mar. 9: vs. Marlins
Mar. 10: vs. Cardinals
Mar. 12: @ Cardinals
Mar. 13: vs. Marlins (SS)
Mar. 13: @ Nationals (SS)
Mar. 14: @ Astros
Mar. 15: vs. Blue Jays
Mar. 16: vs. Nationals
Mar. 17: @ Marlins
Mar. 19: @ Astros
Mar. 20: vs. Cardinals
Mar. 21: vs. Astros (SS)
Mar. 21: @ Nationals (SS)
Mar. 22: @ Marlins

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Overtime blues: Nashville Predators are now 0-4 in games decided in 5 minute OT period

A stat is a stat.

Following Tuesday's overtime 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild, the Nashville Predators are now 0-4 in games decided in the overtime period and 1-4 in games that have gone beyond regulation. 

The loss to the Wild was vastly different from the rest. The Predators did a decent job with the possession battle, which has stung them in the past.

With 1:22 left in overtime, Justus Annunen knocked the net off its left mooring and it began to slide. Marcus Johansson's first shot attempt, while the net had started to move, hit the side of the net. If it had gone in, it would've counted as the puck would've gone into the net if it was still on its mooring. 

The issue with the goal came on Johansson's rebound shot, which went in. He got the puck off the side of the net, which wouldn't have happened if the net had been still on its mooring. After review, the officials stood by their original call of it being a good goal. 

"It's a weird play. I can see the confusion, but the confusing part for us was why it was so emphatically called a goal," Steven Stamkos said. "I get it. If the net comes off and the puck goes in right away, it's no problem. But he missed the net and the puck actually bounced back to him because the net was sideways.

"My interpretation of the rule is that if the net wasn't off, the puck wouldn't have come back to him." 

Losses to the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 16 and the Vancouver Canucks on Nov. 3 saw the Predators looking ahead to the shootout. Predators head coach Andrew Brunette even said following the game against the Canucks that he liked his team's chances more in the shootout. 

Against the Canadiens, Cole Caufield scored the game-winner with three seconds left in overtime, and Brock Boeser won the game for the Canucks with two seconds left in overtime. 

Both situations saw the Predators lose a board battle, with two players in the scrum and the puck getting knocked out to the opposing player in open space. Caufield caught a drop pass into the slot and Boeser was all alone from the left side of Juuse Saros. 

Nov 4, 2025; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; The Minnesota Wild celebrate an overtime win over the Nashville Predators at Grand Casino Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

The loss to the Utah Mammoth on Oct. 11 saw the Predators' opponent fully dominate the possession battle. Nashville couldn't generate a single shot, let alone a rush down the ice, before Dylan Guenther made a move past Fedor Svechkov and scored. 

It was nearly a similar situation against the Canucks as defenseman Quinn Hughes slowed play down to give Vancouver a possession advantage.

The Predators have pushed a game past overtime once this season, which was a 5-4 win over the Los Angeles Kings in a shootout on Oct. 25. Nashville has also shown a third-period fight in these eventual overtime losses, forcing the game into extra time against the Canucks and Wild. 

Brunette and multiple players have said it's "a coin flip" in overtime, but with the Predators constantly struggling in 3-on-3, the issue may be deeper than chance. 

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Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea: Champions League – as it happened

Alejandro Garnacho scored off the bench as Chelsea escaped from Azerbaijan with a point after being given a scare

1 min: No Caicedo or Enzo in midfield for Chelsea, and that’s going to be a test of Romeo Lavia and Andrey Santos. The young visitors get booed on every touch. Boos are very much in fashion in football, as Trent Alexander-Arnold will tell you.

Here we go in Baku, the teams are out, the jewel of the Land of Fire take on west London’s finest. The weather looks much the same as London today, though the pitch looks decidedly soggy.

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One more time with feeling: Devin Booker again says he wants to play entire career in Phoenix

One might think that signing a two-year, $133.3 million contract extension that could keep him in Phoenix through 2030 would have quieted any trade speculation around Devin Booker. One would be wrong. Phoenix's 3-5 start has had some fans and pundits wondering how much longer before Booker asks out.

Don't hold your breath. Before the Suns fell to the Warriors Tuesday night, Booker talked about how much he admired Stephen Curry spending his entire career with one franchise and lifting them to titles, and how he wants to do that in Phoenix, speaking with Nick Friedell of the Athletic.

"You know it because there's not many," Booker said ... "So I know he holds a special place in everybody's heart here in the Bay. And I feel a similar type of love in Phoenix. It's something special. It's kind of hard to explain, but there's a different type of love that comes with it. I wouldn't want it any other way."

Booker is embracing the legacy of being a one-team player.

"The ones I think of off the top of my head: Tim Duncan, Dirk (Nowitzki), Kobe (Bryant)," Booker said. "I had a chance to play against all three of them guys too, close to their last seasons, or their last season, so seeing their farewell tours and the love that they got. At that point, not only from their cities, but I think every city around the NBA also acknowledged it and showed love to the loyalty and embraced it."

Booker is averaging 31 points and 7 assists a game, looking every bit the All-Star and veteran team leader.

He could have asked out this summer when Phoenix traded Kevin Durant, but that's not what Booker wants. He is where he wants to be. While one should never say never in an unpredictable NBA, Booker leaving Phoenix is about as close to never as it gets. He keeps saying that. Eventually people may listen.

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McIlroy thanks PGA chief for Ryder Cup apology and questions LIV changes

  • McIlroy received apology over fan abuse

  • Eyes Dubai finale after ‘amazing 10 months’

  • Calls LIV’s 72-hole shift ‘peculiar’ move

Rory McIlroy says PGA of America chief executive Derek Sprague personally apologized for the abuse directed at him and his wife during Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph at Bethpage Black and that the gesture helped close the book on what had been a bruising week.

“I got a lovely e-mail from Derek Sprague apologizing,” McIlroy told BBC Sport ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. “Erica worked with Derek at the PGA of America back in the day, so we know Derek and his wife pretty well. He couldn’t have been more gracious or apologetic and he wrote us a lovely letter, which we really appreciated.”

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Predicting The Outcome Of The Canucks’ Upcoming Four-Game Homestand

After a three-game road trip that saw them go 2–1–0, the Vancouver Canucks will be spending the next four games at home, taking on the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche, and Winnipeg Jets. This means the Canucks have the opportunity to snag a possible eight points within the span of the week, which would do great damage in the standings to their Pacific Division opponents. Let’s make some guesses as to how this homestand will go for the Canucks. 

November 5 vs. Chicago Blackhawks 

Some may be quick to dismiss the Blackhawks, as this stretch of home games features opponents who currently sit at the top of the NHL’s standings. However, this shouldn’t be the way Vancouver approaches tonight’s game, as they did only take their game against Chicago via shootout back in October. Since Thatcher Demko has started the past two games, it would make sense for Kevin Lankinen to get the start tonight, just as he did back in October. On the other side of the ice, expect Spencer Knight to start for Chicago, as Arvid Söderblom was given the start in the Blackhawks’ most recent game on Monday. 

Chicago’s special teams put them around the middle of the pack, with their penalty kill (80.8%, 15th in the NHL) being a bit better than their power play (17.5%), which sits at 21st in the NHL. While the Canucks did score two goals on Monday with the man-advantage, neither of these came from their top-unit. With Quinn Hughes taking part in his second game since returning from injury, Vancouver’s first-unit is due for a goal or two. 

Prediction: Canucks 5, Blackhawks 3 

Three Stars for Vancouver: Quinn Hughes, Kevin Lankinen, Elias Pettersson 

November 8 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

The Canucks’ second game of their homestand is against the Blue Jackets, who will take on the Calgary Flames tonight before heading to Vancouver for Saturday’s game. Columbus has looked strong so far this season, with the Blue Jackets occupying the fourth spot in the Metropolitan Division. As of November 5, the Blue Jackets are currently tied for the fourth-most 5-on-5 goals-for in the NHL with 30 while sporting the third-lowest goals-against at 5-on-5 with only 20. Their special teams work, on the other hand, may be one of their biggest weaknesses. Columbus has scored only five goals on the power play so far this season, while surrendering 12 power play goals against. 

As for goaltending, Elvis Merzļikins and Jet Greaves has split their starts pretty evenly so far for Columbus, with Merzļikins taking the team’s November 2 game against the New York Islanders. If Greaves gets the start tonight, Merzļikins will likely be the starter on Saturday. In the event that Vancouver starts Lankinen on Wednesday, Demko would be the most likely candidate to start on Saturday, with Lankinen then coming in on Sunday against the Avalanche. 

Prediction: Blue Jackets 3, Canucks 2 (OT) 

Three Stars for Vancouver: Brock Boeser, Quinn Hughes, Thatcher Demko 

Feb 4, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers (57) battles with Colorado Avalanche forward Martin Necas (88) in the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

November 9 vs. Colorado Avalanche

As of November 5, the Avalanche are the top team in the entire NHL, having only lost once in regulation but five times in overtime. It will be very hard for the Canucks to shut down the lethal offence of Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Martin Nečas, especially given that Vancouver is missing a good chunk of their top penalty killers in Teddy Blueger and Conor Garland. However, the Canucks have found success against Colorado in the past, as the team won all three of their matches against the Avalanche last season including shutting them out back in February. 

Vancouver’s biggest shot at winning against Colorado comes in overtime, as the Avalanche have lost all five of their games that have gone past regulation. The Canucks, on the other hand, have yet to give up a game in overtime or a shootout (though the prediction for their Columbus game negates that stat). While this game marks the second-half of a back-to-back for both teams, Colorado will be travelling to Vancouver from Edmonton, putting the circumstances of the game in the Canucks favour — albeit slightly. 

Prediction: Canucks 4, Avalanche 3 (OT) 

Three Stars for Vancouver: Quinn Hughes, Kiefer Sherwood, Kevin Lankinen 

November 11 vs. Winnipeg Jets

Vancouver’s fourth and final game of this homestand is against the Jets next Tuesday. Winnipeg, near the top of the NHL’s standings with a 9–4–0 record, welcomed back their captain Adam Lowry on Tuesday night after the forward started the season rehabilitating hip surgery done in May. The Jets have been a strong team all over the ice this season, placing in the top-half of the NHL in power play (22.7%), penalty kill (88.7%), and faceoff wins (51.9%). The only lapse in the Jets’ power that seems to be a target is their ability to generate shots and scoring chances. They’re within the bottom-10 in the NHL in shots per game with 26.8, and have generated a ninth-lowest scoring chances for with 356. 

From now until the 11th, the Jets only play in two games. Winnipeg backup Eric Comrie has played in three games so far this season against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Calgary Flames, and New York Islanders, winning all of them. Whether he gets the start over Connor Hellebuyck or not will depend on who starts the Jets’ next couple of games. For Vancouver, if Lankinen takes the game against the Avalanche, then all signs will point to Demko starting against Winnipeg. 

Prediction: Jets 3, Canucks 1

Three Stars for Vancouver: Jake DeBrusk, Evander Kane, Thatcher Demko 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

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Knicks Mailbag: How can Karl-Anthony Towns get more comfortable in Mike Brown's system?

SNY's Ian Begley will be responding to Knicks questions from readers. Here's the latest...

@MELOMIKE7 -- Hello Ian, It's obvious that KAT is not comfortable with this system. I feel Coach Brown needs to simplify his game and lean to his strengths a bit more, but most important he needs to take time off to head from that quad injury. God forbid it gets worse, so does our chance to reach the Finals

Melo Mike asked this question earlier in the season before Karl-Anthony Towns had 33 points and 13 rebounds against Washington. But I still think that Towns’ comfort/effectiveness in Mike Brown’s system is one of the bigger storylines early on for the Knicks. 

Towns has been switching between power forward and center due to the Knicks’ load management of Mitchell Robinson. It was clear earlier in the season that he wasn’t fully comfortable in Brown’s offense. It became quite obvious during the Knicks’ loss at Milwaukee. 

In a perfect world, Towns will grow more comfortable in Brown’s offense as the year goes on. If Monday’s game was any indication, it seems like Towns is trending in the right direction. But this is something that certainly bears watching, I think. 

Towns raised some eyebrows during the preseason when he said he wasn’t sure about his role in Brown’s offense. Sometimes, answers to questions in news conferences are meaningless. But I don’t think Towns was giving you a meaningless answer there. Based on the time I’ve spent around the team, I think Towns’ answer was a legitimate reflection of his comfort/confidence in where he fit in the offense. 

Like the rest of the Knicks, Towns is still finding his way in Brown’s offense. But the offense is a significant shift from what Towns was playing last season. There’s very little isolation and it requires cuts and other off-ball movement from Towns. This is a significant change from Tom Thibodeau’s offense. So Towns’ comfort level is certainly worth watching in the first few weeks of the season. 

With regards to Towns’ quad injury, I believe it is fully healed because it is no longer listed on the NBA’s injury report.  

QUICK HITTERS 

@KnicksCentral -- Do you expect the Knicks to be active at the trade deadline? Active as in “normal” trades, not a Giannis level deal

I would expect them to be active simply because this is viewed as a prime opportunity to reach the NBA Finals. If you’re looking at this season through that prism, I assume you will be searching for opportunities to upgrade the roster in early February. If the Knicks are playing well, I’d expect them to pursue moves around the back end of the rotation. If they are not playing well, we will probably be having a different conversation ahead of the trade deadline.  

@Buddyboybets --  Do you think Leon Rose primarily focused on the KAT vs. Giannis matchup the other day to see if he would lean more to trading for Giannis this season?

I don’t think so. These kinds of decisions are made by using a ton of research/analysis. I don’t think one game would sway a team one way or the other in this case.   

@5outball -- could the knicks be open to trading for backup big man depth with Mitchell Robinson missing lots of time and KAT playing through injury right now ?

I think that they have to keep an eye on the market given Robinson’s injury history. They would love to have him healthy in the postseason but they have to prepare for other options. So I’m sure that they will keep an eye on the trade market for bigs. 

@TomPenders -- I like Deuce. Thibs developed him into a solid guard. I scouted Deuce at WVA. He wasn’t a lead guard there. He’s capable of scoring 15-20 ppg but only as a scorer. When he’s with Brunson, he’ll score.

Miles McBride is so important for this Knicks team. When they were considering trades during training camp/preseason, they never seriously considered trading McBride. That tells you how they feel about his value on the roster. As Coach Penders mentions, McBride is more comfortable off the ball. That’s one reason why Tyler Kolek was getting minutes earlier in the season. Maybe the Knicks ultimately look for a veteran ball-handler to fill that role off the bench. Or maybe Kolek plays well enough to keep the role himself.  

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'Work to do': Four questions the World Series champion Dodgers face this offseason

Toronto, Ontario, Saturday, November 1, 2025 - Manager Dave Roberts speaks to the Dodgers moments before popping champagne after winning the World Series over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts speaks to the team moments before popping champagne after winning the World Series. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The Dodgers wasted no time this week setting their sights on a potential World Series three-peat for next season.

Now, they embark on the winter-long process of building a roster capable of doing it.

For the most part, the core of the 2026 Dodgers shouldn’t change much. Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith will still lead the offense. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow will anchor the rotation.

However, with plenty of money coming off the books, several notable contributors to this year’s team now free agents, and plenty of opportunities lying ahead of them this offseason, the Dodgers have work to do and decisions to make as they attempt to defend their title again next year.

Read more:Money helped Dodgers win the World Series. But they say culture got them through Game 7

“Our attention span has been about two and a half minutes to think about the offseason throughout the month of October,” president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said after the team’s World Series parade on Monday. “So we have a lot of work to do."

As that work begins, here are four big questions facing the Dodgers this offseason:

Can they keep on spending?

The Dodgers set MLB payroll records this year with $347 million in year-end salary and $415 million in competitive balance tax payroll.

Their projections for 2026 as of right now, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts: $251 million in salary and $313 million in CBT payroll.

Big numbers, to be sure, but theoretically providing room to maneuver this winter as well.

The question, of course, is whether even the deep-pocketed Dodgers can keep spending at the level they did this past season. Already, their 2026 CBT number will keep them in the highest tax bracket for luxury-tax purposes next year. Any new money they add this offseason will come with a 110% surcharge.

Friedman wasn’t ready to commit to any specific spending levels after Monday’s parade, saying the front office was still in the process of “really getting a sense of our roster, which obviously we know, but to really dig in and appreciate what areas we want to really target and making sure we have the requisite depth.”

What is clear, however, is that if there is a big-name player the team wants to pursue this winter, they could do so without raising payroll from their already historic heights of last year. They have a lot of previously committed money, but plenty of wiggle room relative to their 2025 payroll, too.

Will familiar faces return?

One of the big decisions the Dodgers will have to make this offseason is how much of last year’s team they want to bring back.

The clock is already ticking on their $10 million team option for third baseman Max Muncy, which either has to be picked up or declined by Thursday (though, given that relatively affordable amount, it’d be a surprise if they didn’t bring him back).

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

Then there will be the matter of Kiké Hernández and Miguel Rojas, free agents who have voiced their hopes of returning next year. Neither player flashed in the regular season. Rojas posted an exactly league-average OPS+ of 100, but saw his batting average decline from .283 in 2024 to .262 this past year. Hernández hit just .203 while battling an elbow injury, his lowest mark since 2016.

However, both veterans were integral to the team’s playoff run. Hernández started every game of the postseason and drove in seven runs. Rojas was inserted into the lineup in Games 6 and 7 of the World Series and made one season-saving play after the next, including combining with Hernández for a game-ending double-play in Game 6 and hitting the tying home run in the ninth inning of Game 7.

Age will be a consideration with each of them. Muncy is 35. Hernández is 34. And Rojas will be 37 by opening day next year (which is likely to be the last season of his career). They’ve all missed time with injuries in recent campaigns.

But they were all hugely important veteran leaders as well, helping form a resilient culture that many on the team cited in the wake of their Game 7 triumph, and would like to see preserved as much as possible entering next year.

Will there be a big outfield addition?

The Cubs' Kyle Tucker runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of Game 4 of their NLDS.
The Chicago Cubs' Kyle Tucker runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of Game 4 of their NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers. (Nam Y. Huh / Associated Press)

The most obvious area of need for next year’s Dodgers will be in the outfield.

Andy Pages will be back, trying to build upon his 27-homer campaign in 2025. Teoscar Hernández will enter the second of his three-year contract, trying to rebound from his injury-plagued struggles this past summer.

But the third spot remains wide open, with Michael Conforto hitting free agency after his dismal performance on a one-year, $17 million deal this past year, and Alex Call having been used in more of a depth role after his arrival of this year’s trade deadline.

Internally, the Dodgers don’t have an immediate plug-and-play option, as top prospects Josue De Paula, Zyhir Hope, Eduardo Quintero and Mike Sirota remain a ways away from the majors.

Thus, don’t be surprised to see the Dodgers linked with big names on either the free-agent or trade market this winter, starting with top free-agent prize Kyle Tucker.

Since the summer, industry speculation has swirled about the Dodgers’ expected pursuit of Tucker this offseason. The four-time All-Star did not finish 2025 well while nursing a couple injuries, but remains one of the premier left-handed bats in the sport, and could command upward of $400 million-$500 million on a long-term deal — a hefty price tag, but certainly not one beyond the Dodgers’ capabilities.

Free agency will include other notable outfield options. Cody Bellinger is hitting the open market, though a reunion with the Dodgers has always seemed like a long shot. Harrison Bader and Trent Grisham could provide more glove-first alternatives, and have been linked with the Dodgers in the past.

Then there are potential trade candidates, from left fielder Steven Kwan of the Cleveland Guardians to utilityman Brendan Donovan of the St. Louis Cardinals, also players the Dodgers have inquired about in the past.

The Dodgers could construct their 2026 roster in other ways, thanks to the versatility Tommy Edman provides in center field. But another outfield addition remains their most logical priority this winter. And there will be no shortage of possibilities.

What to do with the pitching?

The Dodgers enter the winter with somewhat of a pitching backlog.

Next year’s starting rotation figures to include Ohtani, Yamamoto, Snell, Glasnow, Roki Sasaki and Emmet Sheehan.

But the team’s depth goes far beyond that. Justin Wrobleski and Ben Casparius are still natural starters, though they both found a home in the bullpen down the stretch this season. Gavin Stone, River Ryan and Kyle Hurt will all be returning from injuries.

Read more:Hernández: The Dodgers' World Series championship core is aging. But they need to keep it intact

Given how hard the team had to push its starters this October, preserving depth in case of injuries will be important. But the young arms further down the depth chart could be intriguing trade chips as well.

The bullpen is another question. The team has plenty of depth there too, returning the likes of Alex Vesia, Anthony Banda, Jack Dreyer and Blake Treinen, and hopeful of getting Evan Phillips, Brock Stewart and Brusdar Graterol back from injury.

But Tanner Scott’s 2025 struggles mean the closer role remains unsettled — making that another area the Dodgers could explore an upgrade.

Several established closers will be available as free agents, including Edwin Díaz, Robert Suarez and Devin Williams (someone the Dodgers pursued last winter). Pete Fairbanks (who the Dodgers had interest in at last year’s deadline) could also be an option, either as a free agent if the Tampa Bay Rays don’t pick up his option for next year or a trade candidate if they do.

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

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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NHL Power Rankings: Each Team's Biggest Surprise One Month In

Things are going to get real from here on out in the NHL power rankings.

With the first month completed, we’re going to see which NHL teams are for real and which ones are the pretenders.

Remember, American Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away, and historically, it’s been a very good predictor of which teams will make the post-season. In a league with so much parity, banking points early can provide a cushion when the playoff races heat up in the final weeks of the season.

As with all previous seasons, there has been no shortage of surprises. The Penguins, for example, are surprisingly good, while the Blues have been surprisingly bad. In this week’s NHL power rankings, we take a look at which players and storylines have been the most surprising for each team.

1. Colorado Avalanche (8-1-5, +13. PR: 1)

For a team with Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, it’s a little shocking they’ve lost three in overtime and twice in the shootout. Their only regulation loss came, surprisingly, against the Bruins, which nearly blew a 3-1 lead and were outshot 33-19. Locking up Martin Necas for eight years quickly was a smart move, and the Avs look poised to make another deep run. 

2. Winnipeg Jets (9-4-0, +12. PR: 3)

It’s deja vu all over again. Excellent goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck and then relying on one line that can score. Perhaps the biggest surprise is how consistent the Jets have been and proving last season was no fluke despite lacking the depth that a lot of other elite teams possess. 

3. Vegas Golden Knights (7-2-3, +8. PR: 4)

Over the past few seasons, the Knights have had one of the most productive bluelines in the league. So far this season, they’ve produced one goal, and you’ll never guess from who… (Kaedan Korczak)

4. Carolina Hurricanes (8-4-0, +12. PR: 6)

Pyotr Kochetkov returned and immediately shut out the Rangers – it’s not hard to do these days – but I think the biggest development has been Logan Stankoven locking down the second-line center spot behind Sebastian Aho. They’ve been looking forever and seem to have finally found someone they like.

5. Montreal Canadiens (9-3-1, +7. PR: 8)

Jakub Dobes has come out of nowhere to go 6-0-0 to start the season, and with Sam Montembeault getting tagged with four goals and another loss Tuesday against the Flyers, it could be Dobes’ net going forward. Another name: Nick Suzuki. At this point, it’d be a travesty if he were left off Team Canada.

6. Utah Mammoth (9-4-0, +9. PR: 9)

The Mammoth were a popular dark horse pick so I don’t think their success is all that surprising, but I didn’t expect their goaltending to be so solid. Karel Vejmelka has an .894 SP, but his quality start percentage is the highest of his career, per hockey-reference.com, and he has become reliable on a nightly basis.

7. New Jersey Devils (9-4-0, +6. PR: 2)

Aside from a brilliant performance from Jacob Markstrom against the Kings, the Devils looked pretty horrible on their four-game roadie, losing three games and allowing 17 goals (!) in those losses. No question, I think the biggest surprise has been Dawson Mercer, who hasn’t looked this good since his first two seasons after scoring just 69 points over the last two seasons.

8. Dallas Stars (7-3-3, -2. PR: 5)

The lack of scoring is a little perplexing. The Stars rank tied for 26th in goals-for per game and hired Glen Gulutzan away from the Oilers to improve their power play, which it has, but they’re also tied for last in goals-for at 5-on-5. 

9. Anaheim Ducks (8-3-1, +11. PR: 15)

The Ducks rattled off three straight wins against some pretty tough teams over the past week and outscoring them 16-6, including a season sweep of the Panthers. They’re the biggest surprise in the West this season.

10. Detroit Red Wings (9-5-0, +2. PR: 7)

They toughed out a road trip with two shootout wins, including a bizarre game against the Kings where they were outshot, blew a lead, seemingly lost in overtime, only to get the call reversed. The biggest surprise is the pieces of the Yzerplan falling into place as the Wings hunt for a playoff spot. 

11. Columbus Blue Jackets (7-5-0, +4. PR: 12)

The goaltending has been very good with Jet Greaves (.916 SP) and Elvis Merzlikins (.917 SP). We knew the Jackets could score (except on the power play), but for the longest time, they couldn’t get any stops consistently. Their record doesn’t look like much now, but don’t be surprised if they go on a run here. A few seasons ago, they couldn’t string two wins together.

12. Toronto Maple Leafs (7-5-1, even. PR: 14)

After ranking eighth in goals allowed per game last season, I thought the Leafs’ problem would be scoring, not defending. Anthony Stolarz’s .896 SP is misleading – he’s been their best player some nights – but I do think they miss Joseph Woll in a big way. 

13. Pittsburgh Penguins (8-4-2, +9. PR: 10)

Pick one. The Pens have been the best feel-good story of the season so far, making one last push in the twilight of the Crosby-Malkin-Letang Era. I do think the biggest surprise, however, is rookie Ben Kindel, who was a bit of a surprise pick at No. 11 this past summer after being ranked 21st among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

Penguins' Ben Kindel Is Playing His Way Off The Canadian World Junior TeamPenguins' Ben Kindel Is Playing His Way Off The Canadian World Junior TeamPittsburgh Penguins rookie Ben Kindel continues to strengthen his case to stick around in the NHL, which could be bad news for Canada's world junior squad.

14. Philadelphia Flyers (7-5-1, +3. PR: 17)

I think the Flyers have been better than anyone expected, but not because Matvei Michkov has emerged as their franchise player, with one goal in 13 games. We shouldn’t write them off too early, or even praise them too soon, because it does look like Dan Vladar is coming down to earth after a surprisingly strong start.

15. Los Angeles Kings (6-4-4, -4. PR: 19)

The Kings are 5-1-2 since their horrific start, joining a handful of teams that have managed to turn their season around in the first month. Kevin Fiala has 10 points in 14 games, dispelling previous notions about his slow starts.

16. Washington Capitals (6-5-1, +2. PR: 11)

That’s four straight losses and three games where they scored one goal or fewer. And they’re without Pierre-Luc Dubois for an extended period. Oof. It’s been interesting to see Tom Wilson playing arguably the best hockey of his career right now at 31 years old, especially for a player who plays such a taxing physical style and already has a lengthy injury history. 

17. Edmonton Oilers (6-5-4, -2. PR: 13)

I think the most surprising thing, even before the season, was the Oilers’ decision to run it back with their current goaltending tandem. It can be good, but it’s not good enough very often, and we’re stuck asking the same questions over and over again. 

18. Tampa Bay Lightning (6-5-2, +1. PR: 21)

This is definitely the Lightning we know. They’ve gone 5-1-0 after a rough first few weeks, with their only loss coming against the Avalanche. I’m surprised we even talk about the Lightning at all in the first month; they usually like to give the league a head start before showing in late November and December why they should still be feared. 

19. Florida Panthers (6-6-1, -7. PR: 16)

Yes, the two-time defending Cup champions are ranked last in the East, though they’re not ranked as such in the NHL power rankings because we know how good they really are. However, Sam Bennett, who was supposed to fill a significant portion of the void left by Aleksander Barkov, has mostly been invisible, and their top scorer is 37-year-old Brad Marchand. 

20. New York Rangers (6-6-2, -3. PR: 22)

This one’s easy: they can’t score. They’re shockingly 0-5-1 on home ice and were shut out again Tuesday against the Canes. At some point, they should turn it around; Artemi Panarin’s on an unsustainable cold streak, and their expected goals actually aren’t this bad. 

21. Seattle Kraken (6-2-4, even. PR: 18)

A couple bounces, and the Kraken might be on a five-game winning streak, and the conversation would be different, but alas, they’re 3-2-2 in their last seven and 1-0-1 in a quiet week. Their scoring has been a nice surprise; this might be just the second time they’ve had at least two players score 60 points in the same season. 

22. Chicago Blackhawks (5-5-3, +1. PR: 20)

I think the biggest compliment you can give the Hawks is that they’re competitive. In a season where almost every team has a points percentage above .500, the Hawks beating the likes of the Mammoth and Lightning, and hanging with the Oilers, Habs and Panthers, is a testament to how much they’ve improved. It’s especially surprising following a very quiet summer.

NHL's Eastern Conference Has Incredible Historic ParityNHL's Eastern Conference Has Incredible Historic ParityEvery team in the NHL's Eastern Conference is playing at .500 hockey or better entering November. That is anything but normal.

23. Minnesota Wild (5-6-3, -11. PR: 25)

The Wild have been a high-event but not-so-good defensive team for two seasons now, but the biggest difference this season has been the play of Filip Gustavsson. He’s got the bag, and now he has to prove it, and things have been slightly improved lately.

24. Vancouver Canucks (7-7-0, -5. PR: 23)

Kiefer Sherwood has become somewhat of a cult hero. It’s easy to forget that the record setter for hits in a single season was once known as a scorer; he scored 75 points in 57 games in the AHL one season and averaged 0.92 points per game in the AHL throughout his career. He’s clearly never going back.

25. Boston Bruins (8-7-0, -2. PR: 27)

They’ve been incredibly streaky, and Jeremy Swayman is either excellent or in danger of losing his job. He was given a partial pass last season after a contract holdout, but I think he’s very, very far from being a lock to be USA’s No. 3 goalie in February.

26. New York Islanders (6-5-2, -3. PR: 28)

The most surprising thing about the Isles this season is that they’re actually watchable. There’s an understanding that anyone who hurts a hair on Matthew Schaefer’s head is going to get mobbed, and they look far more energized and faster than ever.

27. St. Louis Blues (4-7-2, -16. PR: 24)

Considering how good they were under Jim Montgomery last season, this season has been a total disaster so far. They’re inconsistent, and their goaltending has been horrible; Jordan Binnington is not playing like he wants to be Canada’s No. 1 after a strong showing at the 4 Nations Faceoff. 

28. Ottawa Senators (6-5-2, -3. PR: 26)

Tough to gauge the Sens without their captain, but Linus Ullmark has been really poor this season after a promising first season with his new club. He’s faced 30 or more shots only once (!) this season and allowed two goals or fewer just three times, and in one of those games, he faced only 13 shots.

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29. Buffalo Sabres (5-4-4, -2. PR: 29)

Bad luck or just Sabres luck? They’ve played five straight games that went to extra time and lost four of them in overtime. Obviously, goaltending – what’s going to happen with Devon Levi? – and injuries have been hot topics, but I think the most surprising storyline that’s been developing over multiple seasons is how a club blessed with so much talent seem to attrition itself back into rebuild mode every decade or so.

30. San Jose Sharks (4-6-3, -11. PR: 31)

Take away the horrendous 0-4-2 start, and the Sharks are actually 4-2-1 since then, though three of those wins came in overtime. I think the surprise, albeit a mild one, is how quickly Macklin Celebrini has established himself as a dominant offensive player in the NHL. 

31. Nashville Predators (5-6-4, -12. PR: 30)

The loser point skews things, but the Preds were lucky to earn half the points they did over the past week. They were down 3-1 against the Canucks, and Steven Stamkos scored with 0.3 seconds (!) left against the Wild to force overtime in both games. I think what’s most surprising is the Preds haven’t been mentioned much in the rumor mill, or very active in trying to fix this poorly constructed roster. 

32. Calgary Flames (3-9-2, -17. PR: 32)

It’s a surprise that a borderline playoff team last season is this bad. Like, lottery-bound bad. A lot of it has been the Flames' subpar goaltending, but their offense hasn’t been good, and top defenseman MacKenzie Weegar is minus-12.

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

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Mammoth Set To Push Maple Leafs in Wild Scoring Frenzy

Wednesday’s NHL schedule features five games filled with marquee matchups, promising fast-paced action, dramatic finishes, and highlight-worthy moments. One of the night’s most intriguing games has the Toronto Maple Leafs coming off a thrilling four-goal comeback win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday. They now face one of the league’s hottest teams, the 9-4-0 Utah Mammoth.

If you’re new to our betting challenge, here’s how it works. We start with a modest bankroll and aim to grow it using smart, data-driven wagers. In past runs, we’ve turned just $10 into triple-digit profits. Tonight, our same-game parlay focuses on the Toronto-Utah matchup, providing a great opportunity to rebuild momentum after our recent hot streak came to an end. Our bankroll had climbed to $264.60 before taking a loss in Tuesday’s Golden Knights win over the Red Wings. Now we’re ready to heat back up and continue the climb after going a perfect 3-0 with our picks in last night’s Oilers-Stars game.

All betting lines are from BetMGM Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly. 

Sign up with BetMGM, make a deposit, and place your first wager on any game using your First Bet Offer token. If that bet with the token applied loses, you’ll get your original stake paid back in Bonus Bets, up to $1,500! Get in the game today with BetMGM.

Are The Pittsburgh Penguins For Real?Are The Pittsburgh Penguins For Real?Crosby and Malkin are revitalized, leading league-leading Penguins. Can this aging core sustain a Stanley Cup push with solid goaltending and surprisingly deep support?

Picks: Mammoth +2.5 & Over 5.5 Goals (+115)

The Utah Mammoth have begun their first season under their new identity in impressive fashion, suffering only four losses so far. However, they will look to rebound on Wednesday after dropping two of their last three games. Their recent struggles have come from defensive lapses rather than offensive shortcomings, as they still managed to score five goals despite giving up ten in those two defeats. The defense showed improvement in Tuesday’s 2-1 overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres.

Utah now heads to Toronto for the second leg of their road back-to-back. The Maple Leafs feature one of the league’s top offenses this season, ranking third in goals scored, but they have also struggled defensively, ranking fifth-worst in that category. Toronto’s stars William Nylander and Auston Matthews led the way in a 4-3 win over the Penguins on Monday, combining for three of the team’s four goals, while Matthews assisted Bobby McMann on the fourth. The Leafs’ top players appear to be heating up as they try to climb out of an early 7-5-1 start.

Utah should be able to challenge Toronto’s attack with their own strong offense, which sits just inside the league’s top ten. The Mammoth have developed a reputation for competing hard in tough matchups, holding a 6-4 record against the spread over their last ten games. Toronto has faced Utah only twice in franchise history, winning both games by a single goal, with each contest featuring six or more total goals.

A $10 wager on the Mammoth and the over at +115 odds would cashed for a $11.50 profit, pushing the total payout to $21.50 in return. With a loaded NHL slate ahead on Thursday, it’s the perfect time to ride the momentum and keep stacking that bankroll. 

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

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Crystal Palace ask Premier League to move Leeds game as Carabao Cup row rumbles on

  • Palace want Leeds game played on 20 December

  • Club have been charged by the FA over Marinakis banner

Crystal Palace have asked the Premier League to move their fixture at Leeds on Sunday 21 December to the previous day to allow them more time to prepare for their rescheduled Carabao Cup quarter-final against Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta revealed on Monday that Arsenal had requested their game at Everton on that Sunday be moved to Saturday 20 December after the EFL pushed back the last-eight tie at the Emirates to two days before Christmas.

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Fantasy Basketball Week 3 Injury Report: Trae Young, Zion Williamson join the list

Another week, another list of key players who will miss time due to injury. Atlanta, Charlotte and New Orleans are among the teams forced to navigate the loss of key players, but some are better equipped to offer viable streaming alternatives than others. Let's look at some of the key injuries at the halfway point of Week 3, starting with the Hawks' star point guard.

G Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

Injured during the Hawks' October 29 win over Brooklyn, Young will be re-evaluated in four weeks (from November 2) after suffering a sprained right MCL. Nickeil Alexander-Walker (37 percent rostered, Yahoo!) has moved into the starting lineup and is a suitable option for fantasy managers seeking a boost. While his fantasy value has remained low, he's averaged 19.0 points and 32.7 minutes in the three games the Hawks have played since losing Young. Luke Kennard (eight percent) has seen his playing time increase, but only slightly. And in the Hawks' last three games, he's averaged 9.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 three-pointers.

The player whose fantasy value has received the most significant boost with Young sidelined is Dyson Daniels (98 percent), who got off to a slow start. Over the last three, he's averaged 18.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 3.0 steals while shooting 70.6 percent from the field. Daniels and Jalen Johnson have, according to Basketball Monster, provided third-round value over the last three games. Managers who have either of those players rostered are in a good spot going into the back end of Week 3.

G LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets

Ball has missed the Hornets' last two games with a right ankle impingement. That's the same ankle that was operated on in the spring, ending the point guard's 2024-25 season in late March. While Ball did go through pregame shootaround ahead of Tuesday's loss to the Pelicans, one would imagine that the Hornets will exercise caution given the injury history.

Rookie Sion James (three percent) has moved into the starting lineup, with Collin Sexton (34 percent) shifting into the point guard role. In his two starts, James totaled 21 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, one steal, one block and four three-pointers, shooting 58.3 percent from the field. The rookie had his best performance of the season in Charlotte's November 2 win over the Jazz, tallying 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and three three-pointers. What works against James and Sexton more than anything is the Hornets' schedule: Week 3 is a two-game week, and the second game (Friday at Miami) is part of an 11-game slate.

G Coby White, Chicago Bulls

Due to a calf injury, White has yet to appear in a game this season, and a status update was expected this week. Before Tuesday's win over the 76ers, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan said the hope is that White will be able to play in a couple of weeks. While he has progressed to sprinting and cutting, he still has not played 5-on-5.

Tre Jones (32 percent) has filled in admirably, providing fifth-round value in eight- and nine-cat formats. He's shooting well from the field and the foul line while averaging 11.6 points, 5.7 assists, and 2.3 steals in 29.4 minutes per game. However, the player whose value may have received the most significant boost is Josh Giddey (100 percent), who has been a top-20 player in eight-cat formats. He recorded his second triple-double of the season on Tuesday and is shooting nearly 42 percent from three on 4.4 attempts per game. This version of Giddey is the one many fantasy managers hoped to see earlier in his career. The question: Should managers sell high on Giddey or hold onto him?

G Darius Garland, G Sam Merrill and C Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers

Garland could make his season debut on Wednesday when the Cavaliers host Philadelphia. While it was reported on Tuesday that he would play, the point guard was still listed as questionable on the team injury report at the time of publishing. And Garland isn't the only starter on the mend, as Merrill's hot start was derailed by a hip injury that has sidelined him for the last three games. Last but not least is Allen, who has missed the previous two games with a non-displaced fracture of his left ring finger. Like Garland and Merrill, he is also listed as questionable for Tuesday night.

The most recent replacements in the starting lineup were Jaylon Tyson (five percent), De'Andre Hunter (30 percent) and Larry Nance Jr. (less than one percent). Despite shooting 38.4 percent from the field and offering limited defensive stats, Hunter is ranked just outside the top-100 in eight-cat formats. Tyson is a few rounds behind him, while Nance's 1-of-9 night against the Hawks on Sunday did not inspire anyone to grab him off the waiver wire before the start of Week 3. Hunter may have some staying power if Garland and Merrill play this week, but he shouldn't be considered a "must-hold."

F Tobias Harris, Detroit Pistons

Harris sprained his right ankle during the Pistons' November 1 win over the Mavericks in Mexico City, missing the November 3 win over Memphis as a result. And it was "Beef Stew time" in Detroit, as Isaiah Stewart (22 percent) put up 26 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and two three-pointers in 34 minutes. Harris is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Jazz, but it's worth considering whether Stewart should be rostered in more leagues regardless of Harris' availability. Through seven games, he has been a top-100 player despite serving as Jalen Duren's backup on most nights, thanks in part to an average of 2.3 blocks per game.

G Stephen Curry and F Jimmy Butler, Golden State Warriors

Curry has been playing through an illness recently, and after Tuesday's win over the Suns, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said the guard will not play Wednesday against the Kings. We'll see what Curry's status is for Golden State's final two games of the week, Friday at Denver and Sunday against the Pacers in San Francisco. However, Butler's status is more concerning, as he has been dealing with a lower back injury and played only 14 minutes on Tuesday.

He's officially questionable for Wednesday, but it isn't easy to envision Butler playing the second game of a back-to-back after not returning for the second half of the previous game. Moses Moody (five percent) started the second half and finished with a season-high 24 points. He and Brandin Podziemski (40 percent) are worth streaming for Wednesday's game, and Moody may have added value for the rest of Week 3, depending on Butler's status.

Golden State Warriors v Portland Trail Blazers
Fantasy Basketball Stock Up Stock Down: Jonathan Kuminga taking a leap to begin fifth season
Kuminga is showing signs of growth to begin the season while Raptors center Jakob Poeltl has struggled out of the gate.

G Quenton Jackson, Indiana Pacers

The Pacers can't buy a break when it comes to injuries. Jackson is the most recent guard to go down, as he strained his right hamstring during Monday's loss to Milwaukee. While the Pacers have not provided a definitive timeline, hamstring injuries are ones that teams generally exercise caution with. There aren't any appealing options among the Pacers who could be moved into the starting lineup, including Ben Sheppard (three percent). But this is a time to go "all-in" on Jarace Walker (17 percent) and Aaron Nesmith (27 percent), even if their current fantasy values aren't all that impressive. Also, center Isaiah Jackson (17 percent) has played well recently and is worth a look, despite the inconsistency concerns.

F Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers

Following Friday's win over the Pelicans, Leonard said he was not restricted in any way and planned on playing both games of the Clippers' Monday/Tuesday back-to-back to begin Week 3. Unfortunately, he sprained his left ankle in the fourth quarter of Monday's loss to the Heat, which led to Leonard not playing in Tuesday's loss to the Thunder. Bradley Beal (74 percent) was also held out of the matchup with the reigning champs, but that was due to knee injury management.

Kris Dunn (four percent) and Nicolas Batum (less than one percent) moved into the starting lineup on Tuesday, but neither offered much in the way of streaming value. Derrick Jones Jr. (seven percent), who has been a fixture in the starting lineup, is worth a look in deep leagues, especially if Leonard's ankle injury limits his availability for the Clippers' final two games of Week 3 (at Phoenix on Thursday, host Phoenix on Saturday).

G Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers

While Luka Dončić was removed from the Lakers' injury report after sitting out Monday's win over the Trail Blazers - the team's second game in as many nights - Reaves was not. He's questionable for Wednesday's matchup with the Spurs due to a sore right groin. His availability impacts Jake LaRavia (31 percent), who logged 36 minutes on Monday and finished with 11 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals. Even if Reaves can play against San Antonio, LaRavia is worth holding onto, at least until LeBron James can return from his case of sciatica.

F Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans

On Tuesday, the Pelicans announced that Williamson would be re-evaluated in 7-10 days after suffering a low-grade left hamstring strain. New Orleans was also without starting center Yves Missi for Tuesday's win over the Hornets, leading to Jordan Poole (94 percent) and Kevon Looney (one percent) moving into the starting lineup. Poole isn't available in most leagues, and there isn't much to be gained from rostering Looney. But could this be a time when rookie Derik Queen becomes more valuable?

While he only played 18 minutes against the Hornets, Queen and fellow reserves Jose Alvarado (one percent) and Saddiq Bey (two percent) gave New Orleans a much-needed boost. The Pelicans can't afford to punt on this season, especially after trading their 2026 first-round pick to move up and draft Queen. But, they also can't afford not to play him rotation minutes. There may not be much to gain from rostering Queen in the short term, but keep an eye on him in the Pelicans' final two games of Week 3.

G Jalen Green and F Dillon Brooks, Phoenix Suns

Green may be closing in on a return to the court, as he has played 5-on-5 as recently as Tuesday morning ahead of the Suns' loss to the Warriors. Could Thursday's game against the Clippers be in play for the guard to make his Suns debut? If so, one would imagine that Green's minutes will be restricted due to the amount of time missed. His availability impacts Grayson Allen (34 percent) the most, and managers who have Allen rostered should not drop him immediately.

Phoenix is also waiting on Brooks, who has missed the last five games with a core muscle strain. Royce O'Neale (25 percent) has been effective as his replacement in the starting lineup, providing top-75 value in eight-cat formats (as has Allen). He's another player to hold onto until Brooks is on the court and able to play without restrictions.

G Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs

Harper injured his left calf during Sunday's loss to Phoenix, with the rookie leaving the arena on crutches while wearing a walking boot. He's expected to miss multiple weeks, leaving the Spurs down another rotation guard with De'Aaron Fox still recovering from a hamstring injury. Is there anyone worth targeting behind starters Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell? No. Jordan McLaughlin (less than one percent) played 19 minutes off the bench on Sunday, but that isn't enough time to impact fantasy basketball, and his upside is minimal.

San Antonio's overall depth could be boosted soon, as Jeremy Sochan, Kelly Olynyk and Lindy Waters III are all questionable for Wednesday's game against the Lakers. However, none are likely to get the run needed to impact fantasy basketball immediately.

C Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz

Kessler has missed Utah's last two games with left shoulder bursitis and will miss at least two more, as the team sent him home early for further evaluation. Utah ends its four-game road trip with games against Detroit (Wednesday) and Minnesota (Friday), then begins Week 4 with a Monday/Tuesday home back-to-back against the Timberwolves and Pacers. The concern is that Kessler also dealt with left shoulder bursitis during the preseason, missing all but one exhibition.

Jusuf Nurkić (11 percent) has started the last two games, totaling 14 points, 20 rebounds, six assists, two steals and one blocked shot. While the scoring can be inconsistent, the rebounding production is what makes Nurkić an appealing streamer for Utah's final two games of Week 3. Also, Isaiah Collier (hamstring) was available for Monday's win over the Celtics but did not play, possibly a byproduct of how well Keyonte George (63 percent) has played to start the season. Walter Clayton Jr. (two percent) will likely take the more significant hit to his playing time once Collier begins to play in games.

F Khris Middleton, Washington Wizards

Wednesday's game against the Celtics will be Middleton's second missed game, this one due to a sore right knee. Justin Champagnie (less than one percent) started Monday's loss to the Knicks, finishing with four points, one rebound and one assist in 17 minutes. Rookie Tre Johnson (12 percent) played 21 minutes off the bench and was reasonably productive, tallying 10 points, four rebounds, one assist, one block and two three-pointers. He's a better streaming option than Champagnie, especially for fantasy managers who have the room to consider holding onto Johnson for the long haul once Middleton is cleared to return.

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MLS suspends Luis Suárez for Inter Miami playoff decider after off-ball kick

  • Suárez banned for off-ball kick in Game 2

  • Inter Miami star to miss playoff decider

  • Forward has history of violent conduct

Major League Soccer suspended Inter Miami star forward Luis Suárez for Saturday’s key playoff match against Nashville SC.

Suárez received the one-match suspension from the MLS Disciplinary Committee for an off-ball incident in Game 2 of the first-round series. Suárez kicked at Nashville defender Andy Najar in the 71st minute of the match, which Nashville won 2-1. Game 3 of the best-of-three series is Saturday.

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