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Here’s where to watch Dodgers-Braves NLDS Game 4 for free: Time, livestream

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An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Tyler Mahle #54 of the Atlanta Braves throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning in game two of the National League Wild Card Series at Truist Park on September 30, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images), Image 2 shows LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Tyler Glasnow #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers to the plate against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on September 24, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

It’s the battle of the Tylers.

At 6 p.m. ET today, Tyler Glasnow’s Los Angeles Dodgers will take on Tyler Mahle’s Atlanta Braves in Game 4 of the NLDS at Atlanta’s Truist Park.

After feeling confident heading home, Atlanta’s backs are up against the wall following their Game 3 loss yesterday afternoon. To make sure their season doesn’t end today, they’ll need strong offensive performances from Ronald Acuña Jr., Drake Baldwin, Matt Olson and Ozzie Albies as well as a gem from Mahle.

“…All you can do out there is make pitches. I’m not trying to trick them. [The Dodgers] know. They’ve seen me,” Mahle said, prior to Game 3. “I’m sure they’re going to watch film, whatever. So it’s making pitches at the right times and that’s all you can hope to do.”

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Still, oddsmakers believe Los Angeles will close out the series today. They’re -150 favorites on the moneyline and Glasnow has a 2-1 career history against Atlanta over six appearances dating back to 2017.

That being said, the 33-year-old right-hander got a no-decision in their last meeting on Aug. 25 (his first appearance on the mound in 3.5 months), going five innings and giving up three runs in a 4-3 loss.

As for Mahle, the former Giant is 3-3 all time against LA with a 3.15 ERA.

Which Tyler will prevail today?

Although we can’t say for certain, we do know the best way to find out is live.

Here’s how to tune in to the Game 4 of the NLDS without cable.

Dodgers vs. Braves time

Game 4 of the Dodgers vs. Braves NLDS is scheduled to begin today, Oct. 7, at 3 p.m. PT / 6 p.m. ET.

How to watch Dodgers vs. Braves NLDS Game 4 for free

If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to stream Dodgers vs. Braves NLDS games for free.

DIRECTV is our favorite service for trying live TV for free. Right now, you can take advantage of a five-day free trial before saving $30 on your first month. We recommend the Choice plan, which includes FS1 as part of its 125+ channel options.

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Dodgers vs. Braves NLDS schedule

  • Game 1: Dodgers 5, Braves 3
  • Game 2: Braves 3, Dodgers 2
  • Game 3: Dodgers 3, Braves 1
  • Game 4: Oct. 7, 3 p.m. PT / 6 p.m. ET (FS1)
  • Game 5: Oct. 8, 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET (FOX)*

*if necessary

Why you should trust ‘Post Wanted’ by the New York Post

This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.

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Game Preview: Suns got sloppy in Detroit. Can they clean it up in Chicago?

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 05: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns shoots the ball against Lachlan Olbrich #47 of the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center on April 05, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Jayden Mack/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Who: Phoenix Suns (0-1) vs. Chicago Bulls (0-0)

When: 5:00pm Arizona Time

Where: United Center — Chicago, Illinois

Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports, Suns+

Listen: KMVP 98.7

The Suns checked out of Heartbreak Hotel with a one-point loss in preseason game number one. That hotel is kind of like the one you check into for five hours of shut-eye on a long trip – not memorable – as these games don’t count. 

Our starters were mostly solid, and the team built a 19-point first-half lead. Things got sloppy as the team committed 22 second-half turnovers. Coach Jordan Ott will want to see a cleaner game tonight, especially as the Suns have had a game to dust things off while the Bulls are playing their opener. This is Tiago Splitter’s first game as Chicago’s head coach.  

It’s another chance to monitor all those season storylines: how it looks during the minutes Phoenix’s starters play, which players fighting for rotation spots perform well with the core, and who steps up on the back end of the roster.

Tale of the Tape

All of the statistics listed below are from last season.

Probable Starters

Injury Report

Suns

  • Mark Williams — OUT (Shoulder)

Bulls

  • Nicolas Claxton — OUT (Hamstring)
  • Zach Collins — Game Time Decision (Toe)

What to Watch For

  • Game one was a nice first step for integrating Miles Bridges with the starters. Will his overall game continue to gel?
  • Per an SI interview on Tuesday, coach Splitter said of his two young starting forwards, “I want them to be a little more aggressive, dictating the offense instead of just waiting to attack.” This is a good opportunity to see how the Suns’ switchable defenders, such as Brooks, Bridges, and bench mobsters Rasher Fleming, Jordan Goodwin, and Koa Peat, perform.
  • Will the free-throw shooting improve? Special attention to this for players such as Ighadaro, Fleming, Peat, and Khaman Maluach, who shot a combined 1-for-10 in the preseason game 1.
  • Will Maluach get more run with the starters to see how that may look going forward? Or does it appear Ott is set on giving the rookie more time before being thrust into the starting lineup?

Keys to a Suns Win

  1. Play a clean game with fewer lost possessions, as seen in the second half Monday night. The preseason can set a tone, and one that includes sloppy ball control is not the tone we want.
  2. New Bulls guard Norman Powell seems to go off on the Suns, as evidenced by three 20-point games in his last four matchups. Can he be defended soundly without unnecessary fouls or wide-open three-point looks?
  3. The Suns’ center rotation takes advantage of Jalen Smith and a dinged-up big man crew for Chicago.

Prediction

Suns get the W in sound fashion, continuing to show the first unit’s potential and shooting better at the stripe, while taking advantage of the Bulls’ first-game sloppiness.

Suns 112, Chicago 98

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Penguins Acquire Spencer Stastney From Edmonton Oilers for Filip Hallander

It has been well-documented over the last several days that the Pittsburgh Penguins have a logjam at the forward position. 

And, on Wednesday, some of that was cleared up.

Ahead of their Wednesday night matchup against the Washington Capitals, the Penguins acquired left defenseman Spencer Stastney from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for forward Filip Hallander. Hallander, 26, has a goal and three points in two games so far this season and was a healthy scratch in Pittsburgh's 3-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets Monday.

Forward Andrei Kuzmenko was also granted non-roster status by the league, opening up a roster spot for forward Bryan Rust to, potentially, be activated from injured reserve for Wednesday's game. 

Stastney, 26, has yet to play a game this season despite being kept on Edmonton's NHL roster. Last season for the Oilers, the 5-foot-11, 196-pound blueliner appeared in 66 games split between the Oilers and Nashville Predators, accumulating two goals and 10 points and coming in at a minus-11. 

The acquisition of Stastney - and corresponding move to ship out Hallander - gives them another option on a thin left side of the blue line and alleviates the congestion on the Penguins' forward front, as they simply had too many NHL-caliber forwards and not enough spots on their NHL roster.

It is not yet confirmed whether or not Stastney will be available for Wednesday's game, although it's probably safe to assume he won't be. The next stop for the Penguins will be the Columbus Blue Jackets in Columbus on Friday. 

Depth Is Good, But Too Much 'Depth' Becoming Problem For PenguinsDepth Is Good, But Too Much 'Depth' Becoming Problem For PenguinsThe Penguins could, potentially, face a tough roster decision prior to Wednesday's game against the Washington Capitals if Bryan Rust is ready to go.

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!   

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Padres' fans rock out in Petco Park to hit song in win over Brewers

We’re all in favor of a stirring rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game’’ but it was something else that had the crowd at Petco Park rocking Tuesday, Oct. 6.

A crowd of more than 47,000 sang in unison to “All The Small Things” by Blink-182, a pop-punk band with roots in the San Diego area.

Tom DeLonge, Blink-182's frontman, clearly enjoyed the moment as the crowd belted out one of his band’s hits while the Padres clung to a 4-3 lead over the Milwaukee Brewers heading into the bottom of the eighth.

DeLonge twirled a yellow Padres towel, and when a TV cameraman got close, he belted out a few of the lyrics, too.

The Padres beat the Brewers, 4-3, pulling within 2-1 in the NLDS Series.

It was a critical victory for the Padres and their fans, perhaps  best captured by these lyrics from “All the Small Things.’’

Say it ain’t so, I will not goTurn the lights off, carry me home

The Padres will try to even the series Wednesday, Oct. 7, when they play the Brewers in Game 4 at Petco Park.

Padres playoffs: These Padres have always had their 'backs against the wall'

Padres fans serenade Blink 182's Tom DeLonge

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Padres' fans rock out in Petco Park to hit song in win over Brewers

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BREAKING: Alexander Romanov Tears ACL, Out 6-8 Months

The New York Islanders lost a hard-fought game against the New York Rangers 5-2 on Tuesday night inside Madison Square Garden.

While the loss itself was bad enough, the immediate concern became focused elsewhere.

Defenseman Alexander Romanov left the game early in the third period with an apparent injury.

At the time, the severity of it was unclear, and concern seemed mild around the Islanders. 

Postgame, Head Coach Peter DeBoer said Romanov was still being evaluated.

The hammer dropped Wednesday afternoon. The Islanders announced the devastating news that Romanov suffered a torn ACL, and will be out the next 6-8 months.

It's a stunning blow for the Islanders and Romanov. 

The math suggests it's another regular-season-ending injury. The Islanders' regular season ends April 10, which is almost exactly six months from now.

For Romanov, you just can't help but feel all the sympathy in the world for the Russian defender.

Romanov's an electric personality in the locker room, is Ilya Sorokin's best friend, and for the second straight season, his season's over before Thanksgiving.

The Russian defenseman's season ended last year in Dallas when Mikko Rantanen threw a cheap-shot hit into the boards, causing a major shoulder injury to Romanov.

Romanov came close to returning and might've been ready for the playoffs had the Islanders made it. 

The 26-year-old played 15 games last year, and only three this year before this ACL tear.

The play the tear happened, Romanov's final shift, looked almost entirely innocent.

Romanov goes in and throws a check. Then, as he skates away, his leg pulls up on him, and he shakes it out a couple times, looking uncomfortable.

He did not return, and now it's known his ACL tore on this play.

The immediate impacts for the Islanders are massive. Romanov had been playing a top-four role, on a pairing with Ryan Pulock.

Now, the Islanders will almost certainly break up the pairing of Adam Pelech and Matthew Schaefer to fix their left-side issues.

Scott Mayfield is presumably the next man up, while Matthew Kessel now likely moves up to be the team's seventh defenseman.

In Hamilton, Isaiah George, Kashawn Aitcheson, and Marshall Warren all represent potential call-ups at some point down the line.

While the Islanders will now have the open roster spot, they will likely hold onto that and use it to activate Mathew Barzal.

Barzal is expected to skate tomorrow, with the hope he can return to the lineup next week.

It's a jarring moment for the Islanders. This is a team that struggled mightily to replace Romanov last year, eventually settling on Carson Soucy.

Soucy did not fit overly well, and left via free agency. 

This year, Logan Stanley will hold down the third pairing. Through three games, he's looked to be an exponentially better fit for the Islanders.

This year, there is more NHL-proven depth. How the Islanders handle this test remains to be seen.

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Pittsburgh Penguins At Washington Capitals Preview: Lineup Changes, Where To Watch

The Pittsburgh Penguins will play one of their biggest rivals on Wednesday night.

They're set to take on the Washington Capitals on the road after losing 3-2 to the Winnipeg Jets on Monday.

This will be the first of four meetings between the Penguins and Capitals this year, and it carries extra meaning. Alex Ovechkin announced on Monday that he will retire at the end of the 2026-27 season, making this one of the final matchups between him and Sidney Crosby. 

The Capitals are 1-1-0 to start the season. They beat the Carolina Hurricanes in their first game, then lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. This will be their first home game of the season. 

The Capitals were busy this offseason and made several additions, especially at forward. They traded for Jordan Kyrou and signed Alex Tuch in free agency. When healthy, they have one of the best forward groups in the entire NHL. 

It'll be a good test for a Penguins team that's trying to erase that stench from Monday against the Jets. Logan Thompson will start in goal for the Capitals. 

The Penguins held an optional morning skate on Wednesday, and head coach Dan Muse confirmed after the skate that Arturs Silovs will start in goal. Bryan Rust, who fully participated in Tuesday's practice, is a game-time decision. I think he has a good chance of playing.

Here are the expected lines and pairs:

Forwards

Lapierre-Crosby-Rakell

Chinakhov-Novak-Malkin

Koivunen-Kindel-Rust

Dewar-Lizotte-Robertson

Defensive pairs

Carlile-Karlsson

Girard-Korczak

van Riemsdyk-Letang

Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT. You can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!  

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Meet the woman behind Alex Cora’s decision to spurn the Phillies

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows A man and a woman sitting on an outdoor couch while holding drinks with straws, Image 2 shows Alex Cora and Angelica Feliciano after running the New York City Marathon together in 2025. , Image 3 shows A man in a Boston Red Sox jersey has his arm around a smiling woman while sitting in a crowd during a hurricane relief trip

Alex Cora is ready to hit pause on baseball — all for good reasons.

The former Red Sox manager, who was fired in April, informed the Phillies he is planning to sit out next season even though he seemed to be the favorite for the managerial job.

The reason largely revolves around family matters, as Cora is set to get married in a month to longtime partner, Angelica Feliciano.

Cora, 50, proposed to Feliciano in November 2025, sharing one photo of him putting the engagement ring on her finger on Instagram and writing “To be continued” as the caption.

The wedding bells are nearly ringing for what will be a big baseball-tied wedding for the two families from Puerto Rico.

Alex Cora and his fiancée Angelica Feliciano are getting married next month, which is one of the big reasons Cora is passing on managerial options in MLB. Instagram @ac13alex

Cora’s father, the late José Manuel Cora, founded a Little League program at home and was a baseball reporter and broadcaster. His older brother, Joey, also played in MLB and has over 20 years of coaching experience. He is currently a free agent after parting ways with the Tigers in July.

While growing up, Cora knew of Feliciano’s father, a pitcher who served as the Olympic flag-bearer for the country in the 1988 Seoul Games. “He’s a legend back home,” Cora said when speaking to The Boston Globe in 2024 about his relationship.

Cora and Feliciano have been tied to one another since 2016. Yet their love story was planted long before then.

Cora and Feliciano’s brother, Jésus Feliciano, were apart of the Dodgers organization in the late 1990s and early 2000s together — the former as a big league infielder and the latter in the minors.

The pair also played for the Mets during the 2009-10 season, which included Feliciano’s big league debut at 31-years-old.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora reacts with his girlfriend Angelica Feliciano during a Boston Red Sox hurricane relief trip in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Jan. 30, 2018. Getty Images

“He took care of me,” said Feliciano. “He took me under his wing my entire career. I really appreciate everything he did for me.”

The couple has raised twin sons together, Xander Gabriel and Isander Manuel. Cora also has a daughter, Camilia, with his ex-wife Nildamarie Lecleres-Vazquez.

Feliciano, who remains private and is often out of the public eye, explained that the two try to “create a balance” during the offseason by allowing some separation from baseball in Puerto Rico. Yet it’s difficult to stay away when both families have a constant pulse on it.

In 2024, Cora was inducted into the Puerto Rican Sports Hall of Fame and months later the couple supported Jesús when he was inducted into the Caribbean Series Hall of Fame in Miami.

“If it’s up to me, for balance, I’d stay away from it,” Cora said. “[The Felicianos’] parents love going to the game, my sisters, everybody. Sometimes we have to go because everybody is there.”

Cora and Feliciano also share a passion for running and the two competed in the New York City Marathon together in 2025.

He completed the race in 4:37:51, while Feliciano came in with a time of 5:00:17.

In 2024, Cora and his sons supported Feliciano as she ran the Boston Marathon. “Celebrating mom!!!!
Thank you @felicianoangelica for showing us the way. Proud of you!” he wrote on Instagram.

The two also find time to travel and go to fun events with their kids, including a Coldplay concert in July 2025.

“I’m very proud of what they’ve accomplished on the field, but for people to recognize what they’ve accomplished off the field means more,” Feliciano said. “I understand the preparation that goes into it, the sacrifices that come into play through this profession. I love it and I’m proud of it.”

Alex Cora and Angelica Feliciano after running the New York City Marathon together in 2025. Instagram @ac13alex

Following a 10-17 start, Cora was fired along with four members of his coaching staff.

Triple-A skipper Chad Tracy went on to lead Boston to the wild-card round, where they were eliminated by the Yankees for the second consecutive year. This time, they were swept in two games and lost by a combined score of 18-2.

Cora had been with the team since 2018 and left with a 619-541 record.

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JJ Redick impressed with Quentin Grimes’ defensive commitment during preseason

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 06: Yaxel Lendeborg #1 of the Golden State Warriors is guarded by Quentin Grimes #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers during their preseason game at Chase Center on October 06, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images

A prevailing theme of the offseason, media day and the preseason has been Quentin Grimes’ prominent role on this Los Angeles Lakers team. His offensive punch as a shooter, driver and connective passer is appealing — and perhaps vital to Los Angeles reaching its ceiling on that end — but the Lakers are also hoping he can rediscover the defensive form he showed earlier in his career.

Thus far, through training camp and two preseason games, head coach JJ Redick is pleased with Grimes’ all-around performance. He scored 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting Monday night against the Sacramento Kings before following that up with 12 points on 3-of-8 shooting Tuesday night against the Golden State Warriors.

“I think he’s a guy that, If needed, can create some advantages and, for that second-side action, can finish advantages offensively,” Redick told reporters following Los Angeles’ 124-98 defeat to the Warriors. “I think his commitment to the defensive end has been really good throughout camp and in these first two games. We’re excited about him.”

Grimes seems nearly entrenched as a starter alongside Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler, so his off-ball scoring and perimeter defense are crucial to his fit in the starting unit. He has plenty of experience thriving next to ball-dominant creators (Dončić himself included) and taking on arduous defensive assignments every night, so the blueprint for success is there.

Most intriguing about Redick’s comments above is believing Grimes “can create some advantages” himself. Presumably, much of the offense will flow through Dončić and Reaves but how much bandwidth might Grimes receive to initiate the occasional pick-and-roll or dribble handoff? He handled the ball fairly often during his time with the Philadelphia 76ers but they didn’t have the wealth of perimeter creation that Los Angeles does.

Still, it’s worth monitoring the level of freedom Redick grants Grimes in this offense, given the confidence he seems to have in his skill-set, and whether Grimes can maximize those opportunities. The play-finishing and perimeter defense are the most important elements but it’s possible he provides a bit more to make the Lakers an even more dangerous group offensively.

You can follow Jackson on Twitter at @jackfrank_jjf.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Klay Thompson praise Heat Culture in training camp

Mention "Heat Culture" around the NBA and you elicit a lot of eye-rolling. It's dismissed as branding. Did that culture get them more than low-to-mid-40s wins or a first-round (or play-in last season) exit in any of the last three seasons?

Don't roll your eyes at Giannis Antetokounmpo or Klay Thompson, they have fully bought in. Look what Antetokounmpo and Thompson told The Athletic in recent articles.

"No, it's real," Antetokounmpo told The Athletic, shaking his head. "It's real...

"Togetherness. How serious they are. Communication,. Yesterday, we had a meeting. It was probably one of the most exciting, entertaining meetings. There were two Navy SEALs, and they were telling their story, and we were doing push-ups and s***. It's real, and I love every f****** second of it. I'm not even gonna lie. It gives me goosebumps. It's almost like being alive again."

Thompson put it this way:

"But now being with the Heat, it's just awesome. I can feel the hunger from the organization, how bad they want to get back to the finals. I love that energy. It makes me be a better professional. It makes me be way more in tune with my everyday habits, and I'm just elated to be here....

"The thing I love about being in Miami is how hungry these young players are. Their commitment to being here early to condition themselves this offseason was something I've never really seen before. It just inspires me to give them everything I have."

Antetokounmpo is coming out of a Milwaukee situation where, for the past few seasons, the focus was on keeping veteran players — Brook Lopez, Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, and, for a time, Damian Lillard — rested and healthy to get to the playoffs. Miami comes to the process with a younger team and a different mindset of work from Day 1 — and that fits Antetokounmpo. His work ethic has always been second to none, and he feels Miami appreciates it more. It's also nice to be in a place where everything is new and fresh, not the same things you've seen for a decade.

Whether the Heat have enough around Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo for that culture to translate to wins on the court is another question. Miami should be a high-level defense and a good team; the question is how good in a deep East.

But the duo — and Thompson — believe in the Miami organization and its commitment to winning. Getting your stars to fully buy in is how to make a culture a reality, and Miami has that. In a couple of weeks, we'll see how that talk and effort start to pay off on the court.

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Sixers provide more injury updates on Adem Bona, Dominick Barlow, Anfernee Simons

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 4: Dominick Barlow #25 and Adem Bona #30 of the Philadelphia 76ers high five during the game against the Detroit Pistons on April 4, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

There’s only been one preseason game and there’s already a laundry list of injuries. Sixers basketball could not be more back.

While Ariel Hukporti’s achilles injury is the only ailment that poses long-term problems for the Sixers, Nick Nurse had an update on three other players who’ve picked up bumps and bruises so far this preseason.

Dominick Barlow is still not practicing with what has been described as a back issue. Anfernee Simons was a partial participant with hamstring tightness. A hamstring issue is never what you want to hear, but at least it’s not related to the hand injury that plagued Simons last season.

Adem Bona seems to be progressing as the team had hoped. He is back on the court doing work as well as they get closer to the two weeks into training camp timeline the team gave when his injury was first announced. Unsurprisingly, all three players have already been ruled out for Thursday’s preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets.

While the Sixers wait for them to get back on the floor, especially the two guys in the front court, it appears to be all hands on deck to fill those backup center minutes. Nurse basically said that every front court player on the roster — even LeBron James — could be an option to play backup center minutes behind Joel Embiid.

“Dean [Wade] would be another candidate, I guess,” Nurse said. “If you call him a small five — he’s pretty good sized. I think LeBron is another candidate. I think he’s played some small-ball five as well. How many is that? That’s like four or five guys. So I think that we know probably go with that crew, unless something else emerges.”

While they try to figure out the backup center position on the fly, it looks like most of the big names will be available for Thursday’s game. Nurse said he’s hoping to get majority of their guys on the floor. It sounds like it could be the first (preseason) basketball game LeBron James plays for the Philadelphia 76ers.

“We should be able to get a majority of the guys out there tomorrow,” Nurse said. “Again, we’ll see. Was a pretty rough and physical today practice, so see how everybody comes out of it. We should be able to get them out there tomorrow.”

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The Canucks Have A Significant Decision To Make When It Comes To Aatu Räty

One storyline emerging this season is Aatu Räty's playing time. The 23-year-old was scratched for the first two games of the campaign and is averaging 9:43 per night. More healthy scratches may be coming for Räty in the near future as he was the extra forward at practice on Tuesday before the Vancouver Canucks departed for their six-game road trip. 

The debate around Räty's usage isn't new. There were many questions last season, as the Finnish center also spent portions of the campaign in the press box. While it is very early, it looks like a similar situation could be emerging despite the change in coaching staff this off-season. 

One of the best cases for Räty to be included in the lineup is his ability to win faceoffs. He finished the 2025-26 season winning 60.5% of his draws and is already up to 61.5% this year. While there is some debate on the importance of faceoffs, having someone that reliable on the bench can be beneficial, especially in the defensive zone or late in close games. 

As for the flip side, Räty's offence has been a major question mark at the NHL level. In 104 career games, he has found the back of the net 12 times while recording a total of 27 points. While fourth-liners aren't expected to be high point-getters, Räty's point total is concerning. 

Finally, there is the question of whether Räty's game matches up with Manny Malhotra's system. The Canucks want to play with speed down the middle, which is something the former second-round pick is not known for. As for the move him to the wing debate, Räty hasn't played that position in his career, which means additional work both on and off the ice to learn how to play either left or right wing. 

In the end, the situation surrounding Räty is complicated. Vancouver can't send him to the AHL, as he requires waivers and would very likely be claimed. Ultimately, Räty's usage will be a storyline to follow this year, as more healthy scratches will lead to plenty of speculation about his future.  

Oct 3, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Aatu Raty (54) reacts during warm up prior to a game against the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Oct 3, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Aatu Raty (54) reacts during warm up prior to a game against the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

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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Islanders Forward Mathew Barzal To Return To Skating Thursday

EAST MEADOW, NY -- The plan is for New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal to skate on Thursday, per head coach Pete DeBoer. 

Barzal, 28, missed the entirety of training camp, all four preseason games, and the first three regular-season games due to inflammation in his left knee. He sustained the initial injury on Feb. 1, 2024, which required a minor procedure, and has been managing it since. 

Although Barzal can be activated and play that same night given his Injured Non-Roster status, the Islanders would need to be roster compliant.

The Islanders would likely place defenseman Matt Kessel on waivers 24 hours before game day (at 2 PM ET), since players on waivers still count against a team's roster limit. 

But, there's also a decision to be made about the injured Alexander Romanov, who sustained a lower-body injury in the third period of their 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers on Tuesday. 

If the Islanders wanted to avoid having to waive anyone, they could place Romanov on Injured Reserve to open up the spot. Romanov would have to miss a minimum of seven days, retroactive to Oct. 6. 

Barzal likely will not be ready to go against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday as he'll probably want to get a few practices in before returning. We'll see how he feels after skating and whether Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning is a realistic possibility or not. 

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Saracens’ Brendan Venter takes aim at ‘autocratic’ Prem over media duties

Technical director held court at club’s training base, comparing rugby to winemaking and claiming interviews ‘steal my joy’

Brendan Venter began his long-awaited public appearance with head bowed, uttering one-word answers and a general demeanour he would rather be anywhere else. By the end he had compared Prem Rugby to an “autocracy”, mentioned Ukraine and Gaza, and detailed an inspirational talk he recently gave at a school. Of course there was wine to talk, too.

An audience with Saracens’ technical director and head of culture is rarely boring and the latest was worth the wait.

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Report: Davis unlikely to get max extension from Wizards

WASHINGTON, DC -  SEPTEMBER 28: Anthony Davis #23 of the Washington Wizards poses for a portrait during NBA media day on September 28, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 Kenny Giarla/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Washington Wizards forward Anthony Davis is on the last year of his current contract. While it was known that serious negotiations wouldn’t begin until after the 2026-27 season, it’s also likely that he will not get a maximum contract, according to David Aldridge and Joshua Robbins of The Athletic. Here is a snippet from their article.

It is well known among other NBA teams that Davis, who holds a $62.8 million player option that he can exercise for the 2027-28 season, wants a contract extension or a new deal that would pay him at, or very near, maximum salaries. If he were to turn down his player option now, Davis would be eligible for up to a four-year extension, through the 2030-31 season, worth as much as $275 million total.

…

But there’s almost no chance the Wizards will give him that max extension — not with his injury history, not at his age, not with the team in this stage of its development and the punitive first and second aprons looming.

The Wizards are also trying to maintain salary flexibility over the medium term as they look to be competitive this season and beyond. After all, most of Washington’s key players are still on their rookie contracts.

Do you see Davis staying beyond 2026-27? Let us know in the comments below.

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Oregon basketball coach Dana Altman retiring less than one month before season starts

Oregon men's basketball coach Dana Altman is retiring, the program has announced: a stunning move, particularly since it takes place less than one month before the 2026-27 season begins.

Longtime assistant coach and former DePaul coach Tony Stubblefield will serve as the interim coach for the upcoming season, while Oregon said it will search for a permanent coach after the season.

REQUIRED READING: Michigan State or Illinois? Big Ten basketball preseason poll reveals razor-thin favorite

"I've loved every minute of coaching here, and stepping away is difficult and truly painful. I love coaching, it's what I know best and what I've been fortunate enough to do for almost five decades. I'm going to miss my coaches, my players and our incredible fans more than I can express," Altman said in a statement. "But I know this is the right thing to do at this time."

The winningest coach in program history, Altman has been at Oregon since 2010. He made the Ducks a consistent contender during his 16 seasons in Eugene, winning four Pac-12 regular-season title and four Pac-12 Tournament championships. He led the team to nine NCAA tournament berths, including four trips to the Sweet 16, two to the Elite Eight and the 2017 Final Four that was the program's first appearance in 78 years.

Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at United Center.

However, Altman is coming off his worst season of his tenure. Injuries and inconsistent play led to a 12-20 record and a 5-15 mark in the Big Ten that resulted in a 15th-place finish, the first time Oregon had finished worse than eighth in its conference and didn't win at least 20 games.

There was massive turnover on Oregon's roster going into the 2026-27 season, as well.

The timing of the decision is notable, considering the preparation for the 2026-27 season is in full swing. Oregon is set to participate in Big Ten media days on Thursday, Oct. 8, and its first scrimmage is scheduled against Seattle on Oct. 15. The Ducks officially kick off the season on Nov. 2 against Montana.

Why did Dana Altman retire?

Altman said in a press conference his energy was low and he took two weeks off in August hoping "my energy would return, and it didn't."

"Some people I trust and truly respect told me just delegate more and take it easier, back off a little bit, and I tried that for a couple weeks in September, and that's not me. It's not what I've done for 37 years," he said. "I looked in the mirror, and I'd be a hypocrite if I lied to myself and said I was the best coach for the job."

The former coach added that his health also played a factor, but he isn't facing anything serious.

"I had a physical last month, and I'm not as healthy as I should be, and not as healthy as I want to be," Altman said. "Nothing serious, nothing life-threatening, nothing like that. But I'm 68, and I want to hang around for a while."

Dana Altman record

Altman finishes with a record of 382-182 with Oregon. Combined with his tenures at Marshall, Kansas State and Creighton, Altman has a 792-425 record in 37 seasons as a Division I coach, the 15th-most wins in NCAA history.

Dana Altman age

Altman turned 68 years old on June 16. He began coaching in the 1980-81 basketball season as an assistant at Western Colorado. He had his first Division I head coaching job at Marshall in 1989-90, then Kansas State (1990-94), Creighton (1994-2010) and Oregon (2010-26).

Who is replacing Dana Altman? What to know of Tony Stubblefield

Oregon's coach for the 2026-27 season will be Tony Stubblefield, who is very familiar with the Ducks after spending 13 seasons on Altman's staff. He arrived with Altman in 2010 and spent 11 seasons as an assistant, including on the 2017 Final Four team.

Stubblefield got his first head coaching role at DePaul in 2021. After he led the Blue Demons to 15 wins in his first season, he was unable to build on it and was fired midway through his third season in 2023-24. He finished his tenure with a 28-54 record.

He returned to Oregon in 2024 and has been with the team for the past two seasons.

Stubblefield will hold a virtual news conference at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Oregon basketball coach Dana Altman retiring less than one month before season starts