This crucial matchup, one that could influence the course of the season, will proceed without the Brazilian star. Neymar won’t be playing against Ronaldo‘s Al Nassr because he was not registered on Al Hilal’s Saudi Pro League roster for the 2024-25 season.

Neymar recently made his long-awaited return in the AFC Champions League during Al Hilal’s Matchday 3 encounter against Al Ain. Subbed in for Nasser Al Dawsari in the 77th minute, Neymar showcased some flair, including a slick nutmeg and a shot that went near the post.

It’s been a busy period for Neymar. Having just returned from a meniscus and ACL tear, which sidelined him for 380 days, the Brazilian star is easing back into competition. Speculation about his future in Saudi Arabia and rumors with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami adds further intrigue to his return, but for now, Neymar’s focus remains on a careful rehabilitation to avoid any setbacks.

When will Neymar be able to play with Al Hilal for the SPL?

Due to his prolonged recovery from ACL and meniscus surgery, Neymar’s spot on Al Hilal’s roster was allocated to another player. Does this mean he’ll miss the entire season?

Not necessarily. The Saudi Pro League transfer window reopens on January 1, 2025, and closes on January 30, similar as the European transfer period. If Al Hilal can make adjustments, Neymar could be added to the league roster in January, enabling him to join SPL action.

Cristiano and the chance to turn the tables

Despite Neymar’s absence, Al Hilal has been the dominant team in Saudi Arabia. Last season, they went undefeated, winning 31 games and drawing only 3. Al Nassr, with Ronaldo leading the way, finished 14 points behind in second place.

With Al Hilal’s dominance at stake, Ronaldo has a chance to shake things up in the league. After missing a penalty in their recent match against Al Taawoun, he’ll be looking to hand Al Hilal their first league defeat since April 2023 and gain an edge in this season’s title race.

Curry initially twisted his ankle during the Warriors’ 104-112 loss in the third quarter, briefly exiting the game. He returned in the fourth quarter, but after twisting the same ankle again, he left for the locker room with assistance, visibly limping. Green later shared insight on Curry’s condition on his podcast after team’s practice on Tuesday.

“It was very uplifting and refreshing to see him walking today. That was good to see, gives you a little more hope than what you initially had when I saw him leave the floor,” Green said in The Draymond Green show.

Many shared Green’s concern, including Dr. Evan Jeffries, a physical therapy and sports injury specialist, who assessed that in a worst-case scenario, Curry’s injury might be classified as a “Grade II sprain,” which could mean a recovery time of 4-6 weeks.

Warriors’ gameplan without Curry according to Green

As club stated, the 2x NBA MVP won’t feature in the next two games against the New Orleans Pelicans. When Green’s podcast co-host Baron Davis asked about the team’s approach now that Curry is sidelined, Green responded directly, hinting at a possible shift in his own role:

“Obviously (we) have to be more aggressive. Try to find different spots to score, and then I’ll probably handle the ball more. In more of a decision-making role, but it’s interesting because I don’t really know what that entails today because we’re kind of running an entirely different offense,” Green explained.

Curry’s unique skill set draws defenders all over the court, creating opportunities for his teammates. Without him, Green noted that opponents might approach the Warriors with more man-to-man coverage. “I imagine that shots will come in different areas because the gravity that Steph pulls it won’t be there. So, without a Steph on the floor, the first open shot you get is probably gonna be the best shot,” Green added.

Reaves, who contributed 23 points, was the team’s second-highest scorer behind Anthony Davis, who had 29 points. Despite their efforts, a subpar performance from LeBron James left the Lakers unable to close out the game. The frustrating loss triggered a spirited response from Redick, as Reaves described.

“He let out a nice little F-word, which just shows how much he cares. His passion is on another level. You can tell every single second of every day that he’s locked into the betterment of our group,” Reaves admitted, as reported by Jovan Buha of The Athletic.

In the post-game press conference, Redick took responsibility for the Lakers’ loss on Monday night. “If there’s one thing to nitpick, it’s probably me,” said to the media. “We should never have a 14-point quarter. That’s on me,” he added.

This marked not only the Lakers’ first loss of the season but also Redick’s first loss as a head coach. Beyond LeBron’s 11-point, 21% shooting night, the toughest part was watching the Lakers squander their early 26-8 lead over the first six minutes of the game — arguably their best stretch on both ends so far this season.

Durant and Booker, a challenge for Redick’s defense

In addition to the scoring struggles, the Lakers couldn’t contain the Suns’ star duo. Booker and KD put up 33 and 30 points, respectively, showcasing lethal efficiency within the arc, connecting on 17 of 29 attempts.

Redick addressed the challenge Booker and Durant posed in his post-game comments: “I have to go watch it, but it felt like, in some ways, we lost to Kevin Durant and Booker’s ability to make tough 2s,” the coach said.

Redick praises Reaves’ early-season performance

Reaves has been a bright spot for the Lakers and coach Redick early in the season. In his first four NBA regular-season games, he’s averaged 19.3 points, 7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.5 steals, impressing both fans and his head coach.

After the Lakers’ first game against the Suns, a 123-116 win, Redick was quick to praise Reaves’ impact: “He’s a guy who has thrust and a pace to his offensive game in half court… I knew he was a great player before I took this job. I’ve been around him since July, and every day he just keeps getting better and showing more. I knew he was good, but I didn’t realize he was this good.“

Since joining Al Nassr in January 2023, Ronaldo has lifted only one trophy with the club. In August of that same year, he scored twice in a 2-1 victory over Al Hilal, securing the Arab Club Champions Cup for his team. Unfortunately for Ronaldo, this title does not count as an official FIFA-recognized trophy.

Lionel Messi, by contrast, has won two official titles since arriving at Inter Miami. His first came in August 2023 when Inter Miami triumphed over Nashville in a tense 10-9 penalty shootout to clinch the Leagues Cup. Messi then helped secure a second title in October 2024, when Inter Miami finished atop the MLS regular season standings, claiming the Supporters’ Shield with 74 points.

Now, as Inter Miami head into the Eastern Conference semifinals against Atlanta United, Messi has a chance to further widen the title gap with Ronaldo in the near future.

What’s left for Ronaldo and Messi?

Ronaldo’s journey with Al Nassr in the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League is just beginning, and the team remains in contention for the 2024/25 AFC Champions League. However, the Portuguese will need to wait until next year for another shot at a trophy with Al Nassr, marking 2024 as a rare trophyless year for the soccer star.

As for Lionel Messi, Inter Miami are competing in the MLS playoffs after securing first place in the league standings. David Beckham’s team is currently matched against Atlanta United in the Eastern Conference semifinals, aiming for more silverware this season.

Missed titles for Messi and Ronaldo in 2024

Both soccer icons had multiple chances to add to their trophy collections in 2024 but fell short in crucial stages. Ronaldo’s Al Nassr suffered several near-misses: they were eliminated by Al Ain in the AFC Champions League quarterfinals, lost to Al Hilal 2-1 in the Super Cup semifinals, and fell to Al Hilal again in the 2023-24 King’s Cup final.

Messi and Inter Miami also experienced disappointment in international competitions. They faced elimination by Mexican club Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals. Then, in August, they exited the Leagues Cup in the round of 16 after a close 3-2 defeat to Columbus Crew.

After being sidelined for over a year due to a blood clot diagnosed in April 2023, center Christian Koloko is set to return. NBA Insider Shams Charania posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Lakers 7-footer Christian Koloko has been medically cleared by the NBA’s fitness-to-play panel, sources tell ESPN.”

This is welcome news for head coach JJ Redick, who has faced challenges finding consistent production off the bench, aside from sporadic contributions from Dalton Knetch. Koloko’s presence will provide much-needed depth and offer a defensive boost alongside Davis.

Coach Redick has been conservative with rotation minutes early in the season; apart from the starting five (LeBron, AD, Rui Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell, and Austin Reaves), only Gabe Vincent has averages more than 17 minutes per game (17.5).

Koloko’s last season

Koloko was selected as the 33rd pick by the Toronto Raptors, appearing in 58 games and averaging 3.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks during the 2022-23 season. In April 2023, he was sidelined after being diagnosed with respiratory issues, later identified as a serious blood clot that put his career at risk.

When will Koloko play for the Lakers?

Though cleared for play, Koloko’s return to the court will likely require some time. His agent, Calvin Andrews, confirmed to ESPN that the center will begin full basketball activities this week.

While no official return date has been set, Koloko is expected to join the South Bay Lakers’ G League training camp for a conditioning period before potentially joining the main roster.

In a press conference ahead of Manchester City’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur, Guardiola responded to a question about the Ballon d’Or by celebrating Spanish soccer’s achievements. During his remarks, he didn’t hold back in expressing how Messi eclipsed Ronaldo.

“Xavi and (Andres) Iniesta could not win because he (Messi) was a monster, nobody could beat him. Just Cristiano (Ronaldo); Cristiano was a monster and the father of the monster is Messi. And both have done something incredible in the last 15, 20 years. Maybe in that moment Xavi and Iniesta deserved it as well,” said Guardiola in the press conference.

Guardiola also highlighted how, despite winning the 2010 World Cup, Spanish icons like Xavi and Iniesta couldn’t clinch the award over a transcendent Messi. He later noted Rodri‘s achievement, becoming the first ever Spanish player to ever win the award since Luis Suarez in 1960. “I think Rodri yesterday got what the Spanish soccer deserved worldwide” the coach said.

Guardiola addressed the Messi-Ronaldo debate once again

Given his history with FC Barcelona from 2008 to 2012, Guardiola will have a biased opinion towards the Messi-Ronaldo debate. During that time, the Spanish was able to coach the Argentine, having witnessed Messi’s record-breaking 91 goals in 69 games during 2012, a milestone that is far from reaching.

Guardiola named several times Messi as the greatest soccer player ever, but also acknowledge Ronaldo competing head-to-head with him. In this case, naming the Argentine as “the father of the monster“, he shocked both fans and media alike.

Messi and Ronaldo’s 15-year reign

Guardiola’s comments were on point regarding the undeniable reality of Messi and Ronaldo’s impact. From 2008 to 2023, Messi claimed eight Ballon d’Or titles to Ronaldo’s six, with only Luka Modric in 2018 and Karim Benzema in 2022 breaking their 15-year stronghold on the award.

After Curry twisted his left ankle twice during the game, initial fears over the severity of the injury were alleviated. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, “Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry has sustained a left peroneal strain and will be re-evaluated on Friday, source tells ESPN.”

Curry’s injury is reportedly less severe than first anticipated. He’s expected to miss both games against the Pelicans on Tuesday and Wednesday and will be re-evaluated on Friday ahead of the Warriors’ upcoming five-game road trip.

This update is welcome news for head coach Steve Kerr, who initially expected a “mild or moderate” injury After team’s practice on Monday, Steve Kerr delivered the media an update about the magnetic resonance imaging Curry undergo earlier that day. “The MRI was positive. That’s the main thing. No significant damage,” the HC informed.

Injuries continue to hinder Curry’s season

Curry has faced a string of setbacks this season, limiting his availability. He missed part of the preseason after a finger injury suffered during practice kept him out of a game against the Lakers. This latest injury, though more concerning, may not keep him sidelined long, despite previous issues with his left ankle.

Curry first twisted his ankle in the third quarter and was briefly benched for assessment. He returned in the fourth quarter, but after twisting the ankle a second time, he left for the locker room with assistance, visibly limping.

Warriors plans without Curry

With Curry sidelined, coach Steve Kerr will also be without DeAnthony Melton and Andrew Wiggins, who is nursing a lower back strain. Kerr has emphasized the importance of the team’s depth throughout the preseason, and that depth will now be put to the test. “I don’t even know who I’m going to start tomorrow,” Kerr remarked, addressing the roster adjustments needed ahead of the Pelicans matchups.

Redick’s perspective might seem biased, given his current role with LeBron’s Lakers. In fact, he previously stated in 2017, while with the Philadelphia 76ers, that “LeBron is, I think, the greatest player to ever play.” But during an appearance on The Big Podcast with Shaquille O’Neal, Redick offered a definitive take on the debate.

“LeBron is so great. And people be like ‘you said this in 2017 when you played against him’—I was playing against him, of course I would say he’s the best player ever. I refuse to get on the GOAT debate, I don’t care. They didn’t play against each other. I do not care,” Redick shared with O’Neal.

Redick made clear his disinterest towards the comparison of the two NBA legends. However, after the straight answer, he did acknowledge why LeBron is worthy of such consideration:

“What makes him great—well a bunch of things—but what has made him great is the fact that he’s done it now for 21 years at the highest level. You talk about scoring? That’s great, so one guy averaged 35 a year. Yeah, LeBron has never averaged 35 in a year. Guess what? He’s averaged 25 or more for 20 straight years. No one had more than 15 of those years. That to me it’s a score… It’s all in the in the eye of the beholder,” the coach finished.

Shaq draws Kobe’s name into the debate

Shaq agrees with JJ Redick on how the GOAT debate argument has turned irrelevant due to the difference between each player. However, after marking LeBron as one of the greatest youngest leaders in history, Shaq expressed frustration with how the debate often excludes his former teammate Kobe Bryant.

“The only thing I don’t like about the conversation is that they don’t put my boy’s name in it. You’re right, I don’t care either, but if you’re going to be throwing names around, you going to have my boy’s name in it,” Shaq said to Redick. “Mike, LeBron and Kobe—now you all debate, that’s all I’ll say about it,” he finished

The last Brazilian player to lift the Ballon d’Or was Kaka, who won it in 2007 after a stellar season with AC Milan. That year, Kaka triumphed over two future legends, Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo and FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, marking a historic achievement for both the player and Brazil.

During the 2006-2007 campaign, Kaka scored 18 goals and provided 11 assists in 48 matches with AC Milan. His role as a playmaker was crucial in leading the Italian side to European glory. In the UEFA Champions League semifinals, he scored two goals in the first leg and one in the second against Ronaldo’s Manchester United, sealing a 5-3 aggregate victory.

In addition to the Ballon d’Or, an accolade awarded exclusively by France Football magazine at the time, Kaka’s performance earned recognition from other entities. He received the FIFA World Player award, World Soccer’s Player of the Year, and was named FIFPro’s World Best Player, solidifying his place as one of the era’s top players.

Kaka: The predecessor to the Messi and Ronaldo dynasty

Kaka’s 2007 Ballon d’Or victory marked the beginning of an era defined by two names: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. His win served as the prelude to a historic 15-year stretch in which Messi claimed eight Ballon d’Ors and Ronaldo six. Only Luka Modric in 2018 and Karim Benzema in 2022 managed to break the duo’s dominance.

Benzema backs up Vinicius

After learning he wouldn’t claim the award, Vinicius Jr., along with several Real Madrid teammates, chose not to attend the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris. The decision caught the attention of his former teammate Karim Benzema, who showed his support for the Brazilian winger.

In a display of camaraderie, Benzema shared a photo on his Instagram story of him and Vinicius in their Real Madrid jerseys, captioned “Trop fort,” meaning “Too strong” in French.

As a leading face of the Thunder’s impressive early run, Gilgeous-Alexander has helped drive wins over the Denver Nuggets, Chicago Bulls, and now the Hawks, fueling heightened expectations for the team’s potential this season. When asked about the buzz, Gilgeous-Alexander offered a candid response.

“We don’t care. When we sucked, there was talk about us sucking, and we didn’t care. We got here because we didn’t care. So, we’re going to continue to not care and focus on us getting better every day,” SGA stated in the post-game press conference.

Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized the team’s commitment to internal growth, using external expectations as motivation to stay focused on their own development: “As long as we do that, eventually, we’ll get to where we want to go. We’ve made strides because we’ve done that. So, just sticking to the program is what we’re focused on.”

The Thunder star has showcased exceptional form in this opening stretch, averaging 28.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 3 steals per game. Against the Hawks, he nearly recorded a triple-double, finishing with 35 points, 11 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks over 36 minutes.

Thunder rank high in NBA Power Rankings

Expectations are mounting around the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have joined the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers as one of the NBA’s undefeated teams. In the league’s first Power Rankings of the 2024-25 season, the Thunder hold an impressive position.

The Thunder sit at No. 2 in the rankings, boasting a league-best defensive rating of 90.8. Beyond Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s leadership, Chet Holmgren has been a standout, averaging 23.7 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks per game, further solidifying OKC’s early-season dominance.

The rankings include other undefeated teams, with the Celtics in first, the Lakers in third, the Cavaliers in fourth, and the New York Knicks rounding out the top five. Notably, the Cavaliers and Knicks will go head-to-head on Monday, which could shift the rankings in the coming week.

During the NBA Summer League and preseason, Bronny raised eyebrows with his play, sparking questions about his readiness for the Lakers’ roster. Now, with the 20-year-old possibly heading to the G League, George addressed the criticism on his podcast.

“I mean, obviously, I think it’s fair game. I think he shouldn’t be protected because he’s Bron‘s son. Everybody’s gonna get criticized, everybody’s going to get — the fact of the matter is, yeah, he was the 55th pick but he’s also the son of the best or one of the best players to ever play the game of basketball. (The) same way he’s dealt with the pressure and the target on his back through high school, he’s going to deal with that now in the NBA,” Paul George said in Podcast P.

The nine-time All-Star emphasized that LeBron’s legacy could easily overshadow Bronny, noting that it’s a situation he’ll have to cope with. However, he also stated that the amount of criticism has been extreme for a young player that’s still finding his footing.

“I do think it’s unfair to some degree that you don’t allow him to kind of navigate and find himself. This is a kid we’re talking about who’s trying to find his way in the NBA and trying to live out his dreams. And no one starts out perfect at anything. He’s trying to find the NBA game,” the Sixers‘ star added.

George highlighted the pressure of playing with Bron

It’s beyond saying, but LeBron and Bronny made history after turning into the first father-son duo to play in the NBA. In this context, PG said that Bronny is going through a different dynamic compared to other rookies’ adaptation process in the league with his dad’s presence in the squad.

“He’s trying to figure this out while doing something that he can say no one has done ever that played before him. No one has played with their father. Like, that could be a whole different level of pressure to play with your father. As good as it is to have your dad with you along this journey, he’s the only person that can speak for that, what that’s like to play with your father — if that is pressure, because of who his father is.”

Bronny left a strong impression on George

George mentioned that Bronny hasn’t had many opportunities to settle into the Lakers’ rotation or showcase his skills under high-level circumstances. Still, in the preseason finale against the Golden State Warriors, despite a 132-74 loss, Bronny’s performance left an impression.

“It’s a tough space to be in-I loved what I saw that game, where he was cooking. It felt like he found his rhythm; it felt like he was comfortable. He drowned out the noise, he played like himself; he let the game to come to him, and I though ‘You saw a switch‘. But you got to allow him to be a kid, man.”

Bronny posted his best performance against the Warriors that night, scoring 17 points with a 41% field goal percentage, along with four defensive rebounds, one assist, and three steals in 35 minutes on the court.

According to the Spanish TV program El Chiringuito, Ronaldo Nazario, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner himself, was set to present the award to Vinicius Jr. if he emerged victorious. Ronaldo, who had been in Madrid last night, reportedly planned to make the trip to Paris for the event to celebrate what would have been a historic moment for Brazilian football.

However, it appears that plans changed after event organizers informed Vinicius that he would not be the recipient of the award. Following this news, both Vinicius and his Real Madrid teammates decided not to attend the ceremony in Paris.

This would’ve been a special moment for the Vini and Brazilian soccer, where the 2x World Cup winner would be passing the torch to the next generational talent of the country, achieving what Neymar couldn’t. It also could have seen a Brazilian star reclaim the award after a 16-year wait, with the last winner being Kaka of AC Milan in 2007.

Vinicius’ celebration canceled after results leak

After a remarkable 2023-24 season in which he scored 24 goals, provided 11 assists, and helped Real Madrid win La Liga, the Supercopa de España, and the UEFA Champions League, Vinicius Jr. was widely considered a strong candidate for the Ballon d’Or. The Brazilian forward reportedly believed in his chances, to the point of organizing a celebration in advance.

As reported by the Spanish outlet Relevo, Vinicius had invited around 20 members of his inner circle to attend the Paris gala, complete with special attire and a private jet. Plans for a post-ceremony celebration in a rented venue in the French capital were also reportedly in place. However, the party was ultimately called off after news of the final results reached Vinicius.

Who are the candidates to win the Ballon d’Or?

With Vinicius Jr. and other Real Madrid players opting out of the ceremony, the pool of potential winners has narrowed considerably. Based on their titles, individual performances, and impact on their respective teams, several international stars remain in contention for football’s most prestigious individual award.

• Phil Foden (Manchester City)
• Rodri (Manchester City)
• Nico Williams (Athletic Club)
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
• Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
• Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig – Barcelona)
• Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)

Despite being the game’s top scorer with 41 points, Jokic acknowledged that he and his teammates have a lot to work on. When asked about his patience during this challenging period, the two-time MVP was quick to show support for his teammates.

“Just because I scored 40 today, that doesn’t mean I played good… I don’t think we need to question my patience, because I’m with the guys. I’m not separate from them… I think we all need to play better,” Jokic shared during the post-game press conference.

Jokic, a three-time NBA MVP, took on the responsibility of guiding the team through this rough patch, a different stance compared to his reaction following their earlier loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In Game 2 against the Clippers, Jokic scored 41 points, completing 7/14 two-pointers and 7/12 from the three-point line, grabbed 9 rebounds (6 defensive, 3 offensive), delivered 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. One of the most interesting stats is that, despite the Clippers spent 27:39 minutes in lead, the Nuggets’ star finished with a +7 in plus-minus, stating Jokic’s importance in the team.

Jokic receives praise from Clippers’ star

The Clippers, rebounding from their previous loss to the Phoenix Suns, received strong performances from Harden, Norman Powell, and Ivica Zubac. Zubac, who contributed 24 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block on 64% shooting, offered high praise for Jokic, recognizing him as one of the elite players in the NBA.

“He’s probably the best player in the league right now… It’s a challenge every night. Especially, coach lets me guard him one on one… Every possession is a mind game… It’s a challenge and I look forward to these games a lot,” said Zubac about Jokic to Joey Linn after the game.

With this performance, Durant became the 8th player in NBA history to surpass 29,000 career points. His 31 points against the Mavericks pushed his career total to 29,010 points in 39,094 minutes played as of October 27, 2024, according to the NBA’s official website.

Durant’s journey has been remarkable, spanning 1,064 games. After the game, he reflected on the support that has been crucial throughout his career: “Man… it speaks to so many people who helped me, so many people who got in the gym with me...

“People encouraging me, sending me texts after bad games, took time out of their lives to come and watch me play; be invested in my career. It’s all about them. I’m glad I’m able to do it with this group of guys and in front of this crowd. I’ve got more to do,” Durant stated.

LeBron currently leads the all-time scoring leaderboard with 40,543 points (and counting), followed by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe, Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki, Wilt Chamberlain, and now, Kevin Durant. With Durant’s drive, the 30,000-point milestone is well within reach.

Coach Budenholzer praises Durant’s achievement

Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer expressed admiration for Durant’s accomplishment during the post-game press conference: “First, credit to Kevin Durant; 29,000. I am embarrassed to say I don’t know how many people have reached that number, but I’m guessing it’s a very small number. What a tribute to a great generational talent. I feel incredibly lucky to be around him every day.

“He just gets to great spots to be able to shoot and score against really great defense. Some of his deep threes, his early threes, I thought he was great on the boards. I don’t know what he finished with, but I thought he competed on both ends and just a great night for him,” Budenholzer ended.

The Suns’ coach analysis was on point. Beyond his 31 points, Kevin Durant grabbed 9 defensive rebounds, dished out 2 assists, and recorded a block and a steal in 39 minutes of action.

How close is Durant to the next All-Time scoring mark?

Currently 8th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, Durant sits just above Shaquille O’Neal, who tallied 28,596 points in his career. The next milestone is surpassing Wilt Chamberlain, who ranks 7th with 31,419 points.

To overtake Chamberlain, Durant needs to score 2,410 more points, which means he would need to average about 29.4 points per game while playing in every game this season. So far, Durant is averaging 28.7 points per game across the first three games of the season. If he continues to perform at this level and stays healthy, surpassing Chamberlain could become a reality before the end of the season.

Messi is not known for being very active on social media outside of commercial posts and family updates. However, after witnessing his beloved club dominate their fierce rivals in El Clasico, he felt compelled to chime in.

In response to Barcelona’s Instagram post celebrating the win, Messi commented, “What a beautiful victory!!👏👏” Fans were thrilled to see Messi’s support, a reminder that even after his sudden departure from the club in 2021, he still holds a deep connection to Barcelona.

Barca’s Win evokes fond memories for Messi

Barcelona’s 4-0 win over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu might have felt familiar to Messi, as he was part of a similar triumph back in the 2015-16 La Liga season. On Matchday 12 of that campaign, FC Barcelona also dismantled Los Blancos with a 4-0 victory at the Bernabeu, thanks to goals from Luis Suarez (2), Neymar, and Andres Iniesta.

In that match, Messi came off the bench in the 53rd minute, replacing Iniesta with the game already at 3-0. The Argentine star was easing back into action after recovering from an ACL injury earlier that year.

Neymar joins Messi in Barca’s celebration

The victory also caught the attention of another former member of the iconic MSN trio. Brazilian star Neymar also greeted Barcelona after the historic victory at the Santiago Bernabeu.

In an Instagram post featuring his Brazilian compatriot Raphinha celebrating the victory, the Al Hilal player commented “Visca Barca” or “Long Live Barca” in Catalan.

In a span of exactly 2:59, LeBron scored 16 points, helping the Lakers seize the lead and secure a 131-127 win over the Kings, extending their record to 3-0. During the post-game press conference, Redick lauded LeBron’s brilliance during that crucial stretch.

After highlighting Dalton Knetch‘s three-pointer that opened the fourth quarter for the Lakers, Redick shifted his focus to LeBron’s impact: “Just to get that performance to start the fourth from LeBron, I mean, what can you say? We’ve all been very fortunate to watch his greatness for so long, and the fact that he’s able to keep doing it, it’s just — it’s actually insane. It’s actually insane.”

From the sidelines, Redick watched as LeBron reminded everyone why he remains one of the NBA‘s top players. In addition to his 16 points in the fourth quarter, LeBron grabbed 5 defensive rebounds and dished out 6 assists, showcasing his all-around dominance on the floor.

LeBron reaches a historic milestone

During Game 3 of the Lakers’ season against the Sacramento Kings, LeBron James reached yet another milestone in his storied career. He finished with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists, adding another triple-double to his impressive résumé.

According to StatMamba, at age 39, LeBron became the first player in NBA history to record a double-double, and a triple-double, in their 22nd season. While Vince Carter is the only other player to have played 22 seasons, achieving such stats at this stage of a career is truly remarkable.

JJ Redick’s message to the team after 3-0 start

The Lakers have started strong, winning their first three games — a feat they haven’t accomplished since the 2010-11 season, which ended with an NBA championship. However, there are areas that Coach Redick knows need improvement: the Lakers recorded 19 turnovers, and at times, the Kings’ physicality tested their resolve.

While the Lakers have made significant strides, Redick emphasized what he believes is a critical element for the team’s success. “We executed really well in the fourth to get 44 points in a quarter, it was great. I would just add, the last two games, last night and tonight’s, Basketball is a game of imperfect. Our guys, whether some bad stretches, some bad breaks, the resiliency that he have built this week I believe it’s a very good foundation for our group,” he said.

Looking to build on their winning streak, the Lakers will face a familiar opponent in their next game. After back-to-back victories, they head to Phoenix to take on Kevin Durant’s Suns. In their first matchup, the Lakers emerged victorious, 123-116.

The Lakers trailed 87-94 at the end of the third quarter, but LeBron took over as the final quarter began. In just three minutes, he scored 16 points, pushing the Lakers to a 108-94 lead. After the game, he reflected on this burst of energy, emphasizing that he shouldn’t have to sustain that intensity throughout entire games moving forward.

“Listen, I could do that at 22, but at almost 40, I don’t need to be doing it for four quarters. I have the luxury of having a MVP-caliber player next to me (referring to Anthony Davis). AR (Austin Reaves) can get it going in bunches. D-Lo (D’Angelo Russell) can catch fire. Rui (Hachimura) has been consistent, and he can get going and score in bunches as well,” LeBron shared, as reported by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

Despite taking the spotlight in the game against the Kings, LeBron made it clear that this isn’t the team’s focus: “So this team is not built for me to have 16-point quarters through all four quarters. That’s not how it’s constructed and nor should it be. We’re a team, and we all play together.”

With head coach JJ Redick still adjusting the Lakers’ tactics, LeBron stepped up in a time of need for the team to take them 3-0. In Saturday night’s performance, he led all scorers with 32 points, grabbed 14 defensive rebounds, dished out 10 assists, and added a block, shooting 55% from the field. This effort marked the 113th triple-double of his illustrious NBA career.

LeBron passes the baton to Davis

Anthony Davis has been one of the standout players for the Lakers, registering his third consecutive 30-point game (scoring 31) since the season began, tying records set by several franchise legends like Elgin Baylor, Jerry West and Kobe Bryant.

Coach Redick has emphasized the team’s plan to elevate Davis’ game, and the center, who scored 10 of the last 12 points of the night, is rising to the occasion. After the win over the Kings, LeBron spoke about the team’s approach to Davis:

“We encourage him, coaches encourage him, we as his teammates encourage him to shoot that 3 ball, and probably the biggest shot of the night is him making that 3, so it made it easy on me,” James said after the game.

LeBron previously addressed Davis’ importance to the team after Game 2 against the Phoenix Suns, passing the baton to his younger, highly skilled teammate: “It’s very important that he’s the main focal point for us every single night. We know what he’s going to do defensively, but offensively we have to find him in multiple places on the floor throughout the whole game.”

Gene Kilroy, one of the last surviving members of Muhammad Ali’s inner circle, played a pivotal role in managing Ali’s career, helping him become a boxing icon and a global figure. Kilroy, who often referred to Ali as his best friend, now sees a similar fighting spirit in Tyson.

In Behind the Mike 7th episode, Kilroy expressed his surprise at Tyson’s impressive form. “This is the strongest I’ve ever seen you. I know you since you’re 13. I think this is so impressive, this impressed the s— out of me—Nothing impresses me,” said Kilroy to Tyson.

At 58 years old, Tyson’s age has been a point of concern heading into the fight. Kilroy himself admitted he had doubts, but after witnessing Tyson’s intense training sessions, those concerns disappeared: “I’m going to tell you the truth, I don’t lie. I was worried about ‘I’m traveling here, traveling there’ I can sleep now at night. This is great.”

As the November 15th fight in Arlington, Texas, approaches, anticipation is building among fans, with some believing Tyson could pull off a victory against Jake Paul. While Paul aims to maintain his 10-1 record, Tyson’s challenge will be to prove he can defy Father Time.

Tyson claims he’s built different

Tyson has made it clear to Kilroy that he doesn’t feel limited by his age. “I don’t know what the word ‘old’. I don’t feel that,” Tyson stated. Despite approaching his 60s, the boxing legend has maintained a rigorous training regimen, including sparring, running, and intense boxing drills.

“Other people my age haven’t been training as long as me, been as consistent as me, and I’m just a different species of human being,” Tyson told FOX 4‘s Mike Doocy. He added that while his training remains largely the same, he now requires more recovery time, especially with massages.

Regarding his upcoming opponent, Tyson issued a challenge to Paul, urging him to stand toe-to-toe in the ring. “I think he should try it. He’s a younger man, he should be able to handle punches from an old withering man like me… My intention is to hurt this young man,” Tyson said.

On the latest episode of The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis, Green shared his thoughts on how the team has come together since the preseason: “The vibes have been on 10 since the preseason. One of the best training camps and hardest training camps… but we was in everything because this is a new thing and you gotta set a tone. So I think we did a great job of setting the tone and we could not have asked for a better training camp, a better preseason than we had.”

He then hinted at the potential for another championship run if the Warriors can maintain their momentum. “And speaking of being undefeated in preseason, it’s not that we won every preseason game. What it is is when you’ve done it as many times as we’ve done it, there’s a feeling,” Green said. “I’m not saying we gonna go win the championship but I’m saying don’t let us win another f— championship,” he ended.

With Klay Thompson now in the Dallas Mavericks, questions have arisen about how the Warriors would adapt to his absence. However, their dominant performances, including a 140-104 win against the Portland Trail Blazers and a 127-86 victory over the Utah Jazz, have quickly silenced many of those doubts.

Despite the promising start, Green’s claims are largely based on preseason impressions. In the regular season, the Warriors have yet to face a significant challenge. Their first true test will come on Wednesday, November 6th, in Game 8 against the defending NBA champions, the Boston Celtics.

Green’s similar message in 2021-22 season

This isn’t the first time Draymond Green has issued a bold challenge to the rest of the NBA. Back in the 2021-22 season, when the Warriors began with a 12-2 record, Green made a similar statement during the first episode of The Draymond Green Show, following widespread skepticism about the Warriors’ ability to reclaim their former glory.

“During those times, a lot of people wrote us off. ‘The dynasty’s over. Draymond’s washed, he can’t do this, he can’t do that. Steph Curry has no help, he can’t carry a team.’ You go down the list. You have to know the disrespect is unbelievable, by the way... I think if we continue to work, we can give ourselves a real chance. And boy, don’t let us win a f— championship,” Green said in November 2021.

That season, Green and the Warriors went on to win their fourth title together, defeating the Celtics in the Finals. Now, with Thompson gone and both Green and Curry entering their mid-30s, Green seems to carry the same confidence. Will the Warriors replicate their 2021-22 feat? Only time will tell.

Hield has quickly adjusted to Steve Kerr‘s system, contributing to the Warriors‘ strong 2-0 season start. During the post-game press conference, when asked about the key to his rapid adaptation, Hield emphasized the team’s collective mindset.

“Everybody has the right intent, the right mindset, preaching togetherness, sacrificing. That’s starting from the leaders Steph and Draymond (Green), Steve (Kerr). Everybody’s coming together as one and everyone’s putting each other first,” Hield said.

He also spoke highly of Curry’s influence: “Steph is one of the most humble superstars I’ve ever been around. The way he carries himself on and off the basketball court. I just watch them and try to follow their footsteps and just look up to them… I see basketball in a different way than I did in previous teams.”

In the matchup against the Jazz, Hield stepped up with his shooting, hitting the three-pointers that Curry missed. He finished as the game’s top scorer with 27 points, a 71% shooting percentage, along with 4 rebounds and 6 assists. If Hield continues this level of performance through the season, the Warriors may not feel the absence of Klay Thompson as much as expected.

Shaq echoes Hield’s thoughts on Curry

Stephen Curry is widely regarded as a future NBA Hall of Famer, and despite his accolades and record-breaking achievements, his character remains unchanged. His humility and approach to the game are often highlighted by fellow stars and newcomers alike. Former Los Angeles Lakers great Shaquille O’Neal recently shared similar sentiments about Curry.

“You know why I love Steph Curry? Because I’ve never seen that before. I’ve never seen a guy consistently come down. If you look at Steph on the street, he doesn’t have the LeBron muscle, he’s not 6’9” he’s not 6’10”, he looks like a normal office guy. But he’s doing stuff that we’ve never seen before,” Shaq said in the Unapologetically Angel show with Angel Reese.

Curry’s 2024-25 season so far

While the Warriors have yet to face a significant challenge this season, Stephen Curry is still working to regain his top form. After recovering from a finger injury that kept him out of the last preseason game, Curry has been a vital presence for Golden State, even if not yet at his best.

In the season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers, Curry scored 17 points (shooting 1-of-3 on two-pointers and 3-of-7 from beyond the arc), adding 9 rebounds, 10 assists, and 2 steals in 25 minutes. Against the Jazz, he tallied 20 points, but struggled with his shooting, converting just 35% of his attempts, alongside 3 rebounds and 4 assists.

Curry was rested during the fourth quarter in both games, with the Warriors boasting a +77-point differential, the best in the NBA. While his playmaking has been critical, Curry’s shooting accuracy from deep could become a concern if it doesn’t improve as the season progresses.

Midway through the game, the Suns were dominating the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena, holding a 48-26 lead. The first half ended with the visitors up 61-52, leaving the Lakers with work to do. According to Davis, Redick‘s calm demeanor during halftime was pivotal for the team’s turnaround.

“J coming into the huddle, halftime, just telling us, ‘We’re alright. Settle down. We know what we’re doing wrong. Turnovers. Transition. We’re getting good looks, just chip away; we’re not going to get all that back at once,'” Davis said. ““So, him not panicking, obviously, made us not panic, and we were able to walk them down and eventually take the lead,” he added.

Several Lakers struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, including LeBron James, who managed just 4 points on 33.3% shooting in 16 minutes. However, the second half was a different story: LeBron returned to form, adding 17 points to help secure the Lakers’ second straight win of the season.

Davis backs Redick’s coaching approach

While this is Redick’s first season as an NBA head coach, his leadership has quickly earned the trust of his players. Young talents like Bronny James and Quincy Olivari have praised Redick’s guidance and his emphasis on keeping the roster engaged and competitive. Davis, one of the team’s top players, echoed these sentiments.

“We trust him—what he’s doing, what he plans to do on both ends of the floor, him and his staff—and it’s paying off,” Davis said after the win over the Suns. Redick’s focus on Davis has been evident from the start, aiming to make the big man a central figure in the team’s offense.

As The Athletic‘s Jovan Buha posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, “JJ Redick says it’s the intention of both the players and the coaching staff to have Anthony Davis touch the ball as much as possible.”

Lakers’ promising start under JJ Redick

Before the regular season began, Austin Reaves emphasized the importance of avoiding the mistakes of past years and securing wins early in the season. So far, Redick has surpassed expectations, guiding the Lakers to a 2-0 start—a milestone that has fans in LA buzzing:

The last time the Lakers began a season 2-0 was in 2010, a campaign that ended with a championship. Additionally, as StatMamba reports, every season in which LeBron has started 2-0, he has reached the NBA Finals.

The Lakers are off to a strong start, boasting a 2-0 record in the 2024-25 season—a performance that has surprised many around the NBA. During the post-game press conference, Reaves was asked if Anthony Davis had demonstrated something special that contributed to the team’s early success. The shooting guard was direct with his response.

“He’s been doing this; it’s not unnormal for him to do what’s been doing. I feel like he’s the best player on our team, and we play through him. He’s such a high-level talent. I expect him to go out every night and be dominant,” Reaves said, expressing his appreciation for Davis as a teammate.

Alongside LeBron, Davis remains one of the most versatile and impactful players on the Lakers roster. Head coach JJ Redick emphasized during preseason that he intended to structure his tactics around maximizing Davis’ game, and so far, the star has lived up to those expectations.

Davis leading the Lakers’ strong start

It’s no exaggeration to say that Anthony Davis has been the Lakers’ most crucial player during the start of the regular season. In the recent win against the Suns, he was dominant in the paint, scoring 35 points with a 61% conversion rate from free throws and two-pointers, adding 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal in 38 minutes.

In the season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Davis delivered a similarly impressive performance, putting up 36 points, grabbing 16 rebounds (including 13 defensive boards), and contributing 4 assists and 3 blocks. These back-to-back standout performances underscore Davis’ crucial impact on both ends of the floor.

Davis ties historic Lakers record vs Suns

At 31 years old, Anthony Davis led the Lakers to a comeback win against the Suns, matching a historic franchise record that neither legends like Kobe Bryant nor LeBron have.

Alongside Jerry West in 1969-70 and Elgin Baylor in 1962-63, AD became just the third player in Lakers history to score at least 35 points in consecutive season-opening games. With both numbers and history on his side, Davis is proving to be a pivotal player for the Lakers. If he can maintain this form throughout the season, the Lakers could be serious contenders for an NBA Finals run.

The Nuggets struggled to shake off their preseason woes. With the team’s only major offseason addition being former Utah Jazz guard Russell Westbrook, Jokic voiced his thoughts on the lack of consistent shooters outside of Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray.

“I mean, we don’t shoot the ball really well. We are not a good shooting team. Except (for) Mike and Jamal . All of us are kind of streaky. Not streaky, but you know, just average shooters. We have something else, we can probably be better and have advantages in some other areas,” said Jokic in the post-game conference.

In the matchup against the Thunder, Jokic and Christian Braun led the team with 16 points each, but Denver struggled with its three-point shooting. Porter Jr. scored 15 points but only converted 3 of his 10 three-point attempts, while Murray added 12 points, going just 2-for-5 from beyond the arc.

Nuggets missing KCP and Jackson’s shooting presence

A significant question entering the season was how the Nuggets would adjust after losing key shooter Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (now with the Orlando Magic) and Reggie Jackson (now with the Philadelphia 76ers). With Westbrook as their sole offseason addition, the team’s lack of perimeter shooting has become apparent.

Coach Michael Malone had previously highlighted shooting as a concern: “Going into the season, shooting was something on my mind. You lose a guy like KCP, who’s a 40% shooter,” Malone shared before the start of the regular season.

After going 1-4 in NBA preseason, the Nuggets’ inconsistency continued to show against the Thunder, exposing their limited roster depth. With Porter Jr. as the only player shooting above 40% from three, Denver will face a challenging season if they intend to make a deep playoff run.

This game marked the first time Doncic and Thompson shared the court as teammates (and also Doncic’s season debut). While Doncic has yet to find his top form, he and Thompson led the scoring with 28 and 22 points, respectively. When ClutchPoints’ Joey Mistretta asked Doncic about Thompson in the post-game conference, he had nothing but admiration for his new teammate:

“It was great, man. Just knocking down a lot of shots. He was moving out there, he was playing great defense, too. I’m just glad we got him… I mean, it’s easy to play with a guy like that. It makes your life easier. You got to find him. That’s what I’m saying, it makes my life and Kai’s (Kyrie Irving) easier. It makes the whole team’s life easier. It’s a lot of space so it’s great.”

Doncic was sidelined during the whole NBA preseason due to a calf injury suffered during the Mavs training camp. “It doesn’t hurt a lot… It’s fine now, it’s perfect… I’m good,” said the star before the season opening game against the Spurs.

Although not yet at his peak, Doncic showed flashes of what the Mavericks had been missing in the preseason. In 36 minutes, he led all scorers with 28 points, shooting 5-for-14 on two-pointers and 4-for-11 from three-point range, and an overall 36% conversion rate. He also recorded 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal, with several assists setting up Thompson for three-pointers.

Thompson’s reaction to playing alongside Doncic

Before Thursday’s game, Thompson had not yet shared the court with Doncic in any of his three appearances with the Mavericks. With Doncic back, Thompson’s game was clearly boosted compared to preseason, displaying a record-breaker performance in Dallas.

“I mean, it was great to be out there with Luka. What an incredible talent. It doesn’t make any sense… What we’re taught growing up, as far as being the best basketball player, is you got to jump the highest, you got to run the fastest, but somehow Luka defies that and plays at his own speed,” Thompson said after the game.

Hopefully we can elevate each other’s games and our squad. It’s a great start to a long year but it’s something that we can build off,” he concluded. It’s clear that Doncic is the partner Thompson needed on the team. Although it’s only the season opener, if the Mavs’ stars can stay healthy, Dallas looks poised to be a serious title contender.

Expectations were high for Thompson’s debut with the Mavericks after spending 13 seasons in the Bay Area, and he did not disappoint. In Dallas’ 120-109 win over the Spurs, Thompson connected on six of ten three-point attempts, becoming the first player in Mavericks history to reach that milestone in his debut.

Thompson’s accuracy was a highlight, as he finished with 22 points, the second-highest score on the match behind his teammate Luka Doncic’s 28 points. In addition to his six three-pointers, Thompson converted both of his free throws and one of three two-point attempts. He contributed on both ends of the floor, adding 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 assist.

In a post-game interview with TNT Sports‘ Allie LaForce, Thompson was informed of his record and reacted with surprise: “Oh, really? Yes!” he said, clapping and celebrating the milestone. Thompson and the Mavericks will next face the Phoenix Suns on Saturday at Footprint Center.

Thompson finds his place in the Mavs

Thompson’s NBA preseason performance had raised some questions; he struggled to find his footing, even going scoreless in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers, where he missed all nine attempts.

But with the full team assembled, Thompson showed his true form. The season opener marked the first game in which team stars Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Thompson played together. After being sidelined during the preseason, Doncic not only led in scoring but also played a pivotal role in boosting Thompson’s performance.

“I feel great—blue is my favorite color, and Mavs blue looks good on me. I’m having a great time,” Thompson said after the game. From averaging just 7.0 points per game on 33% shooting from deep in preseason to an impressive opening night against the Spurs, Thompson’s journey with the Mavs has just began.

The Portuguese star has logged significant minutes over the past few weeks. Considering this, and with Al Kholood currently close to the relegation zone, Pioli has opted to rest Ronaldo for Al Nassr‘s matchup against Al Kholood.

Ronaldo has not reported any injury since Al Nassr’s recent AFC Champions League victory over Esteghlal FC. Pioli’s decision to rest him is strategic, with upcoming games against Al Kawoon in the King’s Cup and a crucial league match against table leaders Al Hilal on the horizon.

Ronaldo out of the roster for the second time with Pioli

This marks the second time Ronaldo has been left out of Pioli’s roster. The first instance occurred during Pioli’s debut against Al Shorta in the AFC Champions League when Ronaldo was sidelined due to a viral infection.

Today, Ronaldo is receiving well-deserved rest after featuring in four matches over the past 10 days, split between Portugal’s national team and Al Nassr. Notably, the recent game against Esteghlal FC was the first match in which Ronaldo did not score under Pioli’s management.

Ronaldo’s girlfriend Georgina was hospitalized

Ronaldo will be spending time with his family, specially taking care of his partner Georgina Rodriguez, who was hospitalized for four days at Saudi German Hospital.

The model posted on Instagram an update about his situation: “Finally back home! I spent four days in the hospital with pneumonia. I’m better now but still recovering at home with my family.”

Al Nassr confirmed lineup vs Al Kholood

Bento; Sultan Al Ghannam, Ali Lajami, Aymeric Laporte, Abdulrahman Ghareeb; Abdullah Alkhaibari, Ayman Ahmed; Angelo, Otavio, Sadio Mane; Anderson Talisca.

While LeBron and AD remain crucial to the Lakers‘ success, both are past their physical prime at ages 39 and 33, respectively. Reducing their workload will be a priority, especially in back-to-back games. When asked about his plan, Redick explained that decisions regarding rest days won’t be made in advance.

“JJ Redick essentially said that there won’t be premeditated decisions to sit LeBron and AD out of back-to-backs. They will see how they feel the morning of those games and then decide from there,” posted Lakers Nation‘s Daniel Starkand on his X (formerly Twitter) account.

The Lakers will face their first back-to-back set this weekend, with games against the Phoenix Suns on Friday and the Sacramento Kings on Saturday. This will be a great test for Redick’s plans for late this season.

LeBron and Davis’ challenging 2023-24 season

LeBron and Davis are coming off a demanding 2023-24 season, in which they played 75 and 80 games combined between the regular season and playoffs. They also took part in 11 games with Team USA during the Paris 2024 Olympics.

In the preseason, Redick opted to rest them in several games or limit them to the first half. Against the Timberwolves, however, both stars started. According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, LeBron even requested a substitution at one point due to the game’s intense pace. With Redick’s new tactical approach and the heavy workload from last season, preserving LeBron and AD’s health will be key.

Several players ruled out for Suns game

If Redick was considering resting LeBron or AD soon, it may have to wait until after Friday’s game against the Suns, as several players in the Lakers’ rotation are currently unavailable.

According to Buha on X, Christian Wood and Jarred Vanderbilt remain out as they recover from surgery. Christian Koloko awaits NBA authorization, while Quincy Olivari and Armel Traore will be with the South Bay Lakers in the G League. Jalen Hood-Schifino is also listed as doubtful due to an illness.

According to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, the Warriors had an opportunity to trade for Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves, a move that would have been an ideal replacement for Klay Thompson. However, the Knicks presented a more appealing offer, preventing the deal from moving forward.

“In the last couple of months, the Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves had a conversation about Karl Anthony-Towns, league sources said, but it didn’t go anywhere. The Timberwolves targeted a specific package from the New York Knicks that the Warriors didn’t possess. There’s no other obvious big name immediately available as the regular season arrives,” wrote Slater in The Athletic.

Curry and Dunleavy Jr. had hoped to replicate the success of the De’Anthony Melton signing by bringing in Towns, but the Warriors’ financial constraints—exacerbated by a major roster pay cut—contributed to Thompson’s move to the Dallas Mavericks and ultimately prevented the Karl-Anthony Towns deal from materializing.

Knicks’ offer for Karl-Anthony Towns

While the Warriors were unable to meet the Timberwolves‘ demands, the Knicks managed to secure a three-team deal involving the Charlotte Hornets to complete the acquisition of the four-time NBA All-Star.

In exchange for Towns, the Wolves received Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates, and a future first-round draft pick. The Hornets, the third wheel involved in the trade, received Charlie Brown, DaQuan Jeffries, Duane Washington Jr., two future second-round picks, a 2025 second-round pick and cash considerations.

Curry acknowledges teams are reluctant to help Warriors

Faced with limited trade options, the Warriors’ best possible package for Towns would have involved young players like Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, and Moses Moody, along with draft picks. However, this conflicted with the Warriors’ long-term vision, leading them to decline the deal.

Following the failed attempts to land a star player, Curry addressed the situation, hinting at reluctance from other teams to aid the Warriors. “Let’s keep it real—most teams probably don’t want to help us,” Curry remarked, according to Slater.

Head coach Steve Kerr will have to rebuild—not from scratch, but by integrating new additions such as Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson, and De’Anthony Melton. Looney made it clear what the team needs to focus on for a strong start to the season:

“The biggest thing is communicating. Communicating what is new, what we’re used to. You got some new guys, and we kind of do some new schemes on defense and offense. Having communication that we’re all on the same page is important,” Looney said on Sunday.

The center also recalled the methodology the Warriors had on past years. “We used to thrive on chaos in the past where it was more kind of random and we could do whatever. We just knew how to read off each other,” he said. “It was kind of an unspoken thing that we had. But to start the season off with the new group, new faces, different lineups, we need to be on the same page. You got to talk it out,” he ended.

For the Warriors to remain competitive in the NBA, it’s crucial for the players to recognize the need to adapt. Looney, who has been with the team since being drafted in 2015, embodies the right mentality for this transition, and his leadership alongside Curry will be key for the rest of the roster.

Coach Kerr backs Looney’s message

In the same wavelength as Looney, Steve Kerr acknowledge that the chaotic playstyle that once defined the Warriors is no longer sustainable: “We can’t count on chaos anymore given the way the rest of the league is playing, the lineups that we see, the switching defenses, our roster now compared to where we were five, six years ago. We have had to make some changes, and we’re in the midst of that.”

Kerr’s most challenging season with the Warriors

Concerns have mounted among Warriors fans, especially after Curry was sidelined in the preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers due to a sprained finger. Although Kerr assured that Curry would be ready for the season opener, the absence of both Curry and Thompson could pose a significant challenge throughout the season.

Kerr also highlighted the difficulty of integrating the new signings into the team. “The hardest thing for everybody this year – coaches and players – is that right now I would say we’ve got 13 players who look like they’re rotation players to me,” Kerr said last week.

The 76ers will have to wait to see his stars on the court because, as ESPN‘s Shams Charania reports, neither Embiid nor PG will have minutes in the opening game on Wednesday.

“76ers: Joel Embiid and Paul George are out for opener vs. Bucks on Wednesday. Embiid is progressing well and ramping up, scrimmaging this week. He will not play this week. George will be re-evaluated later in the week,” posted Charania on his X (formerly Twitter) account.

Embiid’s absence isn’t a surprise to NBA fans, as he was sidelined during the preseason while recovering from his left knee injury. However, there was more optimism around George’s return following a positive update after he hyperextended his knee in a preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks.

With Embiid and George out, the Sixers will look to secure their first season-opening win since 2021-22, when they defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 117-97. Key players like Jared McCain, K.J. Martin, and Kelly Oubre Jr. will need to step up in their absence.

The 76ers’ plan for Embiid’s season

Embiid suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee on January 30 against the Golden State Warriors, and after undergoing surgery, he struggled to regain his form. Though he played in several games for Team USA during the Paris 2024 Olympics, he wasn’t a starter, so his form wasn’t fully tested.

As the face of the franchise, Embiid’s long-term recovery is crucial for the Sixers’ playoff ambitions. Currently, the Sixers are implementing a cautious recovery plan, ensuring he’s fit for a deep postseason run—something they couldn’t achieve last season.

“I would say he’s going to be very limited in that stuff as the new normal. I think that he’s moving pretty good. He’s getting a lot of work in. He’s out there for 60 to 70 percent of team practice until we get to the more physical stuff,” coach Nurse told ClutchPoints‘ Sam DiGiovanni about Embiid’s recovery.

76ers’ October NBA schedule

The 76ers open their season against the Bucks on Wednesday, October 23, before visiting the Toronto Raptors on Friday, October 25. They will then face the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, October 27, and close out the month against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, October 30.

In the 33rd minute, Pulisic stepped up to take a corner from the left side. Instead of delivering to the penalty area, he went straight for goal, outsmarting goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. Although a Brugge defender attempted to clear the ball, it had already crossed the line, securing Pulisic’s remarkable goal.

The former Chelsea player is having a breakthrough season under new coach Paulo Fonseca. So far, he has scored 2 goals in his 3 Champions League appearances, and he leads the team in Serie A with 5 goals.

Pulisic extends his record in Champions League

The AC Milan’s player continues to showcase his quality on the biggest stage, further solidifying his status as a key figure of American soccer in Europe. With his goal against Club Brugge, Pulisic extended his record as the top American scorer in UEFA Champions League history.

Tuesday’s goal against the Belgian side brought Pulisic’s tally to 10 goals in the competition. No other American player comes close to his total; the next highest is retired player DaMarcus Beasley, who scored 4 goals during his time with PSV and Rangers.

Pulisic’s great time in Italy

Christian Pulisic has seemingly found his footing in Italy. In the 2023-24 season—his first with AC Milan—the American enjoyed a career-best year in terms of goals and assists. Across 50 appearances, he scored 15 goals and provided 11 assists, contributing directly to 26 goals in all competitions.

So far this season, Pulisic has featured in 11 games, including the match against Brugge, scoring 7 goals and delivering 3 assists. If he continues this rich vein of form, he could surpass his previous best season.

On talks with TMZ Sports‘ Michael Babcock, The Problem Child discussed how his chances of facing Canelo increase with every fight: “Everything I’ve said has come true and why Canelo, you know, should be awake at night it’s because I’m coming for him. The fight is going to happen and I will win and shock the whole entire world.”

Paul is confident in his path, especially since many of his past predictions have materialized. “And, this is me currently speaking it into existence. Currently, people will sit there and listen to that and be like, ‘Oh, he’s crazy,’ Paul said. “But, I was crazy when I said I’d be doing the biggest fights when I would beat Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, all of these things. So you’re crazy until you’re not,” he added.

Jake Paul is aware of the small window he has in his boxing career and is determined to make the most of it, starting with his fight against Tyson. Paul first called out Canelo earlier this year, following his first-round KO victory over Ryan Bourland in March.

Canelo, when asked in September how long it would take him to beat Paul, gave a blunt response: “his whole life.” While the Mexican star acknowledged Paul’s work ethic and commitment to the sport, he has yet to formally accept Paul’s challenge. Whether Paul calls out Canelo again after November 15th remains to be seen.

Paul’s prediction on Tyson’s approach to the fight

Paul remains confident in his chances of defeating Tyson but is fully aware that any mistake could be costly against the former heavyweight champion. During the interview, Paul shared a glimpse into Tyson’s mindset leading up to the fight:

“He’s insanely powerful and I know he’s taking it seriously. There was an article being written and they wanted to interview him for it, about me, and he said ‘No, I’m in war mode, I’m not doing these stupid interviews.’ He’s in k— mode, he wants to take my head off, and go down as the legend who stopped this run of mine“

What if Mike Tyson walks out?

One of the major concerns around the fight is Tyson’s health and whether he’ll be able to compete. The bout was initially scheduled for July but had to be postponed after Tyson suffered an ulcer flare-up. However, Paul isn’t worried about another delay.

“It’s Mike Tyson or nothing,” Paul said, “but first and foremost, he’s healthy and feeling amazing and doing great in camp. Just being weeks away, I don’t see anything going wrong,” Jake admitted.

During a Q&A session, The Athletic‘s Jovan Buha was asked which current Lakers players would still be with the team five years from now. When discussing the roster, Buha took a moment to address Davis’ future.

“AD in 2029 would be turning 37 that season. I wonder if AD is still even playing then. I think he’s capable of still playing then and still being effective, but five years from now, 36-year-old, 37-year-old Anthony Davis, given his injury history… My guess AD is not on the Lakers at that point, but maybe he’s the second or third guy next to a new star or a new couple of stars,” Buha predicted.

Among the current roster, Buha identified three players he believes are most likely to remain with the team long-term: “I would say Dalton (Knetch) is the guy that’s the most likely to be a Laker, I’d say Max (Christie) is probably second, and then it’s close for me between Austin (Reaves) and AD, I think AD it’s just a matter of if he’s still want to be playing, how has he aged, how the injuries gone over the next five years.”

Buha highlighted Davis’ injury history as a major concern regarding his long-term future, but he sees a possibility of Davis sticking with the team in the short-to-mid term. “Five years is a long time, but my answer changes three years from now. If you said three years from now, I’d probably go AD 1, Dalton 2, Max/Austin 3,” stated Buha.

Davis aims for a strong 2024-25 season

At 31 years old, Anthony Davis is determined to return to top form and has the tools to do so. After playing in 76 games last season, his highest total with the Lakers, he’s back in peak physical condition. Davis also has the full support of coach JJ Redick, who stated that AD “is one of the most unique players in the NBA.”

Redick’s system appears to have enhanced Davis’ game, making him a key figure on both ends of the court. In a recent preseason game against the Phoenix Suns, Davis stunned fans by showcasing his shooting from beyond the arc, finishing with 35 points in a dominant performance.

Davis also discussed his mindset for the upcoming season. “Being aggressive down the floor, being dominant every game. Just doing my job, doing my part,” Davis said. “We can’t rely heavily on our individual games. But for me personally, I’m taking it on myself to make sure I’m even better than what I was last year,“ he added.

Austin Reaves, who has been with the Lakers since the 2021-22 season, is all too familiar with the team’s struggles. The Lakers finished 7th in the Western Conference twice during his tenure and missed the playoffs entirely in one season. Ahead of the new season, Reaves is confident about what the team needs to focus on to climb higher in the standings.

“Yeah, I feel like the last couple of years we’ve been playing catch-up. We haven’t had strong first parts of the year. I think that’s a big component of having a good year — getting out on a good note and continuing that. Coming out on a high note,” Reaves said to The Athletic‘s Jovan Buha.

Reaves also emphasized the importance of earning the first three victories in the Crypto.com Arena: “We have three games at home. Try to win all of them. And then I think we’re on an every-other-day road trip. The first one of the year. I think tough to play catch-up in the NBA because it’s so fatiguing. Not just on your body but mentally. So I think an early good star would be good for us. “

The Lakers will begin their season with three home games at the Crypto.com Arena: Tuesday, October 22 against the Timberwolves, Friday, October 25 against the Phoenix Suns, and Saturday, October 26 against the Sacramento Kings. Securing victories in these games would be a crucial first step for LeBron and the team.

Austin Reaves’ 2024-25 preseason with the Lakers

Reaves has become a key player for head coach JJ Redick, to the extent that ESPN insider Brian Windhorst reported he was considered “untouchable” in trade discussions. “And when the Lakers were in trade discussions this summer, Reaves’ name was off-limits. The front office wouldn’t even entertain it,” Windhorst wrote.

Reaves appeared in four preseason games for the Lakers, ranking fifth in minutes per game (23) and averaging 14 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. While he experienced some ankle soreness before the first preseason game against the Golden State Warriors, it’s not considered a concern. Reaves was rested for the second game but is expected to be a regular starter for Redick this season.

After spending over 14 years with the Warriors, Thompson sought new challenges, leaving his comfort zone in the Bay Area to join a Dallas team looking to improve on last season’s performance. Following a preseason with Thompson, Irving was asked about what it’s like to have him on the roster. Irving didn’t hesitate to offer his praise.

“What kind of guy is Klay? When you get to know him, he’s a regular human being. He just stays to himself, loves his family, loves what he does for a living, loves helping out people, loves traveling… He’s just an overall good person,” Irving shared with the press after Sunday’s Mavs practice.

Joining a new team as a four-time NBA champion has garnered Thompson a great deal of respect within the squad. However, as Irving noted, Thompson remains humble and committed, whether he’s playing or supporting the team from the bench. “It’s a luxury and we don’t take the credit on having that type of guy, and that type of personality in the locker room,” Kyrie ended his statement.

Irving’s decision on NBA coach role

At 32, Kyrie is in the twilight of his career as a player, and inevitably questions about his future appear. Once he retire, will Kyrie Irving be a coach in the NBA? The Mavs player decided to lower the expectations ahead of his career decision.

“I don’t know if I’m going to coach at this level, man. I’m more of like, consultant type. I like to make my own hours. If you’re telling me I have to show at 9 AM I’m like, ‘Maybe like 9:08 or something like that,'” Irving joked. He then offered a more serious response, hinting at his plans to create “one of the best academies of all time.”

“Once I’m done, ill definitely have one of the best academies of all time. Skills training, mental, spiritual, emotional, and just bring out a lot of the experts, not only in the game of Basketball, but in different fields. Bring a lot of youth together,” the Mavs player said.

While he envisions staying involved in basketball, Irving emphasized that his current focus remains on enjoying every moment he has left on the court: “After basketball it’s going to be so much fun, but right now I’m enjoying this as much (as possible).”

Stan Van Gundy, who last coached the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2020-21 season, shared his thoughts on Redick, noting that the former player’s career on the court could be an asset in his new role:

“He’s somebody that really had to learn the game and rely on what he knew about the game and how to play it. It’s something he had to give a lot of thought to. NBA basketball is very hard for anyone playing it. It requires a lot of work, but some guys it requires more of to be able to compete at that level. And he’s certainly one of those guy,” Van Gundy said in an interview with Southern California News Group.

“I think you can compare him to what Steve Kerr did. I think there’s a lot of similarities there,” he added, referencing Kerr’s own transition from player to coach. Van Gundy coached Redick during their time with the Orlando Magic, including the 2008-09 season when they reached the NBA Finals, only to fall to Kobe Bryant’s Lakers.

Kerr’s impact as an NBA coach

Since joining the Warriors in the 2014-15 season—his first as a head coach—Steve Kerr has firmly established himself as one of the greatest coaches in NBA history. Under his leadership, the Warriors have won four NBA titles and made six Finals appearances, transforming the franchise into a powerhouse.

Kerr’s innovative tactics, which emphasize ball movement, fast-paced play, and a shooting-heavy approach built around stars like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, have redefined the way modern basketball is played.

Redick has already implemented some changes to the Lakers’ offense, giving Anthony Davis a more prominent role, encouraging players to take more three-pointers, and integrating younger talent into the lineup. While Redick has a long road ahead, if he can achieve even a fraction of what Kerr has done in Golden State, the Lakers’ gamble will prove to be a great decision.

In basketball, it’s crucial to train with the same intensity you bring to games, and the James duo exemplifies that mindset. Their competitive spirit, even in practice, has boosted the team’s morale ahead of the season opener. Davis shared some insights from a recent moment between the two:

“Bronny hit a three over him (LeBron) today and everybody was talking smack, in Bronny’s favor,” Davis said. “Then Bron came down and bullied somebody. Took it out on who, I forgot who it was, got a layup. Bronny came back down, hit another three, and Bron wanted the ball,” he added, highlighting the intensity and competition between the father and son, even during practice.

“So you can see, even though they weren’t matched up, the competition is there. And that’s what we love to see,” Davis concluded. He called Bronny’s presence “something special” and noted that seeing both Jameses on the court together pushes the entire team to perform at a higher level.

Lakers’ goal for 2024-25 season

With a new head coach, new strategies, and a LeBron James nearing 40, the Lakers are under pressure to start the NBA season strong. The team is looking to avoid the struggles of recent years, where they finished 7th three times in the last four seasons, and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs twice. In the 2021-22 season, the Lakers even failed to reach the play-in tournament.

This season will undoubtedly be challenging, but preseason performances have shown promise, especially with Redick’s tactics enhancing the play of players like D’Angelo Russell and Davis. If the Lakers can reach the form they had in previous years, they could be in contention for a deep playoff run.

Lakers’ October regular season schedule

• Debut vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (H): Tuesday, October 22
• vs. Phoenix Suns (H): Friday, October 25
• vs. Sacramento Kings (H): Saturday, October 26
• vs. Phoenix Suns (A): Monday, October 28
• vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (A): Wednesday, October 30

Over his 15 seasons in the NBA, Stephen Curry has transformed the league—not only with his titles and accolades but also with his revolutionary playstyle. As the face of the three-point era, the Golden State Warriors‘ star has become a role model for a new generation of players. Los Angeles Lakers‘ rookie Quincy Olivari perfectly captures this admiration, becoming emotional when talking about his idol Curry.

Olivari, an undrafted rookie out of Xavier University, surprised many with his performances during the Lakers’ preseason, playing a pivotal role in a comeback victory against the Milwaukee Bucks by scoring 11 points in the fourth quarter.

While much of the attention was on Bronny James, it was Olivari who stood out, impressing with his form and securing a two-way contract with the Lakers after initially signing an Exhibit 10 training camp deal.

Olivari broke into tears when talking about Curry

Despite the Lakers’ 132-73 loss to the Golden State Warriors, Olivari had a once-in-a-lifetime experience when he had the chance to speak with his idol, Stephen Curry, after the game. Overwhelmed with emotion, Olivari shared in the post-game press conference what it meant to him:

“It’s crazy because I liked him since I was in sixth grade, I don’t even know what to say—that’s my favorite player ever. The first thing he told me was, ‘I’m a big fan of your game,’ and truth be told, I’m a big fan of him. I had his jersey; he signed it twice. I used to sleep under that jersey. I used to want to be like him so bad.”

Olivari also revealed that Curry gifted him a pair of signed shoes, adding, “That meant the world to me.” Reflecting on how much this moment meant to him and his family, Olivari was visibly emotional, struggling to find the words to fully express the experience.

Olivari’s preseason with the Lakers

Olivari appeared in four preseason games with the Lakers, but his standout performances came against the Bucks and, most recently, against the Warriors. In Friday night’s game against Golden State, Olivari made his first start, playing 39 minutes and scoring 22 points, including 5-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc. He also showcased his intensity on both ends of the court, grabbing 7 rebounds—4 defensive and 3 offensive.

Originally expected to play with the Lakers’ G-League affiliate, Olivari’s impressive preseason may have earned him a spot in the Lakers’ rotation as the NBA regular season approaches.

The absence of the Lakers’ stars was felt in a 132-74 loss to the Warriors on Friday night, but Redick’s decision to rest his key players was aimed at keeping them fresh for the season opener against the Dallas Mavericks. LeBron, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, and D’Angelo Russell were among those rested, but Hachimura’s situation was different.

The Japanese forward was sidelined due to calf discomfort, which has lingered since the 2024 Paris Olympics. Despite the setback, Redick remains optimistic about Hachimura’s availability for the season opener.

“Redick says that he does not believe Hachimura’s calf discomfort will cause him to miss opening night,” posted ESPN’s Dave McMenamin on his X (formerly Twitter) account. While the issue has been ongoing, the Lakers are not overly concerned about Hachimura’s fitness ahead of the 2024-25 season.

JJ Redick praises Rui Hachimura

Despite dealing with calf discomfort, Hachimura’s performances in both games and training camps have earned the trust of his coach. In the short time they’ve worked together, Redick has expressed nothing but praise for the forward.

“Rui has been great. I think we were still getting acclimated when we had our first preseason game, we had only practiced three times and he was not a full participant in most of September, he was in and out of the gym and he had some family stuff. So he’s been super committed to our classroom and in the mornings and we talked about today, feels like that’s been very helpful. And everything we’ve asked him to do, he’s done, so he’s been awesome,” said Redick early this month.

Redick reflects on his first preseason with Lakers

Fans were initially surprised when the Lakers handed the reins to JJ Redick, who is in his first head coaching role after a standout NBA career as a player. However, Redick has already earned the respect of his players, who have been supportive of his approach. Speaking with The Athletic‘s Jovan Buha, Redick reflected on his development during his first preseason.

“This is all simultaneously familiar and new if that makes sense. there’s a duality to this for me right now. I’m just trying to be open-minded and self-critical at all times,” Redick said. “I cant’ really say specific thing where I’m like, ‘Oh, I’ve already grown here.’ But I think being comfortable recognizing mistakes and things you could do better. The biggest thing for me is to provide as much clarity as possible to our players. And i think our coaching staff has done that so far,” he stated.

Recently, videos have surfaced where Durant’s name was conspicuously left out when discussing basketball superstars. This has happened on more than one occasion. First, when Dallas Mavericks star Thompson was asked how he adapts his game while playing alongside “superstars” like Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, and Kyrie Irving, Thompson had to remind the reporter: “Kevin Durant too, he’s pretty good.”

A similar situation occurred with Anthony Edwards, who was asked on sharing the Olympic stage with LeBron James and Curry. Before the reporter could finish the question, Edwards subtly added, “KD,” ensuring Durant’s name was not overlooked.

Durant’s message to Klay and the media

Durant, known for being outspoken on social media, responded to an Instagram post from @duranthighlights that addressed these situations. He acknowledged the support from his former teammate while taking a swipe at the media.

“They can’t erase what we’ve done Klay lmao. Media members will rejoice when I retire,” Durant commented, highlighting his belief that the media often downplays his accomplishments, despite his teammates consistently affirming his status as one of the all-time greats.

Durant was instrumental in leading the Warriors to back-to-back NBA championships in 2017 and 2018 alongside Thompson and Curry. In addition to his NBA success, Durant is the only player in history to win four Olympic gold medals in basketball, a feat he could add to in Paris 2024 alongside Edwards.

Durant’s ongoing conflict with the media

Tension between Durant and the media is nothing new. One of the earliest instances came in 2016 when he was with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Durant famously said, “They don’t like us. They don’t like how Russell (Westbrook) talks to the media. They don’t like how I talk to the media.”

This tension continued when he joined the Warriors, with Durant openly using media criticism to fuel his performance. “They say I ain’t hungry! I’m out here! … They told me I ain’t have no drive! I’m out here. They called me a coward! Putting in work,” Durant once exclaimed, highlighting how he turns negativity into motivation.

Today, Durant remains unfazed by media criticism. Instead, he finds validation in the respect he receives from his fellow players, who continue to regard him as one of the greatest to ever play the game.

Messi scoring hat-tricks is far from unusual for the soccer icon—just four days ago, he notched three goals in Argentina’s match against Bolivia. However, what made this performance particularly remarkable was how he achieved it: Messi didn’t start the game in Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino’s lineup.

Entering the match as a substitute in the 57th minute for Julian Gressel, Messi scored his hat-trick within just 31 minutes. This marked the second time in his career that he has recorded a hat-trick as a substitute. The first instance came during the 2016 Copa América group stage when he replaced Augusto Fernandez and netted three goals in just 29 minutes against Panama.

So far, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 66 hat-tricks throughout his illustrious career, but none of them have come as a substitute—something Messi has now done twice. While Ronaldo is typically a starter for his teams, reducing his chances to match Messi’s feat, he still has opportunities to achieve it while coming off the bench for Portugal.

Ronaldo’s hat-trick feat Messi has yet to achieve

On the other hand, Ronaldo achieved a unique milestone earlier this year, one that only one other player has matched—and it’s not Messi. The Portuguese star completed a hat-trick where all three goals were scored from outside the box: two from free kicks and one from open play.

Ronaldo accomplished this during Al Nassr’s dominant 8-0 victory over Abha in Matchday 26 of the 2023-24 Saudi Pro League. He sealed the hat-trick within the first 42 minutes, securing a decisive win for his team.

While Messi has an impressive 22 goals from outside the box across his career (between free kicks and open play), he has yet to score three such goals in a single match.

A major talking point leading up to the fight is the significant age gap between the two fighters—Paul is 27, while Tyson is 58—sparking considerable debate. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Paul was asked to respond to critics who have labeled the matchup a “lose-lose” situation for his boxing career. The YouTube star-turned-boxer didn’t hold back in his response.

“I would say a lot of things. I would say, first and foremost, you fight Mike Tyson and most of them won’t get to the ring,” Paul told SI’s Doug Vazquez, emphasizing that Tyson’s experience and legendary status transcend age.

Paul went on to describe the fight as an honor, not just a challenge, and took the opportunity to reveal his Top 3 boxers of all time: “Secondly, if you love the sport of boxing and you did have the opportunity to fight a legend, it’s an honor to step in there with one of the three biggest legends in the history of the sport: Muhammad Ali, Floyd (Mayweather Jr), Mike Tyson.

He also dismissed the idea of the fight being a “lose-lose” for him, sharing a personal story about what this moment means to his family. “To me, it’s an honor. It’s a win-win. I can’t believe it. My dad’s favorite fighter growing up is Mike Tyson. My dad cried when I told him about this opportunity,” Paul admitted.

Jake Paul on the Katie Taylor-Amanda Serrano rematch

Jake Paul also touched on the upcoming rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, set to take place just before his bout with Tyson. Their first fight has been called the biggest in women’s boxing history. Paul is excited to have the rematch as part of his event.

“To me it’s surreal and iconic moment, and with the co-made event Katie Taylor-Amanda Serrano, and putting women’s boxing in the most viewed event ever… It’s huge, they deserve it. It was one of the most entertaining fights I’ve ever watched, so the products it’s amazing. The product deserves to be given the spotlight and that’s exactly what we want to do,” Paul said to Sports Illustrated.

Titled Taylor vs. Serrano 2, the rematch promises to be more than just a prelude to Paul vs. Tyson. Fans hope it will deliver the same level of excitement as their first encounter in New York.

Twenty-five years coaching in the NBA is no small feat. Rivers has coached 1,896 regular-season games across stints with the Magic, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and now the Bucks, amassing 1,114 wins. This places him 8th all-time in NBA coaching wins and 4th in playoff victories, with 113 postseason wins to his name.

Yet, postseason shortcomings are often highlighted when critiquing Rivers’ record. His 113-108 playoff record and the fact that three of his teams have blown 3-1 series leads are frequently mentioned. However, the criticism that seems to bother him the most is the perception that his career has “come up short“ due to only winning one NBA championship.

“But I’ve never come up short, in my opinion. Come up short? What does that mean? Like, we didn’t win a title? I go back in Philly. I took that job after we lost in the first round 4-0 (to the Celtics in 2020 under Brett Brown). The next year, we win the East in the regular season. All right. We are one game away from the Eastern finals,” Rivers said in an interview with The Athletic’s Eric Nehm.

Rivers explained that, after many years in the NBA, anything short of a title draws criticism: “So there’s times where I’m like we’re being evaluated on a different standard. And the great news is I’ve created that standard. So for me, that’s good. But then when the narrative comes that you can’t do it, that’s bulls—. Because I’ve done it and I can do it. It’s just hard to do it. It’s just hard. So I’ve always looked at it that way.“

Rivers on playoff struggles

Outside of his 2008 championship with the Celtics against the Los Angeles Lakers, Rivers has only reached the NBA Finals once more, in 2010, where Boston fell to the Lakers in seven games. While some might see that as underachievement after 25 seasons, Rivers views his career through a different lens.

“My numbers don’t lie. I’ve coached for 25 years and I’ve had two losing seasons. And the two losing seasons, we were trying to lose, yeah. So I’ve made the playoffs — whatever, I don’t even know — 21 out of 25 years. It’s almost like Deion Sanders said in that interview. There’s nothing you can say or do that’s going to take away from what I’ve done, and I’ll never allow that,” he stated in The Athletic.

Despite reflecting on his past achievements, Rivers is focused on the future and hungry for more success: “Having said that, I want to do more. And to do more, you have to put yourself in situations where you’re going to be criticized if you don’t do it. And I’m fine with that.”

Bucks’ preparation for the 2024-25 season

Rivers stepped in to replace Mike Budenholzer as head coach midway through last season, coaching just 36 games before the Bucks were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Indiana Pacers. Heading into this season, Rivers is determined to take the team further.

“I watched all 82 games literally right after the season. I think I started a day after the (final) Indiana game and I watched all 82 games and probably went back and watched over 30 of those games again,” Rivers said. “Took notes — things they did well, things they didn’t do well. And there were things, it was visual, but that’s what I’m looking for: the common themes,” he added.

Since their 2020 championship, the Bucks have undergone significant changes. Injuries to key players at critical moments have hurt the team, and this offseason saw Jrue Holiday traded for Damian Lillard, who’s optimistic for the Bucks’ chances this season. Despite losing three of their four preseason games, Rivers is putting in the work to ensure the Bucks remain competitive.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr opted to give his entire rotation playing time, with the exception of Curry, who was rested to prepare for the team’s opener against the Portland Trail Blazers. However, after the game, Curry made his way onto the court to greet the players, including Bronny, who received some words of wisdom from the NBA legend.

When asked about their conversation in the post-game press conference, Bronny shared the advice he received from Curry: “Just catching up, but mainly just, you know, him telling me to play my game and be myself. Also just giving some pointers on, you know, things to do in certain situations, but nothing, nothing too crazy.”

For Bronny, the moment was surreal. Not long ago, he was uploading videos of himself shooting three-pointers while calling out Curry’s name. Now, standing on an NBA court, playing alongside his father, LeBron James, and receiving advice from one of his idols, marks a significant milestone in his journey.

Alongside Quincy Olivari, Bronny was one of the Lakers’ standout players on Friday night. The rookie delivered a career-best performance against the Warriors, scoring 17 points while shooting 6-of-12 from two-point range and 1-of-5 from beyond the arc. He also contributed 4 defensive rebounds and 1 assist in 35 minutes of action.

The Warriors’ dominant victory over the Lakers

Should the Lakers be concerned after a 132-74 loss to the Warriors? While a 58-point blowout may raise eyebrows, especially among fans in Los Angeles, some context helps put the result in perspective.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick approached the game as an opportunity to evaluate younger players and those still vying for a spot in the rotation. As a result, he rested the majority of his key players and only used eight players throughout the game.

In contrast, Kerr took the opposite approach, utilizing his entire rotation with the exception of Curry. A total of 16 Warriors players saw the floor, doubling the number of Lakers who played.

“I think for him and all our younger players, all the moments are building blocks. Not just the good moments. The bad moments are learning opportunities,” said Redick, reflecting on the value of the experience for Bronny and his younger teammates. With this performance in mind, both Olivari and Bronny could see themselves worked into the Lakers’ rotation as the regular season unfolds.

Yeferson Soteldo played a pivotal role in Venezuela’s impressive run to the quarterfinals of the 2024 Copa América, where they secured victories over Ecuador, Mexico, and Jamaica. Now, as La Vinotinto pushes for its first-ever World Cup appearance, Soteldo reflected on the intense moment with Messi during their October 10th clash.

In an Instagram Live session, Soteldo provided details of the incident that unfolded during the Venezuela-Argentina match: “I didn’t say anything to him. I pushed his hand off to make him be serious. He was the one who wouldn’t stop talking.”

Soteldo prides himself on being someone who doesn’t back down in difficult situations, which is why he chose to confront Messi. “He thinks I was born in the suburbs, ‘El Muertico,’” Soteldo said, referring to Messi with a term that sparked backlash from fans who viewed it as disrespectful to one of the greatest players in the sport’s history.

What happened between Messi and Soteldo?

Messi and Soteldo had this argument on the pitch during the WC Qualifier match between Venezuela and Argentina in the Monumental de Maturin Stadium. While medical staff attended to a Venezuelan player on the field, several players from Lionel Scaloni’s team argued with their opponents, believing they were wasting time.

At that moment, the Argentine star approached the Venezuelan captain to discuss the situation. When Messi touched him, Soteldo suddenly pushed his hand away from his face, expressing his disagreement. With tensions rising, a Venezuela player stepped in to separate them.

CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifier standings

Following their 1-1 draw with Venezuela, Argentina rebounded in dominant fashion, crushing Bolivia 6-0 at home to reclaim the top spot in the South American qualifiers with 22 points. Colombia, the surprising underdogs of the campaign, sit in second with 19 points, followed by Uruguay and Brazil, both with 16 points.

Ecuador and Paraguay currently hold the final direct qualification spots, while Bolivia, in seventh place, would need to go through a playoff to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Venezuela, Peru, and Chile are currently on the outside looking in, with no spot secured for the competition.

It hasn’t been an easy year for Neymar Jr., as he shared recently. On October 17 of last year, the Brazilian star suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus injury in his left knee, which required surgery. Now, after more than a year on the sidelines, Neymar broke down while talking about his injury and the long road to recovery.

In a video produced by NR Sports titled Amor ao Futebol (Love for Soccer), Neymar reflected on one of the highlights of his career last year: breaking Pelé’s record as Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer with 79 goals. “I would never imagined that I would surpass Pele’s number of goals in the National Team. He’s Pele, you know? I never imagined that in my life.“

He went on to talk about how the injury struck at such an unfortunate time, both in his career and personal life. “I was living a wonderful moment in my life. Because this objective, my arrival to Al Hilal, the birth of my daughter… It was all adding it up to make up for a great year, but then this happened,” he said, referring to the injury.

When remembering the injury as a moment of ‘huge pain’ Neymar couldn’t hold his feelings about how he’s been battling with this injury. “What I love most in life is playing football. I suffer with each day I stay away. This is what hurts me the most,” said the Brazilian while tears were running down his eyes.

Neymar has been through the toughest injury of his career, even more challenging than the fractured vertebra he endured during the 2014 World Cup. Despite the difficulties, Neymar emphasized the importance of the people he cherishes most. “But my focus is here. The most important persons in my life, my friends, my family and football. I get back up every time I get injured. But I don’t come back halfway,” he ended his message.

When will Neymar play again?

In recent days, various reports have surfaced regarding Neymar’s situation, but the general consensus is that the Brazilian star will soon be back on the field. Al Hilal head coach Jorge Jesus confirmed in a press conference on Friday that Neymar will travel with the team for Monday’s AFC Champions League match against Al Ain.

“Neymar will travel with the team to the United Arab Emirates. He is fully recovered and has returned to training with the group. We’ll see if things continue to progress positively for him to be included in the match against Al Ain. If all goes well, he’ll be on the roster,” said Jesus to the press.

If Neymar plays in Monday’s game at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, it will mark 370 days since his last match and the end of a long and painful recovery. His return will be crucial for both Al Hilal and the Brazil national team, who are considering calling him up for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in November.

Following his international duty in the Nations League games against Poland and Scotland, Ronaldo is eager to add to his scoring tally. He might do so today, because Cristiano Ronaldo will be playing from the start against Al Shabab.

Al Nassr had a rocky start to the season, which resulted in the departure of former coach Luis Castro. However, under Pioli’s guidance, the team has quickly turned things around, winning all five matches since his arrival, scoring 12 goals and conceding just two. Ronaldo has featured in four of those matches, contributing with four goals and one assist.

Currently, Ronaldo sits third in the SPL‘s scoring chart with 5 goals. Leading the pack is Al Hilal’s Aleksandar Mitrovic with 9 goals, followed by Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema, who has netted 7 times.

Ronaldo’s contract situation with Al Nassr

Ronaldo’s contract with Al Nassr runs until 2025, by which time the Portuguese legend will be 40 years old. Age, however, doesn’t seem to concern the club’s executives, who are eager to keep him beyond the original deal.

According to Rudy Galetti, Ronaldo recently met with Al Nassr CEO Guido Fienga to discuss his contract. The talks were described as “positive,” indicating that a contract extension for the global superstar could be in the works.

Al Nassr’s confirmed lineup

Bento; Salem Alnajdi, Mohamed Simakan, Aymeric Laporte, Nawaf Boushal; Abdullah Alkhaibari; Marcelo Brozovic; Otavio, Anderson Talisca, Sadio Mane; Cristiano Ronaldo.

Thompson has yet to perform at his best during his short time in Dallas, but it’s too early to make definitive judgments about his role. After spending 13 seasons with the Golden State Warriors, Thompson is still adjusting to his new environment, but he had high praise for his new coach.

“I have really enjoyed playing for Mr. Kidd. First off, I was just a huge admirer of his game growing up, especially his mixtapes, some of the best ever. The pass he threw, you still don’t see to this day. I mean, Luka (Doncic) does a good impression of it. He just seems like such a great leader,” Thompson shared during the Bucks’ post-game press conference.

Kidd has been actively involved in helping Thompson adapt to the Mavericks’ system. The sharpshooter expressed optimism about the long-term relationship: “He’s able to convey his message very well when he speaks so I have really enjoyed playing for Mr. Kidd like I said… I’m excited to play for him for the next few seasons obviously.”

Although Thompson hasn’t posted eye-popping numbers in his three preseason appearances with Dallas—including a scoreless outing against the Los Angeles Clippers—this is just the beginning. Once Luka Doncic (recovering from injury) and Kyrie Irving are back on the court, Thompson’s impact is expected to grow significantly.

Thompson fully focused on Dallas, says Kidd

Adapting to a new system is challenging, but after more than 13 years in a different city and team, the transition can be even more jarring. According to Jason Kidd, however, Klay Thompson is putting in the work to make his mark in Dallas.

In an interview with Sportskeeda, Kidd discussed Thompson’s dedication: “He loves to play. He works extremely hard at his craft. He’s done every rep. He wants to be in every rep. He feels like he’s behind in the system. It’s a new system for him. So he wants to be involved in everything.”

Despite being an NBA veteran, Thompson remains eager to learn and take advice from his coach. “For someone that is playing in his 14th season, sometimes coaches have to pivot around that. But he wants to make that adjustment. That just shows what kind of person and what kind of player he is,” Kidd added.

ESPN‘s Shams Charania reported on Thursday that “Leonard is expected to be sidelined for an indefinite period of time,” which sparked concern and speculation among fans on social media. Some believed that Leonard had experienced a setback during his recovery, but this was quickly debunked.

The Athletic‘s Law Murray provided an important update on his X (formerly Twitter) account, writing: “Team source has confirmed that Kawhi Leonard has not suffered any kind of setback as he works to strengthen his surgically-repaired right knee that was last operated on in MAY 2024“

It appears Leonard is undergoing a long-term recovery process to ensure the health of his knee, aiming to avoid a repeat of past issues. Clippers head coach Ty Lue had previously revealed to Charania that Leonard experienced a “setback” after participating in USA Basketball camp in Las Vegas this past July.

For the Clippers, getting Leonard back to full strength is critical if they have any hope of contending this season. While this is reportedly a week-to-week situation, Leonard is expected to miss a significant portion of the early NBA season, while questions about his contract and future are constantly rising.

LA Clippers’ start of 2024-25 season

The LA Clippers will look to carry over their strong preseason form, where they won four of their five games, losing only the opener to the Golden State Warriors in a tight 90-91 contest.

The Clippers’ regular-season opener will take place on Wednesday in Los Angeles against the Phoenix Suns, with the game being hosted in their new home, the Intuit Dome. With Paul George now on the Philadelphia 76ers, Kawhi Leonard sidelined, and James Harden being the team’s focal point, the Clippers will need other players to step up early in the season.

Davis, one of the most versatile players in the NBA, has struggled to match his previous levels of performance in recent seasons. However, Redick is fully aware of the impact Davis can have on both ends of the court. Redick’s mission this season is clear: help Davis return to his best form.

In a media session on Tuesday, Redick addressed the idea of positioning Davis as a ‘key player‘: “I know he wants that. We believe he is that. And it’s our job to empower him on both sides of the basketball to have a monster year. I thought he had a monster year last year. But I think the way we want to play, he’s going to be featured like he always is. But he’s also going to be, hopefully, perpetually involved.”

Davis offers Redick flexibility, being able to dominate in various positions across the court. “And AD, like I said a few times now, is one of the most unique players in the NBA. The fact that he can play out on the perimeter, he can switch against guards, he can also play bigger players in the post, you can anchor a defense,” JJ said in the interview after the team’s practice.

It’s a matter of time for Reddick to find the best role for AD, and these preseason games come up handy. “Again, we’re still experimenting with different combinations and lineups, and we’ll have something consistent. But yeah, we’re going to look for opportunities to have them out there with a number of them,” Reddick ended.

Anthony Davis’ performance vs Suns is what JJ wants

Since his talk on Tuesday, AD has led the Lakers in scoring. He posted 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds (10 defensive) in a loss to the Golden State Warriors, followed by an impressive 35-point, 10-rebound performance (alongside rookie Dalton Knetch) against the Phoenix Suns.

With LeBron James sidelined for the game against the Suns for rest, Davis stepped up as the team leader, making an impact on both offense and defense. Notably, Davis approached each game with a different strategy.

Against the Warriors, Davis did most of his scoring near the rim, attempting just one three-pointer. In contrast, against the Suns, he showcased his range, hitting 4 of his 9 three-point attempts for a 44% conversion rate—well above his career average of 29.7%.

Though Davis isn’t known for his outside shooting, Redick’s system is bringing out a more aggressive, well-rounded version of the star. Davis has always been a dominant defender, but under Redick, he could evolve into an omnipresent force on both ends of the court.