Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese says the media should have done more to combat the ongoing issue of racism in women’s basketball before it reached a boiling point.

The WNBA on Wednesday condemned all ‘racist, derogatory or threatening comments’ that have been directed toward players after Connecticut Sun All-Star Alyssa Thomas called out ‘racial comments from the Indiana Fever fan base’ following the Sun’s series-clinching 87-81 victory over the Fever. Reese said this has been a long-standing issue, noting that she’s been the subject of racially motivated hate for some time.

Reese, however, said her pleas for accountability and action have been repeatedly ignored. ‘The media has benefited from my pain & me being villainized to create a narrative,’ she wrote on X. ‘They allowed this. This was beneficial to them… Y’all a little late to the party and could have tried to put out this fire way before it started.’

In response to a video of ESPN’s Andraya Carter — where Carter said ‘excitement around the league is at its highest, but the racial slurs and the derogatory comments and the online bullying are also at their worst’ — Reese said she’s been ‘going through this for the last 2 years but was told ‘save the tears’ & ‘stop playing victim.”

Reese and Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark have frequently been pitted against each other dating back to their collegiate days at LSU and Iowa, respectively. The popularity surrounding Reese, Clark and the 2024 WNBA rookie class translated to increased viewership and support for the league, but it hasn’t always been support in good faith. In July, Reese’s mother shared racist messages aimed at her daughter from WNBA fans that claimed to support Clark.

‘I sometimes share my experiences of things that have happened to me but I’ve also allowed this to happen to me for way too long and now other players in this league are dealing with & experiencing the same things,’ Reese wrote on Thursday. ‘This isn’t OK at all. Anything beyond criticism about playing the game we love is wrong. I’m sorry to all the players that have/continue to experience the same things I have.’

Reese said she started her own podcast, ‘Unapologetically Angel,’ to take control of her own narrative: ‘This is why I started my podcast. To take my voice back and create the narrative of who I really am. At the end of the day, I don’t want an apology nor do I think this will ever stop but something has to change.’

The issue of racism plaguing the WNBA resurfaced after Thomas called out ‘unacceptable’ fan behavior.

‘We’ve been professional throughout the whole entire thing,’ said Thomas. ‘But I’ve never been called the things that I’ve been called on social media, and there’s no place for it.’

In response the WNBA issued a statement saying it is ‘monitoring threat-related activity’ and will work with the teams and venues ‘to take appropriate measures, to include involving law enforcement, as necessary. … While we welcome a growing fan base, the WNBA will not tolerate racist, derogatory, or threatening comments made about players, teams and anyone affiliated with the league,’ the statement added.

(This story was updated to add new information and to change a photo.)

Malik Nabers enjoyed another terrific game for the New York Giants, but he exited the team’s 20-15 ‘Thursday Night Football’ loss to the Dallas Cowboys with a concussion.

Nabers was banged-up late in the fourth quarter while trying to make a catch on a fourth-down pass from Daniel Jones. He went to the ground hard on the sideline and remained down after the play.

Here’s what we know about the injury the Giants’ talented young wide receiver suffered:

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Malik Nabers injury update

Nabers suffered a concussion on the Giants’ penultimate drive of the game. He tried to catch a fourth-and-6 pass from Jones, but couldn’t quite secure the ball while trying to tap his toes inbounds.

Nabers went to the ground and landed hard on his head and right shoulder, with nothing to brace his fall. He remained down on the sideline briefly before he was moved to a seated position with his helmet off.

Eventually, Nabers got up and walked into the blue medical tent. He later went to the locker room, where he remained for the duration of the contest.

Shortly after Nabers went to the locker room, the Giants announced he had suffered a concussion and had been ruled out for the remainder of the game.

Giants coach Brian Daboll didn’t provide an update about Nabers during his postgame news conference, as he wasn’t able to see his top wide out before speaking to reporters.

‘He was with the doctors right before I came in here,’ Daboll said. ‘I’ll see him right after.’

Who is Malik Nabers’ backup on Giants depth chart?

Hyatt may see more playing time if Nabers has to miss time, but Wan’Dale Robinson would likely become the Giants’ No. 1 receiver. Robinson was targeted 14 times against the Cowboys and caught 11 passes for 71 yards.

Veteran Darius Slayton would also see an uptick in opportunities.

Malik Nabers stats

Nabers was the Giants’ offensive catalyst in the loss to the Cowboys. He was targeted a team-high 15 times and caught 12 passes for 115 yards; he also ran the ball once on a sweep, though he lost four yards on the play.

Nabers recorded 35 receptions, 388 yards and three touchdowns across his first four NFL games. He has looked every bit the dynamic playmaker the Giants hoped he’d be when they selected him with the sixth overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Dallas Cowboys won’t earn any style points for their victory on ‘Thursday Night Football,’ but will take the sloppy win that halted a two-game losing streak.

The Cowboys defeated the New York Giants, 20-15, in a penalty flag-riddled game at MetLife Stadium in which the two teams combined for 15 penalties (11 for the Cowboys).

Firt-half touchdowns by Rico Dowdle and CeeDee Lamb put Dallas up 14-6 in the second quarter, and the advantage proved too large for the Giants to overcome. The Giants offense couldn’t reach the end zone, as the team settled for five field goals by kicker Greg Joseph. That wasn’t going to cut it against a potent Cowboys offense.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott completed 22 of 27 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Lamb finished with seven receptions for 98 yards and the TD. Prescott has now won 13 consecutive starts against the Giants.

The Giants offense struggled to create any explosive plays. Quarterback Daniel Jones threw for 281 yards on 29 completions. Rookie receiver Malik Nabers had 12 receptions for 115 yards, but was taken to the locker room late in the game with a concussion. Running back Devin Singletary (14 carries, 24 yards) struggled against a Cowboys defense that allowed 274 yards rushing a week ago.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

The win moved the Cowboys’ record to 2-2, while the Giants fell to 1-3 and sit alone in last place in the NFC East.

Of concern for the Cowboys moving forward are injuries to defensive stars Micah Parsons — who was carted off the field late in the game — and DeMarcus Lawrence.

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Cowboys vs. Giants highlights

Amani Oruwariye interception seals Cowboys win

Amani Oruwariye picked off a Daniel Jones pass intended for wide receiver Jalin Hyatt.

The Cowboys prevailed, 20-15.

Brandon Aubrey miss gives Giants a chance

Just when it seemed the Cowboys were going to ice the game, kicker Brandon Aubrey has a rare missed field goal.

This attempt came from 51 yards out with 32 seconds remaining, giving the Giants ball back down five but without any timeouts remaining.

Giants fail to convert fourth down

Daniel Jones nearly found Malik Nabers for a first down on a fourth-and-6 but the rookie receiver couldn’t quite corral it while keeping both of his feet in bounds.

The Cowboys got the ball back near midfield while Nabers remained down on the ground. He was eventually helped to a seated position, got up and walked to the blue medical tent. He was then taken to the locker room.

Micah Parsons injury update

Micah Parsons has had to come out of the TNF game a couple of times, but he got dinged up again late in the fourth quarter. He was trying to rush Daniel Jones on a third down when he had his left leg rolled up on by Giants right guard Greg Van Roten.

Parsons was able to walk off the field with assistance but he headed straight for the blue medical tent.

Cowboys 20, Giants 15: New York holds Dallas to field goal

Brandon Aubrey’s second field goal of the game capped a promising 10-play, 48-yard drive that stalled in Giants territory. Aubrey’s 40-yarder extended the Cowboys’ lead to five points.

Moving forward, field goals might not cut it for the Giants.

Cowboys 17, Giants: 15: Greg Joseph gets another field goal

If you’re counting as home, that’s five field goals for Giants kicker Greg Joseph, whose leg is keep his team in the game.

Joseph’s 42-yard field goal with 11 minutes left in the game kept the Giants within field goal striking distance of the Cowboys.

Joseph has made field goals from 52, 41, 38, 22 and now 42 yards in the game.

Trevon Diggs leaves game after tackle on Devin Singletary

Trevon Diggs, the Cowboys’ top cornerback, was taken to the locker room immediately after making a tackle on Giants running Devin Singletary.

The Cowboys’ training staff bypassed the blue tent on the sideline. Diggs (dehydration) was announced as questionable to return, but was back in the game after getting an IV in the locker room. He didn’t even miss a Giants possession.

Cowboys’ DeMarcus Lawrence questionable to return

The Cowboys could be without one of their top defensive players as defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) is questionable to return with an injury that occurred on the Giants’ first drive of the third quarter.

He was initially examined on the sidelines before being taken to the locker room.

Cowboys finally force three-and-out

After allowing the Giants to score on their first four non-kneel-down drives, the Cowboys finally got off the field and forced a punt after Jourdan Lewis tackled Wan’Dale Robinson short of the sticks on a third-and-10.

The Cowboys get the ball back at their own 18-yard line, leading by five with 2:57 left in the third quarter.

Cowboys 17, Giants 12: Brandon Aubrey nails 60-yard field goal

Another week, another make 60-plus-yard make by Brandon Aubrey. The 2023 All-Pro came onto the field after Dallas’ opening drive of the first half stalled out. He split the uprights from 60 yards, making him an incredible 16-of-16 on kicks from 50-plus during his career.

Last week, Aubrey made a 65-yard field goal that was officially the second-longest in NFL history.

Cowboys 14, Giants 12: Giants settle for chip-shot field goal to start second half

The Giants marched 77 yards over 10 plays to open the second half, but the Cowboys once again held them to just a field goal.

Greg Joseph makes the 22-yarder to cut Dallas’ lead to 14-12.

Cowboys vs. Giants penalties

Clay Martin’s crew was busy during the first half of the Cowboys-Giants ‘Thursday Night Football’ game. The officials called a combined 12 penalties in the first half, much to the disdain of TNF play-by-play man Al Michaels.

Dallas was called for nine infractions in total and lost 70 yards because of them. The Giants had three for 25 yards.

The most notable flag of the evening from Martin was one his crew picked up. Originally, Rico Dowdle’s touchdown was called back because of a hold, but the crew decided not to call it.

Cowboys go into halftime with five-point lead over Giants

The Cowboys couldn’t generate momentum on their final possession of the first half, punting it to the Giants with 14 seconds left. New York took a knee to close out the frame, trailing 14-9.

Both offense have moved the ball well as each quarterback has been efficient. Dak Prescott completed 14-of-16 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns while Daniel Jones went 13-of-15 for 142 yards.

The Giants score field goals on all three of their non-kneel-down drives while the Cowboys scored two touchdowns but punted twice. New York will get the ball to start the second half, hoping to reclaim the lead from Dallas.

Cowboys 14, Giants 9: Greg Joseph makes third field goal from 38 yards

The Cowboys defense continues to bend but not break. Dallas sacked Daniel Jones on third down despite Micah Parsons being held, and New York settled for a 38-yard field goal.

The kick from Greg Joseph was good, and now, the Cowboys will try to answer the Giants’ scoring drive with 1:06 left in the first half.

Devin Singletary breaks tackle to convert fourth down

The Giants decided to go for it on fourth-and-inches from about midfield. Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson came into the backfield unblocked and appeared to have Singletary stopped for a big loss.

Instead, Devin Singletary spun out of the first down to get the stop and keep New York’s drive going.

Cowboys lose challenge of Devin Singletary fumble

Mike McCarthy challenged whether Giants running back Devin Singletary fumbled the ball on a first-down carry that went for no gain. Singletary appeared to lose control of the ball only after his knee hit the ground, and Clay Martin’s crew upheld the call.

The Cowboys now have one challenge remaining for the rest of the game.

Cowboys 14, Giants 6: Dak Prescott hits CeeDee Lamb for 55-yard touchdown

One play after Hunter Luepke converted a fourth-and-inches with an outside run, Prescott found Lamb on a downfield route for a big gain. Lamb cut inside after making the catch and waltzed into the end zone untouched from there.

Lamb was whistled for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, but the touchdown stood. Brandon Aubrey made the 48-yard extra point to extend Dallas’ lead to 14-6.

Micah Parsons injury update

The officials removed Micah Parsons from the game before the Giants’ last third-and-9 after taking an apparent shot to the head while he and his teammates tackled Wan’Dale Robinson on second down.

Parsons left the field under his own power. He was taken to the blue medical tent and is getting treatment there.

Parsons later rejoined his teammates on the bench. He is slated to return to the game after suffering what was announced in the press box as a neck injury.

Cowboys 7, Giants 6: Giants settle for Greg Joseph field goal

Daniel Jones completed a short pass to Malik Nabers on a third-and-9, but DeMarvion Overshown made a nice tackle to stop him for a gain of just 3 yards. The Giants sent Greg Joseph on to attempt a 41-yard field goal and he split the uprights to make it 7-6 Cowboys.

Wan’Dale Robinson was a key force in New York’s scoring drive, as he turned a catch short of the sticks on an earlier third-and-9 into an 11-yard gain. He has five catches for 34 yards thus far tonight.

End of first quarter: Cowboys lead, 7-3

The Cowboys hold an early lead over the Giants, but both teams are moving the ball well on offense. Dak Prescott and Daniel Jones have combined to throw just one incompletion while their top playmakers, CeeDee Lamb and Malik Nabers, have racked up 40 yards and 35 yards respectively.

Dallas’ defense is looking stronger than the unit that struggled badly over the last couple of weeks, but the Giants are still 2-for-3 on third downs early in the game.

Cowboys 7, Giants 3: Rico Dowdle scores Cowboys TD on 15-yard screen pass

The Cowboys dialed up a screen pass on second-and-goal from the 15 after a penalty on left tackle Tyler Guyton. Running back Rico Dowdle caught the dump-off from Prescott and took it through a maze of Giants defenders untouched for a touchdown.

Officials originally threw a flag on the play, but opted to pick it up. Brandon Aubrey made the extra point to make it 7-3 Cowboys.

CeeDee Lamb played a big role on Dallas’ first scoring drive. He caught four passes for 30 yards and had a 10-yard run on pitch play where he lined up in the backfield.

Giants 3, Cowboys 0: Greg Joseph makes 52-yard field goal to give Giants the lead

After Wan’Dale Robinson was stopped short of the first-down marker on a third-and-10, Brian Daboll opts to kick the field goal. Greg Joseph splits the uprights from 52 yards away, continuing the trend of kicker success from beyond 50 to start the 2024 NFL season.

The Giants lead 3-0, and Daniel Jones is off to a hot start, completing 3-of-3 passes for 53 yards on the first drive.

Malik Nabers flies by Andrew Booth on double-move for big gain

The Giants had more success on their first third-down attempt than the Cowboys. Daniel Jones found Nabers wide open down the left sideline for a 39-yard gain. The rookie wide-out put an ankle-breaking move on the cornerback Booth to create the big play.

Cowboys go three-and-out to start TNF

The Cowboys took just 1:07 to go three-and-out to start the game. Rico Dowdle gained 5 yards on two carries before Dak Prescott through an incompletion to CeeDee Lamb on third down.

The Giants will now look to open the scoring, starting with the ball on their own 15-yard line.

What’s on Dak Prescott’s jersey?

Prescott has a jersey patch in the shape of the Walter Payton Man of the Year trophy. The NFL instituted the uniform decal in 2017 to honor past winners of the award.

Prescott won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2022 and started wearing the patch during the 2023 NFL season.

Giants vs. Cowboys start time

Date: Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET

The Cowboys and Giants game will kick off Week 4 of the 2024 NFL season with ‘Thursday Night Football’ at 8:15 p.m. ET.

Cowboys at Giants TV channel

Live stream: Amazon Prime Video
TV channel: Fox 5 (New York market) | Fox 4 (Dallas-Fort Worth market)

‘Thursday Night Football’ will be exclusively available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

Viewers in the New York market can tune to Fox 5 to watch the matchup. For those in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, you can tune to Fox 4.

Watch’Thursday Night Football’with a Prime Video subscription

Who are the Thursday Night Football announcers for Amazon Prime Video?

Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) will be in the broadcast booth for Prime Video, with Kaylee Hartung (sideline) and Terry McAulay (rules analyst) providing additional coverage.

The Prime Video pregame, halftime and postgame shows feature Charissa Thompson as host, as well as former NFL players Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tony Gonzalez, Richard Sherman and Andrew Whitworth as analysts.

Taylor Rooks is the feature reporter for Prime Video’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ coverage. Albert Breer provides reports and analysis.

Giants vs. Cowboys predictions, picks

Here are the USA TODAY Sports staff’s predictions for the Cowboys-Giants matchup on ‘Thursday Night Football’:

Lorenzo Reyes: Cowboys 21, Giants 20
Tyler Dragon: Cowboys 26, Giants 17
Richard Morin: Cowboys 35, Giants 12
Jordan Mendoza: Cowboys 20, Giants 16

Giants vs. Cowboys odds, moneyline, over/under 

The Cowboys are favorites to defeat the Giants, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2024 including the ESPN BET app and Fanatics Sportsbook promo code. 

Spread: Cowboys (-5.5) 
Moneyline: Dallas (-250); New York (+200) 
Over/under: 45 

Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered with Thursday Night Football odds and Monday Night Football odds. 

New to sports betting? USA TODAY readers can claim exclusive promos and bonus codes with the best online sportsbooks and sports betting sites. 

FEELING LUCKY?  Here are the best parlay bets and odds for NFL games this week  

Cowboys vs. Giants inactives

Cowboys’ inactive players:

QB Trey Lance (third QB)
CB Caelen Carson
S Markquese Bell
OT Matt Waletzko
WR Ryan Flournoy
TE John Stephens Jr.
DE Tyrus Wheat

Giants’ inactive players:

CB Adoree’ Jackson
CB Dru Phillips
S Anthony Johnson
LB Benton Whitley
LB Boogie Basham
OG Jake Kubas
QB Tommy DeVito (third QB)

NFL rookie WR receiving record: Giants’ Malik Nabers could join elite list 

Puka Nacua holds the current record for the most receiving yards by a rookie wide receiver in NFL history, with 1,486 yards in 2023 with the Los Angeles Rams. Nacua exceeded fifth-round expectations: He finished second behind C.J. Stroud for Offensive Rookie of the Year. 

Before Nacua’s historic season, Bill Groman held the rookie receiving yard record for 62 years, reaching 1,473 yards in the AFL. Groman accumulated his rookie stats in just 14 games, while Nacua took 17 games to break the record. Puka passed his fellow active wide receiver, Ja’Marr Chase (1,455 yards, 2021) and Justin Jefferson (1,400 yards, 2020), for the most receiving yards in the Super Bowl era. 

Puka Nacua (Los Angeles Rams, 2023): 1,486 receiving yards 
Bill Groman (Houston Oilers, 1960): 1,473 receiving yards 
Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals, 2021): 1,455 receiving yards 
Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings, 2020): 1,400 receiving yards 
Anquan Boldin (Arizona Cardinals, 2003): 1,377 receiving yards 
Randy Moss (Minnesota Vikings, 1998): 1,313 receiving yards 
Odell Beckham Jr. (New York Giants, 2014): 1,305 receiving yards 
Michael Clayton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004): 1,193 receiving yards 
Michael Thomas (New Orleans Saints, 2016): 1,137 receiving yards 
Terry Glenn (New England Patriots, 1996): 1,132 receiving yards 
Bill Brooks (Indianapolis Colts, 1986): 1,131 receiving yards 
Garrett Wilson (New York Jets, 2022): 1,103 receiving yards 

Malik Nabers has accumulated 271 receiving yards through the first three weeks of the 2024 season. This terrific start puts him on pace to break Nacua’s record. 

Trevon Diggs vs. Malik Nabers: Cowboys CB and Giants WR feud, explained

‘Thursday Night Football’ will mark the first time that Giants rookie receiver Malik Nabers and Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs will face off in the NFL, but there’s already some beef being grilled between them. Here’s why. — Ayrton Ostly

Micah Parsons vs. Lawrence Taylor: How Cowboys edge compares to Giants legend so far 

Micah Parsons is tied for 11th in sacks through a player’s first 53 games. These are the 10 players ahead of him and their sack totals: 

Reggie White: 65 
Derrick Thomas: 49 
Von Miller: 48 
Dwight Freeney: 45 
Aldon Smith: 44 
Myles Garrett: 43.5 
Shawne Merriman: 43.5 
Nick Bosa: 43 
Joey Bosa: 42 
John Abraham: 42 

Pro Football Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor was tied for 90th with just 27 sacks in his first 53 career games. 

Taylor became a top-tier pass rusher later in his career than Parsons has. Through his first three years (including the strike-shortened 1982 NFL season), Taylor had 26 sacks. He had 98 over the following seven seasons, starting in 1984 with his age-25 year – the same age Parsons is this year. 

Parsons has statistically been the better pass rusher to start his career. But it was the middle of Taylor’s career that made him one of the best defensive players in NFL history. The next few seasons will decide if Parsons can enter the same conversation. 

Brandon Aubrey longest field goal: Where Cowboys kicker ranks on all-time list 

Brandon Aubrey made the longest kick of his career during Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season. On Dallas’ first possession, he attempted a 65-yarder in an effort to cut into the Baltimore Ravens’ 7-0 lead. 

The kick split the uprights with room to spare. While Aubrey’s field goal was among the longest ever kicked, it came up just a yard short short of beating Justin Tucker’s record of 66 yards. 

Below is the full list of nine kickers to make field goals from at least 63 yards or longer: 

66 yards — Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens (2021) 
65 yards — Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys (2024) 
64 yards — Matt Prater, Denver Broncos (2013) 
63 yards – Brett Maher, Dallas Cowboys (2019) 
63 yards – Graham Gano, Carolina Panthers (2018) 
63 yards – David Akers, San Francisco 49ers (2012) 
63 yards – Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland Raiders (2011) 
63 yards – Jason Elam, Denver Broncos (1998) 
63 yards – Tom Dempsey, New Orleans Saints (1970) 

Rex Ryan says he ‘could’ve fixed’ Cowboys defense

Former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn left Dallas to take the head coaching job with the Washington Commanders in the offseason. In 2024, the Cowboys rank among the worst defenses in the NFL.

Giants vs. Cowboys history 

These teams have a lengthy history as division rivals. The Cowboys and Giants rivalry has been played 124 times (including 1 postseason game), with Dallas winning 75 games and the Giants winning 47 games. They have also tied 2 times. 

Daniel Jones is 1-7 in his career against Dallas and Dak Prescott is 12-2 against New York. 

Cowboys and Giants injury reports

Dallas Cowboys injury report 

OUT 

TBD 

QUESTIONABLE 

CB Caelon Carson 
S Markquese Bell 
DE Demarcus Lawrence 

New York Giants injury report 

OUT 

CB Adoree Jackson 
CB Andru Philips 

QUESTIONABLE 

WR Darius Slayton 

NFC East standings 

The winner of ‘Thursday Night Football’ in Week 4 will move into third behind the Washington Commanders in the NFC East. The loser will be in sole possession of last place with a 1-3 record. 

Eagles — 2-1 

Commanders — 2-1 

Giants — 1-2 

Cowboys — 1-2 

Giants vs. Cowboys weather update 

The weather in East Rutherford, N.J., could affect the Giants and Cowboys ‘Thursday Night Football’ game in the second half. Temperatures are expected to be in the 70s during game time. However, there is a chance of rain from 9-11 p.m. in the MetLife Stadium area. 

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Shohei Ohtani hit a go-ahead single in a five-run seventh inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their 11th National League West title in 12 seasons with a 7-2 victory over the visiting San Diego Padres on Thursday.

Will Smith had a game-tying two-run homer and Mookie Betts added a two-run single in the seventh for the Dodgers (95-64). Ohtani went 3-for-5.

Los Angeles held off a second-half surge by the Padres, who clinched a playoff spot with a victory at Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The Dodgers’ victory came at a cost as first baseman Freddie Freeman departed in the seventh inning after rolling his right ankle trying to beat out a ground ball to second base.

Luis Arraez and Xander Bogaerts each drove in a run for the Padres (91-68), who needed a three-game sweep at Los Angeles to have a chance at catching the Dodgers in the division but lost the final two contests in the series.

All things Dodgers: Latest Los Angeles Dodgers news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Dodgers starter Walker Buehler gave up one run on five hits over five innings in his final tune-up before the playoffs. He fanned one and walked one. Anthony Banda (3-2) came off the injured list to pitch 1⅓ scoreless innings for the win.

Padres starter Joe Musgrove gave up two runs on five hits over 6⅓ innings with one walk and six strikeouts. Tanner Scott (9-6) was charged with three runs, two earned, in two-thirds of an inning.

San Diego broke through first in the fifth inning when former Dodger David Peralta drew a one-out walk and went to third on a double by Kyle Higashioka. Arraez brought home Peralta on a ground ball to first base.

The Padres upped their lead to 2-0 in the sixth inning against Dodgers right-hander Evan Phillips when Jurickson Profar singled and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Bogaerts.

Los Angeles finally got to Musgrove in the seventh inning. Max Muncy worked a leadoff walk and Smith hit a game-tying home run to center field, his 20th on the season and just his third in 18 September games.

Enrique Hernandez had a pinch-hit single and Andy Pages was awarded first base on catcher’s interference before Ohtani hit a slow roller into right field for a 3-2 lead. Betts followed with his two-run double.

Pages hit a two-run home run for the Dodgers in the eighth, his 12th.

Getting to 4-0 isn’t going to be easy – that could be the overriding theme of Week 4, the final round of September games in the NFL’s 2024 schedule.

All five undefeated teams are likely to be tested, starting with the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers, who will hit the road Sunday afternoon to face the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts, respectively, at 1 p.m. ET. The Vikes’ divisional showdown at Lambeau Field will also feature the subplot of RB Aaron Jones’ return to Wisconsin in enemy colors.

The Kansas City Chiefs might have the best odds of remaining unbeaten as they visit the battered Los Angeles Chargers during Sunday afternoon’s late window. But the Buffalo Bills (at Baltimore on Sunday night) and Seattle Seahawks (at Detroit on Monday night) both draw tough assignments on the road in prime time, the Seahawks-Lions game the capstone of another ‘MNF’ doubleheader.

This is how our panel of NFL experts see this weekend’s contests unfolding:

USA TODAY Sports 2024 NFL season predictions: Our picks to win Super Bowl 59, MVP, rookies of the year, Nate Davis’ updated win projections and more

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

(Odds provided by BetMGM)

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons
Cincinnati Bengals at Carolina Panthers
Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans
Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts
Denver Broncos at New York Jets
Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Washington Commanders at Arizona Cardinals
New England Patriots at San Francisco 49ers
Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers
Cleveland Browns at Las Vegas Raiders
Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens
Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins
Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions

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The Athletics played their final game at the Oakland Coliseum on Thursday afternoon, defeating the defending champion Texas Rangers, 3-2.

The game marked the end of an era — after 57 seasons in Oakland that saw the A’s make 21 playoff appearances, win six pennants and four World Series championships, the team is bound for Sacramento and then, eventually, Las Vegas.

Understandably, Thursday’s game produced a wide gamut of emotions. Imagn Images and Getty Images photographers were there to capture it all.

Check out some of the best photos from the final A’s game at the Oakland Coliseum:

All things A’s: Latest Oakland Athletics news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

NEW YORK — All that sparkling wine, on ice since Tuesday, was swiftly delivered to the New York Yankees’ clubhouse during the latter stages of Thursday night’s game.

Capping a four-RBI night, Giancarlo Stanton’s three-run double highlighted a six-run sixth inning at Yankee Stadium, where the home crowd happily celebrated an AL East-clinching 10-1 win.

Adding to the festive feel against the Baltimore Orioles, ace Gerrit Cole was delivered a standing ovation for his 6.2 scoreless innings by 42,022 fans, while Aaron Judge was serenaded with more “M-V-P’’ chants.

Winding down an incredible offensive year, Judge’s seventh-inning, two-run shot was his 58th of the year and his fifth homer in the last five games – tying a personal career mark.

As the Yankees captain told O’s catcher Adley Rutschman the other day, “we’ll probably be seeing you down the road,’’ which might be next week.

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Other than a Stanton solo home run, all of the Yankees’ Thursday night damage came against Baltimore’s bullpen after O’s ace Corbin Burnes exited after five innings (to stay fresh for postseason).

In victory, the Yankees (93-66) gained instant entry to the best-of-five AL Division Series, beginning Oct. 5 in the Bronx, while the second place Orioles (88-71) must first survive a wild card round.

And the playoff-bound O’s would be a dangerous October opponent, having gone 8-5 against the Yanks in the regular season, including two wins in this just-completed three-game set.

“It’s tournament baseball,’’ Yankees manager Aaron Boone said this week of the anything-can-happen nature of MLB’s postseason. “We’ll do all we can to be ready for whatever scenario presents itself.’’

Mostly, the Yankees will have time to rest and plan after Sunday’s regular season finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates, with four days off until the ALDS.

But there’s still a matter of securing the AL’s best record and home field advantage through the AL Championship Series, if they advance that far.

To secure the league’s best mark, the Yankees’ magic number is two over the Cleveland Guardians; any combination of Yankees wins and Guardians losses adding up to two would do it for the Yanks.

And having that home field luxury would be an important advantage for a franchise seeking its first pennant since 2009.

This week brought the bitter news that lefty starter Nestor Cortes, poised to be a key contributor in any pitching role, might be lost for the year due to a strained left flexor.

But the Yanks, collectively, might be healthier than at any point this season, with Anthony Rizzo back in the lineup, Clarke Schmidt back in the rotation and Ian Hamilton back in the bullpen.

“Roster wise, (we) feel like we’re as deep as we’ve been at any time of the year,’’ Boone said this week. “And hopefully, that serves us well.’’

The two-week turf war between the Pac-12 and Mountain West is over and has ended in … a draw? 

Kind of. 

After perhaps the most fragile 72-hour period in the 26-year history of the Mountain West Conference, the league announced Thursday that it had received signed memorandums of understanding from its remaining seven schools to keep the league together through the 2031-32 school year. 

“The agreements announced today mark a historic moment for the Mountain West and provide much-needed stability and clarity as the world of intercollegiate athletics continues to evolve rapidly,” commissioner Gloria Nevarez said in a statement. 

The agreement from those seven schools – Air Force, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV and Wyoming – followed an effort by the Pac-12 to poach even more members after five schools joined Washington State and Oregon State in the resurrected league. 

Had the Pac-12 convinced UNLV to join, it could have started a domino effect that could have led to the dissolution of the Mountain West. 

Instead, Nevarez was able to keep the remaining group together by promising significant cash distributions of the $90 million in exit fees, of which Air Force and UNLV will receive roughly $22 million (24.5%), while others will receive around $14 million except for Hawaii, which is a member only in football and thus gets a $4.5 million payout. 

That doesn’t include the $55 million in so-called ‘poaching fees’ that the Mountain West is owed as a result of its previous scheduling agreement with Washington State and Oregon State. The Pac-12 sued the Mountain West this week, claiming that the poaching fees represented a violation of antitrust law. 

The split leaves both the Pac-12 and Mountain West needing to add members to reach the minimum of eight to qualify as a Football Bowl Subdivision conference. Among the schools who could be in consideration for both leagues are UTEP, New Mexico State, Texas State and a variety of FCS schools like Sacramento State that are looking to move up a level. 

Though it survived, the Mountain West was, of course, badly damaged when Washington State and Oregon State resurrected the Pac-12 and lured Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State, which were historically among the four most successful football programs in the Mountain West. 

The new Pac-12’s initial expansion goals also focused on the American Athletic Conference, hoping to lure Memphis, Tulane, South Florida and UTSA. But those schools rejected the offer, citing uncertainty about the Pac-12’s media rights value and exit fees from the AAC that would have exceeded $20 million. 

The Pac-12 then went back to the pool of Mountain West schools but only convinced Utah State to jump as Nevarez scrambled to keep the league alive.  

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Lawyers involved with a proposed multi-billion-dollar settlement of three athlete-compensation antitrust cases against the NCAA and the Power Five conferences filed documents on Thursday that included small, but potentially significant, changes aimed at convincing a federal judge to grant preliminary approval for the agreement.

The lawyers attempted to redefine the types of entities and individuals whose name, image and likeness (NIL) agreements with athletes would be subject to special scrutiny under a new regulatory structure that the NCAA and the conferences are insisting that they get in exchange for agreeing to the industry-changing deal.

The NCAA and the conferences would fund a $2.8 billion damages pool for current and former athletes over a span of 10 years and allow Division I schools to start paying athletes directly for use of their NIL, subject to a per-school cap that would increase over time.

However, during a preliminary-approval hearing three weeks ago, U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken raised a series of concerns about the proposed deal. The greatest of those issues revolved around its new regulatory structure, which she said she found confusing and poorly framed when it came to defining school boosters and the types of booster-backed NIL deals that were allowed.

While Thursday’s filing was submitted by lawyers for the plaintiffs, an NCAA official said lawyers for the association and the conferences were involved in negotiating the language.

At present, the NCAA has rules that prohibit athletes from receiving pay for play and from having NIL deals that are used as an inducement to enroll or remained enrolled at a specific school. However, those rules have been virtually impossible for the association to enforce. That initially was due to the growing prevalence of school-specific collectives — donor groups dedicated to pooling resources earmarked for NIL payments that often are, at best, only loosely based on the value of an athlete’s NIL rights or their promotional work. Beginning in February, it also was because a federal judge in Tennessee issued a preliminary injunction in a case brought by the state’s attorney general that says recruits and transfers can negotiate and sign NIL contracts before enrolling at a university.

Under the original version of the settlement, athletes would have to report NIL payments of more than $600 to a clearinghouse that would be established. And their deals — if made with a “booster” — would be subject to review, with the goal being the prevention of pay for play and deals that pay amounts above market value.

Athletes who have questions about the permissibility of their agreements would be able to seek advisory opinion from an enforcement group. If the enforcement group sought to sanction an athlete because of a deal, the athlete would have the ability to bring the matter to a neutral arbitrator.

According to a transcript of the hearing three weeks ago, Wilken said she was “quite concerned” about the prospect of what she termed the proposed deal’s “third-party NIL restrictions” that would result in “some people who are getting large sums of money in third-party NIL right now (being) no longer be able to get them.”

Under the original version of the proposed settlement, she said: “Today’s third-party donor is tomorrow’s booster … they are people who like to give money to athletes and now (under the original settlement terms) they are a booster and … they can’t do it anymore.”

She asked the lawyers to “go back to the drawing board” and find “something better, something that’s workable … something that makes sense and that’s understandable and enforceable and fair, keeping in mind that taking things away from people generally doesn’t work well.”

In the revisions filed Thursday, the basic reporting, clearinghouse and arbitration processes would remain as originally proposed, but the settlement now would do away with the term “booster” and replace it with the term “Associated Entity or Individual.” The filing said this would constitute “a narrower, more targeted, and objectively defined category that does not automatically sweep in ‘today’s third party donor’ …”

An “Associated Entity or Individual” was defined in Thursday’s filing based meeting any one of five criteria:

The first fits the basic description of a collective: “An entity that is or was known (or should have been known) to the athletics department staff … to exist, in significant part, for the purpose of promoting or supporting a particular” school’s athletics program or athletes and/or “creating or identifying NIL opportunities solely for a particular” school’s athletes.

The other criteria are:

Anyone who “is or was a member, employee, director, officer, owner, or agent of” an entity that fits the description of a collective.

Anyone who has directly or indirectly contributed more than $50,000 over their lifetime to a particular school or collective.

Any person or entity that who has been asked by an athletics department to assist in the recruitment or retention of prospective or current athletes.

‘Any entity owned, controlled, or operated by, or otherwise affiliated with, the individuals or entities” previously described, other than a publicly traded corporation.

What comes next the preliminary-approval process is unclear. The NCAA official said they expect that attorneys representing groups of athletes opposing the settlement will attempt to make new filings in response to Thursday’s document. If that happens, the official said, the plaintiffs and the NCAA likely would be afforded an opportunity to reply.

The official also said Wilken could schedule another hearing or simply decide whether to grant preliminary approval based on the filings.

Thursday filing argues that the changes to the proposed settlement satisfy Wilken’s concerns and that she should grant preliminary approval because even though it includes a level of restriction on athletes’ NIL activities that doesn’t really exist now, the overall benefits for athletes make the arrangement fair. And, from the plaintiffs’ perspective, it eliminates the ‘real risk’ of further litigation that is ‘uncertain in outcome but certain in delaying’ new benefits for athletes.

The revisions, the lawyers wrote, make explicit that the proposed settlement ‘is only allowing the continuation of existing NCAA rules which already prohibit so-called ‘faux’ NIL payments in narrow and more objectively defined circumstances.

‘But the critical inquiry for the Court in evaluating this provision of the Agreement is whether permitting this one category of NCAA NIL restrictions to continue to exist is fair and reasonable to the injunctive class where it is more than offset by the tens of billions of dollars in other benefits the Agreement allows … The answer to this controlling question is an unequivocal ‘yes.”