LOS ANGELES — It was a night that will live forever in Los Angeles Dodgers history.

There was Sandy Koufax’s perfect game.

There was the Kirk Gibson home run.

And on Thursday night, it was The Shohei Ohtani Game, one of the best postseason performances in baseball history.

Ohtani, the greatest show on Earth – and perhaps the best to ever put on a uniform – hit three home runs, pitched six electrifying innings with 10 strikeouts.

He became the 12th player in history to hit three homers in a postseason game and will go down in history as the first pitcher with multiple home runs in a postseason game.

Ohtani, if you can somehow believe it, hit more home runs this night than hits allowed (two) in a performance in front of a sellout crowd of 52,883 that had Dodger Stadium literally shaking.

The 31-year-old’s Game 4 exploits earned him the NLCS Most Valuable Player award.

And, oh yeah, the Dodgers are going back to the World Series, too.

The Dodgers swept the Milwaukee Brewers, 5-1, in the National League Championship Series, their first sweep in a best-of-seven series since the 1963 World Series, but all anyone could talk about was Ohtani and those 1,342 feet worth of homers.

“I feel like Ohtani is a superhero,” Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas said.

Ohtani, who took the mound at 5:39 local time, had the sellout crowd buzzing from the jump after walking leadoff hitter Brice Turang, and promptly striking out Jackson Chourio, Christian Yelich and William Contreras.

He stepped to the plate at 5:48 local time, and crushed Brewers starter Jose Quintana’s slurve, sending it 446 feet high to the right-field pavilion.

Oh, he was just getting started.

While he continued to mow down the Brewers, with Chourio producing the only hit off him on a ground-rule double the first six innings, Ohtani stepped to the plate at 6:57 p.m. with two outs in the fourth. Facing right-handed reliever Chad Patrick, he watched a called first strike, and then three consecutive balls on slurves.

Patrick tried to fool him by throwing an 89-mph cutter.

Ohtani sent it to orbit, landing almost in Pasadena.

Ohtani dropped his bat, watched the ball soar through the night, clearing the right-field pavilion.

Ohtani was in complete command on the mound, giving up just the double until he began to tire in the seventh inning. He walked Yelich to open the seventh, and Contreras followed with a single, and at 100 pitches, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts came out of the dugout to pull him.

The crowd immediately rose to its feet, and as the Dodgers infield encircled Ohtani on the mound, he handed the ball to Roberts and the roar could be heard to Malibu.

But, Ohtani only left the game as a pitcher.

He came right back in the bottom of the seventh inning as a hitter, courtesy of the Ohtani Rule.

Brewers closer Trevor Megill got ahead of Ohtani, and on a 1-and-2 count, tried to throw a 98.9-mph fastball past him.

And he became Ohtani’s third victim.

Ohtani crushed the fastball 427 feet over the center field fence, with the crowd screaming in disbelief.

The Brewers could only sit back and watch in awe, with Ohtani and the Dodgers beating the Brewers in every phase of the game.

The Brewers, who led the National League in batting average, produced just 14 hits the entire series, batting .113. They scored one run in Game 1, one run in Game 2, one run in Game 3 and one in Game 4.

The Dodgers, who lost all six games in the regular season against the Brewers, completely outmanned them when it counted, leading in 35 of the 36 innings.

Los Angeles, which didn’t get a first-round bye, will now have a week off now before opening the World Series on Oct. 24 against the Seattle Mariners or Toronto Blue Jays.

They Dodgers will be well-rested. And that deep slump Ohtani (.103 in the NLDS and NLCS) was in before Game 4? Well, that’s over, too.

“I think this is his opportunity to make his mark on this series,’ Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before the game.

Oh, did he ever.

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

Brewers threaten in eighth but only get a run

Blake Treinen came on to pitch the eighth for the Dodgers with a four-run lead. He surrendered a leadoff double to Caleb Durbin and walked Andruw Monasterio but struck out Isaac Collins for the first out. Lefty Anthony Banda came in with runners on first and third and got Brice Turang to ground out, bringing home the Brewers’ first run. Banda gave up a single to Jackson Chourio but got Christian Yelich to ground out and end the inning with a 5-1 lead.

Shohei Ohtani hits third(!) home run of the night

After his night ended on the mound in the top of the seventh, Shohei Ohtani stepped to the plate in the bottom of the inning and crushed his third home run of the night, this one to center field against Brewers All-Star Trevor Megill.

The Dodgers now lead 5-0 heading into the eighth inning.

Shohei Ohtani done on the mound, Dodgers work out of jam

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts let Shohei Ohtani go back out for the seventh inning on 87 pitches. Ohtani walked Christian Yelich to lead off and then gave up a single to William Contreras, ending his night to a rapturous ovation.

Alex Vesia came in with nobody out and two on and got Andrew Vaughn to pop out for the first out, then Sal Frelick grounded into a double play to end the threat.

Ohtani’s final line: 6+ innings, 2 hits, 0 ER, 3 walks, 10 strikeouts

Middle of the 6th: Dodgers 4, Brewers 0

Shohei Ohtani is now through six shutout innings with 10 strikeouts, giving up just one hit – in addition to his two home runs. Ohtani is at 87 pitches but Dave Roberts may yet choose to push him for another inning.

An absolutely unreal postseason performance from the two-way superstar who is about to win his fourth MVP award.

Shohei Ohtani hits mammoth home run

Ohtani finally gave up a hit on the mound in the fourth but in the bottom of the frame he unloaded on a ball, crushing his second homer of the night 469 yards to right-center.

Brewers run themselves out of inning

The Brewers are struggling to get anything going on offense through the first three innings of play. Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers’ defense made quick work of the Brewers in the top of the third.

After Ohtani walked Blake Perkins to start the inning, he managed to strike out Joey Ortiz to record the first out. The Dodgers then produced a double play after Brice Turang lined out, as Kiké Hernandez caught the ball in left field and threw a rocket while still on the move to Freddie Freeman at first base to record the third out on Perkins.

Dodgers-Brewers score update

Shohei Ohtani has pitched three no-hit innings against the Brewers. He’s struck out four so far.

Blake Perkins and Brice Turang are the only two players to reach base for Milwaukee after they were walked … and Perkins ran the Brewers out of the top of the third when he was doubled off.

Shohei Ohtani home run starts Dodgers’ 3-run first

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani provided the early spark for the Dodgers, following up a scoreless inning on the mound with a solo home run in the bottom of the first to give the LA a 1-0 lead.

The Dodgers offense has turned that early momentum into a 3-0 lead after Mookie Betts and Will Smith scored runs in the inning.

Dodgers view Game 4 as ‘must-win’

LOS ANGELES — Enrique Hernandez and the Dodgers continue to take a “must-win” approach as the team prepares for the opportunity to close out the NLCS on Friday.

“I think we’re going into today just like any other day in October, thinking it’s a must-win game because that’s how we feel about it,” Hernandez told reporters during pregame media availability. 

Hernandez has spent nine seasons with the Dodgers, including their two most recent World Series victories.

“I feel like we’ve gone through a lot together as a group,” he said. “There are people who were here in 2020. There’s people who were here last year. And there are new guys that we bought in and are all in with the mentality and the goal, the final goal, which is to win a World Series.”

The Boston Red Sox became the first and only team in MLB history to rally back from a 3-0 series deficit to win a best-of-seven series. The Red Sox beat the New York Yankees in the 2004 American League Championship Series.

The Brewers will need a victory tonight against the Dodgers to start a potential rally.

— James H. Williams

Dodgers lineup today

Shohei Ohtani (L) P
Mookie Betts (R) SS
Will Smith (R) C
Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
Tommy Edman (S) 2B
Teoscar Hernández (R) RF
Max Muncy (L) 3B
Enrique Hernández (R) LF
Andy Pages (R) CF

Brewers lineup for NLCS Game 4

Brice Turang (L) 2B
Jackson Chourio (R) LF
Christian Yelich (L) DH
William Contreras (R) C
Jake Bauers (L) 1B
Sal Frelick (L) RF
Caleb Durbin (R) 3B
Blake Perkins (S) CF
Joey Ortiz (R) SS

Shohei Ohtani pitching Game 4 for Dodgers

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani is struggling at the plate and will take the mound to start Game 4.

“I’m expecting nothing short of incredible,’ Dodgers infielder Muncy said. ‘I’m expecting him to pitch a great game and what he does offensively is just kind of icing on the cake at that point.’

Said Rojas: “Shohei’s one of those superheroes. I have no doubt with the talent that he has that he’s one swing away from doing something really special. He’ll have a lot of opportunities leading off for us, and pitching.’ — Bob Nightengale

The Portland Fire, one of two WNBA expansion teams scheduled to launch for the 2026 season, have hired Alex Sarama as head coach. The hiring was leaked on social media earlier this week before being made official on Friday.

Sarama, who was assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers, subscribes to an innovative training system – CLA (constraints-led approach) – popular in European basketball and will bring it to the WNBA. Sarama authored the book “Transforming Basketball” about the theory.

“The opportunity to build something from the ground up is unique,” Sarama said in a statement released by the team. “At the Fire, we’re not just creating a team — we’re redefining how the game is taught and played, through an approach centered around adaptability and supported by evidence-informed methodologies.

“Fans can expect a dynamic, up-tempo style of play.”

Sarama also coached the London Lions, Paris Basketball and the RipCity Remix.

“Alex represents the next generation of coaching,” Fire general manager Vanja Černivec said. “He’s not just teaching the game, he’s transforming it. His approach to player development, grounded in evidence-based science, research and creativity, aligns with our vision to make Portland a global hub for innovation in women’s sports.”

The Fire and Toronto Tempo will join the WNBA in expansion next season. Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030) will bring the league to 18 teams.

Down to their last six outs and in danger of going back to Canada facing elimination, the Seattle Mariners battled back to produce two of the biggest swings in franchise history.

Cal Raleigh’s leadoff home run tied Game 5 of the American League Championship Series in the bottom of the eighth, and four batters later, Eugenio Suárez unleashed an opposite-field grand slam that lifted the Mariners to a 6-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at T-Mobile Park.

Suddenly, the Mariners lead this ALCS 3-2, with two chances to win their first AL pennant and reach their first World Series in franchise history. They’ll have to do it at Toronto’s Rogers Centre, with Game on 6 Oct. 19.

They’ve never been just one win away from reaching the World Series. And the task would have been so much more enormous without their eighth-inning heroics.

On the verge of getting swept out of Seattle in three games, the Mariners got the opening they needed when Blue Jays manager John Schneider tabbed lefty Brendon Little to start the eighth.

Little had blown Game 1 by allowing an inherited run to score and giving up another, but Schneider figured that by turning the switch-hitting Raleigh around, it’d mitigate his significant power.

Instead, for the 64th time this season, Raleigh found the seats. Tie game. Bedlam reigned at T-Mobile, but it was only the beginning.

Little, forced to face two more batters, walked both of them, and right-hander Seranthony Dominguez was summoned – but he hit Randy Arozarena with a pitch.

Enter Suárez, a late-season trade acquisition beloved from his first stint with the Mariners who opened the scoring with an opposite-field homer in the second inning. He rode Dominguez’s 98-mph fastball straight out to right – and the Mariners moved to the brink of a pennant. 

Here’s how Game 5 unfolded:

Eugenio Suarez grand slam stuns Blue Jays

The Mariners weren’t done after Cal Raleigh’s game-tying homer in the eighth, loading the bases with nobody out on two walks and a hit batter.

Facing Seranthony Dominguez, Eugenio Suarez hit an opposite-field grand slam to give the Mariners a 6-2 advantage. T-Mobile Park is absolutely rocking in Seattle.

That may go down as the biggest hit in Mariners history.

Cal Raleigh home run ties Game 5 vs Blue Jays

The Big Dumper wasn’t going to let the Seattle Mariners get swept at home without a fight. 

Raleigh, batting right-handed for the first time in this American League Championship Series, skied a home run just over the fence in left field to tie Game 5, 2-1, in the bottom of the eighth inning. 

Down to their last six outs and with Toronto on the verge of taking a 3-2 ALCS lead back to Canada, Raleigh was nonplussed when the Blue Jays called on Brendon Little to start the eighth. Little let an inherited runner score during Seattle’s Game 1 win at Toronto and Raleigh punished him immediately. 

George Springer injury as Blue Jays star hit by pitch

George Springer, one of the Toronto Blue Jays’ most potent offensive weapons, left Game 5 of the American League Championship Series after he was struck on the right knee by a Bryan Woo pitch. 

Springer, who drove in the Blue Jays’ first run with an RBI double in the fifth inning, doubled over in pain immediately after Woo’s 95.6 mph sinker struck him in the knee. 

Toronto takes sixth-inning lead

Bryan Woo’s first pitching appearance since September came in an unforgiving spot. And the Toronto Blue Jays weren’t in a forgiving mood. 

Woo, the Mariners ace who had to build back up from a late-season pectoral injury, gave up a double to Alejandro Kirk on the first pitch he threw and an RBI single to Ernie Clement as the Blue Jays took a 2-1 lead in the sixth inning of ALCS Game 5. 

Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman gave up just three hits in his first five innings on 78 pitches, while the Mariners have already dipped two deep into their bullpen. 

Mariners yank Bryce Miller and Blue Jays tie score in fifth

Dan Wilson moved aggressively to make sure the Toronto Blue Jays didn’t ambush his starting pitcher, Bryce Miller. Yet the move backfired, and now the Seattle Mariners must piece together four more innings from a shaky bullpen in a tie game.

The Mariners manager hooked Miller in the fifth inning, despite Miller’s four shutout innings and just 56 pitches. Top set-up man Matt Brash, though, couldn’t hold the line as he gave up a two-out RBI double to George Springer and tie the game 1-1 heading to the bottom of the fifth.

Miller faced just one batter in the fifth, giving up a bloop single to Addison Barger, and Brash recorded two quick outs, but found trouble when the lineup flipped.

Springer narrowly missed a two-run homer, and nearly sparked another big Blue Jays inning after Nathan Lukes walked, bringing up Vladimir Guerrero Jr. But Guerrero, up 3-1 in the count, whiffed on a nasty slider and then couldn’t catch up to a 96 mph sinker to end the inning.

Eugenio Suárez home run puts Mariners in front

For the second consecutive game, the Seattle Mariners got a second-inning solo home run. Now, the hard part: Making it stand up. 

Eugenio Suárez hit a solo home run off Kevin Gausman to open the scoring in Game 5 of the ALCS, the series knotted 2-2. 

The Mariners have lost both games at T-Mobile Park and this is their last chance to get a win at home. In Game 4, Josh Naylor homered off Max Scherzer, but the Blue Jays’ bats eventually clubbed Mariners pitching in an 8-2 Toronto victory. 

So far, Bryce Miller’s been up to the task, with three strikeouts in two innings of work. 

Bryce Miller works around Vlad Jr. double

Vladimir Guerrero hit a two-out double in the top of the first, but Mariners starter Bryce Miller bounced back to strike out Alejandro Kirk to end the inning and strand the runner in scoring position.

Seattle third baseman Eugenio Suarez made a nice over-the-shoulder catch earlier in the frame.

Blue Jays lineup today

George Springer (R) DH
Nathan Lukes (L) LF
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B
Alejandro Kirk (R) C
Daulton Varsho (L) CF
Ernie Clement (R) 3B
Addison Barger (L) RF
Isiah Kiner-Falefa (R) 2B
Andrés Giménez (L) SS

Mariners lineup today: ALCS Game 5

Julio Rodríguez (R) CF
Cal Raleigh (S) C
Jorge Polanco (S) DH
Josh Naylor (L) 1B
Randy Arozarena (R) LF
Eugenio Suárez (R) 3B
J.P. Crawford (L) SS
Dominic Canzone (L) RF
Leo Rivas (S) 2B

Mariners manager Dan Wilson on ALCS becoming a best-of-three

‘I think this is very emblematic of where we find ourselves a lot during the season. It’s a two-out-of-three series at this point and we have been successful a lot of times in a two-out-of-three series.

‘I think our guys, they know what it takes to fight from this position. That’s been sort of a key to our entire season, really, has just been their ability to be resilient, to fight back, to fight hard, and fight from inning one to nine. And that’s really going to become front stage and center here these last several games, and I’m comfortable and I think they’re comfortable in that environment as well.’

Ernie Clement was waiting for ‘Mad Max’ Scherzer moment

Toronto’s 41-year-old Max Scherzer got the win in Game 4 and the three-time Cy Young winner looked like his hold self, shouting at Blue Jays manager John Schneider to leave him in the game – much to the delight of third baseman Ernie Clement

‘I’ve seen it on TV just from watching baseball over the last 15 years or whatever. He’s so fired up and wants to be out there and wants to kick your ass,’ Clement told reporters before Game 5. ‘So to be on that side of it, like, I’ve been kind of waiting for that all season, so it was so, so fun to be a part of.

‘I couldn’t help but laugh. It was just so funny because after he comes out, he kind of flips the switch and goes back to being that fun-loving jokester. It’s like he’s got two personalities. It’s hysterical. So I was really happy for him to get that job done.’

With the Tennessee Titans pulling the plug on Brian Callahan after his uninspiring 23-game stint as an unproven head coach, imagine the job posting:

Wanted: Extreme leader to revitalize sagging operation. Sharp. Savvy. Bold. Experience essential – with a resume that includes playoff appearances and division titles. Relates well to players. Aligns with front office on personnel moves. Keen game-day strategist.

The ideal candidate to become the next Titans coach sounds a lot like…

Too bad, Titans. Vrabel heads to Nashville this weekend to face his former team and look who’s in first place? The New England Patriots.

Man, did NFL schedule-makers nail this one for irony. Vrabel coaching against the Titans is one thing. The optics of Tennessee firing its coach on Monday, of any given week, is an even more glaring reminder of the colossal mistake it was to dump Vrabel after the 2023 season.

Here’s to a Music City Reunion.

“I think it would file under the category of, is it interesting or important?” Vrabel said early this week in Foxborough. “I would probably say this would be very interesting. But in the end, not very important to our preparation or what we need to do to continue to try to improve as a team.”

Titans are in Vrabel’s rear-view mirror, still looking for answers

In other words, his six-year Titans tenure is where you’d expect it, firmly in the rear-view mirror. His Patriots (4-2), with an emerging young quarterback Drake Maye, ride a three-game winning streak and have shown suddenly substantial indications that they might give the Buffalo Bills a run for the AFC East crown in Vrabel’s first season.

After taking a year working in the background with the Cleveland Browns, Vrabel found the perfect job – or the perfect job found him, at the expense of Jerod Mayo – and has quickly demonstrated why Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk & Co. were crazy to kick him to the curb.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft certainly gave Mayo a raw deal, too. Mayo, previously the defensive coordinator, had it in his contract that he would replace Bill Belichick, but that clause was written before Vrabel hit the market. After Mayo went 4-13 in his only season, when fans at Gillette Stadium chanted for his firing, Kraft quickly moved to land Vrabel. And the Patriots, rebooting from the Belichick era, needed Vrabel in the worst way.

Callahan, meanwhile, ultimately got the Mayo treatment after all of the talk about patience coming from Titans president Chad Brinker a few months ago.

In January, Brinker went on record, contending that they wanted to give Callahan “the opportunity to grow into the head coach that we think he can be … it just takes time to build a program.”

Well, time’s up, as interim coach Mike McCoy takes over to direct the development of Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick. Fast fact: Of the past eight quarterbacks drafted No. 1 overall, Ward is now the sixth to see his coach fired during his rookie year. It seemed destined to happen. The Titans (1-5) won their only game as a gift from the mistake-riddled Arizona Cardinals and scored the fewest points in franchise history (83) during the first six games.

Along the way, Callahan – who didn’t call the plays as he rose as a hot coaching prospect as coordinator for the Joe Burrow-quarterbacked Cincinnati Bengals – turned over the Titans play-calling duties to quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree and kept appearing to be way in over his head.

As Ward eloquently put it after a shut out at Houston in Week 4: “We ass.”

On Monday night after firing Callahan, who went 4-19, Brinker contended, “We’re not seeing enough growth from this football team.”

That’s not solely an indictment on Callahan. The Titans ownership, which also dumped the past two general managers, Ran Carthon and Jon Robinson, has much mud on its hands for picking the coach. And now the search is on again, while the talent level is so suspect.

Vrabel, who won two AFC South titles and earned three playoff berths with the Titans, couldn’t be blamed if he asked, “How ya like me now?”

Instead, he can thank his lucky stars for his twist in fortune. He landed in a much better place. Back where he won three Super Bowls as a player, he is already re-establishing the Patriot Way. He came in with the windfall of nearly $100 million in salary cap room. He’s familiar with Kraft, and that vibe works both ways.

He knows. Tough business. Callahan didn’t turn out to be the next Sean McVay, Mike Tomlin or Sean Payton – who were unproven upon landing their first head coaching jobs and are now among the best in the business. Vrabel can relate to getting fired.

The former Titans coach didn’t hesitate to reach out to the latest former Titans coach. It just so happens that it went down this week, of all weeks.

“I don’t want to see anybody that shares a job with you get let go,” Vrabel told reporters on Wednesday. “That’s a tough feeling with family and school. Whether it’s in college or pro, we’re in the media every single day. And there’s a human element to this that I don’t want to forget.

“I just remember all those coaches or people that reached out to me after I was let go. I think that’s important because nobody texts you when you lose, they all text you when you win. So, it’s a good reminder.”

And Vrabel’s presence in Nashville will be a good reminder, too, for the Titans power brokers needing to figure out how to pick, support and commit to a winning coach.

Contact Jarrett Bell at jbell@usatoday.com or follow on  X: @JarrettBell

The start of the NBA season is five days away.

Friday, Oct. 17 marks the final day of the NBA preseason. Coaches and players have worked their way back to game shape, and contenders have their eyes on a trip to the NBA Finals.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are the reigning NBA champions and were dominant last season from the start of play to the end. The Thunder led the league with 68 victories, which was 16 more than the Western Conference’s second-best team, the Houston Rockets (52), and four more than the leader in the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers (64).

Yet, the NBA has not seen a repeat champion since the Golden State Warriors won consecutive titles in 2017 and 2018.

Here are the record projections for every NBA team for the 2025-26 season with previews of each:

Eastern Conference record projections

(Projected 2025-26 conference seed in parentheses for applicable teams.)

Atlantic Division

(1) New York Knicks; 59-23: New coach Mike Brown should rely on New York’s depth far more than his predecessor did, but the biggest improvement the Knicks should see this season is a more diversified offense, and one that features star Jalen Brunson off the ball more often.

(6) Philadelphia 76ers; 43-39: This is all going to come down to the health of Philly’s players, the most important being Joel Embiid. He reported to training camp slimmed down, has been limited during the preseason, and his comments at media day signaled that he’ll likely be on a load management schedule. The Sixers, though, could be a candidate to outperform if they can get him consistently on the floor.

Brooklyn Nets; 16-66: A team that is very clearly amassing draft capital and building for the future, the Nets will have to rely on young, unproven players. There will be growing pains along the way, and it’s not clear if Cam Thomas and Michael Porter Jr. can carry the offense.

Central Division

Southeast Division

Western Conference

(Projected 2025-26 conference seed in parentheses for applicable teams.)

Northwest Division

Pacific Division

(4) Los Angeles Clippers; 51-31: The investigation into Kawhi Leonard and owner Steve Ballmer’s role in allegedly circumventing the salary cap will hang over the franchise until there is a resolution. But this is probably the last season for this veteran roster to compete for a championship. Adding John Collins and Brook Lopez shores up the front court.

(8) Los Angeles Lakers; 43-39: Not having LeBron James for the start of the season will put a ton of pressure on Luka Dončić. The Lakers better hope that James’ sciatica issue doesn’t linger, because they will miss his play-making. The biggest hole on the roster, however, is at center, where DeAndre Ayton may not be a long-term solution.

Southwest Division

(2) Houston Rockets; 55-27: Losing point guard Fred VanVleet to a torn anterior cruciate ligament is a blow, but Houston remains a legitimate title threat with Kevin Durant in the fold. They’re hyper-athletic and long at the wing, built to defend a team like the defending-champion Thunder.

(9) Memphis Grizzlies; 39-43: Memphis is counting on rookie Cedric Coward, the No. 11 overall selection in the 2025 draft, and free agent signing Ty Jerome replacing Desmond Bane. Ja Morant is dealing with a sprained ankle but should be okay. The biggest question facing the Grizzlies is turnovers and inefficient play; they need to clean that up.

New Orleans Pelicans; 28-54: A slimmed-down Zion Williamson could inject a significant boost for a Pelicans team that needs it with team missing point guard Dejounte Murray (Achilles). New Orleans does have a couple of promising rookies in Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, but the Pelicans may still have a tough time clawing into the playoff picture.

2025-26 NBA playoff predictions

Eastern Conference

First round

(1) Knicks def. (8) Heat
(7) Celtics def. (2) Cavaliers
(3) Pistons def. (6) 76ers
(5) Hawks def. (4) Magic

Conference semifinals

(1) Knicks def. (5) Hawks
(3) Pistons def. (7) Celtics

Conference finals

(1) Knicks def. (3) Pistons

Western Conference

First round

(1) Thunder def. (8) Lakers
(2) Rockets def. (7) Warriors
(3) Nuggets def. (6) Timberwolves
(5) Spurs def, (4) Clippers

Conference semifinals

(5) Spurs def. (1) Thunder
(3) Nuggets def. (2) Rockets

Conference finals

(3) Nuggets def. (5) Spurs

2026 NBA Finals

Nuggets def. Knicks

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Dylan Strome had two goals and two assists, while Alex Ovechkin scored career goal No. 898 as the Washington Capitals routed the Minnesota Wild for their fourth win in row.

Ovechkin, who assisted on Strome’s first-period goal, notched his first of the season 1:19 into the third to put the Capitals ahead 3-1. Strome added an insurance tally with 8:28 remaining in regulation for Washington, which also got a goal from Aliaksei Protas and Tom Wilson and outshot the Wild 45-14 for the game.

Directly off a Strome face-off win, the puck slid to Ovechkin, who one-timed it home from near the top of the circle and by Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson to move closer to No. 900. Ovechkin broke his tie with Gordie Howe and moved into second place with 567 even-strength goals.

Marcus Johansson scored for Minnesota, which was unable to generate any consistent offense while losing for the third time in five games. Gustavsson recorded 40 saves as his defense struggled to keep the puck out of their own zone.

The Wild have totaled three goals while losing two in a row after scoring 13 times in the first three contests.

Washington, which outshot Minnesota 13-3 in the first period, broke through during a tightly contested opening 20 minutes. With 2:08 to go before the first intermission, Ovechkin skated with the puck toward the right wing, then sent it across into the blue paint for Strome to push home.

The Wild managed just seven shots on goal through the first two periods, but they tied things up with 3:13 left in the second. With Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (13 saves) screened by Minnesota’s Jake Middleton, Johansson’s snap shot found the net.

It ended a run where Minnesota’s previous nine overall goals all came on the power play.

However, Washington regained the lead less than a minute later. Via some nifty passing, the Capitals found Protas, who slid it across the slot and past Gustavsson.

Washington has outscored its opponents 13-5 during their four-game winning streak.

Alex Ovechkin career goals breakdown

Total goals: 898, first overall
Even strength: 567, second overall
Power play: 326, a record
Short-handed: 5
Empty net: 65, a record
Game winners: 136, a record
Overtime goals: 27, a record
Multi-goal games: 179, second overall
Goalies scored against: 184, a record
Hat tricks: 32, tied for fifth overall. Ovechkin has hat tricks against 20 franchises, tying Brett Hull’s record.
20-goal seasons: 20, tied for second
30-goal seasons: 19, a record
40-goal seasons: 14, a record

Havoc has been created in Miami. 

Entering the week looking like the team to beat in a weakened Atlantic Coast Conference, No. 2 Miami football was upset at home by unranked Louisville 24-21 on Friday, Oct. 17. 

The win for Louisville marked its first win over an Associated Press top-two-ranked team since 2016. It also is the fourth win against a top-five ranked team for the Cardinals under Jeff Brohm since 2018. 

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The Hurricanes faced an uphill battle from the jump, as the Cardinals cashed in both of their first two drives of the night for touchdowns to get out to an early 14-0 lead. Miami would then put together a quick drive of its own to answer back and cut the deficit to 14-7 but that’s about as much success the Hurricanes offense had on the night until the fourth quarter. 

Facing a 24-13 deficit in the fourth quarter, Miami turned a forced fumble from Keionte Scott into eight points on a 12-yard rushing touchdown from true freshman wide receiver Malachi Toney. The Hurricanes would convert the 2-point conversion on a pass from Toney, a quarterback in high school, to CJ Daniels. 

The Cardinals’ defense sealed their signature win with 33 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter when T.J. Capers picked off Miami quarterback Carson Beck for the fourth time on the night. The Hurricanes had been in field goal range before Beck’s interception.

The loss is the first setback of the season for the Hurricanes. Beck finished 25 of 35 passing for 271 yards while Miller Moss finished 23 of 37 passing for 248 yards and two touchdowns on the night.

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Final score: Louisville 24, Miami 21

Miami forces Louisville fumble, Malachi Tony TD

Miami finally has life!

Keionte Scott forces the ball out of the hands of Louisville running back Isaac Brown for the first takeaway of the night the Hurricanes’ defense. Then, on the very next play, Malachi Toney scores a 12-yard rushing touchdown on the jet sweep to give Miami its first touchdown since the first quarter. Toney would then successfully throw the 2-point conversion to CJ Daniels to make the deficit now three points at 24-21.

What a turn of events by the Hurricanes.

Carson Beck throws third interception of night

Carson Beck looks to go down the field on third-and-8 to continue a crucial drive for Miami, but instead his throw is intercepted by Louisville’s JoJo Evans Jr with no Hurricanes players around.

It is the third takeaway of the night for the Cardinals’ defense.

Miller Moss extends Louisville lead

Miller Moss converts a crucial third-and-3 for the Cardinals and it leads to a 36-yard touchdown pass to Chris Bell, who breaks through several Miami defenders to find the back of the end zone. It is the second touchdown of the night for Bell, who is now up to 116 receiving yards and two touchdowns on seven catches.

Louisville now leads No. 2 Miami 24-13 with 13:27 remaining in the fourth quarter. While there remains plenty of time on the board, Miami needs to score some points — preferably a touchdown — to keep itself in this game.

Third quarter: Louisville 17, Miami 13

Louisville leads Miami after third quarter

Louisville takes a 17-13 lead over No. 2 Miami into the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. The Cardinals have the ball and just moved into the Hurricanes’ side of the field after a 15-yard carry from Isaac Brown, who is now up to 112 rushing yards on the night.

The Hurricanes have 15 minutes to keep their undefeated start to the season alive, while the Cardinals are a quarter away from picking up a significant signature win to their season.

Miami cuts deficit with field goal

Miami cuts its deficit against Louisville to 17-13 with a 41-yard field goal from Carter Davis. The Hurricanes had a third-and-2 at the Louisville 18-yard line but were called for a false start, their seventh penalty of the night.

It’s a big stop for the Louisville defense, especially getting called for a roughing the passer penalty on second and long, to hold Miami to just a field goal, but the Hurricanes are going to need more than a field goal to take a lead or win this game.

Louisville extends lead with field goal

Louisville pushes its lead back up to seven points after Cooper Ranvier hits the 48-yard field goal down the middle of the field. The Cardinals now lead No. 2 Miami 17-10 with 10:58 remaining in the third quarter.

The Cardinals caught a break on third-and-3 as video replay overturned Miller Moss’ throw intended for Nate Kurisky to an incomplete pass from an original call of an interception by the Hurricanes’ defense.

Miami punts

It’s not the start Miami needed to start the second half, as the Hurricanes go three and out on their first drive of the third quarter. The Hurricanes were backed up before Carson Beck and Co. trotted out to the field as Miami was called for a hold on the kickoff return. Miami now has six penalties on the night.

The Hurricanes’ defense will need to come up with another stop to keep this game at a four-point deficit.

First half: Louisville 14, Miami 10

Louisville leads Miami at halftime

Miami gets the stop on defense to force the punt, but the Hurricanes take the knee for the final play of the first half. Louisville is up 14-10 at halftime against No. 2 Miami thanks to its defense coming up with two takeaways against Carson Beck.

The Hurricanes entered the night trailing just a combined 9:12 of game time in their first five games. But tonight, they have failed the Cardinals for a total of 23:55 after Louisville jumped out to a hot 14-0 lead.

Miami starts the second half with the ball.

Miami cuts deficit with field goal

Miami elects to take the points on fourth-and-goal after the two-minute warning. Carter Davis cuts Miami’s deficit to four points at 14-10 after successfully converting the 27-yard field goal attempt.

The big play of the drive came on second-and-10 from Miami’s own 30-yard line when Carson Beck found Malachi Toney on the right side and connected with the true freshman wide receiver for a 61-yard catch on the run. Toney now has 108 yards on four catches on the night, and leads all FBS freshman wide receivers with 483 receiving yards on the season.

Miami’s defense will now look for another stop before halftime.

Louisville picks off Carson Beck … Again

Carson Beck is picked off for the second consecutive drive, as his throw down the field that was intended for Keelan Marion falls short and into the hands of Jabari Mack. Back-to-back costly plays for the Hurricanes, who continue to set themselves back with self-inflicted mistakes and errors.

That’s now five interceptions for Beck on the season.

Keionte Scott sacks Miller Moss

Miami defensive back Keionte Scott picks up the blown protection from the Louisville offensive line and rushes the pocket and sacks Miller Moss for a loss of 11 yards. It’s the first big play of the night from the Hurricanes’ defense.

The Cardinals punt the ball back two plays later, setting up a big drive for Carson Beck and the Miami offense after Beck threw an interception on the previous drive. Miami trails 14-7 with 9:01 remaining in the first half.

Louisville picks off Carson Beck

Carson Beck attempts to go down the field to Malachi Tony but the throw is intercepted by Louisville linebacker Antonio Watts. It’s a costly throw and a poor decision by Beck, who gives the Cardinals back the ball with a 14-7 lead.

Louisville takes over at its own 32-yard line.

Louisville punts

Miller Moss throws three consecutive incomplete passes and Louisville sends the punt unit out onto the field. It’s a nice in-game adjustment by Miami’s defense on the drive as it dialed up the pressure more on Moss and was able to get to the quarterback to cause havoc and incompletions.

Miami gets the ball back on its own 7-yard line.

First quarter: Louisville 14, Miami 7

Louisville leads Miami after first quarter

Louisville leads No. 2 Miami 14-7 after the first quarter of action at Hard Rock Stadium. The Cardinals will begin the second quarter with a big decision of either going for it on fourth-and-1 on their own side of the field or punting the ball back to the Hurricanes after Miller Moss is unable to pick up the first on the quarterback sneak.

Miller Moss is 8 of 9 passing for 87 yards and a touchdown, while Carson Beck is 4 for 4 passing for 76 yards.

Mark Fletcher Jr. puts Miami on the board

Miami responds with a quick scoring drive of its own, as Mark Fletcher Jr. runs it in from the 2-yard line to put the Hurricanes on the board for the first time tonight. It’s the sixth rushing touchdown of the season for the Hurricanes’ top running back.

The scoring drive was set up by back-to-back throws from Carson Beck of at least 30 yards: a 30-yard catch up the right sideline to CJ Daniels and a 39-yard catch up the left side on the fade route to Malachi Toney.

The drive itself was five plays for 75 yards and took 2:50 off the game clock. Miami now trails Louisville 14-7.

Miller Moss throws 35-yard TD pass to extend lead

Louisville takes an early two-score lead against No. 2 Miami off a 35-yard touchdown pass up the middle of the field from Miller Moss to Chris Bell. It’s a nice start to the night for Moss and the Cardinals offense against a Miami defense that ranks first in the ACC in scoring. Miami’s defense entered the night giving up just 13.6 points per game to opponents.

The scoring drive was four plays for 46 yards and took just over two minutes of game time. Louisville leads Miami 14-0 with 5:09 remaining in the first quarter.

Miami punts

It’s a three-and-out for Miami on its first drive of the night. The Hurricanes were pushed up by a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty from offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa on second-and-6.

Louisville takes lead on touchdown

Louisville successfully executes the tush push on first-and-goal as Miller Moss runs it in from the 1-yard line to give the Cardinals an early 7-0 lead. It’s a statement opening drive for the Cardinals, as Moss’ touchdown marks the first touchdown given up in the first quarter by Miami’s defense this season.

The scoring play was set up by the Cardinals’ fake field goal attempt. The drive was 11 plays for 75 yards and took 6:05 off the game clock.

Louisville picks up first down on fake field goal

Halloween Trickery has come early in Miami! Louisville looks to have taken the field goal attempt after Miller Moss throws an incomplete pass on third-and-4 but Cardinals place kicker David Chapeau takes the snap and picks up the first down with a 3-yard carry.

First-and-goal coming up for Louisville.

Miami wins toss, Louisville offense up first

Miami wins the opening coin toss and defers the opening kickoff to the second half. That means it will be Miller Moss and Louisville’s offense trotting out onto the field first at Hard Rock Stadium. Kickoff is shortly away in Miami Gardens!

Pregame

DJ Khaled in attendance for Miami vs Louisville

The celebrities are out in Miami Gardens on Friday at Hard Rock Stadium as DJ Khaled is also in attendance for the ACC showdown between Miami and Louisville. He is one of three known celebrities at the game thus far, with the others being Ray Lewis and Michael Irvin.

Ray Lewis in attendance for Miami vs Louisville

Former Miami linebacker Ray Lewis is in attendance for Miami’s ACC home opener on Friday against Louisville. He is currently on the sidelines during pregame warmups on the field and is set to appear on ESPN’s ‘SportsCenter’ with Michael Irvin before the game.

Miami Hurricanes football running back depth chart

Mark Fletcher Jr. is RB1 for Miami’s offense and leads the Hurricanes’ running back room with 428 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns on 78 carries.

Here’s a list of Miami’s running backs from their official roster:

Mark Fletcher Jr.
CharMar Brown
Girard Pringle Jr.
Chris Wheatley-Humphrey
Jordan Lyle
Luke Hoaglund
Terrell Walden II
Jack Whitehouse

Who is starting at quarterback for Miami vs Louisville?

Carson Beck will once again start at quarterback for Miami on Friday against Louisville. The former Georgia quarterback has completed 102 of 139 passes this season for 1,213 yards and 11 touchdowns. He is 29-3 as a starting quarterback at the Division I FBS level, which is the best record among active players.

Who is starting at quarterback for Louisville vs Miami?

Miller Moss will make his sixth career start for Louisville on Friday against Miami. The former USC quarterback has completed 67% of his passes for 1,358 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions in five games with the Cardinals.

Click here to read more on why Moss transferred to Louisville this past offseason from USA TODAY Sports’ Craig Meyer.

Miami football walks into Hard Rock Stadium

Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes are on site for Friday’s game at Hard Rock Stadium and have begun their pregame walk into the stadium. A win on Friday vs. Louisville would make Miami bowl-eligible.

Miami football unveils uniforms vs Louisville

The Hurricanes unveil on their official X (formerly Twitter) account that they will rock their orange uniform tops with the white pants for Friday night’s game vs. Louisville.

What time does Miami vs Louisville start?

Date: Friday, Oct. 17
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)

Miami and Louisville are set to kick off at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 17 from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

What TV channel is Miami vs Louisville on today?

TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)

Miami vs. Louisville will be broadcast nationally on ESPN in Week 8 of the college football season. Dave Pasch and Dusty Dvoracek will have the call from the booth at Hard Rock Stadium, with Taylor McGregor reporting from the sidelines.

Streaming options for the game include Fubo, which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial to new subscribers, and the ESPN app (with a TV login).

Stream Miami vs. Louisville football live with Fubo (free trial)

Miami vs Louisville predictions

Alexis Cubit, Louisville Courier Journal: Miami 35, Louisville 28

‘Louisville had the tools and momentum to get the program’s first win at Miami two years ago. It doesn’t feel like that’s the case this year. Although the Cards’ defense has played well all season, an extra week won’t be enough to help their offense clean up the costly mistakes and heal all the injuries sustained within the running back room.’

Miami football schedule 2025

Here is Miami’s schedule and results:

Sunday, Aug. 31: Miami 27, No. 6 Notre Dame 24
Saturday, Sept. 6: Miami 45, Bethune-Cookman 3
Saturday, Sept. 13: Miami 49, No. 18 South Florida 12
Saturday, Sept. 20: Miami 26, Florida 7
Saturday, Sept. 27: BYE
Saturday, Oct. 4: Miami 28, No. 18 FSU 22
Saturday, Oct. 11: BYE
Friday, Oct. 17: vs. Louisville * | 7 p.m. ET | ESPN (Fubo)
Saturday, Oct. 25: vs. Stanford * | 7 p.m. ET | ESPN (Fubo)
Saturday, Nov. 1: at SMU *
Saturday, Nov. 8: vs. Syracuse *
Saturday, Nov. 15: vs. NC State *
Saturday, Nov. 22: at Virginia Tech *
Saturday, Nov. 29: at Pitt *

* Denotes ACC game

Louisville football schedule 2025

Here is Louisville’s schedule and results:

Saturday, Aug. 30: Louisville 51, Eastern Kentucky 17
Friday, Sept. 5: Louisville 28, James Madison 14
Saturday, Sept. 13: BYE
Saturday, Sept. 20: Louisville 40, Bowling Green 17
Saturday, Sept. 27: Louisville 34, Pitt 27 *
Saturday, Oct. 4: No. 24 Virginia 30, Louisville 27 (OT) *
Saturday, Oct. 11: BYE
Friday, Oct. 17: at No. 2 Miami * | 7 p.m. ET | ESPN (Fubo)
Saturday, Oct. 25: vs. Boston College * | 7:30 p.m. ET | ACC Network (Fubo)
Saturday, Nov. 1: at Virginia Tech *
Saturday, Nov. 8: vs. Cal *
Friday, Nov. 14: vs. Clemson * | 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN (Fubo)
Saturday, Nov. 22: at SMU *
Saturday, Nov. 29: vs. Kentucky

* Denotes ACC game

A historic New York City church that houses the basketball program considered one of the pioneers behind today’s multibillion-dollar youth sports industry is facing more than two dozen lawsuits related to allegations of child abuse by the program’s founder and longtime coach, according to a new joint investigation conducted by Rolling Stone and Sportico.

Ernest ‘Ernie’ Lorch stepped down from his position with the Riverside Church Hawks after more than 40 years in 2002 when several of the program’s players went public accusing him of child abuse. He died in 2012 while awaiting trial after an indictment for attempted rape from a Massachusetts grand jury. But a more definitive resolution is on the court docket, the two outlets reported.

More than two dozen lawsuits involving 26 plaintiffs, some dating more than 20 years, have been filed against Riverside Church underNew York’s Child Victims Act of 2019 over Lorch’s alleged behavior. Multiple former players accuse Lorch of pedophilia and child abuse spanning decades. The first trial date is set for January 2026.

Riverside Church has challenged the allegations in legal filings. Attorneys say the church had no knowledge that Lorch abused anyone, and no player ever complained about Lorch’s behavior to a person of authority. Lorch was a church deacon and president of the board of trustees at Riverside, according to the investigation, in addition to being a prominent New York City attorney.

Lorch was a volunteer leading the church’s youth recreation program for more than 40 years. The basketball program he started in the Riverside Church basement gym eventually produced future NBA players such as Chris Mullin, Kenny Smith, Kenny Anderson and Metta World Peace.

His teams are credited with being at the forefront of the mostly unregulated grassroots basketball model in which apparel companies dole out millions to sponsor the teams with the best prospects in the country.

Lorch is accused of child abuse in rooms throughout Riverside Church, his New York City apartment and his home in Vermont, according to court documents reviewed as part of the investigation. Former UTEP star Byron Walker said in sworn testimony and during an interview as part of the joint investigation that Lorch tried to rape him in the locker room at a basketball tournament in Massachusetts after Walker earlier had shown up late for the team van.

Lorch is also alleged to have paid hush money to his victims in exchange for their silence over the years, according to the investigation.