Luka Doncic is off to a spectacular offensive start for the Lakers with a string of 40-point games
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Although Luka Doncic is in his ninth NBA season as one of the sport’s most dynamic scorers, he has rarely been better than this. Two weeks into the Los Angeles Lakers’ first season following LeBron James’ departure, Doncic is scorching opponents with one brilliant offensive performance after another. He even did it back-to-back over the past two days, putting up 45 points and 15 rebounds in a win over Toronto on Sunday night before dropping 42 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds in another comfortable victory over Miami on Monday night.
A toast to a win? LeBron James takes a sip of wine after crashing into 76ers fan
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — At 41 years old and still playing at an elite level, some might say LeBron James is aging like a fine wine.Well, maybe having some wine during Monday’s contest helped his game, too.After coming up empty on a fastbreak, James crashed into a 76ers fan behind the basket and took a a sip of the fan’s wine during Philadelphia’s 126-107 win over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night.
Warriors center Draymond Green ejected after consecutive technical fouls on one play against Suns
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Warriors center Draymond Green was ejected two minutes into the third quarter against Phoenix for consecutive technical fouls. Khaman Maluach had pushed Green to the ground in the paint moments earlier and the Golden State star jumped up from beneath and wrapped his arms around the Suns center threw him to the floor. Dillon Brooks immediately sprinted in to enter the fray and approached Green, and they pushed and shoved. Green put his hand on Brooks’ neck, and both received technicals.
Asian Football Confederation postpones the 2027 Asian Cup because of conflict in the Middle East
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The Asian Football Confederation has postponed the 2027 Asian Cup by almost a year because of the conflict in the Middle East and recent deadly attacks on Saudi Arabia by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The AFC issued a statement Tuesday saying after extensive consultations with Saudi organizers it had decided to push the tournament kickoff back from January to December next year. The AFC says the local organizing committee “approved to reschedule the flagship national team tournament in light of the current exceptional circumstances arising from developments in the region, including substantial logistical complexities and travel disruptions.”
Courtroom chaos hits college basketball as dozens play after judges block NCAA eligibility rules
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The college basketball season tips off with many players unexpectedly gaining an extra year of eligibility. They have received injunctions from courts in various states after the NCAA adopted a new five-year eligibility model that did not apply to them as they wrapped up their playing careers last season. As of last week, the NCAA reported about 200 lawsuits involving 850 athletes. So far, most of the courts — though not all — have sided with athletes seeking another year of eligibility. But nothing has been definitively decided as the season gets underway, leaving coaches to wonder whether their players will remain eligible through March.
Gardner Minshew selected as Cardinals’ starting QB; Jacoby Brissett demoted to 3rd string
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur says veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew will take over as the starter. Minshew replaced Jacoby Brissett and led a 14-point comeback for a 33-30 overtime win against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. LaFleur believes Minshew provided the needed spark for the struggling offense. Minshew threw for 188 yards and three touchdowns after entering the game late in the third quarter. Rookie Carson Beck will be the backup, while Brissett moves to third string for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. Minshew is on a one-year deal. Beck was a third-round pick out of Miami.
Coach Matt LaFleur says Packers anticipate keeping Josh Jacobs on their roster
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur says the Packers plan to keep Josh Jacobs on their roster following the news of previous allegations against the three-time Pro Bowl running back. Jacobs has pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor charges stemming from a May altercation with his then-girlfriend. LaFleur says that “we’re going to allow the NFL to do its process, but I would anticipate him being a member of us moving forward.” The Hobart-Lawrence (Wisconsin) Police Department released records from their investigation of Jacobs’ battery case that included the accounts of three other women who reported similar incidents from years before.
The Miz among 4 members of World Series champion Brewers who are finalists for major BBWAA awards
NEW YORK (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski is among four members of the World Series champions who are finalists for baseball’s biggest individual awards. The Miz was one of the top three vote-getters in balloting for the NL Cy Young Award by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America at the conclusion of the regular season. Finalists for all the major BBWAA awards were announced Monday night. Winners will be revealed next week. Gold Glove second baseman Brice Turang is in the running for National League MVP, and Brewers skipper Pat Murphy could become the first person to win three consecutive Manager of the Year awards. Milwaukee closer Trevor Megill is a finalist for NL Relief Pitcher of the Year, a new category this year in both leagues.
Bednar, Suzuki and Arozarena are among 8 MLB players receiving $23.15 million qualifying offers
NEW YORK (AP) — New York Yankees closer David Bednar, Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki and Seattle outfielder Randy Arozarena were among eight players who received $23.15 million qualifying offers from their teams. Milwaukee first baseman/outfielder Jake Bauers and Baltimore left-hander Trevor Rogers also received the offers along with Minnesota catcher Ryan Jeffers, Pittsburgh second baseman Brandon Lowe and San Diego left-hander Adrian Morejon. Players have until Nov. 17 to accept. Qualifying offers began after the 2012 season, and only 18 of 157 prior offers have been accepted. The figure is determined by the average of the top 125 major league contracts this year.