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🤕 5 things you need to know on Friday
- LeBron James to miss start of 2025-26 season due to sciatica. For the first time in his 23-year career, James miss the season opener He is battling sciatica on his right side. The Lakers superstar is expected to be sidelined for the next three to four weeks and will be reevaluated after that. Luka Doncic will need to pick up the slack created by James’ absence, at least early on.
- The Dodgers are in the NLCS and the Cubs are looking forward to another day. In Game 4 against the Phillies, the Dodgers were given a walk due to an act of violence, so they were forced to return to the National League CS (more on this later). In other National League series, the Cubs forced a Game 5 in Milwaukee on Saturday, defeating the Brewers 6-0. Check out all MLB postseason scores and upcoming schedules with convenient brackets.
- Jackson Dart and Cam Skatebo led the Giants to a stunning upset victory over the Eagles. No one could have predicted what happened in the NFL last night. The Giants not only defeated the Eagles, they won 34-17. Darts and Skatebo are great and continue to change the culture in New York as the Giants suddenly look like a team on the rise.
- The Aces could win their third WNBA title in four years. Thanks to A’ja Wilson’s heroic game-winning shot in Game 3, which ranks among the top 10 greatest shots in WNBA Finals history, the Aces are one win away from another victory. They can get the job done in Game 4 tonight, but don’t expect the Mercury to go down easily. If Phoenix returns, expect Sami Whitcomb to play a key role.
- He served as the Loyola Chicago team chaplain for many years. Sister Jean dies at 106 years old. Sister Jean served Loyola students for more than 60 years and was a fixture at Ramblers sporting events. Most notably, Sister Jean was on the basketball team and rose to national fame after helping Cinderella reach the Final Four in 2018.
⚾ Don’t miss: Dodgers defeat Phillies by default in NLDS
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It’s another thing to make the playoffs as a No. 2 seed and then lose in the NLDS. It’s quite another to be eliminated in the most heartbreaking way imaginable, and that’s exactly what happened phillies In the fourth game.
After Philadelphia fought through the 11th inning of the pitcher’s battle. dodgers There were two outs in the bottom of the frame, and the bases were loaded. Andy Pages Instead of hitting a little bit, returning to the mound, and aiming for an out first base, Orion Kirkeling He threw the ball to home base.
After the game, I asked Kerkeling for his thoughts on the play. faced the harsh reality: “It’s really bad right now.”
Once this pain starts to wear off, the Phillies will need to look ahead to next season. An offseason full of unknowns. Free agency, in particular, could bring big changes to Philadelphia’s clubhouse. As RJ Anderson writes, several key players are set to hit the market, and the Phillies will need to decide whether to pony up to retain them.
- Anderson: “Designated Hitter” Kyle Schwarber,catcher JT Realmutoand left-handed ranger suarez They are all set to become free agents and could all leave. This trio happens to represent three of the Phillies’ eight most productive players in 2025, according to Baseball Reference’s Estimated Wins metric. ”
Misery loves her friends, The Phillies weren’t the only ones in the City of Brotherly Love.. of eagles lost to giants,and flyer They lost the opening game. This is the second time three teams have lost on the same day. at least, 76ers I didn’t lose.
🏀 LeBron James will miss Opening Day for the first time in his career
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Let me play the role of Captain Obvious and point this out. lebron james“Injuries are a big blow to players.” lakers When the 2025-26 season begins. For more insightful reaction and analysis, we speak to CBS Sports’ NBA expert Sam Quinn.
Will this injury to James open the door for more playing time? bronny james? Who will start in place of the four-time MVP? These are some of the questions Quinn addresses in her article. The ripple effect of James’ absenceBut the most interesting question is whether this increases the effect. Luka DoncicBid for MVP.
- Quinn: ”Luka Doncic is in the best shape of his life. he’s ready to prove it mavericks It would be wrong to trade him. All of this was true before James went down, but what has changed is his immediate statistical turnaround. The Lakers are as good at ball-handling as any team in the NBA. Even if Doncic had the best season of his career, it might not show up statistically. That’s because he will likely get fewer chances to play ball alongside James. (Austin) Reeves More than I did in Dallas. If you were looking for any reason to doubt his MVP candidacy, that was it. ”
There were some questions even before James suffered this injury. Did the Lakers add enough points? The team around Doncic will be a true NBA title contender. That question is even more important now.
🏈 Giants revitalized by rookies Jackson Dart and Cam Skatebo
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As everyone expected, giants faced eagles As a 7.5 point underdog, We won 34-17. As has been the case over the past few weeks, jackson dart and Come Tax Bo He led the way to New York both on the field and in the vibe department.
Immediately after the jump, Dart and Skatebo are trapped and tortured. Vic Fangiodefense. Dart finished the night with 253 total yards and two touchdowns. Skatebo totaled 110 yards and three scores. These numbers are impressive, but they also don’t tell the whole story.
In last week’s loss, saintDart committed three turnovers and the Giants committed five as a team. They blew a chance to win on the road (and rightfully so), but New York committed zero turnovers on Thursday. Dart’s ability to avoid those negative and disastrous plays only enhances the content of the box score.
The duo of Dart and Skattebo has a bright future ahead of them, but they’ve already achieved great results. Jordan Dajani Explains the various ways in which that big blue tandem made history. last night.
- Dajani: “Dart and Skatebo followed in that footsteps by becoming the second rookie quarterback-running back duo since 1970 to each record 50 rushing yards and one touchdown in a game. robert griffin iii and alfred morrisAnd for the first time since the Giants rookie duo had a rushing touchdown in each register. larry heater and leon perry In 1980. ”
👍👎 The best (and not the best) of the rest
📺 Highlights this weekend
Friday
🏈 No. 24 USF North Texas7:30 p.m. on ESPN2
⚾ ALDS — Game 5: Tigers vs. Mariners8 p.m. on Fox
🏀 WNBA Finals — Game 4: Aces at Mercury8 p.m. on ESPN
Saturday
🏈 No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 17 Illinois12pm on Fox
🏈 No. 8 Alabama vs. No. 14 Missouri12pm on ABC
🏈 Pittsburgh 25th Florida State University12pm on ESPN
🏈 7th place Indiana vs. 3rd place Oregon3:30 p.m. on CBS
🏈 No.6 Oklahoma vs. Texas3:30 p.m. on ABC
🏈 Arkansas, No. 12 Tennessee4:15 p.m., on SEC Network.
⚾ NLDS — Game 5: Cubs vs. BrewersTBS/truTV* 4:30 p.m.
🏈 Florida, 5th Texas A&M7 p.m. on ESPN
🏒 blackhawks canadienson NHL Network starting at 7 p.m.
🏈 Kansas University, 9th place Texas Tech University7:30 p.m. on Fox
🏈 10. Georgia at Auburn7:30 p.m. on ABC
🏈 15. University of California, Michigan7:30 p.m. on NBC
🏈 No. 18 BYU in Arizona8 p.m. on ESPN2.
🏈 21. Arizona State University Utah10:15 p.m. on ESPN
Sunday
⚾ ALCS — Game 1: Mariners vs. Blue Jaysundecided on Fox
🏈 Broncos vs. Jets9:30 a.m. on NFL Network
🏈 Cardinals vs. Colts1 p.m. on Fox
🏈 dolphins charger1 p.m. on CBS
🏈 patriots at saints1 p.m. on CBS
🏈 Browns vs. Steelers1 p.m. on CBS
🏈 cowboys at panthers1 p.m. on Fox
🏈 seahawks vs jaguars1 p.m. on Fox
🏈 ravens rams1 p.m. on Fox
🏀 WNBA Finals — Game 5: Mercury at AcesABC* 3 p.m.
🏈 titans vs raiders4:05 p.m. on Fox
🏈 bengals vs packers4:25 p.m. on CBS
🏈 49ers vs Buccaneers4:25 p.m. on CBS
🏒 rangers capitalson NHL Network starting at 7 p.m.
🏈 lions vs chiefs8:20 p.m. on NBC
*If required
