sport

Arsenal‘s style of play has been criticised this season but, even before Saka’s withdrawal, the Gunners played on the front foot and enjoyed more possession than their German opponents.

Losing Saka, who has scored four goals in 11 appearances in all competitions, will be tough to deal with.

But the Gunners have invested heavily in their squad over the past two summer transfer windows and have options.

Madueke can play on both wings, while summer signing Christos Tzolis – although currently out with a hamstring injury – has started the season well.

The Gunners also have 16-year-old Max Dowman as an attacking option, and the youngster has already shown that he can have an impact for the senior side after scoring in the Premier League last season.

Arteta, who was asked what the rest of the forward line will need to do in Saka’s absence, said he was pleased with what he saw against Bayern.

“I think Ebs [Eze] had a great game. Not only the ball, but the actions. His overall performance, I think his commitment without the ball as well,” he said.

“And when the other ones come in, I think they really contributed to this. First of all, the energy.

“And then to bring different tools that the team needed in that moment to get something out of the game. So, very pleased again.”

Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing was scheduled to undergo elbow surgery Wednesday, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation who weren’t authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

To address a partial UCL tear, he was expected to undergo a hybrid internal brace procedure, which would set him up to return to catching full time in nine months. He would be able to hit well before then.

Rushing had two stints on the injured list with a flexor strain in his right forearm, along with the UCL tear. He said last month that imaging suggested the slight tear in his UCL hadn’t worsened since 2022.

Rushing took on a larger role this season when primary catcher Will Smith was sidelined for three months by a nagging neck injury. By Aug. 1, Rushing had already logged 245 plate appearances, dwarfing his 2025 rookie season’s total in the majors (155).

Though he’d carried high workloads in the minors before, being a major-league starting catcher comes with added responsibility. Rushing went through a learning curve juggling his defensive and offensive responsibilities, and navigating intense online scrutiny of his outbursts on the field and in the dugout.

He’d settled into the role, and owned an .809 OPS, when his elbow injury flared while throwing before a game on Aug. 2. He landed on the IL the next day and returned at the beginning of September in a pinch-hitting role.

Rushing logged just four at-bats (0-for-4) before he aggravated the injury trying to build up in a throwing program. He returned again for the last series of the regular season, firmly in a battle for a postseason roster spot as a bat off the bench, and went hitless in three at-bats.

Rushing had initially been hopeful he’d be able to avoid surgery.

“My main plan moving into playing every day in the future is, make sure that my body can hold whatever stress or whatever is needed for this team — first base, behind the plate, whatever they need,” Rushing told the Times last month. “I want to make sure my body can handle it and do it for 162.”

Kylian Mbappe and Yan Diomande score stunners as Real beat Leipzig to make it three from three in Champions League.

Real Madrid claimed a third Champions League victory in as many games, thrashing RB Leipzig 4-1 on Wednesday, with Kylian Mbappe and Yan Diomande among the goalscorers for Jose Mourinho’s side.

Bernardo Silva opened the scoring for Madrid from close range late in a tight first half, with Arda Guler doubling the advantage of the record 15-time European champions soon after the interval.

Mbappe bent home a third before Tidiam Gomis pulled one back for the German side, and Diomande rammed a volley into the top corner late on to cap Madrid’s triumph.

Their fourth consecutive win across all competitions will boost Madrid’s morale ahead of Sunday’s La Liga Clasico against bitter rivals Barcelona.

Without a major trophy in two seasons and after a shaky domestic start, Madrid can at least boast a perfect record in Europe, unlike Barca after their defeat at Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

Mourinho started Vinicius, serving a four-match ban in La Liga, on the left flank and benched former Leipzig winger Diomande, despite his improving form.

The coach also brought Bernardo Silva and Eduardo Camavinga into midfield and put midfielder Federico Valverde at right-back again, as he did in Sunday’s win at Sevilla.

Visitors Leipzig created the first big chance, with Madrid stopper Thibaut Courtois getting down low to make a superb save from Romulo Cardoso.

Vinicius, who improved on a poor showing at Roma last week without breaking out of his rut, drew a full-stretch save from Leipzig’s Maarten Vandevoordt.

Madrid carved out an advantage in the final stages of a low-key first half when Valverde cut the ball back for Guler, whose shot Vandevoordt saved. However, the goalkeeper could not clear it, and Silva darted in to prod over the line.

It was the former Manchester City midfielder’s first goal for the club after joining this summer.

Vandevoordt saved well from Valverde’s fierce effort before Guler put Madrid two goals ahead in the 52nd minute.

Jude Bellingham crossed to the back post and Mbappe nodded the ball across goal, with Guler able to hold off a defender and turn home.

Mbappe lashed a shot into the side netting after Bellingham teed it up, as Madrid looked to put the game out of sight.

Mourinho sent on Diomande for Vinicius with 20 minutes remaining, and the Brazilian looked disappointed on the bench, knowing he cannot play again until November 4, when Madrid visit AEK Athens.

Madrid’s record 140 million-euro ($157m) signing, Diomande, pulled the ball back to Mbappe on the edge of the box for Madrid’s third, and the French forward bent it home.

Leipzig quickly grabbed a consolation goal at the other end as Dean Huijsen switched off, with Gomis firing past Courtois.

Diomande ended proceedings with a bang, rattling an emphatic volley from Brahim Diaz’s cross into the top corner for his third goal in his last four appearances.

The Angels have fired manager Kurt Suzuki after he lost 100 games in his only season in charge of the long-struggling club.

Baseball operations consultant John Mozeliak announced Wednesday that the Angels declined the option on Suzuki’s contract and would open a search for a new manager in 2027. Suzuki has been offered the opportunity to stay with the organization as a special assistant.

“Kurt has earned tremendous respect in our clubhouse, and I’ve seen firsthand how much he cares about our players,” Mozeliak said in a statement. “I do not believe our record this year was a true reflection of his true abilities as a manager.”

Mozeliak indicated he made the decision in coordination with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, which reached a deal to purchase controlling ownership from Arte Moreno on Sept. 1. The sale is not expected to close until next year, but the sports conglomerate run by Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke is already making significant changes to its beleaguered baseball team.

The Angels went 62-100 — the first 100-loss season in franchise history — and finished last in the AL West in their only season under Suzuki, who ended his 16-year major league playing career as a catcher for the Angels in 2021-22. Suzuki had never been a manager at any level before he was given the job by general manager Perry Minasian, who had employed Suzuki as his special assistant for the previous three seasons.

Minasian was fired by Moreno last June, and longtime St. Louis Cardinals GM Mozeliak stepped in on a temporary basis to run the front office while leading the search for a permanent GM to replace him. That transition plan has been thrown into flux by Moreno’s decision to sell, and Mozeliak didn’t indicate whether he has a long-term future in his own job, although he said he had been looking “toward 2027 and beyond” while reaching the decision to fire Suzuki.

Mozeliak also indicated that Suzuki’s entire coaching staff is not expected to return in its current positions, but some members had been offered staff positions in the organization.

Mozeliak already fired Suzuki’s pitching coach, Mike Maddux, and two staffers in August because he felt the team wasn’t making sufficient use of the technology and analytics available to its pitchers. Mozeliak promoted Tim Leveque, the Angels’ Double-A pitching coach, to the major league staff at the time.

Suzuki’s replacement will be the seventh manager, including interims, to lead the team in nine seasons since it parted with Mike Scioscia after the 2018 season. The Angels have had 11 consecutive losing seasons and 12 straight non-playoff seasons, both the longest active skids in the major leagues.

The Angels now have MLB’s third current managerial vacancy, all in the AL West. The Seattle Mariners and the Houston Astros also parted ways with their managers after the season.

A day after the Tennessee Titans released defensive tackle Jordan Elliott after an alleged incident involving a gun at the team’s practice facility, coach Robert Saleh defended the veteran player as “a good man” who “had a terrible lapse in judgment that I recognize as a call for help more than a criminal act.”

The Titans announced Elliott’s dismissal on Tuesday but provided no details on the incident that prompted it. The NFL confirmed Wednesday that it was looking into the matter.

“The league’s firearm policy prohibits any personnel from bringing a firearm to club facilities, stadiums, and team hotels and on team planes or buses,” NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said in an email. “The club promptly notified the league of the matter which is under review.”

Details have since emerged that Elliott got into an altercation with offensive lineman JC Latham at practice last Thursday, then went out to his car in the players’ parking lot to get his gun, according to reports by multiple media outlets. Latham told reporters Wednesday that the incident between him and Elliott just happened in the “heat of the moment” and “we’d actually never had an argument leading up to it.”

“It’s no bad blood,” Latham said. “Nothing personal on my end.”

Defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers reportedly helped Elliott regain his composure before anything happened involving the gun. Latham said he was still on the practice field and not with Elliott when Franklin-Myers intervened.

“The D-line room is really close,” Saleh told reporters Wednesday, “and for JFM to go out there and just kind of help Jordan with whatever he was dealing with at that moment I thought was really admirable on JFM’s part.”

Elliott played five seasons with the Cleveland Browns and two with the San Francisco 49ers before signing a two-year, $8-million deal with the Titans this past offseason. Saleh, who was the 49ers’ defensive coordinator last season, told reporters Wednesday that the Titans and the league provided Elliott “with clinicians he needed to speak to help him in that moment.”

“He’s never committed a crime in his entire life, and he pulled a gun in the parking lot,” Saleh said. “And the first question that I think everyone forgets to ask is why would a great man, a great father, a man who shows up on time every day, works his ass off every day, contributes the way he’s supposed to contribute, is well-liked in the locker room — why did he go off the rails and grab a gun?

“To me, those are small signs of a cry for help, in terms of obviously there’s something greater happening,” he continued. “And I thought the team and the NFL did an outstanding job with regards to pausing and asking those questions and checking every single box with regards to getting him the help that he needs.”

Saleh added: “I will stand on the table for Jordan’s character. Unfortunately, rules are rules with regard to guns on property, and sometimes it’s far greater than the knee-jerk reaction of kicking somebody when they’re down. My message to 31 other teams would be: If you need a hell of a run-stopping D-tackle that can help you on a playoff run, give me a call. I’ll tell you everything you need to know about him.”

Former Open Championship winner Louis Oosthuizen has become the latest high-profile player to quit LIV Golf, describing it as the “hardest decision he has had to make in his career”.

The league filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States in September after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund withdrew its multibillion-dollar backing.

Oosthuizen, 44, joined LIV Golf in 2022 and was captain of the Southern Guards GC team.

The South African now plans to return to the DP World Tour in 2027.

“Five years ago, I made one of the best decisions of my life, moving away from the traditional golf world and into something very special with LIV Golf and Southern Guards GC,” Oosthuizen posted on social media.

“I’m the biggest supporter of team golf and always will be. Golf needs more of it.

“This is probably the hardest decision I’ve had to make in my career, but I have to do what I believe is right for my golf.”

The 2010 Open champion, who has finished as a runner-up at least once in each of the other three majors, said a more flexible playing schedule will help him to compete at a high level.

“I realised I have a lot more in me, and my biggest fear was that the schedule on LIV 2.0 would be tough to manage,” said former world number four Oosthuizen.

“I feel I have a few more years of good, competitive golf left in me, and the only way to be really sharp and competitive is through a schedule I control.”

Oosthuizen joins Thomas Pieters, Sergio Garcia, Abraham Ancer, David Puig and Adrian Meronk in announcing his departure.

Last week, two-time major winner Jon Rahm gave up a reported £75m owed to him by LIV Golf after reaching a separation agreement.

Some former LIV Golf players, including Brooks Koepka, have since rejoined the PGA Tour, which rewrote its rules in December to allow the five-time major winner to return, subject to certain sanctions.

Guy Kinnings, CEO of the DP World Tour, told BBC Sport earlier this month that players who continue with LIV will not be allowed to be members of the European tour next season.

LIV has secured a possible $300m (£224.2m) in financing from BC Partners Credit in order to try to move forward with the 2027 season.

If Katich’s words seem strong for a side 1-0 up in the series, this South African subsidence was the latest example of an Australian batting line-up only consistent for its inconsistency.

Bowled out for 132 in the first Test of the Ashes last winter, they piled up 511 in Brisbane in the next.

They scored 567 at the end of the Ashes, but were bundled out for 198 by Bangladesh in their next Test en route to a shock defeat.

Even the highs of Matt Renshaw’s 190 in the first-Test win in Durban were countered by the fact no other Australian made 50.

And after another failure, Marnus Labuschagne appears the most at risk. He will not get another chance to bat for his place before Cape Town hosts the third Test from 27 October.

After edging a drive to third slip for 14 off Anrich Nortje in the morning, he gave it away by hitting spinner Simon Harmer to long-on after tea for 39 – his third dismissal in the thirties in the series.

It was made worse by the fact he had only survived an lbw decision on review just three balls earlier.

It is now 47 innings since the 32-year-old, once the leading batter in the world, has made a Test century.

“Only he knows what was going through his mind when he tried to take Harmer down the ground, against the breeze, when Australia are trying to play for a draw,” added Katich.

“How will the Australian selectors view that dismissal?

“He’s been given plenty of rope over the past few years, when plenty of others haven’t, but he has.”

The New York Knicks celebrated their NBA championship Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, yet hardly anything went according to plan. And LeBron James found himself smack dab in the swirl of the fierce and funny festivities.

James made his Philadelphia 76ers debut memorable, helping his new team defeat the Knicks, 106-100. Asked by NBC sideline reporter Zora Stephenson if he was enjoying spoiling the Knicks’ ring night, James grinned and said, “Yeah, I do. It’s pretty special.”

Last seen in Los Angeles bidding a hasty farewell after eight seasons with the Lakers — Times columnist Bill Plaschke wrote that “He left before the door could hit him in the butt” — James, 41, began his 24th NBA season by contributing 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in the 76ers’ victory.

LeBron James of the 76ers exchanges words with fans during a regular-season opener against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

(Sarah Stier / Getty Images)

And James did so even while jawing with courtside Knicks fans about using a helicopter to commute from his new home in New York to Philadelphia. Of course, famed director and Knicks fan fixture Spike Lee couldn’t stay out of it.

“Hey, LeBron, just because you have a helicopter and you live in New York doesn’t mean we’re gonna cheer for you,” one fan yelled, according to NBC broadcaster Mike Tirico. Another fan dinged James for being soft simply because he lived in L.A. for so long.

James couldn’t let that one go, yelling back, “Ain’t nothing soft in the Midwest. I don’t know what the f—- you talking about. I’m not from the West Coast, I’m from Ohio, baby.”

Lee, resplendent in a bright orange and blue pinstriped suit with matching hat, stood from his front-row seat, seemingly serving as conciliator. Much of the exchange was caught on camera by NBC, with Tirico and fellow broadcaster Reggie Miller providing commentary.

“[James] said hello to somebody over here,” Tirico said. “Spike Lee is over for a look and a chat. … LeBron is taking the helicopter rides back and forth from Philadelphia to New York and engaged here in some front-row convo.”

Miller chimed in, “That’s the last thing you wanna do is get LeBron going here in this building…. And guess who’s playing peacemaker? Spike Lee! He’s over here playing peacemaker. Boy, I have seen everything.”

Fanatics is supplying James with the helicopter as part of a multiyear, exclusive trading card and collectibles contract signed in 2024. Although the deal raised the antenna of investigative reporter Pablo Torre — who won a Pulitzer Prize for uncovering the Clippers’ salary-cap circumvention with Kawhi Leonard — NBA commissioner Adam Silver called the helicopter arrangement “perfectly appropriate.”

LeBron James performs a pregame ritual before the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

(Caleb Bowlin / Getty Images)

Silver was at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night. The Knicks celebrated their first NBA championship in 53 years with a ring ceremony and raising a banner to the rafters. They did their best to laugh off a typo on the T-shirts fans received that proclaimed the team as the 2026-2027 champions.

Despite the testy exchange with fans and enduring their “We don’t want you” chant while he shot free throws, James softened what he had said to Stephenson, sidestepping a suggestion by a reporter that the 76ers ruined the Knicks’ celebration.

“I wouldn’t say that,” James said. “It was a great night for New York fans. Fifty-plus years. I was a part of that at one point where we hadn’t won a major championship in Cleveland in over 50 years. The fans will never forget this moment.”

James Anderson’s legendary career could be over after Lancashire opted against offering England’s all-time leading wicket-taker a new contract.

Anderson, 44, chose to continue playing with Lancashire after England forced him into international retirement in 2024.

He captained Lancashire in the County Championship last season but the Red Rose endured a poor season, finishing next to bottom of Division Two.

Now, as first reported by the Times, Anderson will not be given the opportunity to play at Old Trafford in 2027 – the summer when he will turn 45.

It is not known whether Anderson will retire or look to extend his 26-year professional career with another county.

Anderson first played top-level cricket as a 17-year-old for Lancashire Cricket Board in 2000, then made his Lancashire debut the following year.

His exit from the Red Rose comes at a time of upheaval at Old Trafford. The county are undergoing a review of their cricket operations, led by interim chair Dame Sarah Storey and new chief executive Richard Kenyon. Paul Farbrace was appointed as Lancashire’s director of cricket earlier this month.

Although Anderson is in his mid-40s, he has remained in supreme form in a struggling team.

He took 50 wickets in the County Championship in 2026, a tally bettered by only six other bowlers in Division Two. Anderson was named Lancashire’s Championship player of the year.

Overall, 443 of Anderson’s 1,193 first-class wickets came for Lancashire, to go with 83 List A wickets and 50 T20 wickets for the county.

A look at two of this week’s top high school football games in the Southland:

FRIDAY

San Pedro (6-1) at Carson (7-1), 7 p.m.

The intensity level on the field and in the stands will be something to see in this Marine League title-decider. It really comes down to the quarterback. Seth Solorio of San Pedro has 23 touchdown passes. Chris Fields III of Carson has passed for 16 touchdowns and run for 12 more . Stop Fields and everything changes. The pick: Carson.

San Clemene (7-0) at San Juan Hills (7-1), 7 p.m.

San Clemente is on the verge of a Southern Section Division 1 playoff berth but needs to win out. The Tritons’ defense will be tested by San Juan Hills receiver Luke Frith, who will have a new quarterback because of an injury. San Clemente QB Preston Beck is also hurting, with receivers Ryan Matheson and Jaxson Rex potential big-play weapons. The pick: San Clemente.

Emma Sing comes in at full-back in Kildunne’s place for Saturday’s rematch (00:00 BST) against Canada in Ottawa, while Tatyana Heard and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald – backline starters in the defeat – drop out of the matchday squad entirely.

Helena Rowland and Mia Venner replace Heard and Moloney-MacDonald at inside centre and wing respectively.

In the fourth change to the starting line-up, Sadia Kabeya, who appeared off the bench last week on her comeback from a leg injury, starts with Alex Matthews, two-time Rugby World Cup winner, dropping to the bench.

Exeter’s Flo Robinson and Sale’s Hollie Aitchison are included on the bench as a new-look set of half-back replacements.

Sing, a rangy runner who can also kick goals, started two matches at full-back during England’s Six Nations campaign, with Kildunne switching to a different position on the wing on each occasion.

Sing’s Gloucester-Hartpury team-mate Venner made her England debut in 2020 aged just 17.

Venner has won only another four caps since but was putting pressure on England’s more established back three at the start of this year, appearing in wins over Scotland and Italy.

The 24-year-old finished as the PWR’s joint top try-scorer last season, crossing 12 times.

Moloney-MacDonald cost her side an early try in the defeat by Canada when, after doing superbly to pick Jess Breach’s pass off her toes, she spilled the ball over the line in the sixth minute.

“We’ve earned a strong period but nothing about it is owed to us going forward,” said Mitchell.

“Friday [Saturday 00:00 BST] is an opportunity to apply sustained pressure, learn from what we missed and come out the other side better than we went in.”

It’s Thursday night, and sitting at the top of the football bleachers after a two-hour drive from Mission Viejo are JT and Kathy Reis, grandparents of Palos Verdes High twins Christian and Weston Reis.

While one fan shouts criticism at an official’s call at Mira Costa High, Grandma and Grandpa Reis calmly and confidently root for their grandsons, Christian, a running back, and Weston, a linebacker.

“That a way, Christian,” grandma blurts out after a Christian pass reception.

Grandpa is eating popcorn like he’s at a movie and sitting back in his folding chair just taking in the environment.

Weston wears No. 44 because that’s what JT wore playing high school football in Wisconsin.

“We’ve had so much fun,” JT said. “We’re so blessed.”

The Reis twins, Christian (left) and Weston, are junior linebackers for Palos Verdes and Christian plays running back, too.

(Nick Koza)

If you’re fortunate enough to spend time with grandparents at a football game, it feels like going back in time because they offer the most inspiring, educational and illuminating experience of what high school sports are supposed to be about.

They know all the secrets of their grandkids, not to mention their sons and daughters. They are fans no matter whether good or bad things are happening at a game. They are their to supply unconditional positive support — that’s in their mission statement.

Linebacker Weston Reis of Palos Verdes High gets set at his position.

(Nick Koza)

Grandma told me the twins were so identical that not until Weston lost two teeth after hitting his mouth against a car door when he was 3 could they finally figure out a way to identify a difference between the two.

If Weston smiled, they knew it wasn’t Christian.

Now the sons have different uniform numbers, 44 and 42, so it’s easy.

Their son, Matt, played soccer at Santa Margarita High and was inducted into UCLA’s sports Hall of Fame because of his goalkeeping skills. He married Nicole Odom, a South Torrance High grad and softball All-American shortstop at UCLA. Their first son was Jacob, now a backup linebacker at UCLA. Then came the twins.

Incredibly, the family survived tragedy during the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. Nicole was running in the marathon. Everyone was there to watch and root her on — Matt, the goalkeeper for the New England Revolution, their three young boys, a brother-in-law and Nicole’s parents, John and Karen. Halfway through the race, Matt sent the twins away. He was with Jacob when they moved closer to the finish line.

Then a bomb went off. Matt gave 6-year-old Jacob to his brother-in-law to seek cover at a hotel and went searching for his father-in-law. He found him near the finish line “in a river of blood” from shrapnel that went through one leg to another. Matt applied a make-shift tourniquet out of clothing to try to stop the bleeding. It probably saved John’s life. Then Matt went looking for his wife, his shirt full of blood. He found her and explained that John was in bad shape.

John survived after many surgeries through the years. The experience remains ingrained in Matt’s memory, the blood, a coin on the ground, the sirens.

Running back Christian Reis of Palos Verdes High tries to split two defenders as he breaks into the secondary.

(Nick Koza)

They moved to Southern California after Matt’s playing career ended. He became the Galaxy goalkeeper coach and now works as the team’s academy goalkeeper director.

Having four grandparents alive to watch and provide emotional support while playing high school football has to be one of the greatest experiences any teenager can have. And if they slip a grandson $1 for every tackle and $2 for every touchdown (just kidding), even better.

“It’s so amazing,” Christian said. “We get so much family at every game. Both grandparents, but also our aunts, uncles and cousins. They’re always cheering loudly.”

Speaking to the Reis grandparents during Palos Verdes’ 34-14 win over Mira Costa provided insight into their wisdom and experiences growing up in the Midwest and being part of the California experience for more than 30 years.

“Be humble. Be a good teammate. Be a leader, not a follower,” JT said when asked what he tells Christian and Weston.

If you’re watching a high school football game this weekend in the bleachers, say hello to a grandmother or grandfather. They need to be cherished for their loyalty and focus on their grandkids, through thick and thin.

They provide unconditional love and comfort, and everyone can use that any day of the week.

Paris St-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will undergo knee surgery after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during his side’s 4-2 win over Barcelona on Tuesday.

Kvaratskhelia sustained the injury during a challenge with Xavi Espart and was unable to put weight on his right leg as he was substituted in the 59th minute of the Champions League tie.

PSG have not put a timeline on his return to action.

Kvaratskhelia, 25, helped PSG win back-to-back Champions League titles following his move to the French capital from Napoli in January 2025.

The Georgia international has featured 11 times for PSG this season.

The club also confirmed Ousmane Dembele and Marquinhos will be absent for a “few weeks”. Dembele limped off with a left thigh injury while Marquinhos injured his right thigh.

PSG and Barcelona were level at 2-2 heading into the final 10 minute at Parc des Princes before the hosts scored twice late on to maintain their winning start to their Champions League defence. They sit top of the table with three wins from three matches.

HIGH SCHOOL FLAG FOOTBALL

SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS

TUESDAY’S RESULTS
First Round
DIVISION 1
Oxnard 13, South Hills 6
Chaparral 26, El Modena 18
Beckman 33, Agoura 13
Camarillo 19, Redlands East Valley 6
Beaumont 32, Corona Santiago 20
El Toro 35, Warren 20
Sage Hill 28, Linfield Christian 12
Western Christian 13, Bishop Amat 12
Corona del Mar 24, Cajon 14
Etiwanda 34, St. Margaret’s 20
Trabuco Hills 14, Bonita 13
Yorba Londa 44, La Serna 40
Palos Verdes 20, Los Alamitos 6
Tesoro 32, Aliso Niguel 19
Long Beach Poly 25, Mission Viejo 20
Redondo Union 19, San Marcos 14

DIVISION 2
La Habra 12, Cypress 7
Oaks Christian 45, Portola 12
Upland 35, Aquinas 7
Gahr 24, Gardena Serra 12
Riverside King 26, Shadow Hills 12
Oxnard Pacifica 20, Simi Valley 0
Murrieta Mesa 34, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 6
Segerstrom 7, Santa Monica 0
Ayala 38, Fullerton 0
Anaheim Canyon 33, Torrance 7
Chaminade 26, Riverside Poly 7
Hart 24, Glendora 0
Millikan 26, Alta Loma 6
Villa Park 20, Santa Barbara 19
San Clemente 20, Santa Ana Foothill 0
Sonora 31, Eastvale Roosevelt 14

DIVISION 3
South Torrance 18, St. Paul 12
Cerritos 34, Covina 33
Rosary 26, Anaheim 12
Chino 37, San Juan Hills 26
Quartz Hill 20, Lakewood 0
Long Beach Wilson 6, Chino Hills 0
Inglewood 40, Adelanto 6
Murrieta Valley 20, La Canada 12
Compton 12, Los Altos 0
Patriot 25, Bishop Montgomery 7
Valencia 25, Temescal Canyon 6
Lawndale 20, Harvard-Westlake 19
Ontario Christian 19, Channel Islands 14
Moorpark 27, Laguna Beach 16
Schurr 6, California Military School 0
California 6, Placentia Valencia 0

DIVISION 4
Kaiser 7, San Marino 6
Serrano 12, Paloma Valley 6
Redlands Adventist 25, Highland 20
West Ranch 40, Temecula Prep 20
Garden Grove Pacifica 26, Azusa 0
Garden Grove 39, Northview 7
Hemet 24, Canyon Country Canyon 18
Baldwin Park 12, Palm Desert 6
Santa Paula 41, Whittier 7
Antelope Valley 20, Ramona 14
Moreno Valley 19, Monrovia 0
West Covina 40, North Torrance 7
Gabrielino 24, Yucaipa 19
Rancho Alamitos 30, Hueneme 20
El Rancho 22, Godinez 13
Cerritos Valley Christian 38, Brentwood 7

DIVISION 5
Tustin 22, Compton Early College 0
Santa Fe 6, Arlington 0
Village Christian 25, Garden Grove Santiago 6
Pasadena Poly 25, Montebello 14
Ontario 26, Eastside 0
Long Beach Cabrillo 14, La Quinta 6
Rialto 27, Palmdale 0
Loma Linda Academy 26, Westminster La Quinta 7
Peninsula 31, Saddleback 6
Grand Terrace 18, Paramount 8
Culver City 39, Indian Springs 0
La Sierra 33, Desert Hot Springs 32
Windward 13, South El Monte 0
Westridge 13, Orange 0
Nogales 14, San Gorgonio 13
Rancho Verde 25, Valley View 19

DIVISION 6
Riverside North 33, La Puente 0
Mountain View 37, Tahquitz 0
Buena Park 12, Xavier Prep 6
Elsinore 30, Workman 0
Alhambra 27, Pomona 6
Heritage 26, St. Bernard 6
Winchester Liberty 20, Shalhevet 14
Rim of the World 40, United Christian Academy 0
Don Lugo 27, Norwalk 20
Bolsa Grande 31, Eisenhower 18
Santa Ana Valley 31, Capistrano Valley Christian 6
St. Monica 31, Pacific 0
Glenn 33, San Jacinto Valley Academy 6
Arroyo Valley 30, Century 13
Cathedral City 25, Cantwell-Sacred Heart 0
St. Bonaventure 38, Jurupa Valley 0

Note: Second round (Divisions 1-6) Sat., Oct. 24; Quarterfinals (Divisions 1-6) Tues., Oct. 27; Semifinals (all divisions) Oct. 31; Finals (all divisions) Sat., Nov. 7 at Huntington Beach High.

WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULE
(Games at 5 p.m. unless noted)
First Round

OPEN DIVISION
Pool A
#12 Sierra Canyon at #1 JSerra

Pool B
#11 Dos Pueblos at #2 Newport Harbor

Pool C
#10 Downey at #3 Orange Lutheran

Pool D
#9 Lakewood St. Joseph at #4 Huntington Beach

Teams with byes in first round of pool play: #5 Mater Dei; #6 Woodbridge; #7 Westlake; #8 Edison.

Note: Open Division second round pool play Saturday; Third round pool play Wed., Oct. 28. Semifinals Oct. 31; Finals Sat., Nov. 7 at Huntington Beach High.

Jasmin Strange’s withdrawal from the England squad with a knee injury is a “devastating blow” to their World Cup prospects says head coach Stuart Barrow.

The Sydney Roosters second-row forward impressed on her debut, scoring a try as England thrashed Wales 70-6 in their World Cup opener.

Strange, 23, whose mother was born in Yorkshire, was one of five NRLW players included in Barrow’s squad to face the reigning world champions Australia in Perth.

“Jasmin joined us when we arrived here and has been outstanding. She’s mixed with the girls really well and to lose her yesterday in training was a devastating blow for all the girls,” said Barrow.

“It was almost a freak accident. It was a defensive session but Jasmin was with the ball, did a step and unfortunately suffered a serious knee injury. It was a real disappointing outcome for someone who has been excellent for us.

“It’s affected the camp but Jasmin will want us to recover and bounce back and she’s coming back into camp this evening so the girls will get around her.

“It flatlined the group and it flatlined the coaching staff but we’ve bounced back today. Within seven hours Jas had a scan and got the results. I went to the hospital with her last night and the scan confirmed our worst fears.”

Strange, 23, who comes from a rugby league family, had looked set to be a key player for Barrow’s new-look side which has altered significantly since England fell to a record defeat 90-4 defeat to the Jillaroos in March 2025.

Barrow confirmed that Leeds Rhinos second-row Lucy Murray will replace Strange this weekend and that there are no plans to bring in another player for the remainder of the tournament.

“She [Jasmin] played very well at the weekend so we lose a bit of quality but we’ve brought 23 players who are all competing for shirts so we are confident we can cover that loss,” Barrow added.

“It’ll be a straight swap. Lucy [Murray] was very close in the first selection and was close again this week so with Jas playing that back-row spot, Lucy will come straight in.”

England women: Fran Goldthorp, Anna Davies, Molly Jones, Connie Boyd, Amelia Brown, Isabel Rowe, Jenna Foubister, Liv Wood, Keara Bennett, Hollie-Mae Dodd, Lucy Murray, Eva Hunter, Megan Williams.

Interchange: Jodie Cunningham, Vicky Whitfield, Georgia Roche, Lucie Sams.

Reserves: Hope Millard, Mary Coleman, Georgia Wilson.

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS
TUESDAY’S RESULTS
First Round

DIVISION 2
Newport Harbor d. Los Osos, 25-21, 25-10, 25-23
Redondo Union d. Crean Lutheran, 25-15, 25-16, 25-16
San Juan Hills d. Mayfield, 25-19, 25-14, 25-14
Corona Centennial d. Bishop Montgomery, 21-25, 25-15, 25-23, 25-19
Orange Lutheran d. Eastvale Roosevelt, 3-2
Murrieta Valley d. Palos Verdes, 3-2
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame d. West Ranch, 3-0
Long Beach Poly d. Campbell Hall, 25-17, 25-23, 25-14

DIVISION 4
Portola d. Trabuco Hills, 25-12, 25-17, 26-24
Burbank Burroughs d. Summit, 3-0
North Torrance d. El Dorado, 3-0
Yorba Linda d. Whitney, 25-22, 25-22, 25-13
Arcadia d. Santa Monica, 3-2
Notre Dame Academy d. San Marino, 3-1
Ventura d. Oak Hills, 25-15, 25-23, 25-19
Vista Murrieta d. Tesoro, 3-0
Ayala d. Village Christian, 3-2
Santa Barbara d. Ontario Christian, 3-1
Rancho Cucamonga d. Laguna Beach, 25-13, 16-25, 25-21, 25-21
Hemet d. San Dimas, 3-1
Glendora d. La Palma Kennedy, 3-2
Royal d. Xavier Prep, 25-18, 25-18, 25-20
Bonita d. Chadwick, 25-23, 25-12, 25-23
Linfield Christian at Chino Hills

DIVISION 6
Alta Loma d. Laguna Hills, 3-2
Villa Park d. Granite Hills, 27-29, 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, 15-10
Dos Pueblos d. Torrance, 3-0
Temescal Canyon d. Bishop Diego, 3-1
Temecula Prep d. Le Lycee, 26-24, 25-20, 22-25, 21-25, 15-11
St. Bonaventure d. Woodbridge, 3-1
Capistrano Valley Christian d. Rowland, 3-1
Ridgecrest Burroughs d. Loma Linda Academy, 25-20, 25-14, 25-16
Castaic d. Oxford Academy, 3-0
Santa Fe at Rancho Christian
Santa Ana Calvary Chapel 3, Palm Springs 1
Rim of the World 3, Norte Vista 1
Schurr d. Holy Martyrs, 3-1
Mayfair d. Norwalk, 3-2
Yucaipa d. Oxnard, 3-1
Lakewood d. Covina, 3-0

DIVISION 8
Samueli Academy d. Montclair, 3-1
Bellflower d. Bolsa Grande, 25-11, 26-24, 20-25, 25-23
San Gorgonio d. Oxnard Pacifica, 3-0
San Gabriel Academy d. El Rancho, 26-28, 25-14, 25-21, 26-24
San Jacinto Valley d. Western, 3-0
Fairmont Prep d. St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy, 3-0
Burbank d. Colony, 3-0
Riverside Prep d. University Prep, 3-0
Garden Grove Pacifica d. Lancaster Desert Christian, 25-21, 25-14, 25-22
Lighthouse Christian d. Westminster La Quinta, 3-0
Jurupa Valley d. Kaiser, 25-11, 20-25, 25-15, 20-25, 18-16
Rio Mesa d. Orange Vista, 3-0
Big Bear d. Ramona, 25-20, 20-19, 25-17
Geffen Academy d. Pomona Catholic, 3-2
Artesia d. Century, 3-0
Bell Gardens d. West Valley, 3-0

DIVISION 10
Leuzinger d. Perris, 3-1
Glendale d. CSDR, 3-1
Orange d. Beacon Hill, 3-0
Canyon Springs d. Avalon, 3-1
Orange County Classical Academy d. Indian Springs, 25-22, 25-12, 17-25, 27-25
Adelanto d. Compton, 3-1
Chaffey d. Anza Hamilton, 3-2
New Roads d. Bassett, 3-0
La Quinta d. Westmark, 3-0
Miller d. Glendale Adventist, 3-0
Loara d. Montebello, 3-2
Redlands Adventist d. Rosemead, 3-1
Lancaster d. Cathedral City, 3-2
Ganesha d. Dominguez, 3-0
Cornerstone Christian d. River Springs, 3-0
Santa Ana Valley at St. Mary’s Academy, Wed.

Note: Second Round (Divisions 4, 6, 8, 10) Thurs., Oct. 22; Quarterfinals (Divisions 2, 4, 6, 8 10) Tues., Oct. 27 at higher seeds; Semifinals (all divisions) Sat., Oct. 31 at higher seeds; Finals Nov. 6 or 7 at TBA.

WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULE
(Games at 6 p.m. unless noted)
First Round

DIVISION 1
Pool A
#8 Harvard-Westlake at #1 Mater Dei
#5 Santa Margarita at #4 Oaks Christian

Pool B
#7 Marymount at #2 Sierra Canyon
#6 Los Alamitos at #3 Mira Costa

Note: Open Division second round pool play Tues., Oct. 27; Third round pool play Sat., Oct. 31. Finals Sat., Nov. 7 at Cerritos College.

DIVISION 3
Cerritos at Sunny Hills
Oak Park at Santa Ana Foothill
Chaminade at Cerritos Valley Christian
Alemany at Beckman
Corona Santiago at Newbury Park
Redlands at Rosary
Murrieta Mesa at Etiwanda
Saugus at Thousand Oaks
Claremont at Corona del Mar
Flintridge Prep at Millikan
Bishop Amat at St. Margaret’s
La Salle at Huntington Beach
Chaparral at Crescenta Valley
Crossroads at La Canada
Lakewood St. Joseph at Marina
Aliso Niguel at Windward

DIVISION 5
West Torrance at Marlborough
Liberty at Academy of Academic Excellence
Hesperia Christian at Peninsula
Moorpark at Canyon Country Canyon
Troy at El Toro
Western Christian at Valencia
Culver City at San Jacinto
Santa Monica Pacifica Christian at St. Anthony
Southlands Christian at Viewpoint
Westridge at Arrowhead Christian
Irvine at Beaumont
Gahr at Paraclete
Maranatha at Sultana
Burbank Providence at La Serna
Quartz Hill at Temple City
Palm Desert at Capistrano Valley

DIVISION 7
CAMS at Pasadena
Immaculate Heart at Tustin
Brea Olinda at Laguna Blanca
Chino at Sacred Heart Los Angeles
South Hills at Placentia Valencia
Trinity Classical Academy at Nordhoff
Highland at Barstow
Webb at Mary Star of the Sea
Eisenhower at Pasadena Marshall
Whittier at Beverly Hills
Rialto at Vistamar
Northview at Calvary Baptist
Indio at Fullerton
Tahquitz at Buckley
Rio Hondo Prep at Arlington
St. Genevieve at Foothill Tech

DIVISION 9
Santa Paula at Rancho Mirage
Canoga Park AGBU at Saddleback
Cobalt at San Jacinto Valley Academy
Anaheim at St. Monica Academy
Carter at Nogales
Carpinteria at Santa Rosa Academy
Vasquez at Westminster
Azusa at Moreno Valley
St. Jeane de Lestonnac at Santa Clarita Christian
Jurupa Hills at Sierra Vista
Victor Valley at Desert Christian Academy
Wildwood at Hillcrest
Excelsior Charter at Buena Park
Milken Community at Eastside
California at Garden Grove
Twentynine Palms at Shadow Hills

DIVISION 11
Grove at Compton Early College
Ambassador Christian at El Monte Arroyo
Rubidoux at Mesrobian
Animo Leadership at Ramona
Long Beach First Baptist at La Sierra Academy
Thacher at Pacific Lutheran
Grace at Shalhevet
New Covenant at Newport Christian
Oak Grove at Tarbut V’ Torah
Cal Lutheran at Workman
EF Academy at Santa Clara
Desert Chapel at Lynwood
Norton Science Academy at Newbury Park Adventist
Liberty Christian at Joshua Springs
River Springs at Downey Calvary Chapel
Riverside Bethel Christian at Silver Valley

Note: Second round (Divisions 3, 5, 7, 9, 11) Sat., Oct. 24; Quarterfinals (Divisions 3, 5, 7, 9) Wed., Oct. 28; Semifinals (all divisions) Oct. 31; Finals (all divisions) Sat., Nov. 7 at TBA.

Bayern Munich host Arsenal on Wednesday, as the teams clash for the 16th time in Europe’s premier club competition.

Who: Bayern Munich vs Arsenal
What: UEFA Champions League, match day 3
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
When: Wednesday, October 21, at 9pm (19:00 GMT)
How to follow: Al Jazeera Sport will bring you all the build-up and live updates from 16:00 GMT.

The Champions League will live up to its name as the title holders from two top European leagues face-off in the group stage on Wednesday.

Bundesliga winners Bayern Munich host Premier League champions Arsenal at their Allianz Arena Munich fortress.

Bayern are on a 10-game unbeaten streak across all competitions this season, largely thanks to the striking prowess of Harry Kane and Michael Olise.

But the German giants, aiming for a seventh UCL crown, face an early test of their title credentials when they play Arsenal in Munich without in-form winger Olise. London-born Olise, who started in Arsenal’s junior system, is unavailable following a silly suspension in the last game.

The Frenchman’s absence hands a huge advantage to Arsenal, who have made a strong start to their English top-flight title defence, losing just one game all season. Bukayo Saka and Victor Gyokeres have led from the front, while Declan Rice has lived up to his reputation as a playmaker.

Bayern and Arsenal are familiar foes in the UCL, and it’s Vincent Kompany’s side that leads the head-to-head record, having won eight of the previous 15 meetings in the competition.

Before Wednesday’s fixture, here’s everything you need to know:

How have Bayern Munich played this season?

Bayern are top of the Bundesliga table with 14 points after six games. They have won four games and drawn two.

How have Arsenal played this season?

Arsenal are second in the Premier League standings with 18 points after seven games. The Gunners have won six games and lost just once.

What happened in the first and second Champions League rounds?

Bayern thrashed 10-man Bodo/Glimt 5-0 at home to kick off their UCL campaign and were held to a 3-3 draw by Viking in their next away game.

Arsenal started their campaign with a 1-0 away win over Napoli before beating Lille 3-0 at home in the second game.

Those results keep Arsenal seventh in the Champions League standings on six points and Bayern 10th on four points.

Bayern Munich vs Arsenal: Predictions

Opta’s supercomputer has given Bayern a 46.4 percent probability of winning this fixture, while Arsenal have a 29.3 percent chance.

There are 24.3 percent odds of the game ending in a draw.

Bayern Munich vs Arsenal: Head-to-head

(Only in the Champions League)

• Matches: 15
• Bayern wins: 8
• Arsenal wins: 4
• Draws: 3

Bayern Munich vs Arsenal: Form guide

(Last five matches across all competitions; latest game first)

Bayern Munich: W-D-D-W-W

Arsenal: W-W-W-L-W

Who are the top players to watch?

Harry Kane and Luis Diaz (Bayern Munich): Forward Kane has been unstoppable for Bayern this season, with his nine goals in all competitions making him their joint leading scorer alongside Olise. The England international also has six assists. Winger Diaz, on the other hand, has five goals, which include a hat-trick over RB Leipzig in the last match.

Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice (Arsenal): Winger Saka is Arsenal’s joint-top scorer this season, alongside Victor Gyokeres, with four goals in all competitions. Rice, on the other hand, leads the chart for the most assists (four).

Team news and predicted lineups

Bayern Munich

Olise is suspended after picking up two yellow cards inside a minute in Bayern’s 3-3 draw with Viking last week.

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is doubtful, while midfielder Jamal Musiala is out for a few weeks with a thigh injury.

Predicted starting XI:

Manuel Neuer; Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah; Alphonso Davies; Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandar Pavlovic; Lennart Kartl, Ismael Saibari, Luis Diaz; Harry Kane

Arsenal

Arsenal have three injuries in the squad – Piero Hincapie (ankle), Christos Tzolis (hamstring) and William Saliba (back).

Predicted starting XI:

David Raya; Jurrien Timber, Ezri Konsa, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori; Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly; Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke; Kai Havertz

An animal rights group is urging Crystal Palace to retire their live bald eagle mascot with immediate effect, saying a “bright stadium filled with boisterous fans is no place for animals”.

In a letter to Palace CEO Sharon Lacey, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) asked the Premier League club to stop using the eagle, named Phoenix, in pre-match displays at Selhurst Park and to never use live animal mascots again.

The London team, known as the Eagles since 1973, introduced a live eagle to matchdays in 2010. Kayla, who died in 2020, performed the role for 10 years and her replacement Phoenix made her debut against West Ham in August 2024.

Peta says birds can become “frightened, disoriented and panicked” in stadium environments, putting themselves and fans at risk.

Using them for displays and entertainment also denies the animals, who “would naturally avoid humans”, the opportunity to engage with their natural instincts, leading to “frustration and stress”, the group said.

The organisation has “detailed records” of incidents involving live mascots, including birds, being injured or killed in collisions with walls, windows and match balls, as well as a falcon embedding its talons in a spectator’s scalp after landing on his head.

In 2017, a Charlton Athletic fan was found guilty of trying to punch Kayla the eagle at a League Cup fixture two years earlier.

“Many professional sports teams use only willing humans as mascots and the club already has Pete the Eagle to excite the crowd,” said Dr Carys Bennett, Peta’s senior corporate projects manager.

“Bald eagles are widely recognised as symbols of freedom. They deserve better than to be used as an entertainment prop to amuse the Eagles’ fans.”

Manchester United manager’s troubles grow as seven players are out injured before a Champions League trip to Como.

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick says he needs no reassurances from the club’s hierarchy as he knows winning games is the only way to silence speculation over his future.

Before a Champions League trip to Italian side Como on Wednesday, United have won just two of their 10 games in all competitions this season.

The Red Devils are off to their worst start to an English top-flight campaign in 40 years, having been knocked out of the League Cup by Brighton last month and comfortably beaten by Atletico Madrid last week in the Champions League.

Carrick was appointed manager on a permanent basis in May only after an impressive spell as interim boss in the second half of last season.

But he has quickly become just the latest manager under pressure at Old Trafford at a club that has fallen from grace since Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.

“I know we’ve got to win football games for everything to flow and everything to fit into place. That’s the great thing about it; we can do something about it,” Carrick told his pre-match news conference in Italy.

“I don’t need any reassurance. It’s pretty clear.

“I know the role, I know the responsibilities. I don’t need anyone else to kind of tell me that or tell me when it’s going well or when it needs to be better. I know that myself.”

Carrick’s hopes of turning things around have not been aided by a growing injury list.

Lisandro Martinez started Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Leeds, despite his stinging criticism of the club’s lack of transfer activity following the defeat at Atletico, but had to be replaced at half time.

The Argentinian international will miss the trip to Como, as will Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford, Benjamin Sesko, Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven.

LeBron James scored 14 points on his debut for the Philadelphia 76ers as they defeated champions the New York Knicks on the NBA season’s opening night.

The 41-year-old James, entering a record-extending 24th season in the league with his fourth team after his summer move from the LA Lakers, also racked up seven assists as his new side triumphed 106-100.

Tyrese Maxey top-scored with 28 points for the 76ers, while Jaylen Brown, who also made his debut after joining the 76ers from the Boston Celtics in a high profile trade for Paul George, scored 19 points with eight rebounds and six assists.

The Knicks enjoyed title celebrations prior to the match, raising their third title banner to the rafters at Madison Square Garden in the presence of a crowd that included celebrity Knicks fans Ben Stiller and Spike Lee.

The Knicks ended a 53-year title drought with their victory over the San Antonio Spurs in last season’s NBA Finals but were unable to open their season with a win as the 76ers held out after taking the lead in the third quarter.

Jalen Brunson led the scoring for the Knicks with 21 points and Karl-Anthony Towns picked up 19 points with 12 rebounds.

“I could be a lot better,” James told broadcaster NBC. “Still getting my rhythm, obviously just a little bit over two weeks with the new squad.

“But I like the way we played. I think we played exceptionally well, especially defensively.”

In the opening match of the NBA’s 81st season, the Detroit Pistons fought back in the second half to win 121-113 against the Boston Celtics.

Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren added 22 points each and Duncan Robinson scored 15 of his 21 in the fourth quarter as the home side secured their victory with a 23-0 scoring run.

Celtics debutant Paul George scored 38 points for his new side in a match between last season’s top two regular-season teams.

In the night’s final encounter, back-to-back NBA most valuable player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points for the Oklahoma City Thunder as they completed a 116-104 win over the San Antonio Spurs.

Stephon Castle top-scored for the Spurs with 24 points but his side were unable to match the form that saw them put out defending champions Thunder in last season’s Western Conference finals.

Victor Wembanyama made just one basket in 13 attempts for the Spurs but contributed 13 rebounds and six blocked shots and scored 12 points largely thanks to 10 free throws.

“Obviously, this is the team that eliminated us from achieving our goal,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.

“But for us, I think it was more like we’re just happy to be back. It’s a longer summer when you don’t win and we felt that this summer.”

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The match statistics alone showed what a threat Ngumoha can be.

He had 12 touches in the opposition box, completed seven out of eight dribbles, and registered two crucial assists.

But watching Ngumoha is more than just a numbers experience. There’s a fearless nature to his play that can get the crowd going, and he was the one bright spark in a first half where Liverpool lacked any sort of rhythm.

In a game increasingly focused on structures, Ngumoha’s raw ability to take a man on is what helps to set him apart.

“He was magnificent tonight,” said former Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge on Amazon Prime.

“On the ball, this kid has so much potential – and I say ‘kid’, but he’s a young man. He has so much quality and it’s stuff that you can’t teach to be honest.

“What he does with the ball at his feet – that is God-given ability – and his hard work on the training pitch, doing things day in and day out, and being ruthless, is what he said in his interview, and I like that. He wants to be decisive, and I love that.”

Ngumoha, who has grown up playing down the left, has struggled to get minutes on his preferred side this season, especially with Cody Gakpo and Barcola often playing down that flank.

But head coach Andoni Iraola wants his wingers to be able to play on both sides and Ngumoha’s improvement on the right flank has been impressive in such a short space of time.

Ngumoha also spoke about his rapid development on the right on Saturday, after Liverpool beat Brentford.

“I feel like I’ve got a lot better playing there from the Newcastle game [at the start of this season] until now,” Ngumoha said.

“I’m understanding it more. And going away with England helped a lot as well. I like playing on both sides. It gives me another tool in the toolbox.”