Sport

It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad season for Angel City FC. But it’s not one the team is running away from.

“Did we put it all together this year?” team president Julie Uhrman asked. “No.”

In fact, the team won just one of its last eight games; missed the playoffs for the third time in four seasons; saw attendance plummet; lost Alyssa Thompson, its best and most exciting player, on a million-dollar transfer; and watched its two most-decorated players — Ali Riley and Christen Press — retire after a season in which they combined for two starts.

For sporting director Mark Parsons, however, it still counted as progress. Yet the team has a lot of work to do to clear the high bar of community impact and soccer success it set as its twin goals when it launched in 2022.

“This season was about putting in all the foundations and all the pieces where we get to go compete for championships from ’26 and beyond,” Parsons said. “And I could not be happier with the success we’ve been able to do. That helps us win in the future.

“Of course we’d have all loved to win a couple more games,” he added. “But the priorities were try and win, but build for the future.”

Alexander Straus, center, is introduced as Angel City coach by sporting director Mark Parsons, left, and team president Julie Uhrman during a news conference in June.

(Al Seib / For the Times)

The die for the season, for bad or worse, was cast in the embers of the deadly Palisades fire last January. That first night, as Riley’s family home burned to the ground and other players were forced to relocate, Parsons could see the flames from the gated Brentwood estate of Bob Iger and Willow Bay, Angel City’s controlling owners. He was there interviewing for the job he would get nine days later.

And he was brutally honest about what he thought the club needed.

“I looked at them and said ‘We have a lot of work to do. Unless we get really lucky, it’s going to be a roller coaster. However, we will be really excited about our team by the end of the year,’” Parsons recalled this month.

Part of the problem has to do with how Angel City was built. The team has had three general managers or sporting directors in four seasons and four coaches, including interim manager Sam Laity, over that span. Parsons and Alexander Straus, his hand-picked coach who started in June, were hired to shore up that creaky foundation and bring consistency to the team’s soccer operations, which mostly had been spinning its wheels.

For Parsons, that basically meant tearing things down and starting over. And if he had to sacrifice his first season in doing so, it was a price he was willing to pay.

“We’re going to try and compete and win every single game, because that’s why we’re here,” he said. “We are not going to do that at the expense of building a championship-winning team. This season is about building the future, to not just get to the top, but to stay at the top.”

So the team made 29 transactions in his first nine months. In addition, seven players won’t be re-signed when their contracts expire at the end of the year, among them midfielder Madison Hammond and defender Megan Reid, who are 1-2 in appearances in club history, and Japanese defender Miyabi Moriya, a World Cup and Olympic veteran.

Of the additions, Parsons is especially high on midfielders Evelyn Shores and Hina Sugita, Icelandic attacker Sveindis Jonsdottir and Zambian international Prisca Chilufya. All joined in the second half of the season, adding to a core that included rookie of the year candidate Riley Tiernan and defenders Gisele Thompson, Sarah Gorden and Savy King.

Angel City’s Sarah Gorden controls the ball against Racing Louisville on Sept. 27.

(Andy Lyons / Getty Images)

Of those eight, only Gorden is older than 28 and three of the others — Thompson, King and Shores — can’t legally buy a beer in California. Parsons will double down on one of those additions Tuesday, announcing he has signed Sugita, 28, a two-time World Cup player from Japan, through 2029.

“Most teams try not to do too much during the season. It can be unsettling,” Parsons said.

But for Angel City, every second mattered.

“The top teams in this league that have been pretty consistent the last couple of years took three years to get to a point of being in the top four. We don’t have three years,” Parsons said. “This is a city that is expected to compete and to win in a stadium that [is] rocking, that represents this community.”

That hasn’t happened for Angel City, which was founded with solid community support and an A-list ownership group of more than 100, including Hollywood stars, former U.S. national team players and deep-pocketed investors. The vision was to build a team that won games while making a deep and lasting impact on the community.

The club certainly has gotten the second part of that equation right by providing more than 2.5 million meals and more than 51,000 hours for youth and adult education; distributing equipment and staff for ongoing soccer programming for the children of migrants trapped at the U.S.-Mexico border; and funneling $4.1 million into other programs in Los Angeles. Last week the club awarded $10,000 grants and access to business coaching to 13 former players to help support the transition to the next stage of their lives.

From the start, Angel City games offered a welcoming place, especially for the LGBTQ community, and that helped the team finish first or second in the NWSL in attendance in each of its four seasons.

“We are committed to providing an environment of connection, community and belonging,” Uhrman said.

But while doing that the club struggled on the field, making the playoffs just once while going 30-42-24 over that span. As a result average attendance plunged nearly 16%, to 16,257 this year.

In its first three seasons, Angel City played before a home crowd that small just once, although the team still ranks second in the league, behind only the Portland Thorns. Making the team a draw again, Uhrman conceded, will require trying something new. Like winning.

“Our goal is to be a dynasty on the pitch and a legacy off the pitch,” she said. “And for that to be true, we need to win on and off the field. We need to have the positive impact in the community and continue to give back, but we also need to win championships.”

Some of the team’s most loyal supporters have grown tired of waiting.

“I’m just frustrated with the team’s performance,” said Caitlin Bryant of Burbank, a season-ticket holder from the first season who has not renewed for next year. “I’m done dragging myself down to BMO [Stadium] every other weekend until this thing turns around.

“The vibes are great. The stadium environment is great. But watching the team lose game after game, season after season, it’s exhausting and it’s not fun. I need the team to win.”

⚽ You have read the latest installment of On Soccer with Kevin Baxter. The weekly column takes you behind the scenes and shines a spotlight on unique stories. Listen to Baxter on this week’s episode of the “Corner of the Galaxy” podcast.

Former NBA player Patrick Beverley was arrested after being accused by his teenage sister of grabbing her by the neck with a tight grip and punching her in the eye during an incident early Friday morning at their mother’s home in Fort Bend County, Texas.

Beverley, 37, is being charged with the third-degree felony of assault family/household member impeding breath and could face two to 10 years in prison and/or up to $10,000 in fines. A bond of $40,000 was set, which TMZ reports was posted the same day.

On Friday, Beverley wrote on X, “Please don’t believe everything you see on the internet.”

Later that day, the former Lakers and Clippers player posted a statement on X regarding the alleged incident. The same statement had been published by TMZ and attributed to attorney Letitia Quinones-Hollins, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Times.

“Patrick Beverley has no criminal record,” the statement said. “He cares deeply about his little sister — a young lady, a minor. Given that, when he unexpectedly found her alone in the home with an 18-year-old man in the middle of the night, he was understandably concerned, as any brother would be about his sister.

“However, we don’t believe what followed happened the way it’s been described and we look forward to the opportunity to address that in court.”

Beverley indicated in a separate post the next day that his sister “just turned 15.”

“So yea but please keep the fam in prayers,” he wrote.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed Friday, Fort Bend Sheriff’s Deputy Miguel Ramirez was dispatched to a residence at around 3:50 a.m. in response to a possible family violence situation. Ramirez spoke to Beverley’s sister, who said she had gone out Thursday night to see her boyfriend without the permission of her mother, Lisa Beverley.

After Beverley’s sister arrived home, she told Ramirez, her mother had her tell her boyfriend to come over. Once he was there, the affidavit states, Lisa Beverley had her son come to her house.

According to the affidavit, Beverley’s sister said that after Beverley arrived, he “began to tell her a statement to the extent what is wrong with her, in reference to her leaving the residence without permission” and then “grabbed her by her neck with both hands, and picked her up off the ground, by having her feet come up from the floor.”

The affidavit states that Beverley’s sister said her brother “squeezed her neck causing her to feel pain” and she felt like “she was losing oxygen and not able to breathe” for approximately 20 to 30 seconds. Beverley’s sister also stated that he slammed her body against the walls and punched her in the left eye, according to the affidavit.

The affidavit notes that Ramirez saw “markings” on the alleged victim’s neck and petechiae — tiny spots — “in the white part of her eyes.”

The alleged victim told Ramirez that “Patrick Beverley made a statement to her during the assauit, to the extent that he will be the family relative to kill her,” the affidavit states.

Beverley left the residence to follow the boyfriend, according to the affidavit. He returned and informed his mother and sister that the boyfriend had called law enforcement.

“I placed Patrick Beverley in custody and transported him to the Fort Bend County jail to prevent further family violence,” Ramirez wrote.

A court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 15.

World ranking: Ninth World Cup qualifying group: Second behind Norway Last World Cup: 2014

Given their history and status in international football, it’s incredible to think that Italy have not featured at a World Cup since 2014 in Brazil.

Yet, the four-time champions are at risk of missing out on a third global tournament in a row as they finished second in Group I behind Erling Haaland’s Norway, who automatically qualified for the finals.

Their campaign was bookended by two defeats by Norway, including a dismal 4-1 loss in Milan to end their campaign last week.

But despite their form, the Italians will still be the team everyone wants to avoid in the play-offs, and they are the highest-ranked team by a considerable margin.

Northern Ireland last played Italy in 2021, and actually played a role in them sitting out the Qatar World Cup as a goalless draw in Belfast saw Roberto Mancini’s side miss out on top spot and automatic qualification, and they were stunned by North Macedonia in the play-offs.

Domenico Berardi and Ciro Immobile scored in a 2-0 win in the return fixture in that campaign, which opened Group D that March.

From Jack Harris: Just weeks into the offseason, the Dodgers are already thinking 11 months ahead.

Having just finished yet another grueling October campaign, they are bracing for the long road required to get back.

The team’s central focus right now, of course, is on bolstering its roster and supplementing its star-studded core coming out of last week’s annual MLB general managers’ meetings in Las Vegas.

But as they go for a World Series three-peat in 2026, one of their primary challenges will be managing the returning talent — and ensuring the burdensome toll from their previous two title treks doesn’t become a roadblock in their pursuit of another ring.

Taking such a long view has become an annual practice for the Dodgers. Their collection of star talent and organizational depth means they are almost always in position to make the playoffs. It has afforded them leeway to manage players’ regular-season workloads and recovery from injuries with an eye toward having them at full strength come the fall.

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto introduces his rescue dog to Dodgers fans

LAKERS

From Broderick Turner: LeBron James said his lungs felt like those of a “newborn baby” and his voice was “already gone” after his first Lakers practice Monday as he moved a step closer toward making his season debut after being sidelined by sciatica.

The Lakers listed James as questionable for Tuesday night against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena, and he sounded as if he was close to playing in his NBA-record 23rd season.

“We got a long time,” said James as he wiped sweat from his face while speaking to reporters. “I mean, we’ve been taking literally one minute, one hour, one step at a time throughout this whole process. So, see how I feel this afternoon, see how I feel tonight. When I wake up in the morning. … We’ll probably have [a] shootaround [Tuesday]. So, just gotta see how the body responds over the next 24 hours-plus.”

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CLIPPERS

Tyrese Maxey scored 39 points, Paul George had nine points and seven rebounds in his season debut, and the Philadelphia 76ers rallied for a 110-108 victory over the short-handed Clippers on Monday night.

Quentin Grimes added 19 points and Andre Drummond had 14 points and 18 rebounds while filling in for Joel Embiid.

James Harden scored 28 points for the Clippers, who have lost eight of nine. Harden became the 11th player to eclipse 28,000 career points with a first-quarter layup.

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Clippers box score

NBA standings

RAMS

From Gary Klein: Rams safety Quentin Lake will be sidelined for an undetermined amount of time because of an elbow injury suffered during the Rams’ victory over the Seattle Seahawks, coach Sean McVay said Monday.

McVay said the Rams were awaiting results from an MRI exam and a consultation with team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache before deciding how long Lake might be out, whether he will be placed on injured reserve or if it is a season-ending injury that would require surgery.

“Not great for our captain and leader,” McVay said during a videoconference with reporters. “Bummed out for him.”

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KINGS

Alex Ovechkin scored his 903rd career NHL goal and the Washington Capitals beat the Kings 2-1 on Monday night.

Matt Roy also scored for the Capitals, who ended a two-game losing skid to gain some traction in the standings.

Anze Kopitar scored for the Kings, who had won four straight. It was just their second regulation road loss of the season.

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Kings summary

NHL standings

DUCKS

Olen Zellweger scored 1:50 into overtime after Troy Terry tied it with 4.1 seconds left in regulation, and the Ducks dramatically ended their skid at three games with a 3-2 victory over the Utah Mammoth on Monday night at Honda Center.

Terry forced overtime when he tapped in a rebound after Chris Kreider deflected Cutter Gauthier’s shot off the post with an extra attacker on the ice for the Ducks.

An unchecked Zellweger then scored his second goal of the season with ease after a ragged overtime rush left him all alone at Karel Vejmelka’s post.

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Ducks summary

NHL standings

2026 WORLD CUP

From Anthony Solorzano: FIFA and the White House announced on Monday a system that will speed up the visa process for ticket holders who hope to attend 2026 World Cup matches in the U.S.

FIFA’s Priority Appointment Scheduling System — or “FIFA PASS” — will help those with World Cup tickets get a prioritized visa interview.

“America welcomes the World,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a statement. “We have always said that this will be the greatest and most inclusive FIFA World Cup in history — and the FIFA pass service is a very concrete example of that.”

FIFA is encouraging fans who are traveling for soccer’s biggest event to immediately apply for interview appointments for visas on its website.

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THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

1962 — Bill Wade of the Chicago Bears passes for 466 yards and two touchdowns to edge the Dallas Cowboys 34-33.

1970 — Joe Frazier knocks out Bob Foster in the second round to retain the world heavyweight title in Detroit.

1974 — Charley Johnson of the Denver Broncos passes for 445 yards and two touchdowns in a 42-34 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs.

1978 — Vanderbilt’s Frank Mordica rushes for 321 yards and five touchdowns in a 41-27 victory over Air Force. Mordica scores on runs of 48, 30, 6, 70 and 77 yards.

1990 — Monica Seles captures the first five-set women’s match since 1901, defeating Gabriela Sabatini 6-4, 5-7, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the final of the Virginia Slims Championships.

1995 — Iowa State’s Troy Davis becomes the fifth player in NCAA Division I-A to rush for 2,000 yards, reaching that plateau in a 45-31 loss to Missouri.

1995 — Alex Van Dyke sets an NCAA record for most receiving yards in a season, catching 13 passes for 314 yards as Nevada beats San Jose State 45-28. Van Dyke raises his total to 1,874 yards, surpassing the record of 1,779 set in 1965 by Howard Twilley of Tulsa.

2000 — Indiana’s Antwaan Randle El becomes the second player in NCAA Division I-A history to rush for 200 points and pass for 200 points in a career in a 41-13 loss to Purdue.

2003 — American soccer phenom Freddy Adu, 14, signs a six-year deal with MLS.

2006 — Top-ranked Ohio State beats No. 2 Michigan 42-39 in Columbus in the regular-season finale. The Big Ten rivals had the top two spots in The AP football poll since Oct. 15.

2007 — Jimmie Johnson becomes the first driver to win consecutive Nextel Cup championships since Jeff Gordon in 1997 and ’98, wrapping up the title by finishing a trouble-free seventh in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

2007 — Top-ranked Roger Federer wins his fourth Masters Cup title in five years, overwhelming No. 6 David Ferrer 6-2, 6-3, 6-2.

2012 — Matt Schaub has a career-high five touchdown passes, completes a franchise-record 43 passes and finishes with 527 yards passing, second most in NFL history, to lead the Houston Texans to a 43-37 overtime win over Jacksonville. Norm Van Brocklin holds the record with 554 for the Rams in 1951.

2014 — The NFL suspends Adrian Peterson without pay for at least the rest of the season. The league informs the Minnesota Vikings running back he would not be considered for reinstatement before April 15 for violating the NFL personal conduct policy.

Compiled by the Associated Press

Until next time…

That concludes today’s newsletter. If you have any feedback, ideas for improvement or things you’d like to see, email me at [email protected]. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.

Great Britain are not involved this week after losing 3-2 to Japan in February’s first qualifying round.

But Leon Smith’s side gave themselves a chance of reaching next year’s season-closing event by beating Poland in an away eliminator in September.

Doubles specialists Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool, who have recently been crowned year-end world number ones, believe it is imperative that Britain demonstrate they can challenge the elite in 2026.

“We’re an incredibly strong nation and sometimes we get a bit of hate because we have a Slam and the LTA is financially better off than a lot of the federations out there,” Cash told BBC Sport.

“We have a lot of very good players, even below the Davis Cup level, and I think from the standard we’ve got – both singles and doubles – [the Finals] is where we deserve to be. But you have to earn that every year.”

Britain last won the Davis Cup when the talismanic Andy Murray led them to glory in 2015, reaching the semi-finals again in 2019 before quarter-final appearances in 2021 and 2023.

This year’s bid was hampered by British number one Jack Draper, who reached a career-high fourth in the world earlier this season, being ruled out of the Japan tie.

“Injuries are a big part of it,” said Cash, “so we hope everyone can stay fit and if some of the other guys need to get called up then hopefully they can put their best performance out there.”

It was a spat — or a spit — between two All-Pro NFL players: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey.

And it’s going to cost Chase a half a million dollars unless the appeal he filed goes his way.

Chase was caught on video spitting in Ramsey’s direction during Cincinnati’s lopsided loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday. Ramsey retaliated by throwing a punch at Chase and was ejected.

The NFL suspended Chase for one game, which would cost him a week’s pay plus a bonus for being on the active roster totaling $507,156.

After the game, Chase denied spitting and referee Bill Vinovich told pool reporters “We did not see anything that rose to that level at all.” However, video captured the mid-air saliva.

Ramsey, a 10-year veteran who helped the Rams win Super Bowl LVI, responded violently and had to be restrained.

“I’m always going to be all for trash talking … stuff like that,” Ramsey told reporters after the game. “I actually enjoy that part of the game. I think people know that. But as soon as he spit, it was like ‘f— that.’”

Ramsey, 31, said that Chase snatched his mouthpiece earlier in the game, which prompted a scuffle that resulted in offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Chase had been guilty of that behavior before against the division rival Steelers, grabbing the mouthpiece of defensive back Ahkello Witherspoon and flipping off safety Minkah Fitzpatrick during a game in 2022. Chase was fined for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Ramsey, who played for the Rams from 2019-2022, is a seven-time Pro Bowl and three-time All-Pro cornerback on a Hall of Fame trajectory.

Chase, 25, has been an elite receiver since being drafted out of Louisiana State in 2021. He was Rookie of the Year and an All-Pro in 2021 and last season again was an All-Pro selection after leading the NFL with 127 catches, 1,708 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns.

This season he already has 79 receptions, including 16 for 161 yards in the Bengals’ 33-30 victory over the Steelers on Oct. 16. Last Sunday, however, he had only three catches for 30 yards in the 34-12 loss.

Despite the appeal, Bengals coach Zac Taylor made no excuses for Chase’s actions Monday.

“Obviously what happened is crossing the line, and we can’t have that,” Taylor said. “I know he’ll own up to that.”

Hooker Jamie George, wing Tom Roebuck and centre Ollie Lawrence have been ruled out of Sunday’s match against Argentina as England’s tough autumn stretches the squad.

All three started the 33-19 win over New Zealand last weekend, but George and Lawrence picked up hamstring injuries while Roebuck has a foot problem.

Two other regulars, lock Ollie Chessum and centre Tommy Freeman, are again unavailable after missing the victory over the All Blacks.

Hooker Jamie Blamire, second row Charlie Ewels and uncapped teenage wing Noah Caluori come into the squad as Steve Borthwick’s side target an unbeaten autumn.

Caluori, who was named in England’s initial autumn internationals squad, scored in England A’s win over Spain on Saturday.

Argentina are in London this week after cruising past Wales and then coming back from a big deficit to stun Scotland in Edinburgh last Sunday.

Fly-half George Ford, who masterminded a 2-0 series win in Argentina in the summer, says England will be expecting a tough time against the Pumas.

“I know first-hand from being there in the summer how good a team Argentina are,” Ford told BBC Sport.

“They are an incredible, emotional and passionate team and we will have to make sure we get our prep right for that.”

Meanwhile, full-back Freddie Steward is available for selection despite failing a head injury assessment in the first half against the All Blacks.

The Rugby Football Union says Steward passed both his second and third HIAs, so is cleared to play this weekend.

The Dodgers need an outfielder. Cody Bellinger is available.

So, eight years removed from his Rookie of the Year arrival, six years since his 2019 MVP campaign, and three years after an unceremonious end to his Dodgers tenure, could the team and its once-beloved homegrown slugger actually reunite this winter?

It’s not impossible, with the Dodgers believed to have Bellinger on their radar as they evaluate their options in free agency.

In an offseason of wide possibilities, but thus far tempered expectations from the Dodgers’ front office, Bellinger represents something of a wild card in the team’s potential winter plans.

He is not the top outfielder on this year’s market, which is headlined by former Chicago Cubs slugger Kyle Tucker and the $400 million-plus bidding war he is expected to trigger.

But, for a team like the Dodgers, Bellinger could be a better (and more familiar) fit, providing the kind of positional versatility and financial flexibility someone like Tucker wouldn’t.

Granted, the seriousness of the Dodgers’ interest in Bellinger, which was first reported by ESPN, remains unclear. But the mere possibility will make it one of the more intriguing early subplots of the winter, representing one potentially splashier option for the club to consider in pursuit of 2026 roster upgrades.

To this point of the offseason, of course, the Dodgers have signaled a reluctance to add more lucrative, long-term, free-agent contracts to their steadily aging core. It’s shown up in their pursuit of relievers, with their preference seemingly being a shorter-term deal after being burned by big bullpen spending last year. It has also influenced the way they’ve viewed the outfield market, cooling summer-long expectations that they would be leading contenders in the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes.

After all, the Dodgers have two starting outfielders currently on their roster in Teoscar Hernández (who is entering the second of his three-year, $66 million deal) and Andy Pages (who is coming off a 27-homer campaign in his second MLB season). They have plenty of depth options at the position, from Alex Call to Ryan Ward to the versatility provided by utility players Tommy Edman and Hyeseong Kim (and maybe even backup catcher Dalton Rushing, who could experiment in the outfield again in 2026).

Cody Bellinger was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2017 and the NL MVP in 2019, but struggled in his last few seasons with the Dodgers.

(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

They also, importantly, have a promising wave of outfield prospects expected to reach the majors in the next 2-3 years, a group headlined by Josue De Paula (the top prospect in their farm system); Eduardo Quintero (their 2025 minor-league hitter of the year); Zyhir Hope, Mike Sirota, James Tibbs III and Zach Ehrhard (promising talents acquired in trades over the last two years); and Charles Davalan and Kendall George (recent first-round draft picks).

The team would still like to add another outfielder, likely of the left-handed-hitting variety, to the mix in 2026. It is hopeful of finding an improved replacement for Michael Conforto, after his woeful performance on a one-year, $17 million deal last season.

At the same time, though, the Dodgers want to preserve their longer-term flexibility at the position — making their odds of giving someone like Tucker the 10-year contract he is expected to receive appear dubious at best.

Bellinger, however, provides a different free-agent proposition.

He is a couple of years older than Tucker, set to turn 31 next season, but is also likely to receive a contract of roughly half the length and much less guaranteed money; pegged by most projections to be in the 5-6 year and $150-$175 million range (though he could reasonably surpass those figures if his market materializes well).

Crucially, Bellinger also offers positional flexibility. At present, he can play all three outfield spots, and remains a plus-defender in the corners. Down the line, he could eventually shift to first base, making him (for a team like the Dodgers) a potential future successor to Freddie Freeman.

Another key factor: Bellinger is a much different player than he was when the Dodgers declined to tender him a contract at the end of the 2022 season.

Back then, Bellinger was coming off two straight years of subpar performance in the wake of a shoulder surgery following the 2020 World Series. Between 2021 and 2022, he hit .193, struck out more than 27% of the time, and had an OPS+ of 66 (an advanced metric in which 100 is considered league average).

The last three years, on the other hand, have seen the former MVP winner stage a mid-career revival. While playing for the Chicago Cubs (who signed Bellinger ahead of the 2023 season) and New York Yankees (who traded for him last offseason), he hit .281, struck out just 15% of the time, and had an OPS+ of 125. Last season, he also hit 29 home runs, his most since collecting 47 in his 2019 MVP season.

Granted, Bellinger did benefit from the hitter-friendly environment at Yankee Stadium, where he had 18 of his long balls last year. He also does not hit the ball as routinely hard as in his peak years with the Dodgers. Yet, he has improved his approach, honed more consistent swing mechanics, and balanced out his platoon splits, batting .353 against left-handed pitching in 2025.

Those strides served as a reminder of Bellinger’s tantalizing talent, as well as a sign of his growing maturation as he enters his 10th year in the majors.

The question now: Whether it will all be enough for the Dodgers to make a legitimate run at bringing him back.

The nature of free agency, of course, means Bellinger is still likely to land elsewhere this winter. He is expected to field wide interest on the open market, starting with the incumbent Yankees (especially if their other free-agent outfielder, Trent Grisham, turns down a qualifying offer). The Dodgers, meanwhile, remain better positioned to explore the trade market for an outfield addition, possessing the kind of highly-rated farm system that could make them a factor for everyone from Steven Kwan to Brandon Donovan to Jarren Duran.

If Bellinger were to attract his own bidding war, the Dodgers would likely be reluctant to overpay (at least in their view) for his services.

But for now, the possibility of a reunion does at least seemingly exist — thanks to Bellinger’s versatile fit, recent resurgence and lingering familiarity with the franchise.

Years removed from his breakout, then flame-out, during his first tenure with the Dodgers, he could wind up in their winter plans again this offseason.

Follow the build-up, analysis, and live text commentary of the game as Spain and Turkiye vie for top spot in Group E.

“It’s been tough to deal with at times and it’s made me not want to be playing and competing at times throughout the year,” he said.

“It’s definitely a lot in the stomach – you feel sick to your stomach. I’ve been struggling to sleep and then, because of the feeling in the stomach, struggling to eat well, eat enough.

“It’s almost like a feeling of dread – that something bad is going to happen.”

He may allow himself an occasional social hit but will otherwise switch off from tennis until the spring.

Salisbury has plenty of plans in place, including a safari in Kenya, a skiing trip with his girlfriend’s family, and Christmas at home – which is not always possible for tennis players before a season which starts in Australia in early January.

The current world number 10 played the whole of this season with fellow Briton Neal Skupski, and even though they did not win a title, they were runners-up at six events including the French Open, the US Open and last week’s ATP Finals in Turin.

“I wouldn’t say it affected my tennis that much,” Salisbury said of his anxiety.

“We’ve played well, especially the past six months. I feel like I’ve dealt with it well and managed to get myself into a good enough state on court to perform well in most of the matches that I have played.

“But I think it’s taken an extra toll emotionally and mentally to do that. It’s meant that it’s just not been enjoyable being at a lot of the tournaments that I have played.

“I haven’t spoken to too many people about the struggles that I have had – mainly my team, friends and family, so not too many people in the tennis world.

“I think a lot of people don’t want to share too much because they don’t want other people to know about that, when you are having to go and compete against them.

“But to be honest I don’t really mind if people do know. I’m sure it’s something which a lot of other people are having to deal with and I don’t think it would have any impact on me, as if anything over the past year it’s made me mentally stronger than before.”

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

MONDAY’S RESULTS

BOYS

CITY SECTION

Banning 75, Santee 46

Bell 57, East College Prep 31

Carson 59, South East 37

Downtown Magnets 77, Contreras 27

Eagle Rock 54, Verdugo Hills 51

Foshay 82, Rise Kohyang 16

Gertz-Ressler 70, AHSA 25

Harbor Teacher 27, NOVA Academy 4

Hollywood 100, Chavez 29

LA University 69, Mendez 24

Manual Arts 38, Fremont 34

New Designs University Park 44, Lakeview Charter

Sherman Oaks CES 62, Gardena 61

Sun Valley Magnet 77, Community Charter 43

Torres 77, Aspire Ollin 22

West Adams 58, Animo Robinson 43

SOUTHERN SECTION

ACE 58, Lucerne Valley 19

AGBU 65, Riverside Prep 43

Anaheim Canyon 83, Irvine University 43

Beaumont 79, Grand Terrace 25

Beckman 52, Lakewood 50

Bishop Amat 84, Firebaugh 61

Bonita 61, St. Anthony 49

Brea Olinda 61, El Toro 43

Buckley 64, YULA 35

California 72, Whittier Christian 56

Camarillo 84, Hueneme 38

Canyon Country Canyon 65, Antelope Valley 28

Carter 90, Norco 75

Cathedral 59, Lancaster 44

Cerritos 87, Savanna 51

Chino Hills 62, Dana Hills 41

Citrus Valley 63, Colton 33

Compton 96, Compton Early College 6

Corona 78, Heritage 46

Crean Lutheran 85, Calvary Baptist 43

Damien 89, Sunny Hills 42

Duarte 81, Downey Calvary Chapel 32

El Modena 66, Katella 44

Excelsior Charter 74, Barstow 70

Fairmont Prep 71, Linfield Christian 42

Foothill Tech 53, Trinity Classical Academy 49

Fullerton 53, Glendora 48

Glenn 34, Lennox Academy 25

Highland 67, Buena Park 48

Holy Martyrs Armenian 80, San Marino 74

Hoover 79, Workman 11

Inglewood 125, Lynwood 37

JSerra 75, Troy 42

La Habra 81, Whittier 36

La Serna 65, Don Lugo 40

Leuzinger 64, Riverside King 60

Long Beach Wilson 61, Downey 60

Malibu 53, El Segundo 41

Mira Costa 85, Torrance 70

Murrieta Valley 69, Temecula Prep 65

Newbury Park 73, Buena 28

Newport Harbor 53, Irvine 47

North Torrance 51, Eastside 47

Orange 63, Samueli Academy 30

Orange Lutheran 93, Oakwood 75

Orange Vista 87, Twentynine Palms 39

Palmdale 66, Rosamond 63

Pioneer 69, Anaheim 51

Placentia Valencia 82, Oxford Academy 75

Rancho Alamitos 34, Magnolia 24

Redlands 67, La Quinta 35

Riverside Poly 73, Victor Valley 33

Rosemead 45, Azusa 33

Rubidoux 51, Loma Linda Academy 46

San Jacinto Valley Academy 75, Banning 62

Santa Ana 68, Magnolia Science Academy 53

Santa Ana Valley 66, Ganesha 61

Santa Margarita 89, Temecula Valley 38

Santa Rosa Academy 69, Redlands Adventist Academy 51

Service 100, United Christian Academy 18

Sierra Vista 55, Northview 40

Southlands Christian 43, El Monte 35

St. Bernard 81, Claremont 56

St. Margaret’s 82, Tarbut V’ Torah 61

Sultana 60, Big Bear 52

Summit Leadership Academy 65, Hesperia Christian 47

Tehachapi 63, Paraclete 50

Temple City 51, Gabrielino 44

Trabuco Hills 86, Whitney 51

Valencia 47, Heritage Christian 44

Vista del Lago 63, Bloomington 43

Webb 91, Navies Bridge 27

Wiseburn Da Vinci 73, Oak Park 56

Woodbridge 71, Quartz Hill 66

INTERSECTIONAL

Crenshaw 56, Edgewood 32

Crespi 81, Cleveland 44

de Toledo 54, Canoga Park 41

Edison 65, Rancho Dominguez 58

Fairfax 45, Long Beach Cabrillo 44

Grace 49, Monroe 34

Oaks Christian 88, San Fernando 50

Ontario Christian 75, Maywood Academy 21

Salesian 83, Sotomayor 31

Santa Monica 77, Los Angeles 31

Shalhevet 64, Granada Hills Kennedy 32

South Pasadena 77, Franklin 43

St. Monica 65, Math & Science College Prep 58

Templeton 76, Coastal Christian 60

Triumph Charter 53, Newbury Park Adventist 33

Village Christian 82, El Camino Real 34

Villa Park 92, South Gate 26

Washington 89, Lawndale 49

West Torrance 64, Venice 55

GIRLS

CITY SECTION

Community Charter 29, Sun Valley Magnet 20

Diego Rivera 33, Sotomayor 26

Foshay 35, Rise Kohyang 5

Granada Hills Kennedy 48, Arleta 37

Harbor Teacher 73, Huntington Park 11

Hollywood 38, Chavez 18

Lakeview Charter 37, Canoga Park 17

Math & Science College Prep 29, USC-MAE 15

Orthopaedic 26, East Valley 14

Rancho Dominguez 32, Dymally 13

RFK Community 55, Lincoln 32

Sherman Oaks CES 58, Sylmar 51

Torres 37, Aspire Ollin 21

West Adams 48, Animo Robinson 43

SOUTHERN SECTION

Alemany 47, Wiseburn Da Vinci 38

Aliso Niguel 59, St. Margaret’s 53

Arcadia 60, Rosemead 16

Arroyo 43, Alhambra 23

Ayala 36, Riverside North 13

Baldwin Park 56, Bassett 12

Bishop Amat 63, Fullerton 28

Bolsa Grande 44, Norwalk 43

Bonita 45, Palm Desert 34

Buena Park 62, Vista Murrieta 37

Carter 72, Pacific 9

Citrus Valley 62, San Gorgonio 20

Corona 32, Murrieta Valley 26

El Rancho 53, Apple Valley 46

El Toro 56, Edison 39

Flintridge Prep 63, Chino Hills 30

Glendora 75, Nogales 11

Glenn 31, Lennox Academy 12

Heritage 67, Diamond Bar 19

Hesperia 56, Riverside Poly 44

Hoover 43, Workman 20

Indian Springs 36, Arroyo Valley 25

Indio 39, Brawley 33

JSerra 67, El Dorado 31

Laguna Beach 45, Brea Olinda 38

La Habra 29, Saddleback 5

La Quinta 58, Rim of the World 3

La Salle 61, La Canada 29

La Serna 41, Yorba Linda 37

La Sierra 24, Mayfair 21

Long Beach Wilson 55, Gahr 32

Los Altos 53, Cajon 31

Marymount 48, Pasadena Marshall 31

Mission Viejo 22, Irvine University 9

Monrovia 37, Azusa 18

Norco 42, Perris 19

Northwood 64, Laguna Hills 23

Oak Park 68, Santa Maria St. Joseph 62

Oaks Christian 69, Moorpark 25

Palm Springs 62, Citrus Hill 11

Pasadena Poly 53, Temple City 31

Pilibos 62, Milken 33

Placentia Valencia 55, Oxford Academy 42

Ramona 64, Hillcrest 45

Rancho Alamitos 20, Ocean View 18

Rialto 54, Anaheim Canyon 30

Rowland 64, Ridgecrest Burroughs 47

San Bernardino 47, Upland 36

San Clemente 98, Hacienda Heights Wilson 60

San Dimas 53, Loma Linda Academy 43

San Jacinto Valley Academy 45, Banning 15

San Juan Hills 59, La Palma Kennedy 45

Santa Monica 42, El Segundo 29

Saugus 49, Chaminade 46

Schurr 47, Santa Ana 13

Silver Valley 54, Western Christian 49

Southlands Christian 32, El Monte 20

St. Genevieve 67, San Gabriel Academy 29

St. Monica Academy 71, Legacy Christian Academy 40

Tesoro 56, California 22

Thousand Oaks 53, Dos Pueblos 39

Trinity Classical Academy 63, Oxnard Pacifica 46

Troy 58, Corona Santiago 34

Twentynine Palms 59, Barstow 14

Ventura 74, Camarillo 49

Villa Park 70, Westminster 10

Vista del Lago 58, Bloomington 8

Walnut 50, Covina 9

Webb 39, PAL Academy 7

West Covina 71, Sierra Vista 62

Westlake 83, Palmdale 23

Westminster La Quinta 34, Garden Grove Pacifica 16

Whitney 58, Temescal Canyon 48

Woodbridge 63, Magnolia 16

Yucca Valley 52, Colton 29

INTERSECTIONAL

El Camino Real 58, Buena 28

Northridge Academy 54, Simi Valley 33

Quartz Hill 62, Vaughn 10

University Prep 36. Boron 30

Wiegman said she “can’t control” what Earps says or feels about her decisions but the England coach emphasised she made the decisions to give the side the best chance of success.

England take on China at Wembley Stadium on 29 November before hosting Ghana at St Mary’s Stadium on 2 December.

The media conference to announce her squad was dominated by questions about Earps and Wiegman joked it would be “nice to talk about football”.

The return of Manchester City forward Lauren Hemp and midfielder Grace Clinton are the headline stories in Wiegman’s 25-player squad for the friendly matches.

But former Netherlands coach Wiegman accepted that dealing with adversity is part of her high-profile role.

“Of course you hope that things are always positive but that’s not how things work in football when you’re so visible,” she said.

“It’s just the situation and you’re trying to deal with it in the best positive way, solve whatever needs to be solved, and move forward.

“I make decisions on what I think is the best for the team to compete in the next camp or the next tournament – and I make decisions to win.”

Wiegman was also asked if she was disappointed that Earps said her affinity to the Lionesses manager was “destroyed” and her “trust and respect was evaporating”.

“I don’t think I can change that. What I just try to be is as honest as possible and have a very good working relationship, which is what I think we had,” she added.

“I can’t control other things. I just stick with what I want to do, how I want to do it and try to be as clear and honest as possible to make decisions to win.

“I always keep conversations private. I share things here [in the media] but when I have individual conversations I keep that private as that builds trust.

“If I do that then players will come to me and have conversations with me. That’s my approach. We create an environment where we want people to be themselves.”

Chelsea goalkeeper Hampton is not in the squad for the final two England matches of the year after picking up a thigh injury.

The 24-year-old won the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper at this year’s Ballon d’Or awards, and was one of the standout performers at Euro 2025.

Wiegman confirmed she had spoken with Hampton following Earps’ book release but did not go into details on their conversations.

“I spoke to Hannah. I speak to players in between camps anyway. Unfortunately, she is injured now. But I did speak to her, yes,” added Wiegman.

“What the content of that conversation was, as always, I’ll keep private.”

Welcome back to the Lakers newsletter, where I need a recovery ice bath after all that travel.

The Lakers went 3-2 during an uneven trip that ended on a high note with back-to-back wins in New Orleans and Milwaukee. But after getting thrashed by Oklahoma City in Game 3 of the five-game trip, Marcus Smart said the team was starting to show its fatigue on the road. After packing, repacking and already reaching the next level of hotel loyalty status less than a month into the season, I can relate.

But, similiar to my favorite colleague Brad Turner picking up the travel slack, the Lakers also have reinforcements.

LeBron James is back. Now what?

Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic established themselves as one of the league’s most dynamic duos while powering the shorthanded Lakers to a 10-4 record. With LeBron James officially back on the Lakers’ practice court, he could make this three a real party.

“I’m a ball player,” James said Monday after his first full practice with the team this year. “… There’s not one team, not one club in the world that I cannot fit in and play for. I can do everything on the floor. So whatever this team needs me to do, I can do it when I’m back to myself.”

Despite the encouraging start that has the team fourth in the West, the Lakers are not modern basketball’s statistical darling. They play slowly (19th in pace), take the fourth-fewest three-pointers in the league while making the second-worst percentage and have the third-most turnovers per game. James, who still stopped short of saying he is pain-free from right sciatica, is unlikely to be an immediate solution to any of those problems.

But he is still the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.

“It’s LeBron,” Reaves said. “Just his presence and his ability is going to lift the team.”

The team joked during the film session that it got a new player Monday. James introduced himself to his teammates. Reaves and Doncic have become the favorite “bromance” of some niche NBA social media circles, and the Lakers’ chemistry was one of the key talking points from its early season success. Players joke on the bench, trash talk each other in Instagram comments and Doncic’s post-practice half-court shooting competition has expanded to include at least three other teammates.

James observed all the good vibes from afar. He sent congratulatory texts after wins and encouraging texts after losses, but returning Monday felt like “a kid going to a new school again.” He knows fitting with the team will have to come organically.

“He has the ability to lift everybody’s day,” Reaves said. “All these guys grew up loving him. So it’s good to get his voice back in the room and obviously the IQ speaks for itself, as well.”

When asked of what he saw from the team while sidelined, James rattled off a long list of observations. He loved the ball movement. He noted Deandre Ayton’s ability to anchor the back line and commended the 7-foot center as “one of the best screen setters” in the league. James shouted out the 25 critical minutes from Maxi Kleber in the win over Milwaukee, the contributions of Jake LaRavia, Rui Hachimura and Marcus Smart and the way younger players such as Nick Smith Jr. and Bronny James chipped in when the team was shorthanded against Portland on the second night of a back-to-back.

And he loved the dominance from Doncic and Reaves.

Doncic is leading the league in scoring with 34.4 points per game. He’s getting blitzed almost every time he crosses midcourt and still orchestrating an offense that is second in field-goal percentage (50.4).

Reaves is having a career year: 28.3 points, 8.2 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals are all career-bests. Of course with James out, Reaves’ usage rate is also at an all-time high.

When asked how he expects coverages to change for him with James back, Reaves shrugged. It’ll at least make his life easier, he said, to have who he calls “the greatest player to ever touch a basketball” back on the court.

“I don’t expect it to be perfect,” coach JJ Redick said. “But I also don’t expect it to be like, ‘Oh, these guys have never seen each other and met each other and don’t know each other’s name.’ They know what each of them bring.”

Last year, the Doncic-James-Reaves trio had an offensive rating of 117.8 points per 100 possessions. This year, the Lakers have a 121.6 offensive rating when Doncic and Reaves are on the floor together, the team’s highest mark for any two-man combination of starters.

Redick expects James’ presence will shake things up. He will command roughly 35 minutes when he is healthy, which will naturally disrupt the rotation and rhythm of his teammates. This will take some trial and error.

“There are some little formula of things you got to add,” Redick said. “If you put too much cinnamon in there, cookie’s not that good.”

Just let the Lakers cook.

The rookie will remember his first

Adou Thiero dunks over Milwaukee’s Andre Jackson Jr.

(Morry Gash / Associated Press)

Adou Thiero fought to get back on the court and make his NBA debut. It was only right that his teammates would fight for him to commemorate the moment.

After the second-round pick scored four points in his first NBA action Saturday, including an emphatic two-handed dunk in the final minute of the win, Jarred Vanderbilt made sure to grab the game ball. He clutched it tightly as referee Pat Fraher tried to take it back. LaRavia and Doncic soon joined for backup, explaining they wanted to keep it for Thiero.

Eventually, it was Giannis Antetokounmpo who took the ball back from a Bucks staffer and handed it to Doncic, who wanted to deliver the meaningful memento to the Lakers’ rookie.

“I think he can be a great player,” Doncic told reporters. “He’s physical. He can jump out of the gym. And, you know, he’s a fighter.”

Redick and the coaching staff were mindful that the situation could have been difficult for Thiero. He didn’t get a preseason or a training camp. The rookie was coming off an injury and playing in the first half while making his NBA debut.

But Thiero made a good first impression.

He scrambled for an offensive rebound that led to a three-pointer from Kleber in the first quarter. He played a quick two-minute stint in the first half then returned in mop-up duty during the fourth quarter, scoring his first points on two made free throws that had the Lakers on their feet celebrating.

Then his two-handed dunk in transition sent the Lakers’ bench into pandemonium.

“Coming down and seeing everybody flexing all over the bench,” Thiero said, “it was just a good feeling for everybody to be happy for me.”

When Thiero returned to the locker room, it felt like a release. He told teammates he had waited seven months for that.

He suffered a hyperextended knee while playing for Arkansas on Feb. 22 and missed eight games. The Razorbacks’ leading scorer and rebounder returned in the NCAA regional semifinal but played just six minutes off the bench as Arkansas lost to Texas Tech. He got surgery after the college season and said at Lakers media day he was still working through some swelling in his knee.

“You could tell how hard he works,” Reaves said. “The time that he’s in the gym. He’s had some unfortunate injuries here and there, but really good kid, wants to do the right things, always on time. Just good character.”

On tap

By reader request, we’ll include a brief lookahead section previewing the upcoming week’s games. This one is easy: The Lakers host Utah on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in their only game this week.

The Jazz (5-8) lost center Walker Kessler to a season-ending shoulder surgery, but are led by forward Lauri Markkanen’s 30.6 points and 6.2 rebounds. The Finnish forward scored 47 points in the Jazz’s double-overtime win over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday in which guard Keyonte George hit the game-winning three with two seconds left. The third-year guard is averaging career-highs in points (22.2) and assists (seven).

Favorite thing I ate this week

The Cuban burrito from Cafe Kacao in Oklahoma City.

(Thuc Nhi Nguyen / Los Angeles Times)

I have beef with Oklahoma City. Out of loyalty to my hometown, I will carry this vendetta until at least the NBA expands back to Seattle. But I allow myself to praise precisely one thing in that city and it’s the Cuban burrito at Cafe Kacao. It’s packed with vaca frita (shredded beef with sauteed onions), plantains, black beans and rice. The sweet and savory drizzle of plantain sauce and garlic sauce is the perfect topping.

In case you missed it

LeBron James knows there will be a ‘feel-out’ process when he returns to Lakers

Lakers takeaways: What we learned from the team’s five-game road trip

Luka Doncic scores 41 as Lakers rout Milwaukee Bucks to cap 3-2 trip

With LeBron nearing a return, Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic lead Lakers past Pelicans

Lakers can’t keep up with Oklahoma City and are routed

Until next time…

As always, pass along your thoughts to me at [email protected], and please consider subscribing if you like our work!

Smith’s form dipped slightly between June 2023 and December 2024 when he went 23 innings without a Test hundred, but he made two against India last winter and hit 141 and 131 against Sri Lanka at the start of 2025.

After a two-month break, he began his build-up to this year’s Ashes in late October and scored 118 in his first innings.

“To win the series, we have to keep him [his average] to under 50, don’t we?” Broad said.

“He’s gonna score a hundred, it’s what he does.

“[If] he averages 40, that’s at least 15 under his career average, so you’re doing brilliantly. I think you have to get him early.

“If England aren’t celebrating in his first 40 runs, it’s going to be a long series.”

England have had various plans to counter Smith’s unconventional technique over 14 years of Ashes series.

Broad spoke of developing a new outswinger for Smith before the 2023 series while England have targeted Smith’s pads, bowled wide of off stump and even bowled for catches at leg gully in 2019 – a series Smith began with twin hundreds at Edgbaston.

“I remember Jason Roy was fielding there at leg gully, and he was diving left and right for the first 30 balls, just missing him there, just missing him there,” Broad said.

“Smith got away, got two hundreds in that game, unbelievable innings.”

Broad added: “I remember sitting in a bowlers’ meeting about Steve Smith in 2017-18 and they were like ‘oh, you could try and attack his stumps early’.

“‘Oh yeah, can we just click on how many times he’s been bowled in Australia in the last five years?’ Once.”

The upcoming series, which begins in Perth on Friday (02:30 GMT), looks set to see Smith face Jofra Archer for the first time in Tests since 2019, when he was famously unsettled and struck by a bouncer during the England paceman’s fierce spell at Lord’s.

Smith has always been keen to point out Archer did not dismiss him in that Test – he had to retire hurt and was out lbw to Chris Woakes on his return – though Archer did have the right-hander caught on the pull in a one-day international in 2024.

“Can Jofra Archer be that guy?” Broad said. “Nicking him off from back of a length, just chasing it.

“Because Jofra Archer has that angle of nipping back towards the stumps, can he nip one away? Smith’s looking for the nip-backer.”

WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin scored his 903rd career NHL goal and the Washington Capitals beat the Kings 2-1 on Monday night.

Matt Roy also scored for the Capitals, who ended a two-game losing skid to gain some traction in the standings.

Anze Kopitar scored for the Kings, who had won four straight. It was just their second regulation road loss of the season.

The Kings played without defenseman Drew Doughty. He is week to week with a lower-body injury after being injured Saturday against the Ottawa Senators.

Washington opened the scoring early, as Roy got to the front of the net and tipped Aliaksei Protas’ point shot past Darcy Kuemper. It was Roy’s first goal in 25 games, dating back to last season.

In the second period, Ovechkin crashed the crease before burying a behind-the-net feed from Connor McMichael. Ovechkin, who has goals in back-to-back games and three of his last four, passed Gordie Howe for the most regular-season goals scored at a single venue in NHL history with his 442nd at Capital One Arena.

Kopitar pulled the Kings to within one with his third goal of the season with 6:33 left in the second. He tapped in a backdoor feed from Corey Perry on the power play. Washington has given up a power-play goal in three straight games and five of the last six.

Despite a rally, the Kings couldn’t beat Charlie Lindgren, who stopped 30 of 31 shots for his second win of the season after losing his last four starts.

Kuemper stopped 23 of 25 in the defeat.

Up next for the Kings: Close out a six-game road trip against the Sharks on Thursday.

England flanker Henry Pollock has been nominated for World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year.

The 20-year-old’s sensational rise includes two tries on his England debut against Wales in March, before selection for the British and Irish Lions’ tour of Australia.

Although he did not feature in a Lions Test, he has continued to shine for England, scoring a vital try against Australia at the start of November.

Northampton’s Pollock is known for his high energy, speed and immense work-rate, which has been used to good affect off the bench this autumn.

New Zealand’s Dutch-born lock Fabian Holland, South Africa wing Ethan Hooker and Australia’s cross-code star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii are the other nominees.

France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who was named the 2025 Six Nations Player of the Tournament, is nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year.

The 22-year-old scored eight tries – a record in a single championship – as France lifted the title for a 19th time.

Last year’s winner Pieter-Steph du Toit, who won the award in 2019 as well, is again nominated after helping South Africa win back-to-back Rugby Championships.

Fellow Springboks Malcolm Marx and Ox Nche are also up for the award, with Rassie Erasmus’ side topping the world rankings after an impressive year.

The winners of both awards, and the men’s international try of the year, will be announced on Saturday.

Canada lock Sophie de Goede was named Women’s Player of the Year in September, with England’s World Cup-winning head coach John Mitchell named World Rugby’s Coach of the Year.

Olen Zellweger scored 1:50 into overtime after Troy Terry tied it with 4.1 seconds left in regulation, and the Ducks dramatically ended their skid at three games with a 3-2 victory over the Utah Mammoth on Monday night at Honda Center.

Terry forced overtime when he tapped in a rebound after Chris Kreider deflected Cutter Gauthier’s shot off the post with an extra attacker on the ice for the Ducks.

An unchecked Zellweger then scored his second goal of the season with ease after a ragged overtime rush left him all alone at Karel Vejmelka’s post.

Lukas Dostal made 16 saves and Jackson LaCombe scored his first goal of the season for the Ducks, who moved back into first place in the Pacific Division with their first victory since winning seven in a row. Anaheim also opened a six-game homestand by staying unbeaten at Honda Center since Oct. 16.

Logan Cooley ended his eight-game goal drought since signing his $80-million contract extension by scoring with 10:41 left in regulation for the Mammoth, who have lost five of six.

Cooley’s one-timer glanced off the leg of Ducks defenseman Drew Helleson for his ninth goal of the season — and the 21-year-old center’s first goal since agreeing to his hefty eight-year deal last month.

Dylan Guenther also scored and Vejmelka made 22 saves for the Mammoth.

Anaheim scored first when Ryan Strome set up LaCombe in the first period for the defenseman’s first goal since agreeing to an eight-year, $72-million contract extension last month.

The Mammoth finally tied it late in the second period with Guenther’s eighth goal off a cross-ice pass from Nate Schmidt.

Ducks captain Radko Gudas returned from an 11-game injury absence, but forward Mikael Granlund was out for the 10th time in 11 games.

Up next for Ducks: vs. Boston Bruins at Honda Center on Wednesday.

Chadwick’s team-mates from her 2025 season for IDEC were France’s Mathys Jaubert and Spain’s Daniel Juncadella, and both have been selected to race in next year’s hypercar alongside two more experienced drivers, Andre Lotterer and Pipo Derani.

Next year Genesis are set to compete with several car manufacturers attracted back to sports cars for its flexible design rules and as a cheaper alternative to Formula 1.

Ferrari won this year’s championship at the Bahrain 8 Hours this month, in the number 51 car which includes Britain’s Le Mans winner from 2023 James Calado.

Poland’s former Formula 1 ace Robert Kubica won this year’s Le Mans in June in the number 83 Ferrari 499P.

Although there are two further seats yet to be filled for the two-car WEC entry for 2026 it appears Chadwick was considered too inexperienced, despite being an FIA ‘silver-rated’ driver – the same as Jaubert.

However, Genesis are said to highly rate Chadwick and are pleased with her progress as part of the Genesis driver stable.

Chadwick, who tested a Jaguar Formula E car last month, has taken on several development driver roles at teams such as Williams in Formula 1 in recent years – positions often limited to driving older cars for marketing purposes and driving simulation work.

But a reserve role is one of the biggest signals yet that a major manufacturer is backing female racing talent on merit.

Very few female drivers have competed in the top level of motorsport’s most popular disciplines in recent years – most recently Switzerland’s Simona de Silvestro competed in 10 Formula E races in 2016.

Various female drivers have taken on races in America’s IndyCar series on an ad hoc basis, with little success.

Britain’s Amanda Stretton was the last female competitor in the top level to compete at Le Mans, in a one-off uncompetitive LMP1 entry in 2008.

The highest-placed finish for a female driver at Le Mans is fourth, for France’s Odette Siko in 1932.

The last woman to compete in a Formula 1 race was Lella Lombardi at the 1976 Austrian Grand Prix.