PHOENIX — After a tenuous 53 minute run of extreme physicality, sloppy – even unforced – errors, and a dramatic end, the Phoenix Suns have formally began 1-0 for the third consecutive season following a 116-113 extra time victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Suns acquired off to a quite gradual begin within the recreation that was predicated by beauty that merely resulted in misses – earlier than taking off roughly midway into the second quarter.

By halftime, it appeared as if the Suns had discovered their rhythm and would cruise to a victory. That they had tried solely 2 pictures within the mid-range recreation and had been considerably environment friendly from behind the arc whereas additionally making an emphasis on elevated paint touches.

Tyronn Lue – and James Harden for that matter – had been each instrumental in a Clippers’ flurry that resulted within the Suns trailing 98-90 with simply over 4 minutes remaining within the recreation – after main 47-39 after 24 minutes.

The in-between part is the place lots of the points throughout this recreation had been magnified. Lue merely is aware of his squad higher than Mike Budenholzer at the moment.

The turnover difficulty that plagued the group final season reared it is ugly head within the second half – with three of the first ball-handlers in Jusuf Nurkic, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant combining for 15 turnovers on their very own.

Booker was typically passive earlier than late within the recreation earlier than some premature fouls compelled him out of the sport forward of the OT body. The rebounding was a real concern, as Phoenix ceded 51 complete rebounds – together with 13 on the offensive aspect of the ball – to the Clippers.

It might be argued that rookie Oso Ighodaro was the steadiest rebounder for Phoenix in his measley 12 minutes of motion.

For all of the factors of issues, there have been main positives to take from the victory.

Initially, Bradley Beal placed on a efficiency within the clutch that reminded followers throughout the league that he nonetheless has high-level play within the tank after turning into an afterthought by means of a lot of the low season.

The second-year Solar doubled up on shot makes an attempt, scoring 24 factors on 12 seems from the sphere whereas additionally contributing on protection to the purpose of recording one steal and block apiece.

That is the Beal that coach Budenholzer can really feel nice about rolling out in late-game conditions.

Secondly, the additions of Monte Morris and Tyus Jones left a noticeable impression when the 2 had been in motion. Neither recorded a single turnover and really a lot acted as stabilizers of an offense that was compelled to work for buckets towards a tactical grasp similar to Lue.

Jones did solely go 1-of-5 from three, however acquired high quality seems and it’s affordable to imagine that development to the imply will occur.

Lastly, this can be a recreation that final 12 months’s squad simply would not have had the gumption to struggle again in.

Save for the 22-point comeback shocker over the Sacramento Kings in January, factors of rallying callas and comeback efforts had been seldom.

Durant and Beal taking up the sport sans-Booker was an assertion that the high-end expertise can carry this group on demand – and so they can improve the function gamers round them.

This group has a special mindset below Budenholzer. This group has extra confirmed veterans which are prepared to do no matter is requested of them. This group is already blatantly extra related regardless of just one recreation of pattern to work with. The increase in athleticism was obvious throughout stretches.

The outdated adage of “there’s just one likelihood at a primary impression” may be very resonant because the Suns go straight to a different check towards the Los Angeles Lakers tomorrow night time.

Whereas they did not go away a very convincing exhibiting that will lead followers to imagine an elite model of Suns’ hoops could be ubiquitous by means of the course of an 82-game grind, they did present simply sufficient to offer those self same followers hope that perhaps – simply perhaps – this season will likely be totally different.

And hope is all some want.

Suns Outlast Clippers in OT | Daring Predictions for Suns Season | Former Suns Participant Hits Free Company |Predicting NBA Award Winners | Former Suns Coach Takes New Job |

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina’s police raided the Buenos Aires resort the place ex-One Route singer Liam Payne stayed earlier than dying final week after falling from a third-floor balcony, a authorities official mentioned Thursday.

A police particular investigations unit went to the Casa Sur resort Wednesday evening on orders from the general public prosecutors’ workplace. Officers seized gadgets together with laptop arduous drives and pictures from resort cameras, a authorities official informed The Related Press, talking on the situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t approved to talk publicly.

The singer died Oct. 16 after falling from the third-floor balcony within the up-market, touristy Palermo district. In line with the post-mortem, Payne died from a number of accidents in addition to each inside and exterior bleeding attributable to the autumn. His physique was discovered within the resort’s inside courtyard.

Preliminary investigations counsel that the musician was alone and experiencing a “breakdown” on account of consumption of drugs that haven’t but been decided. Following Payne’s loss of life, police discovered substances in his resort room, in addition to a number of destroyed objects and furnishings, in accordance with the general public prosecutors’ workplace.

The British boyband star had cocaine in his system, in accordance with a preliminary toxicology report printed by native press Monday and confirmed to the AP by a supply acquainted. Definitive outcomes aren’t anticipated to be made public for a number of weeks.

The Casa Sur resort has turn into a spot for Payne’s followers to pay their respects. They’ve left flowers, candles and pictures of the singer in a makeshift shrine round a tree on the resort’s entrance.

The singer’s father, Geoff Payne, is in Buenos Aires arranging the repatriation of his son’s physique, which is predicted to be launched round Oct. 28.

Payne’s household — which incorporates his mom Karen Payne and his two sisters Ruth and Nicola — have expressed their devastation over the loss, as have his former bandmates. Artists and celebrities from numerous nations proceed to share their grief.

One Route was among the many most profitable boy bands of latest instances. It introduced an indefinite hiatus in 2016 and Payne — like his former bandmates Zayn Malik, Harry Kinds, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson — pursued a solo profession.

The singer had posted on his Snapchat account that he traveled to Argentina to attend Horan’s live performance in Buenos Aires on Oct. 2. He shared movies of himself dancing together with his girlfriend, American influencer Kate Cassidy, and singing alongside within the stands. Cassidy had left Argentina after the present, however Payne stayed behind.

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Observe AP’s protection of Latin America and the Caribbean at

Soccer
10/24/2024 8:45:00 AM

Kristin Farris

BSU Soccer travels to Winona State Saturday for 1 p.m. kickoff towards Warriors

BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State College Beavers soccer group travels to Winona, Minn. this Saturday to finish towards the Winona State College Warriors at 1 p.m.
 
Winona State leads the all-time collection towards Bemidji State 46-33-1. In recent times, the Beavers have discovered a spark and are on a three-game win streak over the Warriors with the newest assembly ending in a 36-10 victory for BSU on Sep. 16, 2023 at Chet Anderson Stadium. The Beavers haven’t travelled to Winona since Aug. 31, 2017, a recreation which they misplaced 30-20. 
 
Bemidji State Notes 

• The Beavers are 5-2 this season with a 4-2 file in NSIC play. 
• BSU comes into the weekend after a dominating win over Minot State College final Saturday. Within the Twentieth-straight victory over the MSU Beavers, BSU took the win by a rating of 21-9. 
• Offensively, the Beavers are led by Jayden Washington on the bottom, Sam McGath by means of the air and Brice Peters on the receiving finish. 
• Washington has marked 79 dashing makes an attempt this season with 416 web yards and two touchdowns. McGath has additionally been a big issue within the Beavers’ run recreation, marking 72 makes an attempt with 298 yards and 4 touchdowns, two coming final weekend towards Minot State. 
• McGath discovered his spot because the No. 1 quarterback for the Beavers, finishing 121 of 190 passes with 14 passing touchdowns and a completion share of .637. He averages 196.57 passing yards per recreation. 
• Peters leads the Beavers’ receiving core by over 300 yards with 619 on 36 receptions and eight touchdowns. Simply behind him is Drayton Lehman with 316 yards on 37 receptions with two touchdowns. 
• Defensively, Colton Hinrichs has marked probably the most whole tackles with 40, 20 solo and 20 assisted. Defensive linemen Marcus Hansen and Stephen Hoffman have every dominated in opponents’ backfields, every grabbing 6.5 tackles for a loss with Hansen tallying 38 TFL yards and Hoffman marking 25. Hansen additionally leads the group with 4.5 sacks for 28 whole yards. 
• The Beavers have discovered themselves within the excessive ranks of many NCAA Division II statistical classes this season. At the moment, the Beavers are ninth in 4th down conversion share, fourth in blocked punts, first in blocked punts allowed, seventh for time of possession, and ninth in whole protection. 
• Together with a number of NCAA Prime 10 stats, the Beavers are fifteenth in third down conversions on each offense and protection, twelfth in first downs protection, tackles for loss allowed and scoring protection, twenty first for completion share, twenty fourth in kickoff return protection, seventeenth in passing yards allowed and twenty fourth in dashing protection and offense. 
• The group leads the NSIC in third down conv. on offense and protection, blocked punts and blocked punts allowed, first down protection, scoring protection, time of possession and whole protection. 

 
Winona State Notes 

• The Warriors at present sit at a 3-4 file with a cut up 3-3 file within the NSIC. They arrive off a 31-0 shutout loss to now No. 25/20 Augustana College final weekend. 
• Winona State averages 24.43 factors per recreation and has held opponents to 22 per recreation this season. 
• The Warriors have marked 1120 dashing yards (160 per recreation) and 1530 passing yards (218.57 per recreation) this season. They’ve discovered touchdowns comparatively evenly every manner with 11 on the bottom and 10 by means of the air. 
• Cair’ron Hendred has pulled ahead because the dashing chief for WSU this sea- son. The redshirt junior working again averages 53 dashing yards per recreation and has grabbed 4 of the Warriors’ touchdowns this season. Simply behind Hendred is Ty Gavin with 41.43 yards per recreation and 4 touchdowns of his personal. 
• Although the Warriors change up their quarterback relying on the circum- stances, Cole Stenstrom leads the best way with 1030 passing yards and a 139 quarterback ranking. He has marked a completion share of 58.47% and 5 touchdowns. The second choice for WSU is Jackson Flottmeyer with a 58.46 completion share and 4 touchdowns with 469 yards. 
• On the receiving finish, Sylvere Campbell has marked 30 receptions for 577 yards and 4 touchdowns. Averaging 82.43 yards per recreation, Campbell has tallied over 340 extra yards than the following closest receiver on the WSU lineup, Cayden Holcomb. 
• Defensively, Brent Jeske has marked 38 whole tackles with 21 solo and 17 assisted. Simply behind him with 29, Kyjaun Vengrowsky has additionally tabbed six tackles for a lack of 22 yards and 4.5 sacks. Jeske has additionally grabbed an interception and marked three move breakups. 
• The Beavers and Warriors are tied on the high of the NSIC for blocked punts with two every. 
• WSU will get two dwelling weekends in a row with internet hosting the Beavers this week- finish and College of Minnesota Duluth on Nov. 2. 

 
With simply three weeks remaining within the common season, the Beavers be again on the Chet on Nov. 2 after they host (RV) Wayne State School at 1 p.m. They are going to then head to Moorhead, Minn. for the annual Battle Axe Recreation towards Minnesota State College Moorhead on Nov. 9 at midday. The Beavers shut out the common season by internet hosting No. 25/20 Augustana College on Nov. 16 at 1 p.m.
 
For extra info on the Bemidji State Soccer program, tickets or schedules, go to BSUBeavers.com, comply with the Beavers on X (@BSUBeaversFB), like them on Fb (fb.com/BSUBeavers) and like them on Instagram (@BSUBeaversFB).
 
Positioned on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State College sponsors 15 varsity athletic packages with NCAA Division I males’s and girls’s hockey membership within the Central Collegiate Hockey Affiliation and Western Collegiate Hockey Affiliation, whereas its 13 NCAA Division II packages maintain membership within the Northern Solar Intercollegiate Convention (NSIC).
 
 

The Chiefs have accomplished a commerce with the Tennessee Titans to convey extensive receiver DeAndre Hopkins to Kansas Metropolis, the staff introduced Thursday.

The Titans will obtain a 2025 fifth-round choose that turns into a fourth-rounder if the Chiefs attain the Tremendous Bowl and Hopkins performs 60% of the snaps with Kansas Metropolis, sources informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Tennessee additionally will choose up $2.5 million of Hopkins’ remaining $8 million wage this season, sources stated.

The Chiefs have had a necessity at extensive receiver since Rashee Rice suffered a proper knee damage in Week 4 that required season-ending surgical procedure. The staff misplaced Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to a shoulder damage within the preseason, and JuJu Smith-Schuster suffered a hamstring damage final week that has already dominated him out for Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Kansas Metropolis additionally positioned extensive receiver Skyy Moore on injured reserve Thursday with a core muscle damage.

Hopkins, a 12-year veteran, is within the ultimate season of a two-year deal he signed with the Titans in July 2023. He suffered a torn MCL in the course of the offseason however recovered in time for the season opener.

He has 15 receptions for 173 yards and a landing in six video games in 2024. The five-time Professional Bowler has additionally performed for the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals.

The addition provides quarterback Patrick Mahomes one other goal. Mahomes stated final week that he had “excessive confidence” within the Chiefs’ receiving corps following the trades of two marquee receivers: Davante Adams (who was dealt to the Jets) and Amari Cooper (acquired by the Payments).

However Kansas Metropolis’s prime remaining wholesome wideouts, rookie Xavier Worthy and Justin Watson, have a mixed 22 receptions by means of Week 7.

“I believe the most important factor is simply getting with the coaches. The coaches do an excellent job of getting guys in control, and you’ve got seen that already this yr,” Mahomes stated Wednesday. “I simply attempt to be on the identical web page as the fellows which might be in there.”

Buying a large receiver earlier than the commerce deadline has yielded outcomes for the Chiefs in every of the previous two seasons. They handled the New York Giants for Kadarius Toney in 2022, and Toney scored one landing and arrange one other with a 65-yard punt return within the fourth quarter of the Chiefs’ Tremendous Bowl LVII win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Chiefs traded with the New York Jets for Mecole Hardman final yr. Hardman caught the successful landing in time beyond regulation of Tremendous Bowl LVIII in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers.

For the 1-5 Titans, who additionally traded linebacker Ernest Jones IV to the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday for linebacker Jerome Baker and a fourth-round choose, the strikes characterize a change in plans, coach Brian Callahan acknowledged.

“It is the truth of the NFL enterprise, and whenever you’re in a spot that we’re in, one which we did not need to be in,” Callahan stated. “Whenever you get to those juncture factors within the season, issues like this occur. That is simply the cycle, the way it works. And we’re in a spot proper now looking for a option to dig out.”

ESPN’s Adam Teicher and Turron Davenport and The Related Press contributed to this report.

A beloved grizzly bear has been struck and killed by a automobile in Grand Teton Nationwide Park in Wyoming, officers mentioned.

The famed grizzly bear — identified merely as “Grizzly Bear 399”as a result of id tag connected to her ear — was fatally struck on Tuesday night by a automobile on Freeway 26/89 in Snake River Canyon, simply south of Jackson, Wyoming, and her id was confirmed by ear tags and a microchip, in response to a press release from the Nationwide Park Service on Wednesday.

“Grizzly bear 399 had a yearling cub along with her, whose whereabouts are at the moment unknown,” park officers mentioned. “Right now, there is no such thing as a proof to counsel the yearling was additionally concerned within the incident, however the US Fish and Wildlife Service is monitoring the realm.”

Car collisions with wildlife, together with grizzly bears, aren’t unusual. From 2009 to 2023, there have been 49 grizzly bear mortalities resulting from automobile collisions within the Higher Yellowstone Ecosystem and the Nationwide Park Service is now working with state and native companies to collect extra info surrounding this newest incident.

“Individuals from world wide have adopted grizzly bear 399 for a number of many years. At 28 years outdated, she was the oldest identified reproducing feminine grizzly bear within the Higher Yellowstone Ecosystem,” mentioned Hilary Cooley, Grizzly Bear Restoration Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“Wildlife automobile collisions and battle are unlucky. We’re grateful the motive force is okay and perceive the neighborhood is saddened to listen to that grizzly bear 399 has died,” mentioned Angi Bruce, Wyoming Recreation and Fish Division Director.

In 2024, together with this incident, there have been 2 grizzly bear mortalities from automobile strikes within the Higher Yellowstone Ecosystem, with the common variety of grizzly bear mortalities within the area resulting from automobile collisions throughout 2009-2023 standing at 3.3 bears deaths per yr, authorities mentioned.

“The grizzly bear is an iconic species that helps make the Higher Yellowstone Ecosystem so extraordinary. Grizzly bear 399 has been maybe probably the most distinguished ambassador for the species. She has impressed numerous guests into conservation stewardship world wide and will probably be missed,” mentioned Grand Teton Nationwide Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins.

No further info has been made out there right now and the investigation into the incident is at the moment ongoing.

This story was first printed by WyoFile on Oct. 23, 2024.

Grizzly bear 399 — a 28-year-old bear recognized to hundreds of thousands of individuals and who was an financial power, drawing numerous vacationers to Jackson Gap — died late Tuesday in a Snake River Canyon automobile strike.

The matriarch bruin who raised her cubs roadside in Grand Teton Nationwide Park for almost 20 years was fatally struck and later recognized via ear tags and a microchip, in line with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The whereabouts of her single cub are unknown.

“Presently, there is no such thing as a proof to counsel the yearling was additionally concerned within the incident, however the service is monitoring the world,” the federal company said in a information launch.

Grand Teton Park officers declined throughout a Wednesday press convention to supply extra particulars of the crash, noting that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating.

The Fish and Wildlife Service, in flip, supplied sparse particulars of the circumstances of the collision, although spokesman Joe Szuszwalak did say that he heard the automobile concerned within the collision was “totaled.” The velocity restrict alongside Freeway 89 within the Snake River Canyon, which connects Jackson to Alpine, is 55 mph.

There isn’t a investigation into criminality regarding the accident, Szuszwalak stated. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Workplace, he stated, led the response to the crash.

A Fish and Wildlife Service staffer based mostly in Jackson did reply to the scene, however the function of the go to was to watch for the lacking subadult. There was no proof that the yearling grizzly was concerned within the crash or remained within the space, Szuszwalak stated.

Grizzly 399 first rose to prominence in 2006, when she started frequenting roadside areas in northern Grand Teton Nationwide Park with a three-cub litter. Over the following 18 years, she repeated the sample each three springs, reemerging with a brand new batch of cubs. She as soon as raised 4 cubs — an distinctive rarity — and in 2023, at age 27, emerged with a single cub, making her the oldest feminine grizzly alive with a cub in your complete Better Yellowstone Ecosystem. All advised, she gave delivery to 18 recognized cubs within the years following her personal delivery in 1996, in line with Justin Schwabedissen, a Grand Teton bear biologist.

“The grizzly bear is an iconic species that helps make the Better Yellowstone Ecosystem so extraordinary,” Grand Teton Nationwide Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins stated in a press release. “Grizzly bear 399 has been maybe essentially the most outstanding ambassador for the species. She has impressed numerous guests into conservation stewardship around the globe and shall be missed.”

‘She modified my life,’ Jackson Gap resident says

Many wildlife photographers and fans, and particularly Jackson Gap resident Tom Managelsen delighted within the grizzly sow’s generally day by day shows.

“She modified my life,” Mangelsen stated Wednesday afternoon. “I’ve all the time been an advocate for black bears and cougars and wolves and every part, however she made it much more heartfelt, as a result of I felt that I knew her.”

“I discovered quite a bit from her conduct,” Mangelsen added. “She modified my complete view of bears and made me wish to shield them, as a result of I noticed what a sentient, emotional animal she was.”

Alongside along with her reproductive success and memorable life story, the bear had sure habits that helped increase her attraction, Schwabedissen stated.

“399 grew to become so famend through the years as a result of she was elevating cubs in areas the place she was fairly seen to the visiting public,” he stated. “It allowed lots of people the possibility to watch her in a wild habitat.”

On Wednesday afternoon, Schwabedissen recalled numerous days over his 13 years within the nationwide park observing 399 and her cubs — and watching individuals expertise the transformative energy of seeing bears within the wild.

“I believe that’s what hits us right now, is not only her passing, but in addition fascinated with what she meant to the guests and native residents and likewise to our groups and all of the employees who’ve devoted a lot right here within the park to her well-being and the long-term success of the bear inhabitants,” he stated.

The grizzly sow and her offspring additionally helped encourage an array of “bearwise” protocols round Jackson Gap, he stated, from electrical fences round hen coops to safe meals and trash storage.

Grizzly 399’s worldwide fame

Grizzly 399 endured trials and tribulations and heartbreak — and her trustworthy fan membership tracked all of it. The final a number of years her life grew to become extra fraught as she frequented areas exterior south of Grand Teton Nationwide Park.

The storied sow overcame incidents that often doom bears — like being purposefully fed — partly as a result of state and federal wildlife managers gave her particular therapy in recognition of her world fame.

“Individuals from around the globe have adopted grizzly bear 399 for a number of a long time,” Hilary Cooley, grizzly bear restoration coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, stated. “At 28 years outdated, she was the oldest recognized reproducing feminine grizzly bear within the Better Yellowstone Ecosystem.”

A mom to eight litters through the years, Grizzly 399 was recognized for attracting preposterously giant crowds. Individuals would come to the park — even from different international locations — simply to see her.

“She’s touched hearts in each nook of the world, and that’s based mostly on those who I’ve stood with on the facet of the highway,” Jackson Gap resident Cindy Cambell advised WyoFile in 2023. “I’ve talked to individuals, and watched tears rolling down their faces once they’re minutes away from having to run to catch a aircraft to Portugal or Spain or China or Australia.”

An envoy for grizzlies, Bear 399’s dying provides to what’s been an particularly lethal 12 months for her species within the Better Yellowstone Ecosystem. She was the 66th recognized grizzly bear to die within the area 2024.

On common, 3.3 grizzly bears are struck and killed by automobiles within the ecosystem yearly, in line with Grand Teton Nationwide Park.

“Wildlife automobile collisions and battle are unlucky,” stated Angi Bruce, Wyoming Recreation and Fish Division director. “We’re grateful the motive force is okay and perceive the neighborhood is saddened to listen to that grizzly bear 399 has died.”

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns’ back-and-forth battle with Cleveland over a deliberate transfer into a brand new suburban stadium has gone to court docket.

The NFL staff stated Thursday it has filed a lawsuit in federal court docket asking for clarification of the “Modell Legislation,” which town has threatened to make use of to maintain the Browns from leaving after their lease at lakefront Huntington Financial institution Discipline expires in 2028.

The staff has performed its video games in downtown Cleveland for the reason that Nineteen Forties, and in its present 65,000-seat stadium, which is leased to the staff by town, since 1999.

Browns homeowners Dee and Jimmy Haslam introduced final week they’re shifting ahead with plans to construct a domed stadium and leisure complicated in Brook Park, about 15 miles south of Cleveland.

Earlier this week, the Cleveland metropolis council threatened to dam the transfer by invoking the “Modell Legislation,” named after former Browns proprietor Artwork Modell. After dropping his combat with town to get a brand new stadium constructed, Modell moved his franchise after the 1995 season to Baltimore, the place it grew to become the Ravens.

The state regulation handed in 1996 was used to cease the Columbus Crew of Main League Soccer from shifting from Ohio to Texas in 2019. The staff stayed and was purchased by the Haslams, who’re additionally half homeowners of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks.

“As we speak’s motion for declaratory judgment was filed to take this matter out of the political area and guarantee we are able to transfer this transformative venture ahead to make a brand new domed Huntington Financial institution Discipline in Brook Park a actuality,” Dave Jenkins, CEO of Haslam Sports activities Group, stated in a press release.

“We’ve little interest in any contentious authorized battle however are decided to create a venture that may add to higher Cleveland by constructing a domed stadium and adjoining mixed-use improvement. … This venture will convey premier occasions and financial exercise that may generate important income for town, county and state.”

The Browns explored different choices, together with a makeover of their present stadium, however stated the reworking was too expensive. The town had provided to pay $461 million towards a renovation it hoped would result in improvement of the lakefront space adjoining to the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame.

Clevland Mayor Justin Bibb known as the Haslams’ choice to maneuver the staff “irritating and profoundly disheartening.”

___

AP NFL:

HOUSTON (WBTV) – The Charlotte Hornets began their season off on a excessive be aware, rallying from an 18-point deficit to beat the Houston Rockets 110-105 within the first recreation of the 12 months.

Celebrity level guard LaMelo Ball led the way in which, tallying 34 factors, 11 assists and eight rebounds. He closed the sport out in an enormous approach for Charlotte, scoring 12 factors within the fourth quarter, together with seven within the closing 2:10.

Tre Mann additionally put up an enormous night time, pouring in 24 factors and a pair of free throws to ice the sport.

The season-opening win is a powerful one for Charlotte, who in its first recreation underneath rookie head coach Charles Lee, charged again within the second half after being behind for a lot of the night time. Lee attributed the comeback largely to his crew’s defensive stands.

“When it actually mattered and we would have liked to claw again into this recreation, I believed our protection took one other degree,” he stated. “Within the first half, we bought some fairly beauty and we didn’t knock them down, sadly. Within the second half, some guys kicked it into one other gear, however for essentially the most half I noticed our defensive depth rise to the event.”

Lee additionally praised Ball for his efficiency and work ethic, and described what a wholesome Ball appears to be like like for the Hornets.

“He’s just like the engine for us,” Lee stated in his postgame press convention. “If we’ve got a wholesome LaMelo Ball, I believe we’re going to do plenty of actually good issues as a result of I do know that he’s going to proceed to develop, and he helps everybody round him wish to proceed to be higher, too, which is actually thrilling. So the person and collective group will develop.”

Staying on the courtroom has been tough for Ball in latest seasons, with him enjoying in simply 58 video games out of the crew’s 164 over the previous two seasons. He has primarily handled ankle accidents.

As for accidents, second-year star Brandon Miller exited Wednesday’s recreation with a hip harm and didn’t return.

Jalen Inexperienced and Alperen Sengun led the way in which for the Rockets, scoring 28 and 25 factors, respectively, as Charlotte held Houston to simply 37% from the sector.

The Hornets shall be again in motion Friday night time once they tackle the Atlanta Hawks, who’re coming off of a decent opening night time victory themselves. Tipoff is about for 7:30 at State Farm Enviornment in Atlanta.

Additionally Learn: Bryce Younger to start out for Panthers after Andy Dalton damage in Charlotte automotive crash

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Twenty-four NBA groups have opened their 2024-25 season. The remaining six groups open their season Thursday.

We’re not making sweeping conclusions after 12 video games, however we’ll acknowledge the great and the dangerous – and the unlucky, which incorporates new New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray sustaining a fracture in his left (non-shooting hand), per ESPN.

Boston picked up proper the place it left off, LeBron James and Bronny James made historical past and the Los Angeles Clippers performed their first recreation of their new $2 billion Intuit Dome.

Listed here are winners and losers from the primary two nights of the 2024-25 NBA season:

Winners

Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Santi Aldama

Memphis Grizzlies guards Ja Morant and Desmond Bane and forward-center Santi Aldama mixed for 73 factors in Memphis’ 126-124 victory in opposition to Utah. Morant had 22 factors, 10 assists and 5 rebounds; Bane scored 24 factors; and Aldama had 27 factors.

Onyeka Okongwu, Trae Younger

Atlanta Hawks ahead Onyeka Okongwu got here off the bench and scored a career-high 28 factors on 11-for-12 taking pictures, and Hawks guard Trae Younger delivered 30 factors, 12 assists and 5 rebounds in a win over the Brooklyn Nets.

Paolo Banchero

Orlando Magic ahead Paolo Banchero, who was an All-Star final season in his second season and made USA TODAY’s high 30 NBA gamers checklist for 2024-25, compiled 33 factors and 11 rebounds in a 116-97 victory in opposition to Miami.

Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard had 30 factors, 9 rebounds and 6 assists in a 124-109 victory in opposition to Philadelphia. That’s the sort of play the Bucks want from Lillard, who had assist from Bucks ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo (25 factors, 14 rebounds, seven assists).

Charles Lee, Kenny Atkinson, Mike Budenholzer, JJ Redick

Charlotte Hornets coach Charles Lee, Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson, Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick and Phoenix Suns coach Mike Budenholzer collected victories of their first video games with their new groups – the Hornets beat Houston 110-105, the Cavaliers beat Toronto 136-106, the Lakers topped Minnesota 110-103 and the Suns beat the Clippers 116-113 in extra time.

Jayson Tatum

Boston Celtics forward-guard Jayson Tatum had 37 factors and 10 rebounds and made eight of his 11 3-pointers in opposition to the New York Knicks, jump-starting his MVP marketing campaign on opening night time.

Celtics 3s

The Celtics made 29 3-pointers, tying an NBA report for many 3s in a recreation, in opposition to the Knicks. Moreover Tatum’s eight 3s, Derrick White made six, Jaylen Brown 5, Jrue Vacation 4, Al Horford three, Sam Hauser two, and Payton Pritchard one.

Lonzo Ball

Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball performed in his first NBA recreation in nearly three years after present process three procedures on his left knee and grueling rehab. Even in simply 14 minutes with 5 factors, 4 assists and two rebounds in a loss to New Orleans, it was a triumphant return.

LaMelo Ball

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, Lonzo’s brother, posted 34 factors, 11 assists and eight rebounds within the victory in opposition to Houston.

LeBron James, Bronny James

LeBron James and Bronny James turned the primary father-son combo to play within the NBA on the similar time – and in the identical recreation and on the identical staff. Cool second for the James Gang and the league.

Losers

New Orleans Pelicans

Pelicans ahead Brandon Ingram scored 33 factors, and guard Dejounte Murray, taking part in in his first recreation with New Orleans since Atlanta traded him within the offseason, produced 14 factors, 10 assists and eight rebounds in a 123-111 win over the Chicago Bulls. However now Murray is injured and it is unsure when he’ll return.

Philadelphia 76ers

No Paul George, no Joel Embiid in Philadelphia’s season-opener and whereas the 76ers need these two wholesome for the playoffs, their absence took the flicker off the matchup in opposition to the Bucks.

Houston Rockets

Seeking to construct on a promising 2023-24 season, the Houston Rockets misplaced their season-opener at house in opposition to the Hornets, who outscored the Rockets 61-45 within the second half.

Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo

Miami Warmth ahead Jimmy Butler and middle Bam Adebayo have been a mixed 2-for-13 from the sphere in a loss to the Magic.

J.B. Bickerstaff, Jordi Fernandez

Detroit Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff and Brooklyn Nets coach Jordi Fernandez misplaced their first video games with their new groups – Indiana topped Detroit 115-109, and Atlanta stopped Brooklyn 120-116.

Path Blazers, Pistons, Sixers 3s

The Portland Path Blazers shot 23.5% on 3s in a 139-104 loss to Golden State, the Pistons shot 27.3% on 3s within the loss to Indiana and the Sixers shot 25.8% on 3s in opposition to Milwaukee.

New York Knicks

No matter message the Knicks needed to ship Boston that 132-109 loss wasn’t it. The Knicks trailed by as many as 35, simply one other staff – not less than on this night time – on the Celtics’ schedule.

Augusta, N.J. (AP) — A crowd surged ahead to Fethullah Gülen’s grave on Thursday, straining to get yet one more probability to pay their respects to the influential Turkish non secular chief and Islamic scholar who died this week in self-exile in america.

After an out of doors service in New Jersey that drew 1000’s of individuals, Gülen was buried on the grounds of the Chestnut Retreat Middle, a sprawling, gated compound in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains the place he lived and labored for a quarter-century.

Gülen, who impressed a world social motion whereas dealing with unproven allegations that he orchestrated a failed 2016 army coup in opposition to Turkey’s president, died Sunday at a Pennsylvania hospital. He was in his 80s.

He was remembered Thursday as a non secular chief who inspired his followers to dedicate themselves to God and to charitable good works.

“All of us really feel like we’ve misplaced a father,” Usame Tunagar, a longtime affiliate, advised mourners. “All of us really feel like as if we’re orphaned. There may be proper now an enormous void in our lives.”

However Tunagar mentioned Gülen will dwell on by way of his books and sermons, and thru the 1000’s of faculties and different establishments worldwide began by his followers.

“What’s alive is his legacy,” he mentioned.

Underneath a heavy police presence, household, mates and followers stuffed a small stadium in northern New Jersey for a prayer service, which was performed largely in Turkish, with Islamic prayers and readings in Arabic from the Quran.

Followers who served as pallbearers both studied below Gülen straight or attended a faculty impressed by his motion. They walked into the stadium carrying his the casket, which was draped in a green-and-gold masking inscribed with verses from the Muslim holy e book.

Organizers mentioned a brother and a sister have been in attendance. One other brother is imprisoned in Turkey.

No memorial companies are anticipated to happen in Turkey, as publicly mourning, glorifying or in any other case sympathizing with Gülen there could result in imprisonment on fees of selling and supporting terrorism.

After the service in New Jersey, a whole lot gathered at Gülen’s burial in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, on the grounds of the Islamic retreat middle. The gang squeezed into a good perimeter across the burial web site, with mourners urgent in to seize a handful of filth to throw into the grave.

Mina Turkyolu, a 22-year-old grand-niece of Gülen whose father was an in depth affiliate of the spiritual chief for 50 years, mentioned she remembers Gülen as having a “heat and massive coronary heart.” She mentioned she remembers sitting on his lap as a small baby and Gülen giving her chocolate. However she mentioned she was all the time aware of his place.

“Despite the fact that we’re household, anybody you’d ask, he’s by no means actually been thought-about as household. He’s all the time been extra of a holy and noble individual that you just’ve all the time appeared as much as. So’s he’s all the time been an inspiration for all of us, for tens of millions of individuals,” she mentioned.

Gülen had lengthy been considered one of Turkey’s most vital students, with legions of followers in his native nation and around the globe. He had lived in america since 1999, when he got here to hunt medical therapy.

His philosophy blended Sufism — a mystical type of Islam — with staunch advocacy of democracy, training, science and interfaith dialogue. His acolytes constructed a loosely affiliated international community of charitable foundations, skilled associations, companies and faculties in additional than 100 international locations, together with 150 taxpayer-funded constitution faculties all through america.

The spiritual chief started as an ally of Turkish chief Recep Tayyip Erdogan however turned a foe. He known as Erdogan an authoritarian bent on accumulating energy and crushing dissent. Erdogan solid Gülen as a terrorist, accusing him of masterminding the tried coup on July 15, 2016, when factions throughout the army used tanks, warplanes and helicopters to attempt to overthrow the federal government.

A complete of 251 folks have been killed and round 2,200 others have been wounded. Round 35 alleged coup plotters have been killed.

Shortly after the coup try, the usually reclusive cleric summoned reporters to his residing quarters on the Pennsylvania compound to deny any data or involvement in its planning. He mentioned he wouldn’t have returned to Turkey even when the coup had succeeded, fearing he could be “persecuted and harassed.”

“It is a tranquil and clear place and I take pleasure in and I dwell my freedom right here,” Gülen mentioned of the secluded Islamic retreat, based by Turkish Individuals, that he adopted as his house and the place he could be buried eight years later. “Eager for my homeland burns in my coronary heart, however freedom can also be equally vital.”

In Turkey, Gülen’s motion — typically often known as Hizmet, Turkish for “service” — has been subjected to a broad crackdown. The federal government arrested tens of 1000’s of individuals for his or her alleged hyperlink to the coup plot, sacked greater than 130,000 suspected supporters from civil service jobs and greater than 23,000 from the army, and closed a whole lot of companies, faculties and media organizations tied to Gülen.

The Turkish authorities reacted to his loss of life this week by vowing to maintain up the stress on the Gülenist motion. Erdogan mentioned Gülen had suffered a “dishonorable loss of life” and likened him to a “demon in human kind.” He pledged the motion could be “utterly eradicated.”

Gülen was by no means charged with a criminal offense within the U.S., and the U.S. authorities had rejected Turkey’s calls for to extradite him. The cleric constantly denounced terrorism in addition to the coup plotters.

Mustafa Yilmaz, 46, taught chemistry at Gülen-affiliated faculties overseas and in Turkey till 2016, when he fled his house nation amid Erdogan’s crackdown and was granted asylum in Canada.

Yilmaz, who lives in Toronto, traveled to New Jersey for Gülen’s funeral. He known as it an “vital job for me to be right here.”

“We’re all the time going to observe what he left us,” Yilmaz mentioned.