AI-assisted summary
• Penn State and Texas suffered surprising losses, significantly altering the College Football Playoff forecast.
• Oklahoma, Georgia Tech, and Texas Tech are new entrants into the projected 12-team playoff field.
• Georgia Tech’s easy schedule could create a dilemma for the selection committee if they finish with a strong record.

Fall is the season of change. And it should be no surprise that we’re seeing massive changes to the College Football Playoff picture each weekend in the season bridging summer and winter.

Week 6 brought more carnage to the forecast with a shocking loss by Penn State and an unexpected slip up from Texas leading the way. There was also unbeaten Iowa State falling at Cincinnati that created another switch in the Big 12 representative to the 12-team field.

So who benefits from the changes? The first is Oklahoma. The Sooners, despite an injury to quarterback John Mateer and a difficult schedule, next face rival Texas with an opportunity to further solidify their spot.

Also joining the playoff field is Georgia Tech. The unbeaten Yellow Jackets look set to cause a dilemma for the committee given an easy ACC schedule that makes them a favorite to reach the conference title game. What happens if they go 11-0 before losses to Georgia and Miami? Would that better an SEC team at 9-3. We saw this debate last season with SMU. For now, we’ll slot Georgia Tech in there, but this is one worth watching.

Lastly, Texas Tech is the beneficiary of the Iowa State loss. The Red Raiders have impressive road wins at Utah and Houston ahead as they enter the second half of their schedule the favorites to win the Big 12.

Week 7 is sure to bring more changes with a loaded schedule matching some of the playoff contenders.

Note: Legacy Pac-12 schools in other conferences will fulfill existing Pac-12 bowl agreements through the 2025 season.

AI-assisted summary
• Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer’s midseason hand injury presents a new challenge for the College Football Playoff selection committee.
• The committee must decide how to weigh potential Oklahoma losses without its starting quarterback against a difficult schedule.
• With Mateer, Oklahoma is considered a top SEC contender, but the team’s strength is uncertain with backup Michael Hawkins Jr.

There’s no avoiding it now. This is the very reason for their existence. 

Now how does the College Football Playoff selection committee deal with it?

How does the group of 13 men and women, whose purpose is to analyze games played and injuries to important players, deal with its first significant midseason injury scenario?

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer broke a bone in his throwing hand two weeks ago, and more than likely won’t play Saturday against bitter rival Texas in the Red River Rivalry.

The obvious question: How would a September injury impact No. 6 Oklahoma’s status with the committee that chooses the 12-team field?

“I don’t know when John will be back,” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said Monday.

And that’s the problem. With Mateer, Oklahoma is as good as any team in the SEC. Without him, and with backup Michael Hawkins Jr. leading the way through the teeth of a brutal schedule, things drastically change.

OU plays six of its final seven games against teams ranked in the US LBM Coaches poll, and the one team that isn’t ranked (South Carolina) is a dangerous out in its home stadium. And this leads us back to the CFP selection committee, whose first poll of the season is released Nov. 4.  

Their job is to see and embrace injury scenarios, and adjust to the subtleties accordingly. To see beyond simple wins and losses, and dive deep into the what if. 

In the perfectly imperfect sport of arguing, there is no more important purpose. The committee isn’t around to rubber-stamp blueblood programs, or one-loss teams ahead of two-loss teams. 

It was built, more than anything, in the spirit of the overarching question that makes the sport so unique. The what if.  

What if Oklahoma loses once or twice without Mateer, and then once again with him against a brutal schedule? Are those Oklahoma losses viewed differently, or the same? 

Does a three-loss Oklahoma (two without Mateer playing) get the benefit of the doubt over a two-loss team? Can the committee — or better yet, will the committee — see beyond losses, and into what could’ve been?

“Every week is a clean slate,” CFP executive director Rich Clark said. “There are different factors every week that change the way teams are viewed.”

But nothing like this. In the 11 previous seasons of the CFP, the committee had to deal with two significant injuries — both in the final two weeks of the regular season, and both with real-time metrics. 

In 2014, Ohio State quarterback JT Barrett sustained a season-ending injury on the last weekend of the regular season, and backup Cardale Jones threw for 259 yards and three touchdowns the following week in a 59-0 rout of No. 13 Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game.

Two years ago, Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis sustained a season-ending injury in Week 10, and the unbeaten Seminoles played two games without him: a 24-15 win over six-loss Florida, and a 16-6 win over Louisville in the ACC championship game. 

Both times, the committee made the decision based on what played out in a small sample size. Ohio State made the CFP, and won it all. 

FSU failed to make the CFP, and the Noles — with a roster depleted from opt-outs — lost by 60 to Georgia in the Orange Bowl.

This time around, there will be nearly two months of games, and a clear idea of what Oklahoma is with Mateer, and what it is without him. There will be a clear resume, and the ability for the selection committee to judge based on the complete team. 

Make no mistake, OU can’t lose more than three games. One loss without Mateer is understandable, two is stretching it. 

At some point, the staff has to figure out how to win games without him.

OU beat Kent State 44-0 last week in its first game without Mateer, and Hawkins played well against an overmatched Group of Five school. Desperate Texas, with its season slipping away after losing to Florida last weekend, is a completely different animal. 

When the Sooners arrive at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, Mateer will be 17 days post-surgery (Sept. 24). More than two weeks from the first four games of the season, when he accounted for 99% of the pass game and 38% of the run game. 

And 11 of OU’s 15 offensive touchdowns (six pass, five run).

Late last week, as the Sooners prepared for their first game this season with Hawkins as the starter, Mateer asked Venables if he could dress for the Kent State game. He wasn’t ready to play, but you better believe he was going to be on that sideline.

So he stood there in his Crimson and Cream, with a black brace around his hand and wrist, and watched Hawkins try to steady the ship.

“There’s a lot of guys, they’d just rather stay at the house,” Venables said. “They’re worried about what they’re going to wear, having a fashion show.”

The show is just beginning for the CFP selection committee.

Do they judge Oklahoma based on the star, or his understudy? 

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattaHayesCFB.

The NHL’s opening night features two-time Stanley Cup winners in different phases of their careers.

The Florida Panthers, New York Rangers coach Mike Sullivan and Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar will be center stage when ESPN airs a season-opening tripleheader on Tuesday, Oct. 7.

The Panthers, rings already in hand, will raise their 2025 Stanley Cup banner before their 5 p.m. ET game against the Chicago Blackhawks. They have won two championships in a row and will try for a rare three-peat, last done in the 1980s. They’ll be tested early by major injuries.

Exclusive book: Relive the Panthers’ latest Cup

In the 8 p.m. game, Sullivan is making his Rangers debut after he and the Pittsburgh Penguins agreed to part ways. He’ll be facing his former team, which he led to back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 2016 and 2017.

At 10:30 p.m. ET, Kopitar will open his 20th and final season in the NHL. He won championships in 2012 and 2014 with the Kings, who face off against the Colorado Avalanche.

Here are live updates and how to watch the opening night of the 2025-26 NHL season:

When is NHL opening day 2025?

The 2025-26 NHL season opens on Tuesday, Oct. 7 with three games:

• Chicago Blackhawks at Florida Panthers, 5 p.m. ET
• Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers, 8 p.m. ET
• Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m. ET

How to watch, stream NHL opening night

• TV: ESPN
• Streaming: Games can be streamed on ESPN Unlimited and on Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.

Watch NHL games on Fubo

Panthers championship rings details

The Panthers received championship rings Monday, Oct. 6, and they pulled another rat trick.

Like the rings from 2024, the latest edition includes an engraved rat, a nod to the fans’ tradition of throwing plastic rats onto the rink after victories.

The Panthers received the rings in a private event at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and they feature more than vermin. The rings, handcrafted in white and yellow gold, include more than 450 diamonds and genuine rubies, according to a press release issued by the Panthers. – Josh Peter

Panthers injury updates

The Panthers are missing two key players as they open defense of their back-to-back titles.

Captain Aleksander Barkov will miss seven to nine months after he had knee surgery in September. He was injured during practice and had his ACL and MCL repaired.

The Panthers also are missing Matthew Tkachuk, who had offseason surgery to repair a torn adductor muscle and a hernia. He’s out until ‘December-ish,’ general manager Bill Zito said.

LeBron James had NBA fans on pins and needles following a cryptic post on X on Monday, Oct. 6, where said he was going to make his ‘Second Decision.’

Given that James will turn 41 in December, many fans believed this was his way of announcing his retirement. With the 2025-26 NBA season nearly here, clearly James wanted to make the announcement before the regular season tips off to give himself a farewell tour this season, right?

Except that wasn’t the case. Instead, this was a viral marketing ploy intended to promote his new partnership with Hennessy V.S.O.P.

The collab came through an ad campaign dubbed ‘The Second Decision,’ alluding to his infamous July 2010 televised special in which he announced that he would be joining the Miami Heat in free agency. James also wrote in Monday’s teaser that this would be ‘the decision of all decisions.’

Fans were both relieved and dissatisfied with the advertisement. On one hand, everyone is grateful that the NBA’s biggest star is not retiring, but on the other, James used one of the most famous moments from his career – ‘The Decision’ – as a means to tease something enormous yet instead rolled out an advertisement.

If there is one thing LeBron has learned over the course of his lengthy career, it is that social media is a fickle mistress, which doesn’t take too kindly to being manipulated. Here are the best reactions from across social media.

Social media reacts to LeBron James’ ‘Second Decision’

The Detroit Tigers are finally returning home Tuesday, Oct. 7, for their first game at Comerica Park in 16 days. That is, if Mother Nature cooperates.

The potential for rain and thunderstoms in Detroit has created the possibility of a delayed start to Game 3 of the American League Division Series as the Tigers host the Seattle Mariners. The heaviest stuff was forecast to hit the area this morning, but the front is likely to linger well past the scheduled 4:08 p.m. ET first pitch.

The two teams are tied after splitting the first two games of the series in Seattle by identical 3-2 scores.

The scheduled Game 3 starters are Jack Flaherty for the Tigers and Logan Gilbert for the Mariners, but the questionable weather could force both managers to alter their plans. Stay tuned for updates.

Tigers-Mariners Game 3 forecast for Detroit

Weather forecast for Tuesday, Oct. 7, according to the Weather Channel:

• Variable clouds during the afternoon with a chance of showers. Morning high of 69 degrees with temperatures falling during the day to near 60.
• Winds out of the North at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.

How to watch Tigers vs. Mariners Game 3

Game 3 of the American League Division Series is being televised on FS1. Adam Amin will handle play-by-play duties with A.J. Pierzynski and Adam Wainwright as analysts and Tom Verducci reporting from the field.

• Time: 4:08 p.m. ET
• TV: FS1
• Streaming: Fox Sports app, Fubo (free trial)

Tigers vs Mariners ALDS schedule

Series tied 1-1

Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 4 – Tigers 3, Mariners 2 (11 innings)

Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 5 – Mariners 3, Tigers 2

Game 3: Tuesday, Oct. 7 – Mariners at Tigers, 4:08 p.m. ET

Game 4: Wednesday, Oct. 8  – Mariners at Tigers, Time TBA

Game 5: Friday, Oct. 10 (if necessary) – Tigers at Mariners, Time TBA

The Florida Panthers have won the last two Stanley Cup championships and starting Oct. 7, they will try for a three-peat that hasn’t been done since the 1980s.

So where do those two teams rank among the 25 that have lifted the Stanley Cup in the first 25 years of this century?

Ranking is difficult because of the wide variety of circumstances of the seasons.

The Hall of Famer-laden 2001-02 Detroit Red Wings would be an obvious pick, but that was before the NHL instituted a salary cap and the only payroll limit was the size of a team owner’s bank account.

The 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks had a spectacular season, but it was shortened by a lockout. The Tampa Bay Lightning won back-to-back titles in 2020 and 2021, but those seasons were shortened by the COVID pandemic.

With that in mind, here is a ranking of the last 25 championship teams:

25. 2019 St. Louis Blues

Regular season 45-28-9, 99 points. Playoffs: 16-10

Based on storylines, this team would be near the top of the list. They were inspired by a coaching change to Craig Berube, goalie Jordan Binnington’s call-up, superfan Laila Anderson and the song ‘Gloria.’ They were last in the league in January and rallied to win it all. But the team hasn’t come close to duplicating that run. They have been to the second round only once since.

24. 2012 Los Angeles Kings

Regular season: 40-27-15, 95. Playoffs: 16-4

The regular season was a disaster, and they went through two coaches before Darryl Sutter was hired and nailed down the final berth. Then the Kings were nearly unbeatable. They took a 3-0 lead in every series despite starting each one on the road.

23. 2009 Pittsburgh Penguins

Regular season: 45-28-9, 99. Playoffs: 16-8

The Penguins lost in the final the year before. But they were only a little better than .500 when coach Michel Therrien was fired 57 games into the season. Dan Bylsma went 18-3-4 down the stretch and led Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Marc-Andre Fleury to their first championship.

22. 2004 Tampa Bay Lightning

Regular season: 46-22-8-6, 106. Playoffs: 16-7

Did they really win it? The Calgary Flames thought Martin Gelinas scored a go-ahead goal in the third period of potential clinching Game 6. Replays showed the puck went in but play continued and the Lightning stayed alive with a double overtime win before winning Game 7. This team featured future Hall of Famers Martin St. Louis (that season’s Hart Trophy winner) and Dave Andreychuk. Brad Richards had seven game-winning goals to be named playoff MVP.

21. 2018 Washington Capitals

Regular season: 49-26-7 105: Playoffs: 16-8

Alex Ovechkin won his first and only Stanley Cup. The run didn’t start smoothly. The Capitals lost the first two games with Philipp Grubauer in net and went back to Braden Holtby. He helped the Capitals rally in that series and get past the rival Penguins. Washington overcame a 3-2 series deficit against the Lightning and then beat the Golden Knights in five games, sparked by a big Holtby save. Evgeny Kuznetsov was impressive, and Ovechkin won playoff MVP with 15 goals. Coach Barry Trotz left in the offseason and the Capitals didn’t get out of the first round again until last season.

20. 2016 Pittsburgh Penguins

Regular season: 48-26-8, 104. Playoffs: 16-8

Crosby and company won their second Stanley Cup title, but it took another coaching change to get there. Mike Johnston was fired after 28 games and Mike Sullivan became coach. Fleury suffered a concussion in March, opening the door for Matt Murray to lead the Penguins on a playoff run.

19. 2000 New Jersey Devils

Regular season. 45-22-12-3. Playoffs: 16-7

Coach Robbie Ftorek was fired with eight games left in the season and though Larry Robinson went 4-4, he led the team to its second championship. The Devils had to rally from a 3-1 series deficit in the conference finals and then they ousted the defending champion Stars in six games in the final. Scott Stevens, who rocked Eric Lindros in the conference final, was playoff MVP.

18. 2014 Los Angeles Kings

Regular season: 46-28-8, 100. Playoffs: 16-10

This team was resilient, overcoming a 3-0 series deficit to oust the San Jose Sharks, then a 3-2 deficit against the Ducks. It won Game 7 on the road three times. The final was a five-game win against the New York Rangers, but three games went to overtime, two to double overtime. Justin Williams, nicknamed ‘Mr. Game 7,’ appropriately was playoff MVP.

17. 2003 New Jersey Devils

Regular season: 46-20-10-6, 108. Playoffs: 16-8

Martin Brodeur was brilliant in the regular season with a league-best 41 wins and nine shutouts. He also was brilliant in the playoffs with seven shutouts, including three in the final. Though Brodeur won the Vezina Trophy, he didn’t get the Conn Smythe. That went to Anaheim goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere.

16. 2015 Chicago Blackhawks

Regular season: 48-28-6, 102. Playoffs: 16-7

This was their third championship in five years, and core members Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith and Marian Hossa led the way. Keith won the Conn Smythe with a league-best 18 assists and plus-16 rating. This team ranked second in the regular season in defense and they held the Lightning, the No. 1 offense, to 10 goals in six games in the final.

15. 2010 Chicago Blackhawks

Regular season: 52-22-8, 112. Playoffs: 16-6

They were the first dynasty of the salary cap era, led by Toews, Kane and future Hall of Famers Hossa and Keith. But the Blackhawks had to part with multiple players after this season because of cap concerns. It took them three years to win again.

14. 2011 Boston Bruins

Regular season: 46-25-11, 103. Playoffs: 16-9

They were led by four players who would be the core for years: Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Krejci. Tim Thomas won the Vezina Trophy and Conn Smythe, with a .938 save percentage in the regular season and .940 in the playoffs. The Bruins overcame 2-0 series deficits in the first and final round and a 3-2 deficit in the final.

13. 2024 Florida Panthers

Regular season: 52-24-6, 110. Playoffs: 16-8

A year after losing in the 2023 final, the Panthers captured the first title in franchise history. Unlike in 2023, they had home-ice advantage in three rounds. They beat the No. 1 overall Rangers in six games in the conference final and won the first three games against the Oilers in the final. Edmonton fought back to tie the series but the Panthers played a perfect Game 7 to lift the Cup.

12. 2007 Anaheim Ducks

Regular season: 48-20-14, 110. Playoffs: 16-4

Hall of Famers Teemu Selanne and Chris Pronger won their first and only Cup. Scott Niedermayer won his fourth (three with the Devils) and got to share it with brother Rob. Scott also won the Conn Smythe.

11. 2023 Vegas Golden Knights

Regular season: 51-22-9, 111. Playoffs: 16-6

The Golden Knights won a championship in their sixth season of existence, fulfilling team owner Bill Foley’s prediction. Vegas had the Western Conference’s best record despite multiple goalie injuries that continued in the playoffs. They switched to Adin Hill after Laurent Brossoit was hurt. Jonathan Marchessault (13 goals) won the Conn Smythe over Jack Eichel (26 points). Vegas crushed the banged-up Panthers 9-3 in the clincher.

10. 2006 Carolina Hurricanes

Regular season: 52-22-8, 112. Playoffs: 16-9

They were the first champion of the salary cap era. They lost the first two games of the playoffs, but coach Peter Laviolette switched to goalie Cam Ward early in Game 2 and he went on to win the Conn Smythe. Captain Rod Brind’Amour is now the Hurricanes’ coach and midseason addition Mark Recchi went on to the Hall of Fame.

9. 2020 Tampa Bay Lightning

Regular season: 43-21-6, 92. Playoffs: 16-6

The Lightning had won 62 games the year before only to get swept in the first round. But they added grittier players to get through the playoff grind. The postseason was played in the playoff bubble in Toronto and Edmonton because of the pandemic. The Lightning were deep enough to win despite captain Steven Stamkos missing all but 2:47 in the playoffs.

8. 2021 Tampa Bay Lightning

Regular season: 36-17-3, 75. Playoffs: 16-7

Nikita Kucherov missed the entire the COVID-shortened regular season after hip surgery. But he returned in the playoffs and dominated with a postseason-best 32 points as the Lightning won back-to-back titles. The Conn Smythe went to goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, who clinched each round with a shutout.

7. 2025 Florida Panthers

Regular season: 47-31-4, 98. Playoffs: 16-7

They pulled off back-to-back titles. GM Bill Zito added Seth Jones before the deadline then he shocked the hockey world by landing Marchand in a trade. The Panthers were banged up down the stretch, but they got players back to make a run despite lacking home-ice advantage in every round. Coach Paul Maurice switched out his fourth line to overcome a 2-0 series deficit in the second round. Matthew Tkachuk played through a hernia and had 23 points in 23 games. Zito managed to get playoff MVP Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Marchand re-signed in the offseason.

6. 2017 Pittsburgh Penguins

Regular season: 50-21-11, 111. Playoffs: 16-9

The Penguins were the first team in the salary cap era to win back-to-back championships. Sullivan made it 2-for-2 as a Penguins coach and Crosby won his second consecutive Conn Smythe. Fleury started the first two playoff rounds but Murray took over in the middle of the conference final and finished up. This was Fleury’s last season with the Penguins as he went to the Golden Knights in the expansion draft.

5. 2022 Colorado Avalanche

Regular season: 56-19-7, 119. Playoffs: 16-4

Their 119 points were the most among the teams on this list. They rolled in the playoffs, sweeping two series and knocking off the two-time defending champion Lightning in six games. Defenseman Cale Makar won the Conn Smythe and Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen also had big postseasons.

4. 2002 Detroit Red Wings

Regular season: 51-17-10-4, 116. Playoffs: 16-7

Here’s the list of future Hall of Famers on this team: Steve Yzerman, Nicklas Lidstrom, Brendan Shanahan, Brett Hull, Sergei Fedorov, Igor Larionov, Pavel Datsyuk, Luc Robitaille, Chris Chelios and Dominik Hasek. Coach Scotty Bowman, already in the Hall, made everything mesh. The Red Wings won the Presidents’ Trophy and were resilient in the playoffs. Bowman retired after lifting the Cup. Hasek stepped away, too, though he eventually returned to the league.

3. 2008 Detroit Red Wings

Regular season: 54-21-7, 115. Playoffs: 16-6

This team also got a rare Presidents’ Trophy/Stanley Cup double and did it during the salary cap era. They ranked third in goals and first in goals against. Conn Smythe winner Henrik Zetterberg and Datsyuk dominated in the playoffs. Chris Osgood had a 1.55 goals-against average. This core also went to the 2009 final, losing to the Penguins.

2. 2013 Chicago Blackhawks

Regular season: 36-7-5, 77. Playoffs: 16-7

This season was 48 games because of a lockout, but what a season. The Blackhawks went the first 24 games without a regulation loss and finished with a league-best .802 points percentage. The playoffs weren’t as easy because they had to overcome a 3-1 series deficit in the second round against the Red Wings. Chicago scored two goals in 17 seconds to clinch the title in Game 6 when it looked the Bruins might push the series to seven games.

1. 2001 Colorado Avalanche

Regular season: 52-16-10-4, 118. Playoffs: 16-7

Superstar Ray Bourque, acquired the season before, finally got to lift the Stanley Cup. This was already a loaded team with Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, Patrick Roy and Bourque, and then they added Rob Blake at the deadline. Yes, general manager Pierre Lacroix didn’t have to worry about a salary cap, but he had the desired players needed to pull off such a big trade. The Avalanche won the final in seven games against the defending champion Devils even though Forsberg missed the series after spleen surgery.

LAS VEGAS ― Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young didn’t have her usual energy during Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. Young scored 10 points, a departure from her 20.6 average during this postseason.

Aces head coach Becky Hammon said after a grueling five-game semifinal series with the Indiana Fever, Young was experiencing “a little bit of fatigue” and, atypically, asked for rest during Game 1. The Aces coach kept Young out of practice Saturday before Game 2, telling the media she would be “good to go.”

“Good to go” was an understatement. Young’s 32-point, eight-rebound outing, including the most points in a single quarter (21) in WNBA Finals history, helped the Aces rout of the Phoenix Mercury and take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. The Finals shift to Phoenix for Game 3 on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).

‘I don’t know where Jackie [Young] was Game 1, but I’m glad she showed up Game 2,’ Aces teammate A’ja Wilson said postgame. ‘… This is what she lives for. This is why she works so hard. To see her thrive and be so successful in this place, it really warms my heart. I’m grateful to be alongside her, and she’s doing exactly what she needs to be doing.’

While everyone has rightfully been raving about Wilson’s MVP season, Young has been there, too, often putting up huge performances. Wilson might be the Aces’ engine, but Young is the gas this that makes the car zip around at high speeds.

It was the four-time All-Star who had the game-winning shot against the Seattle Storm in the first round of the playoffs, catapulting Las Vegas into the semifinals. She also averaged 25 points, seven assists and a steal during the final three games of the Indiana series, including a 32-point, 10-assist double-double, to help Las Vegas get to the WNBA Finals.

Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper was asked what makes Young so tough to guard. ‘One thing about me, I love a two-way player. I think Jackie [Young] takes pride in that. Never ducking smoke. When you’re able to get 30 and then go guard the other team’s best player, that’s amazing, ‘ Copper told USA TODAY Sports.

The Phoenix guard praised Young for being an ‘unselfish player’ who is always looking to create. Copper said Young makes the big-time plays and that, from being the No. 1 pick in 2019 until now, she’s evolved her game every season.

Las Vegas guard Chelsea Gray called Young ‘the best two-way guard in the league’ who brings production in a variety of ways, including distributing the basketball. Aces guard Jewell Loyd revealed to USA TODAY that she told Young ‘she was the best guard in the league, and it’s not even close.’ Loyd said Young’s growth this season has been critical.

‘She’s realizing she can build more on her game,’ Loyd said. ‘… It might be easy to learn how to become a shooter, do layups, playing in the 15-foot [or] 12-foot area, and then coming back out and becoming a shooter is really tough. It’s not comfortable, and so, for her to build that confidence, and knowing that she can do everything, it’s been really cool to see.

‘She still has so much growth. It’s scary.’

Young has been a part of two WNBA championship teams in Vegas but this feels different. Hammon said there are simply more opportunities in 2025 for the Aces guard to contribute, especially with Kelsey Plum moving to the Los Angeles Sparks in the offseason.

Wilson insists there is no ceiling for Young as she’s effectively shattered it all season. The Las Vegas forward was adamant every guard who wants to make it to the W should watch Young’s work ethic. Wilson said she has pushed her teammate because she knows Young is capable of even more.

USA TODAY asked Wilson to share some of the positive affirmations she’s given Young over the course of the season. ‘Without cussing?’ Wilson joked before delivering these memorable words.

‘Remember who you are,’ Wilson said ‘Don’t let any basket ― don’t let anything shake you from who you are and how far you’ve come and how hard you’ve worked to get to this point. And don’t let someone just rob it. Don’t let anyone dim your light.’

Following LeBron James’ monumental ‘the decisions of all decisions’ social media post on Monday, the ticket prices for the Los Angeles Lakers’ final game of the 2025-26 regular season have surged dramatically.

In a ten-second video posted to social media, James is seen walking to an empty chair across from an individual, accompanied by the hashtag #TheSecondDecision. As he prepares for his 23rd NBA season and eighth season with the Lakers, the;re has been speculation about his retirement. However, during NBA Media Days last week, James dismissed any retirement talk and expressed his excitement about the upcoming season, leaving his future open to interpretation.

The game generating the most significant change in ticket prices for the Lakers is their final matchup of the season against the Utah Jazz on April 12, 2026. Originally, tickets were priced as low as $82 on StubHub, but the cheapest ticket has now risen to $731.

When does the 2025-26 NBA season start?

The 2025-26 NBA season will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 21, with a doubleheader broadcast on NBC. The first game will feature the Oklahoma City Thunder hosting the Houston Rockets. This matchup will celebrate the Thunder as they raise the banner for their 2024-25 championship and receive their championship rings. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The second game of the night will showcase the Lakers, as they go up against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. This game is set to tip-off at 10 p.m. ET.

The NHL’s opening night features two-time Stanley Cup winners in different phases of their careers.

The Florida Panthers, New York Rangers coach Mike Sullivan and Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar will be center stage when ESPN airs a season-opening tripleheader on Tuesday, Oct. 7.

The Panthers, rings already in hand, will raise their 2025 Stanley Cup banner before their 5 p.m. ET game against the Chicago Blackhawks. They have won two championships in a row and will try for a rare three-peat, last done in the 1980s. They’ll be tested early by major injuries.

In the 8 p.m. game, Sullivan is making his Rangers debut after he and the Pittsburgh Penguins agreed to part ways. He’ll be facing his former team, which he led to back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 2016 and 2017.

At 10:30 p.m. ET, Kopitar will open his 20th and final season in the NHL. He won championships in 2012 and 2014 with the Kings, who open against the Colorado Avalanche.

Here’s how to watch the opening night of the 2025-26 NHL season:

When is the NHL’s opening night?

The 2025-26 NHL season opens on Tuesday, Oct. 7 with three games:

• Chicago Blackhawks at Florida Panthers, 5 p.m. ET
• Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers, 8 p.m. ET
• Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m. ET

How to watch, stream NHL opening night

• TV: ESPN
• Streaming: Games can be streamed on ESPN Unlimited and on Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.

Watch NHL games on Fubo