The NBA’s in-season tournament returns for its third year. The Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks won the last two tournaments, and with over $500,000 for each player on the winning team on the line, it’s certainly something several of the game’s biggest stars will show out for.

The first games of the tournament begin on Halloween night. And the NBA Cup has historically been a decent indicator of future success. In 2023, the Lakers won and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. However, their adversaries in the finals, the Indiana Pacers, reached the Eastern Conference Finals before falling to the eventual champion Boston Celtics.

In 2024, the Bucks beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in the finals. The Bucks fell in the first round, but lost to the Pacers, who wound up reaching the NBA Finals. We all know what the Thunder wound up doing.

So, with that in mind, it’s time to start paying attention. Here’s everything to know for the NBA’s third NBA Cup tournament:

2025 NBA Cup format

NBA teams are split into six groups of five. Each team will play against one another, four games in total, with the best record in each group advancing to the knockout stages. Should multiple teams be tied record-wise after the four group stage games, the following tiebreakers will be implemented in order:

• Head-to-head record
• Point differential
• Total points scored
• Win-loss record from the previous NBA regular season
• Random selection

2025 NBA Cup prize pool

Prize money will only be handed out to players on teams that advance to the knockout stages. Here is what each player earns depending on how far their team gets in the tournament:

• Quarterfinals: $51,497
• Semifinals: $102,994
• Runner-up: $205,988
• NBA Cup winners: $514,971 each

2025 NBA Cup groups

The NBA Cup groups are determined by putting all 15 teams in each conference into five pots. Each pot contains one of each of the following:

• A team that finished the previous regular season as a top-three seed in conference
• A team that finished the previous regular season ranked 4-6 in conference
• A team that finished the previous regular season ranked 7-9 in conference
• A team that finished the previous regular season ranked 10-12 in conference
• A team that finished the previous regular season 13-15 in conference

One member of each pot is drawn randomly and thrown into a singular group. Here is how the groups fell this year:

• East A: Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards
• East B: Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers
• East C: New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets
• West A: Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz
• West B: Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans
• West C: Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs

West C stands out as one of the most talented groups. The Houston Rockets finished last year in second place in the Western Conference and added Kevin Durant in the offseason. The Nuggets are perennial championship contenders as well, and the Warriors were one of the toughest team in the NBA after adding Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline.

The San Antonio Spurs are no slouch either. They may not have performed well last year, but much of their shortcomings were due to the absence of Victor Wembanyama. He returns this year, alongside a litany of talented young players. The Spurs certainly aren’t slouches.

2025 NBA Cup winner odds

*All odds provided are via BetMGM

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (+400)
2. New York Knicks (+600)
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (+700)
4. Denver Nuggets (+1100)
5. Orlando Magic (+1200)
6. Houston Rockets (+1400)
7. Minnesota Timberwolves (+1600)
8. Golden State Warriors (+1600)
9. Los Angeles Clippers (+2000)
10. Detroit Pistons (+2000)
11. Atlanta Hawks (+2000)
12. Los Angeles Lakers (+2500)
13. Milwaukee Bucks (+2500)
14. San Antonio Spurs (+2500)
15. Philadelphia 76ers (+2500)
16. Boston Celtics (+4000)
17. Indiana Pacers (+6600)
18. Dallas Mavericks (+6600)
19. Toronto Raptors (+6600)
20. Memphis Grizzlies (+8000)
21. Chicago Bulls (+10000)
22. Miami Heat (+10000)
23. New Orleans Pelicans (+10000)
24. Sacramento Kings (+12500)
25. Phoenix Suns (+15000)
26. Portland Trail Blazers (+25000)
27. Charlotte Hornets (+25000)
28. Brooklyn Nets (+50000)
29. Washington Wizards (+50000)
30. Utah Jazz (+50000)

2025 NBA Cup full schedule

*All times Eastern

Group Play

Oct. 31

• Atlanta Hawks @ Indiana Pacers, 7 p.m.
• Boston Celtics @ Philadelphia 76ers, 7 p.m.
• Toronto Raptors @ Cleveland Cavaliers, 7:30 p.m.
• New York Knicks @ Chicago Bulls, 8 p.m.
• Los Angeles Lakers @ Memphis Grizzlies, 9:30 p.m.
• Utah Jazz @ Phoenix Suns, 10 p.m.
• Denver Nuggets @ Portland Trail Blazers, 10 p.m.
• New Orleans Pelicans @ Los Angeles Clippers, 10:30 p.m.

Nov. 7

• Cleveland Cavaliers @ Washington Wizards, 7 p.m.
• Boston Celtics @ Orlando Magic, 7 p.m.
• Detroit Pistons @ Brooklyn Nets, 7:30 p.m.
• Houston Rockets @ San Antonio Spurs, 7:30 p.m.
• Toronto Raptors @ Atlanta Hawks, 7:30 p.m.
• Charlotte Hornets @ Miami Heat, 8 p.m.
• Utah Jazz @ Minnesota Timberwolves, 8 p.m.
• Dallas Mavericks @ Memphis Grizzlies, 8 p.m.
• Chicago Bulls @ Milwaukee Bucks, 8 p.m.
• Oklahoma City Thunder @ Sacramento Kings, 10 p.m.
• Golden State Warriors @ Denver Nuggets, 10 p.m.

Nov. 14

• Brooklyn Nets @ Orlando Magic, 7 p.m.
• Miami Heat @ New York Knicks, 7 p.m.
• Philadelphia 76ers @ Detroit Pistons, 7:30 p.m.
• Charlotte Hornets @ Milwaukee Bucks, 8 p.m.
• Portland Trail Blazers @ Houston Rockets, 8 p.m.
• Los Angeles Lakers @ New Orleans Pelicans, 8 p.m.
• Sacramento Kings @ Minnesota Timberwolves, 8 p.m.
• Los Angeles Clippers @ Dallas Mavericks, 8:30 p.m.
• Golden State Warriors @ San Antonio Spurs, 9:30 p.m.

Nov. 21

• Indiana Pacers @ Cleveland Cavaliers, 7 p.m.
• Washington Wizards @ Toronto Raptors, 7:30 p.m.
• Brooklyn Nets @ Boston Celtics, 7:30 p.m.
• Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls, 8 p.m.
• New Orleans Pelicans @ Dallas Mavericks, 8:30 p.m.
• Minnesota Timberwolves @ Phoenix Suns, 9 p.m.
• Denver Nuggets @ Houston Rockets, 9:30 p.m.
• Portland Trail Blazers @ Golden State Warriors, 10 p.m.
• Oklahoma City Thunder @ Utah Jazz, 10 p.m.

Nov. 25

• Atlanta Hawks @ Washington Wizards, 7 p.m.
• Orlando Magic @ Philadelphia 76ers, 8 p.m.
• Los Angeles Clippers @ Los Angeles Lakers, 11 p.m.

Nov. 26

• Detroit Pistons @ Boston Celtics, 5 p.m.
• New York Knicks @ Charlotte Hornets, 7 p.m.
• Indiana Pacers @ Toronto Raptors, 7:30 p.m.
• Minnesota Timberwolves @ Oklahoma City Thunder, 7:30 p.m.
• Milwaukee Bucks @ Miami Heat, 7:30 p.m.
• Memphis Grizzlies @ New Orleans Pelicans, 8 p.m.
• Houston Rockets @ Golden State Warriors, 10 p.m.
• San Antonio Spurs @ Portland Trail Blazers, 10 p.m.
• Phoenix Suns @ Sacramento Kings, 10 p.m.

Nov. 28

• Cleveland Cavaliers @ Atlanta Hawks, 7:30 p.m.
• Chicago Bulls @ Charlotte Hornets, 7:30 p.m.
• Milwaukee Bucks @ New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m.
• Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons, 7:30 p.m.
• Philadelphia 76ers @ Brooklyn Nets, 7:30 p.m.
• Washington Wizards @ Indiana Pacers, 7:30 p.m.
• Phoenix Suns @ Oklahoma City Thunder, 9:30 p.m.
• Sacramento Kings @ Utah Jazz, 9:30 p.m.
• San Antonio Spurs @ Denver Nuggets, 9:30 p.m.
• Dallas Mavericks @ Los Angeles Lakers, 10 p.m.
• Memphis Grizzlies @ Los Angeles Clippers, 10 p.m.

The knockout stages will take place on Dec. 9 and 10, with two games on each day. The semifinals will take place three days later on Dec. 13, with the finals scheduled for Dec. 16.

All games in the knockout stages will air on Prime Video.

William Byron, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe will race for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship Nov. 2 at Phoenix Raceway.

It’s a battle that pits Hendrick Motorsports against Joe Gibbs Racing. Byron and Larson drive for Hendrick, and Hamlin and Briscoe drive for Gibbs.

The four drivers navigated nine playoff races to reach Phoenix. Hamlin booked his spot by winning the third-round opener at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Briscoe won the following week at Talladega Superspeedway, and Byron capped off the third round with a victory at Martinsville Speedway. Larson made the Championship 4 on points after edging JGR’s Christopher Bell by seven points.

See how the drivers stack up in 2025 and throughout their Cup Series careers:

William Byron

• Car: No. 24 Chevrolet
• Team: Hendrick Motorsports
• Age: 27
• DOB: Nov. 29, 1997

∎ 2025 STATISTICS

• Wins: Three
• Top fives: 11
• Top 10s: 16
• Laps led: 1,278
• Poles: Three

∎ CAREER STATISTICS

• Seasons: Eight
• Wins: 16
• Top fives: 65
• Top 10s: 120
• Championships: None

Chase Briscoe

• Car: No. 19 Toyota
• Team: Joe Gibbs Racing
• Age: 30
• DOB: Dec. 15, 1994

∎ 2025 STATISTICS

• Wins: Three
• Top fives: 15
• Top 10s: 19
• Laps led: 881
• Poles: Seven

∎ CAREER STATISTICS

• Seasons: Five
• Wins: Five
• Top fives: 28
• Top 10s: 49
• Championships: None

Denny Hamlin

• Car: No. 11 Toyota
• Team: Joe Gibbs Racing
• Age: 44
• DOB: Nov. 18, 1980

∎ 2025 STATISTICS

• Wins: Six
• Top fives: 14
• Top 10s: 17
• Laps led: 816
• Poles: Four

∎ CAREER STATISTICS

• Seasons: 20 (full time)
• Wins: 60
• Top fives: 248
• Top 10s: 375
• Championships: None

Kyle Larson

• Car: No. 5 Chevrolet
• Team: Hendrick Motorsports
• Age: 33
• DOB: July 31, 1992

∎ 2025 STATISTICS

• Wins: Three
• Top fives: 14
• Top 10s: 21
• Laps led: 1,106
• Poles: One

∎ CAREER STATISTICS

• Seasons: 12 (full time)
• Wins: 32
• Top fives: 133
• Top 10s: 203
• Championships: One (2021)

The 2025 Breeders’ Cup, the last major Grade 1 Thoroughbred horse racing event of the year, returns to the picturesque Del Mar racetrack in Southern California this weekend.

Over the course of two days, 14 races showcasing the best horses from around the world will take place with millions of dollars at stake for the winners. Last year, Sierra Leone emerged victorious in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Other notable winners included Thorpedo Anna, who won the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, and Starlust, who took the title in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

This year will feature plenty of talent returning to finish the season strong at Del Mar. Here are the list of entries and the current morning lines.

2025 Breeders’ Cup horses and odds

List and odds according to the Breeders’ Cup:

• Fierceness | Odds: 5-2
• Baeza | Odds: 10-1
• Nevada Beach | Odds: 20-1
• Contrary Thinking | Odds: 50-1
• Forever Young | Odds: 7-2
• Sovereignty | SCRATCHED
• Sierra Leione | Odds: 7-2
• Mindframe | Odds: 6-1
• Journalism | Odds: 5-1
• Antiqurian | Odds: 10-1
• Rebel’s Romance | Odds: 5-1
• Goliath | Odds: 8-1
• Amiloc | Odds: 10-1
• Redistricting | Odds: 15-1
• Rebel Red | Odds: 30-1
• Wilbledon Hawkeye | Odds: 20-1
• Silawi | Odds: 30-1
• Minnie Hauk | Odds: 8-5
• Gold Phoenix | Odds: 20-1
• El Cordobes | Odds: 15-1
• Rashabar | Odds: 20-1
• Tawny Port | Odds: 30-1
• Hill Road | Odds: 30-1
• Ethical Diamond | Odds: 30-1
• Nitrogen | Odds: 4-1
• Sarawak Rim | Odds: 12-1
• Clicquot | Odds: 10-1
• Scylla | Odds: 15-1
• Scottish Lassie | Odds: 12-1
• Alice Verite | Odds: 20-1
• Gin Gin | Odds: 12-1
• Seismic Beauty | Odds: 9-5
• Majestic Oops | Odds: 30-1
• Gun Song | Odds: 30-1
• Dry Powder | Odds: 20-1
• Dorth Vader | Odds: 5-1
• Regaled | Odds: 30-1
• Kopion | Odds: 7-2
• Banishing | Odds: 15-1
• Lovesick Blues | Odds: 10-1
• Patriot Spirit | Odds: 30-1
• Big City Lights | Odds: 15-1
• Dr. Venkman | Odds: 15-1
• Imagination | Odds: 6-1
• Nakatomi | Odds: 15-1
• American Stage | Odds: 30-1
• Bentornato | Odds: 5-2
• Mullikin | Odds: 15-1
• Straight No Chaser | Odds: 8-1
• Mad House | Odds: 30-1
• Whatchatalkingabout | Odds: 30-1
• One Stripe | Odds: 30-1
• Notable Speech | Odds: 5-2
• Sahlan | Odds: 6-1
• The Lion in Winter | Odds: 6-1
• Program Trading | Odds: 10-1
• Gran Oriente | Odds: 30-1
• Johannas | Odds: 8-1
• Formidable Man | Odds: 10-1
• Argine | Odds: 20-1
• Jonquil | Odds: 10-1
• Rhetorical | Odds: 5-1
• Gas Me Up | Odds: 30-1
• Qirat | Odds: 20-1
• Mission of Joy | Odds: 30-1
• Stellify | Odds: 30-1
• Atsila | Odds: 20-1
• Village Voice | Odds: 15-1
• Gezora | Odds: 7-2
• Diamond Rain | Odds: 6-1
• Be Your Best | Odds: 30-1
• Cathedral | Odds: 30-1
• Cinderella’s Deam | Odds: 9-2
• La Kika | Odds: 30-1
• Bedtime Story | Odds: 12-1
• Belleza | Odds: 20-1
• She Feels Pretty | Odds: 4-1
• Set The Fire | Odds: 5-1
• Zeitlos | Odds: 20-1
• Splendora | Odds: 8-1
• Vahva | Odds: 12-1
• Tamara | Odds: 7-2
• Sweet Azteca | Odds: 2-1
• Haulin Ice | Odds: 20-1
• Hope Road | Odds: 4-1
• Richi | Odds: 5-1
• Praying | Odds: 20-1
• Motorious | Odds: 7-2
• Reef Running | Odds: 6-1
• Arizona Blaze | Odds: 5-1
• Khaadem | Odds: 10-1
• Bring The Band Home | Odds: 12-1
• Governor Sam | Odds: 15-1
• She’s Quality | Odds: 20-1
• AG Bullet | Odds: 4-1
• Bear River | Odds: 20-1
• Shisospicy | Odds: 6-1
• Bucanero Fuerte | Odds: 20-1
• Invincible Papa | Odds: 20-1
• Will Take It | Odds: 30-1
• Goal Orineted | Odds: 6-1
• Nysos | Odds: 8-5
• Mystik Dan | Odds: 6-1
• Timbarumba | Odds: 20-1
• Full Serrano | Odds: 7-2
• Citizen Bull | Odds: 10-1
• Chancer McPatrick | Odds: 15-1
• Touch of Destiny | Odds: 20-1
• White Abrarrio | Odds: 8-1
• Intrepido | Odds: 8-1
• Blackout Time | Odds: 5-1
• Mr. A.P. | Odds: 30-1
• Comport | Odds: 30-1
• Litmus Test | Odds: 15-1
• Brant | Odds: 5-2
• Ted Noffey | Odds: 4-5
• Iron Orchard | Odds: 6-1
• Bottle of Rouge | Odds: 9-2
• Meaning | Odds: 15-1
• Percy’s Bar | Odds: 9-2
• Tommy Jo | Odds: 7-2
• La Ville Lumiere | Odds: 20-1
• Explora | Odds: 5-2
• Super Corredora | Odds: 15-1
• La Wally | Odds: 10-1
• Heere’s Johnny | Odds: 15-1
• Street Beast | Odds: 10-1
• Outfielder | Odds: 10-1
• Third Beer | Odds: 30-1
• Let’s Be Frank | Odds: 15-1
• North Coast | Odds: 30-1
• Gordon Pass | Odds: 20-1
• Stark Contrast | Odds: 30-1
• Argos | Odds: 6-1
• Ardisia | Odds: 15-1
• Turf Star | Odds: 30-1
• Bottas | Odds: 6-1
• Hey Nay Nay | Odds: 8-1
• Gstaad | Odds: 9-5
• Ultimate Love | Odds: 8-1
• Queen of Hawaii | Odds: 12-1
• Imaginationthelady | Odds: 10-1
• Infinite Sky | Odds: 20-1
• Final Accord | Odds: 15-1
• Switch in Love | Odds: 20-1
• Celebrity Warrior | Odds: 30-1
• Brave Deb | Odds: 20-1
• Time To Dream | Odds: 5-1
• Balantina | Odds: 30-1
• Ground Support | Odds: 15-1
• Pacific Mission | Odds: 15-1
• Precise | Odds: 6-5
• Brussels | Odds: 8-1
• Military Code | Odds: 12-1
• Royal Testament | Odds: 12-1
• Aspect Island | Odds: 20-1
• Obliteration | Odds: 15-1
• Intricate Spirit | Odds: 12-1
• Mission Central | Odds: 20-1
• Havana Anna | Odds: 6-1
• True Love | Odds: 7-2
• Cy Fair | Odds: 6-1
• Schwarzenegger | Odds: 5-1
• Lennilu | Odds: 8-1

2025 Breeders’ Cup Schedule

All Post Times listed are Eastern

Friday, Oct. 31

• Juvenile Turf Sprint: 5:45 p.m.
• Juvenile Fillies: 6:25 p.m.
• Juvenile Fillies Turf: 7:05 p.m.
• Juvenile: 7:45 p.m.
• Juvenile Turf: 8:25 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 1

• Filly & Mares Sprint: 3 p.m.
• Turf Sprint: 3:41 p.m.
• Dirt Sprint: 4:21 p.m.
• Distaff: 5:01 p.m.
• Turf: 5:41 p.m.
• Classic: 6:25 p.m.
• Mile: 7:05 p.m.
• Dirt Mile: 7:45 p.m.
• Filly & Mare Turf: 8:25 p.m.

How to watch the 2025 Breeders’ Cup ?

• Start time:  5:45 p.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 31); 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1
• Location: Del Mar Race Track (Del Mar, California)
• TV: NBC (Saturday), USA Network, FanDuel TV
• Stream: Peacock 

Watch the 2025 Breeders’ Cup with Peacock

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers had two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell on the mound for Game 5 of the World Series with a chance to take a 3-2 lead.

Instead, the Dodgers have fallen behind after losing 6-1 to the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday.

While Snell is one of the Dodgers’ aces, starting his second game of the series, his latest performance wasn’t much better than the first.

The 10-year veteran allowed home runs to the first two batters he faced – to Davis Schneider on the first pitch of the game and the second to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on the third pitch.

It was just the second time in MLB postseason history that a team opened a game with back-to-back home runs, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The Oakland Athletics were the first team to complete the feat during Game 3 of the 2002 American League Division Series.

“It’s just unlucky,” Snell said. “I’m not one to make excuses. It’s just pretty unlucky. There’s only so much you can do, and that’s baseball.”

Snell moved away from the fastball to try to shake up what he was doing throughout the rest of his outing.

“I don’t think there’s a tell,” Snell said. “I just think they were ambushing the fastball, as they should and as they thought they would.”

Blue Jays manager John Schneider anticipated there would be some level of adjustment after seeing Snell pitch in Game 1.

“You never know what adjustments a pitcher is going to make when you are facing them again in the series,” Schneider said. “It was kind of the plan (to prepare for the fastball) and I think after that he threw a lot of sliders, change-ups and curveballs. You have to be ready to adapt. … You have to be ready to hit.”

Snell would end his night in the seventh inning, allowing six hits. He also struck out seven and walked four.

“It’s hard because you can only push a starter so much,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I thought Blake emptied the tank. … I pushed Blake as much as I’ve pushed him all year.”

He did enough, bouncing back from the Blue Jays’ early-inning scoring and keeping Roberts from having to go to the notorious bullpen.

The Dodgers’ pitching and defense, though, followed suit with the ongoing offensive struggles, making several mistakes throughout the game.

One helped put the game further out of reach for the Dodgers. Edgardo Henriquez, who came in to replace Snell in the seventh inning, threw a wild pitch that led to Guerrero walking and allowed Addison Barger to score and increase the lead to 4-1.

Mookie Betts made an inaccurate throw to second base, giving up a chance for an easy double-play opportunity.

“Giving up bases and not converting outs when you have an opportunity to convert outs, that came back to bite us tonight,” Roberts said.

LOS ANGELES — The Toronto Blue Jays, the team that was always the bridesmaid in the free-agent market, where players didn’t want to play, north of the border, suddenly is one step away from being the epicenter of the baseball universe.

The Blue Jays are just one victory away from winning their first World Series in 32 years after pounding the Los Angeles Dodgers, 6-1, behind the surreal outing of 22-year-old rookie Trey Yesavage.

Yesavage, who opened the season pitching for Class A Dunedin in front of a crowd of 327 people, struck out 12 batters and gave up just three hits and one run in seven electrifying innings.

The brilliant performance has the Blue Jays up 3 games to 2 with the World Series heading to Toronto with Game 6 scheduled Friday at the Rogers Centre, where a frenzied country awaits.

When the Blue Jays show up for work Friday, they may have a statue erected of Yesavage, who delivered one of the the greatest World Series performances by a pitcher under the age of 23 in history.

Yesavage, who has made more starts this postseason (5) than regular-season starts, completely suffocated the Dodgers’ lineup. He struck out 12 batters, the most by a pitcher 23 or younger in World Series history, and became the first rookie pitcher to produce two starts of at least 10 strikeouts in a single postseason.

It’s hard to believe he was pitching for Dunedin on April 6, Class A Vancouver on May 20, Class AA New Hampshire on June 12, Triple-A Buffalo on Aug. 11. He didn’t make his major league debut until Sept. 15.

Now, here he was this night, a pitcher so young he’ll still be eligible for the Rookie of the Year award next season, and earning $36 million less than Dodgers starter Blake Snell, putting on a legendary pitching performance that will forever be remembered in Blue Jays’ history.

Certainly, the Dodgers won’t forget it, either, as they packed up their suitcases for a long flight to Toronto, wondering what in the world happened to their offense.

This is a team that has been averaging just 3.75 runs a game this postseason since the wild-card series, batting .220, with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shaking up his lineup to break out of its doldrums.

Dodgers slugger Freddie Freeman even vowed Wednesday afternoon that they would quit swinging out of their shoes and just start making contact.

“We need to string some hits together,” Freeman said. “Just get some hits, get guys on, work the counts, get guys on, move ’em first to third, get ’em in. Kind of like what we did in the second inning [Tuesday]. We just need to continue that over and over and over again. You’ve got to put pressure on them. If we’re going up there just trying to hit home runs, it’s just not the name of the game.”

Nothing worked Wednesday.

The Dodgers wound up with just four hits, striking out 14 times, and have scored only four runs in their last 29 innings.

The Blue Jays scored two runs on the first three pitches of the game with leadoff hitter Davis Schneider swinging at Snell’s first pitch, a 96-mph fastball, and sending it 373 feet into the left-field seats.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. waited for a second pitch, and then hit Snell’s 96-mph fastball into the left-field pavilion, too, 394 feet away.

It was the first time in World Series history that the first two batters homered in a game.

Snell settled down, and threw 116 pitches over 6⅔ innings, but the damage was done.

“This team is talented, they’re resilient,’’ Roberts said, praising the Blue Jays. “You see these guys grinding and using the whole field.’’

The Dodgers have a 5½-hour flight and an off-day to figure it out.

For the Blue Jays, they’ve got an entire country ready to throw a party that will carry them right through hockey season.

“Rogers Centre is going to be fun,’’ said Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman, the scheduled Game 6 starter. “It’s going to be electric. It’s going to be everything that it has been for the last month and probably more. We’re excited to get back there. Obviously, we’re really good at home, so we feel confident playing in front of our own team. The fans there have been awesome, especially lately. They bring the energy, they pick us up when we need it.

“So yeah, obviously, coming here was the goal to get back to Toronto.’’

They have done that, and more.

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Dallas Mavericks big man Anthony Davis had to head back to the locker room and did not return to Wednesday night’s game against the Indiana Pacers.

The Mavericks said Davis is dealing with ‘left lower leg soreness.’

He was listed as probable on the Mavericks’ Tuesday injury report, with his injury described as ‘Bilateral Achilles; Tendinopathy.’

Davis was seen on the broadcast grabbing his lower left leg. The Mavericks initially said he was ‘questionable’ to return but he was ruled out a little over 30 minutes later.

Davis, infamously traded for Luka Doncic in February, is averaging 25 points and 11.8 rebounds per game this season. But Mavericks fans will now be holding their breath again, hoping for good news on this latest injury.

Anthony Davis injury update

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd reaffirmed the ‘left lower leg soreness’ diagnosis for Davis after his team’s 107-105 win over the Pacers. Kidd also said Davis tried to return but the team kept him out.

This story has been updated with new information.

Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young was knocked out of Wednesday night’s game against the Brooklyn Nets after injuring his knee.

The four-time All-Star was hurt in the first quarter when teammate Mouhamed Gueye fell into his right leg. Young grabbed at the leg immediately with both hands. He was seen on the broadcast conversing with head coach Quin Snyder.

Young played 17 more seconds before heading back to the locker room. He was ruled out for the game with what the Hawks called a ‘right knee sprain.’

The Hawks faced increased expectations this season but entered Wednesday’s game at 1-3. Not helping has been an injury report loaded with big names in the past week, including Jalen Johnson (ankle), 2024 top pick Zaccharie Risacher (ankle) and big offseason acquisition Kristaps Porzingis (flu). Those three were in the lineup Wednesday, though now attention turns to Young’s health.

Young, 27, entered Wednesday’s game averaging 20.8 points and 9.5 assists on the season.

Trae Young injury update

Hawks coach Quin Snyder told reporters after Atlanta’s 117-112 win that Young would be getting an MRI either Wednesday night or on Thursday. He also noted that Young did not injure his ACL.

This story has been updated with new information.