SoccerVibes

Author: admin

  • Team Bath ready for Nxt Gen League opener

    Team Bath ready for Nxt Gen League opener

    Team Bath will kick-start this season’s NXT Gen League against Nottingham Forest on Friday after accepting an invitation to participate in the league.

    The sell-out fixture at the University of Bath will be the club’s first official match since they were omitted from the revamped Netball Super League (NSL) in May.

    Team Bath were one of four sides- alongside Stretching Sirens, Surrey Storm and Severn Stars- to miss out on being included in the NSL as 10 teams were reduced to just eight as part of plans to turn the league professional.

    Nottingham Forest, who are owned by the Premier League football team, and Birmingham Panthers were added in their place.

    The NXT Gen League, which is referred to as a ‘U23 feeder League’ by the NSL, will feature all eight professional sides and Team Bath, who were extended an invitation to participate.

    It will see all nine sides play each other home and away and will run until the weekend of 14-15 June, with fixtures aligned to NSL matches where possible.

    While eligibility for the NXT Gen League is for athletes under 23, regulations state squads can include up to four players over the age of 23 to “support and enhance” the quality of the competition.

    The NXT Gen League will exist as a standalone competition but will be closely connected with the NSL. Nxt Gen League 2025 opening fixtures: Match week 1: Team Bath.

  • Georgia football’s 2025 signing class: Which recruits rose and fell in updated rankings

    Georgia football’s 2025 signing class: Which recruits rose and fell in updated rankings

    Ahead of Wednesday’s customary February Signing Day, where Georgia football is not anticipated to participate, the recruiting rankings for the 2025 class have been revised.

    on addition to attending to certain issues on the transfer portal last month, the Bulldogs took care of business during the December signing period. In this class, Georgia now boasts five 5-star talents. The updated 247Sports Composite rankings for Georgia signees show some significant changes: Talyn Taylor, a wide receiver, rose from No. 32 to No. 20 in the country and was rated as a 5-star. He currently ranks fourth in the country for wideouts.

    Elijah Griffin, a defensive lineman, has moved up two slots to the third overall pick. The tight end Elyiss Williams is currently the top-ranked tight end in the country after rising from No. 36 to No. 29. Westlake offensive lineman Juan Gaston went from being ranked 174th in the country to 52nd. North Atlanta’s Edge Chase Linton moved up from No. 149 to No. 117. OT at Peachtree Ridge Dennis Uzochukwu is now a 4-star after making a significant jump from No. 547 to No. 291.

    WR North Oconee Landon Roldan is now a 4-star after dropping from No. 478 to No. 300. He is the 39th best wide receiver in the country. Security Warner Robins’ Rasean Dinkins rose from No. 455 to No. 363. From No. 362 overall to No. 530, Tyler Williams, a wide receiver from Seffner, Florida, fell to a 3-star.

  • Lewis Hamilton data versus Leclerc revealed after return to Ferrari action

    Lewis Hamilton data versus Leclerc revealed after return to Ferrari action

     

    Lewis Hamilton was back behind the wheel for Ferrari as part of Pirelli tyre testing duties at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

     

    And while Hamilton had the slight edge over Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc in this blind tyre test, it was McLaren’s Lando Norris who topped the timings.

     

    After Ferrari’s quick wake-up run at their Fiorano test track, Hamilton experienced his first extensive running at the wheel of a Ferrari as he and team-mate Charles Leclerc headed to Barcelona for a three-day test. However, the programme did not quite go as planned.

     

    With Hamilton in the SF-23 for the morning session of day two, a reversal of the run plan from the opening day, the track action was halted when Hamilton suffered a shunt at Turn 12, inflicting bodywork and suspension damage which cost Leclerc the chance to complete his planned afternoon running.

     

    For the final day, Ferrari reserve Antonio Giovinazzi and Driver Academy racer Dino Beganovic took over at the wheel.

     

    However, Leclerc was back in action alongside Hamilton on Tuesday as a two-day test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya got underway. It was Ferrari’s 2024 challenger, the SF-24, which was at their disposal this time in a test dictated by Pirelli as F1’s tyre manufacturer work on their 2026 slick compounds.

     

    Joining the Ferrari duo in Barcelona was McLaren’s Lando Norris who manned the MCL60 and set the fastest time of a 1:15.21, completing 159 laps, while Hamilton was second on this particular leaderboard, delivering 87 laps with a best time of a 1:15.93, 0.13s faster than Leclerc’s best with the Monegasque racer completing 86 laps of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

     

    Ferrari and McLaren used modified versions of their respective challengers, with the FIA clearing teams to drop roughly 20 per cent of downforce from the cars in modifying them to better represent the challengers which will be formed from the new F1 2026 regulations.

     

    In one of Formula 1’s biggest regulatory shake-ups yet, new chassis and power unit rules will come into force from F1 2026.

     

    The FIA’s regulations on mule cars state: “Cars must include and are limited to the minimal modifications necessary for the purpose of testing development tyres or for testing components or systems on behalf of the FIA for future championship seasons, as determined by the FIA.

     

    “No test parts, test software or component changes will be permitted which give any sort of information to the competitor that is unrelated to the mule car test unless specifically requested by the FIA.”

     

    A report from autoracer.it claimed that Ferrari also had their SF-23 in action in Barcelona on Tuesday so that Leclerc could make up for his previously missed running.

     

    Both Ferrari and McLaren will continue their Pirelli tyre testing duties at the circuit on Wednesday.

  • New Detroit Lions offensive coach, Amon-Ra St. Brown go way back

    New Detroit Lions offensive coach, Amon-Ra St. Brown go way back

     

    Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and new pass game coordinator David Shaw go way, way back.

     

    As we all prepare to learn about how the Detroit Lions offense will change under several new coaches, which includes new offensive coordinator John Morton, Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown revealed on his podcast this week that he has a long, shared history with another new coach. Former Stanford head coach—and now Lions pass game coordinator—David Shaw goes way back with St. Brown.

     

    That’s because St. Brown’s brother, Osiris, went to Stanford while Shaw was the head coach there. Amon-Ra, still in high school at the time, went to a few camps out there during his recruitment and got to know Shaw.

     

    “When I saw [the news], I was like, ‘No way! Coach Shaw with the Lions? That’s a crazy full-circle moment,’” St. Brown said.

     

    As for how much he knows about Shaw and his offenses, St. Brown said he got to know him more on a personal level rather than talk about football.

     

    “It was more like just talking to him about life, what I want in a college, what I like and things like that, but I never got into super depth details about football,” St. Brown said. “But I’m sure he’s awesome. He was with Johnny Mo(rton) in Denver, and Johnny Mo was doing a lot of good stuff when he was here in Detroit.”

     

    A few days after Shaw got the job, he made sure to reach out to Amon-Ra.

     

    “He texted me and said he can’t wait to see me out in Allen Park,” St. Brown said. “So I’m excited to see him. it’s going to be fun. New coaches, fresh faces, time to get back to work.”

     

    St. Brown also gave some insight into what Osiris thought about him during their shared time at Stanford.

     

    “He said he’s a good dude, good coach,” St. Brown said. “I didn’t ask him too much about it. I don’t think Osiris knows much about how much (Shaw) knows about pass game because he was the head coach with Stanford, so I think it’s a little different.”

     

    When goaded by his brother Equanimeous about the offense potentially taking a step back, Amon-Ra made it clear he wasn’t worried.

     

  • Goodman: Why didn’t DeBoer bench Jalen Milroe?

    Goodman: Why didn’t DeBoer bench Jalen Milroe?

     

     

    Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) is tackled by Oklahoma defensive back Robert Spears-Jennings (3) for a loss during the first quarter of a NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Norman, Okla.

    There’s a hint of spring in the air this week. Have I been too hard on Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer? The time for regrowth is upon us and the mailbag is heating up.

     

     

     

    Son, you weren’t around when Bear Bryant retired. Several coaches came after he retired. All were failures until Gene Stallings was hired. DeBoer will do alright if left alone and negative posts from folks like you don’t help.

     

    As a Bama fan for over 70 years, I have seen some more coaches at Bama. I went to Bama vs Memphis State in 1958, Bear’s first year coaching at Bama. Back then, freshmen couldn’t play in games. He used the same players from the 1957 team that didn’t win a game and had a 5-5 season. Saban is probably the greatest coach in college football history! How do you follow an act like that? You don’t!!

     

    I would appreciate it if you would support coach DeBoer a little more as he has only been at Bama one year.

     

    Had Alabama lost to Missouri, Georgia, and LSU, instead of Vanderbilt, Michigan and Oklahoma, there would not have been such an uproar about the first season. As soon as Saban announced his retirement, the transfer portal opened up and several starting Alabama players left the team for better paydays/cars.

     

    With NIL benefiting teams that have big financial coffers such as Ohio State and Texas, there will probably not be a dynasty like Alabama under Saban again. Winning nine games in the first season and beating Auburn, it could’ve been worse. Don’t back up the moving van yet.

     

     

     

    Last season, Alabama’s offensive line was merely a shadow of its former groups. It was inconsistent, short on talent and thin because of injuries. Even if [Ryan] Grubb turns out to be a mastermind as the OC, he won’t be able to load the wagon unless he has the mules … running or passing.

     

    Decades ago as a lad, there was a popular cigarette that employed an ad slogan that espoused a line stating, “It’s what’s up front that counts!” That could be a projection of what Alabama’s offense requires in 2025 to be successful. If that need somehow materializes, Ty Simpson has the skill-set to make things work offensively.

     

    DeBoer and Grubb have to commit to a quarterback who can produce, or be willing to switch when he cannot. When [Jalen] Milroe couldn’t make things happen last season, nobody else was given a fair trial at quarterback. And from what many saw of Milroe at the Senior Bowl, it adds to the mystery of why the Tide could never adjust during a four-loss season.

     

    For those wondering, let me just begin by pointing out that Jerry is not my actual father. I sincerely appreciate being considered part of the family, though. As his adopted son, let me go ahead and thank Jerry in advance for writing me into his will and leaving me his collection of Coach Bryant Coca-Cola bottles.

     

    Critical analysis of an Alabama coach who loses to Vanderbilt isn’t unfair for a sports columnist in the Heart of Dixie, but rather a requirement of the job description. As they say at Alabama, the standard is the standard.

     

    Is it time to lower the standard at Alabama now that college football is in a new era? No chance, so let’s take a closer look at something that’s been stuck in my craw since the first half of the loss to Oklahoma.

     

    If Alabama had enough talent to blow out LSU in Death Valley, then there was more than enough juice on the roster to win at Vanderbilt and Oklahoma. The reason for those losses was a combination of poor preparation by the coaching staff and inconsistent quarterback play by Jalen Milroe.

     

    Maybe those two things are related, but either way I’m not about to start blaming Alabama’s offensive line for all of Milroe’s blunders. With a trip to the playoffs in the balance, why didn’t DeBoer and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan bench Milroe after the first half against Oklahoma?

     

    Was it out of loyalty? Was it fear of being exposed? The most consistent thing about Milroe last season was that when things started to go badly for him they usually got worse. It didn’t take a coaching mastermind to spot the trend. If backups Tyler Simpson and Austin Mack weren’t good enough to come off the bench in 2024, then I’m not convinced they’re the answer for Alabama in 2025.

     

    Auburn went into the portal for a quarterback despite bringing in a highly rated freshman. Alabama could have done the same, but is instead going with Simpson and Mack this spring. If incoming freshman quarterback Keelon Russell wins the job over Simpson and Mack, then expect one or both of those quarterbacks to transfer.

     

    DeBoer should have benched Milroe against Oklahoma in an attempt to save the season. Maybe things would have been different if DeBoer had lieutenant Ryan Grubb by his side. DeBoer and Grubb won a lot of games at Washington with Michael Penix, Jr., playing quarterback, but let’s not forget that it was Sheridan who coached Penix at Indiana before joining DeBoer’s staff in Washington for the 2022 season.

     

    DeBoer goes into spring with Sheridan focusing on quarterbacks once again. That should give Grubb plenty of time to fix the offensive line. Alabama will have a new offense in 2025, and DeBoer deserves the benefit of the doubt based on his teams at Washington. But the pressure cooker is already on high. Alabama needs to find a quarterback combination that can guarantee 10 wins and a trip to the College Football Playoff.

     

    How would you rate the job Coach Hugh Freeze has done in his two years at Auburn?

     

    Freeze got a pass his first two seasons at Auburn based on what he inherited from former coach Bryan Harsin. Harsin was the worst coach in the history of the SEC. The guy ran off Bo Nix and then ran a proud football program into the dirt.

     

    Auburn fans like to call DeBoer the new Harsin, but there’s no comparison.

     

    Give Freeze an ‘A’ for his last two recruiting classes and a C- for the games. Freeze is a better recruiter than anyone on Alabama’s staff, but now it’s time to win and make the College Football Playoff. There’s more pressure on Freeze this spring than DeBoer.

     

    Can Alabama and Auburn football thrive at the same time? The basketball teams are proving that it’s possible in this new era of professional collegiate sports.

     

     

  • Steelers QB Could Sign To Replace Aaron Rodgers

    Steelers QB Could Sign To Replace Aaron Rodgers

     

    Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields has publicly expressed his desire to return to Western Pennsylvania on his second NFL contract.

     

    However, Russell Wilson’s potential return looms over Fields’ free agency. There’s little reason for both to participate in Pittsburgh’s timeshare in 2025, and the chances to sign elsewhere as a starter are incredibly finite. If he’s going to make a jump to a full-time starting role, it will be in the coming months.

     

    It’s just a matter of where.

     

    Aaron Rodgers Vs Justin Fields

    Aaron Rodgers Vs Justin Fields By Tony Fisher

    One bold prediction from Pro Football Network says Fields will replace Aaron Rodgers and sign with the New York Jets.

     

    “Nonetheless, Fields was effective as a starter for the Steelers in 2024 before being benched for Wilson after six games,” Ben Rolfe wrote. “Beyond the 4-2 record and 5-1 TD-INT ratio, Fields also averaged 0.04 EPA per dropback, which would have been inside the top 20 at the position if he had thrown enough passes to qualify for the leaderboard (200).

     

    “Fields also had the highest completion percentage of his career (65.8%) and continues to be a red-zone weapon with his legs (five rushing TDs, all from the 7-yard line or closer). With the Jets likely moving on from Rodgers after the 41-year-old finished 21st in PFN’s QB+ rankings (72.1 grade), Fields could be a high-upside option for a roster that is otherwise veteran-laden and could be competitive in 2025.”

     

    Fields showcased his competence and development in his hot start to the season. However, it wasn’t enough to earn the Steelers’ trust, even as Wilson struggled down the stretch.

     

    Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) warms up next to quarterback Russell Wilson (3).

    If Pittsburgh decided to prioritize Wilson, landing in New York makes some amount of sense. With Rodgers hypothetically out of the picture, the Jets would need a similar floor-raising passer who could hold down the fort until a rookie quarterback enters the fray.

     

    A Fields/Tyrod Taylor tandem offers athleticism and more out-of-structure play than Rodgers gave the Jets last year, albeit without the in-structure prowess Rodgers was supposed to provide.

     

    With more talent than Pittsburgh’s surrounding cast, a short-term deal for Fields gives him the opportunity to start and a cleaner path to production, potentially parlaying itself into another, more lucrative contract.

     

    Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson at M&T Bank Stadium on Jan. 11, 2025.

  • Still have a future at the club’ – McKenna on Championship loan moves for Town duo

    Still have a future at the club’ – McKenna on Championship loan moves for Town duo

     

    Ali Al-Hamadi (left) and Harry Clarke (right) will spent the rest of the season on loan in the Championship

    Ali Al-Hamadi (left) and Harry Clarke (right) will spent the rest of the season on loan in the Championship

    Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has stressed that Ali Al-Hamadi and Harry Clarke can both play a part in the club’s future despite their recent Championship loan moves.

     

    Al-Hamadi, who was signed from League Two side AFC Wimbledon last year, has joined up with Stoke City, scoring on his debut away at Hull City last weekend. The striker has found it hard to adapt to life in the Premier League and will hope to gain some confidence in the second tier.

     

    Clarke, on the other hand, will spend the rest of the season with Sheffield United. Chris Wilder’s side are chasing promotion back to the top flight, and the right-back has already impressed fans following his maiden appearance away at Derby County.

     

    McKenna has been keen to highlight that the Blues will be watching both of them closely in the second half of the campaign, with an eye on re-integrating them into the squad ahead of next season.

     

    “They are good opportunities for them,” McKenna said. “They are players who have done well here and players who still have a future at the club.

     

    Kieran McKenna is hoping to keep a close eye on the pair

    Kieran McKenna is hoping to keep a close eye on the pair

     

    “But we always try and find the right balance between making sure that we have enough cover and enough competition in the squad without having too much, and also letting players progress in their careers – both for themselves and their ambitions, but also for a football club to keep developing our assets as well.

     

    “We feel like this is the right opportunity for both of those two boys is to go out and play.

     

    “They are both still young and, of course, we’ll keep in contact with them and keep a good eye on them.

     

    “Hopefully they will have a good second half of the season in the Championship.”

     

    George Edmundson’s departure to Middlesbrough was also confirmed ahead of Town’s defeat to Southampton. The centre-back, who spent the first half of the season on loan at the Riverside, made a permanent switch for an initial fee of £600k which can more than double with add-ons.

     

    Although his exit felt inevitable, he played an important part in Ipswich’s journey and was a brilliant character behind the scenes, which McKenna was quick to recognise.

     

    “A very, very popular player,” he said about Edmundson. “He did some great work in the community as well, with the disability aspect of the Ipswich Town Foundation.

     

    George Edmundson left the Blues to join Middlesbrough on a permanent deal

    George Edmundson left the Blues to join Middlesbrough on a permanent deal

    “He’s a very good person, very well-liked by his teammates. He had a big contribution on the pitch.

     

    “He had some injuries as well over the couple of years, but when fit, he was always an important player.

     

    “He had runs of playing in the team and doing very well, and even when he wasn’t playing every week, he was always ready to step in with some big performances – no more so than at the very end of last season against Coventry.

     

  • Cooper Kupp trade rumors: ESPN insider suggest Detroit Lions are in play

    Cooper Kupp trade rumors: ESPN insider suggest Detroit Lions are in play

     

    One NFL insider believes the Detroit Lions could get involved in a Cooper Kupp trade.

     

    “I was informed that the team will be seeking a trade immediately and will be working with me and my family to find the right place to continue competing for championships,” Kupp tweeted on Monday. “I don’t agree with the decision and always believed it was going to begin and end in LA. Still, if there’s one thing that I have learned over the years: there are so many things that are out of your control, but it is how you respond to these things that you will look back on and remember.”

     

    The Lions don’t have a huge, pressing need at wide receiver, although their third starter—Tim Patrick—is set to become a free agent. Nevertheless, ESPN’s insider Jeremy Fowler suggested on Tuesday that the Lions could get involved in Kupp trade talks during an appearance on SportsCenter.

     

    “As far as early teams that people are bantering about, Pittsburgh Steelers looked into Cooper Kupp at the trade deadline last season. They still have a need there. Washington could look for a complement to Terry McLaurin. The Patriots would be foolish not to at least check in on this given their receiver situation. And here are a few surprises for you: Detroit Lions. Jared Goff came in the league with Cooper Kupp. That’s instant chemistry. And then doesn’t this feel a Kansas City Chiefs move a little bit?”

     

    Now let’s be clear: this reads as mere speculation and dot connecting from Fowler. The entire start to his “report” is “early teams that people are bantering about.” There is no clarification about who these people are and who they’re bantering with. He is not saying anything suggesting the Lions have already inquired about Kupp. And it certainly sounds like the only reason the Lions are mentioned is because of Goff’s four shared seasons with Kupp in Los Angeles. That’s far from enough evidence to suggest the Lions will get involved.

     

    There’s also the matter of compensation. Right now, Kupp carries a pretty significant contract with him. He’s got a $12.5 million salary for 2025 and a $7.5 million roster bonus due on the fifth day of the new league year. That’s a $20 million cap hit for the team acquiring him, although some experts suggest the Rams may agree to eat some of that. Similarly, Kupp has a $14.85 million salary in 2026 with a $5 million roster bonus—although none of that money is guaranteed.

     

    With a contract that large, the fact that Kupp will be 32 years old to start the 2025 season, and injuries plaguing his last three seasons, it’s unlikely the Rams will catch anything other than a pick on Day 3 for the veteran receiver. That may make the deal most intriguing for a team like Detroit, but that contract still seems a bit too prohibitive to me.

     

    Detroit would likely be able to re-sign Tim Patrick for far less and continue to have the explosive offense they had in 2024. That money would be better spent on the other side of the ball, where the Lions have some tough decisions, like what to do with pending free agents Carlton Davis, Levi Onwuzurike, and Derrick Barnes.

  • James excited for ‘special’ Doncic link up

    James excited for ‘special’ Doncic link up

    It will be “special” to play alongside Luka Doncic, the newcomer to the LA Lakers, according to LeBron James. Anthony Davis, a 2020 NBA champion with the Lakers, moved in the opposite direction of the Slovenian last weekend when Doncic finalized a surprise deal to the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks.

    The 25-year-old Doncic finished as the league’s leading scorer in 2024 and has been an NBA All-Star for the last five seasons. James remarked, “It’s going to be special,” “There will be a lot of people watching us.”

    Luka is a major player, you see. Even though he is only 25 years old, he has already accomplished some incredible feats in our league. “I’m glad to have him, and LA is glad as well. To be honest, it’s still a little surreal.

    James made this statement soon after the Lakers defeated the LA Clippers 122-97 on Tuesday night. James, who has won the NBA MVP award four times, led the Lakers to victory with 26 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. Doncic, who has been sidelined by a calf ailment since December, observed from the sidelines with his new teammates. Doncic talked about his surprise at joining the Lakers prior to the game.

    You can imagine how surprised I was,” he said.

    “I had to check if it was April 1. I didn’t really believe it.”

    The Lakers expect Doncic to make his debut later this month

  • LeBron scores 26, and the Lakers thrash the Clippers 122-97 with Luka Doncic watching on the bench

    LeBron scores 26, and the Lakers thrash the Clippers 122-97 with Luka Doncic watching on the bench

     

    Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, right, sits next to forward LeBron James on the bench before an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif.

    Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, right, sits next to forward LeBron James on the bench before an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. Kevork

     

    INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — LeBron James had 26 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, and Luka Doncic watched approvingly from the bench while the Los Angeles Lakers thrashed the Los Angeles Clippers 122-97 Tuesday night.

     

    Doncic clapped and occasionally fist-pumped during the Lakers’ outstanding performance in their first game since they made the seismic trade to acquire the All-NBA scoring champion in exchange for star big man Anthony Davis. James and Doncic, who is close to a return from a strained calf, sat next to each other and talked at times.

     

    Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura scored 20 points apiece for the Lakers, who finished a six-game trip with five victories despite losing Davis to injury even before the trade. The Lakers’ victory was their first at Intuit Dome, their crosstown rivals’ sparkling new arena.

     

    Norman Powell scored 20 points for the Clippers (28-22), who fell two games behind the fifth-place Lakers (29-19) in the West.

     

    Behind the scenes with UConn women’s basketball’s male practice players

    UConn women’s basketball team’s Paige Bueckers (5) during first day of practice at Werth Champions Center on UConn campus in Storrs, Conn., on Thursday October 3, 2024.

    James Harden went 2 of 12 for seven points, and Kawhi Leonard scored just 11 before both stars took the fourth quarter off.

     

    Bronny James hit his first NBA 3-pointer while playing the final six minutes.

     

    Patty Mills and Drew Eubanks played the final seven minutes in their debuts with the Clippers, who acquired the veterans Saturday from Utah.

     

    Takeaways

    Clippers: A lifeless effort in their return from a four-game trip. Owner Steve Ballmer had little to cheer.

     

     

     

    Article continues below this ad

     

    Lakers: The results were brilliant, but the method was also impressive. They fought and worked on defense — something they’ll have to do every night without Davis.

     

    Key moment

    The Lakers put up 45 points in the first quarter — the most they’ve managed in any period this season.

     

    Key stat

    The Lakers didn’t make a turnover until midway through the second quarter.

     

     

     

     

    ___