SPORT RSS Streams

Houston head coach Willie Fritz shouts directions to his players, during the second half of a game against BYU, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Provo. | Rick Egan, Associated Press

No. 10 Utah’s matchup against No. 14 Houston will be a big test for both teams.

While the Cougars have already faced two ranked teams in then-No. 13 Texas Tech (a 28-26 loss that came down to an inch) and No. 18 Oklahoma State (a 35-32 win), the Utes will play their first ranked team this season in a marquee Big 12 matchup.

ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’ show will air live from the University of Utah’s Presidents Circle at 7 a.m. MDT on Saturday morning to set the stage for one of the biggest games of the week’s college football slate.

Houston coach Willie Fritz, whose team is on a four-game winning streak, knows the challenge the undefeated Utes pose, even if Utah didn’t play its best game in a tight 27-24 win over Colorado last week.

“We’re going to have another big test coming up against Utah. They’re very well-coached. Their new head coach has been there a while, so he knows their system,” Fritz said in his weekly press conference on Monday.

While Utah’s offense took a step backward in the win over Colorado, the Utes are still averaging 40.2 points and 486.5 yards per game, both top-10 marks in the nation.

The two-quarterback system is unique and has caused defenses problems in the past, but Colorado successfully slowed it down. Byrd Ficklin played nine snaps on Saturday — one at quarterback, four in the backfield and four at receiver — and didn’t see much success, rushing for two yards and catching three passes for 13 yards.

Houston is preparing for Ficklin to get plenty of touches on Saturday, along with an entire cast of characters. Utah’s leading receiver seems to change every week; Last week, it was Creed Whittemore getting his turn with 88 yards on three catches, including a 43-yard reception. Braden Pegan also continued his excellent season with 86 yards and two scores on eight receptions.

Offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven’s bag of tricks didn’t work as well as it usually does against Colorado, but as Scalley said, what some might call “trick plays” is just part of Utah’s normal offense.

Utah’s offense has raised the bar so high this season that a 409-yard, 27-point performance was mildly disappointing — only because Utah’s players knew that they should have put more points on the scoreboard, especially in the red zone. Devon Dampier’s two interceptions didn’t help matters, either.

Despite the performance last game, Utah’s offense is one that can keep opposing defensive coordinators and head coaches up at night.

“Offensively they do a bunch of stuff. I mean, a bunch of stuff. They’ll play with two quarterbacks, they’ll play with one quarterback and another one off,” Fritz said.

“Rhino” tight end Semi Taulanga earned a mention from Houston’s head coach.

“They’ve got a big extra tight end guy who’s, I don’t know how big he is. He’s a big dude. He’s probably 6-2, 330, 340 pounds, something like that. Lead blocker, he actually caught a touchdown pass a couple of weeks ago against Kansas. So (they) really do a lot of things. We’re going to have to be on point during the game,” Fritz said.

The challenge for Fritz and his staff this week is to try and simplify all of the wrinkles of Utah’s offense so he can prepare his players without overwhelming them.

“I was sitting in our meetings this morning and we’re obviously trying to simplify it as much as we can, but they do a lot of stuff,” Fritz said.

“If you watch some of their games, you’ll see them in all sorts of different formations and sets and run a bunch of option and halfback passes, double passes. They do a lot of stuff offensively. The main thing is you got to line up right. If you line up right, you got a chance. If you don’t line up right, there’s going to be some problems.”

The Utes are 0-5 all-time against the Cougars, including a 17-14 loss at a barren TDECU Stadium in 2024 that was the low-water mark of a forgettable season for the Utes. For Houston, it’s the first trip to Salt Lake City since 1977, a 34-16 win for the Cougars.

Fritz, who took over at Houston in 2024 after a great run at Tulane, is making his first-ever trip to Rice-Eccles Stadium.

“We’re playing up there. I’ve never played there before. I’ve heard it’s a great venue to play at, so we’re looking forward to it,” Fritz said.

The well-traveled head coach, who worked his way up from Blinn College to Houston, has surveyed other coaches in the Big 12 to get a feel for Rice-Eccles Stadium. The 51,444-seat stadium punches above its weight in noise and Ute fans will bring it for the first “big” game in the stadium this season.

The 8:15 p.m. kickoff is the annual “dark mode” game with fans wearing black to the late-night contest.

“Obviously we’ll work with a lot of noise this week during practice because it’s going to be loud. I always check with people that have played them maybe a couple weeks before, the locker room, distance to the field, the crowd noise, turf, altitude, different things like that. The only thing we do differently is the flight’s a little longer. That’s it,” Fritz said.

At 7 a.m., more than 13 hours before kickoff, ‘College GameDay’ will begin its show live from Salt Lake City. It’s the seventh time Utah has hosted the show, but for Fritz, it’s the first time a team he has coached has had a game featured on the traveling pregame show.

“I think the kids were excited about it. I kind of mentioned it this morning. I think they all knew already. That’ll be exciting. I’ve never been a part of ‘GameDay’ and I always get a big kick out of the last time Houston was on ‘College GameDay.’ Coach (Lee) Corso kind of threw one out there with my friend Carl Lewis up there on stage,” Fritz said, referring to Corso’s expletive while picking Houston when the show was on campus in 2011.

“I always get a little chuckle out of that. We’re excited about being on it. I think all the people on there are really pro-college sports. They do a great job of really getting the sport out there and doing it the right way.”

Houston coach Willie Fritz speaks during the Big 12 Conference media days in Las Vegas, Wednesday, July 10, 2024. | Lucas Peltier, Associated Press

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 08: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks dribbles during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden on October 08, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) Getty

The New York Knicks rely on Josh Hart to do a whole lot of things on the basketball court.

An injury nearly stopped all of that, though. Hart’s got an ailment that could only be repaired by forcing him to retire from the NBA.

Hart, though, doesn’t want to be done playing basketball, so he’s instead going to play through the pain.

The Knicks start their season on Tuesday night as they raise their championship banner and get their rings. Hart will be out there as usual, likely with either a wrap or a brace on his right ring finger.

So he’s going to have to put that championship ring on his left hand. That’s the healthy one.

His right hand is just something he’s going to have to deal with for the rest of his career.

What’s Wrong With Josh Hart’s Finger?

Hart has what The Athletic’s Fred Katz terms a “jagged” right ring finger.

Katz describes it like this: “The fourth finger on Hart’s right hand looks like an M.C. Escher painting, one bone pointing in one direction, another veering in another with the top one at a diagonal again.”

Hart initially hurt that finger during the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers. He had surgery in the offseason.

He hurt it again, though, while guarding Mikal Bridges in a summer scrimmage not long after the surgery.

His plan, per Katz, was to wear protection on his finger for all of the 2025-26 season and then have another surgery.

Instead, doctors told Hart his only option would be to have a “full joint replacement” to repair his right ring finger, and that would end his career.

“You can’t have the banging, repetitive (motion),” Hart told Katz. “Grabbing a rebound, palming it, shooting, catching the ball, doing all that: You can’t do that. So, if I did a joint replacement, then I wouldn’t be able to play.”

Thus, Hart is sticking it out with pain.

Why Josh Hart Has Wrap on Right Ring Finger

Because Hart can’t undergo the surgery that would fix his finger, he has to at least keep it wrapped up or stabilized a bit when he plays.

It’s better than the alternative.

“I guess it’s either wrap it till I retire (or) cut it off,” Hart told Katz. “I guess that’s the other option. So that’s really the only alternative: either joint replacement, let it go, or amputation.”

Hart described to Katz that some days, it’s painful to even catch the ball, but that other days it’s just fine.

Despite that, Hart made 41% of his 3-pointers last season, a career-best.

Apparently he feels comfortable with a right ring finger that’s in pain. The good news is that it’s his finger, and it’s still attached, and that Hart can keep on playing the game he loves anyway.

This article was originally published on HEAVY

The post What’s Wrong With Josh Hart’s Finger? Why Knicks Star Has Right Ring Wrapped for Injury appeared first on HEAVY.

Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Suns governor Mat Ishbia doubles down on Kevin Durant social media feud appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

A few days ago, Phoenix Suns governor Mat Ishbia and former Suns star Kevin Durant had a bit of a spat on social media. Ishbia’s quote regarding “throwing money at the problem” not being the solution made the rounds on social media, and he namedropped Durant, saying that bringing in someone like the two-time NBA Finals MVP doesn’t guarantee team success.

Durant did not take too kindly to seeing his name get dragged around. The Suns governor then replied by saying that Durant, who is now with the Houston Rockets, may have simply seen the quote out of context. Moreover, he clarified that he didn’t necessarily blame Durant for the Suns’ disappointing finishes in his two-and-a-half seasons with the team.

Ishbia’s stance regarding the matter hasn’t changed, and he doubled down on his defense after coming under fire for his remarks.

Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)

“I don’t know if you saw it, but I said what I said. I think [Durant] misinterpreted it. He just kind of read some headline rather than actually watching the video, and sometimes he does that. And so he misunderstood it, and I figured I’d clarify it for him. But I feel good about what I said about the NBA and how it works,” Ishbia said in an interview posted by women’s basketball insider Khristina Williams.

Phoenix Mercury and Suns owner Mat Ishbia says he doesn’t regret recent social media frenzy with Kevin Durant. pic.twitter.com/BfmM5zMLKV

— Khristina (@Khristina) October 20, 2026

Ishbia purchased the Suns franchise for $4 billion in December 2022 after a scandal brought an end to Robert Sarver’s ownership of the team. He would then urge the front office to be aggressive; they broke up the core that made it to the 2021 NBA Finals by trading Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and Jae Crowder, along with significant draft assets, to bring in Durant.

They would then make more changes to the roster after losing in the second round of the playoffs in 2023, trading away Deandre Ayton to acquire Jusuf Nurkic and Grayson Allen. Moreover, they sent floor general Chris Paul away in a trade for Bradley Beal. They would then get swept in the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs and they would miss the postseason entirely in 2025.

The Suns traded Durant to the Rockets last year for a package headlined by Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green, surprisingly making it to the playoffs.

Related: Suns’ Dillon Brooks trolls LeBron James with ‘Kingblocker’ ad that’s displayed right in front of MSG

Related: Luke Kennard aiming to ‘be right for Suns season opener vs. Blazers

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 14: NASCAR Hall of Famer and JR Motorsports team owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr. looks on during the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series United Rentals 300 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) Getty

A yearslong fight over the future of Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway has taken another major turn, and nearly 28,000 rejected signatures weren’t enough to stop it.

A petition seeking to end auto racing at the historic Tennessee track has cleared a crucial hurdle, putting the Fairgrounds’ racing future one step closer to a potential citywide vote.

The development comes as efforts to revive the venue and potentially bring NASCAR’s Cup Series back to the Fairgrounds remain unresolved. And for supporters hoping to preserve one of the sport’s oldest racing facilities, the latest decision raises the stakes considerably.

Nashville Fairgrounds Racing Ban Petition Clears Major Hurdle

The Davidson County Election Commission voted 4-0, with one commissioner abstaining, to certify a petition seeking a change to Nashville’s Metro Charter that would ultimately end auto racing at the Fairgrounds.

The vote came despite election officials rejecting 27,567 of the 75,246 signatures reviewed during the verification process.

According to figures reported by Daily Downforce, officials accepted 47,679 signatures, exceeding the required 40,194 by 7,485.

That means more than one-third of the signatures reviewed didn’t count, but organizers still gathered enough valid signatures to advance their effort.

The petition was submitted in September by Restore Our Fairgrounds, a coalition advocating for affordable and workforce housing at the property rather than continued auto racing.

The proposed amendment goes further than simply removing existing protections for racing. It would direct the Fair Board to develop plans to end auto racing at the Fairgrounds as soon as possible after the amendment takes effect.

For Nashville’s racing community, the distinction is significant. The proposal isn’t merely about opening the property to other possibilities. Its stated objective is to bring racing at the venue to an end.

Speedway Supporters Challenge Petition as Legal Fight Continues

Certification doesn’t mean Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway is closing, nor does it guarantee the proposal will appear before voters without further challenges.

Speedway supporters have raised questions about how signatures were collected, including allegations that some residents’ names appeared on petition sheets without their permission.

Other residents have alleged that canvassers misrepresented the petition’s purpose, including claims that they were told the speedway was already headed for demolition or that the proposal primarily concerned affordable housing.

Restore Our Fairgrounds disputes those allegations. Coalition representatives have said canvassers were instructed to accurately explain the petition and that verified signature withdrawal requests were honored.

Those competing claims have not been resolved by the commission’s certification vote.

A court hearing scheduled for Oct. 27 could help determine how disputed signature withdrawals are handled and whether the petition can continue toward a public vote.

For now, the certified signature count is enough to keep the effort alive.

What Does This Mean for NASCAR’s Return to Nashville Fairgrounds?

The timing presents another complication for Speedway Motorsports, which has spent years pursuing a renovation agreement that could make the historic short track suitable for NASCAR’s national series.

The Cup Series hasn’t raced at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway since 1984. Although the venue continues to host local and regional competition, a modernized facility has long been viewed as a possible route back to NASCAR’s premier level.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has also been among the prominent voices advocating for the track’s preservation and revival.

But the proposed charter amendment could threaten far more than a potential Cup Series return. If approved and implemented, it would put the continuation of auto racing at the Fairgrounds itself in jeopardy.

The proposal also doesn’t establish a funded housing development that would automatically replace the racetrack. It addresses the future use of the property, not a finalized construction project.

Nashville voters could ultimately weigh in during a proposed August 2027 referendum, provided the petition survives its remaining legal challenges.

The next immediate date to watch is Oct. 27, when the dispute over signature withdrawals is scheduled to return to court.

Until then, Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway remains operational. But the campaign to end racing there has now cleared a substantial procedural obstacle, despite tens of thousands of signatures being rejected.

This article was originally published on HEAVY

The post Historic NASCAR Track Faces Racing Ban Despite Nearly 28,000 Rejected Signatures appeared first on HEAVY.

1. Apple is looking for a cellular modem engineer to help shape its transition to 6G  9to5Mac
2. Apple Seeks 6G Modem Engineers as It Plans for Post-5G iPhones  MacRumors
3. New Apple job listing hints at path to 6G devices  Macworld
4. Apple Is Already Hiring for 6G, and It Wants Engineers Who Know AI  Android Headlines
5. Apple Is Looking for Engineers to Develop 6G Modems: Here's What They're Offering  LIGA.net

var adServerUrl = ""; var $el = $( "#video_container-132305" ); var permalink = $el.closest('.snet-single-article').data('permalink'); $el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") ); $( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-132305" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: false, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6407158097112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/6407158097112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/video/sixers-james-shows-off-hops-in-year-24-with-alley-oop-slam/" }); });

Defenceman Jake McCabe exited after taking a stick to the face from Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson just over 13 minutes into the first period. The Leafs officially ruled him out during the second intermission.

1. NFLPA calls for 'full investigation' into medical care provided to Eagles' Hurts  ESPN
2. Reports: NFL won't punish Eagles for letting Jalen Hurts play with blood clot  ESPN
3. NFL Defends Treatment of Star Quarterback Who Played With Blood Clot  WSJ
4. NFL supports Eagles' treatment of QB Jalen Hurts' medical situation  NFL.com
5. NFL Players Association calls for full investigation into Jalen Hurts’ medical care  Yahoo Sports

1. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 Review: Iteration Overshadowed By Innovation  BGR
2. Expectations vs reality: What does the Galaxy Z Fold 8's foldable screen actually feel like?  SamMobile
3. [Video] “Fold and fold again, run 24 hours a day” ... A look inside quality testing for Samsung’s Galaxy Z8 series  매일경제
4. Fold your office into your pocket  BusinessDesk
5. Unrivalled Foldable Experiences: Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 Series  samsung.com

The Edmonton Oilers face a big test as they welcome the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday. Live coverage on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ begins at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, or follow along with our live tracker.

1. Ohio governor’s race in uproar over video featuring Democrat’s estranged mother  The Washington Post
2. Exclusive: Ramaswamy doubles down on explosive ad featuring rival's mother, despite backlash  Axios
3. Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton’s campaign condemns ad featuring her estranged mother  Politico
4. Democrat in Ohio governor's race pushes back against unattributed ad featuring her estranged mother  Yahoo
5. Attack Ad Featuring Candidate’s Mother Turns Ohio Governor’s Race Even Uglier  The New York Times

1. Musk chose to restrict Ukraine's access to SpaceX satellite network, sources say  CBS News
2. Exclusive | Musk Ordered Starlink Slowdown That Blindsided Ukraine  WSJ
3. Elon Musk ordered a slowdown of Starlink in Ukraine — report  DW.com
4. EXCLUSIVE: Order to limit Starshield for Ukraine came from inside White House, sources say  Reuters
5. The big questions about who’s to blame for Starshield disruptions in Ukraine  CNN

var adServerUrl = ""; var $el = $( "#video_container-222485" ); var permalink = $el.closest('.snet-single-article').data('permalink'); $el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") ); $( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-222485" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: false, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6407158438112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/6407158438112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/canadiens-slafkovsky-chips-puck-to-himself-around-nurse-for-stellar-goal/" }); });

var adServerUrl = ""; var $el = $( "#video_container-386227" ); var permalink = $el.closest('.snet-single-article').data('permalink'); $el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") ); $( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-386227" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: false, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6407158629112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/6407158629112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/nylander-matthews-pick-their-spots-46-seconds-apart-to-put-maple-leafs-in-front/" }); });

The first basket of LeBron James' career with the Philadelphia 76ers was a simple one. He took a feed from Joel Embiid in the paint and went up strong for an uncontested right-handed layup.

1. What to know about Jalen Hurts' condition after blood clots found in Eagles star's lungs, leg  CBS News
2. NFL chief medical officer: Eagles' approach to Hurts was 'appropriately guarded'  ESPN
3. ‘There must be a full investigation’: Players union refuses to move on from Jalen Hurts situation  Yahoo Sports
4. NFLPA calls for "full investigation" into Jalen Hurts situation  NBC Sports
5. How a calf injury could have led to blood clots in Jalen Hurts’ lungs  CNN

1. Alfonso Ribeiro Explains Val Chmerkovskiy’s “DWTS” Absence with 7 Words at Start of Live Show  Yahoo News Singapore
2. 'Dancing with the Stars' stumbles into likability crisis after Val suspension  USA Today
3. Val Chmerkovskiy’s Dancing with the Stars Suspension Was Not Result of HR Complaint from Carrie Ann Inaba  People.com
4. Val Chmerkovskiy Gets One-Week 'Dancing With The Stars' Suspension  Deadline
5. Jenna Dewan Breaks Silence on ‘DWTS’ Drama & Thanks Alan Bersten for ‘Stepping In’  TV Insider

Eric Canha-Imagn Images

The biggest surprise in the Patriots’ 26-19 win over the Jets isn’t the final score. It is the performance of a rookie who wasn’t supposed to play this much. Caleb Lomu, the 28th overall pick, now holds the top pass-blocking grade among all rookie tackles in the NFL. This comes after injuries to starters Will Campbell and Morgan Moses forced the 21-year-old into the spotlight during Sunday’s game.

Lomu was drafted to sit on the bench behind veteran Morgan Moses and Will Campbell. The team traded up four spots to get the 6-foot-6, 313-pound tackle from Utah. He was expected to be a backup depth piece for heavy sets. Instead, he became the most effective pass protector on the offensive line. Per Sports Illustrated, Lomu earned an 80.2 pass-blocking grade through six weeks. That number leads the entire rookie class. His pass-blocking efficiency sits at a 98.0, which is also the highest mark for any rookie tackle.

The Injury Opportunity

Campbell suffered a knee injury and Moses dealt with a foot issue in the past two games. These setbacks gave Lomu extended playing time on the right side. He played out of position since he lined up at left tackle in college. Despite the switch, he dominated his new role. Head coach Mike Vrabel addressed the situation after Sunday’s game. “I hate when guys get injured, but I also understand that on the other side of that, there’s an opportunity,” Vrabel said. He added, “You never know what’s going to happen in this league, and we talk about it all the time, preparing for the journey.”

Lomu knew this day could come before the season even started. Marcus Bryant was slated to be the sixth offensive lineman, but Bryant has been sidelined for most of the year. This opened the door for Lomu to take more snaps. Lomu explained his mindset on filling in for injured starters. “It does happen, unfortunately, in this league. Everyone’s got to prepare like a starter for those types of things that happen,” Lomu said. The team traded up to get him for a reason, and now that reason is showing up in the stats.

Winning With a Patchwork Line

The offensive line looked ragged, yet the team secured the victory. Pats Pulpit noted the strange lineup that defeated the Jets. Despite starting a rookie at right tackle, a third-string guard on one side, and a fourth-string guard on the other, the Patriots ran the ball effectively. The free-agent fullback was even on injured reserve. Steve Balestrieri issued a Week 6 report card with a simple message: “Never apologize for a win.” The receivers got demerits for their struggles, but the line held up enough to get the job done.

DeMario Douglas stepped up at receiver while Romeo Doubs sits on injured reserve. Despite committing a fumble against the Jets, Douglas caught three touchdowns over the last two games. He acknowledged the team needs to fix its errors. “I feel like we’ve just got to learn. We can learn from our mistakes,” he said postgame.

Lomu’s rise proves the depth chart is deeper than it looked on paper. He is now the right tackle of New England’s future, according to the data. The Patriots face the Chicago Bears on Thursday night. Lomu must maintain these grades while protecting Drake Maye.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 20: Paul George #13 of the Boston Celtics reacts after a second half three point basket against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on October 20, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) Gregory Shamus

DETROIT (AP) — Paul George looks like he’s still got it.

He scored 38 points — the most by a Boston Celtic in his debut, and the fifth-most by a player in his first game with an NBA franchise — in a 121-113 collapsing defeat Tuesday.

“I’m not a moral victory guy,” George said after making 12 of 21 shots, including 7 of 12 3-pointers. “It means nothing.”

Maybe not, but the nine-time All-Star was impressive and earned a spot in rarified air.

The NBA scoring record for a debut was set by Kyrie Irving in 2019, when he had 50 with the Brooklyn Nets.

Kiki Vandeweghe had 47 points in his first game with Portland in 1984, Wilt Chamberlain scored 43 points in his NBA debut with Philadelphia in 1959 and Damian Lillard had 39 points in his Milwaukee debut in 2023.

George, in his 17th season, was acquired in a trade with the 76ers last summer in exchange for 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown.

Even though George wasn’t celebrating his performance due to the loss, the 36-year-old forward was encouraged by his health.

Injuries — and a 25-game suspension for flunking a drug test — limited him to 37 and 41 games the last two regular seasons with the Sixers.

During training camp with the Celtics, George said his legs felt heavy and winded.

In Game 1 with his fifth team, he didn’t know what to respect.

“It’s hard to know until the lights come on,” George said. “It was a rough camp for me.”

He looked smooth in Motown in 31 minutes with five steals, five rebounds and three assists.

“It was a thing to watch,” teammate Derrick White said. “He got hot and we tried to find him.”

The Celtics found George early in the third quarter, leading to him making three 3-pointers in less than a minute to put them ahead 72-50.

Boston then became the fifth team in 30 seasons to lose a season-opening game after leading by 22 points allowed Detroit to earn the biggest comeback win in a league opener since 1997.

“If we’re in the driver’s seat like that, we’ll learn how to close out games,” George said.

George certainly did his part.

“He was unbelievable,” Jayson Tatum said.

Tatum, meanwhile, was off his game.

The six-time All-Star missed 17 of 23 shots had 13 points and 11 assists. His lack of hustle on defense allowed Javonte Green to take his time for a fifth 3-pointer that gave the Pistons a 13-point lead with 3:33 left that capped a 23-0 run.

George, though, gave the Celtics a lot to like.

“Just his comfort level,” reigning NBA Coach of the Year Joe Mazzulla said. ”The game found him, he made some great reads throughout the game. It was good. He was able to find advantages for himself and others, we just have to continue that.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW

NASCAR penalizes Zane Smith after Phoenix incident with Carson Hocevar. Getty

Zane Smith has been penalized by NASCAR following a post-race incident involving Carson Hocevar last Sunday at Phoenix. The driver of the No. 38 was fined $50,000 for a safety infraction at the conclusion of the Cup Series Freeway Insurance 500.

Following the checkered flag of Sunday’s race, Smith rammed into the back of Hocevar’s No. 77 Chevrolet, expressing displeasure for previous on-track contact during the race.

Details Regarding Zane Smith’s Phoenix Penalty

Motorsports insider Jeff Gluck was one of the first to report the news of NASCAR handing down a fine to Smith for his post-race actions at Phoenix.

“NASCAR penalty report is out and it shows Zane Smith has been fined $50,000 for ramming into Carson Hocevar after the Phoenix race,” Gluck wrote via X.

During the final run of the 312-lap race, Ross Chastain made contact with Hocevar entering turn 3, sending the latter up the racetrack and into the back of Smith’s No. 38. Despite the initial contact from Chastain, Smith was furious with Hocevar.

After running into the back of Hocevar on the cool-down lap, Smith was made aware over the team radio about what actually unfolded.

“Just so you know, the 1 (Chastain) was apparently the one that shipped the 77 (Hocevar) into us.” 

However, Smith was not in the mood to hear otherwise.

“I don’t give a [expletive],” Smith said. 

Smith’s frustration was acknowledged by a member of his team over the radio as they said:

“Yeah, I figured. I was just letting you know.”

One week prior, Michael McDowell and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. tangled after the Cup Series race at Charlotte. Stenhouse side-swiped McDowell’s No. 71 Chevrolet on the cool-down lap.

In retaliation, McDowell hooked Stenhouse’s No. 47 Chevrolet, spinning him up the racetrack in turn 3.

Despite the post-race scuffle on-track, neither driver was penalized by NASCAR. Given that Smith hit Hocevar at a decent rate of speed, NASCAR perhaps saw what happened on Sunday at Phoenix differently than what unfolded at Charlotte.

This article was originally published on HEAVY

The post NASCAR Penalizes Zane Smith After Carson Hocevar Phoenix Incident appeared first on HEAVY.