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Knicks also open their NBA Cup title defense vs LeBron, 76ers

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Knicks vs Spurs NBA Cup NBA FinalsKnicks vs Spurs NBA Cup NBA Finals

Og Anunoby (center, L) #8 and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks lift the trophy after the team defeated the San Antonio Spurs 124-113 to win the championship game of the Emirates NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena on December 16, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP

NEW YORK — The New York Knicks are going to open both of their title defenses against LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Knicks will travel to Philadelphia to face the 76ers on Oct. 30 on the opening night of NBA Cup games, the league announced Wednesday.

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The teams already are scheduled to meet in the Oct. 20 season opener at Madison Square Garden, when the Knicks will get their NBA championship rings before James plays his first game since signing with the 76ers last month.

The NBA revealed the schedule for opening night and Christmas on Tuesday, and along with the NBA Cup schedule on Wednesday also announced the national TV schedules for games on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents Day. It will release the entire 2026-27 schedule on Thursday at 3 p.m. EDT.

This is the fourth season of the NBA Cup, the league’s in-season tournament. Games in the group stage will be played Oct. 30, Nov. 6, Nov. 13, Nov. 20, Nov. 24, Nov. 25 and Nov. 27, when the Knicks will host Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat.

The Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs in the title game last year, then became the first NBA Cup champions to refuse to hang a banner to acknowledge the achievement. They will hang the banner they really wanted — their first since 1973 — on opening night after beating the Spurs again for the NBA championship in June.

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The Knicks-76ers matchup in East Group B will open a Prime Video doubleheader, followed by the Lakers at Golden State in West Group C.

Quarterfinal play will be Dec. 4 and 5, with the semifinals on Dec. 8 and/or Dec. 9, all at team sites. The championship game will be Dec. 11 at Butler’s Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, the first time it has been staged outside Las Vegas.

Holiday Hoops

The two holiday schedules revealed Wednesday, both to be televised as NBC Sports quadruple-headers, were highlighted by LaMelo Ball’s return to Charlotte on Feb. 15. The Hornets traded their point guard to Minnesota in the offseason.

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The Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 18) games: Detroit at Cleveland, Philadelphia at Atlanta, Minnesota at New York, and Houston at Memphis.

The Presidents Day (Feb. 15) games: Minnesota at Charlotte, Philadelphia at Dallas, San Antonio at Miami, and Indiana at Golden State.



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Going global

San Antonio and New Orleans will play two games in Europe in January. Victor Wembanyama returns to France for the Paris game on Jan. 14, and the teams will meet again Jan. 17 in Manchester, England.

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A Single Vikings Rookie Gets Listed as a Starter in Depth Chart

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Vikings Fans at Dallas in 2025
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; A fan of the Minnesota Vikings before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images.

By default, Vikings rookie fullback Max Bredeson is the starter at his position. As with somebody like Andrew DePaola at long snapper, Bredeson is the only option in town, meaning he’s the top option no matter what.

Still, though, allow me to press the point a touch that the FB looks like a sneaky important player.

The young fella got scooped up in the 5th Round of the 2025 NFL Draft, a lofty spot for a fullback without a single college carry. Kevin O’Connell has been telling anyone within earshot that he feels good about where the run game is heading. At this stage, Coach O’Connell saying that this year will be different for the run game has become an annual tradition, but the insertion of an upside rookie FB may spark a new turn.

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Vikings Rookie Max Bredeson as a Puzzle Piece

On the Vikings’ website, the depth chart begins with an explanatory note: “Minnesota opted to list 12 positions on offense to account for the use of three receivers in 11 personnel (a running back and tight end) or the use of a fullback in 21 personnel (a running back, fullback and a tight end with two receivers).”

For a long time, the Vikings have favored 11 personnel. The football lingo refers to using a trio of receivers alongside a single tight end and single running back (the other players are assumed as five offensive linemen alongside a single quarterback). Pretty standard stuff for the modern NFL that’s all about passing.

NCAA Football: Rose Bowl-Alabama at Michigan
Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) and tight end Max Bredeson (44) during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

But then there’s the carve out: the Vikings explicitly create a subcategory for Mr. Bredeson rather than see him lumped into the running backs more broadly. Doing so addresses the nuance between fullbacks and running backs while shoehorning the young thumper into the starting lineup.

Consider where the nine-person draft class gets listed:

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  • DT Caleb Banks: Second String
  • LB Jake Golday: Second String
  • DT Domonique Orange: Second String
  • OT Caleb Tiernan: Second String
  • S Jakobe Thomas: Third String
  • FB Max Bredeson: First String
  • CB Chuck Demmings: Third String
  • RB Demond Claiborne: Fourth String
  • C Gavin Gerhardt: Third String

Over and over again, the Vikings seek to insulate the young fellas even as it’s easy to see where things are trending. Putting Demmings behind Dwight McGlothern appears to be very unlikely at this stage. McGlothern’s virtue, though, is that he has been in town for a little while whereas Demmings is brand new. Making the young fella earn it is a touch old school but still smart.

At the beginning of August, Alec Lewis (The Athletic) sent along a specific thought about the young fullback: “Another non-QB Vikings thing from today: Max Bredeson was very much in the offensive mix. A pretty telling and impressive thing for a rookie FB to be as a part of it as he was this early given complexity of the system.”

NCAA Football: CFP National Championship-Michigan Practice
Jan 6, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Max Bredeson (44) looks on during a practice session before the College Football Playoff national championship game against the Washington Huskies at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports – Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Last year, Bredeson played as a tight end a good portion of the time. He is, nevertheless, a fullback in Minnesota. Look for the Vikings to shuffle him around to gain an edge when there needs to be some added ruggedness. His versatility is going to get put to good use.

Max Bredeson is listed as being 6’2″ and weighing 252 pounds. He is 23.

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Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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2026 Rosebud: Central Europe carries Waller’s hopes amid stable uncertainty

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Close-up of a smiling man in a dark suit and white shirt, showing teeth.

Chris Waller’s ambition to claim an early victory in Sydney’s three-year-old features may fall to Central Europe, with his other two contenders for The Rosebud facing uncertainty about their participation.

Hidrix, carrying the topweight, is reportedly being saved for the San Domenico Stakes (1100m) in two weeks after drawing barrier 17. Separately, the Perth-based filly Striking Alibi might be redirected to the Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) next week, having drawn gate 12.

“We were probably only going to run (Hidrix) if he drew perfectly, just because of the weight,” said Waller’s assistant trainer, Charlie Duckworth.

“Striking Alibi has been really sharp in all of her work since coming to us. She has been pretty pushbutton in terms of she has settled in well and done everything right.

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“Just the draw might mean she could wait and go against the fillies next week instead.”

There are no such reservations about commencing Central Europe’s three-year-old season, with the colt drawing barrier seven.

The Frankel colt has shown promise in his two previous starts, both at Group level, including a narrow second to stablemate Campione D’Italia, who went on to win the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes, in the Skyline Stakes (1200m) in February.

While the stable expects him to perform better over longer distances than the 1100m of The Rosebud, the confidence of star jockey James McDonald has swayed them to target the Listed sprint instead of a lesser race on the program.

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“We had him nominated in the 1300 as well but James was confident off his trials and trackwork that 1100 was fine. He’s been sharper than he was last time in, so that’s a positive,” Duckworth commented.

“He’s a beautiful colt, incredibly well bred. We’ll learn a bit more on Saturday.”

If Central Europe performs well in his initial races, he is being targeted for the Golden Rose, for which he is currently sharing the fourth line of betting at $11.

Four horses have been withdrawn from The Rosebud field: Tornado Valley, Outspan, Oh Yes She Did, and Scintillation. All are anticipated to race in stakes events at Caulfield.

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Central Europe is on a clear path towards the Golden Rose if he performs well in The Rosebud, with current odds of $11. You can compare the latest racing odds at online bookmakers.

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LSU’s Lane Kiffin stands by D.J. Pickett wearing No. 5

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LSU coach Lane Kiffin said Thursday that he is standing by his initial stance on allowing cornerback D.J. Pickett to wear the No. 5 jersey previously worn by 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels — even in the face of objections and legal threats from the former Tigers quarterback.

“I commented a week ago on that,” Kiffin said after practice in Baton Rouge. “That’s the comment that I had and we’re moving forward.”

LSU’s official online store has removed replica Daniels jerseys from the menu of those for sale, which include the No. 9 of 2019 Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow and the No. 3 of former star receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

Meanwhile, Pickett showed no interest in relinquishing the No. 5 when he spoke with reporters after Thursday’s practice.

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“I’ve been wearing the number my whole life, since I was 4 years old,” Pickett said. “That was the number I was promised. I wish Jayden the best. Good player — he did real good here.”

Daniels, drafted second overall by the Washington Commanders in 2024, said in a social media post on Thursday that the matter would not affect his preparation for the NFL season.

“I have been locked in on training camp and that has been my No. 1 focus,” Daniels said in the post. “I have a lot of gratitude for my time at LSU and I’m proud of what my teammates and I accomplished there.

“Obviously there are issues to get worked out” with LSU, Daniels continued. “My hope is that it will get done privately. … I realize the business of football is unique and I trust that this can all be resolved.”

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Daniels’ statement came in the wake of reports about a letter in which his Miami-based attorney, Adam Kenner, demanded that LSU no longer use his client’s name, image or likeness to promote the university or its athletic programs.

Pickett wore a No. 3 jersey as a freshman last year but was wearing No. 5 when August camp opened last week. The six-foot-five cornerback is a former five-star recruit who had three interceptions in 2025.

Kiffin said last week that Pickett was promised the opportunity to wear No. 5 when he signed with LSU in December 2024, when Brian Kelly was coaching the Tigers. Kelly was fired in October 2025, and Kiffin was hired at the end of the regular season.

“When a kid’s promised something to come to a school, he should wear it,” Kiffin said during an Aug. 5 media session. “So at that point, I don’t think it’s really my decision. We should honour what he was told.”

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Pickett is the first player to wear No. 5 since Daniels left LSU. Under LSU policy, the only number football players cannot wear is No. 20, worn by the late Billy Cannon, who was the Tigers’ first Heisman winner in 1959.

Top LSU officials, including athletic director Verge Ausberry, have declined to comment on the matter.

A number of images of Daniels that are on display at LSU would be considered in the public domain, and not subject to any contractual agreements between the university and the quarterback. But LSU has in the past featured Daniels in promotional videos shown in Tiger Stadium and elsewhere, and it remains to be seen whether LSU might edit some of those out should the dispute become protracted.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow — who won the 2019 Heisman Trophy and led LSU to a national title — declined to comment on the specifics of Daniels’ situation after Thursday night’s pre-season game against the Detroit Lions. But he said he’s had conversations about his No. 9 not being issued to another player.

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“They told me that they wouldn’t use it again, but you never know what happens,” he said.

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Marlins’ Sandy Alcantara strives to extend streak, fluster Reds

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Aug 8, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) tips his cap as he acknowledges the crowd after setting the record for Marlins most innings pitched against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn ImagesAug 8, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) tips his cap as he acknowledges the crowd after setting the record for Marlins most innings pitched against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images

Sandy Alcantara will try to extend his latest scoreless streak for the Miami Marlins on Friday evening when he takes the mound against the host Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a three-game series.

Alcantara (13-6, 3.52 ERA) has not allowed a run in his past three outings covering 20 innings, marking his second scoreless streak of at least 20 innings this season.

The right-hander is the first MLB pitcher with multiple scoreless streaks of at least 20 innings in the same season since Nathan Eovaldi of the Texas Rangers in 2023.

Alcantara is coming off seven shutout innings in a 7-0 win against the Los Angeles Angels last Saturday in a game in which he allowed three hits, struck out eight and walked one.

“Sandy’s made his name and his mark in this league with what he did (against the Angels), and that’s going deep into games and doing it incredibly efficiently,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said of the 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner.

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During his last outing, Alcantara, 30, passed Ricky Nolasco as the franchise’s all-time leader in innings (1,230 2/3).

“Innings pitched, strikeout, quality starts, I don’t know how many more records they have,” Alcantara said jokingly after the game. “I’m very happy about the opportunity that this organization gives me, to play the game out there with my teammates and amazing coaches that I’ve had for the past couple years.”

Alcantara is just 2-5 with a 3.72 ERA in 10 career appearances (eight starts) vs. the Reds. He last faced them on April 7 and was two outs away from a complete-game shutout but left after surrendering a double and a walk. The bullpen let him down, and Miami lost 6-3 in 10 innings.

Alcantara also will try to re-stabilize a Miami team that’s coming off a 13-1 loss to the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday afternoon, halting its four-game winning streak.

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“Moving forward, stacking series wins is going to be very important,” McCullough said. “Unfortunately, (Thursday) was a clunker. They beat us up good, but I think heading on the road now for a big six games in Cincinnati and Philadelphia, to win the series here was still important.”

The Reds are returning home after holding on to beat the Chicago White Sox 9-8 on Thursday afternoon in the decisive contest of their three-game series.

Cincinnati, which led 9-5 after seven innings on Thursday, was swept at the Washington Nationals last weekend to start a six-game road trip.

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“Both teams’ pitching staffs had some troubles, but we got the game in,” Reds manager Terry Francona said of Thursday’s win. “What I care about is we won. We can go home and see if we can dodge some more rain.”

Right-hander Chase Burns (13-2, 2.61 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Reds in the series opener on Friday.

Burns is coming off a rare loss after winning his previous 12 decisions. He surrendered five runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings of an 8-2 loss to the Nationals last Saturday.

The score was 2-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth, but the Nationals greeted Burns with three hits in a row to spark the four-run inning.

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“The hope was to have a nice, good inning, get him through six, tie game, go to our bullpen, and it just ended up being a long inning and he couldn’t get through it,” Francona said. “I got uncomfortable. That’s my biggest concern with him right now, at the end of his outing, trying to reach back for more when he’s near 100 (pitches).”

Burns has not faced Miami in his two-year MLB career.

–Field Level Media

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How to remove Prime Ice Constructs in Genshin Impact

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Prime Ice Constructs in Genshin Impact are a brand-new feature introduced in the 7.0 Snezhnaya update. Among the various things they can do, one use case is leaving signs with messages in the open world. Moreover, they also appear in other players’ worlds. Luckily, there is a way you can remove them entirely if you do not want to see them.

This article explains how to remove co-op Prime Ice Constructs in Genshin Impact.


How to delete Prime Ice Constructs in Genshin Impact

While co-op Prime Ice Constructs in Genshin Impact 7.0 are a useful feature that can be used to pass certain useful information to others, at times certain players may also use them to troll you. If you are someone like me who finds these unnecessary blocks of text annoying, you will want to delete them from your map.

You can either choose to delete a single Prime Ice Construct at a time or mass delete several of them at once if you are looking to remove them entirely. Here’s how that can be accomplished:

Select a Construct from the main map (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || HoYoverse)Select a Construct from the main map (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || HoYoverse)
Select a Construct from the main map (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || HoYoverse)
  • Open the main map.
  • Turn on the Manage Prime Ice Construct button at the bottom of the screen.
  • Click on any Construct you want to delete.
  • In the menu that opens up on the right-hand side, click on the Remove button to delete the Prime Ice Construct.
  • Alternatively, tap on the Trash icon on top of the Navigate button to mass delete several Constructs at once.
Decide which ones to delete (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || HoYoverse)Decide which ones to delete (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || HoYoverse)
Decide which ones to delete (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || HoYoverse)
  • This will bring up a red ribbon at the bottom asking how many Constructs to delete. Tap on the Select quantity button to make a selection based on their type.
  • Choose between removing all Prime Ice Constructs or only the ones built by others.
  • Press the Delete button in the bottom right corner to permanently remove them.

Do note that this does not prevent more co-op Prime Ice Constructs from appearing.

Also read: How to unlock Snezhnaya commissions in Genshin Impact


How to prevent co-op Prime Ice Constructs from appearing in Genshin Impact

Once you have rid yourself of all Prime Ice Constructs created by other players, your next objective is to stop them completely. Here’s how to do that:

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Open the Prime Ice Construct menu (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || HoYoverse)Open the Prime Ice Construct menu (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || HoYoverse)
Open the Prime Ice Construct menu (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || HoYoverse)
  • After obtaining the Eye of Graeae, click on the Prime Ice Constructs button to begin placing one.
  • Tap on the Construct Details button found on the right-hand side.
  • Open the Settings dialog box from the top-right corner.
Toggle off this option (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || HoYoverse)Toggle off this option (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || HoYoverse)
Toggle off this option (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || HoYoverse)
  • Toggle off the option to receive Prime Ice Constructs from others.

That’s all there is to removing those pesky co-op Constructs in Snezhnaya.


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