Fethullah Gulen, the controversial Turkish cleric and ally-turned-foe of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has handed away on the age of 83.

No reason for dying has but been given though he was recognized to have been unwell.

Gulen had resided since 1999 in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains in the US, the place he was stated to have lived in an condominium on a compound owned by the Golden Era Basis, a nonprofit operated by his supporters within the US.

Although he lowered his public appearances in his later years, he continued to launch statements and writings urging followers to keep up their dedication to training, dialogue, and peaceable activism.

Inside Turkey, nevertheless, he grew to be a infamous determine, accused by the federal government of operating a felony ring that infiltrated state establishments.

Turkish Overseas Minister Hakan Fidan, who confirmed Gulen’s dying this morning, described the cleric as the pinnacle of a “darkish organisation”, telling a information convention: “Our nation’s willpower within the struggle towards terrorism will proceed, and this information of his dying won’t ever lead us to complacency.”

Adolescence

Gulen first got here to prominence as a preacher within the Nineteen Sixties within the western province of Izmir, Anatolia, the place he based a community of boarding homes often called “lighthouses” that provided college students tutorial assist.

Gulen progressively expanded his community of boarding homes to incorporate faculties, charities, and different civil society organisations.

His supporters would go on to open greater than 1,000 faculties in 160 international locations.

Whereas not particularly Islamic establishments, the colleges provided high quality training to all college students, lots of whom went on to key positions in Turkey, together with the judiciary, police, and forms.

Through the years, their affect grew, with the organisations’ supporters establishing the influential Zaman newspaper in 1986, and Samanyolu Tv in 1993.

In 1996, supporters of Gulen additionally launched Financial institution Asya, additional extending the organisations’ attain.

Transfer to the US

In 1999, Gulen left Turkey for the US, the place he would stay.

His allies stated he had moved because of well being causes, however his critics prompt his departure from Turkey was extra possible prompted by a authorities investigation into his actions, which had been probably undermining the federal government.

The next 12 months, Gulen was convicted in absentia of conspiring to overthrow the state by way of embedding civil servants, a conviction that will be cited as proof towards him after a 2016 coup try in Turkey.

Allies and adversaries

Within the early 2000s, Gulen and his followers had been carefully allied with Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Growth Occasion (AK Occasion).

This led to the rise of many Gulen followers into influential positions within the state equipment as each camps sought to counter what they noticed because the affect of the secular elite in Turkey’s army and judicial institutions.

Nonetheless, rumours of stress between the 2 teams started to flow into within the early 2000s, turning into plain in 2013 when law enforcement officials and prosecutors who had been seen as Gulen followers launched corruption probes to the higher ranks of the AK Occasion and Erdogan’s internal circle.

Erdogan blamed Gulen for orchestrating the ensuing scandal, accusing the spiritual chief of searching for to make use of his community of establishments and extremely positioned officers to function a “parallel state” inside Turkey.

Gulen denied the allegations.

Coup try in 2016

Three years later, Erdogan once more blamed Gulen for a coup try on July 16, when factions inside Turkey’s armed forces tried to oust Erdogan’s authorities and set up a physique of their very own making, the Council for Peace at Residence, as an alternative.

Whereas their efforts had been unsuccessful, lots of had been killed in what was the bloodiest coup in Turkey’s fashionable historical past.

Within the months that adopted, suspected Gulen sympathisers had been purged throughout the federal government, judiciary, and army, and the federal government designated Gulen’s motion because the FETO (Fethullah Terrorist Organisation).

Turkey made numerous extradition requests for Gulen, however none had been granted, with US officers claiming a scarcity of proof linking Gulen on to the coup.

For a lot of of Gulen’s followers, the post-coup purges marked the tip of an period. Colleges and charities affiliated with Gulen had been shuttered and lots of of his supporters both imprisoned or pressured into exile.

Internationally, the motion continued to function, although with much less visibility, notably in international locations the place the Turkish authorities had requested authorities to shut Gulen-affiliated establishments.

Throughout the US, numerous the organisations’ constitution faculties have been investigated for visa irregularities, in addition to accusations of getting defrauded the US Treasury of as much as $4bn.

Fethullah Gulen by no means married.

The Los Angeles Lakers hosted the Minnesota Timberwolves of their residence opener on Tuesday night time, in an occasion that was not simply concerning the recreation. Crypto.com Area was crammed with pleasure as a star-studded crowd, together with the primary father-son duo to play on the identical MLB staff, gathered to witness the historic second.

Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. have been the primary father-and-son duo to play on the identical Main League Baseball staff, and did so for the Seattle Mariners in 1990 and 1991. Their presence on the enviornment Tuesday was not only a informal go to, however a witness to historical past. They beforehand mentioned that they have been there to see LeBron James and his son, Bronny James, make historical past as the primary father-and-son pair to play collectively within the NBA.

Earlier than the sport, the anticipation was palpable. Lakers head coach JJ Redick, in a transfer that added to the suspense, didn’t point out whether or not Bronny would play within the residence opener, stating that nothing had been finalized.

However Bronny did get within the recreation — nonetheless briefly — making historical past whereas checking in alongside his father.

Here is a breakdown of Bronny’s efficiency within the season opener vs. the Timberwolves:

Bronny James’ stats vs. Timberwolves

• Factors: 0
• FG: 0-for-2
• 3PT: 0-for-1
• Rebounds: 1
• Assists: 0
• Steals: 0
• Blocks: 0
• Turnovers: 0
• Fouls: 0
• Minutes: 3

Bronny James’ subsequent recreation

Bronny James and the Los Angles Lakers can be in motion on Friday, after they host the Phoenix Suns at 10 p.m. ET. The sport can be televised on ESPN.

All of the gamers and the performs: Join USA TODAY’s Sports activities e-newsletter for breaking information and unique evaluation.

SAYLORSBURG, Pa. — Fethullah Gülen, a reclusive U.S.-based Islamic cleric who impressed a world social motion whereas dealing with unproven accusations that he masterminded a failed 2016 coup in his native Turkey, has died.

The Alliance for Shared Values, a New York-based group that promotes Gülen’s work within the U.S., stated that Gülen died Sunday night time at a hospital close to his house in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. Monroe County Coroner Thomas Yanac Jr. stated he was knowledgeable that Gülen, who was in his eighties and had lengthy been in unwell well being, died of pure causes.

The group known as him a “towering determine of religion, knowledge, mental and religious management” whose “influence can be felt for generations.”

Gülen spent the final many years of his life in self-exile, residing in a gated compound and wielding affect amongst his hundreds of thousands of followers. He espoused a philosophy that blended Sufism — a mystical type of Islam — with staunch advocacy of democracy, training, science and interfaith dialogue.

Gülen had not performed an lively function in his motion lately. A gaggle of shut pals who’ve suggested him for many years will keep it up the work, in keeping with the Alliance for Shared Values.

The spiritual chief started as an ally of Turkish chief Recep Tayyip Erdogan however grew to become a foe. He known as Erdogan an authoritarian bent on accumulating energy and crushing dissent. Erdogan solid Gülen as a terrorist, accusing him of orchestrating the tried navy coup on July 15, 2016, when factions inside the navy used tanks, warplanes and helicopters to attempt to overthrow the federal government.

Heeding a name from the president, hundreds took to the streets to oppose the takeover try. The coup plotters fired at crowds and bombed parliament and different authorities buildings. A complete of 251 individuals have been killed and round 2,200 others have been wounded. Round 35 alleged coup plotters have been killed.

Gülen adamantly denied involvement, and his supporters dismissed the fees as ridiculous and politically motivated. Turkey put Gülen on its most-wanted record and demanded his extradition, however the USA confirmed little inclination to ship him again, saying it wanted extra proof. He was by no means charged with against the law within the U.S., and he persistently denounced terrorism in addition to the coup plotters.

Turkish Overseas Minister Hakan Fidan stated Monday that Gülen’s dying “won’t make us complacent or relaxed. This group has been a risk hardly ever seen within the historical past of our nation.” He known as on Gülen’s followers to show away from “this treasonous flawed path.”

In Turkey, Gülen’s motion — generally referred to as Hizmet, Turkish for “service” — has been subjected to a broad crackdown. The federal government arrested tens of hundreds of individuals for his or her alleged hyperlink to the coup plot, sacked greater than 130,000 suspected supporters from civil service jobs and greater than 23,000 from the navy, and closed lots of of companies, faculties and media organizations tied to Gülen.

Gülen known as the crackdown a witch hunt and denounced Turkey’s leaders as “tyrants.”

“The final 12 months has taken a toll on me as lots of of hundreds of harmless Turkish residents are being punished just because the federal government decides they’re one way or the other ‘linked’ to me or the Hizmet motion and treats that alleged connection as against the law,” he stated on the primary anniversary of the failed coup.

Ozgur Ozel, the chief of Turkey’s primary opposition Republican Individuals’s Celebration, stated Gülen’s huge community remained a risk to Turkey.

“The founder is lifeless however the group stays. Nobody ought to suppose that this hazard has handed or is over. Everybody must be on guard in opposition to this group,” Ozel stated.

On Monday, Turkey’s broadcasting regulator warned in opposition to content material praising Gulen, saying no broadcaster can honor a “terrorist.” In the meantime, prosecutors within the northwestern province of Bursa launched an investigation right into a journalist on potential expenses of partaking in terrorist propaganda, the state-run Anadolu Company reported, after she stated she hoped he would relaxation in heaven.

Abdulhamit Bilici, who was editor of the Gulen-affiliated Zaman newspaper when Erdogan shut it down in early 2016, stated Monday that Gulen was subjected to many years of persecution in Turkey, and that Turkey is the one nation that claims Gülen’s peaceable Hizmet motion is a terror group.

“He was a supply of inspiration for hundreds of thousands of individuals, not simply in Turkey, however world wide,” Bilici stated in an interview on the Pennsylvania retreat heart the place Gulen lived. “So this can be a very unhappy day and a day of reflection, mourning and pondering and prayer.”

Fethullah Gülen was born in Erzurum, in jap Turkey. His official delivery date was April 27, 1941, however that has lengthy been in dispute. Y. Alp Aslandogan, who leads a New York-based group that promotes Gülen’s concepts and work, stated Gülen was truly born someday in 1938.

Skilled as an imam, or prayer chief, Gülen gained discover in Turkey some 50 years in the past. He preached tolerance and dialogue between faiths — assembly with Pope John Paul II in 1998 — and he believed faith and science may go hand in hand. His perception in merging Islam with Western values and Turkish nationalism struck a chord with Turks, incomes him hundreds of thousands of followers.

Gülen’s acolytes constructed a loosely affiliated world community of charitable foundations, skilled associations, companies and faculties in additional than 100 nations, together with 150 taxpayer-funded constitution faculties all through the USA. In Turkey, supporters ran universities, hospitals, charities, a financial institution and a big media empire with newspapers and radio and TV stations.

However Gülen was considered with suspicion by some in his homeland, a deeply polarized nation break up between these loyal to its fiercely secular traditions and supporters of the Islamic-based celebration related to Erdogan that got here to energy in 2002.

Gülen had lengthy kept away from overtly supporting any political celebration, however his motion solid a de facto alliance with Erdogan in opposition to the nation’s previous guard of staunch, military-backed secularists, and Gülen’s media empire threw its weight behind Erdogan’s Islamic-oriented authorities.

Gülenists helped the governing celebration win a number of elections. However the Erdogan-Gülen alliance started to crumble after the motion criticized authorities coverage and uncovered alleged corruption amongst Erdogan’s inside circle. Erdogan, who denied the allegations, grew weary of the rising affect of Gülen’s motion.

The Turkish chief accused Gülen’s followers of infiltrating the nation’s police and judiciary and organising a parallel state and commenced agitating for Gülen’s extradition to Turkey even earlier than the failed 2016 coup.

The cleric had lived in the USA since 1999 when he got here to hunt medical remedy.

In 2000, with Gülen nonetheless within the U.S., Turkish authorities charged him with main an Islamist plot to overthrow the nation’s secular type of authorities and set up a non secular state.

A number of the accusations in opposition to him have been based mostly on a tape recording on which Gülen was alleged to have informed supporters of an Islamic state to bide their time: “If they arrive out too early, the world will quash their heads.” Gülen stated his feedback have been taken out of context.

The cleric was tried in absentia and acquitted however by no means returned to his homeland. He received a prolonged authorized battle in opposition to the administration of then-President George W. Bush to acquire everlasting residency within the U.S.

Not often seen in public, Gülen lived quietly on the grounds of an Islamic retreat heart. He left largely solely to see docs for illnesses that included coronary heart illness and diabetes, spending a lot of his time in prayer and meditation and receiving guests from world wide.

Gülen by no means married and didn’t have kids.

___

Related Press author Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, contributed to this report.

The Los Angeles Lakers kicked off the 2024-25 NBA season with a win.

The Lakers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-103 of their season opener at Crypto.com Area in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The Timberwolves had no reply for Anthony Davis, who received it performed on either side of the ground. Davis completed the competition with 36 factors, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, three blocks and one steal within the win. Rui Hachimura added 18 factors and 5 rebounds, whereas LeBron James completed with 16 factors, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. 

It marked not solely the common season debut of head coach JJ Redick, however the debut of rookie Bronny James, who briefly checked in for 3 minutes within the second quarter. Bronny James made historical past alongside his father —they’re the primary father-son duo to play in the identical NBA recreation.

“It’s all the time been household over the whole lot. I misplaced a variety of time due to this league … so to have the ability to have this second the place I’m working alongside my son is among the biggest items I’ve received from the person above,” LeBron James mentioned after the sport. “I’m tremendous happy with him. He’s my lifeline for certain.”

Timberwolves vs. Lakers highlights

Remaining rating: Lakers 110, Timberwolves 103

Lakers reply after Timberwolves shut hole

The Timberwolves got here inside 4 factors of the Lakers, 85-81, with 10:38 remaining within the contest. The Lakers responded with a 6-0 run to increase their lead again to double digits, 91-81, with 8:36 left. The run was capped off by an alley-oop dunk for Jaxson Hayes, who blocked Mike Conley’s 3-point try on the opposite finish of the ground. Hayes has given the Lakers impactful minutes off the bench and has scored 10 factors, pulled down 4 rebounds and recorded one block in 14 minutes of play. 

Finish of third quarter: Lakers 82, Timberwolves 74

The Timberwolves have turned the ball over 15 occasions via the primary three quarters, yielding 17 factors to the Lakers. But Minnesota is simply down eight factors heading into the fourth quarter. 

The Lakers have been the extra bodily staff and have dominated the paint, 54-28. Los Angeles additionally has 14 offensive rebounds in comparison with Minnesota’s eight. 

Anthony Edwards leads the T’Wolves with 19 factors and 5 rebounds, whereas Anthony Davis has a team-high 25 factors for the Lakers. 

Anthony Davis has a double-double 

Anthony Davis is taking up the Lakers’ season opener. The middle has a double-double with 22 factors and 10 rebounds, along with three assists, one steal and one block with 2:30 remaining within the third quarter.

Watch: Anthony Davis denies Rudy Gobert at rim

Anthony Davis denied Rudy Gobert in epic style. With the Lakers main 64-50 with 7:08 remaining within the third quarter, Davis swatted a dunk try from Gobert, the reigning defensive participant of the yr. 

Halftime: Lakers 55, Timberwolves 42

The Lakers have a 55-42 lead over the Timberwolves at halftime after main by as many as 19 factors within the first half. Each groups are taking pictures about 41% from the sector, however the Lakers have had 14 further shot makes an attempt within the recreation due primarily to the Timberwolves’ double-digit turnovers (11). 

The Lakers have 10 offensive rebounds, in comparison with the Timberwolves’ 5, and have outscored Minnesota 36-18 within the paint. 

Anthony Edwards is the one Timberwolves participant in double figures with 14 factors (5-of-11 FG, 3-of-7 3PT) and three rebounds. Julius Randle has 5 factors in his Minnesota debut. 

Anthony Davis leads the Lakers with 12 factors, whereas Rui Hachimura has 11 and LeBron James has eight. Bronny James was held scoreless in three minutes of play within the first half. 

LeBron James slams down dunk 

Welcome to 12 months 22. LeBron James confirmed that he is nonetheless received it as he slammed down a dunk off a bounce go from Austin Reaves to lengthen the Lakers’ lead over the Timberwolves to 53-39 with 2:14 remaining within the second quarter. James turns 40 in December. 

The scene in LA as Bronny James makes NBA debut

LOS ANGELES — Bronny will get the ball close to the 3-point line and the group sounds dissatisfied as he provides it up relatively than launching a shot.

Lakers timeout. That stretch with LeBron and Bronny lasted 1:36. 

Bronny credited with a tipped shot — blocked by Rudy Gobert — and an offensive rebound.

Extra to come back. Following a Lakers timeout, right here come father and son for extra.

“Ohhhhhhh” — Crowd’s response when Bronny misses an open 3 with about 1:40 left within the quarter.

And Bronny exits. He went 0-for-2 from the sector in his 3 minutes.

Bronny James makes debut, takes courtroom with father LeBron

LeBron James and his son Bronny James have made historical past. 

Bronny made his NBA debut within the Lakers’ season-opener in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday, checking in alongside his dad with 4:00 remaining within the second quarter with the Lakers up 51-37. LeBron and Bronny are the primary father and son to play in the identical recreation in NBA Historical past.

Rookie Dalton Knecht impressing in debut

Dalton Knecht’s debut has gotten off to a fantastic begin. Knecht, the seventeenth choose within the 2024 draft, gave the Lakers some good minutes off the bench. He knocked down a 3-point shot to increase the Lakers’ result in 10, 37-27 and spurred a 14-5 run. Knecht is up 5 factors, one rebound and one help in 10 minutes of play.

LeBron James hits the bench

LOS ANGELES — LeBron exits the sport and takes a seat subsequent to Bronny on the finish of the bench.

If they can not share the courtroom, at the least they’ll share the bench.

Lakers have 7-point lead in second quarter

The Lakers went on a 10-1 run to take their largest lead of the sport, 34-27. 

The Lakers have dominated the Timberwolves within the paint, outscoring them 22-10. Offensive rebounds have additionally been an element. The Lakers have snagged eight offensive rebounds and have put up 14 further shot makes an attempt than the Timberwolves, who’ve 4 offensive rebounds. 

LeBron and Bronny James: Finest photographs

Finish of first quarter: Timberwolves 23, Lakers 22

The Lakers led by as many as six factors within the first quarter, earlier than the T’Wolves closed the quarter on an 11-4 run to take their first lead of the sport, 23-22. The Lakers have missed their final 5 discipline purpose makes an attempt.

Anthony Edwards leads Minnesota with eight factors, whereas Jaden McDaniels has 4 factors. The Timberwolves are taking pictures 44.4% from the sector and 1-of-4 from 3.

Anthony Davis has a team-high six factors, whereas LeBron James has 4 factors. Collectively, the Lakers are taking pictures 30.8% from the sector and 2-of-11 from 3.

‘We wish Bronny!’ chant get away

LOS ANGELES — As Anthony Davis will get able to shoot a second free throw with about two minutes left within the first quarter, a number of followers start to chant. “We wish Bronny! We wish Bronny!”

No luck thus far, Lakers followers.

Gabe Vincent, Max Christie and Jaxson Hayes have been the primary three off the bench for the Lakers.

Rudy Gobert agrees to contract extension with Timberwolves

Simply earlier than the Minnesota Timberwolves opened the season in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday, they reached a three-year, $110 million extension with middle Rudy Gobert, an individual with information of the deal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports activities.

The particular person spoke on the situation of anonymity as a result of the extension is just not but official.

Gobert, the four-time Defensive Participant of the 12 months, is now below contract with Minnesota via 2027-28 for a complete of $153.8 million.

As soon as the Timberwolves traded Karl-Anthony Cities to the New York Knicks for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, locking up Gobert past this season turned a necessity for a staff attempting to win the Western Convention. Minnesota reached the convention finals final season however misplaced to Dallas. — Jeff Zillgitt

LeBron James slams down dunk

The Lakers have an 11-7 lead over the Timberwolves with 6:44 remaining within the first quarter. Minnesota has turned the ball over 3 times within the first 5 minutes of the competition, which has led to 4 factors for the Lakers. In a single sequence, Anthony Davis stole the ball from Mike Conley with 8:39 remaining within the quarter, resulting in a slam dunk from LeBron James in transition. 

Ken Griffey Jr. and pa share second with LeBron, Bronny

What do the Jameses and Griffeys have in widespread? They’re among the many father-son duos to play in the identical recreation collectively. 

Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. first did so on Aug. 31, 1990, after they turned the primary father-son duo to play in the identical MLB recreation. LeBron James and Bronny James wish to do the identical on the basketball courtroom on Tuesday when the Lakers tip off their season in opposition to the Timberwolves. 

The quartet shared a second on the courtroom collectively forward of the Lakers’ season opener and took a photograph to commemorate the second. 

When is the Timberwolves vs. Lakers recreation?

Tip-off for the opening evening recreation between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers is Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 10:00 p.m. ET from Crypto.com Area in Los Angeles, California.

The place is Timberwolves vs. Lakers recreation?

The Lakers will host the Timberwolves in downtown Los Angeles at Crypto.com Area.

The best way to watch Timberwolves vs. Lakers recreation

The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers matchup will likely be broadcast on TNT because the second recreation in an NBA back-to-back presentation. You can even stream on Sling. 

Watch the NBA on TNT with a Sling subscription

NBA video games in the present day: Opening evening schedule 

Listed here are the tip-off occasions and TV data for the opening evening double-header:

All occasions are Jap 

Lakers beginning 5 tonight

• Austin Reaves
• D’Angelo Russell
• Rui Hachimura
• LeBron James
• Anthony Davis

Timberwolves beginning 5

• Anthony Edwards
• Mike Conley
• Julius Randle
• Jaden McDaniels
• Rudy Gobert

Is Bronny James taking part in tonight?

The Lakers and Timberwolves are a star-studded conflict of titans. Nonetheless, a rookie will steal a lot of the highlight on Tuesday. LeBron’s son, Bronny, will likely be on the roster to open season play, but it surely stays to be seen if he’ll contact the courtroom. 

James Williams breaks down what we all know thus far about James and provides us his preseason stats.

Bronny James preseason stats

James appeared in all six of the Lakers’ preseason video games, averaging 4.1 factors and 1.6 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per recreation. Within the Lakers’ closing preseason recreation, a 74-132 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Friday, James recorded 17 factors, 4 rebounds, three steals and one block in a career-high 35 minutes of labor.

LeBron James hazes rookie Bronny James

Bronny James may need a well-known father, however he’s nonetheless getting rookie therapy. From his personal father!

Effectively, as scripted by Nike, at the least. The footwear and attire firm launched a spot that includes LeBron and Bronny on the day of the Lakers opener — and LeBron was as much as mischief.

Let’s hope Bronny had dependable transportation Tuesday when he left for the Lakers’ season opener. — Josh Peter

What’s on JJ Redick’s thoughts on huge evening

LeBron and Bronny James will get prime billing. However the recreation will likely be Redick’s teaching debut – and his first time teaching within the Lakers’ Crypto.com Area. (The staff’s preseason video games had been held elsewhere.)

So how was he feeling about two hours earlier than tipoff?

“I simply ordered a stir fry again within the locker room,’’ Redick mentioned with a smile. “Not going to lie. I am fairly enthusiastic about that proper now simply to get some meals.

“However I believe no matter I envisioned in my earlier life, that is gone. That is who I’m now. I am a coach and so I do not really feel like tonight is in any respect about me. It is about our staff and it is about our teaching workers and our group and what we have performed thus far when it comes to our work and our preparation.’’

LeBron James affected person about making historical past with Bronny

LeBron James urged he’s in no rush to share the courtroom with son Bronny.

“Each time it occurs, it can occur,” he mentioned Tuesday after shootaround, in accordance with ESPN. “If it is tonight or if it is down the road, every time it occurs, it can occur. However it’s been a deal with, and simply in preseason, the practices, simply every single day … simply bringing him up to the mark of what this skilled life is all about and how one can put together every single day as knowledgeable.”

Bronny performed in all six of the Lakers’ preseason video games.

Ken Griffey Jr and Ken Griffey Sr will likely be at Lakers recreation 

When LeBron James and Bronny James take the courtroom for the primary time as members of the Los Angeles Lakers, it is going to be a second like no different in NBA historical past. That is why former MLB stars Ken Griffey Jr. and Ken Sr., the primary father-son duo to play in the identical Main League Baseball recreation, will likely be readily available Tuesday evening because the Lakers open the 2024-25 common season at residence in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

“First father and son to play baseball, now first father and son to play basketball, so it is a huge deal for my dad and I to be there,” Griffey Jr. mentioned on MLB Community Radio earlier this week. “We made historical past, now we get to look at historical past.” 

Bronny James described the Griffeys being in attendance as “insane.” He added, “I imply, solely two households to do it, so it’s going to be a loopy expertise, particularly (with) what they’ve performed.”

Learn extra from Steve Gardner. 

Contained in the NBA enters closing season 

Tuesday is the final first recreation of the season for TNT’s well-liked and award-winning “Contained in the NBA” program and crew. Ernie Johnson. Charles Barkley. Kenny Smith. Shaquille O’Neal. A collective nationwide treasure, if sports activities reveals may be thought-about nationwide treasures. 

Learn Jeff Zillgitt’s full column on how they’ve woven their means into the colourful cloth of the NBA via the tv display – a wonderfully imperfect mix of basketball, severe debate, humor, leisure and life.

LeBron James getting into twenty second season

LeBron James is on the point of embark on his twenty second season, tying Vince Carter for probably the most seasons performed in NBA historical past. James is certainly one of solely six gamers which have performed greater than 20 seasons — Carter (22), Dirk Nowitzki (21), Kevin Garnett (21), Kevin Willis, (21) and Robert Parish (21).

Timberwolves vs Lakers all-time report 

The Timberwolves and Lakers have performed 129 occasions through the common season of their histories, with Los Angeles getting the higher of the head-to-head matchup, 85-44. The 2 have met twice within the playoffs, in 2003 and 2004. The Lakers took each collection, 4-2. 

NBA season predictions 

The specialists at USA TODAY Community supply predictions for the season forward, together with which staff will elevate the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. 

• Jeff Zillgitt: Celtics over Thunder 
• Scooby Axson: Celtics over Timberwolves 
• Lorenzo Reyes: Nuggets over Knicks 
• Damichael Cole: Thunder over Celtics 
• Dustin Dopirak: Celtics over Nuggets 
• Jim Owczarski: Thunder over Celtics 
• Duane Rankin: Celtics over Timberwolves 
• Heather Tucker: Celtics over Suns 

NBA MVP candidates 

Who is that this yr’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the following participant to maneuver deep into the NBA MVP dialog? Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the highest candidates. 

NBA energy rankings

Right here is each staff within the NBA ranked based mostly on their championship odds heading into the 2024-25 common season. All odds through BetMGM. 

• Boston Celtics (+325) 
• Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (+500) 
• New York Knicks (+650) 
• Philadelphia 76ers (+1000) 
• Denver Nuggets (+1100) 
• Dallas Mavericks (+1200) 
• Minnesota Timberwolves (+1200) 
• Milwaukee Bucks (+1400) 
• Phoenix Solar (+2000) 
• Cleveland Cavaliers (+3500) 
• Memphis Grizzlies (+3500) 

Bronny James well being: What we learn about rookie’s situation

Again on July 24, 2023, James suffered cardiac arrest throughout a USC offseason exercise. Bronny has since spoken out in regards to the incident and the conditioning that adopted. 

Mark Giannotto has the newest on the rookie’s journey again to the courtroom.

We often advocate fascinating services and products. If you happen to make a purchase order by clicking one of many hyperlinks, we could earn an affiliate price. USA TODAY Community newsrooms function independently, and this doesn’t affect our protection.

The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers are assembly as soon as once more within the Fall Basic.

The 2024 World Sequence marks the twelfth time these two legendary franchises will play one another for the world championship.

The American League champion Yankees are coming off a five-game ALCS win over the Cleveland Guardians, whereas the Nationwide League champion Dodgers completed off the New York Mets in Recreation 6 of the NLCS.

Recreation instances for the complete sequence have been introduced. Here is a take a look at the Yankees-Dodgers schedule:

World Sequence 2024 schedule

Recreation 1

Friday, Oct. 25

Yankees at Dodgers, 8:08 p.m.

Recreation 2

Saturday, Oct. 26

Yankees at Dodgers, 8:08 p.m.

Recreation 3

Monday, Oct. 28

Dodgers at Yankees, 8:08 p.m.

Recreation 4

Tuesday, Oct. 29

Dodgers at Yankees, 8:08 p.m.

Recreation 5 (if mandatory)

Wednesday, Oct. 30

Dodgers at Yankees, 8:08 p.m.

Recreation 6 (if mandatory)

Friday, Nov. 1

Yankees at Dodgers, 8:08 p.m.

Recreation 7 (if mandatory)

Saturday, Nov. 2

Yankees at Dodgers, 8:08 p.m.

What channel is the World Sequence on?

All 2024 World Sequence video games between the Yankees and Dodgers will broadcast nationally on FOX.

Watch the World Sequence reside on Fubo

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Cole Perfetti had three assists for the Jets (6-0-0). Connor Hellebuyck made 27 saves.

“That was an amazing street win,” Perfetti mentioned. “A great way to start out off the (three-game street) journey. There’s occasions the place they made good pushes and we responded nicely. That was an amazing second interval and we bought some well timed targets. It was an amazing effort by our group.”

Brandon Saad scored twice, Robert Thomas had two assists, and Jordan Binnington made 21 saves for the Blues (4-3-0), who ended a four-game homestand (2-2-0).

“We got here out and had first,” Blues defenseman Ryan Suter mentioned. “The second, they’re such an explosive staff, you let off the fuel a bit of bit and so they benefit from it, and that’s what occurred there within the second.”

Saad gave the Blues a 1-0 lead at 10:11 of the primary interval, scoring on the rebound of Thomas’ wrist shot. It was Saad’s five hundredth NHL level.

Nino Niederreiter tied it 1-1 at 8:12, tipping in Neal Pionk’s wrist shot from the correct level on an influence play.

“I assumed we had been actually good within the second,” Jets coach Scott Arniel mentioned. “We bought out of our zone so much cleaner going quick. We received a bunch of battles and clearly scored. We bought a power-play objective and one other objective. After which we bought rolling once more. We bought them again on their heels a bit.”

It’s laborious to check a extra star-studded and magnetic World Sequence matchup than this one — each a throwback to when baseball reigned supreme within the U.S. whereas additionally showcasing the best abilities within the recreation right this moment.

The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers signify the 2 largest markets in Main League Baseball. They entered the season with the second-largest payroll within the sport (Yankees) and the fifth largest (Dodgers). They are going to now meet for a whopping twelfth time within the World Sequence, essentially the most by any two groups. 

Many years in the past, the important thing gamers had been luminaries like Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Roy Campanella and Jackie Robinson.

Legends of the sport, for certain, and now that star energy has returned in 2024. 

Shohei Ohtani — who simply rewrote the historical past books with baseball’s first season of fifty dwelling runs and 50 stolen bases — actually seems to have a aptitude for the dramatic, crushing a three-run homer in his postseason debut.

Ohtani, the marquee identify within the sport, was a part of the Dodgers’ $1 billion offseason overhaul that noticed them pad a star-studded roster with two pitching aces — fellow Japanese countryman Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow, acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays.

On the Yankees facet, normal supervisor and senior vice chairman Brian Cashman made a serious offseason splash of his personal — buying 25-year-old phenom Juan Soto, whom many contemplate essentially the most full hitter in baseball, including to a lineup that already options American League dwelling run king Aaron Choose and the fearsome Giancarlo Stanton. 

Soto not solely delivered with a profession season of 41 dwelling runs and 109 runs batted in, however he additionally simply unleashed one of the epic at bats you will notice in postseason play — daring Cleveland Guardians pitcher Hunter Gaddis to throw him a fastball in additional innings Saturday, solely to belt it over the centerfield fence and ship the Yankees previous upstart Cleveland and into their first World Sequence since 2009. 

Choose and Ohtani, in the meantime, are each making their first look within the Fall Basic, a reality which may appear laborious to fathom given their already sturdy resumes. Choose and Ohtani are each MVP winners and are the favorites to win it once more this season. Choose flirted with the Triple Crown by batting .322 with 58 dwelling runs and 144 RBIs. Ohtani practically matched these numbers, with a .310 common, 54 dwelling runs and 130 RBIs.

“That is sweeter — it’s even sweeter,” Choose mentioned on Fox Sports activities about reaching the World Sequence and whether or not the fact matched expectations. 

“This group we’ve is one thing particular,” he mentioned. “You recognize, all of the work they put within the offseason, the ups and downs throughout the common season, there’s no higher group. … That’s what you grind all season for — moments like this.”

Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts echoed these sentiments after his group ousted the magical New York Mets to achieve their fourth World Sequence within the final seven years, although with just one ring to indicate for it, within the Covid-shortened 2020 season.

“I’ve by no means believed in a bunch of fellows greater than I consider in these guys,” Roberts mentioned, forward of the upcoming conflict of the titans. “Most significantly, they consider in one another.”

The playoffs this season have been a success with followers as TV viewership is at its highest ranges in years.

The final time the 2 groups confronted off within the World Sequence was in 1981 (the Dodgers gained), and Tyler Kepner, the longtime baseball author now with The Athletic, mirrored on the rarity of what we’re seeing. 

“There was a 40- or 41-year span, from 1941 to 1981, the place we noticed that matchup [in the World Series] 11 instances … however within the final 41 years, we haven’t had one.” 

And with Choose and Ohtani headlining the 2 juggernauts, one other feat is now occurring that’s taken greater than 4 many years, too. 

“To have two Corridor of Fame-type gamers in MVP seasons making their World Sequence debuts towards one another, that’s solely occurred as soon as,” Kepner mentioned. “That was George Brett and Mike Schmidt in 1980 — so it’s sort of an ideal storm of enjoyable stuff that will occur if it’s Yankees and Dodgers.”

The Winnipeg Jets’ torrid begin to the season continued Tuesday night time, downing the St. Louis Blues 3-2 to start out a three-game highway journey.

The Jets stay the final undefeated group within the NHL as they moved to 6-0 to enhance on their finest begin in franchise historical past.

The Jets fell behind for the second straight sport, however they responded with three straight targets within the second interval to take the lead and Connor Hellebuyck made a game-saving cease within the dying seconds to safe one other victory.

“I assumed our first eight minutes, we have been somewhat bit sluggish out of the gate,” stated Jets head coach Scott Arniel. “I assumed we weren’t actual crisp on what we have been making an attempt to do and St. Louis, I assumed have been higher for the primary eight. Then we bought going.

“I feel two groups kinda feeling one another out somewhat bit. I assumed we have been actually good within the second although.”

Nino Niederreiter, Kyle Connor, and Colin Miller scored targets for the Jets.

“Simply kinda caught with it,” stated Connor. “Clearly, irritating not having the ability to capitalize on a few of these probabilities with quite a lot of zone time. However caught with it. Clearly, Miller’s aim was big for us, kinda bought us going.

“Not getting annoyed was the most important factor. Plenty of these groups, it’s straightforward to simply say what the heck and play into that sport. And I feel we did job, with a mature group to kinda keep on with what we do finest.”

Connor’s second interval aim prolonged his level streak to 6 video games and he’s scored a aim in 5 out of six contests this 12 months.

Cole Perfetti registered three assists and now has seven factors over his final three video games.

“It undoubtedly feels good,” Perfetti stated. “It’s good for the arrogance of the road and I feel we’re feeling it the final couple video games right here. Plenty of it’s coming from our good D-zone. I feel we’re taking good care of issues in our finish of the ice and actually making an attempt to dial that in.”

The Jets have now received 10 of their final 11 conferences in opposition to the Blues and are 3-0 in opposition to Central Division opponents this season.

The Jets, with the NHL’s prime ranked energy play, scored as soon as on two probabilities with the person benefit with Winnipeg’s second energy play unit connecting.

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“We’re not counting on simply our prime unit,” Arniel stated.

The Blues opened the scoring simply previous the halfway level of the primary when Brandon Saad banged house a rebound previous Hellebuyck, giving St. Louis a 1-0 lead that they’d carry into the second interval.

Simply over eight minutes into the center body, Winnipeg’s red-hot energy play struck once more as Niederreiter tipped house a Neal Pionk level shot to stage the rating.

The Jets took the lead lower than six minutes later. Perfetti laid an ideal move to the purpose the place Miller stepped right into a howitzer that blew previous Jordan Binnington on the 13:58 mark.

Connor made it 3-1 on the 17:40 mark, leaping off the bench and taking a move from Dylan Samberg earlier than wiring it excessive previous Binnington.

Winnipeg carried the two-goal lead into the third however 5:15 into the interval, Saad scored his second of the sport off a rebound to chop the result in one.

Each goalies made a number of good saves to maintain the rating the way in which it was, with Hellebuyck making a toe save within the closing minute with Binnington pulled to safe the victory, Winnipeg’s fourth in a row in opposition to the Blues and twelfth of their final 14 conferences.

Hellebuyck stopped 26 photographs in incomes the win.

The Jets now head to Seattle the place they may search for a seventh straight win to start out the season on Thursday. Puck drop is simply after 9 p.m.

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TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers misplaced each of their star vast receivers — Chris Godwin and Mike Evans — in a 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on “Monday Evening Soccer,” with Godwin struggling what coach Todd Bowles mentioned was a dislocated left ankle and Evans struggling a proper hamstring harm.

Bowles mentioned he was ready for additional particulars on Evans however that “it [didn’t] look good” for Godwin, who was met by a number of teammates within the coaching room after the sport.

“Our prayers exit to him,” Bowles mentioned of Godwin. “Chris is a hell of a participant and a hell of a human being. Not a lot you’ll be able to say. You are feeling unhealthy for him, and sadly, they don’t seem to be going to cancel the video games. We bought to step up and transfer on. However our hearts are heavy.”

With 1:04 left in regulation, Godwin caught a move from Baker Mayfield and was tackled from behind by inside linebacker Roquan Smith, with Godwin’s left ankle showing to get caught beneath Smith.

Smith’s deal with seems to have all the weather of a hip-drop deal with and is being reviewed by the NFL, sources informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday. Whether it is deemed to be a hip-drop deal with, Smith can be topic to a nice.

A number of teammates have been visibly shaken as Godwin remained on his knees and was rapidly attended to by the coaching employees. Mayfield turned away, knelt down and put his head into his arms.

“This totally sucks,” Mayfield mentioned. “Yeah, it sucks for our group, however Chris deserves higher than that. He is an unbelievable man. An unbelievable teammate. Clearly, you guys have seen — he is performed extraordinary this yr. Obtained a heavy coronary heart proper now.”

Your entire Buccaneers bench cleared and gathered as Godwin was helped onto an harm cart, as chants of “Godwin! Godwin!” broke out together with a standing ovation.

Godwin and Evans entered the sport tied for the league lead with 5 landing receptions over Tampa Bay’s first six video games, with Mayfield calling them a “enormous heartbeat of this group.”

Bowles defended retaining Godwin and different starters within the recreation regardless of it being out of attain with two onside kicks already tried and no timeouts remaining, saying, “We do not second-guess,” and pointing to the truth that the group was already with out Evans.

“I do shield my gamers on a regular basis,” Bowles mentioned. “That has nothing to do with why we left him on this ballgame. We nonetheless had a shot to attain some factors and win this ballgame. It occurs. It occurs in soccer.”

“This totally sucks. Yeah, it sucks for our group, however Chris deserves higher than that. He is an unbelievable man. An unbelievable teammate. Clearly, you guys have seen — he is performed extraordinary this yr. Obtained a heavy coronary heart proper now.”

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield on Chris Godwin’s harm

Mayfield had no objection to remaining within the recreation.

“We talked about it on the sideline, pondering, ‘If we get a fast landing — clearly already bought an onside kick throughout the recreation — get a fast landing, an onside kick, have a chance for a Hail Mary,” he mentioned. “We have now a gaggle of fighters. All of us wished an opportunity to attempt to win that factor any means, a way, someway.”

Evans, who entered the sport with a hamstring pressure however was decided to play, caught a 25-yard landing move from Mayfield on the opening drive, making him simply the eleventh participant in NFL historical past to succeed in 100 receiving touchdowns.

However within the second quarter, Mayfield tried to seek out Evans in the long run zone on a 25-yard go route in opposition to Brandon Stephens, and Evans could not grasp onto the move. Evans fell to the bottom and grabbed the again of his leg whereas writhing in ache.

Evans remained on the sector for a number of seconds as trainers and teammates gathered round him. He was in a position to stroll off the sector with Bucs vp of sports activities drugs and efficiency Bobby Slater however limped considerably as he entered the tunnel to a standing ovation.

Evans missed two days of follow this week with the harm, which coach Todd Bowles described earlier within the week as a lingering harm versus an acute one. The wideout was in a position to follow Friday in a restricted capability and carried no harm designation heading into Monday night time’s recreation, the place he was honored with a message on the videoboard commemorating his scoring achievement within the first quarter.

Evans and Godwin sit No. 1 and a couple of for the Bucs in all-time receiving yards. Evans had hoped to tie Jerry Rice this season for essentially the most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons after recording 10 in his first 10 campaigns. Up till this level, Evans has solely missed 9 regular-season video games, with simply seven attributable to harm or sickness.

However for Godwin, that is the second main career-threatening harm he has handled, having torn an ACL and an MCL in Week 15 of the 2021 season. Godwin mentioned he lastly felt like he was again to his outdated self this summer time, and several other teammates and coaches took discover too.

“I am sick about it,” tight finish Cade Otton mentioned of his injured teammates. “We speak about nice guys and nice leaders and nice gamers. It sucks. It is the horrible half about this job, however now we have to come back collectively for them and play higher and win video games and simply stick with it like they might.”

As outdoors linebacker YaYa Diaby mentioned of Godwin, “He was having such an incredible yr, and for a man like that … we want him on this offense. After which for Mike — we want him, as properly. You realize, I do not know what the story is, however I hope he can get properly.”

The 4-3 Bucs now should face their largest divisional impediment this weekend after they host the Atlanta Falcons (additionally 4-3) in a rematch of a Week 5 time beyond regulation heartbreaker for Tampa Bay.

“It sucks,” Mayfield mentioned. “Going to be serious about Chris and Mike for some time right here, however going to maneuver ahead. This group goes to need to be resilient. Going to need to have guys step up. That is simply the best way it’s. There isn’t any different means round it. Going to need to look this factor within the face and take it head on.”