Karl-Anthony Towns scored 13 of his game-high 27 points during a decisive third-quarter run as the host New York Knicks rallied past the Detroit Pistons 111-97 on Tuesday for their first win of the season.

International stars Ryan Moore, James McDonald and Joao Moreira, plus nine-time Hong Kong champion Zac Purton, headline a stellar line-up for December’s Longines International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley. The current top five in the Longines World’s Best Jockey standings – Moore, McDonald, William Buick, Mickael Barzalona and Purton – will contest the world’s most prestigious jockey challenge, while rising British star Saffie Osborne will make her IJC debut. Moreira, the winner...

Jayson Tatum made an elbow jumper as time expired in overtime to give the Boston Celtics a 125-124 victory over the visiting Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night.

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida — A large group of Brewers fans gathered in a parking lot outside Tropicana Field more than four hours before the first pitch of Game 4 of the World Series, sipping on Wisconsin beers and preparing for a potentially historic night. The Brewers needed one more win to celebrate the first World Series title in franchise history. “We’re ready to party,” a man wearing a pinstriped, white William Contreras No. 24 jersey said. With Milwaukee leading the Tampa Bay Rays 3-0, a celebration seems inevitable. Of the 43 previous major league teams to fall behind 3-0 in any best-of-seven postseason series, only the 2004 Boston Red Sox rallied to win four straight games when they beat the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series. Brewers fans have been waiting for this moment since 1970 — the franchise began as the Seattle Pilots in 1969 and moved to Milwaukee a year later. Thousands of fans made the trip from Wisconsin to Florida and sat among the cowbell-ringing Rays crowd on Monday night. Most were sitting behind the visitors’ dugout and along the third-base line, and they had plenty to cheer about in a 10-1 victory. “The atmosphere here with the amount of Brewers fans, you can feel it, and it started in batting practice yesterday,” Milwaukee’s Garrett Mitchell said Tuesday. “Just like when we were stretching, you could hear it. It was lots of ‘Let’s go Brewers’ chants. To have that on the road, pretty special. Pretty special.” Even more Brewers fans were expected for Game 4 because their team is on the verge of a championship, and the Rays need to defy historical trends just to shift the series back to Milwaukee. There have been 25 teams that took a 3-0 lead in the World Series. Of those, 21 finished the sweep in Game 4, and the remaining four won the series in Game 5. The cheapest ticket available for Game 4 was $900, according to ticket marketplace TickPick. A total of 41.3% of all purchases for Game 4 have come from Wisconsin, compared to 30.5% from Florida and 3.4% from Illinois, according to TickPick. A fan wearing a powder blue, No. 19 Robin Yount jersey held a broomstick in the parking lot, anticipating a sweep. Once the gates opened, there was a loud “Let's go Brewers” chant when players began stretching in left field. As the stadium began to fill about an hour before the first pitch, it appeared there were more Brewers fans than Rays fans in the stands. They filled the area behind Milwaukee's dugout and screamed when the players walked back to the clubhouse. “It was awesome,” Brewers captain Christian Yelich said after Game 3. “They were really loud from batting practice on throughout the game. I said it a bunch, but they brought it this year in Milwaukee and on the road. We understand how much this team and our performance affects people’s happiness in Milwaukee and how many memories have been made over the years watching Brewer baseball, watching us play, whether that’s among family, the friends, parents, grandparents, whatever it may be. So, I know this team doesn’t take that lightly and I understand that our team means a lot to people and it’s a big reason why we press so hard about that.” And for those who didn't make the road trip, American Family Field in Milwaukee sold out a watch party for 31,000 fans. Milwaukee’s only previous trip to the World Series in 1982 ended in heartbreak when the Brewers blew a 3-1 lead in the sixth inning of Game 7 and lost 6-3 to the St. Louis Cardinals. Pat Murphy’s team is trying to finish what Harvey Kuenn’s star-studded crew couldn’t accomplish. Harvey’s Wallbangers had five Hall of Famers: Yount, Paul Molitor, Ted Simmons, Don Sutton and Rollie Fingers. But Fingers missed the postseason with a forearm injury. They also had Hall of Famer Bob Uecker in the broadcast booth. “I think it’s just about the Brewers, it’s about the city of Milwaukee, it’s about the state of Wisconsin all coming together,” Murphy said. “We all play a role. It’s wonderful to all be together. Hopefully we continue to play well enough to win.”

Victor Wembanyama poured in 29 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in just 27 minutes, and Julian Champagnie canned eight first-half 3-pointers as the host San Antonio Spurs steamrolled the Sacramento Kings 130-103 on Tuesday.

NEW YORK — Minnesota Timberwolves star guard Anthony Edwards will undergo arthroscopic right knee surgery and is expected to miss around two months of the NBA season, US media reported on Tuesday. The 25-year-old playmaker, the top pick of the 2020 NBA Draft by the T-Wolves, helped the United States capture gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. ESPN, citing unnamed sources, said Edwards began grabbing at his knee in a Sunday home victory over Toronto, but T-Wolves coach Chris Finch soon after called the knee a daily situation with no concern over a long-term injury. Edwards scored 47 points for the T-Wolves on Monday in a loss at Cleveland that dropped the club to 3-1 on the season entering Wednesday's game against Golden State. He had been listed as questionable for the contest due to the right knee injury but played a season-high 41 minutes. ESPN said Edwards now requires surgery and is set to miss up to two months, while the Athletic cited an anonymous team source saying Edwards is expected to miss at least two months. Four-time NBA All-Star Edwards averaged 24.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.3 steals a game over his first six NBA campaigns, all with Minnesota. This season, Edwards was off to the best start of his career with 33.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals per contest over four games.

NEW YORK — Minnesota Timberwolves star guard Anthony Edwards will undergo arthroscopic right knee surgery and is expected to miss around two months of the NBA season, US media reported on Tuesday. The 25-year-old playmaker, the top pick of the 2020 NBA Draft by the T-Wolves, helped the United States capture gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. ESPN, citing unnamed sources, said Edwards began grabbing at his knee in a Sunday home victory over Toronto, but T-Wolves coach Chris Finch soon after called the knee a daily situation with no concern over a long-term injury. Edwards scored 47 points for the T-Wolves on Monday in a loss at Cleveland that dropped the club to 3-1 on the season entering Wednesday's game against Golden State. He had been listed as questionable for the contest due to the right knee injury but played a season-high 41 minutes. ESPN said Edwards now requires surgery and is set to miss up to two months, while the Athletic cited an anonymous team source saying Edwards is expected to miss at least two months. Four-time NBA All-Star Edwards averaged 24.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.3 steals a game over his first six NBA campaigns, all with Minnesota. This season, Edwards was off to the best start of his career with 33.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals per contest over four games.

MANILA, Philippines -- Defending champion National University seeks to draw closer to a quarterfinals twice-to-beat advantage in a showdown against struggling Adamson University in the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup second round on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Momentum is on the side of the unbeaten, five-peat-seeking Lady Bulldogs after a convincing win over College of Saint Benilde in the round-robin Round of 8 opener of the league’s centerpiece competition, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, and R&B Milk Tea. Behind Arah Panique’s 13-point explosion and 10-point contribution from sophomore Sam Cantada, NU rolled past the Lady Blazers, 25-20, 25-16, 25-15, in Pool E last Sunday at the Imus Sports Complex. The Lady Bulldogs, who are on a five-game winning streak without dropping a set since the first round, look to keep their hot run going in their first clash against a UAAP rival at 3 p.m. NU coach Norman Miguel expects a tough grind against a Lady Falcons side looking to bounce back from a 16-25, 15-25, 20-25, loss to Far Eastern University. “We expect a different level of game sa next na kalaban namin and no room for complacency. All-out effort and consistency, minimal errors,” Miguel said. Adamson, which rested main scorer Shai Nitura last game, will rely on Frances Mordi, Joy Aseo, Third Tuddao and Red Bascon to stay in the hunt for the two quarterfinals incentives at stake in the pool. Meanwhile, FEU aims to strengthen its bid for a twice-to-beat incentive against CSB in the 11 a.m. curtain-raiser of the competition, supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, the Commission on Higher Education, Mikasa, Asics, Rigour Technology, Jersey Haven, Solar Sports and 12 Beyond Production as technical partners.  “Ang mindset namin ay mag-focus sa kung ano ang nasa harap namin. Training and mindset kung sino ang makakalaban namin,” Lady Tamaraws veteran libero Marga Encarnacion said. In Pool F action, undefeated squads last year’s runner-up University of Santo Tomas and University of the Philippines lock horns at 5 p.m. The Golden Tigresses turned back Ateneo De Manila University, 25-16, 25-20, 21-25, 25-21, behind a balanced offensive effort that saw four UST players in double-figure scoring. Marga Altea, who fired 15 points against the Blue Eagles, will once again lead the Tigresses’ charge, backed by a solid crew bannered by veterans Angge Poyos, Regina Jurado, Ashlee Knop, Blessing Unekwe and Kim Rubin. The Fighting Maroons are also on a red-hot streak after defeating reigning NCAA champion Letran, 21-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-16, in the opener, with Jelai Gajero, Jenn Gould and Kianne Olango doing most of the damage. Ateneo and Letran clash at 1 p.m. to stay alive in the chase for the quarters bonus. All games in the competition are available live and on demand via PusoP.com and Solar Sports. TMT

The Shah of Iran, a UK assassination, the Venezuelan petrodollar crisis and Colombia’s creaking infrastructure all indirectly led to Bobby Charlton, Eusebio and Ferenc Puskas glad-handing paying supporters outside stadiums at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. “In their prime, our team would have beaten every side in that World Cup,” said Jaime Byrom, one of the individuals responsible for a sea change in sports hospitality since his first innovative step into the industry 40 years ago. Byrom’s...

SCHEDULE: 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals MANILA, Philippines–Barangay Ginebra drew first blood over San Miguel Beer in their 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal series with a 104-95 victory on Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Import Jordan Murphy tallied 29 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks, but the Gin Kings also got a big lift from

Utah Jazz star Jaren Jackson Jr. suffered a torn MCL in his right knee and will be re-evaluated in six weeks, the team said Tuesday.

Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard will be sidelined at least one week with swelling in his left knee, the team announced Tuesday.

GUANGZHOU, China— Tennis great Venus Williams fell to 0-13 in singles matches this year at age 46 after losing 6-2, 6-2 to teenager Lilli Tagger in the Guangzhou Open first round on Tuesday. Their 28-year age gap was reportedly a record difference between opponents in a WTA Tour match. The 18-year-old Austrian Tagger was born

TOKYO–Naomi Osaka paid tribute to her Japanese heritage with a crane pattern outfit before beating Jasmine Paolini 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) in her tournament opener in Tokyo on Tuesday. The former world number one is appearing at the Pan Pacific Open for the first time in four years and she came onto the court wearing a

TORONTO — Kawhi Leonard will be sidelined for at least a week of the NBA season due to swelling in his left knee, the Toronto Raptors announced on Tuesday. Leonard had played in two triumphs to start the 2026-27 campaign but was benched for Sunday's loss to Minnesota due to the swelling. "Forward Kawhi Leonard will undergo a treatment and rehabilitation program to address swelling in his left knee," the team said in a statement. "Medical imaging revealed no acute injury, and Leonard will be reevaluated in one week." Leonard, 35, had already coped with severe right knee injuries in the 2021 and 2023 NBA playoffs. The Raptors obtained Leonard, who sparked Toronto to the 2019 NBA title, in an offseason trade with the Los Angeles Clippers that was not completed until after a resolution was reached in the Clippers' salary cap circumvention scandal. Last month, Leonard signed a two-year contract extension worth $115 million with the Raptors. "It's always frustrating missing time," Leonard posted on social media. "I came back to compete with this team and I'm focused on getting back to 100. "Toronto, I've appreciated the love since I've been back. Returning soon."

MANILA, Philippines — Choco Mucho vented its ire on winless Galeries Tower, 21-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-15, to regain its winning ways in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Conference on Tuesday night at Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Eya Laure and Sisi Rondina-Rosales provided spark for the Flying Titans after a lethargic start, as they took the

SCHEDULE: 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals MANILA, Philippines–Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao commended the resolve put up by his team in completing a come-from-behind 124-120 win over Converge in Game 1 of the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals. The Elasto Painters scrapped their way back from being down 21 early in the second quarter

SCHEDULE: 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals MANILA, Philippines–Rain or Shine battled back from a 21-point deficit in the first half to take down Converge, 124-120, and gain a head start in their best-of-five series in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Adrian Nocum, import Aaron Fuller, Jhonard Clarito and

BENGALURU - Frenchman Terence Atmane's admission that he has been struggling with his mental health after an outburst at this month's Shanghai Masters highlighted the pressures lower-ranked tennis players face as another demanding season draws to a close.

MANILA, Philippines—Emilio Aguinaldo College strengthened its hold on third place in Group B with a 96-64 rout of San Sebastian in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena on Tuesday. The Generals improved to 4-6, while keeping the Golden Stags winless after 11 games. EAC’s MJ Raymundo, however, is not dwelling

MANILA, Philippines — Determined to keep Akari winning, Eli Soyud unconsciously poured in 30 points in familiar territory at Ninoy Aquino Stadium, where she once had her heroics in the previous PVL All-Filipino Conference. Last March, Soyud nailed the telling blows to lead Akari past Choco Mucho in a play-in game at the same venue.

MANILA, Philippines — VNS Laticrete beat Armed Forced of the Philippines, 30-28, 25-20, 25-21, to book its first win in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference on Tuesday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Veteran Jau Umandal helped snap the Griffins’ three-game skid, leading the charge with 18 points and 10 excellent receptions as they improved to

MANILA, Philippines—Jose Rizal University overcame the absence of star Chris Hubilla in its 81-78 win over Lyceum in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena on Tuesday. With Hubilla out indefinitely after going down with a partial MCL tear in the team’s previous game against San Beda, the Heavy Bombers turned

FILIPINO tennis sensation has not won back-to-back games in the Asian swing of the 2026 Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour. She also lost her opening game against lower seeded players in Wuhan and Singapore. In the ongoing WTA 500 Tokyo Open in Japan, Alexandra “Alex” Eala is looking to break the slump as she takes on Talia Gibson of Australia, who is ranked 38thein the world. Eala, ranked 19th in the world, avoided another upset loss after dominating wildcard and No. 411 Mika Stojasavjevic of Great Britain, 6-1, 6-2, last Monday. That sets the stage for Eala to face Gibson for the third time in her tennis career either on Wednesday or Thursday in the round of 16. The order of play for Wednesday’s matches wasn’t available yet as of this writing. The 21-year-old Eala holds a 2-0 win-loss record over the 22-year-old Gibson in their head-to-head matches from their ITF years. Eala defeated Gibson first at the ITF W40 Palma del Rio, Spain, 6-3, 6-1, in June 2023. Two months later, the Filipino prevailed anew at the ITF W25 Aldershot, Great Britain, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. This is the first time that Eala and Gibson will clash in the WTA Tour. While Eala proves superior to Gibson with a higher ranking and a title that Gibson doesn’t have yet, the Australian netter has been performing better than the Filipino in the ongoing Asian swing. Eala was stunned in the first round by No. 217 Shi Han at the Wuhan Open and by No. 180 Tatiana Prozorova at the Singapore Open. Gibson, on the other hand, placed runner-up to Leylah Fernandez at the Singapore Open. She also reached the quarterfinal round at the Japan Women’s Open last week in Osaka. Last Monday, Gibson toppled No. 75 Daria Kasatkina in their first round clash, 6-0, 7-5, in Tokyo. At the Ningbo Open last week, Eala opened the tournament with an impressive 6-3, 6-1 victory over Diane Parry but bowed to Dianna Shnaider, 7-5, 6-4, in the next round.

FOLLOWING a medal-less campaign at the 2026 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Rotterdam, two-time Olympic champion Carlos Yulo said that he and his younger brother Eldrew will come back stronger next season. “By God’s grace, we’ll come back stronger. Always for the Philippines,” Yulo wrote as a finisher to a lengthy Instagram post Monday night. In the same post, Yulo said he remains grateful despite not getting the results he wanted in Rotterdam. “It wasn’t the result I hoped to give, but I’m always grateful to our Lord for giving me this opportunity — not just to compete, but also to learn, grow, and see the bigger picture,” said Yulo. “Sometimes, God allows things to happen for reasons we may not immediately understand, and I’m learning to trust His plans even more,” he added. Yulo won World Championship gold medals in floor exercise in 2019, and vault in 2021 and 2025 but placed eighth in floor exercise and seventh in vault this year. Eldrew and another Filipino gymnast Miguel Besana failed to make the medal rounds in any of the disciplines. Yulo was particularly happy that he and his siblings Eldrew and Joryeng were together in Rotterdam. He said he is proud of Eldrew and Joryeng, who was there as a judge. “I’m so happy that, despite everything that has happened, we’re still here as siblings, supporting and standing by each other. We still don’t have a picture together at the arena, though,” he said. Yulo also thanked his fiancé, Chloe San Jose, for leading the way to their Paris trip after the World Championships. For his social media post, Yulo used a photo of him, Chloe, Eldrew and Joryeng posing with the Eiffel Tower as backdrop. “Lastly, to our family back in the Philippines and everyone else who prayed for us, believed in us and supported us through it all, thank you so much,” said Yulo. “This competition may not have ended the way I wanted, but I’m choosing to be grateful for the lessons, the memories and the people God continue to bless me with. We may fall short of the results we dream of, but we will never stop fighting, learning and believing.”

NLEX superstar Robert Bolick emerged as the leading candidate for the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup Best Player of the Conference (BPC) award after topping the statistical race at the close of the elimination round. A perennial BPC contender in the past conferences, Bolick amassed 37.1 statistical points (SPs) to grab pole position after the elimination phase. The 31-year-old Bolick posted solid averages of 17.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 8.0 assists to help NLEX grab the top seed in Group A heading to the playoffs with a 9-3 record. The do-it-all guard out of San Beda has consistently led NLEX the past conferences and has been San Miguel Beer slot man June Mar Fajardo’s biggest rival for the BPC award in recent seasons. This time around, the third overall pick in the 2018 PBA Draft hopes to finally win his first BPC trophy, while looking to lead the Road Warriors to their first franchise crown. Interestingly, running second in the BPC race at the end of the elims is Terrafirma guard Maverick Ahanmisi. The former Minnesota Gopher playmaker compiled 35.7 SPs on the strength of his all-around stats line of 16.3 points, 7.6 rebounds and a league-best 8.5 assists with the Dyip. Unfortunately, Terrafirma failed to reach the playoffs once again, and this meant Ahanmisi is already out of contention for the coveted top individual award for the conference. Occupying third to fifth spots in the BPC race are Converge’s young core of Justin Arana, Justine Baltazar and rookie Juan Gomez De Liano. Arana amassed 34.7 SPs, Baltazar had 34.2 while Gomez De Liano, 33.8. The trio have been instrumental in leading the FiberXers into the playoffs since the franchise missed the playoff bus in the Commissioner’s Cup. Nine-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer, whose 13 BPC awards are unmatched, is at sixth spot with 33.5 SPs.

BLACKWATER team owner Dioceldo Sy said Filipino American guard Sedrick Barefield has “verbally agreed” to sign a three-year extension deal with the Bossing. The longtime Filipino-Chinese sportsman-businessman said the former G League guard negotiated with him directly. “Three years, [Sedrick] agreed, with no agent [accompanying him],” Sy told The Manila Times. The 29-year-old former SMU and Utah standout posted averages of 21.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup, where the Bossing failed to reach the playoffs. The contract extension of Barefield guarantees a reliable backcourt player, who can provide offense and playmaking for the Blackwater franchise. Sy expects the shifty guard to sign the new contract soon.

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida — With a devastating 16-hit batting performance and masterful pitching by Robert Gasser, the Milwaukee Brewers routed Tampa Bay, 10-1, on Monday (Tuesday in Manila), reaching the brink of a World Series sweep. Left-handed starter Gasser threw six shutout innings, allowing only one hit with a walk and three strikeouts in facing the minimum 18 batters. “It was awesome,” Gasser said. “We’re going to enjoy tonight. It was a great team win. But we’ve got work to do.” Jackson Chourio, a 22-year-old Venezuelan outfielder, went 4-for-5 at the plate, scored twice, stole a base and also drove in a run in the Brewers’ historic eight-run fifth inning to humble the Rays. All eight runs came with two outs in the inning, a World Series record, and Milwaukee batters made seven consecutive hits, a playoff first. “It was special for sure,” Chourio said through a translator. “We’ve been preparing for this day. We’ve known it was coming. We have one more to lock in for tomorrow to complete the mission.” The Brewers seized a 3-0 lead in Major League Baseball’s best-of-seven final and can win the first title in team history with a triumph in Game 4 on Tuesday at Tropicana Field. “There’s still one more game to go for us to win,” Gasser said. “I know everybody is eager to do it, and we’re going to show up tomorrow ready to go.” Gasser became the first lefty to face the minimum over six innings in a World Series clash since Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1965. The Rays managed a run in the ninth but only three hits in the game. Chourio raced home from second base on a Christian Yelich single in the third inning to score the first run and William Contreras drove in another with a hit to right field for a 2-0 lead. The Brewers, whose only prior World Series was a 1982 loss to St. Louis in seven games, had two one-run wins to start the Series but overwhelmed Tampa Bay with a barrage in the fifth. Chourio singled, stole second and advanced to third on a Contreras single that loaded the bases as Rays starter Freddy Peralta, who had played for Milwaukee the past eight seasons, was lifted for relief pitcher Cam Booser. Brice Turang followed with a two-run single up the middle, Garrett Mitchell added a single to score Contreras, and Cooper Pratt followed with a two-run double to left field for a 7-0 Brewers lead. Sal Frelick doubled in Pratt for an 8-0 Milwaukee edge, bringing on Rays reliever Cole Sulser, who promptly surrendered a single to David Hamilton to drive in Frelick for a 9-0 lead. Chourio concluded the stunning streak with a double to right field to score Hamilton for a 10-0 Brewers lead. Gasser, meanwhile, had to wait for an extra 45 minutes before returning to the mound, watching the amazing streak with glee. “It was special. I had a smile on my face the whole time,” Gasser said. “It was just surreal when something like that happens.” Chourio’s eight hits through three games are the second-most in World Series history after nine by Billy Hatcher for Cincinnati in 1990. “My mentality is to stay on top of the ball and hit line drives,” Chourio said. “I consider myself more of a hitter than a home run hitter.” Chourio became the youngest player to ever begin a World Series with three multi-hit games, delivering singles in the first, third and fifth innings on Monday. AFP

LOS ANGELES, California — The Cleveland Cavaliers ended the Minnesota Timberwolves’ perfect start to the NBA season, winning 127-125 in an overtime thriller despite 47 points from Anthony Edwards. Donovan Mitchell and James Harden led the scoring for the victorious Cavs, with 26 and 19 points apiece, as Cleveland moved to 2-1. “Tough win for us, especially early in the season,” said Harden, who added four rebounds and nine assists. The Timberwolves, having won their opening three games, led for much of the night, with a 15-point advantage in the first half. Edwards, only cleared to play late after being listed as questionable with a right knee injury, had made an electric start, with 11 points in the first quarter. But the Cavaliers rallied to pull level in the third quarter, and then had to come from behind again after slipping to a seven-point deficit in the fourth. Harden’s driving floater with 10 seconds remaining tied the game, and a blocked Edwards layup with four seconds left sent it to overtime at 113-113. With just a minute left in overtime, Edwards tied the game again with a trey so close to the arc that a video replay was required. But Mitchell reestablished Cleveland’s lead with a go-ahead midrange jumper, and when Minnesota’s Jonathan Kuminga missed a free throw with 30 seconds left, the Cavaliers pulled clear. Harden made two more free throws, leaving the Timberwolves requiring three points, but Edwards’ clutch effort bounced off the rim. Peyton Watson poured in two more free throws for Cleveland to bury the contest. “We made a lot of mistakes on both ends of the basketball in that first half... second half, we did a better job,” said Harden. Elsewhere, the Oklahoma City Thunder improved to 4-0 with a hard-fought 125-114 win over the Phoenix Suns. Ajay Mitchell led the scoring with a career-high 30, supported by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who added 26. “This league is about winning games, and that’s all that matters,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “We were just ready to go. Guys were ready to go. Guys were ready to step up,” added the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player. Perfect night The Houston Rockets also stayed perfect with a 120-110 win over the Atlanta Hawks. It is their first 4-0 start since 2014, with star Kevin Durant rested for the entire fourth quarter in an ultimately comfortable win. Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded his first triple-double with new team Miami even as the Heat (0-4) suffered a 113-109 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Antetokounmpo, a two-time league Most Valuable Player who left the Milwaukee Bucks this summer, scored 29 points with 14 rebounds and 11 assists. Mavericks teen star Cooper Flagg also scored 29, with 11 assists, six rebounds and a career-high five steals. The Grizzlies also improved to 4-0 with a 110-105 win over the Utah Jazz, while Brandon Miller scored 39 points as the Charlotte Hornets beat the Washington Wizards, 110-103. And the Golden State Warriors earned their first victory of the season with a 134-114 triumph over the Denver Nuggets. Stephen Curry made 8-of-8 field goal attempts for 24 points. “Just staying patient. We’ve been working on some offensive approach where I know I get a lot of attention, trying not to force things,” he said. “I didn’t know it was going to be a perfect night like that, but glad it all came together.”

NEW YORK — Dak Prescott passed for three touchdowns and 212 yards as the Dallas Cowboys bounced back with a 38-21 thumping of the injury-ravaged Philadelphia Eagles, who plunged to a fifth straight L loss. The Cowboys, whose offense had misfired in back-to-back losses to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers, pulled emphatically clear of their C East rivals in the second half to move to 3-4. CeeDee Lamb made two superb touchdown catches and George Pickens added a third, while the Cowboys also ran for 204 yards spearheaded by Javonte Williams, who had a touchdown and a career-high 155 rushing yards. With their first win in Philadelphia since the 2021 season, Dallas remained in pursuit of the division-leading New York Giants (4-2-1). Meanwhile, the Eagles suffered their fifth straight defeat, having lost starting quarterback Jalen Hurts for the season due to blood clots. The Eagles’ woeful injury record worsened as star running back Saquon Barkley, on his return from a two-game absence with a hamstring issue, left the field with a back injury. In an even first half, two excellent catches by Cowboys receivers helped Dallas fight back after the Eagles’ rushing game had put Philadelphia ahead twice. After an early Dallas 55-yard field goal, Barkley exploded 29 yards for a first down — breaking a tackle and then appearing to grab his troublesome hamstring — but soon after rushed wide to the pylon for an eight-yard TD. The Cowboys hit back. Prescott sent a touchdown pass to Lamb, who took a spinning catch in the far corner of the end zone. In the second quarter, running back Dameon Pierce rushed five yards around the Cowboys defense to put the Eagles back ahead, 14-10.