Thursday Briefing: Home runs, LaVar Ball, Michael Bisping
Good morning.
Here's what's making headlines:
Astros complete stunning comeback
George Springer circled the bases after hitting a two-run homer off Brandon McCarthy in the 11th inning.
Would it be enough? Was this the final plot twist in one of the wildest World Series games ever?
Yes, it was - barely - and the Houston Astros won a World Series game for the first time in their 56-season history.
Charlie Culberson hit a two-out homer in the bottom half off winner Chris Devenski, who then struck out Yasiel Puig in a nine-pitch at-bat. The Astros outlasted the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-6 in a Hollywood thriller Wednesday night to tie the Series at one game apiece.
Houston and Los Angeles broke the record for the most home runs in a World Series game with eight. And the Astros became the first team in MLB history to go deep three times in extras during a postseason game.
Here are five must-see moments.
LaVar gets last laugh
John Wall said the Ball family couldn't back up their talk, but it was actually the other way around.
The Washington Wizards lost 102-99 in overtime to the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on Wednesday night. Wall went one-on-one against Lonzo Ball with a chance to tie, but his awkward leaning 3-pointer rimmed out.
Wall, who vowed to show "no mercy" against Lonzo after bristling at comments from his father, LaVar, finished with 18 points on 7-of-22 shooting and was a minus-14 in 41 minutes.
A war of words between LaVar and the Wizards set the stage for a much-anticipated showdown after the Ball family patriarch promised that Lonzo wouldn't lose two in a row.
Bisping sued over alleged choking
Michael Bisping is reportedly facing a lawsuit from a man alleging the UFC middleweight champion choked him at an Anaheim gym in July.
Antonio Georgakopoulos claims Bisping started calling him names for "taking his weights" without asking and then proceeded to grab him by the throat.
Georgakopoulos said he was about to pass out before another weightlifter intervened. He also claimed Anaheim police were called and Bisping was arrested for assault and battery, though authorities clarified Bisping wasn't charged, as the city attorney's office determined there wasn't enough evidence to proceed with criminal charges.
Bisping is scheduled to defend his title against Georges St-Pierre at UFC 217 on Nov. 4.
Josh Smith headed back to NBA
Perhaps J-Smoove will cure what ails the New Orleans Pelicans.
Josh Smith reportedly plans to sign with the Pelicans under the NBA's injury hardship exception.
Smith's agent finalized the deal Wednesday, with the 31-year-old wing expected to be available for Thursday's game against the Sacramento Kings. The exception allows a team to add a 16th player to the roster once four injured players have missed at least three games.
His last NBA action came in garbage time during the 2016 playoffs as a member of the Houston Rockets. Since then, Smith has played overseas for the Sichuan Blue Whales of the Chinese Basketball Association, as well as Israeli squad Maccabi Haifa during their preseason tour in America.
Jags extend Smith
The Jacksonville Jaguars announced Wednesday they've signed linebacker Telvin Smith to a four-year extension.
The deal, reportedly worth $50 million, would give the fourth-year pro a $12.5-million annual average value, which would surpass Luke Kuechly as the highest-paid inside linebacker in the NFL. Smith's rookie deal was set to expire at the end of the season.
Smith racked up at least 104 tackles in each of his first three seasons and is on track for a career-best 132 tackles in 2017, with 58 through seven games. The 26-year-old was named Player of the Week in Week 5 after returning an interception for a 28-yard touchdown.
Bonus Round
3 logical trade destinations for Bledsoe
Eric Bledsoe wants out of Phoenix. For the sake of the Suns' collection of impressionable youth, the organization is going to have to make a trade sooner or later.
Why a Rams-Jaguars Super Bowl isn't as crazy as you think
Over the past several seasons, the strongest indication of quality teams headed for a playoff run was point differential.
(Photos courtesy: Getty and Action Images)