Icy Ionescu & Must-Seize Game 3s

10/17/2024

By: Jeff Yoder

Good Morning!

I thought a day away from football might bring a news snooze. I should’ve learned by now to never assume. We’ve got historic moments laced throughout today’s “Game 3” edition, from Sabrina Ionescu’s iconic game-winner to the Dodgers’ demoralizing NLCS win. Some hockey history was made, too.

If it’s Thirsty Thursday, extra ice for No. 20

Letter Rip!

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WNBA FINALS

Ice, Ice, Ionescu!

WNBA Finals: Sabrina Ionescu Sinks Unreal Game-Winning Logo 3 to Lift Liberty in Game 3 (80-77) & Take 2-1 Series Lead

Sabrina Ionescu calls game! The New York Liberty beat the Minnesota Lynx (80-77) last night in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals on a shot you have to see to believe… A shot that will live forever in WNBA history. The Liberty rallied from a double-digit deficit to tie the game late in the fourth, and with the score knotted 77-all, Ionescu hit a step-back 3 from the edge of the logo with 1 second left. Ice! For most of the game, it was Breanna Stewart (30 pts, 11 rebs, 4 blk) who had the hot hand for New York. Ionescu was scoreless for the first 16-plus minutes, but that last shot was the difference in a critical swing game. Ionescu’s 3 snatched a road win and put New York officially on the cusp of the franchise’s first WNBA title.

Watch: Ionescu’s Game-Winning 3 Gives Liberty Game 3 Win Over Lynx (80-77)

WNBA Finals Schedule (Game 4)

Liberty at Lynx (Fri. 8:00 pm ET, ESPN)

NYL Lead Series (2-1)

B/R: Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson Headline 2024 All-WNBA Teams

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MLB

Dodgers Do Damage in Game 3

NLCS Game 3: Dodgers Hit Dingers (3 HRs) to Seize NLCS Lead With Demoralizing 8-0 Win Against Mets

When the Dodgers play like this, there’s no team in baseball up to the challenge. L.A.’s superstar lineup swung hard and fast to leave no doubt in a Game 3 blowout Wednesday night in Citi Field. The Dodgers shut out the Mets (8-0) with a trio of home runs from Kike Hernandez (2-Run HR), Shohei Ohtani (3-Run HR), and Max Muncy (solo HR). Ohtani’s majestic blast ended a six-game postseason homerless streak, too, so watch out if he gets cooking. Walker Buehler got the start for L.A. and went four scoreless innings with six Ks before the rotation of Kopech-Brasier-Treinien-Casparius kept the Mets off the scoreboard. New York had just four total hits, but they failed to convert with the bases loaded in the second inning and never recovered. The Mets will have to hope for another big response in Game 4, or face elimination heading back to Dodger Stadium.

Watch: Dodgers Hit 3 HRs to Beat Mets (8-0) & Retake NLCS Lead (2-1)

Tonight’s Schedule (MLB Playoffs)

ALCS G3: Yankees at Guardians (5:00 pm ET, TBS)

NLCS G4: Dodgers at Mets (8:00 pm ET, FS1)

MLB: Ohtani’s Huge Homer Makes Absurd Run With RISP Historic

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NHL

Pen Pals: Malkin & Crosby Make NHL History

Evgeni Malkin (500 Goals) & Sidney Crosby (1,600 Points) Etch Their Names in NHL History During Penguins’ 6-5 OT Win Against Sabres

Two milestone moments happened almost simultaneously on a night to remember in Pittsburgh. The Penguins beat the Sabres in overtime thanks to a put-back winner by Sidney Crosby 1:38 into extra hockey (6-5, OT), but the story on this night was bigger than just one victory. Pens’ center Evgeni Malkin scored his 500th career goal (plus three assists) to give Pittsburgh a lead early in the third. Malkin became the 48th player in league history to crack the 500-goal mark. Earlier in the game, Crosby assisted for his 1,600th career point to add to his legacy. He’s just the 10th skater in league history to eclipse 1,600 points (now 1,602). Crosby also tallied the assist on Malkin’s 500th, and Sid the Kid finished the job with that OT winner. What a night in the ‘Burgh!

Watch: Penguins Duo Makes Double History in Overtime Thriller

Other NHL Highlights

Maple Leafs def. Kings (6-2)

Bruins def. Avalanche (5-3)

Ducks def. Utah HC (5-4, OT)

B/R: Winners & Losers From the 1st Full Week of NHL Season

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STORYLINES

Pochettino’s 1st USMNT Loss

Mauricio Pochettino is no longer perfect as USMNT head coach after getting a sour first taste of the USA vs Mexico rivalry on Tuesday. After a shorthanded loss, they’ll turn the focus to the CONCACAF Nations League next month. (NBC Sports)

NFL Trade Deadline Targets

A flurry of deals came on the heels of Week 6 with WR Davante Adams, WR Amari Cooper and RB Cam Akers on the move. Who else could be dealt before the Nov. 5 deadline? Here are some of the biggest targets. (CBS Sports)

Ranking the NBA’s Top 100 Players

Welcome to The Ringer’s Top 100 Players in the NBA for the 2024-25 season—a year-round, around-the-clock ranking of the players making the biggest impact. A recent update after postseason ball might surprise you. (The Ringer)

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NEWS

Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay Unlikely to be Repaired for 2025 MLB Season (CBS Sports)

Bulls’ Lonzo Ball Scores 10 Points in First NBA Action Since 2022 (ESPN)

Serena Williams Says ‘All is OK’ After Revealing She Had Benign Cyst Removed From Neck (Yahoo! Sports)

White Sox Owner Jerry Reinsdorf Open to Selling Team After Record-Breaking 121-Loss Season (SI)

Giants Star LT Andrew Thomas Out for Season With Lisfranc Injury (ESPN)

Greg Norman Could Soon be Removed as LIV Golf CEO (SI)

Victor Wembanyama Says Biggest NBA Surprise Was Star Players’ Lack of Work Ethic (B/R)

Jets Rookie Malachi Corley Gives No. 17 Jersey to New Teammate Davante Adams (CBS Sports)

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SCHEDULE