(The Storm covers what’s storming in sports today.)
Dubbed “Snowtime” by Shaquille O’Neal, the Lakers rolled to a 127-105 victory over the Golden State Warriors in the opener for both teams on Wednesday night.
“I had a lot of respect for him [because] I didn’t really watch the NBA much. I just watched highlights and saw him kill people. But being in it firsthand and seeing all the whining and complaining, I lost all respect.”—Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg on Luka Doncic.
The Minnesota Timberwolves got 45 from Anthony Edwards and beat the Miami Heat, 131-106, in Miami. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 35 in his first game with the Heat, while LaMelo Ball, formerly with Charlotte, registered 21 points and 6 assists.
NFL Thursday Night Football: Patriots at Bears. Both teams enter 4-2 for the 8:15 p.m. ET matchup on Prime Video. A ticket to see it in person at Soldier Field costs $736 (minimum).
New Lakers center Walker Kessler went 12-for-12 from the field in his debut. Shaq dubbed him “Milk Chamberlain.”
Legendary Dallas Cowboys safety/cornerback Cornell Green dies at 86. The five-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl winner was an All-American who played basketball at Utah State, but not a down of college football.
On this date in 1974, the Los Angeles Rams traded quarterback John Hadl, 34, to the Green Bay Packers for five draft picks — the Packers’ 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-round picks in 1975, plus their 1st- and 2nd-round picks in 1976 (specifically, the 9th, 28th, and 61st overall in 1975, and the 8th and 39th in 1976).
Clippers dedicate win to suspended owner Steve Ballmer.—The Los Angeles Clippers beat the Sacramento Kings 121-96, led by Darius Garland’s 30 points. Coach Ty Lue opened his postgame by saying the win was “for Mr. Ballmer,” who is serving a one-year suspension tied to the Kawhi Leonard salary-cap circumvention case.
Fernando Valenzuela passed away on this day in 2024.
“I told him he sucks. He can’t score on me.”—Yaxel Lendeborg to Luka Doncic, who finished with 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists.
