NBA preview: Luka Doncic ready to carry Lakers’ title hopes after LeBron

Inquirer.net - Oct 15, 2026

Team preview of the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of the 2026-2027 NBA season. Last NBA season: 53-29, lost to Oklahoma City in second round of playoffs. Coach: JJ Redick (3rd season, 103-61). Season opener: Oct. 21 vs. Golden State. Departures: F LeBron James, F Rui Hachimura, C Deandre Ayton, G Marcus Smart, G Luke Kennard,

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Oct 15, 2026

NBA preview: Thunder expect to contend for title despite offseason moves

Team preview of the Oklahoma City Thunder ahead of the 2026-2027 NBA season. Last NBA season: 64-18, lost to San Antonio in Western Conference finals Coach: Mark Daigneault (7th season, 275-207) Season opener: Oct. 20 at San Antonio Departures: (F) Lu Dort, (G) Isaiah Joe, (G) Aaron Wiggins Addition: (C) Aday Mara, (G) Bennett Stirtz

Oct 15, 2026

NBA preview: Tyrese Haliburton’s return fuels Pacers’ title hopes

Team preview of the Indiana Pacers ahead of the 2026-2027 NBA season. Last NBA season: 19-63, missed the playoffs. Coach: Rick Carlisle (11th season with Pacers, 357-381, 26th season overall, 1,012-923). Season opener: Oct. 21 at New Orleans. Departures: Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, Micah Potter. Additions: Ivica Zubac, Kelly Oubre Jr., Larry Nance Jr. What

Oct 15, 2026

Twins dealt another injury blow as they advance in KBO postseason

The first postseason victory of the year for the LG Twins came at a cost Wednesday night, as speedster Shin Min-jae suffered a left hamstring injury on a run-scoring squeeze play. By the looks of it, Shin may not be available for the rest of the Twins' postseason, however long it lasts. The Twins defeated the Doosan Bears 4-1 to grab the wild card in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul, with Shin driving in a key insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Twins were nursing a 2-1 lead when they had runners at the corners for Shin. He bunted down the third base line as pinch runner Choi Won-young scored easily from third, and Shin beat out the throw by third baseman An Jae-seok. But after running past the first base bag, Shin came up limping, grabbing the back of his left thigh. The team said Shin experienced some tightness in his hamstring but no immediate testing was scheduled for Wednesday. When asked about Shin's status after the game, Twins manager Youm Kyoung-youb said: "It doesn't look good. He will have some tests tomorrow

Oct 15, 2026

Asian Cup uncertainty clouds Moreno's future as Korea coach

Robert Moreno has not had long in the job as Korea's interim national team coach but must have already realized that this is not a simple one. Moreno was appointed after the World Cup with a contract until the end of November with a possibility of extending it to the Asian Cup in January and beyond. What happens if there is no Asian Cup is anyone’s guess. The former boss of Spain's national football team was given four games in September and October and then two more in November to prove to the Korea Football Association (KFA) that he is the man for the job. Those two fixtures had not been confirmed but it was expected that they would take place in the Middle East, probably Saudi Arabia. That is because the country is hosting the Asian Cup, starting on January 7 and it seemed like a good idea to spend some time in the region. But then there have been attacks on Saudi airports and other targets by the Houthis, an Iran-backed militant group based in Yemen. There have been deaths and casualties and it caused the closure of Riyadh airport for the best part of a week. In such times when c

Oct 15, 2026

Son Heung-min moves back into MLS assists lead in LAFC victory

Son Heung-min has climbed back to the top of the assists leaderboard in Major League Soccer (MLS) after collecting two helpers in the latest victory by his Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC). Son had a goal and two assists as LAFC defeated Austin FC 3-1 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday (local time). With 15 assists for the season, Son broke a tie with five players, including Lionel Messi of Inter Miami, to grab the sole possession of the MLS lead in the category. Son also has seven goals on the season — three goals away from becoming the eighth player in MLS this season to hit double figures in both goals and assists. LAFC snapped their four-match winless skid with the victory. This was also the first match in which they scored more than two goals since routing Sporting Kansas City 4-0 on July 25. After a goalless first half, Son set up Denis Bouanga for LAFC's first marker seven minutes into the second half. Then in the 67th minute, about a minute after Austin had tied the match, Son was credited with an assist when a clearing attempt by Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver struck Son

Oct 15, 2026

Alas Pilipinas men bring back Alinsunurin as Frigoni takes over women

MANILA, Philippines — Dante Alinsunurin returns as Alas Pilipinas men’s volleyball coach, while Italian Angiolino Frigoni will be handling the women’s squad in preparation for the FIVB World Championship in 2029. Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Executive Director Atty. Miguel Carlos Pacifico Suarez announced the major changes to the national indoor volleyball teams on Thursday.

Oct 15, 2026

NBA preview: 76ers expectations riding high with LeBron, Jaylen Brown

Team preview of the Philadelphia 76ers ahead of the 2026-2027 NBA season. Last NBA season: 45-37, lost in second round to New York Knicks. Coach: Nick Nurse (4th season with 76ers; 9th season overall, 343-293) Season Opener: Oct. 20 at New York. Departure: Andre Drummond, Kyle Lowry, Kelly Oubre Jr., Paul George ADDITIONS: LeBron James,