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Nuggets can’t overcome Nikola Jokic’s foul trouble against Cavaliers, lose fourth consecutive road game

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 15:51:31 GMT

CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers were missing two of their three leading scorers, but then again, the Nuggets were missing their two best players, it turned out.That wasn’t the plan, but it’s how a 121-109 loss to the depleted Cavs unraveled Sunday. Already missing the hamstring-strained Jamal Murray, the Nuggets were battling uphill against Nikola Jokic’s foul trouble all night as they erased one double-digit deficit but failed to overcome another. The result was their fourth consecutive road loss and their first time losing back-to-back games since Games 3 and 4 of their second-round playoff series to Phoenix in May.Donovan Mitchell, inescapably intertwined with Murray ever since their electrifying battles in the 2020 bubble, fittingly missed the game with an identical injury to the same ankle, while Caris LeVert was also ruled out before tip. Without them, the Cavaliers were still more than capable against the defending champions, led by 26 points from point guar...

A few wobbles aside, the Avalanche is a destructive force of nature in third periods this season

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 15:51:31 GMT

NASHVILLE — The Colorado Avalanche are the kings of the NHL in the third period so far this season.That feels like a very weird sentence to digest, given the two embarrassing losses to Vegas and St. Louis, the latter of which included coach Jared Bednar calling his club’s third period against the Blues the worst he’s seen among the 500-plus in his tenure.But it is irrefutably correct, as of Sunday morning. After decimating Dallas in the third period Saturday night during a 6-3 comeback win, Colorado led the league in total third-period goals with 28 and on a per-game basis at 1.75. Only three clubs had allowed fewer than the 13 goals the Avs have yielded in the final period.Colorado has a plus-15 goal differential in the third — no other team is better than plus-9.“Maybe we feel a little guilty for coming out slow, you know?” Avs forward Fredrik Olofsson said. “We talk about wanting to come out with a good start, but we stuck with it. Maybe it’s a...

Vikings 7, Broncos 3: Joshua Dobbs finds Josh Oliver for 3-yard touchdown

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 15:51:31 GMT

After a 1-5 start, the Broncos are one a hot streak, winning three in a row. Can they keep up the momentum? Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Vikings at Empower Field at Mile High.Live updatesSecond-quarter updatesTouchdown, Vikings (6:56 p.m.): Joshua Dobbs shrugged off a sack attempt and connected with Josh Oliver for a 3-yard touchdown. Vikings 7, Broncos 3 with 14:53 to go. — Joe NguyenFirst-quarter analysis — Broncos 3, Vikings 0Sean Keeler, sports columnist: If you’re the Vikes, why throw?Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: And Kareem Jackson is not a dirty player?First-quarter updatesRunning game (6:53 p.m.): If I’m the Vikings, I will run the ball for the entire game. Denver gave up 72 rushing yards in the first quarter. — Ryan McFaddenWide open? (6:46 p.m.): It looked like Wilson had tight end Nate Adkins wide open down the right sideline but didn’t look in that direction. — Ryan McFaddenField goal, Broncos (6:31 ...

High winds whipping through parts of Southern California

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 15:51:31 GMT

As strong north to northeast winds moved into the Southland Sunday and are expected to last until Tuesday, the National Weather Service forecasts a brief warming trend followed by colder temperatures starting Thanksgiving Day.  Peak wind gusts of 40 to 60 miles per hour have been recorded in many of the mountain and foothill communities Sunday, with 30 to 50 mile per hour gusts in some valley and coastal areas. “The northerly winds certainly are affecting the San Fernando Valley this afternoon and evening, with sustained winds at 29 miles per hour,” KTLA Weatherman Kaj Goldberg said. “We’re going to see northeasterly winds move into Southern California around midnight tonight.”  The short-lived rise in temps will be accompanied by Santa Ana Winds, prompting a High Wind Warning for parts of Ventura County until Monday at 3 p.m. The intense gusts bring the potential for downed trees and powerlines. Power outages are also possible, and motorists are encouraged to be cautious,...

10 Freeway in downtown L.A. set to reopen Monday

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 15:51:31 GMT

The 10 Freeway through downtown Los Angeles, once thought to be so badly damaged by fire that it would need to be demolished, will instead reopen by Monday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced at a news conference Sunday morning.Newsom was joined by Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to provide an update on the repair efforts."This thing opens tonight," he said. "It will be fully operational tomorrow [and] ready for the commute." Structural integrity assessment results indicated that the damage to the freeway was not as bad as originally thought, allowing officials to announce that the restoration process could be completed within three to five weeks.Workers near a sign that reads "I-10 open on Monday" on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023. (KTLA)When all is said and done, the restoration process will be completed eight days ahead of schedule, Newsom said.Mayor Bass confirmed on social media that the 10 "is going to be safe to drive on" ...

Photos: Brock Purdy throws perfect game for San Francisco 49ers since 1989

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 15:51:31 GMT

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy found himself with a perfect 158.3 passer rating when his third touchdown strike Sunday found George Kittle on a 3-yard throw in the third quarter, for a 27-7 lead. Purdy finished 21-of-25 for 333 yards and no turnovers.Purdy became the first 49ers quarterback (with at least 15 pass attempts) to do that since Hall of Famer Joe Montana in 1989.During that final touchdown drive, however, a negative sight unfolded that could have long-term ramifications for the 49ers’ defense: Safety Talanoa Hufanga was carted off with a knee injury, which he sustained failing to make an open-field tackle on Rachaad White.For the second straight season, the 49ers (7-3) have just a four-day turnaround after playing the Bucs before visiting the Seattle Seahawks, this time for a Thanksgiving night affair with first place on the line. After that comes an NFC Championship Game rematch Dec. 3 at the conference-leading Philadelphia Eagles, before a Dec. 10 return to...

Kurtenbach: Brock Purdy’s ‘not completely content’ with a perfect QB rating. That tells you everything about the 49ers’ star

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 15:51:31 GMT

SANTA CLARA — An old Vince Lombardi quote sums up 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy’s performance Sunday:“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence,” the former Packers coach is credited with saying.But Purdy, according to one metric, was perfect on Sunday. He became the first quarterback in 49ers history to post a perfect quarterback rating (158.3) in a game with more than 20 pass attempts.“What an honor,” Purdy said.“At the same time, there’s still some plays and stuff I wished I had back. I’m not completely content with that.”Yes, if we want to be pedantic alongside the Niners’ quarterback, he did throw four incomplete passes against Tampa Bay.Tisk, tisk.But while Purdy might have missed out on true perfection, the 49ers’ second-year quarterback was unquestionably excellent in San Francisco’s 27-14 home win. Purdy threw for 333 yards on 21-of-25 passing with three touchdown...

What the 49ers said after beating the Buccaneers

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 15:51:31 GMT

The 49ers beat the Buccaneers 27-14 on Sunday as Brock Purdy and the passing offense ran roughshod over Tampa Bay.Purdy threw for 333 yards on 21-of-25 passing with three touchdowns. Brandon Aiyuk had five receptions for 156 yards, including a 76-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown. Christian McCaffrey led all rushers with 78 yards on 21 attempts.The 49ers lost All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga to a third-quarter knee injury, though. His replacement Ji’Ayir Brown made an endzone interception that helped seal the win.Here’s what coach Kyle Shanahan and some key 49ers said as they move into a short week with Thanksgiving plans in Seattle looming Thursday night:Kyle ShanahanOn Hufanga’s injury:Real concern. We don’t know for sure. Most likely it’s ACL but can’t confirm it, so we’ll find out later.On Purdy’s game:I thought he played real well. There was very few that he missed, protected the ball extremely well. When there wasn’t anythin...

Here’s what Nick Bosa told Baker Mayfield after interception late in 49ers-Bucs

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 15:51:31 GMT

Nick Bosa played down any rivalry with Baker Mayfield this week ahead of the 49ers’ game against Mayfield’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.That didn’t stop him, however, from sharing a few words with Mayfield after the quarterback threw a tipped-pass interception in the endzone as the Buccaneers attempted to make a comeback in the 49ers’ eventual 27-14 win.Reporter Cam Inman asked Bosa in the 49ers’ locker room if he had consoled Mayfield after the turnover, but the reigning Defensive Player of the Year said he was instead explaining an NFL rule to his former rival.“No, he was (complaining) to the ref and I told him there’s no horsecollar in the pocket,” Bosa said. “He thought he got roughed.”Sure enough, NFL rules stipulate that a horsecollar tackle — in which a defender tackles a player by grabbing the back of his shoulder pads or jersey — is not penalized within the tackle box or pocket. Bosa hit Mayfield on the play i...

Instant analysis of 49ers’ 27-14 win over Bucs entering NFC gantlet

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 15:51:31 GMT

SANTA CLARA – Now that the 49ers emphatically held serve on their home field, they’ll look to parlay Sunday’s 27-14 win over Tampa Bay into more success entering this season’s most daunting stretch.They certainly are in prime shape for a third straight playoff run, judging from quarterback Brock Purdy’s perfect passer rating Sunday, running back Christian McCaffrey’s rediscovered scoring knack, and the defense’s prowess that must forge ahead without safety Talanoa Hufanga.For the second straight season, the 49ers (7-3) have just a four-day turnaround after playing the Bucs before visiting the Seattle Seahawks, this time for a Thanksgiving night affair with first place on the line. After that comes an NFC Championship Game rematch Dec. 3 at the conference-leading Philadelphia Eagles, before a Dec. 10 return to Levi’s Stadium to face the Seahawks and possibly decide the NFC West.“November is when the (stuff) really starts. We know that,” defensive end Nick Bosa said....