Tag Archives: league-leading

Griffins rally in third to sweep Texas, improve AHL-best record

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The Grand Rapids Griffins scored three unanswered goals in the third period Wednesday to defeat Texas 6-3 and complete a two-game sweep of the Stars at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard snapped a tie and scored what proved to be the winning goal at 3: 59 of the third. The Griffins improved to 14-1-0-1, continuing the best start in franchise history with 29 points in 16 games for an AHL-best . 906 points percentage. They have recorded 14 wins over a span of 16 games for the first time since going 17-2 from Nov. 18, 2015, to Jan. 3, 2016. Grand Rapids is 7-0-0-1 on the road, where it has outscored opponents 39-19. The Griffins have scored 16 goals in consecutive games for the first time since Jan. 19-23, 2013. Sheldon Dries, Jakub Rychlovsky and Tyler Angle scored for the Griffins to help them maintain a 3-3 tie through two periods. John Leonard scored his league-leading 13th goal and Dominik Shine netted 10th goal late in the third period, both empty-net tallies, to seal the victory. Sebastian Cossa, starting on consecutive nights, made 24 saves to improve to 7-1-0-0.
https://www.mlive.com/griffins/2025/11/griffins-rally-in-third-to-sweep-texas-improve-ahl-best-record.html

Studs and duds from Bears’ last-second win vs. Vikings

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The Chicago Bears secured a narrow 19-17 victory over the Minnesota Vikings thanks to a last-second 48-yard field goal by kicker Cairo Santos. This win marked the Bears’ third consecutive victory, improving their record to 7-3 overall and earning their first NFC North win of the season at 1-2.

Despite another gritty performance, the Bears’ offense struggled to convert opportunities into touchdowns, settling for field goals multiple times—attempting four before Santos delivered the game-winning kick. Fortunately for Chicago, the Vikings’ offense faced difficulties under the leadership of quarterback J. J. McCarthy, while the Bears’ defense capitalized on two key takeaways.

Though Cairo Santos nearly became the face of the loss after missing a crucial 45-yard field goal earlier in the fourth quarter, he ultimately emerged as the game’s hero, securing the win in dramatic fashion.

Here’s a breakdown of the studs and duds from the Bears’ Week 11 clash with the Vikings:

**Stud: K Cairo Santos**
Cairo Santos seemed destined for a “dud” designation after missing a 45-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. However, he redeemed himself spectacularly by nailing a 48-yard game-winning field goal as time expired. Santos made 4-of-5 field goals overall, including a season-best 54-yarder, and converted his only extra point attempt. With the Bears’ offense often stalling inside the Vikings’ 40-yard line, Santos’s reliability on kick attempts kept Chicago competitive and ultimately victorious.

**Studs: TEs Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland**
In a game where the wide receivers struggled to make an impact, tight ends Cole Kmet and rookie Colston Loveland stepped up as a dynamic duo. Kmet, usually utilized more as a blocker, led the team with five catches totaling 45 yards, gaining significant yards after contact. Loveland has really come alive recently, hauling in three catches for 40 yards. His key third-and-14 conversion in the fourth quarter, where he broke tackles, was vital in sustaining the Bears’ drive.

**Studs: RBs D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai**
Chicago leaned on its running backs again, as D’Andre Swift and rookie Kyle Monangai played crucial roles. Swift led the team with 90 yards on 21 carries, averaging 4.3 yards per carry, and executed clutch runs late in the game to keep drives alive. Monangai, while not putting up eye-popping numbers with 12 carries for 23 yards, continued to showcase his tough running style and found the end zone with a touchdown.

**Stud: S Kevin Byard**
With cornerback Jaylon Johnson sidelined due to injury, safety Kevin Byard has been a standout defensive back for Chicago. Byard made a huge interception of quarterback J. J. McCarthy late in the second quarter, setting up a Bears field goal that extended the lead to 10-3. He now leads the league with five interceptions this season and has been instrumental in Chicago’s defensive takeaway dominance.

**Stud: KR Devin Duvernay**
Kick returner Devin Duvernay played a pivotal role in the win with a massive 56-yard kickoff return that put the Bears in excellent field-goal range. The offense only needed to move the ball nine yards following that return to set up Cairo Santos’s game-winning kick. Duvernay’s contribution was a game-changer and cannot be overlooked.

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**Dud: LB Noah Sewell**
The Bears defense has been without several key players this season, notably missing linebacker T. J. Edwards, who remains sidelined with hand and hamstring injuries. Noah Sewell, filling in for Edwards, led the team with 10 tackles but struggled for the second straight game. Sewell has been a liability in coverage, and he also committed a holding penalty that extended a promising Vikings drive. The defense hopes for Edwards’s return soon to improve stability and performance.

**Dud: Bears’ Red Zone Offense**
The biggest threat to Chicago’s victory was its continued red zone inefficiency. The Bears were only 1-for-2 inside the red zone, with Kyle Monangai’s touchdown run their lone score from close range. Multiple drives stalled inside or just outside the red zone, forcing the team to settle for field goals instead of touchdowns. At one point, Chicago reached inside Minnesota’s 40-yard line six times but managed just 19 points. Without J. J. McCarthy’s offensive struggles for the Vikings, the Bears’ red zone woes could have cost them the game.

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Chicago once again found a way to prevail in a closely contested game by leaning on strong defense, solid special teams, and clutch kicking. As the Bears improve to 7-3 and hold the top spot in the NFC North, they’ll look to build on this resilience moving forward.
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/studs-duds-bears-last-second-220914166.html

The most realistic Bucks bold prediction for 2025-26 NBA season

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The Milwaukee Bucks enter the 2025-26 NBA season at a firm crossroads. On one hand, they have parted ways with Damian Lillard and made multiple moves to usher the team into a new era, continuing to build around their superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

### New Additions and Roster Moves

The Bucks have most notably added Myles Turner in free agency, alongside newcomers Cole Anthony, Gary Harris, and Thanasis Antetokounmpo. They also re-signed key players including AJ Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Bobby Portis, Taurean Prince, Ryan Rollins, Jericho Sims, and Gary Trent Jr. This revamped roster presents a more balanced and disciplined outlook, filled with shooters surrounding the dominant force that is the Greek Freak.

### Is It Enough to Keep Giannis in Milwaukee?

However, the critical question remains: is this roster construction adequate to keep Giannis in Milwaukee beyond the upcoming season? At 30 years old, Giannis is determined to be on a team capable of contending for championships. Unfortunately, that goal still appears highly unlikely for the 2025-26 campaign.

### Playoff Prospects and Challenges

The Bucks seem poised for another early playoff exit. The prediction is two-fold: not only will the Bucks fail to demonstrate the postseason progress that Giannis expects, but they will also likely lose their biggest star at the end of the season.

Giannis has already indicated he will stay for the entire season, making a mid-season trade improbable. Last season, the Bucks finished with a respectable 48-34 record, good enough for the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. However, the team’s issues were glaring: inconsistent defense, a half-court offense overly reliant on Giannis powering his way inside, and a roster devoid of another elite playmaker following Damian Lillard’s devastating Achilles injury.

### A “Rebuild on the Fly”

Since then, Milwaukee has pivoted into what many view as a “rebuild on the fly.” The acquisition of Myles Turner provides a noticeable boost. Turner replaces Brook Lopez as a rim protector, averaging 2.0 blocks per game last season, and as a floor spacer, shooting 39.6% from deep, per Basketball Reference. Additionally, Cole Anthony, Gary Harris, and Gary Trent Jr. bring much-needed shooting to the team, while Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis serve as frontcourt glue.

Yet, despite Turner’s fit, this remains a collection of decent pieces—not a championship-caliber core.

### Giannis Antetokounmpo Can’t Do It Alone

Giannis continues to perform at an otherworldly level, posting averages of 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and leading the league with 243 dunks last season. Under Doc Rivers’ system, the “Point Giannis” role is expected to resurface, with Kevin Porter Jr. and Cole Anthony taking on secondary playmaking duties.

Milwaukee’s best chance may lie in leaning heavily on defense — turning games into slow, physical battles where Turner protects the rim, Portis dominates the glass, and Giannis handles everything else. While this approach might sustain regular-season success, postseason triumphs seem unlikely without enough offensive firepower beyond Giannis to compete against the NBA’s elite teams.

### The Uncertain Future

In hindsight, the decision to waive and stretch Damian Lillard’s contract might be viewed as a desperate move. If Milwaukee exits the playoffs early again, even after another heroic season from Giannis, what motivation will he have to remain?

The championship window Giannis opened has effectively closed. The core that won with him is gone, the front office’s draft cupboard looks empty through 2030, and many teams will be eager to make a run at acquiring Giannis should he become available in a trade.

### Conclusion

Given these realities, another early playoff exit in 2025-26 seems likely, which in turn increases the probability of Giannis leaving Milwaukee. The two-time MVP who delivered the franchise’s first championship in half a century may ultimately decide it’s time to chase another title elsewhere.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/milwaukee-bucks/most-realistic-bucks-bold-prediction-2025-26