TMK #1 - October 25th

Some days have it all. European football’s highest level of competition gave us an enjoyable day of action (especially in the second half), followed by the return of the world’s best basketball league, and a Game 7 - which is always electric even if you don’t even like baseball.

Let’s get into today’s inaugural edition of Polysport!

Giannis Antetokounmpo secures 3-year, $186M extension

In the summer, Giannis said he’d only stay with the Bucks if they continue to be a contender for the NBA Championship. Safe to say that bringing Damian Lillard on board fits the bill. The Bucks are among the favorites to win it all this year, and have one less thing to worry about.

Jon Jones' fight vs. Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 off due to injury

This is unfortunate news after a cracking UFC 294 last Saturday. Jones is the #1 ranked pound-for-pound MMA fighter in the world but has fought only once in the past 3½ years. He will be out for at least 8 months with a torn pectoral tendon. Instead, rising star Tom Aspinall will fight Sergei Pavlovich for the interim title.

Jim Irsay says NFL 'admits' incorrect calls in Colts' loss

Colts owners Irsay said the NFL knows the refs cost the Colts and gave the W to the Browns on Sunday, with 2 bad calls in a generally poor officiating week by NFT refs. Irsay also called for Instant Replay on all calls inside the 2-minute warning. Is there anything more frustrating than losing a game on a bogus call?

⚽ Champions League

Sevilla 1 - 2 Arsenal

Two Gabriels, two goals, three points. Gabriel Martinelli’s goal in a brilliant counter-attack gave Arsenal the lead well into stoppage time of the first half, and Gabriel Jesus’ powerful strike doubled the advantage in the second half. Sevilla came back on a corner, but it was too little, too late.

🏀 NBA

Denver Nuggets 119 - 107 Los Angeles Lakers

Denver celebrated a championship, and by the looks of it - it might very well repeat. Jokic came back refreshed from the summer break with a triple-double (29-13-11) and Murray and Kaldwell-Pope added 21 and 20 respectively to secure the win. Lebron led the scoring for the Lakers with 21 points despite playing ‘only’ 29 minutes.

Golden State Warriors 104 - 108 Phoenix Suns

The Suns opened the season with a W on the Warriors’ court, led by 32 points from Devin Booker. Durant was cheered on his return to the bay but looked rusty, shooting 7 from 22 but nevertheless finishing the game with 18 points. This was Chris Paul’s debut in Golden State, and he finished with 14 points and 9 assists, despite going 0-6 on 3-point attempts. This Golden State team will get better as the season goes on.

⚾ MLB

NLCS Game 7: Arizona Diamondbacks 4 - 2 Philadelphia Phillies

Arizona entered the season with 125-1 odds to make the World Series and barely snuck into the Playoffs. That didn’t stop the Diamondbacks from stunning the Phillies and securing a second World Series appearance ever. A strong 2-run fifth inning was the turning point of the game, and the Cinderella story will continue in a match-up against the Texas Rangers for the title. The star-studded Phillies underachieved, but what can you do?

⚽ Champions League

Galatasaray 1 - 3 Bayern

Galatasaray gave Bayern a tough fight for 70 minutes, with a raucous crowd behind them. But Bayern hasn't lost a game in the UCL’s group stage in 37 games and has won 34 of those 37. Incredible consistency from the Germans.

Inter Milan 2 - 1 RB Salzburg

Salzburg dominated at times but created only one major scoring opportunity which Gloukh converted. Inter Milan’s realism gave them the win by way of a penalty kick at the 64’ minute mark.

Manchester United 1 - 0 Copenhagen

ONANA’S REDEMPTION. The much-talked-about goalkeeper who had a terrible start to his season made a leaping stop AND parried a 96’ minute penalty to secure United’s win. Hopefully the beginning of a turnaround for United’s goalkeeper. Oh, and Maguire scored. A good day for United’s oft-ridiculed players.

Braga 1 - 2 Real Madrid

Madrid just doesn’t lose UCL games. The Spanish team looked better throughout, and Bellingham scored an effortless flicking kick from the edge of the box. That’s his 3rd goal in as many games and he looks unstoppable.

Benfica 0 - 1 Real Sociedad

Real Sociedad were the better team and logically won the game. Barrenetxea dribbled and centered on the ground to give Mendez an easy goal at the 64’ minute.

Union Berlin 0 - 1 Napoli

Arguably the worst match of the day, in which neither team displayed exciting football. At the end, Napoli managed to convert a rare scoring opportunity to take an important away win and sink Union Berlin further.

Lens 1 - 1 PSV

PSV looked better for most of the game, but a beautiful exterior-of-the-foot-how-did-he-score-that volley from Wahi leveled the game, and Lens was able to hold off the Dutch to score a point.

🏒 NHL

Vegas Golden Knights 3 - 2 Philadelphia Flyers

Shea Theodore blasted a shot from the left circle with 32.5 seconds left on the clock and 4 bodies in front of the goal to give Vegas the win. The Golden Knights are now 7-0-0 to start the season.

Chicago Blackhawks 0 - 3 Boston Bruins

Utter domination from the Bruins who scored twice in the span of 60 seconds in the third period to seal the victory and go up to 6-0-0 on the season.

⚽ Champions League

Generally quiet Wednesdays are always made that much more exciting when there’s Champions League football going on, and this week features a few can’t-miss heavyweight battles.

Newcastle - Borussia Dortmund

Newcastle comes off an emphatic 4-1 win against PSG last time around in the UCL, which marked the return of the English team to the competition after 20 years. Dortmund comes to the game on a fine streak, having won 4 of their last 5 games, with a 0-0 tie against AC Milan in the previous match day the only outlier. We’re up for some cracking football at St. James Park.

Paris Saint Germain - AC Milan

PSG will be looking to rebound in the European competition after the aforementioned thrashing at the hands of Newcastle. The French side won twice in league games since, so they will hope to continue their good run. AC Milan hasn’t scored a goal in the Champions League yet, having played two 0-0 draws against Newcastle and Dortmund. Can they finally score?

Also today:

Feyenoord Rotterdam - Lazio

Celtic - Atletico Madrid

FC Barcelona - Shakhtar Donetsk

Young Boys - Manchester City

RB Leipzig - Red Star Belgrade

Antwerp - FC Porto

🏀 NBA

Now that the Denver Nuggets opening night celebration is behind us, we have a full slate of 12 NBA games, including:

San Antonio Spurs - Dallas Mavericks

The time has FINALLY come for Victor Wembanyama to officially step on an NBA court for the first time. The first pick of the draft is the most hyped player to enter the league since Lebron and has shown glimpses of his other-worldly abilities in the pre-season, with highlight reel blocks and dunks. On the opposite side, the Doncic-Irving duo will be looking to prove to the NBA that they can contend for the title this year. Can they though? I’m not sure.

Boston Celtics - New York Knicks

This matchup has a lot going for it. Beyond the obvious New York - Boston rivalry, both teams made the playoff conference semi-finals last year. The Celtics are also the betting favorites to finally go all the way and win the title this year after adding Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. The Knicks are coming off their most successful season in LONG time, and the team largely stays intact - so they’re geared for another playoff run.

Wrap Up

With October in full swing, a couple of marquee matchups in the Champions League, and the NBA fully back, it’s a joyous time to be a sports fan - at least until next June. This is going to be a wild ride, and I hope you’re ready. See you tomorrow.