Sacramento Kings Matt Levine (8) had 20 points against the San Antonio Spurs in the final exhibition game at Frost Bank Arena in San Antonio on Fri Oct 16, 2026 (Sacramento Kings X photo)
Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Harvey:
1. Can Zach LaVine lead the Sacramento Kings offensively against the Los Angeles Clippers and establish an early scoring rhythm to start the new season?
2. How will rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr. handle his first regular-season NBA game, particularly when facing the Clippers’ defensive pressure?
3. Will Domantas Sabonis control the paint with his rebounding and passing, and can he help Sacramento win the battle inside?
4. Can Keegan Murray and De’Andre Hunter provide enough perimeter shooting and defensive versatility to limit the Clippers’ scoring threats?
5. Will Ben Simmons give the Kings’ second unit an advantage with their playmaking, transition offense and energy off the bench?
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check. 🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah. 🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
San Jose Sharks Macklin Celebrini (71) celebrates a win over the Nashville Predators in the shootout with goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic (33) at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Thu Oct 15, 2026 (AP News photo)
San Jose Sharks podcast Mary Lisa:
1: Can Macklin Celebrini lead the San Jose Sharks’ offense and score a goal against the Detroit Red Wings Saturday?
2. Will Will Smith use his playmaking ability to set up a scoring opportunity for the Sharks?
3. Can Mason Marchment create offensive pressure and help San Jose win the battle for puck possession?
4. Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov make enough key saves to keep Detroit’s scoring chances under control?
5. On the Sharks special teams can Celebrini and the Sharks’ power-play unit capitalize on their opportunities against the Wings?
#6 Talk about former San Jose Shark William Eklund of the Ottawa Senators out 10-12 weeks with an ankle injury and the Sharks will face the Senators at the end of this road trip on Sat Oct 24th.
All Sacramento Kings guard Dariius Acuff Jr (5) could do is watch San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) go up for the shot at Front Bank Arena in San Antonio in pre season action on Fri Oct 16, 2026 ( photo by SBG Gabe Redondo)
By Mauricio Segura
The San Antonio Spurs turned Friday night’s Kings preseason meeting into a lopsided affair, building a 24-point first-quarter advantage and cruising to a 126-97 victory.
San Antonio controlled the opening minutes, using aggressive defense, efficient shooting and a balanced offensive attack to overwhelm a Sacramento team that struggled to establish any consistency. By halftime, the Spurs owned a 71-37 advantage, leaving the Kings with an enormous deficit to overcome.
Former Sacramento guard De’Aaron Fox helped set the tone against his old team, scoring 10 points in the opening quarter. Victor Wembanyama established an imposing presence around the basket, while Devin Vassell and Stephon Castle contributed to an offense that repeatedly exploited Sacramento’s defensive breakdowns.
Zach LaVine opened the scoring with a jumper, briefly giving Sacramento a 2-0 lead. San Antonio responded with a 12-0 run, capped by Vassell’s three-pointer following two Wembanyama free throws awarded after a flagrant foul against Domantas Sabonis.
Things deteriorated rapidly for Sacramento as Fox connected on consecutive three-pointers, extending San Antonio’s advantage to 24-8 with 7:19 remaining in the opening quarter. The Kings struggled to finish around the basket, with Wembanyama and Julian Champagnie rejecting attempts by Sabonis.
The Spurs eventually stretched their advantage to 31-8 before Sacramento managed to interrupt the scoring drought. San Antonio finished the period ahead 42-18, having established control of nearly every aspect of the contest.
Sacramento’s offensive difficulties continued in the second quarter, when San Antonio opened with a 13-2 run that extended its advantage to 55-20.
Sabonis endured an especially difficult opening half. The Kings center collected three personal fouls before halftime, committed several turnovers and struggled with his free throws. He finished the half with five points, although his rebounding became more productive as the game progressed.
Rookie Maxime Raynaud was absent from the recorded action, leaving Sacramento to rely on Sabonis and Precious Achiuwa for much of its interior production.
Rookie guard Nique Clifford and fellow Sacramento reserves received opportunities as the contest progressed, but it was rookie Darius Acuff Jr. who provided much of the Kings’ first-half offense. Acuff contributed 13 points before halftime, attacking the basket and converting a three-pointer.
Still, San Antonio’s advantage reached 37 points late in the second quarter before Sacramento narrowed the halftime deficit to 34.
Sacramento opened the third quarter with seven unanswered points, cutting the deficit to 71-44. LaVine supplied three free throws during that stretch, while Sabonis and Ben Simmons converted baskets.
The improvement continued as LaVine found his scoring rhythm and Simmons became increasingly productive as a distributor.
Yet every Sacramento advance encountered another San Antonio response.
Dylan Harper connected on three three-pointers during the third quarter, helping the Spurs maintain their comfortable advantage. His outside shooting was particularly damaging after Sacramento had briefly reduced the deficit to 25 points.
LaVine finished with 20 points to lead Sacramento, including 12 in the third quarter. Simmons contributed 14 points and eight rebounds, while Sabonis recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds. Achiuwa added 13 points, matching Acuff’s production.
For San Antonio, Harper finished with 19 points, followed by Fox with 16 and Keldon Johnson with 15. Wembanyama registered 14 points and eight rebounds, while Castle contributed 13 points.
Sacramento outscored San Antonio 35-30 in the third quarter, but the earlier damage was far too extensive to erase. The Spurs maintained a 101-72 advantage heading into the fourth.
The final quarter produced 25 points for each team, preserving San Antonio’s 29-point victory.
The Kings open the regular season against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood on Wed Oct 21 a 7:30pm PDT tip.
Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check. 🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah. 🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
Calgary Wranglers defenseman Mike Benning fights for possession of the puck along the board with San Jose Barracuda forward Anthony Vincent at Tech CU Arena on Friday October 16, 2026. (Calgary Wranglers)
By Marko Ukalovic
SAN JOSE — The San Jose Barracuda came back from three different deficits to defeat the Calgary Wranglers 5-4 on Friday night at Tech CU Arena.
San Jose snapped its three-game losing streak and finished their homestand 2-4. Calgary has lost just for the second time in six games.
Calgary (4-2-0) drew first blood 20 seconds into the game in what was a wild first period. Axle Hurtig scored his third goal of the season when shot from the left point caromed off the skate of Leo Shalin Wallenius past Cuda goalie Eric Comrie. Tyson Gross and Sam Morton were credited with helpers.
San Jose (2-4-0) responded 23 seconds later. Donovan Houle made a quick pass inside Calgary’s zone to Jimmy Huntington. The Cuda captain quickly found Thomas Messineo who got behind the defense and buried a backhander past Wranglers goalie Arsenii Sergeev for his second goal of the season.
Less than two minutes later William Stromgren scored his first goal of the season after poking him a centering pass by Gross at the 2:46 mark. Morton received the secondary assist.
Once again, the Barracuda answered back but this time 22 seconds later with a power play goal. Shalin Wallenius shot from the point pinballed in front of the crease. Brett Leason buried the loose puck into the back of the net for his second goal of the season just nine seconds into the man advantage.
In just over three minutes there were a combined seven shots and four goals.
San Jose gained its first lead just past the halfway mark of the opening frame with an even strength goal. Ethan Cardwell made a one-handed pass from the left boards over to Filip Bystedt who beat Sergeev to the short side with a quick wrist shot for his team leading fourth goal of the season at the 10:39 mark.
Ben Jones continued his hot start as he evened the scored early in the second period. Benning found Jones all alone in the middle of the ice as he skated in and beat Comrie with a wrist shot top shelf for his team leading fifth goal of the season. Jones has scored in four straight games.
Jones made the Cuda pay for their poor puck management while on a four-minute power play. Jones intercepted a poor pass from Gleason and skated down the right wing picking the upper far corner of the net with a wrist shot past Comrie for a short-handed goal, his sixth of the season at the 8:24 mark.
The Barracuda evened the game for a third time late in the middle frame. Huntington from behind the goal line split two Calgary defenders with a pass over to Andre Gasseau. The rookie forward sniped home a hard wrist shot off the left post and into the back of the net for his co-leading fourth goal of the season at the 14:42 mark.
San Jose gained its second lead of the game early in the third period thanks to a brilliant individual effort by Houle. Messineo found Houle with a stretch pass in the neutral zone. Houle skated in from left to right with the entire Wranglers team closing in on him. Houle rifled a wrist shot top shelf past Sergeev for his first goal of the season at the 5:59 mark. Eric Pohlkamp received the secondary assist.
Comrie stopped 26 of the 30 shots he faced to earn his first win of the season. Sergeev made 28 saves on 33 shots in the losing effort.
GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-4 on the power play. Calgary went 0-for-1.
The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Houle (1G, 2A) 2) Jones (2G, 0A) 3) Huntington (0G, 3A).
UP NEXT: San Jose heads down south to take on the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Friday October 23rd at 7:00pm at Acrisure Arena.
Former San Jose Shark and current Ottawa Senator William Eklund will miss 10-12 weeks due to an ankle injury. The Sharks will face the Senators on Sat Oct 24, 2026 at the end of the current road trip. Photo by: Marc DesRosiers / Imagn Images
San Jose Sharks podcast Lincoln Juarez:
1: Can Macklin Celebrini lead the San Jose Sharks’ offense and score a goal against the Detroit Red Wings Saturday?
2. Will Will Smith use his playmaking ability to set up a scoring opportunity for the Sharks?
3. Can Mason Marchment create offensive pressure and help San Jose win the battle for puck possession?
4. Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov make enough key saves to keep Detroit’s scoring chances under control?
5. On the Sharks special teams can Celebrini and the Sharks’ power-play unit capitalize on their opportunities against the Wings?
#6 Talk about former San Jose Shark William Eklund of the Ottawa Senators out 10-12 weeks with an ankle injury and the Sharks will face the Senators at the end of this road trip on Sat Oct 24th.
Milwaukee Brewers centerfielder Garrett Mitchell hits a solo home run in the top of the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game 4 of the NLCS at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Thu Oct 15, 2026 (AP News photo)
Small Market Milwaukee Sweeps Power Market Dodgers
That’s Amaury News and Commentary
Amaury Pi-González
Who said small-market teams cannot compete with huge-market teams? The Milwaukee Brewers are considered the smallest MLB market. Milwaukee Brewers play in the smallest metropolitan market in Major League Baseball, while the Los Angeles Dodgers play in a metropolitan area of 12 to 13 million people. and have money like Fort Knox, which they happily spent on the incredible Shohei Ohtani over a $700 million deal..
Who would even contemplate that what many consider the best baseball player ever was not even a factor in this NLCS. Ohtani finished the season with injuries and pain; what started as another MVP season for the Japanese star never happened, as that award would surely go to Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong. Shohei Ohtani has won 4 regular-season Most Valuable Player Awards, but he’ll have to wait until next season to win his #5.
The Dodgers won two consecutive World Series, but history denied them a third consecutive title, which would have made them the only team in National League history to win three in a row. Only the NY Yankees and the Oakland A’s are in that exclusive category, both in the American League.
The 2004 Boston Red Sox still are the only team in the 2004 postseason; they became the first—and only—team in Major League Baseball (MLB) history to overcome a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven postseason series, beating the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series and then sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series.
This upset of the Brewers over the Dodgers sets the stage for the very real possibility of an owner-led lockout over a salary cap. The battle of small-market teams over large-market teams and all that jazz.
Tampa Bay and Cleveland, still playing as one of those teams, will represent the American League and play the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2026 World Series. I like Cleveland because their manager is one of baseball’s good guys, Stephen Vogt.
Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check. 🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah. 🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
Washington Capitals left wing Ivan Miroshnichenko (right) celebrates his goal with left wing Iyla Protas (62), and right wing Alex Tuch (left) in the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at Capital One Center in DC on Wed Oct 14, 2026 (AP News photo)
NHL podcast Len Shapiro:
#1 Alex Tuch: How did Alex Tuch help the Washington Capitals defeat the Montreal Canadiens 5–4, and how many points did he record?
#2 Roope Hintz: How did Roope Hintz help the Dallas Stars beat the Colorado Avalanche 3–2, and which teammate also scored in the shootout
#3 William Eklund: What injury forced Ottawa Senators forward William Eklund to undergo surgery, and how long is he expected to be sidelined?
#4 Alex DeBrincat: What major contract extension did Alex DeBrincat sign with the Detroit Red Wings, and what does it mean for the team’s future?
#5 Brady and Matthew Tkachuk: How did brothers Brady Tkachuk and Matthew Tkachuk make NHL history in the Florida Panthers’ victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets?
#6 San Jose Sharks win in a shootout in a narrow win over the Nashville Predators 3-2 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Thursday night. Talk about how the Sharks just got by in this one.
San Jose Sharks Will Smith (2) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a third period goal against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Thu Oct 15, 2026 (AP News photo)
By Mary Walsh
The San Jose Sharks defeated the Nashville Predators 3-2 in a shootout on Thursday. Mason Marchment and Will Smith scored for the Sharks. Macklin Celebrini scored the winner in the shootout. Alex Nedeljkovic made 33 saves for the win. Ryan O’Reilly and Steven Stamkos scored for the Predators. Juuse Saros made 30 saves in the loss.
Mason Marchment scored his second goal of the season to give the Sharks a 1-0 lead at 5:30 of the first period. Marchment chased the puck down behind the net, then carried it up above the goal line before passing it to Alexander Wennberg back below the goal line. Wennberg touched it back to Tyler Toffoli, who centered it just as Marchment arrived in front of the net.
The shots were very close in the first period, 10-9 for Nashville. There was an early fight, at just 2:51, between Nicolas Hague and Zack Ostapchuk. Each team took an additional penalty (from the same players) later in the period. The Sharks power play managed one shot. Their penalty kill gave up two and had one short-handed shot.
The second period was scoreless with the shots 11-8 Sharks. The Sharks power play had one shot in two tries. Their penalty kill had one shot and gave up none in one penalty kill.
Will Smith scored at 4:28 of the th8rd period to make it 2-0 Sharks. Smith caught a pass from Michael Kesselring as he entered the zone. He carried the puck into the slot for a wrist shot. Assists went to Kesselring and Igor Chernyshov.
Ryan O’Reilly scored a power play goal at 9:05 to cut the Sharks lead to 2-1. O’Reilly used a backhand to knock in a rebound off Jonathan Marchessault’s shot. Assists went to Marchessault and Roman Josi.
Steven Stamkos put the puck off the post and into the net as the buzzer went. A review showed that he had almost a whole second left on the clock. An assist went to Filip Forsberg.
The only penalty in the third period went against the Sharks. The shots in the third period were 13-8 for the Predators. Overtime shots were 5-3 Predators.
Ivar Stenberg and Macklin Cekebrini shot for the Sharks. Celebrini scored the only shootout goal.
Ryan O’Reilly, Filip Forsberg and Ross Colton shot for the Predators.
The Sharks next play on Saturday at 4:00 PM PT in Detroit against the Red Wings.
Sacramento Kings guard Nique Clifford (10) makes a lay up in the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Mon Oct 5, 2026 (AP News photo)
Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Harvey:
#1 How effectively can Zach Lavine create his own shots and generate scoring opportunities for the Sacramento Kings against San Antonio’s defense?
#2 Can Domantas Sabonis’ rebounding, screening and passing help the Kings counter Victor Wembanyama’s length, shot blocking and iterior presence?
#3 Can Keegan Murray make the Spurs from beyond the arc?
#4 Will Malik Monk’s scoring instincts, playmaking and ability to attack the basket help Sacramento maintain it’s offensive pressure when the starters rest?
#5 How much progress can rookie Darius Acuff Jr show against San Antonio’s young backcourt?
#6 The Kings are winless pre season is that any indication of who they are or is head coach Doug Christie not showing all his cards?
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check. 🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah. 🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
Oct 13, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) brings the ball down the court against Sacramento Kings guard Emanuel Sharp (34) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Sacramento Kings podcast Bridget Mulcahy:
#1 The Sacramento Kings lost their fourth and final pre season game on Tuesday night at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento against the Portland Trailblazers could this be an indication for the regular season or is head coach Doug Christie not showing all his cards.
#2 The Kings just didn’t get any offense for most of the game and the Blazers shut them down pretty much for the second quarter as Sacramento scored only 17 points.
#3 Top scorers for Sacramento Jonathan Mogbo and Tristen Newton both had 15 points but it wasn’t enough as they didn’t get enough offensive support to get within striking distance of Portland who won it 110-98 a 12 point loss.
#4 On Sat Oct 10th center Maxime Raynaud suffered a right knee injury and will miss at least two weeks.X-rays showed that Raynaud suffered a patellar subluxation and had to leave last Saturday’s game on crutches.
#5 The pre season concludes in San Antonio on Fri Oct 16 at 5:00pm. The Kings are winless in pre season at 0-4 and the Spurs have not had the best pre season either but neither team may not be showing their hand until the real thing gets underway on Oct 21 vs.the Clippers.
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check. 🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah. 🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
