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Browsing: champs
Oct 21, 2025, 07:00 AM ET
The NBA season is back! We made it!
The Oklahoma City Thunder begin their quest to repeat Tuesday night (7:30 p.m., Peacock) against Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets after an offseason in which they re-signed 2025 MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, All-Star Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren to deals worth nearly $800 million.
Elsewhere in the loaded Western Conference, Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors begin their first full campaign with Jimmy Butler, with their eyes on a final run to cap a decade of near-dominance, as they face off (10 p.m. ET) against Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Editor’s Picks
2 Related
In the injury-ravaged East, the Cleveland Cavaliers return a core — Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen — that led them to 64 wins and a No. 1 seed last season. They face off Wednesday night against a Knicks team with Finals-or-bust expectations (7 p.m. ET on ESPN).
Then, the San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama, after a serious health scare last season and a transformational offseason, play Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis and the Dallas Mavericks, in a game featuring two of the most tantalizing teams in the West.
Will SGA and the Thunder repeat to begin a dynasty? Or can three-time MVP Nikola Jokic return the Nuggets to the Western Conference elite? Will the Knicks reach their first Finals since 1999 in the wide-open East? Our experts have cast their votes. Here’s who they think will win the East, West and the 2026 NBA Finals.
MORE: 30-team preview | NBA Rank 100-51 | 50-11 | 10-1
Eastern Conference finals picks
Tim Bontemps:Cavaliers over Knicks in 7
Jamal Collier: Knicks over Cavaliers in 7
Vincent Goodwill: Knicks over Cavaliers in 7
Baxter Holmes:Knicks over Magic in 6
Zach Kram:Knicks over Hawks in 6
Tim MacMahon: Cavaliers over Knicks in 7
Bobby Marks:Knicks over Cavaliers in 6
Dave McMenamin: Cavaliers over Knicks in 7
Kevin Pelton:Knicks over Cavaliers in 7
Ramona Shelburne: Cavaliers over Knicks in 7
Anthony Slater: Knicks over Cavaliers in 6
Marc Spears: Cavaliers over Knicks in 7
Michael Wright: Cavaliers over Knicks in 7
Ohm Youngmisuk:Knicks over Magic in 6
Final tally (East champs):Knicks 8, Cavaliers 6
Western Conference finals picks
Bontemps: Thunder over Nuggets in 5
Collier: Thunder over Timberwolves in 6
Goodwill:Thunder over Nuggets in 7
Holmes:Thunder over Warriors in 6
Kram:Thunder over Nuggets in 7
MacMahon:Thunder over Rockets in 6
Marks:Nuggets over Thunder in 6
McMenamin:Mavericks over Thunder in 7
Pelton:Thunder over Warriors in 6
Shelburne:Rockets over Thunder in 7
Slater:Thunder over Rockets in 6
Spears:Nuggets over Thunder in 7
Wright: Thunder over Nuggets in 7
Youngmisuk:Nuggets over Thunder in 7
Final tally (West champs):Thunder 9, Nuggets 3, Mavericks 1, Rockets 1
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NBA Finals picks
Bontemps: Thunder over Cavaliers in 5
Collier: Thunder over Knicks in 6
Goodwill:Thunder over Knicks in 5
Holmes: Thunder over Knicks in 5
Kram: Thunder over Knicks in 6
MacMahon: Thunder over Cavaliers in 6
Marks: Nuggets over Knicks in 6
McMenamin: Mavericks over Cavaliers in 6
Pelton:Thunder over Knicks in 6
Shelburne: Rockets over Cavaliers in 6
Slater: Thunder over Knicks in 5
Spears: Cavaliers over Nuggets in 6
Wright:Thunder over Cavaliers in 7
Youngmisuk: Nuggets over Knicks in 6
Final tally (NBA champs):Thunder 9, Nuggets 2, Cavaliers 1, Mavericks 1, Rockets 1
Bonus! Who wins the 2025-2026 MVP Award?
Bontemps: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Collier: Anthony Edwards
Goodwill: Nikola Jokic
Holmes: Jalen Brunson
Kram: Nikola Jokic
MacMahon: Luka Doncic
Marks: Nikola Jokic
McMenamin: Luka Doncic
Pelton: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shelburne: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Slater: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Spears: Nikola Jokic
Wright: Nikola Jokic
Youngmisuk: Nikola Jokic
Final tally:Nikola Jokic 6,Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 4, Luka Doncic 2, Jalen Brunson 1, Anthony Edwards 1
Oct 21, 2025, 07:00 AM ET
The NBA season is back! We made it!
The Oklahoma City Thunder begin their quest to repeat Tuesday night (7:30 p.m., Peacock) against Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets after an offseason in which they re-signed 2025 MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, All-Star Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren to deals worth nearly $800 million.
Elsewhere in the loaded Western Conference, Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors begin their first full campaign with Jimmy Butler, with their eyes on a final run to cap a decade of near-dominance, as they face off (10 p.m. ET) against Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Editor’s Picks
2 Related
In the injury-ravaged East, the Cleveland Cavaliers return a core — Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen — that led them to 64 wins and a No. 1 seed last season. They face off Wednesday night against a Knicks team with Finals-or-bust expectations (7 p.m. ET on ESPN).
Then, the San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama, after a serious health scare last season and a transformational offseason, play Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis and the Dallas Mavericks, in a game featuring two of the most tantalizing teams in the West.
Will SGA and the Thunder repeat to begin a dynasty? Or can three-time MVP Nikola Jokic return the Nuggets to the Western Conference elite? Will the Knicks reach their first Finals since 1999 in the wide-open East? Our experts have cast their votes. Here’s who they think will win the East, West and the 2026 NBA Finals.
MORE: 30-team preview | NBA Rank 100-51 | 50-11 | 10-1
Eastern Conference finals picks
Tim Bontemps:Cavaliers over Knicks in 7
Jamal Collier: Knicks over Cavaliers in 7
Vincent Goodwill: Knicks over Cavaliers in 7
Baxter Holmes:Knicks over Magic in 6
Zach Kram:Knicks over Hawks in 6
Tim MacMahon: Cavaliers over Knicks in 7
2025-26 NBA season preview
What lies ahead for all 30 NBA teams in 2025-26? Here are the stars, stats and bets you need to know to get ready for the season.
• Rankings, predictions, odds and more
Bobby Marks:Knicks over Cavaliers in 6
Dave McMenamin: Cavaliers over Knicks in 7
Kevin Pelton:Knicks over Cavaliers in 7
Ramona Shelburne: Cavaliers over Knicks in 7
Anthony Slater: Knicks over Cavaliers in 6
Marc Spears: Cavaliers over Knicks in 7
Michael Wright: Cavaliers over Knicks in 7
Ohm Youngmisuk:Knicks over Magic in 6
Final tally (East champs):Knicks 8, Cavaliers 6
Western Conference finals picks
Bontemps: Thunder over Nuggets in 5
Collier: Thunder over Timberwolves in 6
Goodwill:Thunder over Nuggets in 7
Holmes:Thunder over Warriors in 6
Kram:Thunder over Nuggets in 7
MacMahon:Thunder over Rockets in 6
Marks:Nuggets over Thunder in 6
McMenamin:Mavericks over Thunder in 7
Pelton:Thunder over Warriors in 6
Shelburne:Rockets over Thunder in 7
Slater:Thunder over Rockets in 6
Spears:Nuggets over Thunder in 7
Wright: Thunder over Nuggets in 7
Youngmisuk:Nuggets over Thunder in 7
Final tally (West champs):Thunder 9, Nuggets 3, Mavericks 1, Rockets 1
NBA Finals picks
Bontemps: Thunder over Knicks in 5
Collier: Thunder over Knicks in 6
Goodwill:Thunder over Knicks in 5
Holmes: Thunder over Knicks in 5
Kram: Thunder over Knicks in 6
MacMahon: Thunder over Cavaliers in 6
Marks: Nuggets over Knicks in 6
McMenamin: Mavericks over Cavaliers in 6
Pelton:Thunder over Knicks in 6
Shelburne: Rockets over Cavaliers in 6
Slater: Thunder over Knicks in 5
Spears: Cavaliers over Nuggets in 6
Wright:Thunder over Cavaliers in 7
Youngmisuk: Nuggets over Knicks in 6
Final tally (NBA champs):Thunder 9, Nuggets 2, Cavaliers 1, Mavericks 1, Rockets 1
Bonus! Who wins the 2025-2026 MVP Award?
Bontemps: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Collier: Anthony Edwards
Goodwill: Nikola Jokic
Holmes: Jalen Brunson
Kram: Nikola Jokic
MacMahon: Luka Doncic
Marks: Nikola Jokic
McMenamin: Luka Doncic
Pelton: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shelburne: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Slater: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Spears: Nikola Jokic
Wright: Nikola Jokic
Youngmisuk: Nikola Jokic
Final tally:Nikola Jokic 6,Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 4, Luka Doncic 2, Jalen Brunson 1, Anthony Edwards 1
NEW DELHI — Tommy Fleetwood kept up his strong finish to the season by shooting 8-under 64 to take a one-stroke lead at the halfway point of the DP World India Championship as Ryder Cup teammate Rory McIlroy battled to stay in contention on Friday.
Over the last two months, Fleetwood has won the Tour Championship for his first PGA Tour title — picking up $10 million as the FedExCup champion in the process — and been the top points scorer at the Ryder Cup won by Team Europe.
Now the Englishman — up to No. 5 in the world rankings — is leading perhaps the most prestigious golf tournament ever to be staged in India after making eight birdies in a bogey-free second round to jump to 12 under par for the week.
Fleetwood’s last birdie — from 8 feet at his last, No. 9 — left him clear of former Open champions Shane Lowry (69) and Brian Harman (65), who were tied for second place.
A further three shots back was Ben Griffin, a rookie for the Americans at the recent Ryder Cup, in a tie for seventh place on 8 under.
McIlroy had back-to-back bogeys early in his back nine but responded by making birdie at four of his final six holes to shoot a second straight 69 and was at 6 under, along with fellow European team member Viktor Hovland (67).
As No. 2-ranked McIlroy walked off No. 18 at the tree-lined Delhi Golf Club, he removed his cap and shook hands with India cricket great Sachin Tendulkar — a special guest for the tournament — at the back of the green.
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André Snellings
André Snellings
ESPN Senior Writer
- Dr. André Snellings is a senior writer for men’s and women’s fantasy basketball and sports betting at ESPN. André has a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Michigan. He joined ESPN in 2017 after a 16-year career as a neural engineer, during which time he was also a writer and analyst for Rotowire.
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Eric Moody
Eric Moody
ESPN Writer
- Eric Moody is a writer for fantasy football, men’s and women’s basketball, and sports betting at ESPN. Eric joined ESPN in 2021 after working as a senior fantasy analyst at Pro Football Network. Prior to that, he spent much of his career as a manager at a Fortune 100 financial services company.
Oct 17, 2025, 07:30 AM ET
The 2025-26 NBA season tips off on Tuesday, October 21 with the Oklahoma City Thunder raising their NBA championship banner against the Houston Rockets, who now feature Kevin Durant.
The New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to take the crown in the Eastern Conference, as the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers will need others to step up to replace injured stars. Cooper Flagg looks to make a splash in his rookie year with the Dallas Stars, while teams like the Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings look to take another step forward.
Every team has a betting angle — from player props to team futures — and that’s why we’re here to help you find the best futures bet from each of the NBA’s 30 teams.
André Snellings made his picks for the Eastern Conference, Eric Moody did the same for the Western Conference.Odds as of publication. For the most up to date odds, visit ESPN BET.
Jump ahead
Eastern Conference: Hawks | Nets | Celtics | Hornets | Bulls |
Cavaliers | Pistons | Pacers | Heat | Bucks |
Knicks | Magic | 76ers | Raptors | Wizards
Western Conference: Mavericks | Nuggets | Warriors | Rockets | Clippers |
Lakers | Grizzlies | Timberwolves | Pelicans | Thunder |
Suns | Trail Blazers | Kings | Spurs | Jazz
Eastern conference
Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young 12-plus Assists Per Game (+225), Trae Young Assists Per Game Leader (-130)
In last season’s preview, I noted that Young’s career trajectory suggested he would break 11 assists per game and lead the league in assists. Sure enough, he averaged 11.6 APG and led the league. Rinse and repeat. Entering his eighth NBA season, Young has increased his assists average every season of his career, from 8.1 APG as a rookie up to 11.6 APG in his recently concluded seventh season. In addition, the Hawks have surrounded him with finishers this season, including a new pick-and-roll/pop partner in Kristaps Porzingis.
Boston Celtics
Jaylen Brown to average 28-plus PPG (+225)
Brown will be Boston’s top scoring option this season with Jayson Tatum out injured. Over the past two seasons, when Brown played without Tatum his scoring average increased from 22.2 PPG to 26.8 PPG. Expect Brown to take a good chunk of Tatum’s 20.3 field goal attempts per game this season, and with the team featuring him, those looks should come from advantageous spots. Brown has averaged as many as 26.6 PPG over a season (2023-24) while playing next to Tatum, and he has a good chance to set new career marks this season. At plus money, Brown over 28 PPG is solid value.
Brooklyn Nets
Fewest regular season wins in the NBA (+180)
The Nets enter the season in a three-way near-virtual tie in the projections for the worst record in the league, according to BPI. The Nets and Utah Jazz (+165 for fewest wins) both have a BPI of -6.9, tied for the second lowest mark in the league just ahead of the Washington Wizards’ BPI of -7.4. The Nets drafted five rookies in the first round of this year’s draft and plan to feature them in their rotation, and that much youth could be a ticket more for building for the future than present-day success. At plus money, there is value in betting them for the fewest wins in the league.
Charlotte Hornets
Over 26.5 wins (-120)
The Hornets won only 19 games last season and 23 the season before, but those struggles are strongly correlated with the injury absences of their perimeter players. Last season, the Hornets went 16-31 with LaMelo Ball in the lineup, for a 28 win pace, but only 3-32 without him. Ball has struggled with injuries for three straight seasons, but this offseason the Hornets seemed to prepare for that by bringing in several quality guards. With this added depth on the perimeter, in addition to growth among their young stars like Ball and Brandon Miller, the Hornets project to more success. Per BPI, they project to 29.6 wins this season.
Chicago Bulls
Josh Giddey to average 8-plus APG (+115), Giddey to win Most Improved Player (18-1)
Editor’s Picks
1 Related
The Bulls traded away Zach LaVine last season, giving the reins of the franchise to Giddey and Coby White. In the last 19 games of the season, after the LaVine trade, Giddey averaged 21.2 PPG, 9.3 APG and 10.7 RPG. With the offense running through him, Giddey has a strong chance to average 8-plus APG over the course of this season. If he comes anywhere near his stats from the last quarter of last season, he will be firmly in the MIP mix as well.
Cleveland Cavaliers
To be Eastern Conference No. 1 seed (+115)
The Cavaliers exploded for 64 wins with a +9.5 point average scoring margin last season to finish as the top seed in the East, three games ahead of the Boston Celtics and 13 games ahead of the New York Knicks. The Cavaliers return all of their primary players and their coach from last season, while the Celtics will be without Jayson Tatum and the Knicks will feature a new head coach. The Cavaliers will be without Darius Garland for roughly the first month of the season, but still have plenty of talent to replicate their level from last season. According to BPI, the Cavs project to comfortably win the most games in the East, with more than a four-game cushion in projected wins of the second seed (Knicks).
Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham to average 28-plus PPG (+185)
Cunningham has significantly increased his scoring average in every season of his career, from 17.4 PPG as a rookie up to 26.1 PPG in his fourth season. Cunningham is still only 24 years old, and the Pistons are built for him to be the clear-cut top creator on offense. He is high usage, will have the ball in his hands on every possession, and continues to improve as both a finisher in the paint and a 3-point shooter. Cunningham averaged 28.1 PPG over his last 40 games last season, giving this bet strong value at plus money.
Indiana Pacers
Andrew Nembhard (12-1) or Bennedict Mathurin (16-1) to win Most Improved Player
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With Tyrese Haliburton sidelined (Achilles) and Myles Turner traded away, plus T.J. McConnell dealing with injury, the Pacers will be depending on Nembhard and Mathurin to create the lion share of their offense from the perimeter. Both could be in line to see significant jumps in production over their previous career, with Nembhard as a strong source of points and assists and Mathurin as a potentially dominant scorer. This is a recipe for a potential MIP bid in a field that tends to be wide open every season.
Miami Heat
Heat to participate in Play-In Tournament (-110)
The Heat have been in the Play-in Tournament in three straight seasons, continuing the tradition last season despite the Jimmy Butler availability saga that ended with his in-season trade to the Warriors. The Heat enter this season, again featuring a roster strong enough to compete each night but unlikely to contend. According to BPI, the Heat project to a three-way tie for the ninth-best record in the East, more than five games behind the projected sixth seed and more than five games ahead of the projected 12th seed.
Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo to average 7-plus APG (+110)
play
1:20
Barkley: ‘I wish a person loved me as much as the Bucks love Giannis.’
Charles Barkley weighs in on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the Bucks after Milwaukee had trade conversations with the Knicks earlier in the offseason.
Antetokounmpo averaged a career-best 6.5 APG last season, but in the 13 games he played without Damian Lillard he averaged 7.9 APG. With Lillard no longer on the roster, Giannis should see an uptick in his usage, perhaps to the level of the career-high 38.8 USG% from 2022-23 — the season before Lillard’s arrival. With the makeup of the Bucks, Antetokounmpo will be tasked with creating the majority of the offense for himself and his teammate. He has a strong chance to generate a career-best in assists for the third straight season.
New York Knicks
To make Eastern Conference Finals (+130)
The Knicks made the Eastern Conference Finals last season, going through the second-seeded Boston Celtics in the semi-finals before losing to the Indiana Pacers in the Finals. But both the Celtics and Pacers lost their best players to torn Achilles tendons in the playoffs, dramatically lowering their likelihood to return to those levels this season. The Knicks changed coaches in the offseason, but otherwise return their primary rotation players with the goal of getting even better this season. Per BPI, the Knicks project to the second-most wins in the Eastern Conference this season, and have the second-highest odds to reach the Conference Finals this season.
Orlando Magic
Paolo Banchero to average 26-plus PPG (+110)
Banchero increased his scoring average in each of his first three seasons, from 20.0 PPG as a rookie up to 25.9 PPG last season. The Magic brought in another volume scorer this offseason in Desmond Bane, one of the best 3-point shooters in the league. While Bane’s shots will have to come from somewhere, I think Banchero’s scoring volume actually increases because Bane’s shooting ability will stretch opposing defenses in ways the Magic haven’t been able to do in recent years. Banchero loves to operate from the mid-range and inside off the dribble, and he should have more room to get the shots he wants this season.
Philadelphia 76ers
Tyrese Maxey to average 26-plus PPG (+150)
play
0:44
Charles Barkley: If the 76ers are healthy, they can win the East
Charles Barkley joins “The Rich Eisen Show” and explains why the 76ers can win the Eastern Conference this season.
Maxey has averaged 26.1 PPG in 122 total games over the past two seasons. He has consistently scored at that level, and at only 24 years old he still has significant upside to improve. Maxey is one of three All Stars in the 76ers starting lineup, but both Joel Embiid and Paul George have significant injury histories that have kept them out of large amounts of games for the past several seasons. Maxey will be relied upon even more heavily if his teammates are out, and he has the game to support higher usage when called upon.
Toronto Raptors
To participate in Play-in Tournament (Even)
The Raptors are an enigmatic team because they lost so many games to injury last season, but they are a team full of young veterans that have each proven themselves productive when on the court. If It all meshes, they could be one of the more talented young teams in the Eastern Conference. According to BPI, the Raptors project to a three-way tie for the ninth-best record in the Eastern Conference, more than five games behind the projected sixth seed and 5.5 games ahead of the 12th seed.
Washington Wizards
Fewest regular season wins in NBA (+375)
The Wizards are a rebuilding team that plans to feature their young prospects this season, though they also currently roster two veteran starters in CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton. This season should be more about developing their young players and establishing a professional culture than wins and losses. According to BPI, the Wizards project to the lowest score in the NBA at -7.4, with only the Brooklyn Nets (-6.9) and Utah Jazz (-6.9) joining them below -5.0. With significant plus money, there is value in betting the Wizards for the fewest wins in the league this season.
Western conference
play
0:21
Cooper Flagg throws down a wide-open dunk
Anthony Davis passes to Cooper Flagg, who flies to the rack for a two-handed jam.
Dallas Mavericks
Cooper Flagg over 16.5 points per game (-110)
Flagg is a solid bet because the No. 1 overall pick enters a high-usage role in Dallas alongside Anthony Davis while Kyrie Irving recovers from a torn ACL. His versatile scoring, size, and competitive mindset make him a primary offensive option from day one. We project Flagg to average 19.5 PPG in 33.2 MPG on 14.6 shots per game.
Denver Nuggets
55-plus wins (+105)
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Denver is positioned for success thanks to roster upgrades and depth. Trading Michael Porter Jr. for sharpshooter Cameron Johnson (19.0 PPG, 47.5% FG, 39% 3PT) improves floor spacing for Nikola Jokic. Adding Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Jonas Valanciunas strengthens bench scoring and brings veteran toughness. Meanwhile, young wings Christian Braun, Julian Strawther, and Jalen Pickett have all shown progression, giving the Nuggets a complete roster ready for a division-title push.
Golden State Warriors
Over 46.5 regular season wins (-115)
The Warriors return a proven core led by Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and midseason addition Jimmy Butler III. Golden State went 28-15 following Butler’s arrival. With veterans healthy and role players like Al Horford, Seth Curry, and Brandin Podziemski adding depth, Golden State is set to exceed its win total. Built to contend, don’t overlook them to make the Western Conference Finals (+625) or NBA Finals (16-1) if everyone stays healthy.
Houston Rockets
Under 53.5 wins (-120)
play
1:26
Perk: The Rockets are going to be the NBA’s best offensive team
Kendrick Perkins breaks down his optimism for the Rockets’ offense after an impressive performance vs. the Jazz.
The Rockets lost Fred VanVleet for the season to an ACL tear, leaving Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Aaron Holiday, and Josh Okogie to shoulder the backcourt. Even with Kevin Durant (37) added, his injury history limits consistency as he’s averaged just 49 games per season over the past five years. Combined with limited bench scoring, it’s hard to see Houston matching last year’s 52 wins. Expect them more as a play-in team than a division contender.
LA Clippers
To finish as the Western Conference No. 5 Seed (+500)
The Clippers boast a star-studded roster with Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Ivica Zubac, supported by veterans Bradley Beal, John Collins, Chris Paul, and Brook Lopez. Their offense and defense are elite, but age and past injuries-especially Leonard’s-could affect consistency. If the core stays healthy and meshes well, the Clippers have the depth and talent to finish near the No. 5 seed in the West, with postseason availability prioritized over seeding.
Los Angeles Lakers
To win the NBA championship (15-1)
The Lakers have two generational stars in Luka Doncic and LeBron James, and they went 15-8 together last season despite Doncic joining midyear. With a full offseason to build chemistry, new additions like Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart to bolster defense, and head coach JJ Redick entering Year 2 with more time to craft his system, this roster has the firepower and leadership to make a serious title run.
Memphis Grizzlies
Over 40.5 wins (-115)
Memphis returns its core of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., who combine for elite scoring and playmaking when healthy. With new additions like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ty Jerome bolstering depth, and promising young players like Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey taking the next step, the Grizzlies are well-positioned for success. They are poised to exceed 40.5 wins, provided Morant stays on the court.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Over 49.5 wins (-115)
The Timberwolves have averaged 52.5 wins over the past two seasons and return every key piece outside Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels, Rudy Gobert and Donte DiVincenzo form a potent core, now bolstered by sharpshooter Johnny Juzang and 6-foot-11 rookie Joan Beringer. With continuity, proven growth, and added depth, 50-plus wins are well within reach.
New Orleans Pelicans
Over 30.5 wins (-110)
A healthy Zion Williamson transforms this team. Now add in Jordan Poole’s scoring, Trey Murphy III’s two-way growth, and Dejounte Murray returning from injury. With veterans like Kevon Looney and defensive anchor Herbert Jones, the Pelicans have the depth and talent to compete. If Zion stays on the court, 31-plus wins are easily within reach.
Oklahoma City Thunder
NBA Championship Winner (+200)
play
1:30
Are the Nuggets the biggest threat to Thunder this season?
Marc Spears and Brian Windhorst break down the Nuggets vs. Clippers preseason game and how much of a threat both teams are to the Thunder.
Oklahoma City returns virtually its entire championship roster, led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, All-Star Jalen Williams, and defensive anchor Chet Holmgren. Last season, they dominated with a record-setting point differential and suffocating defense. Youth, continuity, and a proven ability to turn defense into offense make OKC a powerhouse poised to become the first team in seven years to win back-to-back titles.
Phoenix Suns
Over 31.5 wins (-115)
The Suns’ roster overhaul gives Devin Booker a balanced backcourt alongside Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, both reliable three-point threats (Brooks shot 39.7% on 6.3 attempts per game last season). Rookie Khaman Maluach and Mark Williams bolster the frontcourt, while new coach Jordan Ott brings offensive innovation. Even without Durant or Beal, this revamped Suns squad should comfortably surpass 32 wins.
Portland Trail Blazers
Under 33.5 wins (+110)
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Portland’s offseason is all about potential and hype, not proven production. Damian Lillard will miss the full season with a torn Achilles, Jrue Holiday is on the decline, while young centers Yang Hansen and Donovan Clingan need time to develop. Even with flashes from Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, and Deni Avdija, the team lacks consistency and depth, making another suboptimal season likely.
Sacramento Kings
To Participate In The Western Conference Play-In Tournament (+195)
Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Domantas Sabonis form a veteran core capable of scoring in bunches, while Dennis Schroder adds experience at point guard. Young talent like Keegan Murray and Nique Clifford provide upside. If the roster gels under head coach Doug Christie and stays healthy, the Kings have the firepower to sneak into the Play-In.
San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama to record 1-plus blocks in every regular season game (+130)
Wemby is cleared to play this season following a deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder that prematurely ended his second season. The 7-foot-3 generational talent dominated defensively last season, averaging 3.8 BPG. Wemby is primed to control the paint again, and we project him to average 4.0 blocks a game.
Utah Jazz
Over 19.5 wins (-110)
Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler, when healthy, form a promising frontcourt duo, with Markkanen coming off a strong EuroBasket. Rookie Ace Bailey and Summer League MVP Kyle Filipowski bring scoring and versatility, while young guards like Cody Williams, Keyonte George, and Walter Clayton Jr. could develop into reliable contributors. With health and growth, the Jazz should edge past 20 wins, but not by much.
By Ella Jay
Oct. 12, 2025 1:40 pm EST
Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images
While Mercedes Mone continues to rack up more and more singles championship gold, Matt and Jeff Hardy are expanding their tag team title collection. The brothers’ latest title win came on Friday as they wrestled at House of Glory’s With Glory Comes Pride event in New York City.
For this occasion, The Hardys battled The Mane Event (Jay Lyon and Midas Black) in a Winner Takes All match involving the TNA World and HOG Tag Team Championships. Jeff ultimately picked up the victory for him and Matt after landing a Swanton Bomb.
With this win, Jeff and Matt begin their second reign as HOG Tag Team Championships, having previously held them for 120 days in 2016. Their first HOG reign came to an end in a four-way title match pitting them against EYFBO (Angel Ortiz and Mike Draztik), The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley), and Private Party (Isiah Kassidy and Marq Quen) in December 2016. Looking ahead, The Hardys will face The Dudley Boyz, also known as Team 3D, once more as both the NXT and TNA World Tag Team Championships are on the line in a tables match at TNA Bound For Glory.
Matt and Jeff captured the NXT Tag Team Championships last Tuesday by defeating DarkState’s Osiris Griffin and Dion Lennox in another title-for-title bout on “WWE NXT” x TNA Showdown. Bully Ray and D-Von sat front row for this match in anticipation of their follow-up match at tonight’s BFG event. Outside of “NXT,” TNA, and HOG, The Hardys also currently own tag team championship gold in 4th Rope Wrestling.
Deadline: 3rd October 2025 (Friday) @ 2.00 pm
The Local Organizer Committee (LOC)  invites International Umpires to officiate at the forthcoming event:
ITTF World Para Challenger Giza 2025 ( 15 – 18.11)
ITTF African Para Championships 2025 ( 20 – 23.11)
It is an open invitation, therefore not all submissions may be accepted.
Only online nominations submitted by bona fide National Associations will be considered
Full hospitality will be provided in twin rooms, from dinner on the day before the event starts to breakfast on the day after the event ends.
All invited umpires must organize their own transport to the region as well as travel and medical insurance. In addition, all invited umpires are responsible for early arrival and late departure. Local transport will be provided from and to Cairo International Airport.
Should a nominated umpire require a visa, kindly send relevant details after the selection (full name as in passport, date of birth, place of birth, passport number, expiry date of passport to   office@ettf.org  and Ahmed Magdy ahmed_idrees@windowslive.com
A letter of invitation will be provided. Please note that all costs associated with the visa application are the responsibility of the applicant and the issuance of a visa is at the sole discretion of the relevant Consulate or Embassy.
Each umpire will receive a daily allowance by LOC, per competition day:
Gold Badge Umpires : 80 USD
Blue Badge Umpires: 65 USD
Blue Badge Umpires in Progress: 50 USD
White Badge Umpires: 50 USD
The closing date for nominations is 03rd October 2025 @ 2.00 pm
You are kindly requested to carefully read the instructions, and then to complete the details via the online form
Thank you for your kind cooperation.Â
SEEING A COMPETITION for medal positions among Kyle Garland, Leo Neugebauer and Ayden Owens is definitely new on the world stage.
But collegiate fans remember that being the norm in 2022 and 2023 with the trio taking the top 3 places three times in multis at the NCAA Championships when they wore the uniforms of Georgia, Texas and Arkansas instead of USA, Germany and Puerto Rico.
Many had anticipated Garland would contend with Sander Skotheim as the latter led the yearly list at 8909 over Garlandâ€s 8869, and thatâ€s how things stood through the end of Day 1. Oh, everything changed early on Day 2.
Hereâ€s an event-by-event look at how things unfolded:
100: Damian Warner — gold medalist in an empty version of this stadium in â€21 at the Olympics and the deca 100 WR holder at 10.12 — was a late scratch, so Ayden-Owens was easily the fastest (his 10.31 near his PR 10.27) with Garland next at 10.51 (down from his PR 10.44 at USATF). All of the contenders were off their bests.
Long Jump: Simon Ehammer — 4th in the main long jump three days earlier — flew predictably far here but leapt just 26-1¾ (7.97), albeit twice in matching Skotheim. Garland was next. He averted disaster after two fouls with an outdoor PR 26-0 (7.92). Neugebauer — the only other 8-meter jumper besides Ehammer and Skotheim — went 25-0 (7.62).
Shot: Garland opened up with a PR 55-10¼ (17.02) to hit 2927 points for 3 events, just 5 points off the torrid pace in his PR score. Neugebauer was next — in the shot at 54-9½ (16.70) and overall with a 2765 score, 162 points behind Garland. Third overall after an outdoor PR 47-7 (14.50) was Skotheim with 2703. That trio projected over 8800 while everyone else was under 8700 compared to their PRs.
High Jump: Skotheim and Garland owned the two best PRs and were the two highest here at 7-¼ (2.14) and 6-11 (2.11) as the Americanâ€s lead grew to 206, now over the Norwegian with Neugebauer (who cleared 6-6¼/1.99) another 68 back. This would be the last event for defending champ Pierce LePage, who was more than 400 points off his PR 8909 pace from Budapest.
400: Owens-Delerme was fastest at 46.46 and American Harrison Williams was the only other sub-47 at 46.88. Skotheim ran 47.86 (down from the 47.47 in his PR) while Garland clocked 48.73 (an improvement on the 49.29 in his PR). Neugebauer was at 48.27, near the 48.03 in his PR.
The Day 1 totals had Garland at 4707, 164 ahead of Skotheim at 4543, but the duo projected within 11 points of each other at 8862 and 8851. Owens-Delerme (4487) and Neugebauer (4455) followed — both more than 100 points down on PR pace but still very much in medal contention. Little noticed on the leader board in 8th (4167, a whopping 539 points behind Garland) was the only one in the field on PR pace — Niklas Kaul, 3 points up on the 8691 total that garnered him the â€19 WC gold.
110H: Disaster struck once and almost twice. In the second race, Skotheim hit hurdle 5 and was off balance so much that he shoved over hurdle 6 — a clear DQ that made him withdraw. In the final section, Garland hit more hurdles (6) than he cleared cleanly (4), and while he got through, his 14.30 was 67 points down from the 13.78 in his PR. He was still in the lead, but he opened the proverbial door for others.
Owens-Delerme was fastest for the third track event in a row, running 13.66 to gain on his PR score (13.73) to take over the chase pack, 136 points behind Garland. Kaul ran 14.45 to improve his PR pace and move up to 7th while Neugebauer hurdled a subpar 14.80 to remain in 3rd.
Discus: A good event for the would-be medalists, especially Neugebauer at a meet record 184-2 (56.15) in taking over chase pack duties. Garlandâ€s 157-8 (48.06) was 60 points down from his 167-1 (50.93) PR at USATF as his lead actually improved to 145. Ayden-Owens was another 31 behind Neugebauer after his 151-4 (46.12) was a third-straight event improving on his PR score.
Pole Vault: The big change here was that the projected medalists looked like eventual medalists for the first time. All three were solid behind Williams†leading 17-¾ (5.20). Owens-Delerme and Neugebauer finished at 16-8 (5.10) (an =PR for Owens-Delerme) and Garland matched the 16-¾ (4.80) in his PR. While the scores tightened — Garlandâ€s lead now at 53 over Neugebauer with AOD another 31 back — Garland held a 100+ lead on projections.
Javelin: Neugebauer took the overall lead after the longest of his two PRs. Heâ€d gone 200-1 (61.00) and then 211-1 (64.34). It was the first great event in the meet, and his 8072 score after 9 events was 15 points up on Garland, who threw 196-1 (59.78). That would have been a PR save for his 214-11 (65.52) at USATF (he had a narrow toe foul estimated near that distance here). Owens-Delerme hit his No. 2 ever throw at 192-10 (58.79) and remained in 3rd, now 114 points out of the lead. Kaul was good — his 256-6 (78.18) just short of his PR and MR 259-4 (79.05) — but not enough after being down in the discus and vault.
1500: Based on event strength, the medal positions looked likely, but there was one adjustment. Neugebauer hung on to the gold, making a move with 2 laps to go to PR by over 6 seconds in 4:31.89. His 8804 total was 20 points better than the 8784 NR by Owens-Delerme, who moved to silver in the closest finish in meet history. Garland finished in 8704 for the bronze.
“It still sounds unbelievable,†Neugebauer said. “I donâ€t know what to say. The oxygen is not back in my brain yet from the run. I feel fantastic. Day 1 was really tough for everybody, I think. Many people fell out, which is really tough in the decathlon. The important thing is just to keep going, especially on Day 2. I was just in a good mood today. I felt great, so I just kept going.â€
MENâ€S DECATHLON RESULTS
(September 20–21)
1. Leo Neugebauer (Ger) 8804 (10.80, 25-0/7.62, 54-9½/16.70, 6-6¼/1.99, 48.27 [4455-4]),
14.80, 184-2/56.15, 16-8¾/5.10, 211-1/64.34, 4:31.89 [4349]);
2. Ayden Owens-Delerme (PR) 8784 NR (10.31, 24-¼/7.32, 51-¼/15.55, 6-5/1.96, 46.46 [4487-3]),
13.65, 151-4/46.12, 16-8¾/5.10, 192-10/58.79, 4:17.91 [4297]);
3. Kyle Garland (US) 8703 (10.51, 26-0/7.92, 55-10¼/17.02, 6-11/2.11, 48.73 [4707-1]),
14.30, 157-8/48.06, 15-9/4.80, 196-1/59.78, 4:45.45 [3996]);
4. Niklas Kaul (Ger) 8538 (11.34, 23-8/7.21, 47-10/14.58, 6-8¾/2.05, 48.13 [4167-8]),
14.45, 155-2/47.29, 15-5/4.70, 256-6/78.19, 4:20.76 [4371]);
5. Johannes Erm (Est) 8431 (10.78, 25-½/7.63, 49-9¾/15.18, 6-5/1.96, 47.51 [4378-5]),
14.52, 148-4/45.21, 16-8¾/5.10, 184-9/56.32, 4:29.15 [4053]);
6. Heath Baldwin (US) 8337 (11.01, 23-10/7.26, 50-3½/15.33, 6-9¾/2.08, 48.44 [4310-6]),
14.16, 134-6/41.01, 15-9/4.80, 214-0/65.24, 4:33.42 [4027]);
7. Harrison Williams (US) 8269 (10.79, 22-7/6.88, 48-9½/14.87, 6-2¾/1.90, 46.88 [4153-9]),
14.56, 149-7/45.61, 17-¾/5.20, 181-11/55.44, 4:22.72 [4116]);
8. Kendrick Thompson (Bah) 8175 (10.67, 24-9/7.54, 41-2½/12.56, 6-7½/2.02, 47.93 [4255-7]),
14.15, 118-5/36.10, 15-1/4.60, 223-2/68.02, 4:32.26 [3920]);
9. Makenson Gletty (Fra) 8146; 10. Jente Hauttekeete (Bel) 8116; 11. Vilém Stráský (CzR) 8110; 12. Antoine Ferranti (Fra) 8003; 13. José Fernando Ferreira Santana (Bra) 7927; 14. Xiang Fei (Chn) 7347; 15. OndÅej Kopecký (CzR) 7184; 16. Karel Tilga (Est) 6073;
… DNFs –
Lindon Victor (Grn) 5930, Sander Aae Skotheim (Nor) 4543, Pierce LePage (Can) 3241, Sven Roosen (Neth) 2585, Till Steinforth (Ger) 2367, Janek Õiglane (Est) 2259.
Top 5s By Event
100: 1. Owens-Delerme 1020; 2. Garland 973; 3. Victor 952; 4. Ehammer 938; 5. Thompson 938;… 9. Neugebauer 906.
LJ: 1. Garland 2013; 2. Ehammer 1991; 3. Skotheim 1934; 4. Owens-Delerme 1911; 5. Thompson 1880;… 7. Neugebauer 1871.
SP: 1. Garland 2927; 2. Neugebauer 2765; 3. Ehammer 2736; 4. Owens-Delerme 2735; 5. Skotheim 2693.
HJ: 1. Garland 3833; 2. Skotheim 3627; 3. Neugebauer 3559; 4. Owens-Delerme 3502; 5. Erm 3445.
400: 1. Garland 4707; 2. Skotheim 4543; 3. Owens-Delerme 4487; 4. Neugebauer 4455; 5. Erm 4378.
110H: 1. Garland 5643; 2. Owens-Delerme 5507; 3. Neugebauer 5329; 4. Erm 5286; 5. Baldwin 5264
DT: 1. Garland 6473; 2. Neugebauer 6328; 3. Owens-Delerme 6297; 4. Erm 6057; 5. Baldwin 5949.
PV: 1. 1. Garland 7322; 2. Neugebauer 7269; 3. Owens-Delerme 7238; 4. Erm 6998; 5. Williams 6807.
JT: 1. Neugebauer 8072; 2. Garland 8057; 3. Owens-Delerme 7958; 4. Kaul 7732; 5. Erm 7681.
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Among the USAâ€s 9 previous 4×1 wins, only one was faster than Tokyo: Doha 19â€s 37.10 AR, which Christian Coleman led off and Noah Lyles anchored. (KIRBY LEE/IMAGE OF SPORT)
THE HANDOFFS ARE almost always the story in the 4 x 100. This time around, solid exchanges led to a happy ending for the American foursome, who defeated Canada to take the gold in 37.29.
The heats produced most of the drama. The U.S., running the foursome of Christian Coleman, Ronnie Baker, Trayvon Bromell and Tâ€Mars McCallum, placed 2nd in heat 1 with a 37.98. Andre De Grasse caught McCallum and Canada led in 37.85. It was favored Jamaica that went down in flames, as the pass from Ryiem Forde to anchor Kishane Thompson resulted in the baton bouncing off the Mondo surface.
In the second heat Ghana clocked a national record 37.79 to lead the Netherlands†37.95. South Africa, our pick for 3rd, failed to finish, same as Great Britain, our pick for 4th.
In the case of South Africa, officials ruled that they had been affected by one of the Italian athletes. In a solo rerun the next morning, they were tasked with hitting 38.34 to make the final. A 38.64 run with just the roar of the crowd for accompaniment didnâ€t cut it.
For the final, the United States drew lane 7, with Canada — running the same order that won Olympic gold — in 5 and Ghana in 6. Christian Coleman led off, getting to the exchange just ahead of Canadaâ€s Aaron Brown. The handoff to Bednarek was crisp and efficient, nothing like their disastrous Paris effort.
Bednarek ran a solid backstretch, but Canadaâ€s Jerome Blake ate into his margin a bit. A smooth pass to Courtney Lindsey followed, and with an efficient pass Lindsey delivered a lead to anchor Noah Lyles.
The 200 winner started off with a 0.13 advantage over De Grasse and was able to hit top speed quickly. De Grasse chased valiantly but lost ground as the U.S. won in 37.29 to Canadaâ€s 37.55. Netherlands closed fast with anchor Elvis Afrifa to pass Ghana for the bronze, hitting a Dutch Record 37.81 to Ghanaâ€s 37.93.
The United States defended its title from Budapest in winning its tenth gold out of 20 editions of the meet.
“We just had to get the baton from start to finish,†explained Lyles. “When Christian passed the baton I knew it was a done deal. I saw the lead we had and it was a kind of a relief as everybody did such a great job. I just had to finish the race. They made it easy for me. I could have not asked for a better relay.â€
Said Coleman, “We did our job.â€
MENâ€S 4 x 100 RESULTS
FINAL (September 21)
1. United States 37.29 (5 W, 2 A)
(Christian Coleman 10.30, Kenny Bednarek 8.84, Courtney Lindsey 9.31, Noah Lyles 8.84);
2. Canada 37.55
(Aaron Brown 10.41, Jerome Blake 8.75, Brendon Rodney 9.42, Andre De Grasse 8.97);
3. Netherlands 37.81 NR
(Nsikak Ekpo 10.57, Taymir Burnet 8.76, Xavi Mo-Ajok 9.69, Elvis Afrifa 8.79);
4. Ghana 37.93
(Ibrahim Fuseini 10.55, Benjamin Azamati 8.96, Joseph Amoah 9.48, Abdul-Rasheed Saminu 8.94);
5. Germany 38.29
(Julian Wagner 10.59, Marvin Schulte 9.23, Owen Ansah 9.38, Lucas Ansah-Peprah 9.09);
6. Japan 38.35
(Yuki Koike 10.55, Hiroki Yanagita 9.14, Yoshihide Kiryu 9.71, Towa Uzawa 8.95);
7. France 38.58
(Ryan Zeze 10.48, Jeff Erius 9.07, Lenny Chanteur 9.64, Aymeric Priam 9.39);
… dnf—Australia
(Connor Bond 10.57, Jacob Despard 9.21, Calab Law 9.52, Rohan Browning).
(lanes: 2. France; 3. Australia; 4. Japan; 5. Canada; 6. Ghana; 7. United States; 8. Netherlands; 9. Germany)
(reaction times: 0.141 United States, 0.145 Netherlands, 0.146 Canada, 0.147 France, 0.150 Australia, 0.151 Germany, 0.160 Ghana, 0.162 Japan)
HEATS (September 20)
I–1. Canada 37.85; 2. United States 37.98 (Coleman 10.23, Ronnie Baker 9.08, Trayvon Bromell 9.45, Tâ€Mars McCallum 9.22); 3. Germany 38.12 (Deniz Almas, Schulte, Ansah, Ansah-Peprah); 4. France 38.34 (Zeze, Erius, Théo Schaub, Priam);
5. Belgium 38.46 NR (Kobe Vleminckx, Emiel Botterman, Antoine Snyders, Simon Verherstraeten); 6. Kenya 38.56 (Boniface Ontuga, Steve Onyango, Babu Kitsubuli, Mark Odhiambo); 7. Poland 38.59 (Oliwer Wdowik, Åukasz Å»ak, Adrian BrzeziÅ„ski, Dominik Kopeć);… dnf—Jamaica (Ackeem Blake, Oblique Seville, Ryiem Forde, Kishane Thompson).
II–1. Ghana 37.79 NR (=#10 nation);
2. Netherlands 37.95; 3. Japan 38.07; 4. Australia 38.21 (Bond, Joshua Azzopardi, Law, Browning);
5. China 38.38 (Zhijian Deng, Jinxian He, Junhao Shi, Zhenye Xie); 6. Italy 38.52 (Eseosa Desalu, Lamont Marcell Jacobs, Lorenzo Patta, Matteo Melluzzo);… dnf—South Africa, Great Britain.
Special heat (9/21 am)–1. South Africa 38.64 (Shaun Maswanganyi, Sinesipho Dambile, Bradley Nkoana, Akani Simbine). (Had to run faster than 38.34 to be added to final as 9th team; obstructed by Italy in heats)
Jeff Hollobaugh is a writer and stat geek who has been associated with T&FN in various capacities since 1987. He is the author of How To Race The Mile. He lives in Michigan where he can often be found announcing track meets in bad weather.
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“I lost my wedding ring in the third kilometer,†said Brazilâ€s Caio Bonfim. “I believe my wife will be OK because I won today.†Translation: The double medalistâ€s Tokyo trip mostly didnâ€t suck. (TAKASHI ITO/AGENCE SHOT)
PORTUGUESE TO ENGLISH, “Bonfim†translates to “good end†or “good outcome.†Caio Bonfimâ€s surname tells you the story.
The huge smile on the 34-year-old Brazilianâ€s face, the finishline tape and gold medal draped around his neck are all the explanation youâ€ll need.
Good end? Good outcome? For sure.
Bonfimâ€s 1:18:35 gold in the menâ€s 20K came on top of the 35K silver heâ€d earned on opening day, and along with Alison dos Santosâ€s 400H silver, lifted his nation to 13th on the medal table.
All smiles after holding off Chinaâ€s Zhaozhao Wang in the race to the National Stadium wire, he also revealed a loss. His wedding ring had slipped off somewhere around the 3K mark, down Gingko Tree Lane, but he soon smiled, “I believe my wife will be OK because I won today.â€
He asked a cameraman to relay this message to his children, back home: “Your father is a world champion.â€
This was the 20th and last Worlds 20K – the event will be extended to 21.1K (half-marathon) in Beijing. Eight of the 20s have gone to Latin Americans, but this was the first to Brazil.
Bonfim has been knocking on the golden global door for years. He had taken the â€23 Worlds 20K bronze, the â€24 Olympic 20K silver and the Tokyo 35K silver.
He battled past four top rivals, Wang (2nd in 1:18:43), Spain ‘s Paul McGrath (3rd, 1:18:45) and the French pair of Aurélien Quinion (1:18.49) and Gabriel Bordier (1:19:23) for the gold.
“This is my first big international medal, so I couldnâ€t be happier about the result,†said silver winner Wang.
“It was a dream come true,†said bronze medalist McGrath, who has a Spanish mother, Scottish father, Irish grandparents and trinational heritage.
Tashikazu Yamanishi came in as both WR holder and world leader with his 1:16:10 from February. Japanâ€s great golden hope, he was buoyed by the throngs lining the course, leading for K after K only to see the dreaded red paddle for technique violation late in the race. Sat down with 2:00 of penalty time, he was never again a factor and finished a saddened 28th in 1:22:39.
“I donâ€t know what to do now,†he lamented. “To win in Tokyo was one of my big goals. I need to think about my next steps.â€
All but 5 of the 48 starters finished; 4 were DQed. Canadaâ€s Evan Dunfee, the Tokyo 35K king, scratched out with a hamstring injury. Team USA, well represented in 47 of the 49 Worlds events, had no one in the two menâ€s walks.
MENâ€S 20K WALK RESULTS
(September 20)
1. Caio Bonfim (Bra) 1:18:35
(20:27, 19:42 [40:09], 19:29 [59:38], 18:57) (40:09/38:26);
2. Zhaozhao Wang (Chn) 1:18:43
(40:09/38:34);
3. Paul McGrath (Spa) 1:18:45
(40:04/38:41);
4. Aurelien Quinion (Fra) 1:18:49 PR
(40:09/38:40);
5. Gabriel Bordier (Fra) 1:19:23
(40:04/39:19);
6. Haifeng Qian (Chn) 1:19:38
(40:04/39:34);
7. Kento Yoshikawa (Jpn) 1:19:46
(40:14/39:42);
8. Diego GarcÃa (Spa) 1:20:05
(40:06/39:59);
9. Satoshi Maruo (Jpn) 1:20:09; 10. Christopher Linke (Ger) 1:20:11; 11. Leo Köpp (Ger) 1:20:35; 12. Ricardo Ortiz (Mex) 1:20:36; 13. Perseus Karlström (Swe) 1:20:37; 14. Maher Ben Hlima (Pol) 1:20:39; 15. Jordy Jiménez (Ecu) 1:20:43; 16. Francesco Fortunato (Ita) 1:21:00; 17. Matheus Gabriel Correa (Bra) 1:21:04; 18. Misganaw Wakuma (Eth) 1:21:17; 19. David Hurtado (Ecu) 1:21:18; 20. Rhydian Cowley (Aus) 1:21:18; 21. Ãlvaro López (Spa) 1:21:28; 22. Dominik ÄŒerný (Svk) 1:21:29;
23. Declan Tingay (Aus) 1:21:30; 24. Chenjie Li (Chn) 1:21:39; 25. Veli-Matti Partanen (Fin) 1:21:41; 26. Mykola Rushchak (Ukr) 1:21:57; 27. Serhiy Svitlychnyy (Ukr) 1:22:24; 28. Toshikazu Yamanishi (Jpn) 1:22:39; 29. Mateo Romero Blanco (Col) 1:22:44; 30. Byeong-kwang Choe (SK) 1:22:52; 31. Servin Sebastian (Ind) 1:23:03; 32. Bence Venyercsán (Hun) 1:23:06; 33. Noel Ali Chama (Mex) 1:23:41; 34. Gianluca Picchiottino (Ita) 1:23:50; 35. Mazlum Demir (Tur) 1:24:11;
36. Andrea Cosi (Ita) 1:24:18; 37. Jerry Jokinen (Fin) 1:24:37; 38. Erick Barrondo (Gua) 1:24:42; 39. Tim Fraser (Aus) 1:24:55; 40. César Alberto Herrera (Col) 1:25:01; 41. Raivo Saulgriezis (Lat) 1:27:25; 42. Max Batista Dos Santos (Bra) 1:27:34; 43. Wayne Snyman (SA) 1:30:12;… dq—José Luis Doctor (Mex), Luis Campos (Per), Hayrettin Yildiz (Tur), Ihor Hlavan (Ukr) (no U.S. entrants)
(5K leader splits: Černý 20:17; McGrath 40:04; Quinion 59:37)
Sixty-three years ago, â€56 racewalk Olympian Elliott Denman, representing the New York Pioneer Club, won the 3000 walk at the U.S. nationals held in Boulder, Colorado, clocking 13:52.2. In a long journalistic career he has covered every outdoor World Championships since the first in 1983.
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Spainâ€s Mária Pérez claimed a walks double for a second Worlds in a row yet proclaimed, “I did not come here today to make history in womenâ€s sport. I just came to improve myself.†(KIRK MECHE/IMAGE OF SPORT)
STANDING TALL AND STRONG — though just 5-1/106 (1.55/48) — MarÃa Pérez lorded over the competition in the 20K walk for her second gold of the championships. She had done the same in Budapest 2 years ago.
A week after her 2:39:01 triumph over 35K, the diminutive 29-year-old Andalusian needed just 1:25:54 to claim the 20K title on the penultimate morning and thus power Team España to equal-fifth on the medals table.
Her name will be carved in the championships records list twice, with her 2:38:40 for 35K at Budapest, followed by this 1:25:54. Both distances, however, will now be discontinued as the walks change to the half-marathon and full marathon.
It took Pérez 16K to establish a narrow lead over Mexicoâ€s Alegna González, with Peruâ€s Kimberly GarcÃa, Chinaâ€s Quanming Wu and local favorite Nanako Fujii all still in medal range.
With just 1.5K to go, Pérez blasted ahead and powered back into the stadium after 16 laps of Gingko Tree Lane.
Gonzalez hung on for the silver medal in a hemisphere-record 1:26:06 while Fujii brought Japanese joy with her NR 1:26:18 bronze, leaning over the line to edge Ecuadorâ€s Paula Milena Torres, credited with an identical 1:26:18.
Consolation prize for double â€22 champion GarcÃa was a Peruvian Record 1:26:22 in 5th. Chinaâ€s Jaiyu Yang clocked a fast 1:27:16 in 6th.
Rapidly improving U.S. champion Lauren Harris, the Marist College graduate now a Long Island schoolteacher, claimed a PR 1:32:50 in finishing 27th. Altogether 41 finished, with one DQ.
Moments after the win, Pérez plopped to the track in joy, then raised the Spanish flag overhead to greet her top pursuers. “I am the happiest woman in the world,†she exulted. “I did not come here today to make history in womenâ€s sport. I just came to improve myself. “
She gave plaudits to coach José Marin: “I owe my technique to him.â€
Mexicoâ€s men once ruled global walking, but it was González who put a Mexican woman on the 20K podium for just the second time.
“Competing in race walking in the Americas is like a mini-World Championships,†said González, whoâ€d sat out the 35K with stomach trouble. “We want to keep the Americas among the worldâ€s best and we did again today.â€
Arms raised in delight as she crossed the line, Fujii was just inches ahead of Torres. Said Fuji: “Winning the bronze medal in my country feels very special. I am honored to do it at home. I am wearing the black ribbon in honor to my coach who passed away last month. I know he is looking after me from above.â€
WOMENâ€S 20K WALK RESULTS
(September 20)
1. Mária Pérez (Spa) 1:25:54 (WL)
(22:05, 21:32 [43:37], 21:22 [64:59], 20:55) (43:37/42:17);
2. Alegna González (Mex) 1:26:06 NR
(43:38/42:28);
3. Nanako Fujii (Jpn) 1:26:18 NR
(43:38/42:40);
4. Paula Milena Torres (Ecu) 1:26:18 PR
(43:38/43:00);
5. Kimberly GarcÃa (Per) 1:26:22 NR
(43:37/42:45);
6. Jiayu Yang (Chn) 1:27:16 (43:38/43:38);
7. Antia Chamosa (Spa) 1:27:55 =PR
(44:06/43:49);
8. Quanming Wu (Chn) 1:28:08
(43:38/44:30);
9. Li Ma (Chn) 1:28:52; 10. MarÃa Luz Andia (Per) 1:28:52; 11. Pauline Stey (Fra) 1:28:52; 12. Viviane Lyra (Bra) 1:29:02; 13. Lyudmyla Olyanovska (Ukr) 1:29:16; 14. Katarzyna ZdziebÅ‚o (Pol) 1:29:31; 15. Alexandrina Mihai (Ita) 1:29:44; 16. Antigóni Drisbióti (Gre) 1:29:47; 17. Federica Curiazzi (Ita) 1:29:48; 18. Kumiko Okada (Jpn) 1:30:12; 19. Mariia Sakharuk (Ukr) 1:30:38; 20. Magaly Bonilla (Ecu) 1:30:39; 21. Rebecca Henderson (Aus) 1:31:05; 22. Paula Juarez (Spa) 1:31:50; 23. Yasmina Tokonbayeva (Kaz) 1:31:51; 24. Hanna Shеvchuk (Ukr) 1:32:15; 25. Hana Burzalová (Svk) 1:32:28; 26. Rachelle De Orbeta (PR) 1:32:47;
27. Lauren Harris (US) 1:32:50 (road PR) (45:27/47:23); 28. Vitória Oliveira (Por) 1:33:02; 29. Clemence Beretta (Fra) 1:33:14; 30. Evelin Inga (Per) 1:33:29; 31. Alejandra Ortega (Mex) 1:34:18; 32. Gabriela De Sousa Muniz (Bra) 1:34:28; 33. Elizabeth McMillen (Aus) 1:34:58; 34. HristÃna Papadopoúlou (Gre) 1:35:05; 35. Ilse Guerrero (Mex) 1:35:20; 36. Tiziana Kinga Spiller (Hun) 1:35:32; 37. Ayane Yanai (Jpn) 1:35:44; 38. Jekaterina Mirotvortseva (Est) 1:36:25; 39. Panayióta Tsinopoúlou (Gre) 1:37:40; 40. Lucy Alejandra Mendoza (Col) 1:38:05; 41. Laura Cristina Mojica (Col) 1:42:08;… dnf—Sintayehu Masire (Eth), Alexandra Griffin (Aus), Meryem Bekmez (Tur), Erica de Sena (Bra), Antonella Palmisano (Ita); … dq—Mirna Ortiz (Gua), Li Peng (Chn).
(5K leader splits: GarcÃa 22:05; Pérez 43:37, 64:59)
Sixty-three years ago, â€56 racewalk Olympian Elliott Denman, representing the New York Pioneer Club, won the 3000 walk at the U.S. nationals held in Boulder, Colorado, clocking 13:52.2. In a long journalistic career he has covered every outdoor World Championships since the first in 1983.