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The Orlando Magic extended their winning streak to three games with a 105–98 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night in their second NBA Cup matchup, but the postgame message centered less on celebration and more on the team’s need for cleaner execution. Despite the win, the Magic committed 19 turnovers — mistakes star forward Franz Wagner said nearly derailed the effort. Wagner finished with 25 points, six rebounds and five assists while shooting 7-for-17 from the field and 8-for-10 from the free throw line across 37 minutes. His plus/minus of +15 matched the team high. But in his postgame comments, he pointed to ball security as a major concern. “I thought it was except for the first quarter our defense was really good,” Wagner said. “Obviously turnovers were a problem all game and I think it stalled us out a little bit in the second half so we just gotta do a better job in the next game with that. But obviously good effort at the end and it’s always good to get a win.” The Magic’s 19 turnovers led to 21 Brooklyn points, compared to just seven Nets turnovers resulting in six Orlando points. Orlando compensated by holding Brooklyn to 16 fourth-quarter points and closing the game with timely shooting and late defensive stops. Franz Wagner, Tristan da Silva praise Magic’s toughness after turnover-heavy performance vs. Nets © Mike Watters-Imagn Images Tristan da Silva delivered one of the strongest performances of his young career, posting 22 points, nine rebounds and one assist while shooting 8-for-14 from the field and 5-for-9 from three in 32 minutes. He also recorded a +15, matching Wagner. After the game, the second-year forward echoed Wagner’s assessment of Orlando’s uneven play. “Yeah, I mean not our standard. That’s what we gotta focus on is still learn from this, get better, make sure that we understand we got the win but we didn’t play the way we wanted to,” da Silva said. “And just grow from this… there’s obviously games that are important that you kind of have to win ugly, but at the same time make sure that we keep improving.” Da Silva highlighted the resolve the Magic showed in grinding out an NBA Cup win despite offensive struggles. “A lot of grit, a lot of toughness, especially mentally not giving up,” he said. “I’m super proud of everybody that stepped out today and kind of made sure that we secure this one even though it was ugly.” Head coach Jamahl Mosley credited Orlando’s fourth-quarter defense for securing the victory, even as the offense sputtered. “I mean the fourth quarter is what did it… the defense, it carried us,” Mosley said. “Obviously, we did not take care of the basketball like we should have… Brooklyn disrupted, they switched, they grabbed, they held… we have to continue to find ways to not let the offense and what teams are doing to us impact the way we defend throughout the night.” Wagner’s clutch shooting underscores urgency for Orlando to raise its standard Mosley also praised Wagner for hitting two critical three-pointers — one with 1:25 remaining and another with 45 seconds left — after starting 1-for-6 from deep. “He steps up to the moment… those little plays add up,” Mosley said. “This was not a pretty game… but in this league you have to find a way to win the game.” FRANZ WAGNER BACK-TO-BACK THREES TO GIVE THE MAGIC THE W pic.twitter.com/f8b41zANwa — NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 15, 2025 Wagner said the Magic must now turn their focus toward elevating their overall standard as they continue their NBA Cup schedule. “I think it’s good to get a win but we kinda want to have a game like we did in New York… finding our brand of basketball,” Wagner said. “That should be our mindset — taking another step forward, not get too lost in wins and losses.” Da Silva agreed: “That’s gonna be one where we can’t get away with a win if we don’t play our standard,” he said. “We gotta make sure that we’re ready and learn from this game.” Now 7–6 — above .500 for the first time since opening night…

Seattle’s sacred numbers tell the franchise’s story, and Kenny Easley’s 45 sits among them for a reason. The Seahawks have retired only a handful of jerseys, from Steve Largent and Cortez Kennedy to the No. 12 that honors the fan base. Easley’s case is singular. In seven seasons, he stacked five Pro Bowls, multiple All-Pro nods, and the 1984 Defensive Player of the Year while redefining the strong safety role. Though his time in Seattle ended amid the 1987 labor strife and a failed trade that exposed kidney damage he attributed to heavy painkiller use, fences were mended. The club put his name in the Ring of Honor and retired 45 in 2002, and Canton followed in 2017. Legendary Seahawks safety Kenny Easley, who spent his entire seven-year, Hall of Fame career in Seattle, passed away last night at 66, as reported by ESPN’s Brady Henderson on Twitter. The news lands heavily in a city that still measures defensive electricity against the standard Easley set. On the field, he was the original tone-setter in the secondary, long before the Legion of Boom. At 6-3 with rare range and striking power, he played downhill in the box, flipped his hips like a corner, and turned third downs into punts with instincts that felt a step ahead. He was the best player on a defense that helped lift Seattle to multiple playoff trips in the 1980s, and his 1984 season remains one of the most complete defensive campaigns in team history. Those who rank the greatest Seahawks almost always place Easley near the top tier. He is often listed just behind franchise pillars like Largent and Kennedy, a testament to the impact he had in a comparatively brief career. He entered the Ring of Honor on October 14, 2002, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame on February 4, 2017, formal markers of what the film already showed. Seattle now mourns a legend who made the secondary feel like a stage. Number 45 will not be worn again, and that is fitting. For a generation of fans and players, Kenny Easley defined what it meant to play defense here, with intelligence, courage, and a presence that could tilt a game. The post Seahawks’ Hall of Famer Kenny Easley dies at 66 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Seattle Mariners superstar catcher and 2025 AL MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh opened up about who brought the most energy to the clubhouse during a memorable 2025 season — one that saw Seattle come just a game short of its first World Series appearance in franchise history. Jomboy Media’s Sarah Wilson later shared Raleigh’s answer on X (formerly known as Twitter), giving fans a glimpse into the team’s clubhouse dynamics. “Josh Naylor was pretty, pretty fun to be around in the clubhouse.” He added that the slugger’s impact extended beyond game days. “He’s a great guy off the field too.” Cal Raleigh loves Zach Top, therefore Cal's my fav! pic.twitter.com/RYDknhyL55 — swilly ☻ (@swillysports) November 15, 2025 Raleigh’s comments reflected the influence Naylor had after joining the Mariners midseason, both on the field and inside the clubhouse. His leadership and energy helped power Seattle’s run to the ALCS, earning him recognition as one of the team’s emotional leaders down the stretch. The remarks come as Naylor enters free agency this winter, giving added weight to Raleigh’s endorsement. His presence and production made him a key part of Seattle’s late-season surge — and a player many inside and outside the organization want to see return. For the 28-year-old switch-hitting catcher, naming Naylor as his clubhouse MVP underscored more than camaraderie. It reflected his leadership as the voice of the clubhouse and his awareness of what makes a team truly special. It highlighted the culture the club built in 2025 and the value of keeping that chemistry intact heading into next season. Seattle’s 2025 postseason run was powered by a close-knit roster built on belief, energy, and accountability — traits that have come to define the team’s identity under manager Dan Wilson. Naylor embodied that spirit, delivering clutch hits, fiery celebrations, and an infectious energy that lifted teammates in key moments. As the Mariners set their sights on taking the final step in 2026, Raleigh’s praise stands as a reminder of how essential that spark was to Seattle’s success. The post Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh reveals Seattle’s clubhouse MVP appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Orlando Magic secured their third straight victory Friday night, defeating the Brooklyn Nets 105–98 in their second NBA Cup matchup of the season. Franz Wagner and head coach Jamahl Mosley both highlighted the play of second-year forward Tristan da Silva, whose aggressiveness and confidence stood out in the absence of All-Star forward Paolo Banchero. Wagner led the way for Orlando with 25 points, six rebounds, and five assists while shooting 7-for-17 from the field and 8-for-10 from the free-throw line across 37 minutes. Da Silva, starting in place of Banchero, delivered his strongest performance of the season with 22 points, nine rebounds, and an assist, connecting on five of his nine 3-point attempts and finishing with a +15 plus/minus in 32 minutes. Franz Wagner, Jamahl Mosley highlight Tristan da Silva’s confidence and growth vs. Nets Banchero was ruled out after an MRI on Thursday revealed a left groin strain, creating an opportunity for da Silva to step into the starting lineup. Wagner praised the young forward’s poise and decisiveness, noting how his confidence has quickly evolved since his rookie season. “He’s playing great, super confident off the catch – I think he’s that type of player,” Wagner said. “We need him to be aggressive, not only to shoot the ball but just being aggressive and play his game and play exactly how he did tonight and limit mistakes and play through them. You can see his potential, and I think he’s gotten a lot better already compared to his first year. Super happy for him.” Mosley echoed Wagner’s assessment, crediting da Silva’s summer experience with the German national team as a turning point in his development. “It’s just how we’ve asked him to play coming from being this year winning it with the German team,” Mosley said. “His level of confidence grew and that’s what we’ve asked him to do — not afraid of those big moments, not afraid to make plays, and that’s what we’ll continue to need from him. The swagger that he plays with, we’re gonna continue to need that from him.” Tristan da Silva highlights vs. BKN: 22 PTS 9 REB 8-14 FG 5 3PM +15 +/- pic.twitter.com/8zUFZ3DTNF — Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) November 15, 2025 Da Silva’s expanding skill set adds another dimension to Magic’s rotation © Mike Watters-Imagn Images Da Silva’s growth was evident not only in his shooting but also in his willingness to create off the dribble. The 24-year-old said expanding that part of his game has been a major focus in his second season. “That’s part of the game I’m also working on that I’m trying to expand,” da Silva said. “Obviously, I’ve shown a lot of my catch-and-shoot capabilities, but I feel like off the dribble is something that is gonna help this team even more — being able to create for myself and for others. I’m gonna keep working on that and feel like that’s gonna be something that’s gonna develop over the next couple of months and years.” With the win, the Magic improved to 7–6, moving above .500 for the first time since opening night against the Miami Heat on October 22. The team now heads on a short road trip to face the Houston Rockets (8–3) on Sunday night at 7 p.m. ET before returning to Kia Center for a three-game homestand beginning Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors (8–6). Orlando’s latest victory showcased the team’s growing depth and adaptability — and da Silva’s continued emergence has quickly become one of its early-season storylines. The post Franz Wagner, Jamahl Mosley lauds Tristan da Silva’s aggressiveness in Magic’s win over Nets appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The search for steadiness at kicker just got real in Los Angeles. After weeks of inconsistency, the Rams brought in former Missouri star Harrison “Thiccer Kicker” Mevis to push the room, a move that made sense given Joshua Karty’s 10-of-15 field goals and 23-of-26 extra points. Mevis, fresh off a 20-of-21 run with the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions and remembered for his 61-yard game-winner versus Kansas State at Mizzou, offers both big-leg range and late-game nerve in a spot where the Rams have left points on the table. Adam Schefter added the roster update ahead of Seattle: the Rams have activated “The Thicker Kicker,” Harrison Mevis, from the practice squad to the 53 for Sunday’s clash with the Seahawks. Expect him to be available against a divisional rival, where field position and three points could swing the afternoon. This isn’t just a novelty nickname story. Los Angeles has ridden a defense capable of muddying games, and a trustworthy kicker becomes a force multiplier in red-zone stalls and end-of-half sequences. Mevis’ profile, power, and poise give Sean McVay a broader fourth-down and end-game calculus, especially from the outer edges of the range, where decisions have tilted conservative in recent weeks. Seattle tends to compress the middle of the field and force offenses into long down-and-distance. If the Rams’ drives sputter at the fringe, Mevis’ presence could translate stalled momentum into actual scoreboard pressure. Conversely, any early jitters will be obvious. A single confident strike, though, can reset the tenor of a kicking room overnight. And talking about the Seahawks, Davante Adams, dealing with pain-management questions, put it plainly about his own status for the team: he’ll be the “same old G.” McVay has already signaled the six-time Pro Bowler will go, and Adams enters with 42 catches for 568 yards and a league-leading nine touchdowns, framing a red-zone tandem with the new kicker that matters as November football gets tight. If the Rams marry situational defense, a healthier skill group, and a stabilized leg, first-place conversations won’t feel theoretical for long. The post Rams make kicker roster move for Seahawks clash appeared first on ClutchPoints.