Le Journal

The Charlotte Hornets are set to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, as the team hopes to earn its fifth win of the season. Unfortunately, it appears Charlotte will be without point guard LaMelo Ball in this matchup. Ball, who is 24 years old, is officially ruled out due to an ankle injury, according to the NBA’s official injury report. However, the good news is that the injury does not appear to be serious, as the Hornets are categorizing his absence as “Injury Management.” Saturday’s game is the second of a back-to-back for the Hornets. Friday’s contest resulted in a 147-134 overtime loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. So, it’s not too shocking that Charlotte plans to sit LaMelo Ball against the Thunder, as he’ll be given a little break over the weekend. Ball has played in seven of the available 11 games so far in the 2025-26 campaign. When healthy, he’s proven to be one of the more reliable producers for the Hornets. This season, the former Rookie of the Year is averaging 22.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 9.9 assists per game while owning a 41.9% field goal percentage and shooting 33.3% from beyond the three-point line. That is a ton of production that the Hornets are going to miss on Saturday. With LaMelo Ball out of the lineup, the team will likely turn to Tre Mann and Collin Sexton to run the point guard position. However, Ball’s absence does create an opportunity for 2025 rookie Kon Knueppel to step up in a big way for his team early in the season. The post Why Hornets guard LaMelo Ball isn’t playing vs. Thunder appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Indiana Hoosiers football team reached uncharted territory Saturday afternoon, defeating the Wisconsin Badgers 31-7 to move to 11-0 for the first time in program history. The victory capped one of college football’s most remarkable turnarounds under head coach Curt Cignetti, as the No. 2-ranked Hoosiers maintained their perfect season heading into a late-season bye before closing the regular season against the Purdue Boilermakers. The Big Ten Network captured Cignetti’s post-game reaction on X (formerly known as Twitter), where his witty response to a question about the 11-0 milestone quickly went viral after the win over Wisconsin. “That means we’ve won one more than we did last year when we were undefeated.” Q: What does it mean to be 11-0 for the first time in @IndianaFootball history? Cignetti: "That means we've won one more than we did last year when we were undefeated." pic.twitter.com/AZCuZz2lRd — Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 15, 2025 The quip reflects Cignetti’s no-nonsense, steady approach that has defined Indiana football’s rise. His comment humorously references last season, when the Hoosiers began 10-0 before suffering their first loss in Week 11. This year’s team has officially gone one step further — cementing its place in program history with an 11-0 record. On the field, the Hoosiers were dominant. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza strengthened his Heisman campaign, completing 22-of-24 passes for 299 yards and four touchdowns. Indiana’s defense controlled the second half completely, holding Wisconsin to just 23 total yards after halftime and 168 for the game while forcing eight tackles for loss. The victory marked another defining moment for the Hoosiers football program, which has emerged as a true Big Ten and College Football Playoff contender under its 64-year-old head coach. In his second full season at the helm, Cignetti’s leadership — built on discipline, consistency, and a touch of humor — has propelled Indiana to unprecedented heights. As the Hoosiers turn their focus to the season finale, Cignetti’s deadpan one-liner now stands as a perfect reflection of this team’s evolution — confident, composed, and relentlessly focused on finishing what they started. The post Indiana football HC Curt Cignetti’s funny take as Hoosiers move to 11-0 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Sunday’s divisional clash between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks might not be for all the marbles, but it’s certainly for a lot of them. Both teams are currently 7-2. A win would propel one of them to the top spot in the NFC West. For a Rams team that has only lost to fellow NFC heavyweights in the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers, some in the league feel that head coach Sean McVay has a chance to take this roster all the way. According to the Athletic’s Dianna Russini, one rival team source thinks Los Angeles can return to the Super Bowl. “‘The Rams are primed for a Super Bowl,’ one high-ranking AFC source said,” wrote Russini. “But so are the Seahawks. That’s why Sunday’s meeting might be the biggest game of the season so far.” Heading into Sunday’s tilt, this Rams roster might be the deepest one McVay has possessed since taking the franchise to the Super Bowl following the 2021 season. Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford is in the midst of one of the best seasons in his career. Wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams help Stafford lead an explosive passing attack. If Los Angeles can topple Seattle at home Sunday, will a Super Bowl run follow? Rams looking to clinch first Super Bowl appearance since 2021 Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images The Rams take on the Seahawks two more times this season, including Sunday’s pivotal matchup. After the Seattle matchup, LA’s schedule doesn’t lighten up too much. The NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit SoFi Stadium the following week, having already toppled both the Seahawks and 49ers this year. A home game against another division leader, the Detroit Lions, is later in the season, plus the Seattle rematch on the road. McVay will need to continue his masterful playcalling. Stafford, Nacua, Adams, and running back Kyren Williams will also need to continue their strong seasons so far. If all of those elements, plus a resurgent defense, can help the Rams continue their excellent start, then a trip to the NFL’s biggest Super Bowl yet will seem more possible than ever. The post Rams get bold Super Bowl declaration appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The fantasy football quarterback scene has only gotten more complicated ahead of Week 11 of the 2025 NFL season. Although only two teams are on bye — the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints — several managers will be without their go-to options. The Colts being on bye removes Daniel Jones from fantasy football lineups, but he only headlines the laundry list of inactives. The Washington Commanders’ Jayden Daniels tops the weekly injury list, with Jaxson Dart, C.J. Stroud and Kyler Murray also out of commission. Brock Purdy has been a staple of the injury report, but he is finally returning in Week 12. His return allows him to return to fantasy lineups, while simultaneously removing Mac Jones. As chaos continues to ensue, managers had a lot to contemplate early in Week 11. Those who are struggling with absences and potentially missed out on adding fantasy football legend Jameis Winston still have a few viable options to rely on in Week 11 of the 2025 NFL season. J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images J.J. McCarthy should not be a streaming option, but he is only owned in slightly more than half of fantasy football leagues. Thus, the budding star should be available for many managers scrambling for a last-minute starting option. McCarthy receives a lot of criticism, but he has been a successful fantasy football quarterback in his first full year in the league. The passing numbers might not be there, but the 22-year-old’s efficiency and ground game have led to 19 or more fantasy points in two of his first four starts. Coming off a solid Week 10 performance against the Baltimore Ravens, in which he recorded a career-high 248 passing yards, McCarthy now draws a matchup with the Chicago Bears, who got lit up by Jaxson Dart in Week 11 before he left with a concussion. McCarthy is not as much of a dual threat as Dart is, but the Bears have struggled to contain mobile quarterbacks out of the pocket all season. McCarthy enters Week 11 averaging 16.6 fantasy points per game on the year against a Bears defense allowing 20.7 fantasy football points per game to quarterbacks. Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images If there will ever be a time Geno Smith will be usable in fantasy football, it will come in Week 11. Smith leads the Raiders against the Dallas Cowboys, who have been the worst defense against quarterbacks all season. The Cowboys are coming off a bye, but they were lit up by Jacoby Brissett in Week 10, who threw for 261 passing yards and two touchdowns against them. Dallas’ defense also made Bryce Young, Russell Wilson and Jordan Love look like fantasy football stars earlier in the year. The Cowboys’ struggling defense should get healthier after the bye, but it will not matter. Jalen Hurts is the only quarterback to face Dallas this season and not record either 225 passing yards or three touchdowns. Two weeks after a four-touchdown performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Smith should be able to be a top-15 fantasy quarterback in Week 11, even if he adds to his growing interception count. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins Brett Davis-Imagn Images The Miami Dolphins might just be back. There is no doubting their rough start to the year, but the ‘Fins enter Week 12 after going 2-1 in their last three games. Tua Tagovailoa‘s numbers have not exactly lifted with their recent success, but Week 12 could mark his official coming-out party. Coming off a big win over the Buffalo Bills, the Dolphins are presented with an excellent opportunity to build their first win streak of the year against the reeling Washington Commanders. The Commanders enter the matchup on a five-game skid and have been the second-worst defense against quarterbacks all season. Washington has already been allowing the most passing yards in the league, an issue that has only worsened with recent injuries to top cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Trey Amos. The Commanders’ defensive game plan might shift without Lattimore…

On Saturday, former LA Rams DT Aaron Donald made his return to his alma mater at Pittsburgh. Not just to take in the game against Notre Dame, but to soak in seeing his No.97 jersey retired, per ACC Network. While there, he seemed to embrace his family as a framed jersey was given to him, and he hoisted it to the crowd. Pittsburgh officially retires Aaron Donald’s No. 97 jersey (via @accnetwork)pic.twitter.com/pBtU1819ag — ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 15, 2025 Over the course of 10 seasons, Donald left quite an impression on the NFL. Overall, he accumulated an average of 111.0 sacks, 24 forced fumbles, and seven fumble recoveries. Additionally, Donald was a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Also, he played a key role in the Rams’ winning Super Bowl LVI over the Cincinnati Bengals. Along the way, Donald achieved some other notable feats. He was a nine-time Pro-Bowler and received seven First-Team selections. In 2024, Donald decided to retire from football. Currently, Donald is enjoying the fullest extent of his retirement. He is spending time with his family, pursuing business and acting ventures, still working out, and is involved in the Los Angeles community. For all he has achieved in the NFL, it was what he did at Pittsburgh that made him into what he is today. Aaron Donald will forever be part of Pittsburgh football lore. In his years at Pittsburgh, Donald became one of the most dominant players in program history. His accolades speak for themselves. In his senior year of 2013, Donald won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, and Outland Trophy. Also, he was an unanimous All-American and was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Donald set a record for the most tackles for a loss by an interior defender with 66. Earlier this year, Donald was inducted into the Pittsburgh Athletics Hall of Fame. Additionally, he donated $1 million to the Pitt Football Championship Fund in 2019, which was renamed the first-floor facility after him. The post Aaron Donald’s heartfelt moment amid jersey retirement appeared first on ClutchPoints.