Thursday's professional sports landscape saw significant shifts in standings and individual milestones across the NBA, NHL, and NFL. High-profile stars faced both physical challenges and scoring surges during a busy night of competition.
NBA and NHL highlights
In the NBA, the Philadelphia 76ers secured a 123-112 victory over the Toronto Raptors. Tyrese Maxey led the way with 27 points, while Joel Embiid contributed 20. Embiid caused a brief moment of concern when he fell to the court after a collision, but he was able to return to the game. The Raptors struggled despite a 31-point performance from RJ Barrett.
In the NHL, several teams saw dramatic shifts:
- The Minnesota Wild defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2, fueled by a Matt Boldy hat trick.
- The Montreal Canadiens climbed the Atlantic Division standings with a 5-2 win over the Boston Bruins.
- The Ottawa Senators beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-3 in overtime, though Colorado lost stars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar to lower-body injuries.
- The Florida Panthers overcame a three-goal deficit to beat the Detroit Red Wings 5-4.
What to watch for in college athletics?
College football and basketball fans face a massive slate of games this weekend. The Georgia Bulldogs, currently ranked #1 in the College Football Playoff rankings, are set to host #22 Missouri on Saturday.
In men's college basketball, a heavy schedule is set for Friday evening. Notable matchups include:
- Georgia versus North Carolina at 7 p.m. ET.
- UConn against Ohio State at 7:30 p.m. ET.
- Duke facing SIU Edwardsville at 8 p.m. ET.
FAQ
Who won the MLB MVP awards?
Yordan Alvarez of the Astros won the American League MVP, while Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Cubs took the National League honors.
How did the Commanders perform in the NFL?
The Washington Commanders defeated the New York Giants 24-21 during Thursday Night Football at the Meadowlands.
