Good morning. In the Ducks’ first game in their Hometown Remix jerseys, Cutter Gauthier scored three more goals. That’s three hat tricks in five games, and no NHL player had done that since 1993. The Ducks have won five straight. The Rams got Myles Garrett back, and he had three sacks in a 20-13 win at Washington that put them above .500 for the first time this season. Austin Reaves scored 43 with Luka Dončić out, and the Lakers won their fifth straight. The Clippers ended their seven-game losing streak, the Golden Knights finished their road trip 3-0-1, and JuJu Watkins had 32 points and 16 rebounds in USC’s home opener. The Chargers lost at home to Houston and are 0-8. Tonight, the Lakers are in Atlanta and Hawaii plays for the Rainbow Classic title. Let’s get into it.
🚨 HEADLINES
🏒 Three in five. Gauthier’s latest hat trick led the Ducks past Pittsburgh 5-2 for their fifth straight win — Zach Cavanagh at Honda Center.
🏈 “I am that closer.” Garrett had three sacks in his return, and the Rams beat Washington 20-13 — Eric Lambkins II at Northwest Stadium.
🏀 43 for A.R. With Dončić out, Reaves led the Lakers past Detroit 121-116 — Carlos Yakimowich at Little Caesars Arena.
🏈 0-8. Herbert was sacked eight times, and Houston beat the Chargers 44-22 — Fredo Cervantes at SoFi Stadium.
🏀 Streak over. The Clippers’ bench scored 59 in a 139-123 win over New Orleans — Grant Mona at Intuit Dome.
🏀 32 and 16. JuJu Watkins led No. 3 USC past Utah State 118-40 in its home opener — The Sporting Tribune at Galen Center.
See what else is trending at The Sporting Tribune.
📋 SCOREBOARD — SUNDAY
🏈 NFL: Rams 20, Commanders 13 · Texans 44, Chargers 22 · 49ers 38, Raiders 17
🏀 NBA: Lakers 121, Pistons 116 · Clippers 139, Pelicans 123
🏒 NHL: Ducks 5, Penguins 2 · Golden Knights 4, Sabres 1
🏀 MBB: USC 93, Wichita State 86 · Hawaii 71, UT Arlington 62 · WBB: USC 118, Utah State 40 · San Diego State 65, UTSA 56
🏒 HOTTER THAN A FIRECRACKER
The Ducks wore their Hometown Remix jerseys for the first time Sunday, and Cutter Gauthier picked up where he left off. He scored on the power play with a no-look shot through the goalie’s legs, added an even-strength goal in the second period and finished it with an empty-netter. It was his third hat trick in five games, and Zach Cavanagh writes that no NHL player had done that since 1993. The Ducks beat Pittsburgh 5-2.
Gauthier has 13 goals in a six-game goal streak and leads the NHL with 15. He tied the franchise record for hat tricks in a season, and he is the fastest Duck to five multigoal games, in 17 games. “He’s got magic touch,” Joel Quenneville said. “He’s hotter than a firecracker.” Gauthier was more modest. “Obviously on a high right now, so pretty speechless, but I’m very happy we were able to get the win,” he said.
The Ducks have scored five or more in eight straight games, the eighth NHL team ever to do it, and their power play has scored on half its chances, 17 of 34, over the last six games. Mikael Granlund had a power-play goal and assists on Gauthier’s goals, and Laurent Brossoit made 31 saves to improve to 4-0 since his recall. The Ducks are 10-7-1, have won five straight and host Nashville on Wednesday.
GO DEEPER
› Zach Cavanagh: Gauthier nets 3rd hat trick in 5 games, as Ducks remix Penguins (The Sporting Tribune)
› TST Images: Penguins at Ducks (The Sporting Tribune)
› Ducks’ Hometown Remix jersey debut (The Sporting Tribune)
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🏈 A GOOD SUNDAY AND TWO BAD ONES
Garrett was worth the wait. In his first game since Week 1, he played 35 snaps and had three sacks, including a strip-sack of Jayden Daniels and one late in a close game. Eric Lambkins II writes that with Garrett and Aaron Donald on the field together, Washington averaged 5.0 yards a play; without them, 8.0. “Felt rusty as hell in the first half,” Garrett said. “I am that closer.” Puka Nacua had 14 catches for 150 yards, the first Ram to reach both marks in a game since 2012, but left on his last play with a knee injury and has an MRI today. The Rams are 5-4 and have won three straight.
The Chargers are 0-8. Houston won 44-22 at SoFi Stadium, and Justin Herbert was sacked a career-high eight times, the most for a Chargers quarterback since Dan Fouts in 1976. Fredo Cervantes writes that the offense went 37 straight drives without a touchdown before Quentin Johnston scored in the fourth quarter. Herbert then left with a left ring finger injury. “Could be a fracture,” Jim Harbaugh said. “We’ll find out.” The Chargers are the NFL’s only winless team, and they play at Baltimore on Monday Night Football next week.
The Raiders gave it away. Kirk Cousins threw three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown on the first play of the second half, and the Raiders turned it over five times after halftime in a 38-17 loss in San Francisco. Derek Hegna writes that they have allowed 30 or more points in six straight games. “We’ll look at the film, and we’ll make our decisions when we have cool heads,” Klint Kubiak said. Seattle visits Allegiant Stadium on Sunday.
GO DEEPER
› Eric Lambkins II: Garrett’s three sacks inject life in the 20-13 Rams win over Washington (The Sporting Tribune)
› Fredo Cervantes: Chargers fall to 0-8 after embarrassing loss to Texans (The Sporting Tribune)
› TST Images: Texans at Chargers (The Sporting Tribune)
› Derek Hegna: Blunders on the Bay: Raiders cough up too many chances against 49ers (The Sporting Tribune)
🏀 NO LUKA, NO PROBLEM
Reaves carried the Lakers in Detroit. With Dončić out with lower back tightness, Austin Reaves scored a season-high 43 on 14-of-27 shooting, made all 11 of his free throws and hit an off-balance 3 with 46 seconds left. The Lakers led by 26, Detroit got within one, and the Lakers held on 121-116. Collin Sexton and Ziaire Williams each scored off the bench, and Walker Kessler had 12 points and 16 rebounds. The Lakers are 9-2, have won five straight and are 2-0 without Dončić. Eric Lambkins II notes that Detroit reportedly planned to draft Reaves in 2021 before he signed with the Lakers. “We set the tone from the very beginning,” Reaves said.
The Clippers finally closed one. Their bench scored 59, and they beat New Orleans 139-123 to end a seven-game losing streak. Grant Mona writes that they set season highs in points and shooting (54.8%) and a season low with 11 turnovers. Darius Garland had 24 points and 10 assists. “It was good to get over the hump,” he said. The Clippers are 2-7 and play at Phoenix on Tuesday.
The Golden Knights finished their trip strong. Mitch Marner scored shorthanded, Jack Eichel scored 86 seconds later, and Tomas Hertl scored twice in the third of a 4-1 win at Buffalo. Vegas took seven of eight points on the trip and is second in the Pacific, one point behind Edmonton. Marner’s assist was his 100th point as a Golden Knight, the fastest anyone has reached that mark for the franchise. Noah Hanifin left after a hit into the boards.
GO DEEPER
› Carlos Yakimowich: Lakers hold off Pistons behind Austin Reaves’ 43 with Luka Dončić out (The Sporting Tribune)
› Eric Lambkins II: The Luka-less Lakers do the impossible in Detroit (The Sporting Tribune)
› Grant Mona: The Clippers finally closed one out, and the bench is the reason why (The Sporting Tribune)
› Steve Carp: Knights finish successful road trip with 4-1 win over Sabres (The Sporting Tribune)
🍔 THE DEALS BOARD
Active today across Southern California — brought to you by Ike’s Sandwiches, home of the world famous Arash Markazi sandwich, which has fried chicken, purple slaw, wasabi mayo, honey mustard, and cheddar on a Dutch Crunch roll. Just ask for the 500 at any Ike’s location.
🥞 McDonald’s — $2 Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddles after the Ducks’ home win. In the McDonald’s app, breakfast hours only.
🌮 Jack in the Box — two free tacos with any drink after the Lakers’ win in Detroit. Code LETSGOLAKERS in the Jack app or online.
🥪 Firehouse Subs — buy a medium sub, chips and drink, get a medium sub free, after Cameron Dicker’s 43-yard field goal. Activate it in the Offers tab of the Firehouse app; select LA-area stores. Through Wednesday.
🏟️ TWO GAMES, ONE MONDAY
Lakers at Hawks at 4 on Spectrum SportsNet, the second night of a back-to-back.
Portland at Hawaii at 9 on MW+, for the Rainbow Classic title. Both teams are unbeaten, and Hawaii (3-0) is going for its third straight Rainbow Classic championship.
📌 AROUND THE MARKETS
JuJu’s home opener. In her first game back at Galen Center, JuJu Watkins had 32 points, a career-high 16 rebounds, six assists and five steals in 27 minutes, and No. 3 USC beat Utah State 118-40, the second-largest margin in program history. Saniyah Hall added 20. College of Charleston visits Tuesday.
USC’s men survived in Lake Tahoe. Rodney Rice scored a career-high 32 and Alijah Arenas a career-high 30 in a 93-86 win over Wichita State, even though USC made 2 of 14 3-pointers. They made 37 of 42 free throws. USC (2-0) plays at Cal on Wednesday.
Also: San Diego State’s women led UTSA 37-14 at halftime and held on 65-56 for their 16th straight home win, one short of the program record. Hawaii’s men beat UT Arlington 71-62 behind Zack Davidson’s 21. And Alycia Baumgardner won a unanimous decision over Elif Nur Turhan to become a two-division champion. “And baby, I’m a two-time world champ,” she said.
GO DEEPER
› JuJu Watkins dominates as No. 3 USC routs Utah State in home opener (The Sporting Tribune)
› Holdenn Graff: USC survives Wichita State in Lake Tahoe Classic (The Sporting Tribune)
› Eric Evelhoch: Aztecs build big early lead, survive rough third quarter to beat UTSA (The Sporting Tribune)
› Zack Davidson leads Hawaii past UT Arlington (The Sporting Tribune)
› Michael Huezo: Alycia Baumgardner dominates Elif Nur Turhan to become two-division champion (The Sporting Tribune)
📺 WATCHLIST — MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9
🏀 NBA: Lakers at Hawks — State Farm Arena — 4:00 p.m. — Spectrum SportsNet
🏀 MBB: Portland at Hawaii — Stan Sheriff Center — 9:00 p.m. — MW+
🎟️ GOING TO A GAME?
Get-in prices across Southern California, Las Vegas and Hawaii — brought to you by TickPick, the no-hidden-fee ticket marketplace.
🏀 College of Charleston at USC (WBB, Tue.) — Galen Center — $15
🏒 Predators at Ducks (Wed.) — Honda Center — $29
🏒 Utah Mammoth at Golden Knights (Wed.) — T-Mobile Arena — $72
🌴 TST TRIVIA
Puka Nacua’s 14 catches for 150 yards made him the first Ram since 2012 to reach both marks in a game. Who did it in 2012?
Answer at the bottom.
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Trivia answer: Danny Amendola.
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