Sports
Rockets, Spurs battle again as rivalry intensifies
Oct 26, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) drives in against San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) in the first half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images The rivalry between the youthful players for the Spurs and the Rockets is for real, and the fire will be stoked when the teams square off on Monday as San Antonio hosts Houston for the second time in three nights.
Separated by just 193 miles, there has always been a rivalry between the teams, but the majority of the history has been lost on the current players, especially since neither team has been in the playoffs since the 2019-20 season. Houston just missed the postseason last year but the Spurs weren’t close and are on a five-year stint without a berth in the playoffs.
There has been an indication that the rivalry has been renewed as both teams fight for respectability. San Antonio guard Jeremy Sochan added fuel to the fire when he told a reporter “(expletive) Houston!” in a press availability prior to Saturday’s game.
The boost in intensity was illustrated in the Spurs’ 109-106 win over Houston on Saturday when San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama and the Rockets’ Dillon Brooks battled for a loose ball in the third quarter and scuffled as the teams gathered around for a grab and hold session when neither would let go.
“We know (the Rockets) are gonna come back, they’re gonna be hungry, they’re gonna be ready to play,” San Antonio’s Keldon Johnson said. “We got to come in and try to repeat and get another win.”
Wembanyama scored 29 points and rookie Stephon Castle hit a key free throw with 7.2 seconds to play to allow the Spurs to hold on Saturday. San Antonio broke open a close game by outscoring the Rockets 20-3 over the final 9 1/2 minutes of the second quarter and carried a 21-point advantage into halftime.
The Spurs still led by 18 heading to the fourth but had to weather a torrid Houston comeback that cut the advantage to just two points after Brooks’ layup with 1:24 to play to set up the furious finish.
Sochan added 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Spurs, who evened their season record through two games. Johnson scored 16 points off the bench, Julian Champagnie hit for 12 and Harrison Barnes tallied 11 for San Antonio.
Jalen Green scored 11 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter to spark the Rockets’ comeback and drew the back of the rim on a final 3-point attempt to tie the game in the final seconds. Fred VanVleet added 18, Brooks poured in 16, Jock Landale had 13 and Cam Whitmore scored 10 points for Houston, which was playing a night after beating Memphis at home.
“This is two games in a row we haven’t guarded at all to start the game,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “Once we decided to get physical and be aggressive and start to play like we’re capable of, it became a game. We had our chances at the end as well.”
The Spurs and Rockets will also play Nov. 6 in Houston. The Rockets will host the teams’ final regular-season meeting Feb. 26.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Orlando City SC sign homegrown D Bernardo Rhein
Nov 24, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; The Orlando City logo is seen prior to a match against Atlanta United in a 2024 MLS Cup conference semifinal match at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Orlando City SC signed homegrown defender Bernardo Rhein to a first-team contract through the 2027-28 season.
The deal includes team options for the 2028-29 and 2029-30 campaigns.
“Bernardo has earned this opportunity through his dedication, consistency and the progress he’s shown at every stage of our development pathway,” said Orlando City general manager Ricardo Moreira.
“Having started in futsal, Bernardo brings flair and intensity to our backline. From the Academy to OCB and now the First Team, he has embraced every challenge and continued to grow as a player and as a person. This signing reflects our commitment to developing talent from within, and we’re excited to support Bernardo as he takes the next step in his career with the Club.”
The 18-year-old made his MLS debut on April 22, 2026, against Charlotte FC. He becomes the 19th Orlando City Academy product to advance through the full development pathway.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Jerry Kelly ties Cameron Percy atop Senior Open leaderboard
Jerry Kelly drives on hole No. 4 during the Kaulig Companies PGA Championship Final Round, July 12, 2026, at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. With a 2-under par third round, Jerry Kelly tied Cameron Percy atop the leaderboard of the ISPS Handa Senior Open in Perth, Scotland on Saturday.
For Kelly, it was his second straight round of 2-under par 68 en route to being at 8-under 202 through three rounds. Meanwhile, Percy had his roughest afternoon of the week with a 1-over 71. The Australian started the event red hot with a 7-under 63.
Peter Baker (67, 5-under 205) and South Africa’s Darren Fichardt (68, 4-under) resided in third and fourth place, respectively. Pat Perez (67), South African Ernie Els (71) and Austria’s Markus Brier are all tied for fifth at three-under par.
Despite his position, Kelly, 59, remains focused on the round ahead of him.
“Yeah, we scoreboard watch, but it’s still Saturday,” he said. “So, there’s no real emotions going on for that scoreboard. Just want to position yourself for tomorrow and you want to get the job done tomorrow and that’s the key.”
Nevertheless, he recognized how meaningful it would be to win a Senior Open Championship.
“Yeah, that would be one of the most special things at this stage of my career. Like any player, I might treasure that above all else.”
Tim Petrovic was the round leader, shooting a 4-under that vaulted him 46 spots up the leaderboard into a tie for 16th place.
Clark Dennis had a strong showing, as well. His 67 shot him up 21 spots to a tie for eighth place.
Charles Schwab Cup leader Stewart Cink (70) is tied for 31st at 3-over 213.
–Field Level Media
Sports
With 318th homer, Royals' Salvador Perez sets club mark
Jul 25, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) receives receives congratulations from teammates after he hits a home run in the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images Salvador Perez, who hit the first home run of his career at Comerica Park in Detroit in 2011, set the Kansas City Royals’ all-time record with No. 318 on Saturday at the same venue.
In the Royals’ 3-2 win over the Tigers, Perez tied the game at 2 in the seventh inning with a 401-foot solo shot to left off right-handed reliever Kyle Finnegan.
Perez’s blast broke a tie with Hall of Famer George Brett, who hit 317 homers for Kansas City from 1973-93. Like Brett, Perez has played his entire career with the Royals since debuting in 2011.
The 36-year-old is batting .210 with 15 homers and 44 RBIs in 98 games this season. He is a nine-time All-Star and a five-time Gold Glove catcher.
In 1,805 games with Kansas City, Perez has hit .261 with 748 runs and 1,060 RBIs.
–Field Level Media
Orlando City SC sign homegrown D Bernardo Rhein
Jerry Kelly ties Cameron Percy atop Senior Open leaderboard
