Notebook: Rockets 105, Pistons 96

Nathan MacKinnon’s incredible hockey career can be divided into phases: The rise to No. 1 pick phenom. The early NHL plateau. And then a step forward to star and champion. We have now entered Phase 4 of MacKinnon’s career, where he is an unstoppable force of nature and building a legacy that could make him one of the all-time greats.

The most compelling possible 1-on-1 matchup to decide an NBA game transpired on the third night of 2025. Nikola Jokic holding the basketball at the free-throw line. Victor Wembanyama defended the basket and protected a one-point lead. Nine years of age separated the generational centers as Jokic tried to get to his patented shot, the Sombor Shuffle, on Friday night in Denver.

Watching a player writhe in pain might have been the best thing for the Avs’ mental health. Thursday night, goalie Scott Wedgewood fell awkwardly onto Sabres forward Zach Benson, who was pushed into the net. With Wedgewood in agony, the officials refused to stop play as the puck trickled toward the corner. Coach Jared Bednar blew a gasket.

Chiefs (15-1) at Broncos (9-7) When: Sunday, 2:25 p.m. MT Where: Empower Field at Mile High Radio/TV: 850 AM, 94.1 FM/CBS Broncos-Chiefs series: Denver is 55-73 in 128 regular-season games dating back to 1960; the Broncos lost 16-14 in the last meeting, on Nov. 10 on the road, and have dropped eight of the last nine games against Kansas City. In the spotlight: Broncos prepare for Chiefs backup QB Carson Wentz The Broncos don’t care if Carson Wentz has fallen from grace.

If it wasn’t already clear, Nikola Jokic vs. Victor Wembanyama will remain appointment viewing for the duration of Jokic’s prime. Wembanyama went for 35 points and 18 rebounds as the Spurs won a 113-110 thriller over the Nuggets on Friday night at Ball Arena. The European bigs will run it back on Saturday in San Antonio to complete a back-to-back. Michael Malone took a timeout with 17 seconds to go, down one, to let Jokic go to work against Wembanyama, but San Antonio sent a late double-team, and Jokic turned the ball over trying to find an open Michael Porter Jr.

Vance Joseph was honest. When Dondrea Tillman arrived at Broncos’ training camp in July, the defensive coordinator didn’t know what to expect from the 26-year-old outside linebacker the team had signed out of the United Football League. Tillman, at 6-foot-3 and weighing 270 pounds, has all the physical traits a team would look for in a pass rusher.