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  • Good vibes from the Flyers after an impressive win: Defense looks deep and offense shows balance

    Good vibes from the Flyers after an impressive win: Defense looks deep and offense shows balance

    How quickly things can change across an 82-game season.

    If the Flyers had lost on Saturday, it would have been their fourth in six games. Instead, a quick spurt of goals that started a cascade led to a 6-3 win against the New Jersey Devils, and now they have won three of four.

    This time last year, the Flyers were 8-10-2, and two seasons ago, when they came close to a playoff spot, the Flyers were 10-9-1 through 20 games.

    At the 20-game mark this season, the Flyers are 11-6-3 and sit in a playoff spot in a supertight Eastern Conference.

    Here are seven things we learned Saturday that the Flyers can carry through the next 20 games.

    Flyers right wing Tyson Foerster (center) celebrates his second goal with Travis Konecny (left) and Noah Cates.

    This team can score goals

    It’s been a slow process as the team learns coach Rick Tocchet’s offensive systems, but it has been building. Entering the night, the Flyers were ranked 29th in the NHL in goals per game (2.63). However, in the last five games, including Saturday night, they rank 12th with an average of 3.20 goals. And against New Jersey, they set a franchise record with three goals in 26 seconds.

    “To get one, and get the building into it, obviously a couple of quick [goals] after that was awesome,” said Noah Cates, who tied the score at 1 and scored the first of four Flyers’ goals in 3 minutes, 32 seconds. “Just keeping our foot on the gas and getting pucks out and being predictable early is kind of what we’re preaching right now, and we’ve just got to keep it up.”

    Added Sean Couturier: “Obviously, if we get more shots on net, the odds should be a little more in our favor. But I think it’s more than that. Today, we forechecked pretty well. We created turnovers, and that’s hard to defend for any team. So off of that, we can create some offense, get some shots, and at the same time, when we had our chances, we capitalized.”

    Drysdale impresses Tocchet

    He is always known as an offensive defenseman, but Jamie Drysdale’s defensive game continues to grow and impress. The second pairing of Drysdale and Emil Andrae was not on the ice together for any goals by the Flyers, but they were also not on the ice for any against.

    According to Natural Stat Trick, they skated together for 14 minutes, 6 seconds across all strengths, and allowed 12 shot attempts, including six shots, and six scoring chances. And in the third period, Drysdale combined with Cates to help keep a loose puck in the crease out of the net after a weird carom off the boards took goalie Dan Vladař out of the play.

    “Thought Drysdale was our best player tonight. … For defending, he was our best defender by far,” Tocchet said. “I thought Andrae, too. Andrae is not scared of going into corners. I thought those two guys were really defending hard.”

    Flyers defenseman Egor Zamula shoots the puck against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.

    Flyers have depth on defense

    Skating in his first game since Nov. 1, Egor Zamula admitted he was “kind of nervous” on his first shift. Makes sense considering he had played in only eight of the Flyers’ first 19 games.

    But the blueliner put on an impressive show, skating alongside his old partner Nick Seeler and finishing at plus-5. Although they hadn’t played together this season, across the last three seasons, Zamula played the second-most minutes with Seeler (246:46).

    The duo of Jamie Drysdale and Emil Andrae is bolstering the Flyers’ defense

    Seeing the Russian slide back into the lineup seamlessly — and showing versatility — is a good sign for the depth on defense.

    The top pair of Cam York and Travis Sanheim continues to drive the defense. Noah Juulsen, who sat for the first time this season, has been a steady presence on the third pair, and the Flyers also have Rasmus Ristolainen inching closer to a return from injury.

    First blood

    Once again, the opposition got on the board first when Timo Meier scored on a wacky sequence during a power play. But, as Tyson Foerster said, “It isn’t great, but we bounced back.”

    Indeed. It’s never ideal to fall behind early in games. However, maybe for the Flyers it is. They lead the NHL with eight wins — a reminder, they have 11 total wins on the season — when trailing first.

    Balanced offense

    Against the St. Louis Blues a week ago, the Flyers won, 6-5, in a shootout, but got all the scoring in regulation from one line. On Saturday night, three of the four lines got on the board.

    The uptick comes after the Cates, Foerster, and Bobby Brink line was broken up. Cates and Foerster are still together, but now have Travis Konecny on the right wing. They combined for three goals against New Jersey, with Foerster getting a pair.

    Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar watches the puck with defenseman Jamie Drysdale and defenseman Travis Sanheim against the New Jersey Devils.

    Brink was moved alongside Matvei Michkov and Couturier, and the Minnesotan scored after receiving a pass from the captain — who kept the puck away from two defenders — in the second period. In the first period, it was Couturier feeding Michkov for a breakaway after the Russian winger read the play properly and sprinted ahead.

    “What I like is he backchecked, he was in a good position, and once he saw we got full puck possession, he just took off, which is what we want,” Couturier said of the goal that started the 26-second, record-breaking frenzy. “When you have a guy like that, that you can send alone on a goalie, I like our odds.”

    The line of Owen Tippett, Trevor Zegras, and Christian Dvorak was on the ice for one Devils goal but made up for it in the third period with Zegras getting on the board. Zegras now has 21 points in 20 games.

    And while the fourth line of Rodrigo Ābols, Garnet Hathaway, and Nic Deslauriers didn’t score, they played a role in keeping the energy up.

    “Every time they’re out there, they’re creating momentum,” Couturier said. “They’re three big boys that can shoot the puck in and lay the body; I’m sure it gets tiring for defenders on the other team. So, yeah, even if they don’t score, they bring a lot and help us along the way with the momentum swings.”

    Added Tocchet: “I thought the [Ābols] line again, I thought Abs had a good game. … I thought he forechecked well and held onto some pucks. It’s nice when you can get some minutes to those guys. But, yeah, balanced offense was great.”

    Vladař is No. 1

    Tocchet did say recently that he thought his team backed in more with Sam Ersson in net, which saw him face harder shots, leading to a lower save percentage. The backing in did occur, with less frequency, with Vladař in net, but it has stopped for now — as noted by the rush chances and strong transition game the Flyers had on Saturday. Regardless, it’s clear that the net is Vladař‘s for now.

    Among goalies with at least 10 games this season, Vladař ranks No. 4 in goals-against average (2.42) and save percentage (. 912). He is 8-4-1 in 13 games, with 10 of those showcasing a save percentage above .900.

    Flyers left wing Noah Cates in action against the New Jersey Devils.

    According to Natural Stat Trick, he stopped all 14 low-danger shots he saw from the Devils, nine of 10 mid-danger, and six of eight high-danger. He came up huge in the third period as New Jersey was pressing, stopping Meier off a cross-crease pass on a two-on-one and robbing Nico Hischier between his pair of goals when the Devils captain had two big chances while shorthanded.

    One loud arena

    In front of a sellout crowd at Xfinity Mobile Arena, the Flyers brought the entertainment. Was it the loudest Foerster has heard? “Yeah, and when Anaheim came to town,” he said with a big grin. That game saw former Flyers prospect Cutter Gauthier make his debut in Philly.

    A former Flyers forward, Tocchet also heard the fans loud and clear.

    “I’ve lived it here, this crowd. When they get something to cheer about, it’s loud. … They’re a big part of it,” Tocchet said. “So, we’ve got to continue to push the envelope to get these guys on our side, because they want to believe in our team and that starts on the ice with us.”

  • Philadelphia Marathon champions include Connecticut woman and South African man

    Philadelphia Marathon champions include Connecticut woman and South African man

    Anna Oeser of Brookfield, Conn., came a long way to capture the 32nd annual American Association for Cancer Research Philadelphia Marathon on Sunday in her first race at that distance.

    Melikhaya Frans came much farther. The 35-year-old from Gqeberha, South Africa, won the men’s race, crossing the finish line at Eakins Oval in 2 hours, 13 minutes, 57.74 seconds.

    Frans had been neck-and-neck with Kenyan runners Elisha Barno (2:15.07.97) and Milton Rotich (2:15.34.21) of the majority of the race, but pulled away during the last few miles. Barno finished second and Rotich third.

    “I was so excited because I was supposed to run Cape Town last month, so to come here and win the race, it means a lot to me,” Frans said. “Our hard work [was spent] training there in South Africa. I would like to say thank you to my team, for making this possible, for me to come here. … I’m so happy to win it.

    The first of.some 17,000 runners head out on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at the start of the annual Philadelphia Marathon.

    “I know at home who is watching. My coach is watching, the team is watching. I know [my coach] is crying at the moment. I know when I crossed that line, I know he’s got tears, so I did this for my team at home.”

    It was a picture-perfect day for the 17,000 runners who competed, with conditions at 33 degrees at the race’s start, warming to 38 by the time people crossed the finish line.

    The day began for the runners at 7 a.m. near City Hall, the first milestone they’d see on the 26.2-mile route that featured Center City, the Schuylkill, University City, and the ending alongside the Art Museum.

    “I can say Philadelphia is the same as the [Rimi] Riga [Marathon in Latvia] to me because I won the Riga,” Frans said. “… The elevation is the same as Cape Town, so it’s not so difficult for me. And it’s home to me. I know Cape Town was home … but [Philadelphia] is my second home now.”

    Along the way were plenty of friends and family to cheer on their loved ones. For the runners, water stations and bathrooms could be found near each mile marker.

    ‘Philly will eat you alive:’ Runners brave the deceptively challenging route of the city’s marathon

    “Every time it got a little quiet and I was like, ‘OK, where is everybody?’ the crowds erupted in the next 200 feet,” said Oeser, who finished in 2:34:55.56, holding off Michka-Mae Hyde of Jamaica, who finished in 2:35:27.19.

    “A bunch of my friends are here,” Oeser said. “They kind of staggered around the bridge on [mile] 9, 12, that area, but [my boyfriend] is from Newtown, Pennsylvania, and a lot of my friends live in New York, so they took the train over and they’re here to support me.”

    A line of race volunteers with medals greets runners finishing the Philadelphia Marathon.

    For Oeser, a Boston College graduate, the support helped push her through her first marathon. Before the race, the farthest she had run was 21 miles in training. She described it as “grueling” from Mile 17 on.

    “I think I just kept an open mind knowing this is uncharted territory,” she said. “I don’t know how I’m going to feel, but that doesn’t mean I can’t feel good. So, trying to stay away from all the thoughts of ‘Oh, this is when people hit the wall’ and be like, ‘Hey, maybe that won’t be my experience.’”

    Miguel Vergara, 25, of Chula Vista, Calif., won the wheelchair race in 1:44:22.

    Frans, Oeser, and Vergara received golden wreaths and medals for their victories. The wreaths are something new to the marathon this year.

    “When you look at the start of democracy overall, it happened in the running of the marathon in Greece,” Philadelphia Marathon race director Kathleen Titus said. “… They started the beginning of democracy, but then 400 years later, Philadelphia brought that democracy to what it is today.

    “We went through and really had to think mindfully of what we want the wreaths to look like. What do we want that experience to be? … We wanted to be different. We wanted to be symbolistic to Philadelphia.”

    Lilian Yao, 20, poses for her mother, Leslie Liu, after completing the Philadelphia Marathon. Yau is a student at Columbia.
  • VJ Edgecombe sits out Sixers game with tightness in calf

    VJ Edgecombe sits out Sixers game with tightness in calf

    VJ Edgecombe sat out Sunday’s game against the Miami Heat at the Xfinity Mobile Arena with left calf tightness.

    The 76ers said the shooting guard reported the tightness at the conclusion of Thursday’s road victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

    “It’s a little tight,” coach Nick Nurse said. “We got the imaging. It’s all clean, just precautionary.”

    The third pick in June’s draft is averaging 15.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.3 steals. While in a shooting slump, Edgecombe has been a solid backcourt partner to standout Tyrese Maxey.

    Nurse said the Sixers would have to “plug in the next guys” to make up for Egdecombe’s loss.

    Tyrese Maxey’s impact extends far beyond basketball. Philly is blessed to have him.

    “Obviously, we’ve got Q [Quentin Grimes],” Nurse said. “Jared McCain can hopefully play a few more minutes. Might see an appearance from some other guys, you never know. But we will just plug in the next guys.”

    The Sixers were also without Joel Embiid (right knee injury recovery), Adem Bona (sprained right ankle), and Kelly Oubre Jr. (sprained left knee).

    Meanwhile, Tyler Herro (left ankle surgery), Nikola Jovic (right hip impingement), Andrew Wiggins (strained left hip flexor), and Terry Rozier (not with the team) missed the game for Miami.

  • Eagles-Cowboys: Playoff scenarios, Cris Collinsworth’s surprising Philly connection, and more

    Eagles-Cowboys: Playoff scenarios, Cris Collinsworth’s surprising Philly connection, and more

    The Eagles (8-2) can’t quite clinch the NFC East yet, but will get a lot closer with a win against the Dallas Cowboys (4-5-1) Sunday afternoon in Arlington, Texas.

    Philly’s magic number remains four to clinch the NFC East. That will drop to two if the Birds defeat the Cowboys Sunday, meaning the Eagles have a chance to lock up the division on Black Friday against the Chicago Bears.

    That should make HBO’s in-season Hard Knocks about the NFC East, which debuts on Dec. 2, really compelling.

    NFC East standings

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    No team has won the NFC East in back-to-back years since 2004, when Donovan McNabb and the Eagles claimed their fourth-straight division title on the way to Super Bowl XXXIX.

    On the other side of the coin are the New York Giants, who could become the first team officially eliminated from the playoffs. A Giants loss paired with a win by either the Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, or Seattle Seahawks would officially snuff out the Giants’ playoff hopes.

    If that were to happen, it would be the earliest playoff exit for the Giants since 1976 and the soonest a team has been eliminated since the New York Jets in 2020, according to NFL playoffs analyst Joe Ferreira. The Giants would also become the 11th team since 1990 to be eliminated from playoff contention before their bye week.

    While the Cowboys can’t be eliminated yet, they need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Entering Week 12, they are three back in the hunt for the NFC’s final wild card spot, and their odds of sneaking into the playoffs drop to just 4% with a loss to the Birds on Sunday, according to the New York Times playoff simulator.

    Eagles (8-2) at Cowboys (4-5-1)

    • Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
    • When: 4:25 p.m., Sunday
    • TV: Fox (Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady, Erin Andrews, Tom Rinaldi)
    • Radio: 94.1 WIP (Merrill Reese, Mike Quick, Devan Kaney)
    • Streaming: Fox One

    Cris Collinsworth’s milestone has a surprising Philly connection

    NBCs Cris Collinsworth will call his 500th NFL game Sunday.

    Tonight’s Sunday Night Football matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Rams is a milestone for veteran color analyst Cris Collinsworth, who will be calling his 500th NFL game.

    Collinsworth, who spent eight seasons as a wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, debuted way back in 1990 on NBC alongside the late Jim Donovan. During his 36-year broadcasting career, Collinsworth has called games alongside many all-time greats, including Troy Aikman, Al Michaels, Frank Gifford, and Philadelphia native Dick Stockton.

    What may surprise Eagles fans is Collinsworth has called 32 games at Lincoln Financial Field, the most of any stadium in his long broadcasting career. And he’s called Eagles-Cowboys 17 times, including this season’s NFL kickoff game alongside Mike Tirico.

    Despite all that, some Eagles fans still hold a grudge against Collinsworth for his call of Super Bowl LII because he thought two touchdown catches — one by running back Corey Clement and one by tight end Zach Ertz — should have been overturned by officials. He later said Ertz’s game-winning touchdown grab late in the fourth quarter was the correct call, telling The Inquirer, “I wish I’d never said that.”

    “I’ve listened to talk radio in Philadelphia,” Collinsworth, a former sports talker himself, told The Inquirer back in January. “It’s OK for them to criticize their team, but don’t come in and criticize my family from outside.”

    While the Eagles have no more Sunday Night Football games on their schedule, and a flex is highly unlikely, Collinsworth and NBC could end up with a Birds game in the playoffs — the Super Bowl, which the network is broadcasting.

    Other games airing in Philly Sunday

    • Steelers at Bears: 1 p.m., CBS (Ian Eagle, J.J. Watt)
    • Giants at Lions: 1 p.m., Fox (Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma, Megan Olivi)
    • Buccaneers at Rams: 8:15 p.m., NBC (Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark)

    NFC standings

    The Eagles remain in first place in the NFC entering Week 12, thanks to their win against the Los Angeles Rams back in Week 3.

    The Birds hold tiebreakers against four of the top teams in the NFC — the Rams, Buccaneers, Packers, and Detroit Lions. They can add a fifth next week if they defeat the Bears on Black Friday.

    While the Eagles could clinch the NFC East as soon as next week, their magic number to land the top playoff seen (and a first round bye) is seven.

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    Eagles-Cowboys live updates

    Staff writers Jeff McLane, Olivia Reiner, and Jeff Neiburg will be covering the action live on Inquirer.com.

    Notes and observations about the game can be found at Inquirer.com/Eagles. Don’t forget to subscribe to our free Sports Daily newsletter.

    Eagles-Cowboys: Live updates

    Eagles news

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    Eagles 2025 schedule

  • Tyrese Maxey ‘spreads joy’ during his fourth annual holiday turkey giveaway

    Tyrese Maxey ‘spreads joy’ during his fourth annual holiday turkey giveaway

    Tyrese Maxey’s breakout season continued on Thursday night when the 25-year-old guard scored a career-high 54 points in the Sixers’ 123-114 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. The All-Star continues to grow as a veteran leader in his sixth season with the Sixers — but his personality and impact off the court often steal the show.

    That was on display Saturday morning as a line steadily formed out front of the Alan Horwitz “Sixth Man” Center as Maxey hosted the Tyrese Maxey Foundation’s fourth annual holiday turkey giveaway. And this year the foundation gave away 3,000 Thanksgiving meals to Philadelphia families in need.

    “It’s growing,” Maxey said. “The foundation, my uncle, my mama, everybody that’s part of it, is doing an amazing job. I remember when I first came to it, like I said, it was just a small idea that I wanted to do and it turned grand, and that’s a really good feeling.”

    With each passing year since it started in 2022, the event continues to make massive leaps.

    In its first year the foundation gave away 400 meals. The following year, that number increased to 1,000 meals, and in 2024 the foundation gave out 2,000 meals.

    “It shows my connection with the city,” Maxey said. “I try to do whatever I can to give back, honestly. It’s just one of the many things I try to do. But for me, my family, and my foundation, I really do appreciate them for helping me bring a plan like this to fruition.

    “I want people to see that I’m not just a basketball player. I’m a person as well. I grew up in places where I wanted to give back there too. And so now I’m blessed to be able to have that impact in Philadelphia.”

    Tyrese Maxey poses with fans before his foundation provides 3,000 turkeys to families on Saturday.
    Tyrese Maxey’s historic night against Milwaukee arrived when the Sixers needed it most

    Each Thanksgiving meal included a turkey, sides, fresh produce, and sweets. Philadelphia native Ceriene M. Lofton, 71, was grateful to have the help from the Sixers guard ahead of the holiday season.

    “He is humble,” Lofton said. “You have a lot of basketball players and you have a lot of stars, they wouldn’t even give you a dime. But him doing this is a great help for the community, especially for senior citizens who can’t get out or don’t have the means to have any type of dinner. So, you know what, I really honor him and I respect him for that because he doesn’t have to do that, but he does it out of his heart.”

    Saturday’s event was just one way the Tyrese Maxey Foundation plans to strengthen the community. During the day, Franklin the Dog made an appearance and Maxey met with children, first responders, and Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship founder David Feldman.

    Wearing his bright red Tyrese Maxey Foundation T-shirt, Maxey couldn’t help but reminisce on a past interaction from his 2022 turkey drive, a day after he broke his foot.

    “I was able to go, and I still walked people around and was there the entire time,” Maxey said. “I remember this one lady came up to me just crying, happy that I was there. She just didn’t think I would be here because I broke my foot the day before. … Those are the moments that we live for. That’s why I do it.”

    Tyrese Maxey’s foundation provided 3,000 Thanksgiving meals to families on Saturday.

    As the event continues to grow, Maxey has big plans for the future.

    “It’s the holiday season, I just try to spread joy,” Maxey said. “Just keep making people happy. Right now, it’s a hard time in the world. … A lot of stuff has been changing, but the more families we can feed, the more smiles we can put on people’s faces, I’m happy.”

  • Tyrese Maxey’s impact extends far beyond basketball. Philly is blessed to have him.

    Tyrese Maxey’s impact extends far beyond basketball. Philly is blessed to have him.

    Philly is blessed to have Tyrese Maxey.

    His value to the city is greater than his stellar play as a 76er. That’s just the basketball version of Maxey. As a person, the 25-year-old continues to build a legacy of giving back to this proud city of roughly 1.57 million people.

    So it wasn’t surprising that before participating in Saturday morning’s practice in Camden, Maxey and his Tyrese Maxey Foundation hosted their largest turkey giveaway at the Alan Horwitz Sixth Man Center in Nicetown. They provided 3,000 Thanksgiving meals to families in need this holiday season.

    Tyrese Maxey’s historic night against Milwaukee arrived when the Sixers needed it most

    His event has gradually grown over the years.

    Kathleen Pointer is greeted by Sixers mascot Franklin at the Tyrese Maxey Foundation turkey giveaway.

    This annual tradition highlights Maxey’s continued commitment to giving back. But it’s bigger than that, as this event brings together local partners, volunteers, and families to ensure more Philadelphians can enjoy a happy holiday and a Thanksgiving meal.

    “The foundation, my uncle [Brandon McKey], my mama, everybody that is a part of it is doing an amazing job,” Maxey said. “I remember when I first came to it, like I said, it was a small idea that I wanted to do, and it’s turned grand. And that’s a really good feeling.”

    All this comes after Maxey hosted some of his other annual events this summer.

    Sixers takeaways: Tyrese Maxey makes history, Paul George brings stability and more from win over Bucks

    He held his Night of Giving dinner at the Fitler Club, located at 2400 Market St., on July 31.

    The next day, Maxey hosted a celebrity golf tournament at the Union League Golf Club at Torresdale to raise money for the foundation. And on Aug. 1, he held the Tyrese Maxey 1% Skills Camp at Penn Charter. The free basketball camp was for ages 7 to 12.

    “I think we are blessed to have somebody like Tyrese,” said Eric Worley, the vice president of basketball operations for Philly Youth Basketball. “From the time that [Maxey’s family] came here to the city, you just kind of saw how authentic and genuine they were in regards to giving back and him wanting to really kind of engage in the community.”

    People wait in line as Sixers star Tyrese Maxey’s foundation provides 3,000 turkeys to families on Saturday.

    Several years ago, Maxey reached out to the founders of Philly Youth Basketball to help identify the location for his first camp. Worley was impressed by how thorough Maxey’s parents and his uncle, Brandon McKay, were when he first met them.

    “And it has continued to carry on six or seven years later,” he said. “They’ve been consistent in regards to what their objective and what their mission has been.”

    On Saturday, Maxey arrived early before the giveaways to greet the volunteers and business partners, and even posed for countless pictures. He also went around each station with the first person in line, personally putting a turkey and other items in her cart.

    And he had to be proud to know that his charitable work was about to help the long line of people waiting to enter the building to pick up their items.

    People leave with Thanksgiving meals, courtesy of Tyrese Maxey’s foundation.

    Meanwhile, several folks in attendance were overjoyed to meet one of the NBA’s best players. The point guard is second in the league in scoring with an average of 33.4 points per game. He finished with a career-high 54 points along with nine assists, five rebounds, three steals, and three blocks Thursday in Milwaukee to lead the Sixers to a 123-114 overtime victory over the Bucks. But to Maxey, this isn’t about a star player giving back to the community. He intended to help regardless of his status in the league.

    “It had nothing to do with basketball to give back,” he said. “I think my biggest thing was what my grandmother told me at a young age: If I was able and blessed to make it, this is the one thing that she wanted me to do. So I was able to do that as soon as I got into the league. Of course, not my first year because it was COVID.

    “But the next year, as soon as we were capable to do it and come up with a plan, we brought it the first year.”

    Sixers star Tyrese Maxey’s foundation provided 3,000 Thanksgiving meals to families on Saturday.

    And none of this is surprising to Sixers coach Nick Nurse.

    Nurse was moved last October when the team was in Des Moines, Iowa, for a preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. As players exited the bus, a little guy around 5 years old was standing in a Maxey jersey. With no one saying a thing, Maxey got off the bus, saw the jersey, walked right over, and autographed it for the kid.

    And the Dallas-area native has done similar things in Philly and other cities.

    Maxey is aware of his popularity and embraces the responsibility that comes with it.

    How good is Tyrese Maxey? He’s now in a class with Sixers great Allen Iverson and other NBA elites.

    “As good a player as he is, he’s a better person,” Nurse said. “I said that when they did the thing to sign him to his big contract. You just don’t say that because he’s a nice guy and he’s nice to people, and he works hard and he’s got good character and all that stuff.

    “He also proves it in his actions. [Saturday morning] is just another example.”

  • Flyers put on offensive clinic, defeating Devils 6-3 on night the franchise honors Bernie Parent

    Flyers put on offensive clinic, defeating Devils 6-3 on night the franchise honors Bernie Parent

    Bernie Parent surely liked an easy night or two between the pipes. He probably also liked it when his team staked him to a big lead.

    On Saturday night, as the Flyers honored the Hall of Fame goalie, who backstopped the Orange and Black to consecutive Stanley Cup championships in 1974 and 1975 and died on Sept. 21 at the age of 80, the Flyers put on an offensive show.

    In front of an announced sellout, they defeated the New Jersey Devils 6-3, giving them two straight wins and three in the past four.

    It’s funny how Bruce Springsteen once sang: “If I should fall behind, wait for me.” Fans should heed that because despite trailing — once again — the Flyers came back.

    This time with authority.

    The duo of Jamie Drysdale and Emil Andrae is bolstering the Flyers’ defense

    First, they trailed 1-0 on a Timo Meier power-play goal that saw Sean Couturier’s clearing attempt go off the leg of Nico Hischier and stay in the zone. It led to sustained pressure by the Devils, with Meier just missing at the right post, before the Swiss forward grabbed a puck out of midair, got a shot on goal, and buried the rebound.

    For the record, it is the Flyers’ 11th win of the season and ninth comeback win. But this may have been the flashiest one.

    The Flyers scored five straight goals beginning with Noah Cates 83 seconds after Meier’s goal. Devils goalie Jake Allen knocked away the centering attempt by Cates, but defenseman Egor Zamula, skating in his first game since Nov. 2, hopped on it and put a shot on goal. Allen made the save and then swatted the puck away again, but this time right to Cates for his fifth goal of the season and first since Nov. 6.

    Then from 12:06 to 12:32, the Flyers set a franchise record with three goals in 26 seconds.

    Matvei Michkov gave the Flyers a 2-1 lead with his fifth of the season and fourth in seven games. Couturier tipped a cross-ice pass by Meier inside the Flyers’ blue line, forcing Hischier to skate past the puck. Couturier then sent the puck to Michkov as the Russian winger, skating in his 100th NHL game, split through the defense and outskated three Devils before beating Allen stick-side.

    In the blink of an eye, technically nine seconds later, it was 3-1 Flyers. Off the faceoff, won by Cates, they transitioned the puck up the ice with Travis Konecny sending the pass across to a flying Cates. He dipped the shoulder on Juho Lammikko and sent the puck from the right face-off circle to Tyson Foerster in the left circle for the one-timer.

    Foerster scored again, 17 seconds later, this time from the right circle. Defenseman Nick Seeler poked the puck away in the neutral zone, and Cates scooped up the puck, creating a three-on-two for the Flyers. Cates dished the puck over to Foerster, and he sent a blistering wrister past Allen. He now has seven goals on the season.

    In the second period, Bobby Brink added to the goal total with his sixth of the season. Along the boards in front of the Flyers’ bench, Couturier protected the puck from Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton and then forward Connor Brown before finding Brink as he looped in the neutral zone. The Minnesotan skated in and appeared to use Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler as a screen to beat Allen and give the Flyers a 5-1 lead.

    Hischier did score in the middle frame to make it 5-2, taking a pass from defenseman Luke Hughes. And he scored again with 6:33 left in regulation when he deflected in a Šimon Nemec point shot.

    But goalie Dan Vladař also came up big in his own right. In the third period, he stopped Meier off a cross-crease pass on a two-on-one and robbed Hischier between his pair of goals when the Devils captain had two big chances while shorthanded. And he got some help on a weird carom, with Jamie Dyrsdale and Cates keeping a loose puck in the crease out of the net.

    Trevor Zegras then put the game away when he roofed his shot on a breakaway. In the Flyers’ end, Christian Dvorak knocked the puck away from Brown, and Owen Tippett tracked it down to feed Zegras. It was the seventh goal of the season for Zegras, who scored just 12 times last season and bested his high from 2023-24 when he was held to 31 games due to injury.

    Breakaways

    Zamula and Seeler each had a plus-minus of plus-5. … Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim skated in his 599th NHL game.

    Up next

    The Flyers begin a four-game road trip on Monday against the Tampa Bay Lightning (7 p.m., NBCSP).

  • Lane Johnson does not need surgery and may be back sooner than expected

    Lane Johnson does not need surgery and may be back sooner than expected

    FORT WORTH, Texas — The Eagles didn’t place right tackle Lane Johnson on injured reserve on Saturday after they learned he wouldn’t need foot surgery and may be back earlier than original estimates, NFL sources told The Inquirer.

    Johnson suffered a Lisfranc injury in the first quarter against the Lions last Sunday and didn’t return. Initial tests indicated he would miss four to six weeks, which would have likely sent him to IR until the postseason.

    Jeff McLane’s keys to Eagles vs. Cowboys in Week 12: What you need to know and a prediction

    The inflammation in Johnson’s right foot needed to go down before he could have X-rays. The results may be the best-case scenario for the 13-year veteran and the Eagles.

    If Johnson were to miss just three games, the perennial Pro Bowl offensive lineman would be back in time for the Raiders game on Dec. 14. The Eagles’ next three games are at the Cowboys on Sunday, home vs. the Bears on Black Friday, and at the Chargers on Dec. 8.

    Fred Johnson, who has jumped in at right tackle several times this season, will be at the position at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Eagles are 120-62-1 in games Lane Johnson has played and 15-24 in games he has not, including the playoffs, over his career.

    He played in each of the first 10 games of this season, but has missed parts of four with various dings. Johnson has endured his share of injuries in his career, playing through many. In 2022, he delayed surgery to a torn adductor tendon in his groin until after the Eagles played in the Super Bowl.

  • Villanova takes care of business against Sacred Heart to end regular season on a high note

    Villanova takes care of business against Sacred Heart to end regular season on a high note

    Villanova wrapped up its regular season in convincing fashion, dispatching Sacred Heart, 34–10, for its eighth straight win.

    Villanova (9-2), which is ranked No. 7 in the Football Championship Subdivision Coaches Poll and No. 9 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25, has won 22 straight home games. The Wildcats sit in second place in the Coastal Athletic Association with a 7-1 record.

    Sacred Heart (8-4) played an independent schedule this year, but will join the CAA next season. Villanova will leave the CAA for the Patriot League.

    Graduate quarterback Pat McQuaide threw for 216 yards and two touchdowns, one each to sophomore running backs Ja’briel Mace and Isaiah Ragland.

    Mace also scored two touchdowns on the ground, rushing for 165 yards on nine carries. Ragland compiled 71 yards on a team-leading 11 carries.

    Villanova’s Ja’briel Mace (4) jukes the defensive line of Sacred Heart on Saturday.

    The Wildcats also honored their seniors in the final regular-season home game.

    “I’m really proud of our team today,” said coach Mark Ferrante. “We talked this morning in the locker room before we took the field, and you always want to hopefully go out with a win on Senior Day, because the seniors are always going to remember their last home game of the regular season.

    “Guys took care of business and we got the victory, and that’s the most important thing.”

    Mace leads the way

    The Wildcats had a rough start after Sacred Heart forced and recovered a fumble from Mace on just the second play of the game. It was a rare turnover for Villanova, which had conceded just four this season, the fewest in the FCS.

    The Pioneers converted the turnover into a 37-yard field goal, while the Wildcats went three-and-out on their next possession.

    However, Mace began a monumental first half with an 80-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter.

    “We practice ball security, and there’s no reason why I should’ve fumbled the ball,” Mace said. “But [McQuaide] picked me up and said, ‘We’re going to go right back to you,’ and on the next play, I scored. But all the credit goes to the guys up front. They’re amazing.”

    To start the second quarter, McQuaide launched a 57-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Chris Colby, bringing Villanova to Sacred Heart’s 19-yard line. Mace delivered once again, taking the ball the rest of the way for a 14-3 lead.

    The Wildcats finished the first half with a lengthy drive, covering 80 yards in 14 plays, and ending on a 10-yard touchdown pass from McQuaide to Mace with just 27 seconds left in the second quarter.

    Mace finished the first half with 106 rushing yards on just four carries.

    Defense delivers late

    Three linebackers — redshirt freshman Anthony Hawkins, senior Shane Hartzell, and graduate Richie Kimmel — led the defense with six tackles each. Sacred Heart, ranked fifth nationally in FCS rushing, was limited to just 88 yards on the ground.

    After keeping Sacred Heart out of the end zone through three quarters, Villanova allowed the Pioneers to score on a six-yard pass to open the fourth.

    Villanova’s Turner Inge (5) takes down Sacred Heart’s quarterback Jack Snyder (14) on Saturday.

    With 7 minutes, 37 seconds remaining, McQuaide completed an 11-yard touchdown pass to Ragland to extend the lead to 34-10.

    The Pioneers threatened again, completing a 46-yard pass at Villanova’s nine-yard line. But the Wildcats forced a turnover as junior defensive back Jon Wyatt broke up quarterback Jack Snyder’s pass, and graduate defensive back Kaleb Moody intercepted it.

    “There is a lot of confidence on this team, but sometimes that can turn into arrogance, and we’ve done a good job of holding that back,” Hartzell said. “As we keep rolling we gain confidence. The amount of energy that can come out in a game, that’s what is going to spark the big plays.”

    Playoff potential

    The Wildcats will await a FCS playoff bid, which will be announced at the Selection Show at noon on Sunday (ESPNU).

  • Joel Embiid is still experiencing right knee soreness and will miss Sunday’s game, Sixers say

    Joel Embiid is still experiencing right knee soreness and will miss Sunday’s game, Sixers say

    Joel Embiid will miss his seventh consecutive game for right knee injury management Sunday afternoon against the Miami Heat, per the NBA’s injury report released Saturday evening.

    The Sixers said following Saturday’s practice that Embiid is still experiencing soreness in that knee, which has not undergone multiple surgeries in recent years. The medical staff does believe Embiid is progressing following his most recent evaluation, the Sixers added.

    Rookie starting guard VJ Edgecombe (calf tightness) is listed as questionable to play Sunday. Reserve center Adem Bona (sprained ankle) will also remain out for at least the Sixers’ next two games against the Heat and Tuesday against the Orlando Magic, the Sixers said. He will be reevaluated after that.

    Embiid has missed the Sixers’ past six games with the knee issue. The former NBA Most Valuable Player was briefly upgraded to doubtful to play in Wednesday’s loss against the Toronto Raptors, but then was ruled out of that contest and Thursday’s overtime win at the Milwaukee Bucks.

    Tyrese Maxey’s historic night against Milwaukee arrived when the Sixers needed it most

    “I can’t predict any of it,” coach Nick Nurse said when asked about the bigger-picture outlook for Embiid’s health. “I think we’re trying to take the best care we can of him and get him out there. He wants to play. He’s being very diligent, all this stuff. He’s doing a lot to try to get back on the floor, and I think it’ll be soon.

    “I know this has been a long, ‘I think it’ll be soon,’ but just keep doing the right things and keep listening to what the doctors tell us.”

    Embiid has averaged 19.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in six games played this season. He has previously been under a minutes restriction, and has had scheduled absences for select practices and games as part of his recovery plan from the longtime left knee issues.

    Grimes a Sixth Man of the Year candidate?

    Quentin Grimes hit a massive three-pointer to put the Sixers up, 116-112, with less than two minutes to play in overtime of Thursday’s win in Milwaukee. It was another example of his value in crunch time, and in the Sixers’ potent three-guard lineups.

    But because Grimes has initially come off the bench in all 15 of the Sixers’ games entering Sunday, he also is considered an early contender for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award.

    He entered Sunday averaging 16.9 points, which entering Sunday ranked third among reserve players, along with 4.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds. He also regularly takes on challenging perimeter defensive assignments, such as James Harden in Monday’s victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

    Quentin Grimes has embraced his role as the Sixers’ sixth man after failing to come to terms on a deal with the team this summer.

    When asked if he has considered his candidacy for such an honor, Grimes responded with, “No, not really.”

    “If you start thinking about stuff like that,” Grimes said, “you can get lost in everything [and] you start losing the focus on the game. … I worry about going out there and winning and doing [things] to impact the game. [Awards will] take care of itself if that happens.”

    Grimes, though, did start the second half in three of the Sixers’ past four games. That generally gets him on a better rotation pattern to be part of the closing lineup. Thursday in Milwaukee, however, he did not begin the third period on the floor, but then played nearly seven consecutive minutes in that frame and then the entire fourth and overtime. His schedule will also likely continue to evolve as Embiid and Paul George are reintroduced to the lineup.

    “It doesn’t change my mindset,” Grimes said. “I know what I bring to this team offensively and defensively. Just coming in and try to impact the game as soon as I get in the game — whether I’m starting the game, starting the second half, coming off the bench …

    “Impact the game in a positive way, and help swing the momentum a little bit.”

    Sunday matinee

    Sunday’s game against the Heat will be a rare weekend matinee matchup. That means, from a preparation standpoint, Saturday’s practice essentially served as a shootaround.

    Grimes added that the atypical tipoff time did not change much about his pregame routine. He will sub his two-plus-hour afternoon nap with sleeping in later Sunday morning, rather than waking up earlier for shootaround. And his pregame meal will be breakfast, likely “four or five” over easy eggs and pancakes.

    Quotable

    Justin Edwards on Paul George’s 11-point outburst to begin the Milwaukee game: “We were all hyped for him. I was in the game laughing because I’m like, ‘Yo, he’s just out there killing it.’”