Trivia

Paolo Banchero had a historic season opener with 33 points in Miami last week.

Who was the first Magic player to record 30-plus points in a season opener?

• A: Nick Anderson

• B: Shaquille O’Neal

• C: Terry Catledge

• D: Spongebob Squarepants

View the answer in the “Feedback” section

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Trending up

• 🏈 (NFL) Jaguars TE Evan Engram. “Our guys fought, we believed that we could win this game, and we were right there. We're definitely trending up,” Evan Engram said minutes after a 30-27 home loss that saw several key players leave via injury. Technically, the 2-6 Jaguars aren’t quite eliminated from the playoffs — and if there’s going to be anyone who can help turn around the season, it’s Engram, who was deservedly voted as a team captain this year. Worth noting: in Weeks 1-12 last season, he had 5.8 catches and 47 yards per game and zero touchdowns; after Christian Kirk went down in Week 13, Engram averaged 8.3 catches and 73 yards per game with four scores. -Gus Logue

• 🏈 (CFB) Texas A&M Aggies. A close, yet ugly loss to Notre Dame in Week 1 had most fans thinking it’d be a rebuilding season for first year head coach Mike Elko. Instead, Texas A&M is undefeated over the past two months and in sole possession of first place in the SEC. After blowout wins over ranked opponents Missouri and LSU, the Aggies are on a collision course for a Top 10 showdown with Texas at the end of the year. Not only could it be for a spot in the SEC Championship game, but it will be the first meeting between the hated rivals since 2011 — the year the Aggies scorned the Longhorns by leaving the Big 12 for the Southeastern conference. -Trent Osborne

• 🏀 Orlando Magic F Paolo Banchero. Orlando’s superstar has come out of the gates running wild to start the year. His 33-point, 11-rebound effort against the Heat on opening night made him the first Magic player to score 30 points in a season opener since Tracy McGrady in 2002. His 50-point masterpiece against the Pacers made him the youngest forward to have a 50-point game since LeBron James in 2006. If the national media doesn’t know who Paolo Banchero is, he’s ensuring they do now. -R.J. Saunders

• ⚾️ Dodgers 1B Freddie Freeman. Freddie is on a historic hot streak at the most important time of the year. He has hit a home run in every game this World Series. He has six straight World Series home runs dating back to 2021 with the Atlanta Braves. There couldn't be an easier pick for World Series MVP. -Andrew Gibson

Trending down

• 🏈 (NFL) Jaguars WR Christian Kirk. Jacksonville’s veteran wide receiver and locker room leader broke his collarbone on Sunday. It’s the second season-ending injury in a row for Kirk, who signed a $72 million deal with the Jaguars back in 2022 and was recently rumored to be available via trade. He may have already played his last snaps in teal and gold. Kirk will bounce back — though it may be in a new city. -Gus Logue

• 🏈 (CFB) Missouri Tigers. It’s not an exaggeration to say Missouri could go down as the worst 10-2 team in SEC history. The Tigers are currently 6-2, but those two losses are both splatterings at the hands of the only elite teams they’ve played (41-10 to the aforementioned Aggies; 34-0 to Alabama). After an offseason of college football playoff hopes, the Tigers’ offense looks anemic despite employing one of the best receivers in the country in Luther Burden III. If the rumors are true, and this season is a dress rehearsal for Eli Drinkwitz to be in contention for a major job this offseason (Gators??), the results have been less than impressive. -Trent Osborne

• 🏀 Denver Nuggets PG Russell Westbrook. The Nuggets have lost many important pieces as they look to make another run at a second NBA title. There was a belief that Westbrook, who has accepted a bench role, would be able to affect the game in various ways for Denver. However, his 5.7 points per game on 20% field goal shooting through three games has been an issue. It’s very early in the season, but you start to wonder if the former league MVP will be more of a hinderance than a help. -R.J. Saunders

• ⚾️ Yankees OF Aaron Judge. The Yankees are still alive in the World Series after beating the Dodgers 11-4 on Tuesday night. Judge still needs to wake up for New York to have a chance at a comeback. He’s batting just .133 in the World Series. If he doesn't turn it around, they will be popping champagne bottles in Los Angeles. -Andrew Gibson

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