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HEROIC earned consecutive victories on Wednesday to finish atop Group C and claim a quarterfinal berth at the Thunderpick World Championship in Berlin.
Following a 2-1 victory over Legacy, HEROIC thrashed Ninjas in Pyjamas 2-0 to advance.
In the other opening-round Group C match, Ninjas in Pyjamas downed Imperial Esports 2-1. Imperial subsequently nipped Legacy 2-1 in an elimination match.
The final Group C playoff berth will be up for grabs on Friday when Ninjas in Pyjamas and Imperial square off.
The $850,000 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournament began Monday and runs through Nov. 3.
A series of qualifiers in Europe, North America and South America set the 16-team field for the World Championship. The teams are divided into four groups of four teams. Each group plays a double-elimination tournament (best-of-three format), with the group winner advancing to the quarterfinals and the second- and third-place teams playing a decider match for the group's other spot in the quarterfinals.
The single-elimination playoffs are best-of-three except for the final, which will be best-of-five. The championship team will take home $500,000, while the runner-up will get $150,000.
In the Group C winners match, HEROIC handled Ninjas in Pyjamas 13-2 on Dust II, 13-10 on Vertigo.
Russia's Abdul "degster" Gasanov powered HEROIC with 33 kills and a plus-11 kill-death differential. Sweden's Jacob "jocab" Nerheden topped Ninjas in Pyjamas with 27 kills.
HEROIC opened with a 16-14 overtime win on Ancient before Legacy rebounded with a 16-13 overtime victory on Dust II. The decisive third map, Anubis, went to HEROIC by a 13-8 count.
Denmark's Rene "TeSeS" Madsen finished with 64 kills and a plus-8 K-D differential for HEROIC. Guilherme "saadzin" Pacheco wound up with 59 kills and a plus-8 K-D differential for Legacy's all-Brazilian squad.
Ninjas in Pyjamas captured Vertigo 13-7, but Imperial Esports replied with a 13-7 win on Nuke. The decider, Mirage, went to double overtime before Ninjas in Pyjamas prevailed 19-17.
Ukraine's Artem "r1nkle" Moroz starred for Ninjas in Pyjamas, producing 64 kills and a plus-12 K-D differential. Brazil's Joao "felps" Vasconcellos amassed 59 kills and a plus-6 K-D differential for Imperial.
In the Group C elimination match, Imperial sandwiched a 13-8 win on Dust II and a 13-11 victory on Mirage over a 13-11 loss to Legacy on Inferno.
Argentina's Santino "try" Rigal carried Imperial with 64 kills and a plus-25 K-D differential. Eduardo "dumau" Wolkmer and Bruno "latto" Rebelatto each had 52 kills for Legacy.
The group phase concludes Thursday with action in Group D. In the opening matches, Aurora Gaming will meet BIG, and M80 will up against BESTIA.
Thunderpick World Championship prize pool
1. $500,000
2. $150,000
3. $70,000
4. $50,000
5-8. $20,000
9-12. no money
13-16. no money -- Team Falcons, 9z Team, Legacy, one other team TBD
More must-reads:
- Phillies superstar may be building Hall of Fame case
- Cubs catcher lost to horrific-looking injury on same day he returns from IL
- The '2023 NFL AP second-team All-Pro' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Commanders have major hang-up preventing them from paying Terry McLaurin what he's due
It’s been two weeks since Washington Commanders star wide receiver Terry McLaurin publicly revealed his trade request, and a resolution doesn’t appear to be in sight. Thanks to ESPN’s John Keim, we’re starting to get more insight into how the Commanders are approaching negotiations…and how they run counter to their star wide receiver’s financial desires. As we’ve assumed all along, the Commanders are wary of giving McLaurin a lucrative contract that would extend well into the player’s 30s. As Keim notes, the Commanders “rely heavily on analytics,” and those numbers aren’t particularly kind to receivers on the wrong side of 30. They may be onto something. Per ESPN Research, over the past five years, only three receivers 31 years or older have played at least 10 games and averaged 70-plus receiving yards per game (that number jumps to six players if you adjust for 60-plus receiving yards). Further, the team can simply point to the NFL landscape, as other teams are also clearly wary of paying aging wideouts. Among the 24 active wide receivers who are attached to the most guaranteed money, only Tyreek Hill was older than 30 when the deal was signed. McLaurin has continually pointed to his lack of mileage despite his age; he barely played during his first two years at Ohio State, meaning he may not have the same wear and tear as similar players his age. McLaurin is also naturally pointing to the stat sheet, as the receiver has continually produced despite uncertain QB play, uncertain ownership and a handful of different coaching staffs. Per Keim, the Commanders don’t want to pay McLaurin based on his past performance, with the front office preferring to shape any future contracts based on his projections for age-31-plus seasons. The organization also doesn’t want to set a new precedent by paying McLaurin, as it could convince future veterans to push for lucrative deals in their 30s. While McLaurin has taken the drastic measure of requesting a trade out of Washington, the organization is still convinced they have leverage in this showdown. After all, the player is still under contract for the 2025 campaign, meaning McLaurin will have to forfeit game checks if he sits out games. The team could even choose to slap him with the franchise tag next offseason (which could come in north of $30M), meaning they’re in full control of the player’s fate moving forward. The team is also skeptical that another suitor is going to willingly pay McLaurin the type of money he’s seeking. Per Keim, there’s doubts around the league about whether another team would be willing to meet the receiver’s demands. Even if a clear suitor does emerge, Keim makes it clear that Washington’s front office won’t give the star away without receiving a haul. We heard recently that McLaurin wasn’t necessarily seeking a deal that matched fellow 2019 draftee D.K. Metcalf‘s deal with the Steelers. However, Keim says Metcalf’s contract has generally served as a guide for McLaurin, but it’s uncertain whether the Commanders wideout is looking to match the AAV ($33M) or total guarantees ($60M). Ultimately, one source believes the Commanders may agree to pay McLaurin a contract that will pay $28M per year. Of course, it’s uncertain if the player would even accept that offer. If that hypothetical maximum offer doesn’t end in a signing, a divorce may be the logical next step.
Green Bay Packers 4th Round Rookie Heralded As Steal Of The Draft
The Green Bay Packers’ front office has made a habit of unearthing underappreciated talent in the NFL Draft, and rookie Barryn Sorrell might be their latest gem. A fourth-round pick out of Texas, Sorrell has turned heads in training camp and delivered a standout performance in the Packers’ preseason opener against the New York Jets. It’s early, but the buzz is building—Sorrell could be the steal of the entire 2025 NFL Draft. Here’s a closer look at Sorrell’s impressive week, why coaches are raving about him, and what his role on the team could look like as the season unfolds. Green Bay Packers Barryn Sorrell: Preseason Debut Though the Green Bay Packers fell short against the Jets in their preseason opener, Sorrell’s debut was nothing short of promising. Lining up on the defensive edge, the rookie flashed the explosiveness and technique that made him a standout for the Texas Longhorns in college. Pro Football Focus gave Sorrell a team-best pass rush grade of 87.9 for the game, showcasing his ability to generate pressure. While Green Bay didn’t record a sack as a team, Sorrell came close on multiple occasions, recording two quarterback hits and two pressures. On one notable snap, he effortlessly tossed Jets tackle Max Mitchell aside before delivering a clean shot on quarterback Brady Cook, demonstrating a pass rush technique well beyond his years. “He looked sharp out there—really sharp,” Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said after the game. “For a young guy stepping into this environment, his ability to impact the game with consistent pressure is what we want to see moving forward.” The Work Ethic That Sets Him Apart What has impressed coaches just as much as Sorrell’s on-field performance is his relentless effort and commitment to improvement. Practice reports continually highlight his hustle during drills and scrimmages. From chasing down plays to perfecting minor details in his technique, Sorrell has demonstrated the kind of mindset that coaches love to see in young players. “He’s got a motor that doesn’t stop,” linebackers coach Sean Duggan said. “When you see a guy like Barryn putting in that level of effort, it elevates the whole group. That’s been his reputation since he arrived in Green Bay.” That reputation has driven Sorrell to stand out during training camp and preseason, setting him apart despite a crowded defensive rotation. Why Sorrell Is Being Dubbed a Steal Draft analysts have been quick to call Sorrell one of the smartest picks of the 2025 Draft, though hindsight reveals just how much of a sleeper he was going in. Coming out of Texas, Sorrell had been productive at the collegiate level, showcasing a knack for disrupting plays in the backfield. However, concerns about his relatively modest size (6-foot-4, 255 pounds) for an every-down edge rusher caused him to slide to the fourth round. It’s now becoming clear that those concerns were overstated. General manager Brian Gutekunst, who has built a reputation for finding value in the mid-to-late rounds, once again seems to have struck gold. Sorrell’s early success highlights why many now believe that he should have gone much earlier in the draft. “There’s zero reason he should’ve fallen that far,” said one AFC scout. “The Packers got a guy with Day 2 talent in the fourth round, and it won’t take long before he proves it.” Eyes on the Future The Packers’ philosophy of building through the draft has rarely been more evident than in their approach to Barryn Sorrell. With veteran leadership guiding him and coaches invested in his development, the rookie appears to be in a near-perfect situation to succeed. For a team looking to solidify its defensive identity, finding a player like Sorrell is invaluable. His work ethic, playmaking ability, and high football IQ give him every chance of being a long-term cornerstone for Green Bay’s pass rush. Final Thoughts It’s far too early for definitive conclusions, but Barryn Sorrell’s introduction to the NFL has Green Bay Packers fans excited. His performance in camp and the preseason has already exceeded expectations, offering a tantalizing glimpse of what could be an immensely bright future. If his current trajectory holds, Sorrell won’t just be a steal of the draft—he’ll be a key piece in the Packers’ ongoing pursuit of greatness.
Celtics' ownership move should concern Lakers governor Jeanie Buss
Lakers governor Jeanie Buss is supposed to remain in charge of the team for years even after the sale. Given what just happened with the Boston Celtics, it might only be months. When the Grousbeck family sold the Celtics for $6.1B in March, ESPN reported that Wyc Grousbeck would stay on as the Celtics CEO and governor through the 2027-28 season. Now, new owner Bill Chisholm will take over once the sale is final. That should concern current Lakers team governor Jeanie Buss, whose family sold a majority interest in the Los Angeles Lakers to investor Mark Walter. Buss is supposed to stay on as team governor for "at least a number of years," according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, but new NBA owners haven't been keen on waiting to take control of teams recently. Mark Cuban thought he would continue running the Dallas Mavericks when he sold a controlling interest to the Adelson family in November 2023. Before the end of that season, when Dallas advanced to the NBA Finals, new team governor Patrick Dumont, the son-in-law of Miriam Adelson, was firmly in charge. General manager Nico Harrison reported directly to Dumont, which is how Luka Doncic ended up traded to the Lakers despite Cuban's objections. It might be different with the Lakers. Walter has owned a minority share in the Lakers since 2021, so he's had a working relationship with Buss. Her role as team governor may be a condition of the sale itself. With the team preparing for a long-term future with Doncic, Walter and his fellow owners might opt for continuity in the team governor role. But in general, people do not spend billions of dollars on a professional sports team so that someone else can be in charge. Buss is in charge of the Lakers now. Recent history says she won't be for long.
Leeds United Move On From Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz, Set to Sign Former Sunderland Target
So far, it has been a rather busy summer for several Premier League clubs, including newly-promoted Sunderland and Leeds United. The Black Cats have completed an extraordinary total of 11 signings, and recent reports point more towards a 12th signing rather than finished business from the club's board. However, there is also talk of potential departures, and in recent hours, it has been mentioned that defender Jenson Seelt (22) could be heading to the Netherlands. Meanwhile, recent reports suggest Leeds are about to sign a striker who featured on Sunderland's target list this same summer. Leeds United move on from Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz, set to sign former Sunderland target According to Sky Sports, Leeds United are about to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin, after the 28-year-old striker became available following the end of his contract with Everton. Given his contractual situation, it was logical that Calvert-Lewin would be linked with several clubs this summer, and that's exactly what happened. Some reports placed him on Sunderland's radar, but the Lads ultimately opted for Chelsea's Marc Guiu (19), who arrived at the Stadium of Light on a season-long loan. It was Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie who confirmed that the Lads were indeed interested in the 28-year-old Englishman, although his arrival ultimately didn't materialise. Yes Sunderland were interested in signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin earlier in the window, but I’m told no contract offer was made to the player. SAFC instead pushed ahead for Chelsea’s Marc Guiu and concluded that deal. Calvert-Lewin now signing for Leeds.Keith Downie The press also reported that Leeds could sign Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz, but it appears they will ultimately go for Calvert-Lewin instead, with the Cottagers set to sell their Brazilian forward to Serie A side Atalanta. Read More:
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