WEDNESDAY · OCTOBER 21, 2026 · SPORTS, IN SMALL SIPS

Ethan Nwaneri was shown a red card just 18 seconds into Saturday's game. Nwaneri, a 19-year-old on loan at Borussia Dortmund from Arsenal, slid into a Union Berlin defender, and referee Daniel Schlager pulled out a red card. Realizing his mistake, Schlager quickly took it back, apologized, and gave a yellow card instead. If the red had stood, it would have been the fastest in Bundesliga history, beating the 43-second record set in 2011. "I thought I was seeing things," said Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

Ring-side seat. LeBron James made his regular-season debut for the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, marking his 24th season and fourth team. It happened as the New York Knicks celebrated their first championship banner since 1973. The 76ers won 106-100 at Madison Square Garden, with LeBron scoring 14 points and Tyrese Maxey leading all scorers with 28.

Halftime show. During halftime on Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts honored kicker Adam Vinatieri by adding him to their Ring of Honor. Later, the winless Tennessee Titans scored 20 points in the fourth quarter to win 26-20. The next day, the Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard after ten seasons.

Dream on. Before Monday, the Atlanta Dream had lost all 10 Finals games in their history. That changed when they beat the Golden State Valkyries 79-65, led by Angel Reese with 30 points and 16 rebounds. The series is now tied 1-1, with Game 3 tonight in Atlanta.

Ex marks the spot. Freddy Peralta was named MVP of the American League Championship Series after the Tampa Bay Rays finished off Cleveland with a 7-3 win on Monday. Earlier this year, the Milwaukee Brewers traded him to the New York Mets, who then sent him to Tampa Bay. Now, Peralta is just four wins away from a championship, and the Brewers stand in his path.

Never have I ever. The Rays and Brewers are among five franchises that have never won a World Series. Milwaukee’s only previous appearance was in 1982, when it played in the American League and lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. Tampa Bay lost both of its trips, in 2008 and 2020.

Payback, in four. Last October, the Los Angeles Dodgers swept the Brewers in the National League Championship Series. This year, the Brewers returned the favor by sweeping the Dodgers. Jake Bauers, who grew up about 40 miles from Dodger Stadium, was named series MVP.

First pitch. Game 1 is Friday at 8 p.m. ET on FOX in Milwaukee, where the Brewers set a franchise record with 103 wins this season. By Halloween, one of these fan bases will finally have a championship to celebrate.

— Landen Hull

Life after LeBron. The Los Angeles Lakers begin their first season without LeBron James since 2017-18 tonight, facing Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors.

All times ET.

Bottoms up. See you Friday.