WASHINGTON -- Alex Ovechkin scoring to hand the Predators another defeat and keep his Capitals rolling was not surprising to the folks on the other side who have seen him a lot over the years.

"You knew it was coming," said Predators coach Andrew Brunette, whose final seven seasons as a player overlapped with Ovechkin's first seven in the NHL. "You're on the bench, and I guess I've seen him too many times. I've played against him, I've coached against him, I've watched him, and he just finds that, and when it's on his stick, it's gone.

"That's a big-time shot from obviously arguably the greatest goal scorer of all time."

Ovechkin, 39, is now six away from breaking Jaromir Jagr's record for the most career game-winning goals. His 130th helped the Capitals improve to 9-3-0 with a 3-2 victory and sent the Predators to their ninth loss in 13 games.

"A guy that is still producing at this age is impressive," Predators forward Steven Stamkos said. "To keep doing it at this age is very impressive."

Ovechkin has six goals in his past five games to reach 861 for his career. He is 34 away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's career mark that for decades had seemed unapproachable.

Washington's longtime captain also became the third player age 39 or older to score in five or more consecutive games, joining Johnny Bucyk in 1974 and Brett Hull in 2003.

"He's going to go down as the guy with the most goals ever at some point here," Stamkos said. "He's just a generational goal scorer and a guy that I've always looked up to in terms of how he scores goals. It's the hardest thing to do in the NHL is score, and he's found a way to do it better than, soon, anyone ever."

Ovechkin continued his streak of scoring in every game the Capitals wear their black "Screaming Eagle" jersey, on this occasion the first time in their 50th season. The player known as the "Great Eight" is 8-for-8 in this uniform.

"I don't know the stats, but I love this jersey," Ovechkin said. "Fans love it, so it's pretty cool."

Ovechkin set up Aliaksei Protas earlier in the game and has eight goals and eight assists this season.

"I'm always having fun," Ovechkin said. "But when you're winning games, when you're producing opportunities to have a chance to score goals, it's always fun to play."

Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant had a little extra motivation for Wednesday night's game against the Los Angeles Lakers, and he made it clear why.

"I don't like them," Morant said after scoring 20 points in a 131-114 win at the FedExForum. "They knocked me out of the playoffs. And then last year we had a game, and they came here and popped it on our home floor when I was in street clothes. I wasn't tonight."

Morant played just 24 minutes, leaving in the third quarter because of a right hamstring injury. The Grizzlies did not have an update after the game.

Wednesday's meeting was the first between the two teams since the penultimate game of the 2023-24 regular season, when James punctuated a 37-point performance with a breakaway dunk in the closing seconds of a 123-120 win in Memphis. Morant missed that game after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in January. The previous year, the Lakers upset the Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs, knocking them out in six games.

Morant hasn't forgotten, and he let it show Wednesday night, particularly toward James.

Near the end of the first half, Morant and James went at it, exchanging baskets, each using the "too small" gesture after scores in the fray. Morant got a technical foul at one point in the battle as the crowd grew louder with each basket. A good representation of Lakers fans balanced the cheering Grizzlies faithful.

There was a hook from Morant and an ensuing free throw for a three-point play with 1:24 left in the half. Then James made an 8-foot jumper 20 seconds later. Another layup by James was followed seven seconds later by another jumper by Morant. That basket so fired up Morant that he earned the technical.

"I think I did the 'too small' to somebody who was too small," Morant said afterward. "[James] came back and did it respectfully. ...He did it, and I don't back down from nobody. I don't care who you are.

"My job was to just come back. I got my bucket, and I set the tone. My teammates fed off of it, and you see what happens. Top dog in our league. You take out the top dog, who else you fear?"

James put the exchange with Morant in the category of mutual respect -- just two of the league's top players doing their best to be better than the other.

"Just two guys from the inner city who love to compete," said James, who had a game-high 39 points to go with seven rebounds and six assists. "That's how we all grew up, playing on the blacktop, playing outside, competing at a high level when there was no cameras around."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- In his first game against the LA Clippers at Intuit Dome, Paul George received a video tribute but also heard plenty of boos all night from The Wall at the new arena.

Before an announced crowd of 15,627, George made 7-of-9 shots and had 18 points, seven rebounds and three steals, but his old team routed the Philadelphia 76ers 110-98.

George said he appreciated the video tribute and called the Clippers franchise "first class." He said his return drew a fair and split reaction, but he did not understand or care for the boos after helping the Clippers reach its only Western Conference Finals appearance in 2021.

"It is stupid," George said when asked if he was surprised to hear jeers after playing five seasons in L.A. "I mean, I was a free agent, you know what I mean? It wasn't something that I demanded a trade or went against the team here. I was a free agent. The team presented something that was team-friendly, and I did what was best for me in that situation.

"So there were the cheers. I appreciate them. Those were the ones that I played hard for. The boos, I didn't get it. I still don't get it when I go [back] to Indy, but it is what it is. It's sports. I look forward to next year being back here and more boos."

After five seasons of playing for the Clippers, George signed a four-year, $212 million max contract as a free agent with the Philadelphia 76ers last summer. George said he wanted to remain a Clipper. But he wanted a no-trade clause to go with a three-year, $150 million extension or a four-year max deal and the Clippers declined to do either.

After George left, some of the Clippers' fanbase was irked by comments he made on his podcast, "Podcast P with Paul George," when he described returning to his hometown of Los Angeles to join the Clippers like being on the "B team" because so many Lakers fans would tell him that he should've joined the Lakers.

Some fans in The Wall, a section where the most ardent Clippers fans stand in uninterrupted rows behind the basket near the opponent's bench, brought signs with them referencing George's podcast. Multiple fans held up signs that combined to read, "PG THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK."

George, playing in his just his second game after suffering a bone bruise in his left knee late in the preseason, said he didn't see many of the signs.

"Oh, well, I'm sure they're all probably subscribers," George said, referring to his podcast. "So it's a win-win. It's two wins against The Wall, I guess."

During the first half when the Sixers had to shoot at the basket by The Wall, George made both of his free throw attempts, saying The Wall will have to do a better job next time. In the season-opening overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns, Clippers fans at The Wall successfully distracted Kevin Durant enough that he missed a pair of free throws.

George said on Wednesday morning that he did not hold a grudge against the Clippers organization for not re-signing him. He cited his "awesome" relationship with team owner Steve Ballmer and Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations.

"I think it got kind of misconstrued or [the] narrative kind of wasn't written correctly with the relationship with Lawrence [Frank], the relationship with Steve Ballmer," George said before the Sixers had their morning shootaround at UCLA. "I mean, they were awesome the whole time I was here.

"Kind of the reason why it was such a shocking decision how it played out at the end. But they were awesome. My time here, I think that was kind of refreshing to be alongside and have a partnership like that with a front office. And so I think that was probably the highlight of the whole [time with the Clippers]. Just how great they were in my tenure here."

Frank told ESPN that he was willing to give the Kawhi Leonard-George tandem another three years by extending George to the same three-year, $150 million deal he gave to Leonard in January. But the team would not give a no-trade clause to George with that deal or give a four-year max deal, citing roster flexibility, age and the new collective bargaining agreement's second apron, which penalizes luxury-tax-paying teams like the Clippers.

Outside of the boos, George said he felt plenty of love from old friends on his former team and many family and friends in the building. He spent time with former teammates like James Harden before the game and did not leave the court for a good 15 minutes afterward as he caught up with teammates such as Ivica Zubac and hugged his parents, Clippers employees and friends who were courtside.

"Ain't no bad blood," George said when asked how sometimes there are grudges when a star leaves a franchise. "I talked to those guys throughout the whole process. James was informed with what I was doing. Kawhi was informed with what I was doing. Russ [Westbrook] was informed with what I was doing. I talked to all those guys so there was no bad blood.

"At the end of the day, regardless if we're teammates or not, those are lifelong bonds that you build and whatever happens in basketball kind of doesn't affect that relationship."

George said he thought Intuit Dome was as spectacular as advertised but was just missing one thing -- more Clippers fans.

"It was great," he said of the Clippers' new home. "I wish it would've been a little bit more packed out. I didn't think it was quite packed for this to be Clippers' very own.

"But the facility, this thing is amazing. What Ballmer did and his vision and how it came to life -- it's the best arena to play in."

Homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia, while Amnesty International has cited the countrys "jailing of women's rights activists, suppression of free speech and rampant use of the death penalty".

BBC Sport asked all eight singles players the same question: "Did you personally have any reservations or concerns about coming here given the record on human rights, particularly around women's rights and the LGBTQ+ community?"

The responses were varied, although there was the sense that players felt free to speak without fear of repercussions. Many said they hoped they could help bring about change.

Several referenced calls that had taken place between players and the WTA, with Jessica Pegula a member of the WTA's player council - saying there was "a lot of debate back and forth".

Zheng Qinwen, Elena Rybakina and Jasmine Paolini all suggested showcasing top-level womens sport could be a good example within Saudi Arabia.

Swiatek said she was trying to "observe and learn how everything works", while Sabalenka said: "I saw everything here is quite chill.

"Me personally, I don't have any issues playing here. I think it's really important to bring tennis all around the world and inspire [the] young generation."

Gauff's response drew on her family's experience of the move away from racial segregation in the United States.

"Knowing from the past from my grandmother, integrating her school, people aren't going to like it, but in the long run I think it could be better for everybody," she said.

But the 20-year-old added: "If I felt uncomfortable or felt like nothing's happening, then maybe I probably wouldn't come back."

Robertson said his time in Newtownards was important for his maturation as a player and person, but also in imprinting upon him the need to pursue education alongside his rugby career.

After tagging along with Ards team-mates to lectures at Queen's University Belfast, a stipulation in Robertson's first Crusaders playing contract was that they would pay for his degree from Lincoln University.

"It was a great chance for me," he said.

"It brought a lot of belief in how I could play. Going home, it really set me off to make sure I could get an education and that I wanted to play rugby at the highest level.

"It gave me a lot of confidence. It helped me grow up a little bit, get away from mum's dinners, look after myself and I made some really good friends. It was a great time in my life."

If Robertson learned plenty during that season with Ards, the last 12 months have proven to be educational too. Despite all his previous successes with Crusaders in Super Rugby, coaching any international side, but especially the All Blacks, will always be a different proposition.

He admitted that "nothing really prepares you" for the top job with the three-time World Cup winners.

"You've got to be pretty confident, keep the course as a person, understand your tight, inner circle," he said.

"That's the biggest one where I stand. Who do you listen to? Who can be really objective? But that comes as part of the job.

"Nothing really prepares you for that until you do it. You learn the majority of the time by doing stuff. I'm learning."

Between Robertson's own playing days and the current era, the relationship between Ireland and New Zealand has changed demonstrably. Friday night's hosts failed to beat the All Blacks across the first 111-years of fixtures played by the pair but have now won five of the last 10 meetings, including an away series victory in 2022.

"I think it is a great narrative, a great story," Robertson added.

"It's a great narrative. Two countries that are similar in lots of ways, small island off a big island.

"We enjoy each other's company, but there is a fierce rivalry on the field, a lot of respect [between] two smart teams that go at it.

"That is a big part of the storyline, that little bit of history recently. They've had a bit of success in our backyard and we've had some as well."

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell says Friday night's showdown with New Zealand will be a typically intense affair.

The All Blacks are coming off a 27-22 win over England while it's the autumn series opener for Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.

"Playing against the All Blacks has always brought that edge for any type of game," said Farrell.

"This is a top, top level Test match that everyone wants to be involved in. We want to be up there competing with the best."

The Dublin encounter will be the first meeting between the sides since the 2023 World Cup.

New Zealand clinched a dramatic 28-24 victory in a Stade de France quarter-final as they ended Ireland's hopes for the second tournament in a row.

Farrell was unequivocal when asked if revenge would be motivating factor for his team.

"No, that's the truth - do you need that when you're playing one of the best sides in the world? Everyone knows that's the truth.

"There has been a lot of rugby played and a lot of water gone under the bridge [since that game] so it doesn't even play a part in it."

Ireland top the world rankings as they target a 20th straight win at their Aviva Stadium home in Dublin.

"Irish rugby is in a good place and I think everyone knows New Zealand are always the team to beat.

"I expect it to be as good as ever, if not better."

BOSTON -- At Golden State media day in September, superstar guard Stephen Curry gave a mild declaration of intent for this season when he said his Warriors are "in a position where we can be a relevant team early and give ourselves a chance to compete.

"Then assess where we are."

Just weeks after Curry uttered those remarks, he and the Warriors improved to 7-1 on the season, moving into a three-way tie with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns for the best record in the Western Conference thanks to a thrilling 118-112 victory over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on Wednesday night.

But despite a victory over the defending champions -- one that saw the Warriors end the night with the league's third-best offense, second-best defense and best net rating (plus-15.5 points per 100 possessions) -- Curry said he wasn't ready to give Golden State too much credit.

"We haven't done anything yet," Curry, who finished with 27 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals in 34 minutes, said with a wry smile while sitting in the visitors locker room about an hour after the game had ended. "A good team, or a relevant team, wins the games they are supposed to win, you steal a couple on the road against good teams, you protect your home court. We've done those things so far, but we got two more games on this road trip, two tough tests.

"So I like where we're at, obviously. But [there's a] long way to go."

The Warriors have played only 10% of their season, but the early returns are exceedingly encouraging. Golden State, which won its first title under coach Steve Kerr in 2015 season behind the "Strength In Numbers" mantra, has taken that approach to a new level this season, playing as many as 13 players on a given night. With Brandin Podziemski out because of an illness Wednesday, Golden State played 11 players -- and all of them received at least 13 minutes.

As a result, the Warriors had a constant rotation of fresh defenders to throw at the Celtics, which allowed them to wreak havoc on Boston's offense. Though the Celtics hit their usual bushel of 3-pointers, finishing 19-for-54 from beyond the arc, they committed 12 turnovers and generally looked out of sorts offensively for large stretches in ways they typically have not been not only this season but over the past few -- and especially outside of a 41-point explosion in the third quarter.

"They're physical, so they force you to fight for your space," Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. "They have active hands, so I think in the first half, they got a ton of deflections. They were able to get some stuff there, but I thought we did a better job of handling the physicality in the second half and just have to put -- again, we talk physicality, it's just as much about defense as offense. So it took us a little while to get adjusted to that. Once we did, we executed really well. And then it just came down to a couple possessions at the end."

In particular, it was a string of possessions that came after Gary Payton II dove for a loose ball with 4:18 left, giving Golden State the ball with Boston holding a 97-96 lead after Kerr called a timeout. Over the ensuing four minutes, Golden State outscored Boston 15-7, scoring on several consecutive possessions to put the game away -- in part because of a pair of massive offensive rebounds by Warriors center Kevon Looney, including one on an air ball corner 3 by Draymond Green.

It was reminiscent of Looney's dominant rebounding in the 2022 NBA Finals, when Golden State closed out Boston in six games, and underscored the way the Warriors won this game through their physicality and force at both ends.

"The last five minutes, I thought our defense really showed up," Kerr said. "The activity, Gary getting on the floor, Loon getting two putbacks, those were maybe the two biggest shots of the game. And then Steph finding Buddy [Hield] in the corner for that 3, I mean, it was all in sequence. It just felt like we connected the game, got stops and were able to get scores and close it out."

And, as a result, a night that began with Kerr being booed after the so-called controversy surrounding his decision to not play Tatum in either game against Serbia for Team USA during the Americans' run to a fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal this summer ended with the Warriors walking off the famed parquet floor victorious.

That the Warriors did so at the beginning of a tough early-season stretch only gives credence to them being more than a flash in the pan. Their trip next takes them to undefeated Cleveland on Friday, Oklahoma City on Sunday and then back home for Klay Thompson's return with the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday before facing Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies three days later.

But, while it remains to be seen how long they can continue to play this way with so many contributors, Curry said he was enjoying what he's seeing, and how the Warriors are doing it.

"Until proven otherwise, that's how we have to play," Curry said. "And we've talked about it. Coach has talked about it until he's blue in the face already. Every practice, every film session, every pregame, it's the same message. So it is who we are right now, it's who we have to be. You obviously know as the season goes on, rotations get smaller. ... It happened tonight. The rotations get a little tight in the second half just because you're trying to win and you're trying to put the pieces together. But it's a fun way to play, because again, every night is different and everybody has to stay engaged, and it's working."