OKLAHOMA CITY -- After having the best scoring game of his pro career, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn't feel like it was that special of a night.

In the Oklahoma City Thunder's first game since losing Chet Holmgren for at least two months because of a hip fracture, Gilgeous-Alexander poured in a career-high 45 points, 9 assists and 5 steals to lift his club to a 134-126 win over the LA Clippers before 17,430 at Paycom Center.

"It didn't feel special," Gilgeous-Alexander said of his 14th career 40-point game. "It didn't feel like I did something I'd never done before. Just felt like another basketball game. I felt like I should have had more, missed some easy shots, but [that's] the game."

Perhaps the career outing didn't feel extraordinary because Gilgeous-Alexander is fixated on a more important goal. After reaching the second round but losing to the Dallas Mavericks as the top seed in the Western Conference, Gilgeous-Alexander has been focused on getting the Thunder (9-2) and his young teammates better prepared for a deeper run in the playoffs.

"I don't say this to slight my teammates," Gilgeous-Alexander explained. "But I feel like the end of our season last year in the playoffs, obviously for a lot of them, it was the first time in the playoffs and playing games that meaningful. And I don't want to say they weren't ready, but I feel like I could have equipped them better throughout the year in taking [certain] shots, getting to spots and being more comfortable in certain positions on the court, especially offensively.

"I feel like in the playoffs we were good defensively and offensively is why we lost. And part of my job is to make sure that my teammates are confident and are ready for big moments."

After watching Holmgren take a hard spill in a loss to Golden State on Sunday, sustaining a right iliac hip fracture that will be reevaluated in eight to 10 weeks, Gilgeous-Alexander and his teammates had to move on and be ready to win while playing small ball against the Clippers one night later. The Thunder are small with big men Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein (non-displaced left hand fracture) and Jaylin Williams (hamstring) all sidelined.

While Holmgren played in all 82 regular-season games last season, he missed his first NBA season after he was drafted second in the 2022 draft because of a Lisfranc injury.

"We've been there before," Gilgeous-Alexander said of playing small. "We've won games playing small, and we can do it again."

The Thunder led by as much as 20 before watching the Clippers make a furious run to get within two with 42.3 seconds left. LA guard Norman Powell continued his torrid start to the season by scoring 29 of his 31 points and making 10 of 12 shots, including 5 of 6 3-pointers, all in the second half before fouling out late.

But Gilgeous-Alexander scored 10 of his points in the final 5:25, including making two free throws with 22.7 seconds left to stop the Clippers' run.

Clippers coach Ty Lue said before the game that Gilgeous-Alexander is at a level only a select group of all-time great superstars have reached where they can let the game come to them and take over late.

"As a younger player, you can tend to get out of control or try to get my points," Lue said before the game. "He knows it's going to come to him the style they play, he knows the ball's going to come back. He allows other guys to get going, allows other guys that he's trust with the basketball [to score early].

"But he knows that at any point in time he can take over the game. He reminds you a lot of the greats like [Michael] Jordan."

Gilgeous-Alexander became the first player in Thunder/SuperSonics franchise history to record at least 45 points and five steals in a game.

But Gilgeous-Alexander, 26, has much bigger feats in mind, and that is why he has been constantly thinking about how he can get his team better prepared to win playoff games on a nightly basis -- something that some stars don't realize or do until after several playoff runs or when they're older.

"When we lost [to Dallas], I thought about why we lost and obviously there's so many things to nitpick," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "But I can only control what I can control, and I try to look at it from through that lens.

"A lot of people don't recognize it until it's too late. And I don't want it to be too late, so I tried to hit it on the head early."

SAN ANTONIO -- San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama produced his 12th career 30-point game, and his first this season Monday, in leading his team to a 116-96 win over the Sacramento Kings.

Wembanyama scored 34 points with 14 rebounds, six assists and three blocks in his 82nd career NBA game to become the sixth player in league history to rack up 1,700-plus points, 800-plus rebounds and 300 or more assists over his first 82 contests. The 20-year old joins a group that includes Oscar Robertson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Sidney Wicks, Larry Bird and Blake Griffin.

"He makes shots every day," Spurs interim coach Mitch Johnson said. "He missed really good shots to start the year, and I understand why it's a talking point. But I don't think we ever waivered on him not making shots. I think it is just the percentages evening out at this point."

Wembanyama connected on 6 of 12 from 3-point range against the Kings -- which were playing on the second night of a back-to-back set - to match his career-high in made 3s set Saturday in a 111-110 loss to the Utah Jazz. The Frenchman drilled two of his first three attempts from 3-point range in the opening quarter and 2 of 3 in the second quarter as San Antonio carried a 38-29 lead into intermission.

Looking to inflict a large portion of his damage from the perimeter over the team's first 11 games of the season, Wembanyama shot 10 of 41 from 3-point range in the previous five contests before hitting 12 of 21 from deep over his last two. With the Spurs leading by as many as 20 points in the fourth quarter, Wembanyama cranked up the shot accuracy even more to close out the game, sinking 4 of 5 from the field and 2 of 3 from beyond the arc.

He whipped the Frost Bank Center crowd of 17,163 into a frenzy with 58 ticks left on the clock with a putback dunk off a Stephon Castle miss.

"I think what changed for sure is I didn't take any less 3s," Wembanyama said. "I took better 3s, I think. Of course, it's feeling better. I'm 20. I hope for some years it's going to feel better and better. There's no reason for it to feel worse."

Wembanyama's performance against the Kings marked his seventh career game with 30 points or more, 10-plus rebounds and at least five assists. The Spurs now own a record of 5-7 in those games.

"He is a great shooter," Spurs forward Harrison Barnes said. "I have never doubted his ability in terms of shooting, in terms of playing. For us, it is just continuing to take those shots, even when we are not making them. Obviously, early in the season we kind of struggled shooting a little bit. But we're just continuing to take shots with confidence and letting them fly."

Defensively, Wembanyama strung together his fifth-straight game with three or more blocks, which ties for the second-longest streak of his career, just four games shy of the nine-game run he put together last season from February to March. Wembanyama logged one of his three blocks against three-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis.

"Domantas is a top five center in the league," said Barnes, a former teammate of Sabonis in Sacramento.""His stats speak for themselves. For Vic to take the challenge tonight, a lot of times, he is guarding him one on one. That was a big-time effort against a big-time player."

Veteran point guard Chris Paul spent time Sunday working with Wembanyama and Devin Vassell, who made his season debut Saturday after missing the first nine games of the season. The trio took in an extra session together again Monday at the team's shootaround.

"I wish you could see the work that goes in, day in and day out," Paul said. "There are things that happen in the game where we all see the growth, everybody on the team. So, it's fun to see that."

Paul scored 12 points against the Kings and dished 11 assists for his 531st career double, which ranks as third most by any guard since the NBA-ABA merger behind John Stockton (714) and Magic Johnson (615). Paul has already put together four games with 10 points or more and 10-plus assists after finishing last season with five such performances in 58 contests.

"I think it was one of those nights where we got back to our strengths," Wembanyama said. "We needed points, and we also had guys we knew who to go back to."

CHICAGO -- The Cavaliers improved to 12-0 on Monday night with a 119-113 victory over the Bulls, making Cleveland the eighth team in NBA history to begin a season undefeated in its first 12 games.

Cleveland is the first team to rack up this many wins to start the season since the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, who went an NBA-record 24-0 to begin that campaign, which they finished 73-9, also a record.

"It's great to be part of history," said Cavs star Donovan Mitchell, who had a season-high 36 points against Chicago. "I never want to take those things for granted along the road when we're doing it in various ways. We're doing it in ways where we are blowing out teams. We're winning from behind. We're winning close games. And it's somebody different every night leading the charge. It's always a group effort."

The Bulls pushed the Cavaliers to a competitive game, jumping out to a first-quarter lead and staying within one point at halftime, despite 25 points from Mitchell in the first half.

Chicago took a nine-point lead in the third quarter, but Cleveland's all-bench lineup helped lead the charge back into the game. That included Ty Jerome, who finished with 12 points and six assists as the Cavs outscored the Bulls by 21 points during his 21 minutes.

Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said he could tell his starters were feeling fatigued during the third period and that he turned to the bench lineup to give them a breather, which ended up fueling a run.

"He's trusting guys, one through 15," Jerome said. "That's what a team is. Throughout the regular season, you need depth."

Five of the previous seven teams to start at least 12-0 went on to reach the NBA Finals.

"This group is locked in," Atkinson said. "I do think there's [been] questions about this group, whether they can get to the next level, can they make the next step? So, I think when you have that, you have that chip [on your shoulder], you focus even more.

"There's another level of concentration, another level of focus, another level of detail that these guys use to carry us to 12-0 so far."

The Cavs' fast start comes in the first season with Atkinson as head coach. He had been an assistant with the Warriors the previous three campaigns and was the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets from 2016 to 2020.

Atkinson credited Cleveland's continuity for its start. He joined a team that already had Mitchell, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley -- a core in the third season together as teammates.

"Kenny did a great job of infusing everybody," Mobley said Monday night. "We knew the defensive system coming in, and he had an offense scheme for us that he wanted to work out. And he mended that very well, and I feel like everyone just bought in right away. Since then, we've just been going up from there."

Cleveland's next three contests are all favorable: on the road against a short-handed Philadelphia 76ers squad on Wednesday before hosting the Bulls on Friday and the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.

Atkinson said he wanted his players to celebrate the 12-0 start, and Mitchell agreed it's a record they should cherish right now. However, the Cavs star acknowledged the true test will be how the Cavs respond to this early momentum for the rest of the season and whether they can sustain it.

"It's great. We're playing well, vibes are good, but we have to continue to be this team," Mitchell said. "And that's been my message to the guys in the locker room. This is great. We're going to get teams' best shots. We're going to get tested early, but are we going to continue? And I never -- no doubt we will -- but that's been my thing. Are we going to continue to be this team January, February, March, April?

"I think the guys all feel it, but it's great to enjoy these moments too while you're still having a humble approach to it."

By the end of Saturday night, the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs no longer contained Lionel Messi. Inter Miami were ousted in shocking fashion, at the hands of the Eastern Conference's No. 9 seed: Atlanta United.

That was hardly the only shock, though. The top three teams in the Eastern Conference, including last year's MLS Cup winners, will watch the rest of the postseason from the comfort of their homes.

With plenty to talk about after Round 1 came to a close on Saturday night, and nearly two whole weeks before the conference semifinals begin, ESPN breaks down the highs, the lows and the controversy of MLS's just-concluded best-of-three series.

The talk of Round 1

Title favorites emerge from Los Angeles

With Inter Miami and the Columbus Crew now out of the picture, all eyes will now be set on the new title favorites emerging from the west coast: LAFC and the LA Galaxy.

Carried by four goals and an assist from Riqui Puig, the Galaxy were relentless with their 5-0 and 4-1 thrashings of the Colorado Rapids in the most recent playoff round. Let's not forget Gabriel Pec either. MLS' Newcomer of the Year was also brilliant with three assists and a goal in the two-game series. As long as they avoid some of the defensive mistakes seen this season, their attack should be able to compensate for any issues from the No. 2 seed from the West.

As for the conference's No. 1 seed, despite some roadblocks in a series against the Vancouver Whitecaps that went three games, there's still reason to have plenty of faith in the side that lifted the U.S. Open Cup champions. LAFC have got depth in the frontline, and by the way, they just so happen to have a backup option like club legend Carlos Vela now back on the bench. -- Cesar Hernandez

Atlanta embraces underdog status in upsetting Miami

After cruising to the Supporters' Shield (and setting a single-season points record with 74) Inter Miami are out of the playoffs in the first round. There's no two ways about it: that's an unexpected jolt for the league and a history-making loss for the Herons.

Miami's star-studded team did reveal weaknesses throughout the season. And Atlanta United -- who finished the year in ninth place in the Eastern conference and a full 34 points below Miami -- exploited them. United punished Miami's vulnerable defense in transition, and Jamal Thiaré was immense when it mattered.

Forty-year-old former Premier League goalkeeper and USMNT veteran, Brad Guzan was the overarching star in a series filled with them. His seven saves in Saturday's thrilling 3-2 finale and 18 saves across the series included some world-class heroics, and proved that the matchup's numerous aging talents weren't all dressed in pink.

On the one hand, missing out on Messi & Co. in the remainder of this year's playoffs is a disappointment (rest assured that the league's marketers aren't thrilled), but this surprise series gives fans some of the stuff we love most: the glory of the underdog, the come-from-behind victory, the never-say-die 40-year-old goalkeeper sending the superstar squad to an early end. -- Megan Swanick

Keepers' union takes top billing

Goalkeepers rarely receive the recognition or attention they deserve, but several stole the show in the first round of the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs after five of eight series were defined by penalty shootouts.

In the East, New York City FC's Matt Freese saved three penalties against FC Cincinnati to knock out an MLS Cup favorite and clinch a spot in the semifinals. Orlando City SC goalkeeper Pedro Gallese and the New York Red Bulls' Carlos Coronel also single-handedly earned their respective teams a ticket to the next round in saving two spot kicks each. In the West, the Seattle Sounders' Stefan Frei and Minnesota United No. 1 Dayne St. Clair proved to be vital when making key penalty saves.

Although Guzan was not put in a position to save a shot from the spot, he did stop Messi on several occasions to keep Atlanta's playoff dreams alive. Guzan proved to be Messi's kryptonite through the three matches, denying the forward goals like so few have around the world.

When a team triumphs, even in a penalty shootout, fans quickly credit the attacking players for the efforts on the pitch. But a goalkeeper's performance, no matter how grand, often goes unnoticed.

These keepers deserve the credit. No team plans to be in a position to make their No. 1 the most valuable player on the pitch, but Guzan, Freese, St. Clair, Frei, Gallese and Coronel stand as a reminder that the role cannot be undervalued. -- Lizzy Becherano

Round 1 MVP

Riqui Puig | LA Galaxy

The LA Galaxy are looking like the team to beat heading into the next round of games, and the 25-year-old Spanish midfielder is one of the big reasons why. With four goals and one assist across a two-game series, Puig is both a conductor and finisher in LA's inspiring attack. He's also on track to be the postseason's top scorer (only Vancouver's Ryan Gauld has scored more in the playoffs, but he won't be able to add to his tally after the Whitecaps' elimination) if he keeps the pace in the next round. -- Swanick

Brad Guzan | Atlanta United

Move aside, Messi. At 40 years of age, Guzan was nothing short of phenomenal against Miami. Sure, the former Aston Villa man did allow five goals across three matches, but the scorelines could have been far, far worse for Atlanta had Guzan not provided a noteworthy tally of 18 saves.

"Grinding, believing, resilience," said the captain on how he and his teammates surpassed Messi & Co. "There's some fairy dust in our locker room." -- Hernandez

Jamal Thiaré | Atlanta United

Thiaré concluded the 2024 MLS season with six goals and no assists in 25 games, underwhelming supporters. He entered the decisive third match of the best-of-three playoff series against Inter Miami ready to prove all wrong.

The 31-year-old from Senegal netted Atlanta's equalizer on Saturday night with a right-footed strike from inside the box before earning the Five Stripes their first lead of the night with a second goal just minutes later. The forward broke down Miami's backline alongside Alexey Miranchuk before finding the top of the net.

Thiaré's defiant attitude going forward and perfectly timed runs proved devastating for Inter Miami, leaving Tomás Avilés, David Martínez and Marcelo Weigandt scrambling. Despite a quiet regular-season campaign, the forward accomplished what many before him tried and failed to do so at Chase Stadium. -- Becherano

Goal of Round 1

Luca Orellano | FC Cincinnati

Although Orellano's efforts were eventually overshadowed by three NYCFC goals, his Game 2 strike deserves recognition. The player positioned himself perfectly in the final third and nutmegged defender Kevin O'Toole before completing the stunning left-footed strike into the upper left corner of the goal.

Orellano spoiled fans with golazos throughout the season, winning 2024 MLS Goal of the Year and netting strikes from 70 yards out, and the rocket against NYCFC was more of the same. -- Becherano

What a strike from Orellano! @fccincinnati cut the deficit to one goal. // Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/T2KCIG3G0X

Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 2, 2024

Jordi Alba | Inter Miami

An incredible and accurate long-range attempt from the 35-year-old Spaniard. The strike, which proved to be Game 1's match-winner, clocked in at an xG of just 0.03. In order to get something past Guzan, it had to be something special. -- Hernandez

Jamal Thiaré | Atlanta United

They came in quick succession, so at the risk of breaking the rules, Thiaré's brace of goals in the 19th and 21st minutes of Atlanta's 3-2 win in Game 3 against Miami both deserve a shout. The timing, the positioning, the placement: Thiaré's crisp composure was perfect on both pivotal goals. -- Swanick

Most anticipated conference semifinal matchups

6. New York City FC vs. 7. New York Red Bulls

Who doesn't love a playoff derby?

Both of the New York teams defeated higher-ranked opponents to progress to the conference semifinals, where they'll meet each other for a historic derby. NYCFC saw off last season's Shield winners, Cincinnati, in a three-game series that ended with Freese delivering three saves in a decisive penalty shootout. And NYRB beat last year's champions, the Columbus Crew, in a two-game upset of the conference's No. 2 seed.

Next up: the first-ever Hudson River Derby in the MLS Cup playoffs. NYCFC have won two of their three meetings this season, but anything can happen in the playoffs. Prepare your popcorn. -- Swanick

2. LA Galaxy vs. 6. Minnesota United

On paper, this one looks easy for the Galaxy, but don't overlook Minnesota.

The Loons are undefeated in their past seven games and have only lost once since September. They've got some weak spots in their XI, but if St. Clair can step up like he did against Real Salt Lake, Minnesota will have a fighting chance against the likes of Puig and Pec.

That said, the Galaxy are still the favorites here and have a handful of game-changers within their roster --- which includes Marco Reus off the bench. -- Hernandez

4. Orlando City vs. 9. Atlanta United

The Eastern Conference semifinals will serve as the setting for one of the most passionate confrontations of the 2024 MLS playoffs.

Atlanta United enter the match with a newfound momentum and strengthened underdog mentality after knocking off heavy favorites Inter Miami. The Five Stripes came together under interim manager Rob Valentino and look capable of giving Orlando City all they can handle.

The Lions may have shown signs of struggle against Charlotte FC in the first round, but the No. 4 seed -- boasting talents like Facundo Torres and Ramiro Enrique -- are the highest-ranked team still standing in the East. At their best, Orlando can overcome even the strongest opponents. -- Becherano

When Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suárez arrived in South Beach, it sure felt like Inter Miami had just won the MLS lottery.

"We have (already) succeeded," managing owner Jorge Mas said last summer, basking in the joy of his superstar-filled squad. "Expectations is something else, but we've succeeded. The fact that Lionel Messi is here, that Sergio Busquets is here and others are going to come, that we've opened new chapters for the sport in this country, we've succeeded."

Commercial success isn't the same thing as on-field success, however. As Inter Miami sped past the single-season MLS points record this season, winning the Supporters' Shield and becoming the best regular season team ever, ESPN wondered: where does this 2024 Miami campaign rank among the best seasons in league history? And how does their first-round playoff exit at the hands of Atlanta United impact things?

Buckle up, folks, because it's time to answer those questions.

1. Toronto FC, 2017

The only MLS team to ever win a domestic treble, Toronto FC's 2017 run checks all the boxes that you would expect the greatest MLS team of all time to check.

Oh Canada!@torontofc takes down Seattle 2-0 to win the @MLS Cup and cap off arguably the greatest season in league history. pic.twitter.com/vnCE3Pnl3Q

ESPN (@espn) December 9, 2017

Trophies? Check. In 2017, Toronto picked up an MLS Cup victory, won the Supporters' Shield, and came out on top in the Canadian Championship en route to etching their name in record books. Superstars? Double check. With Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore roaming the attack, opposing defenses had very few answers for Greg Vanney's team. Elite depth and versatility in the squad? Toronto FC had that, too, with Michael Bradley, Mark Delgado, and Victor Vazquez roaming the center of the field. Tim Bezbatchenko, who would later become one of the architects of the modern day Columbus Crew, certainly wasn't messing around up in the front office.

Toronto was excellent across all fronts, set the then-regular season points record by racking up 69 points, and featured one of the most well-rounded rosters in MLS history. Even before adding in the fact that its success in 2017 created the platform for a run to the Concacaf Champions League final in 2018, which featured wins over Liga MX giants Tigres and Club America, Toronto belongs on top of this list.

2. D.C. United, 1998

After Toronto's treble-winning season, the rankings begin to get much murkier. Plenty of teams in MLS history have impressed en route to winning a pair of trophies in a single season, though none have gone about claiming those trophies quite like D.C. United in 1998.

That D.C. team wasn't a slouch domestically, dominating the Eastern Conference in the regular season, finishing second in the Supporters' Shield race, and appearing in MLS Cup. Still, it's D.C. United's ultra-rare claim to regional supremacy that sees them so high up this list. Winners of the Concacaf Champions League and Copa Interamericana, a competition that pitted the CCL and Copa Libertadores champions against each other, in 1998, D.C. United can boast of success across the Americas in a way that so few other MLS teams can.

By taking down Brazil's Vasco da Gama over two legs, Bruce Arena's team left a real impression. Top U.S. talents like Eddie Pope, Tony Sanneh, and John Harkes shined alongside Bolivian stars Marco Etcheverry and Jaime Moreno. Their third-straight double-winning season, it was 1998 that positioned D.C. United as something of a regional power.

3. LAFC, 2022

Few teams in MLS history have pieced together as much talent as the 2022 version of LAFC -- and even fewer teams have watched as that talent turned into an MLS Cup win and a Supporters' Shield victory. That was the story for LAFC in their first season under Steve Cherundolo when they bested the Philadelphia Union to claim both the playoff prize and the regular season crown.

Carlos Vela, though not at the height of his powers, was still a productive face of the team on the wing. Cristian Arango led the team in scoring, while a mixture of high-level MLS veterans like Ilie Sánchez and Ryan Hollingshead and promising young stars like José Cifuentes and Diego Palacios added real support. The midseason arrivals of Dénis Bouanga, though he wouldn't unlock his full potential in black and gold until the following season, Giorgio Chiellini, and MLS Cup hero Gareth Bale reminded the rest of the league just how big a threat LAFC are at their best.

While Bob Bradley's LAFC team in 2019 seemed to hit higher highs in the regular season, the 2022 edition earns its place on this list -- and over its predecessor -- thanks to their playoff triumph.

4. LA Galaxy, 2011

The season that kicked off a streak of three MLS Cup victories in four seasons, 2011 was the year the monkey finally climbed off the Galaxy's -- and David Beckham's -- back.

The LA Galaxy had won trophies before, of course. But after signing Beckham in 2007, they were still waiting on that MLS Cup breakthrough with their icon in tow. They'd come close in the two years prior to 2011. They fell in MLS Cup in 2009 in a penalty shootout against Real Salt Lake before losing the Western Conference final in 2010 at the hands of FC Dallas. In 2011, though? That was the year the dam broke.

With Beckham, Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane, and a suite of other club legends leading the way, the LA Galaxy finished top of the table in the regular season to win the Supporters' Shield before a trio of wins earned them an ever-coveted chance to lift MLS Cup. There have been slightly more dominant Galaxy teams (2014 comes to mind, with their plus-32 goal differential), but 2011 met the moment. Finally.

5. Atlanta United, 2018

Though they came up two points short of the Supporters' Shield in one of the all-time races in 2018, Atlanta United's second-ever MLS season was one of the greatest in league history.

Both the Five Stripes and the New York Red Bulls topped the single-season points record set by Toronto FC one year earlier, with Atlanta landing at a would've-been record of 69 points while New York tipped them at 71. In the 2018 regular season, though, Atlanta United played the more dominant soccer. According to American Soccer Analysis, Tata Martino's team led the league in expected goal differential that season and finished second in their entire database (which goes back to the 2013 season), only behind LAFC's run in 2019.

While Atlanta missed out on the Shield, they had their revenge on the Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference final, beating them across two legs to book a date with the Portland Timbers in MLS Cup. In front of a roaring crowd at home, a squad led by Josef Martínez, Miguel Almirón, and Darlington Nagbe enjoyed a 2-0 win to cap off an elite campaign. Between their top-tier collection of talent, an incredible regular season, and a revenge-filled playoff run, few teams have put together a season quite like Atlanta United in 2018.

Honorable Mentions

At last, we've arrived at Inter Miami's run in 2024.

After suffering the largest upset in MLS postseason history in the first round, it's impossible to, in good conscience, push Miami into the top five. Are they the greatest regular season team of all time? Absolutely. Breaking the single-season points record speaks to that fact. But when it came to tournament play, Messi & Co. came up well short in the Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup, and the MLS Cup playoffs.

Ultimately, they end up at the top of the best regular season teams, along with the New England Revolution (2021), LAFC (2019), and the New York Red Bulls (2018).

Other multi-trophy teams like D.C. United in 1996, 1997, and 1999, the Chicago Fire in 1998, and LA Galaxy in early 2000s and early 2010s all have a right to feel aggrieved that they didn't crack the top five. But none should feel more disappointed about the gap between preseason expectations and eventual results than this year's Inter Miami team.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- After four "challenging" days, Florida men's basketball coach Todd Golden welcomed the reception he got when he took the court Monday night.

Golden received a rousing ovation, one of the loudest of the night, during pregame introductions before the 20th-ranked Gators beat Grambling State 86-62.

"I thought it was great," Golden said. "I thought [fans] were as usual, and obviously during the current circumstances, I appreciate it."

It was Golden's first public appearance since he acknowledged an ongoing school inquiry into sexual harassment and stalking allegations. Golden previously said he is considering "defamation claims."

The 39-year-old Golden shook hands with his assistants and got several hugs from players as well as Grambling State coach Donte' Jackson. Golden's wife, Megan, and their two young boys sat behind the bench.

Advertisements and public service announcements involving the coach were removed from videoboards inside the O'Connell Center.

The Independent Florida Alligator reported Friday the university was investigating Golden for allegations of sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, stalking and cyberstalking multiple women, including students.

According to the student-run newspaper, the claims include unwanted sexual advances on Instagram, requesting sexual favors and sending photos and videos of his genitalia. The newspaper based its report on a Title IX complaint filed against Golden on Sept. 27.

"What's personally getting me through this right now?" Golden said. "Respecting the situation, my family, my team, my coaching staff. We're just continuing to attack it like we normally would every day."

Asked what he would say to women fans, Golden requested patience.

"Obviously, in this situation, due process and to continue to support guys, and I just would hope that they would allow the process to take place and see where it ends up," he said.

On more than one occasion, the paper said, Golden allegedly took photos of women walking or driving and sent those pictures to the subjects involved. Alleged stalking incidents also included Golden showing up to locations where he knew the women would be.

"Again, I know what's going on. I know the situation," Golden said. "Our staff's done a great job. Our guys have done a good job. We've spent a lot of time together over the last couple days and continue to prepare for what we have in front of us, which was this game tonight and what will be Florida State on Friday."

The Gators (3-0) responded with their best first half of the season against Grambling State (1-2). Five players scored in double figures, led by Rueben Chinyelu's 14 points, which tied a career high. Golden said their performance was expected.

"I think they know who I am and, again, they're mature," Golden said. "They're all really good guys and all super focused. We had really good practices. We had a great shootaround and I thought they were all really locked in. I felt like we were going to play really well."

TORONTO -- After a lengthy career, waiting out his eligibility period, then 12 years of sitting by the phone, Jeremy Roenick finally received his call for induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

And on Monday night, in a ceremony with the rest of his class, he formally entered into it.

Roenick, 54, an American who banked 1,216 points in 1,363 games with the Chicago Blackhawks, Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks, was among the headliners in a class that included Shea Weber, Pavel Datsyuk, Natalie Darwitz and Krissy Wendell in the player category. David Poile and Colin Campbell entered as builders.

Roenick, the colorful, Boston-born winger, added 122 points, including 53 goals, in 154 playoff contests. He also won silver at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, when Team USA fell to Canada.

"I love this game," he said. "It's been such a huge part of my life for most of my life."

Weber, the former defenseman whose career ended prematurely because of a long list of injuries, has been unable to play since helping drag the underdog Montreal Canadiens to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final.

"My love for the game remains strong," he said during his speech. "Even if my body didn't hold up as long as I had hoped."

The 39-year-old registered 589 points in 1,038 games with the Canadiens and Nashville Predators. He added 42 points in 97 playoff contests.

"There's so much to be grateful for when playing this game," Weber said. "And it's not just the big moments, grinding out a playoff win or taking home Olympic gold. It's in the small, seemingly routine moments that matter the most.

"It's those friendships built during countless plane and bus rides, team dinners, breaking things down in the trainer's room. It's when a veteran player takes you under his wing and shows you what it truly means to be a professional. I want to thank all those players for demonstrating the importance of hard work and dedication."

Datsyuk, 46, put up 918 points in 953 games with the Detroit Red Wings. He chipped in 113 points across 157 playoff contests that included Stanley Cup victories in 2002 and 2008.

The Russian center with majestic skill was also a four-time Lady Byng Trophy winner as the NHL's most gentlemanly player and captured the Selke Trophy as the league's top defensive forward on three occasions.

Datsyuk, who along with Weber was enshrined in his first year of eligibility, played five seasons in the KHL after leaving Detroit in 2016. He represented his country at five straight Olympics, capturing gold in 2018 and bronze in 2002.

"Being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor," Datsyuk said. "[An] honor I couldn't even dream of."

Wendell, 43, twice represented the United States at the Olympics, winning silver in 2002 and bronze in 2006. The forward from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, grabbed six medals at the world championships and was the first American captain to capture tournament gold.

"The greatest thing about hockey was not winning championships or medals," Wendell said. "But the people that I got to meet along the way."

Darwitz, 41, suited up for the U.S. at the 2002, 2006 and 2010 Winter Games, winning two silver medals and a bronze. The forward out of St. Paul, Minnesota, also competed at the worlds eight times, securing three gold medals.

"I wasn't your everyday little girl and somehow my mom was on to me," Darwitz said. "On my fifth birthday, my blonde French braids strolled into the hockey rink."

Campbell's hockey life has included time as a player, coach and, for the last 25 years, a senior executive vice president with the NHL. He helped spearhead the league's centralized video review hub that's now the standard across much of the North American sporting world.

The 71-year-old also won the Stanley Cup in 1994 as an associate coach with the New York Rangers.

"I've spoken to general managers over the years, board of governors," Campbell said. "This is a first, and as I look out and see this group, it's certainly inspiring and scary."

Poile, 74, started as an NHL executive with the Atlanta and Calgary Flames in the 1970s before becoming general manager of the Washington Capitals in 1982.

The Toronto native joined the expansion Predators in Nashville 1997 to become GM, a position he held until retiring in 2023. One of his biggest moves was trading Weber to Montreal for P.K. Subban in June 2016.

"I have poured my heart and soul into the game," Poile said. "But hockey has given me and my family so much more."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.