From accusations against the Raiders to honors for the Golden Knights, here’s everything that happened last week in Las Vegas Sports (Nov 28 – Dec 4).
#6 Las Vegas Raiders players accused of milking injuries
The Las Vegas Raiders are one of the most controversial teams in the league and that image isn’t getting any better. One sports radio host is now even accusing Las Vegas players of milking their injuries and intentionally sitting out. Could these accusations about the Silver and Black be correct?
“Every team plays hard,” JT said on his 920 AM Raider Nation Radio show. “But this team, there is something special about it because there are guys who are not playing for whatever reason, wink, wink, and can’t get on the field, wink, wink, and the rest of these guys are like ‘if you can’t get on the field, we’re going to win the game.”
#5 23XI Racing leaving the door open for a Kurt Busch return
Las Vegas native Kurt Busch was forced to retire from NASCAR after a concussion-like injury at Pocono Raceway, but that might not be the end. In fact, 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin claimed that the door is always open for Busch to return when he recovers. This means Busch could race on a part-time basis as soon as 2023.
“We just wanna get him cleared first. And then, let him decide whatever he wants to do,” Hamlin stated during an interview with Bob Pockrass.
While Busch’s full-time racing career may be over, it’s nice to know that Hamlin has a place for him at 23XI Racing. That shows a great deal of respect for the former Cup Series champion and could result in a historic return.
#4 Las Vegas Golden Knights goalie Logan Thompson earns ROTM honors
The Las Vegas Golden Knights have been on a roll, and Logan Thompson is a major part of that. The rookie sits with a record of 12-5 as a starter in 2022, only allowing 43 goals so far. These stats were good enough to get Thompson a Rookie of the Month nod from the NHL.
The young goalie is showing so much consistency and could turn out to be a factor in the playoffs. How could he not be with the kind of performances he has shown to Las Vegas fans so far? Think about it! He and Adin Hill were apparently enough for the Golden Knights to put Laurent Brossoit on waivers!
Related: Must see Las Vegas sports events for the month of December
#3 Las Vegas Raiders need to win 5 out of the next 6 to make the playoffs
The Las Vegas Raiders are in playoff peril this season, but there might be light at the end of the tunnel. All the Raiders have to do is win five out of their next six games to make a wildcard spot, according to the New York Times simulator. Another scenario is winning all six games for a reported 93% chance of making the playoffs.
There are several roadblocks in their way. For example, a loss to anyone besides the San Francisco 49ers will be the end of their season. That means they must defeat the Chargers, the Patriots, the Steelers, and the Kansas City Chiefs.
#2 A’ja Wilson upset over the 2023 WNBA schedule
Could the WNBA be stacking the deck against the Las Vegas Aces? That’s the question players and fans are asking after it was announced that the Aces’ schedule will start with two away games. The first is against the Seattle Storm in a Semi-Finals rematch from 2022. The other is against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto Arena.
“Someone looked at this schedule — not saying any names — but someone looked at this schedule and said, ‘How can we screw over the Aces?’” Aja Wilson told Yahoo Sports. “Well, they tried. We’ll see if it works.”
Is giving the Las Vegas Aces two away games to start the season intentional? Why would The WNBA want to see their fastest-growing franchise fail so quickly? The logic just doesn’t make sense, and seems to be the Aces just crying foul. The two away games are a little harsh, but it’s nothing a championship team shouldn’t be able to handle.
#1 Las Vegas Raiders defeat Los Angeles Chargers for third straight victory
The Las Vegas Raiders have won their third straight game after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers 27-20 on Sunday. While the Los Angeles Chargers notched up a ten-point lead to start the game, Joshua Jacobs responded with a 20-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Daniel Carlson then chipped in a 55-yard field goal, but it was counteracted with a Chargers field goal with only seconds left in the half.
Then came the third quarter, where Derek Carr and Davantae Adams would connect twice in the endzone. The first was a 31-yard throw to put the Raiders up 17-13. The second touchdown was a 45-yard pass that would give Las Vegas an 11-point lead. The fourth quarter came down to the Raiders’ defense, which held the Chargers to one touchdown in the second half. Daniel Carlson also managed a 25-yard field goal to help secure the victory.
The defense really deserves the most credit for the victory on Sunday. Not only is that evident by Chandler Jones’ three sacks in the first half, but also by holding the chargers to one touchdown in the second half. Nate Hobbs led the afternoon with seven tackles, followed by Jones with four. This has to feel like a huge victory for the defense after all their shortcomings this season.
Carr went 11 of 25 for 205 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in Sunday’s victory over Los Angeles. Joshua Jacobs finished with 13 carries for 74 yards and one touchdown. As for Davantae Adams, he caught five receptions for 143 yards and two touchdowns. This marks one of his better performances of the year.
And that’s what went down last week in Las Vegas Sports (Nov 28 – Dec 4)!
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