USA versus Iran was more than just a game

We will never truly understand what the players on Iran’s national football team went through and were put through by an oppressive dictatorship that tried to hijack their moment.

Good morning and welcome to The Morning Column presented by The Sporting Tribune. Please subscribe if you haven’t done so already. It’s free and will be delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. OK, let’s get to it!

1. USA versus Iran was more than just a game

Watching Iran play in this year’s World Cup, especially the final game against the United States, was a complicated experience for The Sporting Tribune’s Arash Markazi, who is an Iranian-American.

I wasn’t sure how to feel about the match as an Iranian-American. I have been conflicted this entire World Cup. I love these young Iranian players. They are heroes but I hate the Islamic Republic they were forced to represent. There was sadly no way to separate the players from the oppressive dictatorship backing them.

---

2. Lakers blow out and avenge earlier loss against Blazers

The Lakers got a much-needed win against the Portland Trail Blazers after that disastrous ending against Indiana on Monday. The Sporting Tribune’s Rey Moralde has more from the Lakers’ 128-109 win on Wednesday.

Lakers played a clean brand of basketball, only turning the ball over 7 times the entire game. They even shot well behind the arc at 14 for 37 (.378). L.A. outrebounded the Blazers by three (remember that they were -12 in their first match-up). But what really stood out was the second chance points; Lakers had a 26-11 advantage. It’s really one of their better games this season. Portland looked outmatched and uncomfortable in the second half and that’s what the Lakers need to do with their duo of stars and improving role players.

---

3. Chargers News: Injuries, Bosa and Williams update

Chargers coach Brandon Staley gave an update on the numerous injuries the team has before facing the Raiders on Sunday. The Sporting Tribune’s Fernando Ramirez has the latest on the Chargers.

The offense could potentially be without receiver Mike Williams. He is still dealing with the reaggravated ankle he suffered against the Kansas City Chiefs. He has missed four games. Staley said Williams is day-to-day, and they will try to get him on the practice field this week. It would be huge for the offense if he can’t play on Sunday, but he may be a week away.

---

4. Fantasy Football PPR QB and Defense Rankings

Patrick Mahomes continues to be the most dominant fantasy quarterback but can Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts continue to rush the football at a high level this weekend to finish as the QB1? Is Trevor Lawrence a valuable fantasy QB the rest of the way? What about Justin Herbert? The Sporting Tribune’s Brandon Deutsch has the answers.

Justin Herbert had his first 28+ fantasy point performance of the season in the Chargers’ win against the Cardinals on Sunday, and is taking that momentum into a divisional matchup vs. the Raiders.

---

5. Kings waive struggling goalie Cal Petersen

The Los Angeles Kings put goaltender Cal Petersen on waivers Wednesday, one day after the team’s 9-8 overtime loss to the visiting Seattle Kraken. The Sporting Tribune has more from the surprising move.

Petersen gave up four goals on 16 shots in relief of Jonathan Quick, who allowed five goals on 14 shots. Petersen allowed the decisive goal to Andre Burakovsky 2:08 into overtime. Petersen, 28, is 5-3-2 with a 3.75 goals-against average in 10 games this season, but he has a woeful .868 save percentage that ranks second worst among the NHL’s 59 qualifiers. Petersen is in the second season of a three-year, $15 million deal as the backup to Quick, the longtime Kings starting netminder. Overall, Petersen is 44-42-10 with a 2.92 GAA and .905 save percentage in five seasons with the Kings.

---

6. Jordan Clarkson pours in 33 as Jazz handle Clippers

Jordan Clarkson scored a season-high 33 points to help the Utah Jazz snap a five-game losing streak with a 125-112 victory over the Clippers on Wednesday night in Salt Lake City. The Sporting Tribune has more on the game.

John Wall led the Clippers with 26 points off the bench, but they were limited without Paul George (hamstring), Kawhi Leonard (ankle) and Norman Powell (groin) and were playing for the second straight night after winning in Portland on Tuesday. The Clippers erased a double-digit, first-half deficit and nearly did the same in the second half after Utah re-established a big lead.

---

7. Odds and Ends presented by Circa Sports

Here are some odds at Circa Sports if you’re thinking about placing a wager today:

---

8. Ticket Time presented by TickPick  

Here are the “get in” prices for tickets if you’re thinking about going to a game today:

Arizona Coyotes at Los Angeles Kings: $23

---

9. On the Air presented by Pirnia Law

Here are the game times and television channels for professional teams in the region:

5:30 p.m. – Anaheim Ducks at Dallas Stars – Bally Sports SoCal

7:30 p.m. – Arizona Coyotes at Los Angeles Kings – Bally Sports West   

---

10. The Arash Markazi Show presented by The Sporting Tribune 

On Wednesday’s show, the crew talked about the Clippers possibly taking over Los Angeles with The Sporting Tribune’s Tim Lee and Grant Mona.

Listen to The Arash Markazi Show presented by The Sporting Tribune on The Mightier 1090 ESPN Radio in Southern California, 98.5 The Fan in Las Vegas and the Hawaii Sports Radio Network 95.1 FM and 760 AM in Hawaii. You can also listen to the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play and Stitcher.

Thank you for reading. Please click below to subscribe to The Morning Column presented by The Sporting Tribune. It’s totally free and will be delivered to your inbox every morning.

That’s it for today. Talk to you all tomorrow!