Worth It: Patriots (4-2) @ Bears (4-2)

Thurs: 8:15 PM ET | 5:15 PM PT – Prime Video

After a rough start, the reigning AFC champion Patriots have righted the ship with three consecutive victories. Similarly, the Bears withstood the loss of quarterback Caleb Williams to injury. With Williams slated to return this week, how quickly will the rust come off?

Worth It - Duke (4-2)  @ Virginia (4-3)

Fri: 7:00 PM ET | 4:00 PM PT – ESPN

This is the most competitive P4 game before Saturday this week. Duke has lost two in a row after a 4-0 start. Virginia has fared slightly better in conference play and just went toe-to-toe with an SMU team that is near the top of the ACC standings.

Worth It: James Madison (7-0) @ App State (4-2)

Thurs: 7:00 PM ET | 4:00 PM PT – ESPNU

Two of the most successful G6 programs face off in a Sun Belt Conference duel. At 7-0, JMU has a chance to make back-to-back playoffs, but an upset would derail its case.

Must Watch: Wild (6-2-1) @ Oilers (6-1-1)

Tues: 8:00 PM ET | 5:00 PM PT – ESPN+

Minnesota leads the Central, while Edmonton is right on the heels of Vegas in the Pacific. It’s an opportunity for both sides to make an early statement.

Must Watch: Lightning (6-2-0) @ Golden Knights (8-2-0)

Tues: 10:30 PM ET | 7:30 PM PT – ESPN

Two of the top early-season teams in the NHL make for a great game. Vegas has the league’s best record, providing a great test for Tampa on the road.

Must Watch: Lightning (6-2-0) @ Avalanche (5-2-1)

Fri: 9:00 PM ET | 6:00 PM PT – ESPN+

Tampa’s Western road trip continues against one of the best teams in the league. Colorado is just two points out of first place in the Central Division after running away with it last season, and with Tampa near the top of the Atlantic, this game has the makings of a potential Stanley Cup preview.

Must Watch: Celtics (0-0) @ Pistons (0-0)

Tues: 3:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM PT – NBC

The first game of the NBA season is a matinee between two Eastern Conference contenders. Cade Cunningham and the Pistons have been on an upward trajectory and eye a leap to the conference finals. Can they keep the momentum against a star-studded and actually healthy Celtics team?

Must Watch: Thunder (0-0) @ Spurs (0-0)

Tues: 9:30 PM ET | 6:30 PM PT – NBC

Tuesday also brings a rematch of the Western Conference Finals on opening night. They won’t meet again until February, making this one even more of a must-see game.

Must Watch: Nuggets (0-0) @ Thunder (0-0)

Thurs: 9:30 PM ET | 6:30 PM PT – ESPN

It doesn’t get any easier for OKC in Game 2 of the season. The Nuggets are another team that has proven to be a contender in the West, and three-time league MVP Nikola Jokic is a challenge to stop.

Worth It: Knicks (0-0) @ Celtics (0-0)

Fri: 7:00 PM ET | 4:00 PM PT – Prime Video

Defending champion New York makes an early rivalry trip to Boston. Both teams are expected to be contenders this season, and their meetings are always worth the time to watch.

Worth It: Golden State Valkyries (32-12) @ Atlanta Dream (30-14)

Wed (Game 3): 8:00 PM ET | 5:00 PM PT – USA Network/CNBC/Peacock

Forward Gabby Williams led the Valkyries to a Game 1 win and a 1-0 series lead on Saturday. As the series shifts to Atlanta, will we be looking at a tied series, or will Golden State still have its eyes on a sweep?

Team: Boston Celtics Forward

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri

Drafted: 2017, 3rd Overall

Big Honor: 6-time All-Star, 5-time All-NBA, 2024 NBA Champ

Where He’s From

Tatum grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, where his father Justin played college basketball alongside former NBA player Larry Hughes. Justin played briefly in the pros and is now a coach in the NBL in Australia. Jayson’s mother, Brandy Cole-Barnes, raised him.

The Road to the Pros: Jayson Tatum was a highly coveted high school basketball player, ranked as a top-10 prospect in the Class of 2016. He spent one season at Duke before going to the NBA as a top pro prospect.

Career So Far: Tatum has spent his entire 9-year career in Boston and has become the face of the Celtics franchise. 23.5 PPG, 7.4 reb, 3.9 ast, 1.1 stl, 0.9 blk.

Highlight

Why Now: Tatum missed most of last season while recovering from a ruptured Achilles, suffered in the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics dropped to No.2 in the East without him. His return could put them back atop the conference.

The Number: 66 - games Tatum missed recovering from his Achilles injury last season.

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