Happy Monday BTP family. Hopefully you all had a fun and safe weekend. In today's BTP we take a dive into the USMNT improbable run at the World Cup, Anthony Davis' eruption for 55 points in last night's win against the Wizards, and where the 49ers stand with Jimmy Garoppolo's season ending injury.

Start your week off here!

WORLD CUP RACE

The USMNT Impressive Run Comes to an End, Eyes Turn to 2026

The United States Men's National Team was officially eliminated from the World Cup on Saturday morning after a 3-1 loss to Netherlands. The young US squad successfully made it out of group stages after draws to both Wales and England and a 1-0 victory over Iran. This is the first time the United States has made it to the round of 16 since 2014 after failing to qualify just four years ago in Russia.

Against Netherlands on Saturday head coach Gregg Berhalter started eight players that were 25 years old or younger. More than half of Berhalter’s US squad comes from the world’s top five leagues so this lineup gets a lot more respect than previous years. Furthermore, 19 out of the 26 active players made their World Cup debuts in Qatar. Berhalter owns an impressive 71.1% winning percentage with this squad, (the highest in USMNT history) but the overarching question seems to be whether he will be back coaching in 2026.

What's Next?

There is no doubt this US squad is young and ready to make some real noise when the World Cup takes place here in the United States in 2026. The majority of the US’ players will be in their prime during the next World Cup. Not to mention more than half the squad will be playing their teenage years in a competitive European league outside of international play. If the United States wants to compete in 2026, these young players must continue to progress like they have been already. With an opportunity like this one in 2026 on home soil, expect the US to make a serious run at the next World Cup title.

HEATING UP

Anthony Davis Changes Everything for the Lakers

The Lakers couldn’t have started the season much worse if they tried. After going 2-10 over their first 12 games, it appeared the Lakers’ title hopes were over before they could even begin. But things in La La Land aren’t quite so bleak nowadays, despite their 12th place standing in the West.

The Lakers are undoubtedly playing better basketball, going 7-3 in their last ten games, and it isn’t hard to see what's changed: Anthony Davis, the real Anthony Davis, is back. AD is playing like the superstar he was supposed to be when the Lakers moved heaven and earth to get him for the 2019-20 season.

In the last ten games, AD is averaging an insane 34.2 points, 15.4 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game, while shooting 63.3%. But he saved his best game of the year for last night against the Wizards, where he dropped 55 points on 22-30 shooting and a whopping 17 rebounds.

AD is on another planet right now and has scored 99 points over his last two games. The last Laker to accomplish such a feat? The late, great Kobe Bryant in 2007. This version of the Lakers is built around the duo of LeBron and AD, and while LeBron’s had a remarkable year, his 20th season, averaging 26.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 6.6 assists in 16 games, they need AD to be AD to have any shot at a ring. It’s impossible to know for sure if this version of AD is sustainable, but if it is, it changes everything we think we know about the West.

INJURY BUZZ

With Jimmy G Out for the Year, 49ers Turn to Mr. Irrelevant

Maybe the 49ers are just cursed! San Francisco lost yet another quarterback this year after Jimmy G broke his foot yesterday against the Dolphins. Under Kyle Shanahan, the Niners have been among the best teams in the NFL only to see their season derailed by untimely injuries. The fact that they’re 8-4 after losing their starting QB in just the second game of the season is as a ringing endorsement as anything of their impressive coaching and roster construction.

Jimmy G’s stats may leave a lot to be desired, but there’s no denying that with the 49ers, he stacks regular season wins. The guys love him, and his injury puts their Super Bowl chances in a very perilous position. Now under center for San Francisco is Brock Purdy, a.k.a “Mr. Irrelevant.” And before you @ us, no, we’re not taking shots at the young Purdy, who performed admirably in relief of Jimmy G, throwing for 210 yards, two TDs, and a pick in Sunday’s win. "Mr. Irrelevant” is simply an honorary title given to the last pick of the NFL Draft.

Kyle Shanahan is considered one of the most gifted offensive minds in the league, but asking him to win with a 3rd string quarterback is a tall order. Thankfully, Purdy has been in the system all year and has gotten plenty of reps against an elite defense. As for Jimmy G, he likely did enough this year to earn a huge payday this offseason, and if not, the door is always open for a modeling career.

THE RUMOR MILL

Trae Young's Absence vs. Nuggets Was Due to Spat with Hawks Coach, per report

Steph Curry's full-court video was a fake, but it speaks to his superpowers that we weren't sure at first

THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

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