EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Barring any setbacks, Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma will make his season debut on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks.

After participating on Wednesday in a practice with the South Bay Lakers, the team's G League affiliate, Kuzma went through his first practice with his Lakers teammates on Thursday prior to the team's flight to Dallas.

"Yesterday was kind of the most running I've done, so to wake up and not really have too much discomfort was a good sign," Kuzma said. "Getting out here and doing the same thing [on Thursday], and so hopefully it's the same for tomorrow's game."

Lakers coach Frank Vogel said the team's training staff will monitor Kuzma's recovery but that he expects the third-year forward to play on a limited basis on Friday night.

"[The training staff is] saying around 20 minutes," Vogel said. "So there'll be a little bit of a restriction there."

Kuzma suffered a stress reaction in his left ankle in August while playing for Team USA in advance of the FIBA World Cup. Kuzma was projected to make the final roster but had to miss the competition because of the injury. He's been undergoing an intensive rehabilitation regimen, everything from underwater treadmills to a battery of upper-body exercises to maintain his strength.

"It's going to take him a little bit to get into game shape," LeBron James said. "He hasn't played since USA basketball when he had the stress reaction. Obviously he's been training and working out, but like I always tell you guys, there's no substitution for game fatigue and game stamina. That will come, though. It's great to have him back on the floor."

Teammate Anthony Davis, who has been nursing a sore shoulder, said he "felt fine," but added that Thursday's practice was light in contact.

"You can't really simulate -- well, you can, but you don't want to really simulate -- stuff that happens in games and have a chance of reaggravating it in practice," Davis said. "So it felt good during practice, and we'll see how it feels [Friday]."

Davis offered praise for Kuzma for his commitment to the recovery process.

"He works his ass off to get back every day before practice, after practice," Davis said. "He's one of those guys you got to pull off the floor. He's been doing a great job with [assistant] coach Phil [Handy] on adding to his game, staying in the weight room, getting stronger, making sure his foot is OK, and it all paid off. The more I see him work, the more he inspires me."

Selected No. 27 overall by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2017 NBA draft, Kuzma was immediately dealt to the Lakers with Brook Lopez in exchange for D'Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov. During his rookie season in Los Angeles, Kuzma quickly established himself as one of the most productive players in his draft class, averaging 16.1 points and 6.3 rebounds with a true shooting percentage of 54.9 as a rookie. Last season, Kuzma started 68 games and produced comparable numbers, though no player in the league who attempted 300 3-pointers shot a lower percentage (30.4) other than Russell Westbrook (29.0).

When the Lakers assembled their blockbuster trade for Anthony Davis last summer, Kuzma was the only member of a young core of assets that included Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart -- along with multiple first-round draft picks and swaps -- the Lakers declined to include in the deal.

Kuzma has expressed a desire to diversify his offensive game and improve his defense as he integrates himself into a Lakers team with title aspirations. Both at camp with Team USA and during individual workouts sessions with the Lakers staff during his recovery, Kuzma has been working on specific skills to bolster his skill set.

"I think that with me being a guy who can dribble, handle -- in pick-and-roll I can pop, post, shoot 3s, come off screens -- I think it's going to serve [the Lakers' ambitions] well," Kuzma said.

Kuzma said he's particularly eager to play in units that feature a front line of Davis, James and himself. He noted that Davis has traditionally excelled when playing the center position in smaller lineups.

"If you look back at the New Orleans Pelicans days when [Davis] was there, he played his best basketball when [Nicola] Mirotic was at the 4 and he was at the 5. I'm kind of similar in that aspect, spacing the floor and giving him space to operate down there. You can't really double him when me, Bron and him are on the floor. It's going to be exciting."

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. -- Artifacts from the World Series are headed to the Baseball Hall of Fame, including the ball hit by the Washington Nationals' Howie Kendrick off the right-field foul pole for the go-ahead home run in Game 7.

Following the Nationals' 6-2 win over the Houston Astros on Wednesday night, the Nationals and players donated several pieces. Other items include a jersey worn by World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg in his Game 6 victory, a cap worn by starting pitcher Max Scherzer in Game 7 and the ball Juan Soto hit for a home run in Game 1.

The bat used by Kendrick to hit a grand slam in Game 5 of the NLDS and the batting helmet worn by ALCS MVP Jose Altuve of the Astros throughout the postseason were donated earlier.

All of the items will be featured in the Autumn Glory exhibit when it opens.

PALMETTO, Fla. – Andersen Promotions has announced that Bell Helmets has become an official partner of the Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires, providing a variety of benefits to competitors on the world’s leading driver development platform.

The new collaboration will take place effective immediately – for an initial period of three years – to offer drivers cost-savings in the off-season as they prepare for the start of Road to Indy competition in March of 2020.

Bell Racing Helmets, founded in 1954, has long been regarded as the frontrunner in state-of-the-art head protection and is the leading supplier of helmets in both IndyCar and Formula 1. The company manufactures purpose-built designs utilized in all forms of motorsports worldwide.

Its U.S. headquarters is housed in Champaign, Ill., serving both North and South America, with its Indy Pro Shop in Speedway, Ind., and the new Charlotte Pro Shop in Mooresvile, N.C.

“From the view of Bell Helmets, it’s really impressive what Andersen Promotions continues to do with the Road to Indy,” said Chris Wheeler, Director of Business Development and Innovation at Bell Racing USA. “We are happy to formally have a technical partnership with them moving forward for the next three years minimum. We’re looking forward to providing trackside services to all the future stars as they come up through the Road to Indy and we’re excited to meet all the new drivers in 2020 and beyond.”

All drivers on the Road to Indy will have the opportunity to benefit from a discounted helmet program as part of the new partnership.

In addition to a Road to Indy scholarship to advance to the next step on the ladder, each of the 2020 champions will also receive a one-year Bell Helmet Athlete Contract, which includes an FIA-8860 required helmet and accessories for that year.

Bell Helmets will also be providing social media support to the Road to Indy and its competitors and has the world’s largest motorsports safety social media footprint.

The Road to Indy Pace Car Program – which provides numerous guests at each race event on the calendar with VIP track lap experiences – will be outfitted with new Bell open-face helmets.

“We are excited and proud to officially welcome Bell Helmets to the Road to Indy family,” said Dan Andersen, Owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions. “Bell already has a solid presence in our paddock and to be able to expand that support with a discounted program for all of our drivers, special offerings for our champions and social media promotion is tremendous.

“Chris [Wheeler] has long been a friend to the Road to Indy and we look forward to a great partnership with he and Bell Helmets for many years to come.”

CONCORD, N.C. — Parker Price-Miller will have one of the top opportunities of his career when he straps in for the season-ending Can-Am World Finals Nov. 7-9 at The Dirt Track at Charlotte.

Price-Miller has been tabbed to drive Christopher Bell’s No. 21 sprint car for the final event on the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series calendar and will become the first driver other than Bell to steer that entry.

Price-Miller told Sprint Car & Midget this week that the opportunity developed after a discussion between he and Bell during the recent Nittany Showdown at Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway.

“So Christopher had been texting me all during the day while (we were) at Port Royal, just asking what kind of wings I ran and little things like that, because they were struggling at Port Royal,” Price-Miller recalled. “I got a call probably about 9 p.m. or so, and I thought he just wanted to talk about wings again … so I was like, ‘Hey, I have this set of wings here if you want to try it out next time you race,’ and he said, ‘Well, actually, that’s not what I called for, but I appreciate it.’ And he wanted to know if I’d be interested in running his car.

“He had to talk to Chad (Boat) a bit because Chad takes care of the car quite a bit and they use Chad’s truck and trailer, so he had to make sure that Chad was OK with everything, but they both texted me Sunday afternoon and said it’s a go and that they were excited to work with me,” he added. “Hopefully, we can have a good run and make some noise.”

The chance to drive for Bell, someone that Price-Miller grew up racing with and considers a good friend, is one most drivers would relish.

The 21-year-old from Kokomo, Ind., is no exception to that sentiment.

“It’s really cool,” said Price-Miller of running for Bell’s team. “Obviously, the little kid inside me gets pretty excited, because guys like that are one percenters and to drive for one of them is pretty cool. I’ve actually been friends with Chris since before he was known as Christopher Bell. We used to race micros together, and actually we both worked with Rick Ferkel for a while, so we’ve always kind of known each other and been friends.

“With his NASCAR path and his other commitments, we still are friends; we just don’t have the strong friendship we used to have,” Price-Miller noted. “But it’s always good to see him at the race track and for him to give me a call to go to a race like the World Finals and to have the confidence in me to put his car in a good spot is a pretty overwhelming.”

Considering the similarities in Bell’s equipment to what Price-Miller has run for much of the year — spending much of his time in the No. 71p Indy Race Parts entry under the guidance of Bernie Stuebgen — the young Hoosier believes the World Finals will be his time to shine.

“Obviously it’s gonna be a tough field, but I don’t think Chris would waste his money if he didn’t think we had a chance and I wouldn’t waste my time if I didn’t think I had a chance,” Price-Miller said. “I’ve been good at Charlotte before; last year (at the World Finals) I was quick time both nights and ran top 10 on Saturday, so I’m confident that we can have a good run. He’s got a good motor program and a good package that I’m pretty familiar with, all-around.

“They run the Speedway engines, which is what I run usually; it’s a Maxim (Chassis) race car, which is the cars I usually run; and Factory Kahne shocks, which is what I usually run, so it’s not like I’m sitting in something new. It’s something that I at least have a feel for.

“All in all, I think that all the pieces are there for us to have a successful weekend.”

CONCORD, N.C. – Due to a severe weather forecast for the evening, DIRTcar Racing and Charlotte Motor Speedway officials have postponed Thursday’s DRIVEN Racing Oil World Short Track Championship open practice session.

Thursday’s originally scheduled hot lap session will be moved to noon Friday and condensed to one session following the order of Flight 2, which includes all nine divisions.

Friday’s portion of the program remains as scheduled with grandstands opening at 3 p.m. and on-track action beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Friday’s pit pass sales and registration begins at 9 a.m. All-division drivers meeting is at 11 a.m.

VADO, N.M. – With roughly nine weeks remaining before the 2020 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series season kicks off at the new Vado Speedway Park, several drivers across multiple different divisions of racing have now had the opportunity to turn laps around the track in local and regional competition.

This past weekend, series regular Cade Dillard made the 14-plus-hour tow from his hometown of Robeline, La., and climbed back into the seat of his S&S Fishing & Rental Inc. No. 97 Modified to compete in the Rancho Milagro USRA Fall Nationals.

“Thriller” made the most of his first look at the track, collecting the victory in the preliminary feature on Friday night, later dominating the 24-car field on Sunday for a $20,101 check, leading all 50 laps en route to his second win in three nights.

After all was said and done, Dillard returned home with a big smile on his face and a lot of positive takeaways from his first experience at Vado, particularly the track and surrounding amenities.

“The facility is definitely top-notch,” Dillard said. “Everybody involved has done a fantastic job with it, and it’s definitely one of the nicest in the country.”

“The track surface was very nice, very racy the whole weekend. No issues keeping it smooth, it got slick and raced really well, and I’m really excited to get there with the late model.”

Dillard said the three-day show moved along very smoothly as well – a testament to the staff and safety crew employed under the management of track owner Royal Jones and general manager Rue Stone.

“Everything went really smooth there. Everybody involved on the track did a good job. As far as the wrecker service, they got everything cleaned up fast with no long cautions. Everything was run very professionally, and I’d definitely rate it one of the top facilities in the country,” Dillard said.

When the Outlaws finally get to grace the track on the weekend of Jan. 2-5, many other parts of the continental United States will be covered in snow, but not New Mexico.

Dillard said the warm weather, the big-name drivers anticipated to attend, and the state-of-the-art establishment will be a big pull factor for both the locals and the nation’s die-hard dirt late model fans to come out and enjoy four nights of on-track action.

“For one, it’s in better weather than most places in the country that time of year,” Dillard said. “Plus, it’s not very often you get to attend a race with a facility of this caliber like Vado is.”

It’s often times very easy for a driver to take a liking to the tracks they’re more successful on, but Dillard agreed Vado is just an all-around great place to come race, largely due to its popular size, shape and banking configuration.

“The way they’ve got the banking done, it’s flat around the bottom, and then the progressive banking makes it more racy,” Dillard said.

Overall, it was another successful weekend at the track for the first-year Outlaw. Much like some of the other drivers planning to make the post-New Year’s trip to kick off 2020, Dillard will make his debut at The Dirt Track at Charlotte for the Can-Am World Finals next weekend to wrap up the 2019 World of Outlaws season.

But modifieds are where Dillard came from, and it’s good to see he’s still got it.

“To be able to hop in [the modified] a couple times a year and still be competitive every time makes it nice, and also says a lot about the caliber of cars that MB Customs builds,” Dillard said. “I feel like a lot of the things I’ve learned with the late model has really helped my modified program as well.”

What better way to honor Halloween than acknowledge the NHL's walking, perhaps hobbling, wounded and gruesomely wonder how each individual injury might affect our own fantasy roster? Okay, if not fully holiday-apropos, at least this info is useful. Here's a comprehensive look at the fantasy fallout from those hurt horridly and not-so-horridly - plus others happily turnstile-ing it in exit of the infirmary. Everyone knows Vladimir Tarasenko is shelved indefinitely; how to coldly manage that reality to fantasy advantage is what we're all about.

Badly banged-up

Colorado Avalanche: With Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog sidelined, have you sought out Joonas Donskoi yet? Only those in the shallowest of fantasy leagues should bypass the widely available winger, at least in the short-term. One game into serving as substitute alongside elite center Nathan MacKinnon and Nazem Kadri - himself shifted to the wing - Donskoi is a goal to the good, scoring in Wednesday's overtime loss to the Panthers. Unlike Kadri, who also stands to benefit from such top-line assignment, Donskoi is available in nearly 95% of ESPN.com leagues. Providing added attraction, the former Shark could stick on that No. 1 unit even once Rantanen returns from injury, is three or so weeks, as then Landeskog's replacement. Coach Jared Bednar won't be long for shuffling Kadri back to second-line center, particularly if Tyson Jost doesn't flourish in the role. And Landeskog is said to be out for several weeks. Point is, Donskoi is at least worth a look, as member of the Avs' refurbished top unit.

St. Louis Blues: While the shoulder injury knocking out Vladimir Tarasenko long-term isn't news anymore, the most recent incarnation of the Blues' top line merits a look. The latest to earn a turn in filling in for Tarasenko aside Jaden Schwartz and Brayden Schenn, forward Sammy Blais, managed well enough scoring on his only (albeit impressive) shot in Wednesday's win over the Wild. While Craig Berube has threatened to address Tarasenko's absence by committee, the Blues head coach might feel persuaded to leave Blais be as long as it works. Rostered in less than 10% of ESPN.com leagues, the Sophomore could serve as an intriguing DFS asset, if nothing else. Right now, I like him in deeper conventional leagues too.

On the mend

Boston Bruins: Beyond the best forward unit in the NHL, it's worth mentioning that second-line center David Krejci is back after his unhealthy hiatus. Following a five-game absence, the veteran forward scored a goal and assist in his first reappearance, Tuesday, versus the Sharks. Perpetually and perplexingly underrated as a fantasy asset - 73 points last season everyone! - Krejci should be rostered in much more than a third of ESPN.com leagues, as he is now.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Sitting out 11 contests with a lower-body injury, Evgeni Malkin is now targeting Saturday's tilt with the Oilers for return. This development not only helps the centerman's own fantasy managers, but those rostering Alex Galchenyuk as well. Out himself for a nine-game spell, Galchenyuk is bound to benefit from competing alongside Malkin, once these two have real opportunity to jell. While there are plenty of fantasy competitors who have, understandably, long thrown in the towel on the underachieving former Coyote/Canadien, those still open to a potential Renaissance campaign from Galchenyuk should know he's available in more than two-thirds of ESPN.com leagues.

Nashville Predators: Sidelined with a lower-body injury since Oct. 15, Filip Forsberg is finally expected back against the Flames Thursday. Before falling hurt, the 25-year-old winger potted five goals and three assists in only six games. Jam him back into your lineup ASAP. And readjust, as in lower, your fantasy expectations of Kyle Turris as Forsberg's former fill-in on a scoring unit with Matt Duchene and Mikael Granlund. Bonus note: Looks like Calle Jarnkrok is sticking on the Predators' top unit with Viktor Arvidsson and Ryan Johansen. Rostered in only 6.1% of ESPN.com leagues, Jarnkrok has nine points on the season, including two goals and two helpers in his most recent four games.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Managers hoping for a bit more from Alex Kerfoot as Mitch Marner's centerman should realize John Tavares could be back as soon as Saturday. Fact is, Kerfoot still holds fantasy appeal on Toronto's third line, between Kasperi Kapanen and Ilya Mikheyev and has a place in deeper leagues. In other Leafs' news, Zach Hyman is believed to be close - next week maybe? - after sitting out the start of 2019-20 in recovery from offseason surgery. Not that you need to be sold on Marner and Tavares as alluring fantasy assets, but they're more effective altogether with Hyman as their usual linemate doing his bit to create space. Just FYI.

Vegas Golden Knights: Sidelined since the start of the season with an upper-body injury, Alex Tuch appears ready to re-join the fold in Vegas, perhaps as soon as Halloween night against the visiting Canadiens. Although Vegas is undoubtedly wholly better with Tuch in the lineup, there's no penetrating that Knights' top-six anytime soon. His fantasy managers - and there's a good lot of you - should manage expectations while the 20-goal scorer of last year works on a third line with Cody Eakin. It's also worth mentioning that defenseman Nate Schmidt is due back after playing only three minutes in this campaign's inaugural contest. Schmidt has limited value in deeper leagues, as member of the club's secondary power play.

'Tis but a scratch?

Tampa Bay Lightning: Placed on IR with a lower-body injury, Victor Hedman isn't eligible to return until the Lightning head over to Sweden, more than a week from now. Fortunately, that means the elite defenseman projects to miss only one more game in the meanwhile. Less sunny-side up, there's no guarantee Hedman will be good to go when Tampa plays the Buffalo Sabres in Stockholm (which wouldn't go over well with ardent Swedish fans of one of the NHL's best Swedish players). Knowing Hedman's injury isn't super serious, all we can do is monitor his progress over the next few days, and know that Mikhail Sergachev is again poised to sub in on the top power play against the Islanders Friday. If Jon Cooper doesn't choose to turn to Kevin Shattenkirk instead. Outside of Daily Fantasy competition, it doesn't matter much over the next few days.

Florida Panthers: Out five games and counting with a lower-body issue, Vincent Trocheck isn't a slam-dunk to compete against the Red Wings Saturday either - particularly since the Panthers don't play again until Thursday (why rush it?). As such, Brian Boyle merits mention as Trocheck's current sub on Florida's second scoring line between Mike Hoffman and Brett Connolly. If interested in a bargain DFS asset over the weekend, Boyle has two goals and an assist from that spot in three contests.

New York Islanders: Shelved since Oct. 12 with a lower-body injury, Jordan Eberle's remains up in the air. He's skating, but has yet to participate in practice. Question is, whose spot does Eberle take in the lineup once healthy? Josh Bailey has done an admirable job as replacement on a scoring unit with Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee, collecting two goals and three assists in five games. Also, the Islanders have won seven-straight. Fantasy managers who have jumped on the Bailey bandwagon might then reassure themselves that Eberle is more likely to replace Derick Brassard on the Isles' second unit, once fit.