Shams Bomb! On Friday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves made the first big trade of the post-Adrian Wojnarowski “Woj Bomb” era by trading power forward Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, breaking up the “Nova Knicks.”

A bit of a surprising trade, to say the least, the Western Conference runners-up are shipping off what was a pillar of their franchise for the last several seasons. The timing seems odd considering what they just accomplished with Towns as a major part of their offense, a floor-spacing big man who can shoot the ball as well as any 7-footer in the NBA (just ask him).

READ MORE: Mavs’ Opening Opponent Will be Shorthanded to Start Season

Rumors were swirling that DiVincenzo was unhappy in his role, according to the post below on X.

This is an interesting trade for multiple reasons. The first is that it completely reworks the offense for the Timberwolves, as they no longer have the same ability to run the pick-and-pop that has been a staple of their offense for as long as Towns has been playing there. While Randle brings his own benefits to the table, it is still a bit confounding as to why they would make the move now.

Though Towns struggled to do what he does – shoot the ball – in the Dallas Mavericks series, connecting on just 37.9% of overall field goals and 24.2% from three, it is still going to cause a complete change in the way that the Timberwolves attack defenses.

For the Knicks, opening up the floor could help players like former Maverick and current New York point guard Jalen Brunson as well as help Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart, and could provide some rebounding as well. After losing Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency, the Knicks still have issues with big-man depth, but at least this move adds some floor spacing to their repertoire.

READ MORE: Dallas Mavericks Media Day and Preseason Information

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Miami will come into Berkeley next Saturday as an undefeated top-10 team, but the Hurricanes and quarterback Cam Ward showed in Friday’s 38-34 escape against Virginia Tech that they are vulnerable.

Whether they are vulnerable enough for Cal to stay close or pull an upset next week is the question.

You can argue whether it’s better for Cal’s chances that Miami squeaked out a win instead of being angered by a close, disputed loss, but that’s pure speculation.

What is notable is that Ward showed a penchant for turnovers, which has been Cal’s defensive strength, and that Miami’s defense is susceptible to the run.

All that will be addressed later in this report, but it is impossible not to start with the final play of Friday’s game.  For a while Virginia Tech players and coaches thought they had pulled off the upset, when the Hail Mary pass was initially ruled a completion and a touchdown.  Then, after a long review of five or six minutes, the pass was declared incomplete, giving Miami the win and keeping the Hurricanes undefeated.

Here’s a look at that final play:

One could argue that there was not “indisputable video evidence” to overturn the call on the field, prompting the official to declare the decision “stands.” But the officiating expert on the TV broadcast seemed to think the pass should be ruled incomplete based on the evidence.

It’s an odd situation when you know the game is over but you don’t know who won, but that was the case Friday until the official signaled that the ruling on the field had been overturned several excruciating minutes after Virginia Tech thought it had won.

“Normally, when you look at something that long it doesn’t get overturned,” Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry said afterward. “I didn’t think there was enough evidence to overturn it.”

It was a different response on the Miami side.

“Just saw an incomplete pass, that’s all I’ve got to say,” said Miami coach Mario Cristobal.

Ward described the long wait during the review as “pain.”

“Leave it up to the white hat is a position you don’t want to be in,” he said.

Ward threw four touchdown passes, giving him 18 for the season, which was five more than anyone else in the country heading into Saturday’s action.  

However, he also turned the ball over three times – an early fumble and two interceptions.  And Cal’s strength on defense has been its ability to pick off passes.  Entering Saturday’s action, the Bears led the nation in interceptions with 10, and it may be the biggest reason Cal is 3-1 with a bye this week and a home game against Miami next Saturday night.

“I don’t feel good about this game,” said Ward, who was also sacked three times.

Ward had a big game against Cal last year while playing for Washington State, throwing for 354 yards and three touchdowns, but the Bears won that game 42-39. The question is whether Cal can mount enough of a pass rush to force Ward into some mistakes while playing with a more talented surrounding cast.

Miami’s defense had been strong in its first four games, but Virginia Tech scored 34 points against the Hurricanes and rolled up 206 yards on the ground. Hokies running back Bhayshul Tuten ran for 141 yards, his fourth 100-yard game of the season.

Cal’s strength on offense was supposed to be its running game with all-Pac-12 running back Jaydn Ott leading the charge.  But the Bears are averaging just 3.86 yards per rushing attempt, which ranks near the bottom in the ACC. 

Ott has been slowed by an ankle injury and is averaging 3.3 yards per carry, while teammate Jaivian Thomas is averaging 7.0 yard per attempt.

Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones also had a strong game against Miami, recording his best total quarterback rating of the season.

But the bottom line here is that Virginia Tech, which had losses to Vanderbilt and Rutgers this season, came within a controversial call of upsetting Miami on the Hurricanes’ home field.

Does that suggest Cal has a chance against Miami in the Bears first ACC home game next Saturday night?

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The Atlanta Falcons (1-2) and New Orleans Saints (2-1) will renew their rivalry at 1 p.m. Sunday, when Atlanta hosts New Orleans inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

While only Week 4, Sunday’s contest presents the opportunity for an early season swing in the NFC South.

Here’s how — and what — to watch …

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TV, Radio

Sunday’s game will be televised on FOX, with Kenny Albert handling play-by-play duties alongside analyst Jonathan Vilma, who played for the Saints from 2008-13. Megan Olivi is set to be on the sidelines.

The radio is also an option, as 92.9 The Game has Wes Durham and Dave Archer on the call.

Betting Odds

The Falcons are 3-point favorites over the Saints with a money line of -152, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The over/under is set at 41.5 points.

READ MORE: Falcons Keys to Beating Saints

Injury Report

Atlanta will enter Sunday without starting right tackle Kaleb McGary, who suffered a left knee injury in last week’s 22-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. McGary did not participate in practice Wednesday or Thursday and was limited Friday.

The Falcons limited running back Bijan Robinson (shoulder) and outside linebacker Matt Judon (hamstring) in Thursday’s practice, but both were off the injury report Friday and will play Sunday.

New Orleans, however, isn’t as fortunate.

The Saints have ruled out linebacker Demario Davis (hamstring), guard Cesar Ruiz (knee) and receiver A.T. Perry (hamstring).

Three others are questionable, including the team’s top two offensive weapons in running back Alvin Kamara (hip, ribs) and receiver Chris Olave (hamstring). Receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. (ankle) is also uncertain to play.

Matchup History

New Orleans holds a 55-54 advantage over Atlanta in the all-time series, and the Saints have won seven of the last nine meetings.

The two sides split a pair of matchups last year, though New Orleans took a 48-17 victory in the season finale — a game that preceded the Falcons firing head coach Arthur Smith later that night.

Atlanta has only one home victory over New Orleans since 2018, but four of the five defeats have come by one score and all of them have been by 10 points or less.

Now, the Falcons and Saints get to add another chapter to their long-standing rivalry — in addition to making a Week 4 statement in a competitive NFC South title race.