Bulls bench bounces back as Chicago downs Orlando
Josh Giddey scored a team-high 21 points, five Chicago reserves combined for 58 more and the Bulls held off the host Orlando Magic 110-98 on Saturday night for a second straight season-opening win.
Jalen Smith and Ayo Dosunmu led the Chicago bench crew with 16 and 15 points, respectively, helping the Bulls' backups outscore their Magic counterparts 58-35.
The Bulls' reserves were outscored 50-35 by the Detroit bench in their opening win over the Pistons on Wednesday.
Starters Nikola Vucevic (15 points) and Tre Jones (13), and reserves Patrick Williams (12) and Kevin Huerter (11) made it seven players -- including four backups -- in double figures for the Bulls, who outshot the hosts 47.0% to 39.1% overall and 37.0% to 12.5% on 3-pointers.
Despite 7-for-21 shooting, Paolo Banchero was the game's leading scorer with 24 points for the Magic, who lost at home for the second consecutive night. They dropped a 111-107 decision to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday.
Banchero also grabbed 10 rebounds to complete a double-double.
The Bulls never trailed in the second half but found themselves clinging to an 88-85 advantage in the fourth minute of the final period before Dosunmu and Smith drilled consecutive 3-pointers to balloon the lead to nine.
With Dosunmu bombing in two more 3-pointers, the Bulls never let the Magic closer than seven after that.
Dosunmu finished 3-for-4 on threes, matching the Orlando team total.
Giddey also found time to share team rebounding honors with Vucevic with eight, while Jones complemented his 13 points with a game-high eight assists and five steals.
Four different Chicago reserves made at least half their shots, led by Smith's 6-for-8 and Williams' 5-for-7.
Wendell Carter Jr. led all rebounders with 13 for the Magic to go with eight points, while Anthony Black put up 19 points and Franz Wagner 17.
Desmond Bane added 14 points for Orlando but missed both his 3-point attempts. The Magic went just 3-for-24 from beyond the arc.
RHOA's Kandi Burruss Shocks Fans by Officially Filing for Divorce from Husband Todd Tucker After Discovering He Was Cheating with a Younger Woman
In an unexpected turn of events, The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kandi Burruss has officially filed for divorce from her husband, Todd Tucker, after discovering he had been allegedly cheating with a younger woman. The shocking news, which broke late Wednesday, has sent shockwaves through both the Bravo universe and the entertainment world at large. Fans are reeling as the beloved couple, who have long been a cornerstone of the RHOA franchise, face a public and painful split.
A Devastating Revelation
Sources close to the couple reveal that the breakdown of Kandi and Todd’s marriage began earlier this year when Kandi reportedly uncovered incriminating messages and social media photos
that suggested Todd had been involved with a younger woman behind her back. According to insiders, the affair had been going on for several months and was discovered after Kandi noticed signs of her husband’s increasingly secretive behavior.
“Everything changed when Kandi found out the truth,” a source close to the couple shared. “She felt betrayed, devastated. She’s been through a lot in her life, but this was a deep blow to her.”
While the woman’s identity remains private, sources say she is a model and socialite based in Atlanta, known for her ties to a prominent social circle.
Despite efforts to salvage their relationship — including counseling and heart-to-heart conversations — Kandi ultimately made the decision to file for divorce, citing
irreconcilable differences.
Kandi’s Response: ‘I Deserve Better’
In a heartfelt statement shared through her social media, Kandi confirmed the split, expressing both her heartbreak and resolve.
“After a lot of reflection, prayer, and emotional conversations, I’ve made the difficult decision to end my marriage to Todd. I’ve always believed in love and commitment, but I also believe that self-respect and honesty are the foundation of any relationship. I deserve better.”
The post went on to thank her fans for their unwavering support, adding:
“I’m choosing peace and happiness for myself and my family. My focus is on healing, growing, and raising my beautiful children in a loving, healthy environment. Thank you for respecting our privacy during this difficult time.”
Todd’s Silence and Fans React
As of now, Todd Tucker has not publicly responded to the allegations or the divorce filing. His social media accounts have been quiet, with many fans speculating about the potential fallout.
“Todd has always been the strong, silent type,” said one insider. “He’s a proud man, and it’s clear this situation has humbled him, but the truth is out, and now he’s facing the consequences.”
Online, fans of the couple — who have been vocal about their relationship on RHOA — expressed their shock and disbelief. Many were rooting for Kandi and Todd’s marriage, with one fan commenting:
“I can’t believe this is happening! I always thought they were one of the solid couples on RHOA. What a heartbreak for Kandi.”
Others have been more sympathetic toward Kandi’s decision to move on, with many praising her strength:
“Kandi deserves so much better than this. She’s a boss, and she’s strong enough to walk away. Go, Kandi!”
The End of an Era for Kandi and Todd
Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker have been married since 2014, after meeting while Todd was working as a production manager on
RHOA. Their whirlwind romance quickly became a fan favorite, with the two celebrating their love story on-screen as they built their family and businesses together.
They share two children together:
Ace Wells Tucker, their son, and Blaze Tucker, their daughter. Over the years, they’ve shared countless moments of joy, including family vacations, business ventures, and intimate life updates on the show.
The couple’s ups and downs have been featured on RHOA, but this latest drama marks an entirely new chapter. It’s unclear how this will affect the couple’s involvement in the next season of
RHOA, as Kandi has long been one of the franchise’s most popular and successful stars.
What’s Next for Kandi?
Despite the turmoil in her personal life, Kandi Burruss has shown no signs of slowing down professionally. The multi-talented entrepreneur and reality star has maintained a successful career as a singer, songwriter, producer, and businesswoman. Her restaurant,
Old Lady Gang, has become a staple in Atlanta, and her partnerships continue to thrive.
“Kandi is resilient,” said a close friend. “This is another bump in the road for her, but she’s going to bounce back stronger than ever. She has a powerful support system, and she knows her worth.”
Sources close to Kandi confirm she’s already focusing on her career and her children. “Her kids are her top priority right now. She’s dedicated to giving them the best, most loving environment. She’s already planning new projects and making moves to ensure that she’s growing, both personally and professionally.”
Todd’s Next Steps
As for Todd, sources say he’s been “laying low” since the split. “Todd’s a private guy,” said a family friend. “But he knows he messed up, and now it’s about figuring out how to move forward and repair the damage.”
Despite the personal and public turmoil, it remains unclear whether Todd will address the allegations or the divorce publicly. However, one thing is clear: Todd will likely have to find a way to navigate the aftermath of the affair while managing his personal brand and family dynamics.
The Fallout on RHOA
The drama surrounding Kandi and Todd’s split is expected to be a central topic in the upcoming season of RHOA, where the tension and fallout will likely unfold in front of the Bravo cameras. Castmates such as Cynthia Bailey, Porsha Williams, and Sheree Whitfield will undoubtedly weigh in on the situation, with opinions ranging from concern for Kandi to candid commentary on the breakdown of the marriage.
This divorce marks a pivotal moment for RHOA, and fans are eager to see how Kandi navigates this new chapter — both on-screen and off.
From the highs of a fairytale romance to the painful lows of betrayal, Kandi Burruss’s journey is a testament to her strength, resilience, and commitment to building a better future for herself and her family. As she moves forward from the heartache, one thing is certain — she will continue to inspire and thrive. 💔❤️
Rumored Vikings QB Move Could Spell Early End of J.J. McCarthy Tenure
Getty
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy of the Minnesota Vikings.
The Minnesota Vikings have a serious issue under center and trading for a veteran QB may be the only answer.
J.J. McCarthy remains injured with a high ankle sprain he suffered in Week 2, which has cost him five games and counting. Backup Carson Wentz has a banged up left shoulder (non-throwing) and is 2-2 in four starts with five touchdowns and four interceptions.
Minnesota is playing on a short week and will take on the Los Angeles Chargers in L.A. on “Thursday Night Football,” which means the team may need to turn to 24-year-old undrafted rookie Max Brosmer as the starter, or potentially as an early substitute for Wentz if he plays poorly to open the contest.
None of that can feel good for a Vikings squad that went 14-3 under Sam Darnold last season and has a similarly talented defense and set of skill-position players in 2025, with a revamped offensive line that has suffered myriad injuries through the first half of the campaign.
As such, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk on Tuesday, October 21 pitched a reunion trade with the Atlanta Falcons for QB Kirk Cousins.
“With two weeks left until the trade deadline arrives, could the Vikings pull the rip cord on the Kirk Cousins emergency option?” Florio wrote. “While the Falcons possibly have a diminished appetite to trade Cousins now that starter Michael Penix Jr. is day-to-day with a bone bruise, the Vikings presumably would get through Thursday night’s game at the Chargers and the following Sunday’s visit to the Lions before making a final decision in the two remaining days before the time for 2025 trades ends.”
Kirk Cousins Makes Sense as Multi-Year Backup QB Plan for Vikings
GettyQuarterback Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons.
The relevant questions are what bringing Cousins back to Minnesota means for McCarthy longterm, and are those ramifications something with which the Vikings are willing to deal?
Minnesota moved on from Cousins ahead of the 2024 season because of the money he was demanding/could demand, proven by the Falcons’ willingness to pay him $180 million over four years. But circumstances are different now.
Cousins is 37 years old and will turn 38 just ahead of the 2026 season. He is familiar with head coach Kevin O’Connell’s system and with several players still on the roster. If the Vikings traded for Cousins that wouldn’t necessarily mean they’d have to keep him beyond this season, but doing so may be the most logical decision.
Cousins has been better than Wentz over their respective careers and has vastly more experience in Minnesota. He also stated publicly that he enjoyed living in the area, and it is clear from his Pro Football Reference page that Cousins had his greatest success with the Vikings.
Meanwhile, McCarthy missed his entire rookie campaign with knee injury. He played poorly in seven of eight quarters to start this season and has now missed another five games with the ankle issue. Minnesota appears in no rush to move back to McCarthy, despite Wentz’s struggles, which is a statement in and of itself.
Trading for Kirk Cousins Could Signal Beginning of the End for J.J. McCarthy as Vikings’ Long-Term Plan at QB
GettyQuarterback J.J. McCarthy of the Minnesota Vikings.
Even if the team still prioritizes the 22-year-old McCarthy, which it certainly will once he is healthy, having Cousins as the No. 2 guy gives Minnesota back the security it had before allowing Darnold (5-2 with the Seahawks) and Daniel Jones (6-1 with Indianapolis) to walk in free agency.
And if McCarthy can’t stay healthy and/or doesn’t work out over the next year and a half, Cousins gives the team a viable option that raises its floor over that stretch — likely all the way back to a playoff-caliber team given the talent across the rest of the roster.
That would allow the Vikings to look at other quarterback options, potentially in the draft or via a trade for a guy like Colts backup Anthony Richardson come next offseason to create multiple opportunities to hit on a young QB.
None of those outcomes bode well for McCarthy’s future in Minnesota, and it would all start with a Vikings trade to reunite with Cousins. But the NFL is about the now, the clichéd question: What have you done for me lately?
The Vikings handed McCarthy the keys to a Ferrari, which he drove into a ditch during his first two weeks on the wheel and hurt himself in the process. The time to plan for the eventuality that he ends up a bust, or simply that he’s not durable enough to survive at the professional level, has arguably already arrived.
Cousins is the team’s best shot to do something about that now, and moving on that could signal the beginning of the end for McCarthy as the Vikings’ longterm plan at quarterback. But, in fairness, it’s an end that could be coming sooner than later anyway, regardless of whether Cousins returns or not.
Max Dible covers the NFL, NBA and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns. He covered local and statewide news as a reporter for West Hawaii Today and served as news director for BigIslandNow.com and Pacific Media Group's family of Big Island radio stations before joining Heavy. More about Max Dible
