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A third of the way into the 2024 season, the Colorado Rapids are in fifth place in the Western Conference with as many wins as the entire 2023 campaign yielded. Most recent was a commanding 2-0 win at a formidable NYCFC team in the rain at Citi Field last Sunday, earned thanks to one of the team’s most complete defensive performances in recent memory. To secure three more points this Saturday at home against the San Jose Earthquakes, the Rapids would like to be as good or even better on both sides of the ball to emulate the reverse fixture less than a month ago, which ended in a 3-0 win for the Burgundy and Blue. Here are three notes from the Rapids’ media availability to preview a short week of preparation and why you shouldn’t count this weekend’s match against the West’s worst team as an easy win: Mihailovic heel progressing, other injury updates Several factors played into the impressive nature of the win at NYCFC — one of them being the quality of play despite Djordje Mihailovic having to miss the game due to a heel injury. Mihailovic was a participant in Tuesday’s short practice, but coach Chris Armas isn’t ready to say he will or will not play this weekend. “It’s one of those things with Djordje,” Armas said.

DALLAS — Andrew Cogliano has been deep into the Stanley Cup Playoffs on several occasions, including a trip to the Stanley Cup Final with the Dallas Stars and a championship run with the Colorado Avalanche. He was on the other side when the Stars defeated the Avalanche in seven games during a second-round series in the 2020 postseason bubble, along with Joel Kiviranta.

The NBA has fined Jamal Murray $100,000 for throwing multiple items in the direction of an official during a playoff game between the Nuggets and Timberwolves, the league announced Tuesday. Murray avoided a suspension after the league reviewed the incident, sources told The Denver Post. He will be eligible to play Friday in Game 3 of the second-round series, which the Nuggets trail 2-0. Murray was seated at the end of the home bench during the second quarter of Game 2 when he threw what appeared to be a heat pack in the direction of lead official Marc Davis.

Legendary Broncos defensive coordinator Joe Collier died at his home in Littleton on Monday night, the team announced. A cause of death was not provided. He was 91 years old. As an architect of the Orange Crush defense, Collier spent 20 seasons in Denver (1969-1988), where he innovated the 3-4 base defense.

In the latest edition of the Nuggets Ink podcast, beat writer Bennett Durando and sports editor Matt Schubert reconvene after the Minnesota Timberwolves blew away Denver to take a 2-0 series lead. Among the topics discussed: Jamal Murray threw in the towel and the heat pack. How does this affect the team, the struggling star and the Nuggets’ chances to dig out of a deep hole against a surging Minnesota team? What answer is there for Anthony Edwards?

Tad Boyle is bringing a former teammate to Boulder. And, much like a significant chunk of the football staff across campus, a prominent name with a pro pedigree is joining the Colorado men’s basketball program. On Tuesday, Boyle and the Buffaloes announced the addition of Danny Manning as an assistant coach. Manning replaces Rick Ray, who spent four seasons at CU before taking an assistant role at Vanderbilt following a season that ended for the Buffs in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. “I’m very excited to join coach Boyle’s staff,” Manning said in a release from CU.