The Clippers will have 15 of their games televised on KTLA (Ch. 5) this season, extending their 15-year partnership with the local station. In addition to the team’s four preseason exhibitions, KTLA will air 11 regular-season games, the team announced Thursday.

A new feature this year will be “Clippers’ Clipboard,” a mini-series that will give fans a behind-the-scenes look as the team prepares for the 2023-24 season. The series, which begins Thursday, will feature interviews with coach Tyronn Lue and players, such as Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, and will air during the KTLA morning news.

“KTLA proved last year that not only are they an incredible broadcast partner, but one who helps us reach millions of fans through live games, their No. 1 local newscast, and special Clippers programming,” Gillian Zucker, team president of business operations, said in a statement.

Brian Sieman, Jim Jackson and Mike Fratello, along with KTLA sports reporter David Pingalore, will handle the game coverage.

The Clippers will have 22 of their regular-season games broadcast on national TV (TNT, ESPN, NBA TV), while Bally Sports SoCal will televise 63 regular-season games (with some overlap with the national broadcasts).

Here are the games that will air on KTLA this season:

Preseason >> Oct. 8 – vs. Utah (Hawaii Classic), 6 p.m. Oct. 10 – vs. Utah, 7 p.m. Oct. 17 – vs. Denver, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18 – vs. Denver, 7 p.m.

Regular season >> Oct. 27 – at Utah, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 8 – at Brooklyn, 4:30 p.m. Nov. 25 – vs. Dallas, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29 – at Sacramento, 7 p.m. Dec. 14 – vs. Golden State, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 – at Oklahoma City, 5 p.m. Feb. 4 – at Miami, 3 p.m. Feb. 23 – at Memphis, 5 p.m. March 3 – at Minnesota, 12:30 p.m. March 17 – vs. Atlanta, 6:30 p.m. April 9 – at Phoenix, 7 p.m.

Ertz to make one final U.S. appearance

U.S. women’s national team midfielder Julie Ertz, who announced her retirement from soccer last month, will play her final national team game Sept. 21 against South Africa in Cincinnati.

Ertz, 31, rejoined the NWSL this season with Angel City FC, but will not return.

This will be her 123rd national team game.

“I expected to just walk away after retirement, but to have the opportunity to say goodbye to my teammates and the fans one last time is something special that many players dream of,” Ertz said. “I wasn’t expecting this honor so I’m very thankful to (interim head coach) Twila (Kilgore) and to U.S. Soccer for giving me the chance to close this chapter of my life with those who have made this journey so memorable.”

The USWNT will also play South Africa in Chicago three days later, but Ertz will not travel for that game.

• Once again, and now as a World Cup champion, Lionel Messi came to Argentina’s rescue when the team most needed him. The 36-year-old captain scored from a free kick in the 78th minute to give Argentina a 1-0 win against Ecuador in the first round of South American World Cup qualifying in Buenos Aires.

It was Messi’s 104th goal in 176 international appearances, including his 29th in World Cup qualifying. Those 29 goals equal the record of Luis Suárez of Uruguay.

Liu leads LPGA event in Cincinnati

Ruixin Liu of China was still suffering from allergies that forced her to withdraw from the LPGA Tour event last week. It didn’t stop her from posting a 7-under 65 for her best round of the year and a one-shot lead in the Kroger Queen City Championship in Cincinnati.

Liu had a one-shot lead on the Kendale course at Kenwood Country Club over Peiyun Chien, Elizabeth Szokol, Dottie Ardina and Linnea Strom.

• Shane Lowry needs a good week at the Irish Open to justify getting picked for the Ryder Cup. Adrian Meronk wants one to show Europe captain Luke Donald was wrong to leave him off the team.

Both got off to a decent start.

Lowry made seven birdies and shot 4-under 68 at The K Club in Straffan, Ireland, to lie three shots off the lead held by Shubhankar Sharma of India after the first round of the European tour event.

Tar Heels’ Walker has appeal denied

The NCAA has denied North Carolina’s appeal efforts for immediate eligibility for transfer receiver Devontez Walker, a decision that led to criticism from Tar Heels coach Mack Brown. In announcing the decision, Brown capped a lengthy and blunt statement this way: “Shame on you, NCAA. SHAME ON YOU!”

• Kim Mulkey, the coach of defending national champion LSU, has agreed to a 10-year contract worth about $32 million that will set a new mark for the richest coaching contract in women’s college basketball, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.