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James Dolan: 25 years of chaos running the New York Knicks

Few owners in professional sports have generated more controversy with less winning than James Dolan.

In more than 25 years running the New York Knicks, he has fired coaches, feuded with legends, lost a sexual harassment verdict, banned lawyers with facial recognition software, ejected a beloved former player in front of a national audience and sued a rival franchise in a move the rest of the NBA largely viewed as bizarre.

Through it all, he has refused to sell, refused to step back and refused to stop inserting himself into decisions that have repeatedly damaged one of the most valuable franchises in sports.

Here's a look at his time with the team:

1994: The purchase

 Cablevision founder Charles Dolan bought out ITT’s half of Madison Square Garden and the Knicks for $650 million in 1997, the family had full control. His son James got the job of running the teams.

2000: Patrick Ewing gone

Patrick Ewing gave the franchise 15 years and never got a ring. When he requested a trade, the Knicks sent him to Seattle in a 12-player deal without a proper sendoff. He spent two decades outside before the current front office brought him back as a basketball ambassador.

2003: Isiah Thomas

Dolan hired Isiah Thomas, freshly fired by Indiana with no front office experience, as president of basketball operations.

2005-2006: Larry Brown

Thomas hired Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown on a five-year, $50 million deal, which was the richest coaching contract in NBA history. It fell apart quickly as Brown openly feuded with Stephon Marbury, the team went 23-59 and Brown was gone after one season.

2007: Sexual harassment verdict

Former Knicks executive Anucha Brown Sanders sued Thomas, MSG and Dolan, alleging Thomas called her a “bitch” and a “ho” and made unwanted advances. A jury believed her and awarded her a settlement worth approximately $11.6 million.

Then NBA Commissioner David Stern said that going to trial rather than settling “was not a model of intelligent management.”

Eight years later, on HBO, James Dolan said he still thought Brown made it up.

2008: End of the Thomas error

Four-plus seasons, zero playoff wins, one big sexual harassment settlement and Thomas was fired.

Dolan, however, shockingly re-hired Thomas to run the WNBA’s Liberty.

2011: Carmelo Anthony trade

Dolan pushed to acquire Carmelo Anthony from Denver in February, surrendering multiple players and draft picks in a deal widely criticized as too costly because Dolan was too eager not to miss out on another star. Donnie Walsh, who had built the Knicks for three years for that kind of big move, was let go in June after pulling off the deal the owner demanded.

2014-17: Phil Jackson

Dolan hired 11-time champion Phil Jackson as president on a five-year, $60 million deal, but it never worked out. Jackson tried to install the triangle offense in a league that had evolved past it. The Knicks missed the playoffs every season and Jackson clashed with Anthony

After giving up so much to bring him to the Garden, Carmelo was gone in 2017.

Feb. 8, 2017: Charles Oakley

One of the most beloved Knicks of all time, Charles Oakley was sitting courtside when security dragged him out of his seat, arrested him and banned him from the building. It was reportedly on Dolan’s direct orders. The franchise then issued a statement implying Oakley had a drinking problem. NBA Commissioner and legend Michael Jordan had to call Dolan to get the ban lifted.

Oakley sued and eight years later the case is on-going.

2017: The sidewalk incident

Before a game against the Bulls, a season ticket holder outside MSG yelled “Sell the team!” at Dolan. Rather than keep walking, Dolan turned around got in the man’s face and screamed at him,

He confirmed it to Deadspin, adding: “I did call him an a------ because he is an a------.”

2022: The lawyers

Dolan began using facial recognition technology to bar attorneys from MSG venues, which also include Radio City Music Hall, if their firms were suing the company. Thousands of lawyers at roughly 90 firms were affected. When the New York State attorney general warned the practice may violate anti-discrimination laws and the State Liquor Authority threatened to pull the Garden’s liquor license, Dolan went on live television and defiantly defended his decision. He also threatened to shut down liquor sales at Rangers games himself and then held up a picture of the SLA director that included his personal phone number and email address live on air for fans to flood him with complaints.

New York Knicks executive chairman James Dolan (center) sits courtside during the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at Madison Square Garden.

2023: War with the league

Dolan sued the Toronto Raptors for $10 million over an analytics staffer he claimed had stolen confidential files. Dolan simultaneously resigned from his league committee positions and wrote to commissioner Adam Silver that “the NBA neither needs nor wants my opinion,” accusing Silver of bias. The suit was quietly dropped in October 2025.

January 2024: The Weinstein lawsuit

Massage therapist Kellye Croft filed a federal lawsuit alleging Dolan sexually assaulted her in 2013 while his band, JD & The Straight Shot, toured with the Eagles, then arranged a meeting that led to Harvey Weinstein assaulting her. Dolan denied everything. A federal judge dismissed the case in September 2024 on technical grounds, without ruling on the underlying allegations.

2024: Thibodeau fired

The Knicks were in the middle of their best run in two decades. Thibodeau was fired anyway, over the reported objections of Jalen Brunson and Leon Rose. Dolan had reportedly sat in on player exit interviews during the process, which people around the league said they had never seen an owner do.

January 2026: Dolan speaks

Dolan broke a two-year media silence with a WFAN radio appearance and declared the Knicks “absolutely” had to reach the NBA Finals and should win it.

Hours later, the Knicks lost to the Detroit Pistons by 31 points.

Into the Finals

Maybe he's a prophet. Dolan’s firing of Thibodeau and hiring of Mike Brown has seemingly worked. The Knicks are in the NBA Finals and will face the San Antonio Spurs, looking for their first title since 1973.

Some fans say winning cures all, but other say 25 years of losing, embarrassment and controversy doesn’t wash off that easily. Dolan has said he has no plans to sell. Someone in the family, he said, will own the team. For now, the most controversial owner in New York City sports is one championship series win away from the most unlikely redemption story in New York history.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: James Dolan Knicks ownership has been feuds and 25 years of chaos

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Knicks vs. Spurs instant prediction for 2026 NBA Finals

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 1: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs plays defense during the game against the New York Knicks on March 1, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The NBA will have a unique champion for the eighth straight year. The San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks are squaring off in a 2026 NBA Finals matchup no one could have seen coming. Before this stretch, the league had never had more than six consecutive unique champions, which happened from 1975-1980. No team has won multiple titles over the last eight years, and no team has even repeated as a conference champion since the 2019 Golden State Warriors.

Why is there so much parity in the NBA right now? It’s mostly a combination of salary cap changes and injuries. The Oklahoma City Thunder seemed primed for a dynasty when they won the championship a year ago, but the Spurs beat them in a fantastic Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals with their second and third best creators out in Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell.

The NBA is left with a rematch of the 1999 Finals, which the Spurs won in five games over New York. It’s going to be incredible watching Victor Wembanyama chase his first championship in Madison Square Garden against a Knicks fanbase desperate for their first championship since 1973. Let’s preview the series from both sides and make a championship pick.

The case for the Knicks

The Knicks just played the best 11-game stretch in league history — and somehow that’s not an exaggeration. This team is red hot right now, and they’re playing with full belief that they can deliver New York its first NBA championship since 1973.

The Spurs haven’t faced a true stretch five who can pull Wembanyama away from the basket on this playoff run. Enter Karl-Anthony Towns, the best three-point shooting center of all-time, who has suddenly been unlocked as the best version of himself over the last six weeks. Towns feels like the most important player in the series for New York. He’s a threat to score 25+ feet away from the basket, and that could potentially take Wemby away from defending the paint. The Spurs can try to stick Wembanyama on Josh Hart or another Knick, but that will create some problems for San Antonio, too.

It’s easy to discount Jalen Brunson, but he’s led his team to championships in high school and in college, and consistently rises to the occasion in the biggest moments. While the Spurs defended another mid-range shooter in Gilgeous-Alexander well in the West Finals, it’s worth noting that Brunson has a much higher three-point volume, taking 35.8 percent of his field goals from deep, compared to 22.6 for SGA. Brunson’s pull-up three ball will have to be a weapon in this series. The fact that he’s not much of a rim attacker means Wembanyama needs to come out higher on the floor when he’s not getting spaced out of the play by Towns. For as good as the Spurs’ defense is, Brunson has shown that he has so many counters to effectively get off his offense.

I’m fascinated to see how often and how effectively Anunoby defends Wembanyama. It feels like the best Wemby defenders are long and strong wings who are quick enough to neutralize him off the bounce, and Anunoby might be the best example of such a defender. Turning Wemby into a shooter is in the Knicks’ best interest, so if Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson can keep him out of deep post position, that’s a good start for a winning recipe.

The Knicks are also the much fresher team. While San Antonio just played a physically and emotionally draining 7-game series in the West, the Knicks have been chilling at home after consecutive sweeps. Sure the Knicks might be a little rusty at the start of Game 1, but that rest advantage will carry over through the remainder of the series.

It certainly feels like the Knicks have more offensive firepower than San Antonio. Brunson and Towns is an elite scoring duo, and Mikal Bridges and Anunoby can each carry the offense for a game or two themselves. De’Aaron Fox hasn’t been at his best for the Spurs basically the whole season, and asking Dylan Harper to immediately ascend to a true No. 2 option as a 20-year-old is a lot. The Knicks just have so much scoring punch in their eight-man rotation, and it’s conceivable that not even Wembanyama can slow them down.

Madison Square Garden is about to turn into one of the greatest environments in NBA Finals history. Knicks fans are craving a championship, and the team will be ready.

The case for the Spurs

It feels like Victor Wembanyama ascended to best player in the world status during the Western Conference Finals, which is a terrifying thought considering he’s only 22 years old and still has plenty of room to grow as a player. When he’s really locked in, Wemby looks like a 7’5 Kevin Durant capable of self-creating step-back threes while also being a dominant a rim runner and arguably the most impactful defender in NBA history.

How will the Knicks guard Wembanyama? It’s a question that could define the series. New York only has two 7-footers on the roster with Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson, but Robinson recently suffered a broken pinky that should linger into the Finals. New York can also use OG Anunoby to guard Wembanyama, and that might be their best matchup. For as long and strong as Anunoby is, Wemby is still going to be able to shoot over the top of him whenever he wants to. If the French superstar gets hot as a jump shooter or from floater range, the Spurs will immediately have an advantage New York can’t neuter. Even if Anunoby is effective for stretches, the Knicks will still need other defenders to soak up minutes against him, and their options are pretty limited.

Wemby’s impact is even bigger on defense, especially with so many good perimeter defenders in front of him. Stephon Castle did an outstanding job on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with Wemby lurking behind him, and that same duo will cause plenty of problems for Jalen Brunson. Like SGA, Brunson takes a lot of his shots from mid-range, which Wemby’s length can help evaporate. Brunson took 51% percent of his field goal attempts from mid-range this season, per Cleaning the Glass. The Spurs feel uniquely equipped to defend that kind of superstar shot profile.

The Spurs’ role players are also fully locked in right now. Julian Champagnie had a breakout conference finals series with multiple 20-point games and consistently good rebounding. Devin Vassell is playing the best ball of his career. Dylan Harper is already taking over playoff games at times at 20 years old. Luke Kornet is one of the league’s better backup centers, and could rebound from a tough matchup vs. the Thunder.

San Antonio’s defense will really be in the spotlight for this matchup. The Knicks’ offensive rating has jumped from 118.7 in the regular season to 123.3 in the playoffs, by far the best mark in the postseason. Meanwhile, San Antonio’s defensive rating has gone from 110.4 in the regular season (No. 3 overall) to 104.4 in the playoffs (second-best behind the Knicks). The Spurs’ defense feels built for the playoffs with more contact allowed on the perimeter and Wembanyama being almost adjustment-proof. If the Spurs can limit New York’s three-point attempts, Wemby can take care of the rest inside.

In what feels like a pretty even matchup, the tiebreaker should go to the team with the best player. That’s Wembanyama.

Prediction: Spurs in 7

This truly feels like a toss up to me, but I’m going with San Antonio in seven for a few reasons.

The Knicks’ romp through the East has been incredibly impressive, but they haven’t seen anything like the Spurs. The Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Cleveland Cavaliers are all two steps below San Antonio at least. I’m not sure if the Knicks’ hot three-point shooting is sustainable. Landry Shamet just shot 91.7 percent from three in the Eastern Conference Finals (not a typo). Is that really going to happen again? The Knicks have plenty of shooters on the floor at all times, but the windows disappear a lot quicker when someone like Wembanyama is closing out on you.

I was tempted to go Knicks in six here. New York clearly has a path to victory, and I wouldn’t be too surprised if they routed the Spurs the same way they’ve routed everyone else in their way on this playoff run.

If the Spurs can extend the series to seven, they will get the final game on their home floor. Weird things can happen in a Game 7, and I typically prefer the team with the best overall player. Wembanyama already slayed the biggest challenger in the league in his first playoff run. I think he’s ready to win a championship.

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NHL Playoffs: 2026 Stanley Cup Final prediction

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 17: Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes faces off against Jack Eichel #9 of the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period at Lenovo Center on January 17, 2025 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

The stage is set for the 2026 Stanley Cup now that only Vegas and Carolina remain.

The Hurricanes bulled into the final by dropping Montreal in five games in the Eastern Conference Final. Carolina spotted the Canadiens the first game following a 12-day layoff in between series. Once the Canes got back in with the program, it was just a matter of time until they folded up the Habs based on the domination. Goalie Jakub Dobes put up a heck of a fight to keep some of the games close, by the end there was nothing more he could do to stop the mismatch from ending in a one-sided result.

On the other side of the bracket out west, the process wasn’t as one-sided but the results were perhaps even more shocking for the Golden Knights to sweep away the regular season champ Colorado Avalanche. Vegas won one-goal contests in Games 1-3 (until late empty net goals sealed the deal) and then jumped up 2-0 in Game 4 and held onto win 2-1. Game 3 was probably their finest moment, erasing a 3-0 deficit and coming back to score five unanswered goals to shock Colorado all the way out of it. (In a way, the Avs conference final appearance mirrored the Penguins in ‘13 against the Bruins. A couple close games didn’t go their way, then before they knew what happened the hole got so deep there was no way out).

Three different models see this ultimately this matchup with the exact same result on a 56-44 split in favor of the Hurricanes. It’s hard to argue against the 12-1 path they’ve cut through the Eastern Conference. The gambling market is in close step with that analysis, the Knights at +130 to win is an implied probability of 43.5% (Carolina’s line of -155 is at 60%. That math doesn’t add up to 100%, because no matter what happens the house always wins).

That sounds like a good baseline to think about when trying to predict or analyze this one. Both teams obviously have reason to be confident heading into the final round of the playoffs, either is capable of winning four more games if the next few days/weeks go the right way. The Hurricanes are probably a marginally stronger side on paper, with home ice advantage to boot. Games, of course, won’t be decided on paper so they’ll play them to see what happens.

One area to watch – and potentially challenge previous results – will be what happens with the power play for Vegas. The Golden Knights have a 23.6% power play (2nd best in the playoffs for teams that won a round). That’s going to have to be a difference-maker and will have quite the challenge. Carolina has the penalty kill working to the tune of four goals allowed this playoff on 53 chances (92.5%) and beyond that are yielding 4v5 expected goal rates per 60 in the 3.7-4.2 range in their first three series. By contrast, the Vegas power play has 8.71 actual goals/60 on the power play this playoff to show the stark difference of this strength-on-strength area.

That will put an onus on Mitch Marner (seven power play points this playoff) and Jack Eichel (6 PPP) to create something that can hit the back of the net to throw the games off schedule for what Carolina has been doing this spring. The stars have to shine bright at this time of year, and with how stingy the Hurricanes have been that will be a huge telling point for just how much of a chance the slight underdogs have to make noise.

Both teams have been excellent late when they have a lead, Carolina is 7-0 in the playoffs when leading going into the second intermission, Vegas is 8-0. The Hurricanes have scored first in a shocking 11 out of their 13 games, and are 10-1 when they do take that first lead. The first goal has been important for Vegas, they’re 7-1 in playoff games when they strike first, but still an impressive 5-3 when they trail 1-0.

That too could be a crucial piece of information; the Hurricanes aren’t used to giving up goals while shorthanded and they’re not used to falling behind. Vegas has more experience in terms of dealing with adversity to get to this point, starting with the fact they only won 39 regular season games, had a late coaching change and have had to be in a clawing/survival type of mode for quite a while.

The question becomes is Carolina able to perform so well that they don’t even have to figure out how to deal with falling behind in a game or series? Or can Vegas take advantage of planting some seeds of doubts and putting the Canes in an unaccustomed tough spot?

We’ll shake up the ball a little and say that the Hurricanes won’t cruise to the championship, though there’s a decent possibility that they will. All of their lines are clicking, including the impressive second line of Logan Stankoven, Taylor Hall and Jackson Blake that’s helped push Nik Ehlers into the ‘Phil Kessel type of ’third’ liner’ territory. Carolina is built to suppress their opponents, the missing piece for them has seemingly been found to get enough production to make it count. That means we’ll say that Jordan Staal gets a successful trip back to the SCF, his first since being with the Penguins in 2009.

Prediction: Carolina in 6

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DitD & Open Post – 6/1/26: Middle Ground Edition

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - APRIL 02: Simon Nemec #17 of the New Jersey Devils reacts during the third period against the Washington Capitals at Prudential Center on April 02, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. The New Jersey Devils defeated the Washington Capitals 7-3. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Here are your links for today:

Devils Links

Is there a case to be made for keeping Dougie Hamilton? “He may not be at his pinnacle anymore, but he is a high-end blueliner nonetheless, and, if given the deployment he has had throughout his career, he should be a 50+ point-getter despite the possibility of him playing on the second power-play unit. Sunny Mehta and the Devils sure seem headed to make the right call in keeping No. 7 around.” [Infernal Access]

“In what is conventionally regarded as a weak free agent class, there are three names in particular that the Devils should be keen on if they’re looking to add a third-pair caliber puck-mover in the stead of one of Hamilton or Nemec.” [Devils’ Advocates]

Marty talks here about Claude Lemieux:

Stan Fischler remembers Claude Lemieux: “If there ever was a New Jersey Devil who deserved the nickname ‘Mister Clutch’ it was Claude Lemieux.” [Devils NHL]

On the Simon Nemec situation: “Perhaps the middle-ground solution would be a cheaper bridge deal, projected at a $4.5 million AAV over two years. You could then try trading Hamilton and elevate Nemec into a surefire top-four opportunity and see what he’s got. On the other hand, if the Devils don’t believe he’ll reach his long-term ceiling (especially defensively), there’s strong merit to the idea of leveraging Nemec as a trade chip while his stock around the league is still high to land the high-end, top-six forward the club needs.” [The Athletic ($)]

Hockey Links

A nightmare Stanley Cup Final if you ask me:

Previewing the Stanley Cup Final matchup between the Hurricanes and Golden Knights: [The Athletic ($)] [Daily Faceoff] [NHL.com]

Lenni Hämeenaho and Finland take gold over Nico Hischier, Timo Meier and Switzerland:

“Any time a team falls short of expectations, the finger-pointing will inevitably start, and usually that begins with the head coach. Jared Bednar is the second-longest tenured coach in the National Hockey League and guided the Avs to a Cup just a few years ago, but some are wondering if the team needs a new voice after this spring’s disappointment.” [Sportsnet]

Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.

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Canadiens Have Big Question Marks On Defense, Starting With Xhekaj

While the Montreal Canadiens’ defense was much better than last season, it is still plagued by a few big question marks. Kaiden Guhle playing Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final despite being obviously injured was just the latest evidence that Martin St-Louis doesn’t really trust Arber Xhekaj. The fact that Lane Hutson played the entirety of the playoffs on his off-side is further proof that the Canadiens still need a right-shot defenseman, even if it’s only a depth one. There’s also the fact that neither Xhekaj nor Jayden Struble can establish themselves as regulars, which is also a concern.

Xhekaj is the only defenseman who needs a new contract for this upcoming season; he’s an RFA with arbitration rights. His qualifying offer stands at 1.3 million, and there’s no doubt that the Canadiens will qualify him. However, it’s far from certain that he will still be in Montreal when the next season starts.

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While the gritty defenseman brings a physical element his teammates can't, St-Louis has shown time and again that he doesn’t really like that side of play, and that even if Xhekaj has adapted to the coach’s preferred style, the bench boss doesn’t really trust him. In his last game, number 72 spent less than two minutes on the ice. On a Stanley Cup-winning team, no defenseman spends so little time on the ice. It’s not sustainable for the other five defensemen to shoulder an increased workload because the coach essentially only trusts them.

If the coach isn’t going to use him, it may be tempting for Kent Hughes to use him in a deal to fill another organizational need. Despite not playing that much, there is little doubt that there would be interest in him on the market; his toughness would be attractive to many teams.

The Canadiens also need a right-shot defenseman. While Hutson has proven that he can play on his off-side if needed, that’s not putting him in the best position to succeed. It would make sense for the Habs to get another right-shot defenseman. Of course, they do have David Reinbacher in their system, but the fifth overall pick at the 2023 draft has been dealing with so many injuries that his development has been affected. Will he be ready to make the jump in the NHL this coming season? It remains to be seen.

While prospect Bryce Pickford has been dominant in the WHL this year, it doesn’t guarantee that his game could eventually translate to the NHL. We’ll get a better idea of what he can really do when he plays in the AHL in 2026-27.

There are also some question marks around Guhle. The defenseman has had a roller-coaster season, with just as many highs and lows. When he’s at his best, he’s a great part of the team, but consistency is an issue. Furthermore, he’s also often injured, and it’s hard to build a team around a piece that will only be there part-time. If the Canadiens do decide to hang on to the defensive defenseman, they have to plan for safe backup options. A seventh defenseman who won’t be a liability on the ice and will be able to shoulder the load when the Albertan is sidelined. Adam Engstrom is knocking on the door, but he doesn’t have the physicality Guhle has.

The Canadiens’ defense is far from a finished product, and it will be interesting to see how Hughes navigates the situation this offseason.

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.  

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Islanders & NHL Playoff News: McKee hired for AHL, Canes-Knights set

Remember that guy…and THAT guy! | Getty Images

It’s June! It must be Stanley Cup Final season. That’ll kick off tomorrow with the Hurricanes and Knights. And check back later this morning for the latest Islanders Anxiety podcast, with Sean Cuthbert joining Dan and Mike.

Islanders News

  • The Islanders named former NHL defenseman and successful OHL coach Jay McKee to lead their AHL affiliate in Hamilton. [Isles]
  • And at the NHL level, Pete DeBoer feels “ahead of the curve” for next season since he was able to join and see the team before the end of this past season. [Isles]
  • The latest Weird Islanders podcast covered a murderer’s row of mostly forgotten, short-time goalies. [LHH]
  • Reviewing the many Long Island-roots NHL players from this season and playoffs. [News]

Elsewhere

  • Rod Brind’Amour demands a consistent brand of Hurricanes berserker hockey and he’s fortunate to have dressing room leaders who make sure new players follow along. [NHL]
  • Mitch Marner is enjoying hockey life. [NHL]
  • And after his “low point” in Buffalo, Jack Eichel is feeling grateful for a shot at a second Cup just a few months after getting an Olympic gold. [NHL]
  • Frederik Andersen, one of Claude Lemieux’s first clients once he became an agent, reflected on the ice after advancing to the finals 48 hours after Lemieux’s death. [Post]
  • At the Worlds, Canada missed out on bronze by losing to…Norway? [Sportsnet]
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Pirates sweep Twins and drop some social media bragging

May 26, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft (35) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

It’s a been a while since the Pittsburgh Pirates have had bragging rights over just about anyone, but that has changed this year, as the Bucs are currently rolling along with a 32-28 record and have moved into third place in the NL Central following a three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins over the weekend.

The Pirates scored 25 runs in the three games against the Twins, with Sunday’s 9-3 victory also showing another good outing from Braxton Ashcraft. There were also dingers from Ryan O’Hearn, his 8th of the year, plus the first homer of the year from Nick Gonzales, with both guys hovering near .300 batting, with Gonzo and .308 and O’Hearn now at .294.

Bryan Reynolds, Jake Mangum and Spencer Horwitz all had their moments in the Twins series, as the Bucs lineup is pretty much dangerous from top to bottom, outside of when Henry Davis is playing, and even he got in on the act on Sunday, with 2 RBIs, while Horwitz is now hitting .289 and is looking like a smart pick up from GM Ben Cherington.

Oh, and the Bucs dropped a little social media bragging rights on Twins as well, posting this after Sunday’s sweep.

Of course, it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows for the Bucs, as rookie phenom Konnor Griffin was just put on the 10-day IL. He has a forearm strain, but the Pirates don’t expect that he’ll be out long. After a slow start, Griffin has been coming into his own, now hitting .270 on the season with 4 homers and 22 RBIs.

There’s also the Carmen Mlodzinski drama right now in which he was moved to bullpen to make room for Jared Jones and responded by telling the team he would not be ready to pitch out of the bullpen. Ben Cherington then placed him on the Restricted List. The restricted list rule says:

“The restricted list is for players who are under contract but unable to play due to unexcused, personal or non-baseball reasons. There’s no limit to how long a player can stay on the restricted list, but he isn’t paid and doesn’t earn service time.”

So I guess we’ll see what happens next, but Jaiman will have some analysis and commentary on the Carmen situation tomorrow, so we’ll wait to hear from him about some more. We may have some additional clarity by tomorrow as well.

The Bucs are off tonight but will return to action tomorrow as the head to Houston to take on the Astros. That’s an 8:10PM series game to kick off the game.

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Coaching great John Kear dies day after covering Challenge Cup final for BBC

  • Led two sides to Challenge Cup glory in long career

  • ‘He was a true rugby league man through and through’

John Kear, the rugby league broadcaster and former Challenge Cup-winning coach, has died at the age of 71. The Rugby Football League announced that Kear died on Sunday on his return from covering Wigan’s Challenge Cup victory at Wembley for the BBC.

Kear led nine clubs in a coaching career lasting more than 700 matches, masterminding the shock Challenge Cup win for Sheffield Eagles in 1998 and then steering Hull FC to Challenge Cup glory in 2005.

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On this date in Penguins history: Conor Sheary’s OT goal in the Cup Final

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 01: Conor Sheary #43 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning goal to defeat the San Jose Sharks 2-1 during overtime in Game Two of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Consol Energy Center on June 1, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Ten years ago today, Conor Sheary scored an overtime goal to give the Pittsburgh Penguins a 2-0 lead in the 2016 Stanley Cup Final.

Pittsburgh was riding high heading into Game 2 of the Cup Final, having beaten the Sharks in a Game 1 thriller and were looking to defend their home ice and head to California with a 2-0 series lead.

The HBK Line of Carl Hagelin, Nick Bonino, and Phil Kessel teamed up for the game’s opening goal in the second period after a scoreless opening frame.

The Penguins held onto their 1-0 lead as time started ticking away into the third period but with less than 5 minutes remaining in the game, Justin Braun struck for San Jose, ultimately sending the game to overtime.

The overtime period didn’t last all that long however, as Sidney Crosby won an offensive zone faceoff and Kris Letang, almost seemingly catching him off guard, got a pass to Conor Sheary, who took advantage of a screened Martin Jones to pick the corner of the net.

Just like that, it was a 2-0 series lead for Pittsburgh, putting San Jose on the back foot and heading home to California facing a tall task.

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When will the hot stove start cooking?

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 29: Fernando Cruz #63 of the New York Yankees reacts after the Yankees turned a double play to end the seventh inning against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on May 29, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images

June is here, and with it a summer filled with baseball is about to start. The Yankees are in the thick of a division race that promises to go down to the wire as always, sitting 1.5 games behind the Rays but a comfortable 7.5 games ahead of the rest of Toronto, Boston, and Baltimore. Their record against the AL East hasn’t looked too promising, losing a series and splitting another with Tampa while splitting their lone meeting with the Jays, though they’ve swept Boston in their singular matchup and gone 5-2 against Baltimore thus far.

Sitting 13 games above .500 entering the month is a solid start, but if you’ve been following them day-to-day you’d know that the Yankees have ridden some high highs and some low lows already. It’s a microcosm of the roster that’s delivered their record, with a couple of elite bats trying to pull up a few deadweights in the lineup and a rotation that’s been otherworldly doing their best to keep the ball out of the hands of their shaky bullpen. Consistency is the key to getting back on top for this team, but they’ll likely need to make some tweaks to find it. Luckily, we’re now approaching that time of year where the trade deadline starts weighing on everyone’s minds — and we might even see a couple of moves pop up on the radar.

The question is just how long can the Yankees wait for the market to develop itself. They’re in desperate need of a bullpen remodeling, something that will likely require several trades to address, and they also are looking for a right-handed catching option with the potential for further additions to the lineup should the right opportunity line itself up. We’ve started to see some separation from the pack with a few truly bad AL teams claiming the bottom of the standings, so there are potential sellers now in view, but holding out for the best package is going to incentivize teams to wait it out and let the pressure of the deadline force other teams’ hands. The first offer is rarely going to be good enough to pry a solid reliever away, even if in the grand scheme of things he isn’t going to bring back a king’s ransom.

There’s no doubt that the stove will be lit and pots will be getting stirred in July, but will we see any rumors start to swirl in June? And if we do, could we see any closer to the start or middle of the month? It’d be unconventional, but not totally unheard of — just last year we saw a wildly early trade for the season involving an at-the-time superstar in Rafael Devers (this season may have shifted the narrative on him, but there’s still time for his contract to not be totally underwater). I’m willing to go out on a limb and predict that we’ll see Brian Cashman swing something before the calendar turns again, but I don’t think there’s anything cooking now to warrant an imminent deal.

We’ve got a loaded schedule in store for you today to get through the off-day on the field. Peter leads off with the next poll on Brian Cashman’s approval rating after the team’s performance in May, and then Kevin covers the Rivalry Roundup with the Rays keeping pace slightly ahead of New York. Jonathan has a double-feature, first giving Bud Metheny his flowers on his birthday before starting off our division check-ins with the AL Central, followed by John looking at the AL West and Sam the NL West. Finally, I’ll be back late in the day to open up the mailbag for the next round of questions.

Today’s Matchup

Off-day

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Oldest and newest stadiums in MLB: When every active ballpark opened

Major League Baseball's 30 stadiums each have their own charms and for good reason, Wrigley Field (1912) and Fenway Park (1914) remain the home ballparks for marquee franchises.

But after the pre-World War I stadiums, baseball's third-oldest venue is nearly 50 years older, Dodger Stadium, which opened in 1962. On the other end of the spectrum, the Texas Rangers' Globe Life Field is MLB's newest stadium, which opened in 2020. The Atlanta Braves' Truist Park is the only other MLB stadium that has opened in the past decade, welcoming fans in Cobb County since 2017.

There was a major boon after Baltimore's Camden Yards began a retro-classic trend in 1992, with 12 new ballparks opening between 1994 and 2004.

MLB STADIUMS: Baseball's biggest and smallest ballparks, ranked by cpacity

What does the future look like for new MLB stadiums? The next opening will be in Las Vegas, welcoming the formerly-Oakland Athletics to their new home. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Rays may finally get their long-discussed new ballpark.

Here's a look at when every MLB stadium opened:

Oldest stadiums in MLB

  • Fenway Park – 1912 (Red Sox)
  • Wrigley Field – 1914 (Cubs)
  • Dodger Stadium – 1962 (Dodgers)
  • Angel Stadium – 1966 (Angels)
  • Kauffman Stadium – 1973 (Royals)
  • Rogers Centre – 1989 (Blue Jays)
  • Tropicana Field – 1990 (Rays)
  • Rate Field – 1991 (White Sox)
  • Orioles Park at Camden Yards – 1992 (Orioles)
  • Progressive Field – 1994 (Guardians)
  • Coors Field – 1995 (Rockies)
  • Chase Field – 1998 (Diamondbacks)
  • T-Mobile Park – 1999 (Mariners)
  • Daikin Park – 2000 (Astros)
  • Comerica Park – 2000 (Tigers)
  • Oracle Park – 2000 (Giants)
  • Sutter Health Park – 2000 (Athletics' home ballpark until team moves to Las Vegas)
  • American Family Field – 2001 (Brewers)
  • PNC Park – 2001 (Pirates)
  • Great American Ball Park – 2003 (Reds)
  • Citizens Bank Park – 2004 (Phillies)
  • Petco Park – 2004 (Padres)
  • Busch Stadium – 2006 (Cardinals)
  • Nationals Park – 2008 (Nationals)
  • Citi Field – 2009 (Mets)
  • Yankee Stadium – 2009 (Yankees)
  • Target Field – 2010 (Twins)
  • LoanDepot Park – 2012 (Marlins)
  • Truist Park – 2017 (Braves)
  • Globe Life Field – 2020 (Rangers)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Oldest stadiums in MLB: See when every baseball ballpark opened

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CelticsBlog exit interview: Max Shulga is good at everything, but not great at anything

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 12: Max Shulga #44 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden on April 12, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Max Shulga’s season is tricky to give a definitive grade. He spent the vast bulk of the season with Maine and appeared in just 11 NBA games, playing a minuscule 3.3 minutes per outing. The 6-4 Ukranian guard was selected with pick number 57 by Boston and signed a two-way contract with the Maine Celtics.

Boston Celtics fans outside of Maine probably saw Shulga play the most in the Summer League last year. Shulga appeared in all five games for the Summer Celtics in Vegas; he had 5 points, a smidge under 5 assists, and 1.6 rebounds in 21 minutes per game. With Jordan Walsh and Baylor Scheierman on the team, Shulga deferred a fair bit, playing fairly conservatively, but should get a bigger opportunity this summer.

His debut Maine season was solid. He erupted for 35 points and 9 assists in Maine’s game at Iowa on Feb. 7, 2026. He showed versatility to score from behind the arc and get into lane and drive pass defenders to score with either hand. His shooting splits were just passable with 43% from the field and 73% from the line, and he will need to clear up the turnovers (3.2 per game) if he wants to find an NBA home long term.

Oct 8, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Boston Celtics guard Max Shulga (44) dribbles as Memphis Grizzlies forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper (18) defends during the fourth quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Max is a fairly shifty combo guard but lacks elite NBA-level quickness. Max is not an elite athlete either, nor the greatest ball handler to run point, so this is where things get tricky.

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Unlikely Blue Jays star Ernie Clement's love affair with Toronto fans grows

BALTIMORE – Ernie Clement doesn’t want to let anybody down.

Perhaps that quality dogged him early in his baseball career, when he tried and failed to establish himself with the Cleveland Guardians and Oakland Athletics. And minus a top-line skill that will pry open a window and keep it open – such as the promise of consistent power, or blazing speed, or savant-like defensive ability – Clement found professional appreciation elusive.

And that makes what’s happening now in Toronto even more remarkable.

Such as Blue Jays fans lining up more than three hours ahead of gametime to snag a giveaway hockey jersey bearing Clement’s name and No. 22. Or a group of rabid supporters who learned of Clement’s penchant for walking from his residence to Rogers Centre and timed it up to stroll alongside him to work.

Or the notion that he’s beloved on two shores of Lake Ontario – within the circular confines of Rogers Centre and the gorgeous city surrounding it, along with Monroe County, New York, which presented him the key to the municipality after one of Rochester’s favorite sons became an international baseball hero.

Ernie Clement set an MLB record with 30 hits in the 2025 postseason.

It can be a lot, even for a 30-year-old who sweated out years in the minors to gain this opportunity. So Clement takes none of it for granted, even as he continues establishing himself as a star player – and a Toronto icon.

“I feel the love. It’s much appreciated and I hope I’m reciprocating it enough,” Clement tells USA TODAY Sports. “Because I love my time there. It feels more and more like home every time I go there and stay there.

“I have so much fun in the city. It’s so much fun playing in front of those fans.”

And as this season lurches toward the halfway point, it’s clear this is no fleeting love affair.

Clement has followed up his record-setting 30-hit 2025 postseason by leading the American League in both hits and doubles. He’s the hardest man to strike out in the AL, fanning just 8.2% of the time, and has played a key role in keeping the defending pennant winners afloat in a season ravaged by injury.

These Blue Jays are now 29-31, lurking in third place in the AL East. For now, it’s a near repeat of their 2025 arc, when they started 31-29, got healthy, won 94 games and the division and rode it all the way to Game 7 of the World Series.

The ride stopped there, coming as close to a championship as the two or so feet Clement’s ninth-inning fly ball needed to clear the wall in left center field with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Dodgers’ Andy Pages leaped to gather it in, the prelude to an 11-inning heartbreaking defeat.

After a tearful night, the club scattered for the winter, many decamping to their offseason homes in sunnier, baseball-friendly climes.

Clement went out for Buffalo wings.

Have a day, Ernie Clement

It’s roughly 150 miles from Rochester to Toronto, even less than that as the Canadian geese might fly across Lake Ontario. So it was a strange bit of serendipity that Clement’s career would wind up so close to home, even if his hometown might lean more Yankees than Blue Jays.

The Buffalo Bills are the tie that binds, and that’s how Clement ended up in the Pittsford Pub less than 24 hours after baseball heartbreak, watching the Bills-Chiefs game, sans entourage.

Clement has surely grown to appreciate Toronto’s cosmopolitan flair, and the chance to get a world-class meal from virtually any cuisine.

But still.

“I will say, there’s no wings like the Buffalo spots, the Rochester spots,” he says.

Indeed, Clement stays true to his hometown. Three weeks after the World Series, there he was, making an appearance on behalf of the Rochester Red Wings to promote small business Saturday and goose ticket sales for the Class AAA affiliate of the Washington Nationals.

It was also declared Ernie Clement Day in Monroe County, complete with key.

Campy stuff, to be sure, all of it buttressing the notion that Clement’s a regular cat, a vibe that only accentuates his connection with Jays fans.

Yet looks can be deceiving.

Clement is also a scratch golfer, an accomplished hockey player, and can hoop a little.

“Just one of those guys who’s a sneaky-freak athlete,” says Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman. “You might walk by him on the street and think he’s not a guy who plays in the big leagues, let alone leads the American League in hits.

“That’s really cool.”

The fans agree. They gravitated strongly toward a group of Blue Jays casually known as the “roommates” – Clement and utilityman Davis Schneider, and former first baseman Spencer Horwitz among them.

Soon, Clement integrated his Rogers Centre walk into his daily routine, which often includes a stop for an iced cold brew. Sometimes he’ll drive, too, if only to maintain an anonymity that’s increasingly shrinking.

'I proved that I belong'

There’s no plaque for being the least-famous player on a world-class team.

Yet that was the spot Clement found himself in this spring, when, coming off his 30-hit postseason, Team USA manager Mark DeRosa determined he had to have Clement for his World Baseball Classic roster.

Suddenly, Clement was a formerly itinerant player surrounded by MVPs, his 6-foot frame dwarfed by the likes of Paul Skenes and Aaron Judge, his pedigree admittedly falling short of stars like Bryce Harper and Alex Bregman.

Clement saw it as both challenge and opportunity.

It was a startling bit of company to keep, the ability to absorb best practices from some of the greatest players on the globe. And on the flip side, Clement – who got on base in three of seven plate appearances and scored three runs in four games – saw it as a chance for affirmation.

“Those are the best players in the world and there’s a reason behind it – they work their tails off. I was really fortunate to be around them,” he says. “I proved that I belong. That I can fit in with guys like that, with the best players in the world. I can help any team win. I feel like anytime I got in there, I helped that team win.

“That’s my mindset every single day here. Every time I step on that field, I just want to help us win.”

The Blue Jays certainly believe so. The club lost Bo Bichette to free agency, a key hole in both their lineup and defensive alignment. While Clement has settled in at second base, he regularly plays shortstop against left-handed starters, has played eight games at third and even 15 games at first base in 2025.

“He puts his ego aside – if he even has an ego,” says closer Louis Varland. “He’s willing to do whatever it is for the team as long as the team wins.

“He’s that kind of guy, which is the best ever.”

Ernie Clement, All-Star?

There’s one more honorific awaiting Clement, an appropriate coda to a year that saw him crowned a postseason hero, a WBC rep and Monroe County king for a day.

Clement leads all primary AL second basemen in average (.300), OPS (.771), slugging and wRC+ (113). His first trip to the All-Star Game would seem to be in order, particularly with a Blue Jays fan base clicking his name however many times their Rogers 5G Internet will allow.

It’s the next logical step for a player maximizing his window.

“As a guy who has been DFA’d,” says Gausman, “I feel like I have a different appreciation for it. There aren’t many guys who get that many second chances, especially as a position player, unfortunately.

“He’s a guy that really, from the day he came over, everybody knew the talent he had. His unique ability to not strike out. But you’ve seen him get more comfortable, more confident. Success comes with that.

“But he’s turned himself into such a complete player.”

Clement has essentially grown up with this Blue Jays team, allowed runway by manager John Schneider to produce 3.3 WAR in their 88-loss 2024 season, and then turning into a 30-hit monster in the 2025 postseason.

As success came, so, too, did a certain freedom.

“Ever since I’ve been here, they haven’t tried to change who I am and the kind of hitter I am. They let me be me,” says Clement. “Schneids and all the hitting coaches I’ve had here have helped me lean into my strengths.

“I show up to the field every day trying to prove the manager right.”

He also has a few thousand Torontonians backing him up on a given day.

When the Blue Jays distributed 15,000 Clement No. 22 hockey sweaters for an April game, the line stretched away from Rogers Centre and well into the city. (Why a club that consistently draws 40,000 fans would distribute just 15,000 souvenir giveaways is another question).

The sweaters are now going for $235 to $360 on eBay, an unscientific yet telling measure for the fanbase’s adulation.

“The city has been great to me,” says Clement. “I’m lucky to be there.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ernie Clement's star rises for Blue Jays after record-setting playoffs

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MLB power rankings: Former record-setting loser White Sox continue stunning rise

It is June, and the Chicago White Sox are a game out of first place. Is this really happening?

The franchise that lost 121 games just two years ago, that lost 102 games last season, just finished a month in which it won 18 of 28 games and capped it by sweeping the American League Central's overwhelming favorite, sending the Detroit Tigers further to a summer of irrelevance.

Yes, things are a little upside down, and the White Sox's climb seven spots to No. 9 in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings reflects that.

MLB EXPANSION? One owner thinks adding teams is 'stupid'

They rallied to beat the Tigers thanks in part to Colson Montgomery's 15th home run, his 36th since the 2025 All-Star break; only Kyle Schwarber has more. They'll get a look at Schwarber this weekend when they travel to Philadelphia, with a three-game set at Minnesota before then.

A look at our updated rankings:

1. Atlanta Braves (-)

  • Sixty games in and still on a 108-win pace.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)

  • Top prospect Josue De Paula on a 20-for-37 tear at Class AA; will he figure into '26 plans?

3. Tampa Bay Rays (-)

  • Shane McClanahan almost all the way back: 4-0 with a 1.41 ERA in May.

4. New York Yankees (-)

  • Can Anthony Volpe sustain his production and truly, fully, really reclaim the shortstop job?

5. Milwaukee Brewers (-)

  • Just a Miz-tastic May: 5-0, 0.23 ERA, franchise-record 57 strikeouts in a month.

6. Cleveland Guardians (+1)

  • Tanner Bibee first pitcher in Cleveland's 125-year history to go winless in his first 13 starts.

7. San Diego Padres (-1)

  • Affable Craig Stammen earns his first ejection ever - as player or manager.

8. St. Louis Cardinals (+1)

  • Getting swept in Milwaukee taps the breaks on this joyride just a bit.

9. Chicago White Sox (+7)

  • Roch Cholowsky's season is over, so the White Sox are truly on the clock at No. 1.

10. Chicago Cubs (-2)

  • Suddenly look like the third-best team in NL Central.

11. Pittsburgh Pirates (-1)

12. Seattle Mariners (+6)

  • And away they go?

13. Arizona Diamondbacks (-1)

  • Getting swept by Mariners not the ideal appetizer before Dodgers come to town.

14. Cincinnati Reds (-3)

  • A collective Queen City gasp as Elly De La Cruz exits with hamstring issue.

15. Philadelphia Phillies (-1)

  • Nick Castellanos makes Philly return this week.

16. Athletics (-3)

  • As it gets hotter in Yolo County, home team starting to melt just a little bit.

17. Washington Nationals (+3)

  • This over-.500 thing just might be permanent.

18. Toronto Blue Jays (-3)

  • Last thing they needed was an outfielder injured by an opposing fan.

19. Baltimore Orioles (+2)

  • Three walk-offs in six days a nice vibe shift.

20. Texas Rangers (-3)

Corey Seager set to begin rehab assignment this week.

21. Minnesota Twins (+1)

  • Bailey Ober, Zebby Matthews combine to give up 15 runs in consecutive starts; Ober hits IL with elbow inflammation.

22. Houston Astros (+6)

  • Pulled within six games of .500 for first time since April 22.

23. New York Mets (+2)

  • Swept by Marlins a week ago, they return the favor. But treading water won't get them out of this quagmire.

24. Miami Marlins (-5)

  • Josh White strikes out first batter in major league debut, gives up grand slam five batters later.

25. Kansas City Royals (-1)

  • Have been swept four times since May 10.

26. Boston Red Sox (+1)

  • Jarren Duran blasted nine homers in May.

27. Detroit Tigers (-4)

  • When you go 1-5 against Angels, White Sox, does it matter when Tarik Skubal comes back?

28. San Francisco Giants (-2)

  • Rafael Devers' OPS climbs to .732.

29. Los Angeles Angels (-)

  • Jack Kochanowicz has 9.27 ERA in last five starts.

30. Colorado Rockies (-)

  • Top prospect Ethan Holliday expected to miss rest of season with stress reaction in left foot.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings: White Sox climb in AL Central standings with Colson Montgomery

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French Open 2026: Auger-Aliassime in action, Shnaider sinks Keys on day nine – live

Updates from Monday’s fourth-round matches
Email Daniel | Jódar and Fonseca into last eight

Potapova, having lost five games in a row, makes advantage on the Kalinskaya serve, a pair of backhands, one cross then another down the line, seizing the break to trail 4-6 1-0. Neither player is really at it here, meaning the match is there for whichever of them can stay composed.

On Chatrier, Svajda is improving, surviving to break points for lead 2-1 in set two, having lost the first 6-2. If he can attack Cobolli’s second serve and backhand, he might yet make an impression in this match.

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