Giants hitters and bullpen are too much for Dodgers in 9-3 victory

People come to Los Angeles with big dreams. Some want to make it as Hollywood actors. Others dream of a record deal and music fame. And there’s those who aspire to drink green juice while wearing oversized sunglasses and attend the third-through-seventh inning of a Dodger game at Chavez Ravine while pitching a reality show.

The San Francisco Giants had more humble dreams: To get double-digit hits for the third time in four games and continue their 2026 dominance over the defending world champions. They did that and more Monday night, notching 12 hits and six walks in a 9-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

You know it’s a big hit when the NBCS account breaks out a reference to a 30-year-old Will Smith album! Willy Adames went 2-for-5 with three RBIs, one of five Men In Black and Orange with a multi-hit game Monday night. Rafael Devers got jiggy wit his fifth home run, scored three runs, and reached base four times. Every member of the starting lineup had either a hit or an RBI, truly the mark of an offense that keeps the roof blazin’.

All this on a night where the Giants had two runners thrown out at home, Jesus Rodriguez got his first career stolen base, and Shohei Ohtani went 0-for-5.

Matt Gage (3-1) picked up the win after relieving Trevor McDonald (5.1 IP, 9H, 3R, 2BB, 4K) in the 6th inning, after a Max Muncy home run and a Teoscar Hernandez single chased him from the game. Gage retired all five Dodgers he faced, mowing down the heart of the lineup. Maybe Ohtani and Kyle Tucker could settle for some deferred hits?

McDonald got hit hardest in the 4th inning, when the Dodgers led off the inning with four straight singles, all off of sinkers. The Giants escaped down only 2-1 thanks to an Adames-to-Arraez-to-Schmidt double play.

The Giants countered with three straight singles off lefty Alex Vesia (1-1) from Jung Hoo Lee, Luis Arraez, and Casey Schmidt, who reached base four times Monday. Devers drew a seven-pitch, bases-loaded walk to give the Giants a 4-3 lead before “Big Willy Style” drove in Arraez and Schmidt, just the two of them.

Devers started the scoring with a second-inning homer off starter Rory Sasaki, who had one of his better outings of the season by giving up three runs and six hits and striking out five. Like his walk, this came on a 3-2 pitch, the 8th pitch of the at-bat. Devers nearly fouled out on the previous pitch, but Hernandez got distracted by a Dodgers official holding a folding chair. One pitch later, he made Sasaki and the chair-wielding man pay.

Devers missed on a bases-loaded opportunity in the 3rd, where the Giants loaded the bases in unusual fashion. Rodriguez drew a walk and then stole second when Lee struck out, swinging and missing so badly he threw his bat down the first-base line. He went to third on an Arraez single but didn’t score after Sasaki beaned Schmidt and Sasaki retired Devers and Heliot Ramos.

In the 6th, the Giants showed off some excellent baserunning and some less excellent baserunning. Schmidt singled and took third on a Devers single, with Devers hustling to second when the throw went to third. Ramos followed with a two-run double down the line.

In a very Heliot Ramos sequence, he went to third on a deep fly ball, then got thrown out at home by roughly 20 feet on a Matt Chapman groundout.

Was that the only Giant thrown out at the plate? Heavens no. Harrison Bader doubled in the 8th and made it to third on a delayed start when Rodriguez grounded out to Muncy and Freddie Freeman’s throw back to third went high. One pitch later, Lee grounded to first and Bader was tagged out in a rundown.

The Giants got some insurance in the 8th inning when Schmidt walked and stole second (two steals in one game?!?). An intentional walk to Devers was followed by an unintentional walk to Ramos, an Adames single, and another walk, this time to Chapman.

The Giants rounded out the scoring with an RBI groundout from Rodriguez. Poor Lee was the second Giant hit in the game, but at least he only got nailed by a curveball. That made four walks and a hit batsmen in one inning from Wyatt Mills, who may not be long for the Dodgers roster.

The bullpen went 3.2 innings and only gave up a single, with Keaton Winn and JT Brubaker closing it out. The Dodgers have lost three straight, the Giants have won three out of four, and the Giants’ big hitters are mostly hitting again. That’s what we call a Hollywood Echo Park ending!

Cavs playoff fate to determine interest in Giannis Antetokounmpo

CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 17: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on November 17, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

As if the stress of a playoff series was not enough, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ front office is bracing for potential changes if things go south over the next few games. One of those changes may involve the highest-profile player in the rumor mill, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Milwaukee Bucks (whose owner is Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslem) are listening to offers for Antetokounmpo with just six weeks from the NBA Draft. The Bucks will have numerous offers made for Antetokounmpo’s services, with several of those coming from teams that had interest in him at the previous trade deadline. The Cavs are one of those teams, based on Charania’s report.

The caveat to this is that offers from those teams will likely hinge on playoff performance. Charania says the Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, and the Cavs represent the teams that had called about Antetokounmpo a few months ago and would be prepared to do so again this summer. ESPN reported last October that Antetokounmpo desired to play for the Knicks, but that appeared to fizzle.

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Milwaukee is reportedly seeking a young blue-chip prospect and/or multiple draft picks, something that only a handful of those aforementioned teams can do. For example, the Lakers would have to get creative with their picks and salary to outdo the Knicks and Cavs, who both have the assets to meet what the Bucks want. New York can send almost anything but Jalen Brunson, while the Cavs could dangle Evan Mobley and draft picks and swaps.

Then the question becomes if the Cavs should push every last chip into the middle to try and win a championship. Moving on from Mobley is the most all-in the Cavs could get, even after sending out Darius Garland last year for a player a decade older — but more ready to win immediately. That gets magnified even more when the Cavs would also likely have to include two first-round picks and at least one pick swap. Suddenly, things are not only win-now, but the Cavs are mortgaging the future too.

Unless the Cavs are constructing something bigger — say, James Harden and Donovan Mitchell with Antetokounmpo and LeBron James for his farewell tour — the front office is taking on a huge risk by potentially trading Mobley and the rest of their picks into the 2030s. That will make a lot of fans uneasy to see the Cavs swing so hard for the fence, but another early playoff exit that doesn’t yield a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals may be the final straw of failure. If the Cavs lose to a team led by their former head coach (and scapegoat) J.B Bickerstaff, someone they fired for being unable to get over the hump, it may be enough to send owner Dan Gilbert into a frenzy to fix the most expensive mess in the league.

Now things can’t, and won’t, be all bad if the Cavs acquire Antetokounmpo and add him to a core of Mitchell and Harden (never mind James, who is a big if). In fact, it would likely make the Cavs the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. Antetokounmpo, who is still one of the three best players in the league, would have a dynamic scoring backcourt to rely on, and his front-court mate in Jarrett Allen, who would make the paint uninhabitable on defense. The Cavs would be a force on both sides of the ball and one of the most-watched teams in the league. Of course, they would also be a league villain — especially if James dons the wine and gold one last time.

Yankees news: Waiting for news on Cabby’s finger

ESPN: Adding injury to the insult of getting swept in Milwaukee this weekend, José Caballero hurt his finger in the series finale. “There is definitely some concern,” opined Aaron Boone Monday when asked, and the shortstop was out of the starting lineup Monday, though he pinch-ran in the ninth and got caught stealing to seal a Yankee loss. Cabby will have tests done Tuesday as he will see a hand specialist in New York City and could undergo an MRI. Everyone’s fingers will be crossed for Caballero, who’s played a solid shortstop in the first quarter of the season, while providing a little bit of pop with the bat and terrorizing opponents on the basepaths with 13 stolen bases.

MLB | Casey Drottar: The Yanks’ weekend callup of Spencer Jones has enabled him to reconnect with a former minor league teammate. Jones and Ben Rice hadn’t seen each other since spring training and Jones made a point to meet up with Rice as soon as he could. It wasn’t all motivated by friendship, however. “I told Ben this morning I’m going to be attached to his hip today,” Jones remarked, knowing he was going to take advantage of the opportunity to pick his friend’s brain on adjusting to the big leagues.

MLB | Jon Schwartz: Austin Wells has struggled at the plate so far this season after a lackluster 2025 offensively, but that has not affected his defense. Schwartz examines Wells’ routine preparing the Yankees’ pitching staff for games, while highlighting the leaps Wells has made defensively, especially considering there were questions about whether Wells would ever be good enough behind the plate to stay at the position in the majors. Meanwhile, his stature as a leader continues to evolve. “He’s very involved,” [Cam] Schlittler says. “For someone who’s young, that can really make an impact.”

X | Bryan Hoch: Led with injury news, finish with injury news. Designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton has been out for a while with a strained right calf. Monday, he was due to undergo some testing to see how the healing process is going. Throughout, Stanton has been able to hit, but not run. Manager Aaron Boone remarked Monday there is optimism that Big G will be able to begin running this week.

The Breakdown | Frontrunners’ defeats hint at twists and turns to come in Prem Rugby finale

Northampton and Bath were well beaten over the weekend: will Leicester or Exeter force themselves into the top two?

There are small but significant moments in every league campaign. Until the weekend it was widely assumed that Northampton and Bath, the two frontrunners in the English Prem, were all but nailed on for home semi-finals and, by extension, would almost certainly meet in the grand final at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham on 20 June.

That could still happen but, suddenly, others are entering the chat. Not only did Saints and Bath lose at the weekend but both were well beaten, 41-17 by Leicester and 35-12 by Exeter respectively. Bath, including their Champions Cup semi-final in Bordeaux, have lost three games on the trot. Northampton were not so much batted aside by the Tigers as unceremoniously flattened.

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The Lakers can be proud of how they went out against Thunder

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round Two Game Four of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 11, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

LOS ANGELES – Entering Monday’s contest, it was clear that the Thunder were a better team than the Lakers. Oklahoma City had won every playoff game against LA in blowout fashion and swept the regular-season series 4-0.

The only question left was whether the Lakers would put up a fight in Game 4.

In their most competitive game of the season, the Lakers took the Thunder to the wire in a back-and-forth fourth quarter. In the end, though, the result mirrored the three previous games, but the energy, effort and execution, particularly in the second half, did not.

“You’ve seen these 3-0 games before,” JJ Redick said postgame. “I thought there were two different times during the game where our team could’ve gave in, could’ve let go of the rope. We didn’t.

“I thought the crowd was awesome tonight. I’ve been part of these on both sides where it’s a 3-0 [series] and you’re playing on the road or you’re playing at home and the crowd can just not be great. The crowd was awesome. Our fans were awesome.”

The Lakers showed rather quickly in the first quarter what type of fight they would have as they played some of their best basketball of the series.

Austin Reaves led the charge, going 3-for-3 from the field, and with the Lakers taking care of the ball, they held a lead after the first quarter for the first time in the series.

The Lakers kept on fighting.

Jaxson Hayes was a wrecking ball in the paint in the second half. He was dunking with authority and being a defensive disruptor. LeBron James and Luke Kennard were hitting shots from beyond the arc and, after a Hayes slam late in the third quarter, the Lakers had their first lead since the start of the second.

As the third quarter buzzer sounded with the Lakers up three, the crowd erupted in approval. Reaves was clapping emphatically and Kennard raised his hands up like he was Rocky Balboa standing at the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

But in the end, the result was the same. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made some clutch free throws late and Ajay Mitchell continued to dominate scoring in bunches. The Thunder, for the fourth time in this series and the eighth consecutive time this season, beat theLakers and eliminated them from the playoffs.

Sometimes, the attempt at greatness is the reward. It’s part of the process and, while only one team wins the championship every year, there are a handful that commit to the process necssary for greatness. The Lakers fit the bill.

“I think one of the biggest wins for us is the multiple times throughout the regular season and the multiple times towards the end of the regular season with the injuries and during the playoffs, where we could have just laid down,” Redick said.“Tonight would have been an easy night for us to lay down.

“And I don’t know, who the F came up with moral victories. I don’t even know what that phrase means. I don’t believe in it. But, I look at all the small wins along the way as part of the journey.”

They were shorthanded the entire postseason and understood the Thunder just had more weapons, but while the results never went their way, their effort was never in question.

Throughout this series, Hachimura was a playoff riser, delivering some incredible performances. Reaves struggled in Game 1 and overcame those challenges to have some really solid games against the Thunder. And Marcus Smart defended SGA as well as anyone has.

The truth is, they just don’t have the roster necessary to combat the depth the Thunder have. OKC is flat-out the better team.

While moral victories are worth as much as monopoly money, there is something to be said about having a never-say-die attitude. It’s why the Lakers have had back-to-back 50-win seasons under Redick.

It’s why the Lakers beat the Rockets without Luka entirely while only having Reaves for two games. And it’s why the futures in Los Angeles, even after a disappointing end to the season, remain bright.

Before the game, Redick quoted Dermot Kennedy’s song “Refuge,” saying, “We can’t know the end until it’s over.”

Well, the time has come to put an end to this chapter of the Lakers’ book. So what better way to do it than with the final lines from Kennedy’s record?

“Darling, I’m shaking tonight. Chasing a dream, but I’m tired. If we never make it, at least we can say we died trying.”

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

'I don't know.' LeBron James unsure if he'll return for 24th season or retire

Los Angeles, CA - May 11: Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) catches.
LeBron James stands on the court during the Lakers' 115-110 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals Monday at Crypto.com Arena. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

As LeBron James sat at the podium following the Lakers’ season-ending loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals on Monday night, he was asked about his future.

He had just completed his 23rd season in the NBA at 41 years old and he will become a free agent this summer.

James has been asked about retirement all season — and if he would return to the Lakers next season or play for another team.

So after finishing with 24 points and 12 rebounds in the 115-110 loss, James addressed the situation again.

“With my future, I don't know, honestly," James said. "It's still fresh from obviously losing. And I don't know. I don't know what the future holds for me, obviously. As it stands right now, tonight, I got a lot of time. I'll sit back, like I think I said last year after we lost, I think to Minnesota, to go back and recalibrate with my family and talk with them, and spend some time with them. And then when the time comes, then obviously you guys will know what I've decided to do.”

Read more:Plaschke: For the sake of their future, Lakers should bid farewell to LeBron James

James said he’ll talk to his wife, Savannah, his daughter, Zhuri, and his son, Bryce.

James was asked what his decision process will be like.

“I don't know,” he said. “If I can commit to still being in love with the process of showing up to the arena five-and-a-half hours before a game to start preparing for a game, giving everything I got, diving for loose balls and doing everything that you know that it takes to go out and play. Showing up to practices, 11 o'clock practice, I'm there at eight o'clock preparing my body, preparing my mind, preparing to practice, to put the work in.

“So I think for me, I've always been in love with the process and not the aftermath of, OK, we won that game, or we won a championship. I've always enjoyed the process and not the outcome. So, I think that would be a big factor."

LeBron James, center, celebrates with his Lakers teammates after winning the 2020 NBA title.
LeBron James, center, celebrates with his Lakers teammates after defeating the Miami Heat for the NBA title on Oct. 11, 2020. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

James has been with the Lakers for eight seasons. He helped the team win an NBA championship in 2020 in the COVID-19 bubble in Orlando, Fla.

James was asked what has stood out during his time with the Lakers.

"Obviously winning a championship in 2020 would stand at the top," James said. "That was the reason why I came here, to restore that level of play and restore this franchise back to what it was known for, winning championships and playing at a high level. ... So that would be at the top.”

After the loss to the Thunder, James shook hands with All-Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander,Alex Caruso, Lou Dort before walking off the court.

James was asked if those were the last handshakes of his career.

"Last handshakes? No, I don't know. 'Cause I don't, I have no idea,” James said. "None of us even know what the future holds. None of us."

The Lakers know that they could have eight unrestricted free agents in their immediate future.

Read more:Lakers fight to the finish but are eliminated by Thunder

After James, the next biggest potential free agent is Austin Reaves. He is expected to opt out of his deal that will pay him $14.8 million and become a free agent, according to people familiar with the situation not authorized to comment. The Lakers can pay Reaves a maximum deal of $241 million over five years, with a starting salary of about $41.5 million next season.

The Lakers value Reaves and are expected to meet his demands. Reaves could sign with another team that has salary-cap space, but that deal would be for four years and about $178 million.

“I take life day by day and I'm just blessed to have an opportunity to play for this organization, play a kid's game,” Reaves said. “I make good money. But like I said, don’t think about what I’m really going to do in the future. Just day by day.”

Center Deandre Ayton had an inconsistent season, averaging 12.5 points on 67.1% shooting and 8.0 rebounds. He can opt out of his deal that pays him $8.1 million next season and become a free agent. But Ayton hasn’t yet made a decision, according to people familiar with the situation not authorized to comment.

Lakers star Austin Reaves celebrates after shooting a three-pointer against the Thunder on Monday.
Lakers star Austin Reaves celebrates after shooting a three-pointer against the Thunder on Monday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Marcus Smart, a locker room leader and their best defensive player, also has a player option for next season at $5.3 million. He hasn't made a decision yet on whether he'll test the free-agent market. According to several NBA executives, a few teams probably will show interest in him.

The deadline to exercise or decline an option is June 29.

Rui Hachimura’s ($18.2 million), Luke Kennard ($11 million), Maxi Kleber ($11 million) and Jaxson Hayes ($3.4 million) are also in the final year of their deals.

Doncic, who missed the playoffs and the last five games of the regular season with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, signed a three-year, $165-million extension last summer, keeping him under contract through the 2027-28 season.

Jarred Vanderbilt ($12.4 million), Jake LaRavia ($6.0 million), Dalton Knecht (4.2 million), Bronny James ($2.2 million) and rookie Adou Thiero ($2.1 million) are under contract for next season.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Avalanche take 3-1 lead into game 5 against the Wild

Minnesota Wild (46-24-12, in the Central Division) vs. Colorado Avalanche (55-16-11, in the Central Division)

Denver; Wednesday, 8 p.m. EDT

LINE: Avalanche -205, Wild +169; over/under is 6.5

NHL PLAYOFFS SECOND ROUND: Avalanche lead series 3-1

BOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Avalanche host the Minnesota Wild in the second round of the NHL Playoffs with a 3-1 lead in the series. The teams meet Monday for the ninth time this season. The Avalanche won the last meeting 5-2.

Colorado has a 55-16-11 record overall and a 19-6-5 record in Central Division games. The Avalanche rank first in the league with 298 total goals (averaging 3.6 per game).

Minnesota is 18-14-4 against the Central Division and 46-24-12 overall. The Wild have scored 268 total goals (3.3 per game) to rank 10th in NHL play.

TOP PERFORMERS: Martin Necas has 38 goals and 61 assists for the Avalanche. Nathan MacKinnon has seven goals and six assists over the past 10 games.

Kirill Kaprizov has 45 goals and 44 assists for the Wild. Matthew Boldy has scored seven goals and added four assists over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Avalanche: 9-1-0, averaging 3.8 goals, six assists, four penalties and 8.2 penalty minutes while giving up two goals per game.

Wild: 5-4-1, averaging 3.8 goals, six assists, 4.8 penalties and 9.6 penalty minutes while giving up three goals per game.

INJURIES: Avalanche: Artturi Lehkonen: day to day (upper-body), Sam Malinski: day to day (upper-body).

Wild: Jonas Brodin: day to day (lower body), Joel Eriksson Ek: day to day (lower-body).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

James unsure over future after Lakers eliminated

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James
LeBron James is the only player to feature in 23 consecutive NBA seasons [Getty Images]

NBA legend LeBron James said he is unsure "what the future holds for me" after the Los Angeles Lakers were knocked out of the play-offs.

Widely regarded as one of the best players of all time, 41-year-old James is out of contract in the summer.

He could have played his last game after reigning champions Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Lakers 115-110 to seal a 4-0 victory in the best-of-seven Western Conference semi-final.

"I've got a lot of time. I'll go back and recalibrate with my family and talk with them," James said.

"When the time comes, you guys will know what I decide to do.

"It's about the process - if I can commit to still being in love with the process of showing up to the arena five and a half hours before a game to start preparing."

James is the leading points scorer in NBA history and has won four titles and four Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards.

"There's nothing I need to show in this league," he said.

"I've done it all; I've seen it all. Just trying to compete and trying to win championships - that's a motivating factor."

James scored 24 points at Crypto.com Arena in LA, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the current MVP, scored 35 points and contributed eight assists for the Thunder.

The Thunder, who beat the Phoenix Suns 4-0 in the first round of the play-offs, will play the Minnesota Timberwolves or the San Antonio Spurs - their semi is level at 2-2 - in the Western Conference final.

In the Eastern Conference semi-finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers earned a 112-103 home win against the Detroit Pistons to level the series at 2-2.

Donovan Mitchell scored 43 points at Rocket Arena for the Cavs, who lost the first two games.

Mitchell scored 39 in the second half, equalling the record - set by Eric Floyd of the Golden State Warriors in 1987 - for the most points in one half of a post-season game.

The Cavs or the Pistons will play the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference final.

Open Thread: A pair of Spurs Super fans make the news

Oct 25, 2023; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Fans wait for San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) to enter the court before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

I have a confession. I am obsessed with the Spurs. How many of you know exactly what I’m talking about?

My Twitter feed is Spurs- Spurs players, Spurs journalists, Spurs fans, the Jackals, even former Silver Dancers, and some other sports and NBA outlets and pundits.

My Facebook feed is constantly populated by Spurs Sixth Man updates. There is a community of Spurs family that share their favorite moments.

If you saw my Instagram feed, you might assume I was President of the Jacob Tobey Fan Club. (Unofficially, yes, but it’s not a recognized charter…yet.)

So imagine my surprise when I saw this:

KSAT 12, San Antonio’s primary affiliate for ABC, posted how two Spurs fans are “spreading love outside of SA.”

Mark Burnett known as @SpursSixthMan has been facilitating multiple social media outlets dedicated to the San Antonio Spurs. For those who frequent Spurs socials, he is the fan who went to the Naismith Hall of Fame when Gregg Popovich, Tony Parker, Pao Gasol, and Becky Hammon were inducted. After procuring their autographs on his arm, he had them tattooed. He also has Wemby’s signature tattooed on his arm.

Screenshot

I ran into him at a game and got a quick photo of him with my daughter.

Mark’s a great guy a wealth of knowledge about the team. He is always head-to-toe Spurs dedication when attending games, and probably most days just hanging around his house.

Ric Fernandez, known as @RealSpurnandez on social media, just infiltrated the Target Center for Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals. He’s another who lives his fandom to the fullest and posts Spurs stories and adventures regularly. He is a military veteran and proud family man, and he reps the Spurs with all he’s got. This is the guy you want to be sitting next to when the Spurs hit that big shot.

Tattoos. Repping fiesta colors in enemy territory. Living the Silver & Black (and Fiesta) dream.

I’m sure we all have those great personal stories. Share yours, Pounders!


Welcome to the Thread. Join in the conversation, start your own discussion, and share your thoughts. This is the Spurs community, your Spurs community. Thanks for being here.

Our community guidelines apply which should remind everyone to be cool, avoid personal attacks, not to troll and to watch the language.

Player Grades: Lakers vs. Thunder

Los Angeles, CA - May 11:Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) celebrates with fans after hitting a three-pointer against the Oklahoma City Thunder in game four of the second round of the NBA playoffs in Los Angeles, CA on Monday, May 11, 2026.(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

In a season defined by their resiliency, the Lakers ended the year in a fitting manner.

With their backs firmly against the wall, the team responded with its stiffest punch. LA knocked OKC back on its heels in the third quarter for the first time this series, then went toe-to-toe with them in the fourth.

Even if the final score amounted to the same result as the preceding three contests, the Lakers could head home knowing they went out giving it all they had. Moral victories mean nothing in the playoffs, but LA can have plenty of pride in how its season ended.

So, let’s dive into the loss. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.

LeBron James

40 minutes, 24 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 4 turnovers, 1 foul, 8-18 FG, 2-6 3PT, 6-8 FT, -17

The schedule certainly seemed to catch up to LeBron as the series played on, but it still was an impactful showing in Game 4. He was still able to get to the rim, though finishing there was a different story, as evidenced by his final shot of the game — and as a Laker? — late in the game.

He also had a really untimely turnover late after a rebound. But considering what was asked of him at 41 years old? He held up as well as you could hope.

Grade: A-

Rui Hachimura

43 minutes, 25 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 5 fouls, 9-15 FG, 4-8 3PT, 3-3 FT, -2

More than one Laker had the game of their life with Rui at the top of that list. He capped off a truly incredible postseason run with the biggest game of his career. No shot was more important than his four-point play with under two minutes to go, but every basket he had felt huge.

Grade: A+

Deandre Ayton

21 minutes, 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, 3-3 FG, -2

It was a nightmare series for Ayton, who ended it on a sour note. Whatever hopes this team had for him as a center of the future disappeared in this series. He was thoroughly outplayed nearly every second he squared off with Chet Holmgren or Isaiah Hartenstein.

His player option means he’ll hold the cards at first as to whether he’s a Laker next year, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a one-and-done partnership.

Grade: D

Austin Reaves

43 minutes, 27 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, 8 turnovers, 5 fouls, 8-16 FG, 3-7 3PT, 8-9 FT, -6

Without question, the eight turnovers and five fouls were bad. And yet, there’s an argument to be made that this was both his best game of the series and, subsequently, the best game of his career, given the context.

Fresh off an injury that ruled him out for a month, Reaves returned to play the best team in basketball in a role he wasn’t in when he went down, a nearly impossible task. He carried the Lakers offensively throughout the contest in his Luka-lite role and did so about as well as you could reasonably ask.

And if his final three fell, there’d have been no question this was his best game ever.

Grade: A

Marcus Smart

36 minutes, 5 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 6 turnovers, 5 fouls, 2-8 FG, 0-4 3PT, 1-1 FT, +5

It wasn’t a great Smart game. He turned the ball over six times and committed five fouls. And when your starting backcourt has 14 turnovers and 10 fouls, you’re not going to win many games.

But he made just enough of the little plays to make him valuable, then made one really big play with his late and-one layup.

Grade: B+

Luke Kennard

24 minutes, 5 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 foul, 2-5 FG, 1-2 3PT, +15

A relatively quiet night for Kennard, who returned back to his regular form in the playoffs after a strong Game 3. He had a nice reverse layup when the Lakers were rolling, but he also was being picked on relentlessly by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander when they shared the floor.

It would have been nice if the Lakers could have gone to someone else in those minutes, but, alas.

Grade: C+

Jaxson Hayes

27 minutes, 18 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, 6-8 FG, 6-6 FT, -1

The last Laker to have the game of his life was Jaxson Hayes, who was possessed by some otherworldly spirit in this one. He had multiple huge poster slams and a huge, momentum-shifting block of Ajay Mitchell. Considering he’s spent the vast, vast majority of his Lakers tenure being unplayable in postseason games, this was a welcome, and shocking, surprise.

Grade: A+

Jarred Vanderbilt, Adou Thiero, Maxi Kleber

With 10 functioning fingers, Vando was borderline unplayable this series. In 2:45 on Monday, he was a -12. Thiero was given another chance in Game 4, but two of his offensive possessions included him cutting down the lane in front of a teammate and airballing a 3-pointer, so that, too, was short-lived.

Kleber only came in to set a screen late to help Austin get a good look at the game-tying shot.

JJ Redick

It’s hard to believe the same guy who played five guys in the second half of a playoff game is the one who had the Lakers battling the defending champions to the wire on Monday. Against a team with clearly more talent and depth, Redick schemed the team into a position to win on both ends of the floor.

If there’s any takeaway from these playoffs, it’s that Redick’s errors of last year can be written off as rookie blunders.

Grade: A

Monday’s DNPs: Bronny James, Dalton Knecht, Jake LaRavia, Nick Smith Jr.

Monday’s inactives: Luka Dončić

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

Multiple Olympic and world champion cyclist Katie Archibald retires to become nurse

  • Endurance specialist won Olympic gold in Rio and Tokyo

  • ‘I don’t know where I’ll get these feelings again’

Katie Archibald, the Scottish track cyclist who won gold medals at the Rio and Tokyo Olympics, has announced her retirement with immediate effect.

The decision means the 32-year-old, who also won multiple world, European and Commonwealth titles, will not compete in July’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

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Game Five Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 10: Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket past Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the third quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on May 10, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The San Antonio Spurs did what they needed to do in Minnesota. The Spurs reclaimed home-court advantage with a win in Game Three. After losing a winnable Game Four, 114-109, the Spurs will head back to San Antonio to defend their home court and re-take a series lead.

Game Five will be one of intrigue for several reasons. Chief among them is the return of Victor Wembanyama, who was ejected from Game Four after earning a Flagrant 2 foul for elbowing Naz Reid in the neck. Wembanyama avoided d a fine and a suspension, which has drawn some ire from national media talking heads. Now, an already physical series will be played under a microscope, with both teams motivated to beat up on each other, and the officials watching even more closely for extracurricular contact.

What this game and series will ultimately come down to is the performance of each team’s star player. Anthony Edwards has been nothing short of incredible playing on two bum knees, but still scoring 36 points in Game Four. Wembanyama dominated Games Two and Three, and will certainly be looking to bounce back from a regrettable moment in Game Five. Whichever one can out-duel the other may leave San Antonio with a 3-2 advantage.

San Antonio Spurs (2-2) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (2-2)

May 12th, 2026 | 7:00 PM CT

Watch: NBC / Peacock | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs Injuries: De’Aaron Fox – Questionable (ankle)

Timberwolves Injuries: Donte DiVincenzo – Out (achilles)

What to watch for:

Physicality and foul calls

Despite what most people would say online, the winner of a basketball game is not determined by the referees. That said, they will have a crucial role to play in Game Five. Both sides will come after each other physically, and both will complain when they don’t get the foul calls they think they deserve. Wembanyama’s elbow has escalated the stakes of the physical play in this series. Both teams have been enforcing their will on the other. Whether it be the Spurs’ aggressive point-of-attack defense and tough drives to the rim, or the Wolves’ swarming help defense and dominance on the offensive glass. Whatever team can play physical enough without getting into foul trouble will have a distinct advantage.

Securing the boards

In Game Four, the Spurs allowed the Wolves to grab 15 offensive rebounds for the second game in a row. Granted, they didn’t have their best rebounder in Wembanyama for three-quarters of the game. A lot of the rebounds they are giving up would be out of Wembanyama’s control anyway. Minnesota is grabbing long rebounds off misses or scooping up 50/50 balls while the Spurs are busy blocking out bigger rebounders like Rudy Gobert. San Antonio has to negate the Wolves’ advantage on the glass to reclaim a lead in this series.

Three-point shooting

San Antonio has struggled to shoot from three in both of their losses this series. In Game One, they shot 28% from deep, and they hit just 23% of their deep shots in Game Four. Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie have to knock down every wide-open three-pointer they have. If not, they are handing over free possessions to Minnesota. De’Aaron Fox’s shooting has gone cold for most of the series. His offense is of the utmost importance heading into the final games of the series. Fox is questionable for Game Five after sustaining an ankle injury in Game Four. The Spurs will need him and the rest of their shooters to warm up to take down the Wolves at home.

Relentless Thunder do just enough to beat resilient Lakers, take game four 115-100, sweep series 4-0

LOS ANGELES — Oklahoma City is relentless.

The Lakers did not roll over after being down 0-3 in their series, they came out with a game plan and energy, got an early spark from Austin Reaves, and led by five after 12 minutes. When they got down double digits in the third quarter, they fought back again to take the lead.

Give the Lakers credit, they were not the 76ers. They showed up and showed resilience.

"I thought there were two different times during the game where our team could have gave in, could let go the rope," Lakers coach JJ Redick said. "We didn't."

But the Thunder are relentless.

With the game tied with 49 seconds left, Oklahoma City closed the game on a 6-1 run to pull away for a 115-110 victory, completing their sweep of Los Angeles.

The Thunder remain undefeated in these playoffs, 8-0, and now will have at least close to a week off (and maybe more) waiting for the winner of the Minnesota vs. San Antonio series, which is tied 2-2.

The Lakers head into an offseason with a lot of questions, and changes are coming — five Lakers are free agents, and another three have player options. LeBron James is one of the free agents and said he is going to take some time to decide if he wants to come back for a record 24th NBA season — and if he does, where he might play. Austin Reaves has a player option he is not going to pick up — he is going to get paid. Whether that is by the Lakers or someone else remains to be seen.

Reaves and LeBron showed their value on Monday night, but it wasn't enough against a Thunder team that just had too many weapons and executes too well on both ends of the court.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showed why he is about to be named the two-time NBA MVP, scoring 35 points with eight assists on the night.

What makes the Thunder so tough to beat — so relentless — is that SGA is not a one-man band.

Ajay Mitchell — a second-year pro who played just 84 minutes in the playoffs a year ago — scored 28 points on 12-of-19 shooting, taking some of the shot creation load off of Gilgeous-Alexander as the Lakers doubled him. Chet Holmgren had 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including some clutch buckets late, and had nine rebounds.

Reaves led the Lakers with 27 points, while LeBron had 24 points and 12 rebounds. Rui Hachimura — another of the Lakers' free agents — scored 25 points, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range.

The Lakers did a better job defensively in the first half than they had all series, holding the Thunder to a 102.1 offensive rating despite 14 from Gilgeous-Alexander. The challenge was scoring on the Thunder defense: The Lakers shot just 39.5% in the first half and were 2-of-13 from beyond the arc (they just missed some open looks). Remove LeBron and Reaves from the equation and the Lakers shot 35% in the first 24 minutes. Still, they only trailed by four, 49-45. They were playing hard.

The Thunder had owned the third quarter in this series and for the first half of the quarter that did not change, Oklahoma City went on a 17-0 run holding the Lakers scoreless for 6:40 in the third quarter to take control of the game.

OKC pushed its lead out to 12. The Lakers did not quit.

Behind Reaves getting downhill and drawing fouls, plus 12 points from Rui Hachimura, the Lakers ended the third on a 6-1 run and had an 84-80 lead after 3. That was the first time the Thunder have trailed entering the fourth quarter all playoffs.

But the Thunder are relentless. And they are moving on.

LeBron James doesn't 'know what the future holds' after Lakers eliminated

LOS ANGELES — Finality came for the Los Angeles Lakers with a season-ending loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Then in the air hung the possibility of a much bigger ending.

Potentially the end of LeBron James’ tenure with the Lakers, if not the end of his illustrious NBA career.

“I don’t know what the future holds for me obviously as it stands right now,’’ James said after the Lakers lost to the Thunder, 115-110, at Crypto.com Arena on Monday, May 11 in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals and got swept in the series.

“It’s obviously still fresh with us losing. I don’t know," James added. "...I think I said last year after we lost to Minnesota that I’ll go back and recalibrate with my family and talk to them, spend some time with them. And when the time comes, obviously, you guys will know what I decide to do.”

If it was the end for the 41-year-old James, he went out in inspired fashion. He had 24 points and 12 rebounds and helped rally the Lakers, who fell behind by as much as 12 points in the second half.

But he also missed a short floater with 20 seconds left with the Lakers trailing 111-110.

It was touch of heartbreak during a celebrated career for James, who completed his eighth season with the Lakers and his 23rd season overall.

James, when asked if he still loves basketball, said, "The love of the game is always there. I don’t think that every goes away."

More important, he said, is the process, which involves getting to the arena 5½ hours before the game.

"... the process for me has always been so much more important," James said. "For me, if I fell out of the love with the process, I’d probably fall out of love with the game."

He has won four NBA titles, the last coming with the Lakers in 2020. He also is the league’s all-time leading scorer.

“I left everything I could out on the floor,” James said. “I controlled what I could control and I can leave the floor saying, even though I hate losing, I was locked in on what we needed to do. I tried to make sure our guys were locked in on what we needed to do throughout the postseason and obviously we fell a little short. But I’m not looking at my year as a disappointment, that’s for damn sure.”

His role became more limited as Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves emerged as the team’s scoring leaders. But when Doncic and Reaves suffered injuries late in the season, it was James who led the Lakers past the Houston Rockets in the first-round playoff series.

JJ Redick, when asked about LeBron possibly ending his career, said, “I haven’t even thought about that yet. We’ll deal with that the offseason.’’

Reaves made it clear he hopes he’ll have a chance to play with James again.

“Man, it would mean the world to me,’’ Reaves said. “I don’t know anything different."

With eight seconds left, Reaves missed a 3-pointer that would have tied the game. After that miss, Reaves said James was walking behind him and said, “Helluva shot.’’

LeBron James looks on during Game 4 of the NBA playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026.

Luke Kennard, who joined the Lakers midseason, said of James, “He doesn’t take the game for granted. He loves basketball, he loves the process.’’

In fact, his love for basketball and that James continues to play at a high level has fueled speculation he’ll continue to play, whether it’s in Los Angeles or in another NBA city.

Doncic called Reaves and James “two great players’’ and said “it was really fun to share the court with them.

Will he help recruit James to return to the Lakers?

“We’ll see,’’ Doncic said. “I can’t tell you nothing.’’

With that, Doncic grinned.

Contributing: Lorenzo Reyes, Andres Soto

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James left the door wide open after Lakers loss to Thunder

3 takeaways from Lakers Game 4 loss vs. Thunder

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Jaxson Hayes #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a slam dunk against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images

With their season on the line, the Lakers played with the necessary desperation to try to extend it one more game.

Even after it looked like the third quarter was headed down a familiar path, LA righted the ship and actually won that quarter. The result was a fourth quarter worthy of a playoff game with back-and-forth momentum swings and huge shots from either side.

But even with all that extra fight, the end result was the same, with the Thunder making more plays and coming away victorious to sweep LA out of the playoffs.

It’s a tough ending to the series, considering how hard the Lakers fought throughout. But it’s also a just ending as the Thunder were clearly the better team in the series.

With that being said, let’s dive into the three takeaways from the loss


Going out on their sword

There were two ways this game could have played out.

The Lakers could have looked like the Sixers on Sunday as they lay down and let the Knicks batter them at home in an embarrassing loss or they could put up the fight they did. It’s apropos that they went down fighting given it’s the trait this team has had all season.

So many times this season, the Lakers were dealt a challenge — often in the way of an untimely injury to a star — and were forced to adapt and keep fighting. The postseason was no different. The final scores often didn’t show how close the purple and gold were to the Thunder this series.

But Monday’s Game 4 will not be forgotten because of a humiliating blowout, but instead will be remembered as a team going out on its sword.

Rui and Austin step up

The Lakers were going to need big contributions from multiple players if they were going to finally nab a win in this series and both Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura did all they could to make that possible.

Austin’s night was a mixed bag at times. He did turn the ball over eight times. But given the ask of him and the focus the defense had on him, it was his best game of the series. He finished with 27 points, seven rebounds and six assists and carried the Lakers’ offense throughout the night. If nothing else, playing 43 minutes in a game of this intensity so soon after returning from injury was impressive.

Rui’s night, meanwhile, was not mixed at all. In a postseason where he already was turning heads, Rui had the game of his life, finishing with 25 points on 9-15 shooting from the field. But, as has been the case, it was his 3-point shooting that was most important, none bigger than his late four-point play with 1:41 left that trimmed a six-point deficit down to just two.

Both players are set for free agency. Both earned big paydays with their play either this season and in the playoffs. And, hopefully, both are Lakers again next season.

The crowd did their part

I was critical of the Lakers crowd earlier these playoffs when it felt like they didn’t do their part in a closeout game. And if there was ever a reason for them not to bring the energy, it was on a night when the team was on the brink of being swept.

Instead, it was the best crowd of the postseason for the Lakers. Is it a coincidence that multiple Twitter/X accounts pointed out how cheap the tickets were, meaning actual fans of the team could afford to attend? Probably not!

Whatever the reason or rationale, the crowd was as lively as they’ve been and played a huge role in spurring the team on to its most impressive performance of the series.

Hats off to them.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.