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Astros vs. Brewers Game Thread: Game 59, 5/29/2026

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - MAY 28: Cam Smith #11 of the Houston Astros goes up to catch a deep fly ball off the bat of Brandon Nimmo #24 of the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field on May 28, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images

TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (26-32), who have won six of their last seven games, will open a 10-day, nine-game homestand tonight against the NL Central division leading Milwaukee Brewers (33-20).

RHP Kai-Wei Teng (3-3, 2.19 ERA), a native of Taiwan, will get the start for the Astros tonight on AAPI night at the ballpark. He’ll be opposed by rookie RHP Coleman Crow (0-0, 2.61 ERA), who’s making just his third Major League start.

AAPI NIGHT: The Astros will honor Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Night tonight.

The celebration will include a private pregame reception in the 42 Room, pregame performance by the Taiwanese Association of America, local community and organizational tabling throughout Hall of Fame Alley, a ceremonial first pitch, and more.

FOR STARTERS: Astros starters have a combined ERA of 3.20 (27ER/76IP) over the last 13 games (since May 15) with a 1.01 WHIP. In that span, they have allowed just 44 hits in 76.0 innings for a Major League-best .169 opponent average, while also ranking first in the AL in WHIP and fifth in ERA.

Astros starters have allowed one or fewer runs seven times in the last 13 games.

HOMER HAPPY: The Astros have slugged 16 homers in their last seven games.

Houston now ranks second in the AL in homers with 76, trailing only the Yankees (83) in that category.

AIR YORDAN:DH Yordan Alvarez had a three-game span from Monday thru Wednesday in Arlington in which he went 6×12 with five homers and eight RBI.

Some notes on his sizzling run:

• he became the first Astros player with multiple homers in back-back games since Jose Altuve turned the trick, Sept. 4 (2 HR) and Sept. 5 (3 HR) at TEX.

• he matched the club record for HR in a three-game span. That record is shared by Jose Altuve (2023), Richard Hidalgo (2000) and Glenn Davis (1990).

• he became the fifth Astros player with multiple homers in consecutive games: the others: Jose Altuve, 9/4-5, 2023 at TEX; Richard Hidalgo, 9/9-10, 2000 at CHC; Moises Alou, 8/13/2000 at PHI, 8/14/2000 vs. PIT; Doug Rader, 7/20-21/1973 vs. NYM.

FROM THE TRAINER’S ROOM: The Astros have 12 players on the Major League Injured List.

• RHP Ronel Blanco (rt. elbow surgery) and RHP Hayden Wesneski (rt. elbow surgery) have began live BP progressions in West Palm Beach.

• RHP Hunter Brown (rt. shoulder sprain) will make his second rehab start tonight at Triple A Sugar Land, he worked 2.0 scoreless innings on 35 pitches in his first rehab outing on Sunday at Double A Corpus Christi.

• LHP Josh Hader (lt. biceps tendinitis) made his ninth rehab app. last night, tossing 22 pitches in 0.2 of an inning at Triple A. Hader also pitched on Wednesday, giving him appearances on back-to-back days.

• RHP Cristian Javier (rt. shoulder strain) is scheduled to throw live batting practice today at Daikin Park.

• RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (rt. shoulder inflammation) and LHP Bennett Sousa (lt. elbow inflammation) have began throwing progressions.

• LHP Brandon Walter (lt. elbow surgery) continues his throwing progression this week in West Palm Beach.

• 2B Jose Altuve (lt. oblique strain) was in West Palm Beach rehabbing earlier this week. He has rejoined the team in Houston to continue his baseball activity.

• C Yainer Diaz (lt. oblique strain) has began baseball activity.

• OF Joey Loperfido (rt. quad strain) continued his rehab assignment last night at Triple A Sugar Land, going 0x4 in a start at DH. He also played on Wednesday night at Triple A (1×2, 2 BB).

ON THE LEADER BOARD: DH Yordan Alvarez currently leads the Majors in OPS (1.073), SLG (.654) and total bases (134).

In the AL, he ranks first in extra-base hits (31), tied for first in HR (20), second in batting avg. (.307), second in OBP (.419), tied for second in hits (63), fourth in RBI (39), tied for seventh in walks (37), and ninth in runs (37).

WALKER, TEXAS HAMMER:1B Christian Walker has four homers and nine RBI in his last five games.

For the season, he has been one of the top hitters in the AL, ranking third in the AL in RBI (40), tied for fifth in extra-base hits (25), sixth in HR (15), seventh in SLG (.519) and seventh in total bases (108).

Walker also has not committed an error in his 57 games played.

TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 2017 – In a Memorial Day matchup in Minnesota, the Astros trailed 8-2 before scoring 11 runs in the 8th inning en route to a 16-8 win over the homestanding Twins. It marks just the fourth 11-run inning in franchise history and the first since the 1994 season.

in the inning, the Astros hammer out eight hits, including just one homer, a three-run shot by DH Carlos Beltrán. Four different Astros record three-plus hits, including Beltrán (4×5), 2B Jose Altuve (3×5), SS Carlos Correa (3×5) and 1B Marwin Gonzalez (3×5).

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Friday, May 29, 7:10 p.m. CT

Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX

TV: Space City Home Network

Streaming: SCHN+

Radio: KTRH 740 AM, KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)

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GameThread: Tigers vs. White Sox 7:40 p.m.

May 28, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder Wenceel Perez (46) hits a home run in the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Detroit Tigers (22-35) vs. Chicago White Sox (29-27)

Time/Place: 7:40 p.m., Rate Field
SB Nation Site: South Side Sox
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Pitching Matchup: RHP Troy Melton (1-0, 1.59 ERA) vs. RHP Erick Fedde (0-5, 5.47 ERA)

PlayerGIPK%BB%GB%FIPfWAR
Melton15.213.613.631.33.600.1
Fedde1049.114.39.236.26.31-0.5

Lineups

TIGERSWHITE SOX
Kevin McGonigle – 3BSam Antonacci – LF
Dillon Dingler – CMunetaka Murakami – 1B
Jahmai Jones – DHMiguel Vargas – 3B
Riley Greene – LFColson Montgomery – SS
Spencer Torkelson – 1BChase Meidroth – 2B
Wenceel Perez – RFAndrew Benintendi – DH
Matt Vierling – CFTristan Peters – CF
Zach McKinstry – 2BRikuu Nishida – RF
Zack Short – SSDrew Romo – C

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Ethan Holliday to miss remainder of 2026 season

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 21: Ethan Holliday #2 of the Colorado Rockies looks on during the sixth inning of the Spring Breakout game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 21, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Multiple sources, including Thomas Harding of MLB.com, reported on Friday afternoon that Colorado Rockies top prospect Ethan Holliday (no. 2 PuRP) will miss the remainder of the 2026 minor league season. The report comes with news that Holliday will be undergoing surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot.

Holliday, 19, was the Rockies’ first round pick in the 2025 MLB draft. Selected fourth overall out of Stillwater High School in Oklahoma, the youngest son of former Rockies star Matt Holliday has been viewed as a potential franchise savior for a Rockies team that has long needed to develop a true superstar.

The big-bodied infielder made his professional debut with the Low-A Fresno Grizzlies late last season and struggled somewhat to adjust. He hit .239/.357/.380 in 18 games and 71 at-bats with four doubles, two home runs, and six RBIs.

He did start the 2026 Low-A season somewhat slow, but tuned out the noise and eventually found his stride. Before his injury, Holliday was hitting .262/.395/.557 with five doubles, two triples, 32 RBIs, and a team-leading nine home runs through his first 33 games. He is currently listed as Major League Baseball’s no. 17 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline.

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It has not been confirmed when Holliday suffered the injury, though he last played on May 20th against the Low-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Los Angeles Angels) in the California League. He was placed on the minor league 7-day injured list on May 24th.

This is a developing story and Purple Row will provide more updates as they become available.

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Game Thread: Tigers (22-35) at White Sox (29-27)

Erick Fedde looks to get back to winning ways against the Tigers | (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson)

For the first time since May 2023, the White Sox will finish a month with a winning record — and they still have three games left to improve upon their total. After taking three of four from the Minnesota Twins at home, the White Sox look to push the lowly Tigers even further into the depths of despair while solidifying their place in the second wild card spot.

Taking the ball for the White Sox is Erick Fedde which will surely elicit a groan from fans that can be heard in Naperville. Fedde has yet to win a game and currently sports an 0-5 record in 10 starts. It’s been a rough 2026 for Fedde, but an even rougher month of May as he has a 10.13 ERA in four games this month. For those who love diving deeper into the “splits,” Fedde does have a 3.71 ERA at home as opposed to a 7.54 ERA on the road this year, so Guaranteed Rate Field might help him a little bit tonight.

Toeing the rubber for the Detroit Tigers tonight is Troy Melton. If you haven’t heard of him, you’re likely not alone but the young 25-year old has been impressive since his debut last July. Melton posted a 2.76 ERA across 16 games last year and got the win in his only start this year, on May 24 against the Baltimore Orioles. Melton allowed just two hits in five-plus innings of work and will look to build on that success tonight.

Here is the starting lineup for the White Sox:

Here is the starting lineup for the Tigers:

First pitch is 6:40 p.m. CST. I’ll hopefully be back with a happy recap on another good team win. You can watch on CHSN or listen on ESPN Chicago 1000. Let us know your thoughts and predictions below!

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NBA Offseason Trade/Free Agent Rumors 2026: Cavaliers not likely to chase Giannis Antetokounmpo

As we move closer and closer to the NBA Draft — June 23, less than a month away — the trade rumors are ramping up around the league as well. Here is some of the latest chatter.

Cavaliers not likely to chase Antetokounmpo

For many fans, Cleveland being swept out of the playoffs by the Knicks was a sign that the team needs to make bold changes. Internally, it does not appear that's what they are thinking.

Case in point: Don't expect the Cavaliers to jump into the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, report Jake Fischer and Marc Stein of The Stein Line, which echoes previous reports. The price for the Cavaliers to get in the mix is 24-year-old, former Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley, and Cleveland does not want to go there. From The Stein Line:

"Mobley, at 24, is regarded in Cleveland as the sort of player who could offer a legitimate bridge to a successful post-Mitchell future. The Cavaliers, remembering how hard life was after (LeBron) James walked away from the franchise — twice — are obviously reluctant to surrender Mobley and the staying power he is projected to represent unless it's a sure-thing trade."

One quick thought on where this leaves the Bucks. Milwaukee didn't trade Antetokounmpo at the February deadline believing the market would be more robust this offseason for the two-time MVP. That is not proving to be the case. New York is in the Finals and not about to blow up its core now. Cleveland is out. Antetokounmpo doesn't want to go to the West. That makes Miami the frontrunner, but if Cleveland is looking to start a bidding war, that is not going well.

Cleveland looking to extend Mitchell

What Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman did make clear at his end-of-season press conference is his intention to lock up Donovan Mitchell, who is extension-eligible this summer. Here's Altman's quote, via Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.

"Donovan is our guy. He's elevated everything about this franchise and this organization, so when he professes his love for being here, we're fortunate to have him and we'll work out those details when it comes time."

The James Harden to Cleveland trade doesn't happen without a handshake agreement to extend him, although for likely less than his current contract. The Cavs have made it clear that coach Kenny Atkinson will be back. All signs point to more minor moves this summer for the Cavaliers than anything big and bold.

Heat also eyeing Leonard, Morant

The Miami Heat are swinging for the fences this summer and are considered the frontrunner to land Antetokounmpo if he does bolt Milwaukee. But what if he stays put, or jumps to another team?

The Heat's Plan B may be Kawhi Leonard. Or Ja Morant. That according to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, during an interview on 104.3 WQAM (hat tip Bleacher Report).

"Honestly, if they get a signal it's not going to be Giannis, I think they explore Kawhi [Leonard]. I think they explore Ja [Morant]. You can't get stale, especially in this market."

Miami's Antetokounmpo offer is centered on Tyler Herro and Kel'el Ware (with picks and other players), pairing the Greek Freak with Bam Adebayo, but with little around them. Does that provide a better chance to chase a ring than Milwaukee?

Morant will be available, the Grizzlies shopped him at the trade deadline but there just wasn't much of a market. Leonard is a more complex scenario, with everyone involved — including the Clippers — waiting for the NBA's Aspiration/salary cap circumvention investigation to wrap up. The punishments that come out of that, both to the Clippers and potentially Leonard, will have a big say in what is next for everyone. That said, there is a belief in some quarters of the NBA that he will be available via trade this summer.

OKC to trade up in draft?

This rumor has been flying around in some circles: Oklahoma City would package the Nos. 12 and 17 picks in this draft — plus maybe a player or another future pick — to move up to the top three in this draft and Cameron Boozer or Caleb Wilson.

I don't buy it. Mostly because I don't think any of the top four teams are going to trade out of a chance to land a franchise-changing player — this is not the NFL, where accumulating picks to deal with the attrition that comes with the sport is logical and necessary. In the NBA, one franchise player changes everything, and teams like the Grizzlies or Bulls (drafting third and fourth) need that more than a couple of later picks. It would take a Godfather offer for them to move out of those spots.

Second, can you imagine the backlash — from their fans, but particularly from the other 29 GMs in the league — if a team made a move to make the Thunder even better and deeper? It would be pitchforks-and-torches time.

Will Jalen Duren get max extension?

This question seemed like a foregone conclusion when the regular season ended. Duren averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, shot 65%, all while playing elite defense. He showed real chemistry with Cade Cunningham and was named Third Team All-NBA. Of course he was a max player.

Then the playoffs started. Duren struggled in the postseason, averaging 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds a game. Now, it's no sure thing he gets a max offer from the Pistons. Here is what one league executive told Tim Bontemps at ESPN.

"If he wants to get a max, they'll tell him to go get one," an East executive told ESPN. "But he's Cade's guy, so they'll have to play it the right way."

It's a tricky political line for Detroit to walk, keeping a young star happy while trying to save some money, but in an apron-era, NBA teams cannot afford to miss on max or near-max contracts. Duren becomes one of the stress points, and it's worth asking if another team with cap space and a need at the five — hello Lakers — might try to swoop in and make a play. That said, Duren is a restricted free agent, the Pistons can match any offer and almost certainly would, making a play by Los Angeles or anyone else less likely.

What he ultimately signs for is something worth watching this offseason.

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Jalen Williams injury update: Thunder star out for Game 7 vs. Spurs

Jalen Williams has been ruled out of Game 7 of the Western Conference finals, according to the NBA injury report released on Friday, May 29.

He will not play as the Oklahoma City Thunder host the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, May 30 in an attempt to return to the NBA Finals.

The Thunder guard/forward, who averaged 17.1 points per game this season, reinjured a hamstring injury in Game 2. He sat out Games 3, 4 and 5 and returned to the court for Game 6, where the Spurs evened the series to force Game 7. He played just 10 minutes off the bench and had one point, a free throw.

Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault spoke to the media after the 118-91 loss about Williams' effort despite not being fully healthy.

"It was a unique situation. Ever since he got hurt, he's been hell-bent on trying to get himself to this point," Daigneault said. "I give him a lot of credit. He's a big-time team guy. He's a big-time competitor. He's obviously not a hundred percent. He didn't know what to expect. I didn't know what to expect, so it was a matter of getting him out there in kind of an insulated role and see what he can bring to the team.

"... He hasn't done a full return-to-play the way that he would if this was the regular season and yet he just wants to do whatever he can to try to contribute whatever he can to the team."

MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was held to a season-low 15 points in the game.

The winner of Game 7 will face the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals. This will be the Knicks' first appearance in the championship series since 1999.

Ajay Mitchell injury update

The Thunder also ruled out guard Ajay Mitchell with a right soleus strain. Mitchell has averaged 15.1 points per game in these playoffs.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jalen Williams injury update, status for Spurs vs Thunder Game 7

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Mets vs. Marlins: Lineups, broadcast info, and open thread, 5/29/26

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 17: Freddy Peralta #51 of the New York Mets in action against the New York Yankees at Citi Field on May 17, 2026 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Yankees 7-6 in ten innings. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Mets lineup

Carson Benge – RF
Bo Bichette – SS
Juan Soto – LF
Jared Young – DH
A.J. Ewing – CF
Mark Vientos – 1B
Brett Baty – 3B
Marcus Semien – 2B
Luis Torrens – C

SP: Freddy Peralta – RHP

Marlins lineup

Xavier Edwards – 2B
Liam Hicks – 1B
Otto Lopez – SS
Kyle Stowers – LF
Jakob Marsee – CF
Connor Norby – DH
Owen Caissie – RF
Javier Sanoja – 3B
Joe Mack – C

SP: Max Meyer – RHP

Broadcast info

First pitch: 7:10 PM ET
TV: WPIX
Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2

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GAME THREAD: Red Sox at Guardians, game 59 of 162

CLEVELAND, OH - CIRCA 1948: Ted Williams #9 of the Boston Red Sox Lou Boudreau of Cleveland Indians circa 1948 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images) | Sporting News via Getty Images

Here’s the Red Sox lineup:

Here’s the Guardians’ lineup:

Let’s go, Guardians!

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Game 57 Game Day Thread – Kansas City Royals @ Texas Rangers

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - APRIL 24: The Texas Rangers logo is seen on the field before the game at which they debuted their new City Connect uniforms at Globe Life Field on April 24, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Kansas City Royals @ Texas Rangers

Friday, May 29, 2026, 7:05 PM CDT (105.3 The Fan / CW33)

The Shed

RHP Stephen Kolek vs. LHP MacKenzie Gore

Today’s Lineups

ROYALSRANGERS
Lane Thomas – LFJoc Pederson – DH
Bobby Witt – SSJosh Jung – 3B
Maikel Garcia – 3BBrandon Nimmo – RF
Salvador Perez – CJake Burger – 1B
Starling Marte – DHEzequiel Duran – SS
Vinnie Pasquantino – 1BEvan Carter – CF
Nick Loftin – 2BAlejandro Osuna – LF
Jac Caglianone – RFDanny Jansen – C
Kyle Isbel – CFNicky Lopez – 2B
Stephen Kolek – RHPMacKenzie Gore – LHP

Go Rangers!

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Knicks coach says Mitchell Robinson injury didn't occur during game or practice

The New York Knicks are mostly at full-strength as they prepare for the franchise's first NBA Finals since 1999.

Knicks center Mitchell Robinson suffered a broken pinky earlier in the week, according to reports. However, it is still unclear how Robinson sustained the injury.

Knicks coach Mike Brown told reporters Friday that Robinson did not sustain the injury in a game or practice, and added that he's aware that Robinson has had surgery.

"I don't know much about the details, obviously I know that he had surgery and all that," Brown said. "For me it's the same thing, I don't want to know. Just let me know if he can play and when he can play. Just like we normally would, we're getting everybody else ready to go."

He added: "For me, I'm always going with who's available today and (Robinson) didn't practice today, so we're getting whoever we need ready to go."

When a reporter asked Brown a follow-up inquiring exactly how Robinson was hurt, a member of the Knicks' media relations staff interrupted and said "we're not going to get into specifics."

Robinson reportedly plans to play. The NBA Finals begin Wednesday, June 3. The Knicks are preparing to face the winner of the Western Conference finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.

Robinson has been a key contributor off the bench for New York, providing size and an interior presence defensively when Karl-Anthony Towns is off the floor.

Despite battling numerous injuries in his career, Robinson has been a stud for the Knicks during the postseason, averaging 5.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 0.6 bocks and 0.5 steals in just 14.2 minutes per game in 13 playoff games this year.

Robinson has made the most of his sparing minutes, giving the Knicks additional scoring opportunities by grabbing 2.5 offensive rebounds per game.

Despite his desires to play, if he is unable to go, it would be a huge loss for the Knicks, who will need all the size they can in the NBA Finals when New York faces either Victor Wembanyama or the duo of Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren.

The next man up for New York would be second-year, third-string center Ariel Hukporti, who appeared in just 54 games this season, playing 9.2 minutes, which came mostly during the waning minutes of blowout games.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mitchell Robinson injury didn't happen at game or practice, Mike Brown says

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Game Discussion for St. Louis Cardinals vs Chicago Cubs Friday Night

Apr 24, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) pitches against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

One of those weekends you circle on your calendar before the season begins will start Friday night at Busch Stadium as the St. Louis Cardinals play host to those nemesis Chicago Cubs. The tiny bears will force Shota Imanaga onto the mound while Andre Pallante will take the ball for the St. Louis Cardinals. First pitch scheduled for 6:15pm central time.

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Thunder's Jalen Williams officially ruled out for Game 7 of Western Conference Finals.

Jalen Williams tried. He suited up for Game 6 ready to see if he could help Oklahoma City close out San Antonio. What was clear in his 10 minutes off the bench is that his strained left hamstring was not ready for an NBA game.

Williams has officially been ruled out of Game 7 on Saturday, the team announced, something that wasn't a surprise after he sat the entire fourth quarter of Game 6 (even though the game was out of hand, if Williams could have played he would have been out there to shake off some rust). Ajay Mitchell also remains out with the calf strain that has sidelined him for the last few games.

It's bad news for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has been up and down this series — and is shooting 37.9% for the first six games — because an elite San Antonio defense can drill down on stopping him, and he doesn't have his most trusted secondary shot creators next to him to relieve the pressure.

It also leaves Thunder coach Mark Daigneault with some tough choices. He almost certainly now keeps Jared McCain in the starting lineup, but Oklahoma's lineups in this series with SGA, McCain, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Lu Dort have struggled — San Antonio keeps racing out to a lead in games for a reason. Does Daigneault start Cason Wallace in Dort's spot? Is changing the starting lineup for a Game 7 wise?

That said, it's best to know that Williams just can't go, rather than feeling obligated to roll him out for minutes where he only hurts the team in the biggest game of the season.

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Wayne Gretzky Praises K’Andre Miller As One Of The Best Defensemen In Playoffs

David Kirouac-Imagn Images
David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Former New York Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller has stood out for the Carolina Hurricanes throughout their playoff run thus far, as the team is one game away from a trip to the Stanley Cup Final. 

After five seasons playing in New York, the Rangers sent Miller to the Carolina Hurricanes last summer in a sign-and-trade deal that included a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 or 2027 NHL Draft, and Scott Morrow.

The Hurricanes went ahead and signed Miller to an eight-year, $60 million contract, which was deemed a risky move at the time, given his inconsistencies and flaws that had held him back with the Blueshirts.

However, Miller has flipped the script, transforming into one of the Hurricanes’ most valuable blueliners on a team filled with top-notch defensemen. 

In 12 playoff games, Miller leads all defensemen on the team with eight points, while his 24:05 minutes per game are the most amongst all Carolina players. 

The 26-year-old defenseman's evolution has caught the attention of many across the hockey world, including The Great One, Wayne Gretzky. 

“Defensively, K'Andre Miller is playing as well as I've ever seen a defenseman play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs,” Gretzky said. “He is just solid offensively, but defensively, nobody can get around him. He's like a brick wall, and when he's not out there, Slavin is.”

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Game Thread: We need our stopper

BOSTON, MA - MAY 10: Wilyer Abreu #52 of the Boston Red Sox interacts with Nick Martinez #28 of the Tampa Bay Rays during the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Sunday, May 10, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Go Rays!

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Flyers Should Avoid Targeting Former 2nd Overall Pick This Offseason

While the Philadelphia Flyers may need to make an upgrade on defense this summer and find a power play quarterback while doing it, there are certain traps they must avoid to ensure a clean operation.

One of those traps happens to be a former No. 2 overall pick who is a pending restricted free agent seeking a big payday on his next contract.

In recent weeks and months, it has been reported multiple times that top New Jersey Devils prospect Simon Nemec is looking for a deal comparable to that of Luke Hughes, who inked a seven-year, $63 million contract that comes with a $9 million annual cap hit. 

The problem, though, is that Hughes had recorded 40 or more points in each of his first two NHL seasons, and might have done it again this year had he not missed 14 games due to injuries.

Nemec, 22, shows flashes at times, but just played his first full-ish NHL season and scored 11 goals and 26 points in 68 games - a slight improvement on a 19-point campaign in 2023-24.

On paper, the Flyers adding Nemec makes some sense, since they need a power play shot-caller and some young talent.

It would have made more sense, though, if they hadn't already traded Bobby Brink for David Jiricek at the NHL trade deadline two months ago and then follow that up with having Oliver Bonk make his playoff debut against the Carolina Hurricanes to end the season.

Simon Nemec does a lot of things well, and a lot of things very poorly. (Hockeystats.com)
Simon Nemec does a lot of things well, and a lot of things very poorly. (Hockeystats.com)

Between Jamie Drysdale, Bonk, Jiricek, Spencer Gill, Carter Amico, and Rasmus Ristolainen, for as long as he remains in Philadelphia, the Flyers have no reason to make such a risky play for an RFA, be it through trade or through offer sheet.

The Flyers have taken their fair share of licks over the last two seasons over Matvei Michkov's playing time and usage, and Nemec has been a similar story in Newark with the Devils.

Couple that with constant rumors of trade requests, a gaudy contract demand, and a level of play that doesn't currently warrant that contract, and the Flyers could easily get themselves in trouble.

Nemec does a lot of things well, to be clear. He has a good feel for the ice and where his teammates are, improved significantly at using his legs to kill plays on the rush, and is quietly a wizard at exiting his own zone and entering the opposing end with his skating.

He does, however, struggle to play with urgency, win pucks, and break pucks out cleanly from his own end.

After a successful season that ended with a two-round playoff run, do the Flyers have the patience to take on another project in addition to Drysdale, who is now finally coming into his own after three years, and Jiricek?

This is a move that would have made plenty of sense before the Flyers pried Jiricek out of Minnesota, but it now carries too much risk and baggage that could very well outweigh even the median outcome of Nemec's development.