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Astros interviewing World Series architect Mike Rizzo for open GM job

TAMPA — Mike Rizzo, the architect of the Washington Nationals’ World Series championship, now would like to turn around the fate of the franchise the Nationals defeated to accomplish their historic feat.

Rizzo is interviewing for the Houston Astros’ vacant general manager job Monday in Houston, two persons with direct knowledge told USA TODAY Sports. The persons spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Astros want to keep their search private.

The Nationals beat the Astros in 2019 in seven games for their first World Series title in the nation’s capital just weeks before the Astros’ sign-stealing cheating scandal was revealed, and two months before they were punished.

Rizzo, 65, has since informed friends of his deep desire to work for the Astros since the firing of GM Dana Brown in August. Rizzo has strong respect for Astros owner Jim Crane, believing they’ll continue to spend money to be a contender having reached the postseason nine times in the past 10 years – including eight division titles. Rizzo and his family also live in West Palm Beach, Florida, site of the Astros' (and Nationals) spring-training complex.

Rizzo, lauded for his strong scouting acumen, nearly singlehandedly turned the Nationals from a laughingstock to one of baseball’s most successful franchises during his tenure as their general manager and president of baseball operations.

He joined the Nationals in 2006 as an assistant general manager, replacing Jim Bowden as GM in 2009, and becoming president in 2013. The Nationals had almost instant success under Rizzo. He inherited a team that won 59 games in 2009, and increased their win total by at least 10 games each season for three years, winning 98 games in 2012. They won four National League East titles in six years, culminating with their World Series title.

Rizzo, who drafted Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg in back-to-back years with the No. 1 overall pick, engineered a trade that set up the Nationals’ future when he traded Juan Soto to the San Diego Padres in a six-player package that included future All-Stars James Wood and CJ. Abrams, along with starter MacKenzie Gore.

Rizzo’s tenure ended after 19 years when he and manager Dave Martinez were fired on July 6, 2025, after going 37-53 and missing the postseason five consecutive years.

Rizzo became a candidate for the Athletics’ opening this off-season, but pulled himself out of the running after his interview, saying his preference was to join the Astros.

The Astros, who began their job search after losing in the first round of the playoffs to the Chicago White Sox, have also interviewed Matt Klein, assistant GM of the Milwaukee Brewers. They have had three GMs since Jeff Luhnow was fired in the wake of their cheating scandal in 2020. Their preference is to have a GM in place by the time of the GM meetings on Nov. 9 in Las Vegas.

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Astros interviewing World Series architect Mike Rizzo for open GM job

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Simulated World Series 2026: Brewers stage dramatic comeback to win Game 3

How will this year's World Series play out? Using the Dynasty League Baseball online simulation, USA TODAY Sports' Steve Gardner and DLB designer Mike Cieslinski will pre-play each game to provide some insight into the key matchups and strategy fans can expect to see in the Fall Classic.

There was something hauntingly familiar with the way Game 3 of USA TODAY Sports' annual Simulated World Series played out.

The Tampa Bay Rays jumped out to a quick early lead, but the Milwaukee Brewers slowly and methodically chipped away before finally recording a 5-4 victory − one that wasn't decided until after some wild ninth-inning drama. Sure sounds an awful like the actual Game 2, doesn't it?

Here's how our Game 3 simulation played out:

Rays vs Brewers World Series Game 3 simulation

With the home field advantage shifting in Tampa Bay's favor, the starting pitching advantage figured to follow suit with Nick Martinez getting the call for the Rays in our simulation − against lefty Robert Gasser of the Brewers. (Tampa Bay's actual starter in Game 3, Freddy Peralta, started and won Game 2 of our simulation.)

One of the unique features of Tropicana Field is the short 315-foot distance down the left-field line. The Rays took advantage almost immediately, with center fielder Jonny DeLuca and catcher Nick Fortes hitting solo home runs down the line in the bottom of the second inning, neither of which cleared the wall with a whole lot to spare.

The Rays added another solo shot in the fifth, as Yandy Diaz blasted one 375 feet to right center.

But the Brewers had an answer. After a Brice Turang walk in the top of the sixth, Jake Bauers followed with a two-run blast off Martinez to cut the Rays lead to 3-2.

Tampa Bay scored a run in the bottom of the inning on Richie Palacios' pinch-hit RBI single off Abner Uribe to go up 4-2.

Then in the eighth, the Brewers staged their winning rally. After singles by David Hamilton and Jackson Chourio put runners on the corners with no outs, the Rays called on lefty Cam Booser to face the left-handed bats of Brice Turang and Bauers.

Turang stunningly laid down a squeeze bunt that scored Hamilton to make it 4-3. After a walk to Bauers and a wild pitch by Booser put two runners in scoring position, William Contreras put the Brewers ahead by plating both runners on a two-run single to left, with Bauers easily beating the throw to the plate from Chandler Simpson.

Up 5-4, the Brewers turned to closer Trevor Megill to face the heart of the Rays order in the bottom of the ninth.

With one out, the ever-dangerous Junior Caminero crushed a Megill fastball deep to right field that looked like a potential game-tying home run. But the ball died when it got to the warning track and it fell into the glove of rookie Luis Lara. Dodging that bullet, Megill then struck out Simpson to end the game.

BOX SCORE:  Brewers 5, Rays 4

FULL PLAY-BY-PLAY: Brewers stage late rally to upend Rays

A screenshot of Junior Caminero's deep drive that nearly tied Sim Series Game 3 in the bottom of the ninth inning. As the chart shows, the 347-foot blast fell three feet short of clearing the right field wall at Tropicana Field.

What to watch in (the real) Game 3

▶ Gasser vs. Rays lefty bats. The Brewers' Robert Gasser held left-handed hitters to a .163/.259/.293 slash line during the regular season. That could be important with lefty hitters Jonathan Aranda and Chandler Simpson hitting high in the Rays order.

Tampa Bay countered with Ryan Vilade, who had a .341 on-base percentage and slugged .477 against left-handers during the regular season, by starting him in right field over Victor Mesa Jr. (Although ... the lefty-swinging Mesa slashed .333/.385/.483 against southpaws in just 66 plate appearances.) In Sim Series Game 3, Vilade tripled against Gasser in the second inning, but finished 1-for-5 with a strikeout. Mesa walked as a pinch-hitter in the eighth.

▶ The bunt is back! The Rays and Brewers ranked first and fifth in the majors during the season in number of sacrifice bunts. They also ranked first and second in bunt hits (Rays 49, Brewers 32).

The bunt has been a frequently used weapon already in the Sim Series, especially in Game 3. Tampa Bay's Taylor Walls collected a bunt single in the second inning, Nick Fortes successfully executed a sac bunt in the sixth, and Chandler Simpson bunted for a hit in the seventh − though none eventually resulted in the runner scoring.

The Brewers did make it count when Turang's squeeze bunt plated a run in the eighth. David Hamilton also bunted for a hit in the ninth, but was later caught trying to steal third.

▶ Risk of overuse? The Brewers staged their winning rally in the eighth against Rays lefty reliever Cam Booser (.123/.157/.231 vs. left-handed batters during the regular season), working in his third consecutive game. Although Dynasty League Baseball does account for relievers tiring early when making back-to-back appearances, the off day between Games 2 and 3 had Booser working on full rest.

Still, seeing a reliever several times in a playoff series usually reduces that pitcher's effectiveness. The Rays would love to be able to use another lefty reliever to face Brewers lefties Turang, Bauers, Garrett Mitchell and Christian Yelich, but Steven Matz (.573 OPS vs. LHB) and Ian Seymour (.789) are nowhere near as effective.

▶ Megill's stinginess on long balls. Brewers closer Trevor Megill allowed just one home run in 61 2/3 innings during the regular season. That ridiculously low rate gives him a special advantage in Dynasty League Baseball that turns home runs on hitters' cards into deep drives (which require additional dice rolls to determine the outcome).

In Caminero's case, his A power rating gave him an excellent chance (76%) of hitting a home run anyway. But in this particular instance, he just didn't get enough to hit it out.

Previous 2026 Sim Series results

Simulate your own World Series. Get a FREE one-month subscription to Dynasty League Baseball online by going to DynastyLeagueBaseball.com, selecting the monthly option and entering code USA2 at checkout.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Simulated World Series 2026: Brewers stage dramatic comeback to win Game 3

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Hate it or love it, this has always been Jaylen Brown

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 24: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Milwaukee Bucks at Xfinity Mobile Arena on October 24, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Bucks 127-116. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Transparency and authenticity, for better or worse, are rare in professional sports. For Jaylen Brown, it’s par for the course.

Most recently, Brown’s candor has made an early reappearance less than a week into the regular season as a response aimed at former Boston Celtics teammate Jayson Tatum. Brown’s “cap” emoji comment — modern slang for dishonest — left under a clip of Tatum’s ‘Summer of Jayson’ series documenting his reaction to Brown’s trade to the Philadelphia 76ers opened the floodgates for questioning.

Tatum had his turn Friday night, Brown had his less than 24 hours later in Philadelphia, and even Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla weighed in at Sunday’s team practice.

Both Brown and Tatum found a middle ground in there being “no beef.” Tatum used his press conference to invite Brown to a conversation, if needed, and Brown used his to take a few subtle shots by telling reporters Tatum has a “great PR team” and that “he should be ready.” It’s the same old routine Boston, more than any other city and organization, should understand by now.

Nothing Brown is doing is new. Sure, the optics of the subject — his former teammate in Tatum — don’t look great. Brown’s entitled to his feelings about the departure, his relationship with Tatum, or even the Celtics. But the approach, which has historically drawn Brown unwanted attention, is where the issue lies.

This exchange with Tatum is no different.

It’s in Brown’s nature to be cryptic. He’s blunt, but most of the time it’s in a read-between-the-lines sort of way. So to fill the empty spaces, Brown leaves the rest up for interpretation — allowing everyone from fans to members of the media to colleagues across the NBA to speculate and draw their own conclusions. Then, as soon as those assumptions run rampant, it gets to Brown.

For example, just four days after Boston’s Game 7 loss to Philadelphia back in May, Brown took to his FCHWPO Twitch livestream to unload on a plethora of topics. Among those, Brown accused officials of having “an agenda” against him, telling his audience, “there’s some referees that need to be investigated.”

Brown caught plenty of flak online for those comments, among others, and quickly became the biggest subject in NBA discourse. As unfair as it was for ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and Kendrick Perkins to drag Brown’s name through the dirt in the name of clickbait, Brown fed them the fodder. He handed them the material by sharing unproven allegations, such as the intentional double standard he claims referees had for him last season, and paved the way for the aftermath.

That never justified Smith or Perkins for their juvenile journalism, but Brown should understand their schtick by now. He’s been in the league for over a decade, knows much more than we do from the outside, and should expect to see his face on ESPN the next morning. It helps those like Smith and Perkins avoid breaking down basketball like true experts, and instead nourishes their viewership and wallets.

Today, that’s (unfortunately) just the way it goes.

During his trip to China over the summer, Brown posted “The neighbors rice always smells better,” another cryptic message widely interpreted as a response to being dragged into trade talks involving the Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

When Brown wasn’t selected as Kawhi Leonard’s replacement for Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics — shortly after being named NBA Finals MVP — he felt slighted. When the Celtics overhauled their title-winning roster in the aftermath of Tatum’s ruptured Achilles tendon in 2025, and the team was written off the following season, Brown fed off it.

He led the Celtics to 56 wins, the No. 2 seed in the East, and finished sixth in MVP voting.

No matter what Brown’s accomplished up to this point, he’ll always search for his next source of fuel, including being traded away in the prime of his career.

It’s all part of his demeanor. He’s always carried a chip on his shoulder, with the need to challenge any narrative linked to him that he deems unfair or inaccurate. It fueled him after Celtics fans at TD Garden booed him on Draft Night in 2016, and it’s a part of Brown that’s either beloved or hated for. You’ll either find him in the right or feel he’s blowing his need-for-validation approach totally out of proportion.

In Boston, for the most part, he had the support to comfortably be his authentic self. Fans defended him whenever he spoke out, whether it was at the podium or behind a computer screen on Twitch. There was an understanding during Brown’s time with the Celtics that his commitment to standing 10 toes down on everything he believed in, from social justice causes to calling out the NBA in certain areas, was 100 percent real.

He wasn’t doing it for the sake of his brand or to protect sponsorship opportunities, and that authenticity played part in the pain fans felt once Brown was traded in July.

It should come as no surprise that Brown remains this way in a Sixers uniform, or wherever he plays in the future.

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Islanders News: Did not do Dallas

It’s an interesting approach, this one. | NHLI via Getty Images

The Islanders were leaky all over in Dallas, almost like they have a declining defense outside of Matthew Schaefer.

The 6-3 loss to the Stars was not surprising overall, but it did end a modest points streak and exposed some holes that Pete DeBeor has been working to cover.

Islanders News

  • It was six past Ilya Sorokin, though DeBoer said it was more about the defensive lapses. [LHH | Newsday]
  • DeBoer is focused on the process, not necessarily the points. (Last night was bad in both categories.) [Newsday]
  • The Post says the team speed was a key deficiency; Brayden Schenn says they have lots to clean up. [Post]
  • Takeaways: a “winnable” game thrown away with continued mistakes. [Isles]

Elsewhere

  • Sunny Mehta’s sudden urgency helped push the Connor Hellebuyck saga to conclusion before it got even more awkward. [Athletic]
  • Speaking of holdouts, Alexander Nikishin came to realize he has no leverage, settles for a one-year deal with the Hurricanes. [NHL]
  • Our next opponent in Nashville just knocked off the Avalanche with two goals from Steve Stamkos, four points from Ryan O’Reilly. [NHL]
  • The Kraken will miss Jared McCann for 8-10 weeks. [Sportsnet]
  • The Blue Jackets are forever cursed and screwed, can they possibly convince Zach Werenski to stay? [Sportsnet]
  • James Reimer rides again, in Manhattan at age 38. Spencer Martin’s career .881 wasn’t doing it for them. [NHL]
  • The Jets lost the Heritage Classic but made a show of it by mounting a comeback. [NHL]
  • More than you’d ever want to know about the Connor Hellebuyck trade. [Sportsnet]
  • Quinn Hughes was booed in his return to Vancouver, but he picked up his 500th point. Max Shabanov scored, too. [NHL]
  • CRISIS?! Gavin McKenna played only two shifts in the third period, OMG let’s call his agent to see if he’s okay with that… [Athletic]
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Pens Points: Brazeau inching closer to return

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 21: Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Justin Brazeau (16) skates with the puck in the preseason NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres on September 21, 2026, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Here are your Pens Points for this Monday morning…

Penguins forward Hendrix Lapierre is making the most of his opportunity on a line with Ville Koivunen and Evgeni Malkin after spending a recent stretch of games as a healthy scratch. [Trib Live]

Forward Rickard Rakell knows he needs to produce more offensively after a slow start to the season. The veteran winger said he has been generating scoring chances but struggling to finish, while general manager Kyle Dubas expressed confidence that Rakell will break through as he continues to play alongside Sidney Crosby and on the top power-play unit. [Trib Live]

Forward Justin Brazeau is getting closer to returning from a lower-body injury that has kept him out since the preseason. [Trib Live]

News and notes from around the NHL…

The New York Rangers signed veteran goaltender James Reimer to a one-year contract Sunday, adding depth after starter Igor Shesterkin was ruled out for the season with a lower-body injury. [NHL]

The Carolina Hurricanes made an aggressive push to acquire then-Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, even exploring trades for forwards on other teams that they could then flip to Winnipeg, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. [Sportsnet]

Speaking of the Hurricanes, the team announced the signing of defenseman Alexander Nikishin to a one-year, $3 million contract, ending a contract impasse between the player and team. [TSN]

Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes hinted that a decision about his long-term future with the team could be coming soon, saying he is enjoying his time in Minnesota and believes the team has the potential to contend for a Stanley Cup. [TSN]

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Yankees news: Not buying what the Yanks were selling

Newsday | Erik Boland ($): “… there should have been an attempt by the club hierarchy to acknowledge and understand — or, at the very least, pretend to understand — the anger of that fan base, spoiled as it may act at times, after yet another sooner-than-expected October exit.”

So sayeth Boland, in a scathing critique of how Hal Steinbrenner, Brian Cashman, and Aaron Boone addressed yet another disappointing Yankees’ season this past week. Steinbrenner was happy to pin the blame on the players (as he should) but the Yankee brain trust decried any notion that there are larger structural or philosophical issues with the organization. It’s incredibly insulting to a fanbase whose members tend to live and die with the club. As Boland said towards the end of his piece, “In the end, Yankees fans deserved better.”

MLB Trade Rumors | Charlie Wright: Would the real Austin Wells please stand up? Because how the Yankees feel about their backstop has the potential to shape their approach to the position in free agency. If first-half Austin Wells is the real deal, the Yankees need to explore taking a swing at catcher – perhaps Tyler Stephenson or Ryan Jeffers, or a trade for Hunter Goodman. But if second-half Austin Wells, who was a better hitter by orders of magnitude, is here to stay, then perhaps the Yanks tinker around the edges at the position. Any moves the Yankees make at catcher this offseason will likely tell us everything we need to know about how they view Wells moving forward.

NJ.com | Randy Miller: Speaking of the offseason. The Yankees have $71.9 million in payroll coming off the books, which might suggest increased flexibility to build a roster without blowing past last year’s $296.4 million Opening Day payroll. Raises to returning players, however, could account for $26.4 million. Now start accounting for potential returns for David Bednar and Paul Blackburn. Those two could easily eat up close to $35 million in 2027. All of a sudden, much of that money is gone. There are non-tender moves the Yankees could make (and likely will) to find some more spare change with which to tinker with the offense.

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Blues and Canadiens take the ice in non-conference matchup

Montreal Canadiens (6-3-2, in the Atlantic Division) vs. St. Louis Blues (5-5-1, in the Central Division)

St. Louis; Tuesday, 8 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: The St. Louis Blues play the Montreal Canadiens in a non-conference matchup.

St. Louis has a 5-5-1 record overall and a 3-1-1 record on its home ice. The Blues have gone 4-1-0 in games they score at least three goals.

Montreal has gone 2-1-1 on the road and 6-3-2 overall. The Canadiens are 2-2-2 when they commit more penalties than their opponent.

Tuesday's game is the first time these teams match up this season.

INJURIES: Blues: Adam Jecho: out (personal), Torey Krug: out (ankle), Ross Johnston: out (lower body), Alexey Toropchenko: out (upper-body), Tyler Tucker: out (knee), Dillon Dube: out (neck), Logan Mailloux: out (hand).

Canadiens: Ivan Demidov: out (lower-body), Lucas Condotta: out (undisclosed), Nick Suzuki: out (upper body), Bryce Pickford: out (undisclosed), Samuel Montembeault: out (lower-body).

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

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Golden Knights host the Senators on losing streak

Ottawa Senators (8-4, in the Atlantic Division) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (8-4-1, in the Pacific Division)

Paradise, Nevada; Tuesday, 10 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: The Vegas Golden Knights will try to end a three-game losing streak when they take on the Ottawa Senators.

Vegas has an 8-4-1 record overall and a 5-2-0 record in home games. The Golden Knights are sixth in league play with 46 total goals (averaging 3.5 per game).

Ottawa is 3-2-0 on the road and 8-4 overall. The Senators have committed 59 total penalties (4.9 per game) to rank second in league play.

The teams meet Tuesday for the first time this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Mark Stone has eight goals and seven assists for the Golden Knights. Jack Eichel has five goals and eight assists over the past 10 games.

Claude Giroux has two goals and six assists for the Senators. Drake Batherson has six goals and five assists over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Golden Knights: 6-3-1, averaging 3.5 goals, 5.6 assists, 3.5 penalties and 9.3 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game.

Senators: 6-4-0, averaging 2.9 goals, 5.1 assists, 4.9 penalties and 11.5 penalty minutes while giving up 2.7 goals per game.

INJURIES: Golden Knights: Mitch Marner: out (personal), Parker Wotherspoon: out (upper body), Victor Olofsson: out (undisclosed), Kai Uchacz: out (undisclosed).

Senators: Linus Ullmark: out (lower body), William Eklund: out (ankle), Thomas Chabot: out (undisclosed).

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

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Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action

Bournemouth’s transfer nous puts United to shame, Araújo is winning admirers at Anfield and Suzuki adapts swiftly at Villa

The three Bournemouth goalscorers cost a combined £85m, joining from Vasco da Gama, Middlesbrough, and Porto. The Cherries are smart at investing, far more so than Manchester United, who have wasted a lot of money by failing to look outside the box for players like Rayan, Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson. United may not have the wealth they previously showed in the transfer market but Bournemouth are showing what can be done within a budget and, more importantly, will be able to make a profit on signings. United, however, only know losses as everyone’s price tag diminishes the moment they come through the Old Trafford door. Jason Wilcox and others can point to certain factors that are against them but there are quality signings to be made at the right price if you have the ability to find them. Will Unwin

Match report: Manchester United 0-3 Bournemouth

Will Unwin: Carrick left carrying can for institutional failings

Match report: Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester City

Match report: Liverpool 2-0 Brighton

Match report: Chelsea 0-2 Tottenham

Barney Ronay: Glitch in Chelsea’s coding costs Alonso while resurgent Spurs are all systems go

Continue reading...
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Knicks believe early season struggles are fixable: 'We're not quite there yet'

Why are the Knicks 0-3? 

From head coach Mike Brown’s perspective, it’s mostly a combination of the following: 

1. Missing quality shot attempts 

2. Not enough physicality/pace on either side of the ball 

3. A lethal combination of careless turnovers and poor transition defense.   

There are many other reasons why the defending champs are 0-3. But those three are the most glaring – and fixable – issues Brown sees at the moment.   

During shootaround on Sunday morning, Brown talked to his players about each of the three issues listed above. He hit on them again before Sunday night’s game against Orlando.   

“We're not quite there yet,” Brown said late Sunday night, shortly after New York fell to 0-3 in a loss to Orlando.   

The good news for the Knicks? They believe the issues at hand are fixable. (Also, they won the NBA title last year and will have a well-earned grace period with fans/media. Imagine if the Knicks started 0-3 last year? It would have been total chaos.)   

Jalen Brunson says the lack of crisp cuts/actions on offense is on him.   

“Organization on my part and making sure we’re in the right place to execute what we need to do; everything falls on my shoulders,” Brunson said late Sunday. “I just got to be a better leader in making sure our guys are ready to go and are in the right spots. There are a lot of little things but that’s the main thing. Organization on my part.”   

Turnovers (16 against Orlando, 49 over the first three games) and poor transition defense (Orlando, missing Paolo Banchero to injury, had 23 points off turnovers on Sunday) hurt New York against the Magic. The Knicks, by Brown’s count, also lost five of six 50-50 balls (loose balls where the ball can be corralled by either team) in the fourth quarter.   

“That’s hard to overcome,” the coach said.   

Of course, the Knicks aren't going to go 0-82 this season. They will win plenty of games. But losing to a Magic team missing Banchero is not ideal -- no matter what time of year it is.

Brunson has said several times this season that the first two weeks or so of the year will reveal a lot about this Knicks team. Every opponent will get up for games against the defending champs (particularly at the Garden).   

And then there’s the championship hangover.   

“Everyone has been telling us what a great job we did, how fun it was, what we did for the city, the constant praise (for winning the title),” the Knicks captain said. “So now we need the opposite.”   

Fortunately for Brunson and the Knicks, “the opposite” is never hard to find in this town.

BENCH ROLES UP FOR GRABS

Andre Drummond played just seven minutes against the Magic – the same amount as third string center James Wiseman.   

Wiseman also played a couple of minutes in place of Drummond on Friday against Boston.

Brown says Drummond will be the Knicks’ backup center on Tuesday against Detroit. But the coach also made it clear that all rotation spots off the bench are up for grabs.   

“We have our starting five. Other than that, anybody can play,” Brown said before tipoff on Sunday. “When you’re a backup in this league, that doesn’t mean you’re always gonna be the seventh man or you’re always gonna be the eighth man. No, no, no, no, no, no. It’s competitive. And it’s less so with the starting group if your starting group is established, which ours is, but everybody else after that starting five, I can throw in front of the next guy in a heartbeat.” 

Brown was responding to a question about Wiseman playing against the Celtics. He then referenced the Knicks’ standards, which are spelled out in a document signed by all staffers.

“We will make sure that everybody embraces it, not just accepts it,” Brown said.   

KNECHT-ING IN WESTCHESTER

New two-way player Dalton Knecht will initially spend time with the Knicks’ G League club, the Westchester Knicks. The thinking is that Knecht will have ample opportunity to play in G League games. Knecht will certainly garner consideration to play in NBA games with the Knicks. But Brown and the organization want Knecht, an ex-Laker, to get acclimated. 

“We want him to play as much as he can,” Brown said of Knecht, a 2024 first-round pick.   

To make room for Knecht, the Lakers’ first-round pick in 2024, the Knicks waived two-way player Kevin McCullar Jr. McCullar Jr. was beginning his third year with the Knicks this season. 

“Kevin, first of all, he's a fantastic young man and we're gonna miss him, obviously,” Brown said. “But he's been here (two years; three including this season) as a two-way player so we have a pretty good feel for him. He has a good feel for us and you know being able to try to get to know a guy like Dalton Knecht at this point of the year, it's something that we need to take a look at.

“So (getting waived) wasn't anything that Kevin didn't do. He was great and he is an NBA player and I think he's gonna get a shot someday; and it could be with us –  who knows -- down the road. But (the decision to waive McCullar Jr.) was more so having the opportunity to bring a guy like Dalton on just to get to know him a little bit better.”

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Stars light the lamp 3 times in third period to put away Islanders

DALLAS (AP) — Jason Robertson scored twice and the Dallas Stars had a three-goal third period in a 6-3 victory over the New York Islanders on Sunday night.

Robertson’s breakaway at 9:45 of the third period came five minutes after Wyatt Johnston’s tiebreaker. Mikko Rantanen added a goal four minutes after Robertson with his team-high sixth goal of the season.

Tyler Seguin and Justin Hryckowian also scored for the Stars, who have won five consecutive games. Jake Oettinger made 16 saves.

Defenseman Matthew Schaefer, Kyle Palmieri and Brayden Schenn scored for the Islanders, who erased three one-goal deficits only to lose two straight (0-1-1) for the first time this season. Ilya Sorokin stopped 32 shots allowing a season high in goals.

Johnston scored from the slot 4:10 into the final period on a feed from Nils Lundqvist. After scoring a career-most 45 goals last season, Johnston has goals in consecutive games after going goalless in his first seven outings.

PANTHERS 3, BLACKHAWKS 2

CHICAGO (AP) — Lars Eller’s first goal of the season, with 2:23 left in the third period, lifted Florida to a win over Chicago.

Eller beat Spencer Knight with a high shot just inside the left post as he raced down right wing and took advantage of Chicago line change. Matthew Tkachuk and Sandis Vilmanis also scored for Florida, which ended two-game losing streak.

Roman Kantserov and Ryan Greene connected for Chicago, which has dropped three straight.

Akira Schmid made 19 saves, while Knight stopped 29 shots.

The Blackhawks failed to score on seven power-play chances, including two brief 5-on-3 advantages, lowering their NHL-worst conversion rate to 8.33%.

CANADIENS 2, JETS 1

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Jacob Fowler made 33 saves and Montreal held off Winnipeg in the NHL Heritage Classic at Princess Auto Stadium.

Lane Hutson and Kaiden Guhle scored and Cole Caufield had two assists to help Montreal improve to 6-3-2. The Canadiens opened a four-game trip Friday night with a 4-1 victory over Chicago. Fowler has won his last five starts.

Isak Rosen scored for Winnipeg with 4:46 remaining at home of the Canadian Football League’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Stuart Skinner stopped 19 shots for the Jets (4-4-3).

The Jets became just the second Canadian team after Edmonton to host two outdoor games. The Jets also were blanked 3-0 by the Oilers in the first one, but spoiled Calgary’s 2019 outdoor game at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Saskatchewan, with a 2-1 overtime win.

It was Winnipeg’s first game since trading franchise goalier Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils on Friday. Dawson Mercer, who headlined the return from the Devils, had two shots and one blocked shot in 15:22 of ice time.

PREDATORS 6, AVALANCHE 2

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Ryan O’Reilly had two goals and two assists, Steven Stamkos added two goals and an assist and Nashville beat Colorado.

Filip Forsberg had a goal and two assists, and Jack Drury also scored for the Predators, who had lost their previous two. Justus Annunen made 19 saves for his first victory of the season.

Artturi Lehkonen and Devon Toews scored and Scott Wedgewood made 29 saves for Colorado, losers of three of four.

Nashville converted on four of seven opportunities on the power play in the game, including both of O’Reilly’s goals. The Predators had just one opportunity with the man advantage in each of their previous three games.

Forsberg scored the game’s first goal at 4:01 of the opening period.

With the Predators on the power play, Stamkos blocked an attempted clear and the puck went to Roman Josi, who sent a pass to Forsberg, who beat Wedgewood with a wrist shot from the high slot.

Josi had three assists.

WILD 4, CANUCKS 2

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Former Vancouver captain Quinn Hughes had a goal to reach 500 NHL points and added an assist in his return to Rogers Arena in Minnesota's victory over the Canucks.

Traded to Minnesota in December, Hughes was booed throughout the night.

He scored on a power player midway through the second period to make it 3-0, and set up Kirill Kaprizov’s NHL-leading 13th goal early in the third for a 4-0 advantage. In 13 games this season, Hughes has three goals and 13 assists.

Picked seventh overall by the Canucks in 2018, Hughes played 6 1/2 seasons in Vancouver before the blockbuster trade sent him to Minnesota. The deal saw Vancouver acquire Marco Rossi and Liam Ohgren, defenseman Zeev Buium and the Wild’s first-round pick in the 2026 NHL draft.

Kaprizov and Maxim Shabanov also each had a goal and assist, and Bobby Brink scored.

Calvin Pickard made 15 saves as the Wild improved to 8-3-2, following up a 5-1 victory over the Kraken in Seattle on Saturday.

Max Sasson and Brock Boeser scored for Vancouver. Leevi Merilainen stopped 30 shots.

Vancouver dropped to 2-10-1 with its 10th straight loss.

Hughes became the second-fastest American defenseman to reach 500 NHL points, achieving the feat in 520 games. Brian Leetch hit the milestone in 496 games with the New York Rangers.

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Quinn Hughes has a goal and an assist in his Vancouver return in Wild's 4-2 victory

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Former Vancouver captain Quinn Hughes had a goal to reach 500 NHL points and added an assist in his return to Rogers Arena in the Minnesota Wild’s 4-2 victory over the Canucks on Sunday night.

Traded to Minnesota in December, Hughes was booed throughout the night.

He scored on a power player midway through the second period to make it 3-0, and set up Kirill Kaprizov’s NHL-leading 13th goal early in the third for a 4-0 advantage. In 13 games this season, Hughes has three goals and 13 assists.

Picked seventh overall by the Canucks in 2018, Hughes played 6 1/2 seasons in Vancouver before the blockbuster trade sent him to Minnesota. The deal saw Vancouver acquire Marco Rossi and Liam Ohgren, defenseman Zeev Buium and the Wild’s first-round pick in the 2026 NHL draft.

Kaprizov and Maxim Shabanov also each had a goal and assist, and Bobby Brink scored.

Calvin Pickard made 15 saves as the Wild improved to 8-3-2, following up a 5-1 victory over the Kraken in Seattle on Saturday.

Max Sasson and Brock Boeser scored for Vancouver. Leevi Merilainen stopped 30 shots.

Vancouver dropped to 2-10-1 with its 10th straight loss.

Hughes became the second-fastest American defenseman to reach 500 NHL points, achieving the feat in 520 games. Brian Leetch hit the milestone in 496 games with the New York Rangers.

Up next

Wild: At Utah on Tuesday night.

Canucks: At Anaheim on Tuesday night.

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See AP’s full NHL coverage here

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‘Even my best friend didn’t know’: Usman Khawaja reveals why he kept his rheumatoid arthritis a secret

  • Opener played through pain to establish himself as a Test cricketer

  • ‘I didn’t want anyone to use it against me,’ he says

Usman Khawaja has opened up on why he kept the rheumatoid arthritis that threatened his playing future a secret for his entire Test career.

The former Test star releases his autobiography, Sabr, on 10 November, which he said he wrote “for people who do love cricket and for those who don’t”.

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