CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 18: Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians catches a fly ball off of a hit by Victor Mesa Jr. #25 (not pictured) of the Tampa Bay Rays during the ninth inning in game five of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field on October 18, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There is a little bit of baseball news:
Japanese slugger Teruaki Sato is entering the ‘posting system’ this off-season. The story I read says that the Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, Phillies and Blue Jays are the likely landing spots. I don’t know how likely it is that the Jays will be after him, as he’s played mostly third base in his NPB career. He hit .306/.383/.609 with 39 home runs for Hanshin Tigers last year. The year before he had 40 home runs. Ok, sign him Rogers.
And the Yankees say that Aaron Boone will return as manager next year. I didn’t think there was much doubt.
Rays are up 3-2 in the series. I don’t care who wins the series, but I’m cheering for Cleveland tonight, because I want a game seven.
Tonight’s lineup:
Today’s Lineups
GUARDIANS
RAYS
Steven Kwan – LF
Yandy Diaz – DH
Jose Ramirez – 3B
Jonathan Aranda – 1B
Chase DeLauter – RF
Liam Hicks – C
Jo Adell – DH
Junior Caminero – 3B
Nathaniel Lowe – 1B
Chandler Simpson – LF
Travis Bazzana – 2B
Victor Mesa – RF
Patrick Bailey – C
Jonny DeLuca – CF
Petey Halpin – CF
Richie Palacios – 2B
Brayan Rocchio – SS
Taylor Walls – SS
Tanner Bibee – RHP
Freddy Peralta – RHP
I’m going to post this early because I’ve got a couple of things to get done and odds are I’ll forget to post it.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 18: Taylor Walls #6 and Richie Palacios #1 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrate their 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians in game five of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field on October 18, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With three games decided by two runs or fewer, the ALCS series has been very competitive this season.
The outliers are Game 1, when the Cleveland Guardians won 7-3, and Game 4 when the Tampa Bay Rays won 7-3. The Rays are averaging 3.6 runs per game in this playoff round, while the Guardians are just behind at 3 runs per game.
So it’s no wonder the series is going on much longer than the Milwaukee Brewers four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Rays will have the advantage of home field tonight for Game 6, and they feel so confident that Yandy Díaz said, “it all ends tomorrow. We’re going to win tomorrow,” after the Tampa Bay beat the Guardians 3-1 in Cleveland on Sunday evening.
For Game 6, the Guardians are turning to RHP Shawn Armstrong, who has yet to give up a run in 7.2 innings over six appearances with six strikeouts this postseason, including a one-inning start against Tampa Bay in Game 4. Freddy Peralta will be on the mound for the Rays. Peralta was very effective against the Rays in Game 2 when he threw six scoreless innings, giving up four hits and two walks, while striking out six in a 3-1 victory.
Cleveland Guardians (2-3) at Tampa Bay Rays (3-2) — 6:08 PM MDT
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 1: Manager Terry Francona #77 of the Cleveland Guardians talks with bench coach DeMarlo Hale #30 during a game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on October 1, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The American League Championship Series returns to the gulf coast of Florida on Monday night as the Tampa Bay Rays look to complete the series flip over the Cleveland Guardians.
Tampa took both games over the weekend up in northern Ohio after entering the weekend slate trailing two games to one within the series. Now, they’ll take the field at home in the Trop with Freddy Peralta on the mound and once again pitching like an ace with the opportunity to make it to the World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on the docket.
Righty ‘reliever’ Shawn Armstrong will start for Cleveland in what will very clearly be an all-hands-on-deck bullpen game as they look to stave off elimination. First pitch is slated to be chucked by Peralta at 8:08 PM ET down in Tampa, with coverage of the game carried on TBS/truTV.
Here is how both clubs will line up to start:
Do-or-die for the Guardians while the Rays have their sights set on the AL pennant pic.twitter.com/HVjcn7nAfr
Oct 18, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Ben Williamson (15), outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. (25) and shortstop Taylor Walls (6) celebrate a win against the Cleveland Guardians in game five of the ALCS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Tampa Bay Rays enter Game 6 of the American League Championship Series against the Cleveland Guardians one win away from capturing their third AL pennant.
After the teams split the first two games of the best-of-seven series in Tampa Bay, the Rays won two of three in Cleveland. A third consecutive victory would send the Rays to the World Series, where they would face the National League champion Milwaukee Brewers. The Guardians, however, are looking to stave off elimination and force a winner-take-all Game 7 on Tuesday.
Rays at Guardians (5:08 PM PST)
Looking to clinch the pennant in front of their home fans, Rays right-hander Freddy Peralta will make his third appearance and second start of the ALCS.
Peralta is the latest pitcher to benefit from Tampa Bay’s well-regarded coaching staff. The team’s signature trade deadline acquisition was named the American League Pitcher of the Month for September after allowing three runs in 34 innings over his final six regular-season starts.
The right-hander’s late-season success has carried over into the playoffs. Peralta earned the win in Game 2 of the series after allowing four hits over six scoreless innings. Three days later, he came out of the bullpen in Game 4 and recorded two key outs, stranding an inherited runner. Will Peralta post another quality start, or will the Guardians’ offense wake up with their season on the line?
Meanwhile, Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams will not start on short rest. Cleveland will instead deploy a bullpen game, saving Williams for a potential Game 7.
Right-hander Shawn Armstrong will serve as the opener for the second time in three games. After Armstrong exits, Cleveland’s manager Stephen Vogt will likely rely on favorable matchups throughout the game, turning to his bullpen early and often to record the 27 outs needed to keep the Guardians’ season alive.
And Cleveland’s starting lineup for this anticipated contest:
The New York Rangers have signed veteran forward Luke Glendening to a Professional Tryout agreement.
Glendening reported to his first Rangers practice on Monday, but isn't allowed to play in any games until the 10 days of his PTO are up.
The Rangers will be without Joe Veleno for at least three months as he recovers from a lower-body injury and have been searching for a fourth-line center in the wake of his absence.
Glendening could be a possible replacement to fill Veleno’s position until he returns.
“Luke obviously has a significant body of work in the league,” Sullivan said. “The type of player that he is, he’s been a real reliable, conscientious player. Kills penalties. Really good in the face-off circle. He built a career on that element of his game and prides himself on that.
“Obviously, we've got a little bit of challenge with respect to depth at the center position, and I think Chris (Drury) and his guys thought that we'd bring him in and see if potentially he could help us.”
The 38-year-old forward has played for the Detroit Red Wings, Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, and Philadelphia Flyers throughout his 13-season NHL career, recording 85 goals, 90 assists, and 175 points.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 05: Kevin Porter Jr. #7 of the Milwaukee Bucks in action against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter during the preseason NBA game at Fiserv Forum on October 05, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Minutes before the 4:00 p.m. deadline to finalize their regular-season roster, the Milwaukee Bucks announced they waived Kevin Porter Jr. This brings the final roster to 15 after the weekend saw the Bucks waive several other players, including Pete Nance. The 26-year-old’s waiving comes after a snake-bitten year; in the 2025-2026 campaign, KPJ suited up for only 36 games, but he started all 36, averaging 17.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 7.4 APG.
An unfortunate outcome, this is another turn in the road for KPJ. In 2019, the Bucks traded their first-round pick (30th) and Tony Snell to the Detroit Pistons for Jon Leuer, and the following night Detroit flipped that pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers for four future second-round picks. Despite a solid rookie season, Porter was traded the following season after returning from a leave of absence and getting into a locker-room fight upon his return. Houston sent a protected second-round pick for him, and the new franchise seemed like a better fit, as Porter showed major growth over the next few seasons.
Then, in 2022, Porter signed a four-year extension worth up to $82.5m, but only guaranteed for one year, $15.9m, due to ongoing concerns about volatility. Before the start of the 2023 season, Porter was arrested in New York and charged with felony assault following a domestic abuse altercation. The Rockets then traded him to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who absorbed his contract and waived him immediately. Porter then spent a year playing in Greece, pleading guilty to misdemeanor assault. After his overseas stint, Porter signed a two-year veteran minimum deal with the LA Clippers, where he played the season before the Bucks traded him.
After opting into his player option this year, Porter will earn $5.39m before he becomes a free agent, despite being waived. While unfortunate, the guard-room logjam was well documented, and with the additions of Tyler Herro, Brayden Burries, and Kasparas Jakucionis—plus Ryan Rollins’s emergence last year as a Most Improved Player candidate—Porter likely would have seen fewer minutes this season. Despite the summer debate over who should start, Bucks fans would agree that wherever he lands, he will likely provide a strong offensive punch for his new team.
The NBA is back on NBC and Peacock after a triumphant debut that blended new-age drama with the nostalgia that helped define basketball's golden era. This season looks to build on the stars and storylines of the last with over 100 regular-season games across three marquee nights of the week: Sunday Night Basketball (beginning Jan. 24, 2027), Peacock NBA Monday (beginning Oct. 26) and Coast 2 Coast Tuesday (beginning Oct. 27).
From the return of "On the Bench" broadcasts and Coast 2 Coast Tuesday to a pair of quadrupleheaders, our schedule is set to capture rivalries re-written in real time, intergenerational battles, and perennial All-Stars squaring up in the chase for a championship.
See below for NBC Sports' full regular-season schedule rundown, including top matchups and live stream information.
2026-27 NBA on NBC and Peacock Full Schedule
Week 1
Oct. 20: Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons (3 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Oct. 20: Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks (7 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Oct. 20: Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs (9:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Week 2
Oct. 26: Golden State Warriors at Denver Nuggets (10 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
Oct. 27: Detroit Pistons at New York Knicks (8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Oct. 27: Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Lakers (11 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Week 3
Nov. 2: Oklahoma City Thunder at Cleveland Cavaliers (7 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
Week 4
Nov. 9: Washington Wizards at Detroit Pistons (7 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
Nov. 10: Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers (8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Nov. 10: Oklahoma City Thunder at Portland Trail Blazers (11 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Week 5
Nov. 16: Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics (7 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
Nov. 17: Detroit Pistons at San Antonio Spurs (8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Nov. 17: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Clippers (11 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Week 6
Nov. 23: Brooklyn Nets at Minnesota Timberwolves (7:30 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
Nov. 24: Boston Celtics at Washington Wizards (8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Nov. 24: Dallas Mavericks at Denver Nuggets (10 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Week 7
Nov. 30: Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets (7:30 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
Dec. 1: New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls (8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Dec. 1: Utah Jazz at Golden State Warriors (11 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock
Feb. 28: Boston Celtics at Minnesota Timberwolves (7 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Feb. 28: Miami Heat at Houston Rockets (9:30 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo)
Week 20
March 1: Philadelphia 76ers at Cleveland Cavaliers (7 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
March 1: Washington Wizards at Phoenix Suns (9:30 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
March 2: Minnesota Timberwolves at Oklahoma City Thunder (8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
March 2: Los Angeles Clippers at Portland Trail Blazers (11 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
March 7: New York Knicks at San Antonio Spurs (7:30 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo)
March 7: Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors (10 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Week 21
March 8: Charlotte Hornets at Indiana Pacers (7 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
March 8: Dallas Mavericks at Oklahoma City Thunder (9:30 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
March 9: Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons (8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
March 9: Portland Trail Blazers at Golden State Warriors (11 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
March 14: Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets (7:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
March 14: Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers (10 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo)
Week 22
March 15: Toronto Raptors at Philadelphia 76ers (7 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
March 15: Atlanta Hawks at Dallas Mavericks (9:30 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
March 16: Detroit Pistons at Indiana Pacers (8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
March 16: Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Clippers (11 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
March 21: San Antonio Spurs at Philadelphia 76ers (7:30 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo)
March 21: Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers (10 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
Week 23
March 22: Indiana Pacers at Orlando Magic (7 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
March 22: Detroit Pistons at Minnesota Timberwolves (9:30 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
March 23: Los Angeles Lakers at Miami Heat (8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
March 23: Oklahoma City Thunder at Phoenix Suns (11 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
March 28: Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves (7:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
March 28: Philadelphia 76ers at Denver Nuggets (10 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo)
Week 24
March 29: Miami Heat at Cleveland Cavaliers (7 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
March 29: Phoenix Suns at San Antonio Spurs (9:30 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
March 30: New York Knicks at Orlando Magic (8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
March 30: Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers (11 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
April 4: Boston Celtics at New York Knicks (7:30 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo)
April 4: San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Lakers (10 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo)
Week 25
April 5: Miami Heat at Orlando Magic (7 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN)
April 6: New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks (8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
April 6: Phoenix Suns at Golden State Warriors (11 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock)
What are the top NBA on NBC games to watch this season?
The NBA on NBC season features a handful of tentpole events across its regular-season schedule. The season opens in historic fashion with the first-ever American Express NBA Tip-Off tripleheader on Oct. 20.
This holiday season features an elite lineup of seven games across four nights Dec. 21-29, headlined by a rematch of the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals between the Knicks and Cavaliers on Dec. 21.
For the second consecutive season, NBC Sports will host a quadrupleheader on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 18, 2027), including explorations of Dr. King's impact and connection to the NBA. Presidents' Day (Feb. 15, 2027) also will feature a quadrupleheader this season, with the likes of Minnesota, Dallas, Miami and Golden State all in action.
How to sign up for Peacock
Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You’ll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC and Bravo hits on Peacock for whatever suits your mood.
Lakers fans thought they had a steal. For the first 19 games of Dalton Knecht's NBA career, in the 2024-25 season, the rookie out of Tennessee thrived on the LeBron James/Anthony Davis Lakers, averaging 12.2 points per game, shooting 43.9% from 3-point range, and he already had started seven games.
Things looked very different that season after Luka Doncic's arrival changed the Lakers' dynamic. Knecht's defensive struggles were an issue, and after the All-Star break he averaged 8.4 points a game as his minutes dropped. Last season, in 54 games, he averaged 4.2 points a night and he shot 34.2% from beyond the arc.
Facing a roster crunch to get down to 15 players before the start of the season, the Lakers waived Knecht on Monday. He is now a free agent.
Knecht deserves a chance elsewhere in the league, somewhere he can regain the swagger he had early. Redick talked this preseason about how Knecht has improved each season with the Lakers, but with the offense built around Doncic and his strengths, the team's wing needs have changed.
Two other players of note waived on Monday at the roster cutdown deadline:
• Milwaukee waived guard Kevin Porter Jr., who averaged 17.4 points, 7.4 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game last season, playing 38 games. • Memphis waived Walter Clayton Jr., the Florida star who was the No. 18 pick in the 2025 draft. In 69 games split between Utah and Memphis as a rookie, he averaged 7.8 points and four assists per game, while shooting 30.7% from 3.
The Atlanta Braves season may be over, but there is still a lot of baseball yet to be played. The Cleveland Guardians are on the brink of elimination in their hope of winning their first World Series since 1948 and they will be facing the Tampa Bay Rays in search of their first ever World Series win.
Regardless of who moves on, we will see at the very minimum a World Series winner that has not won in seventy-eight years since the Brewers also have never won a World Series and have not appeared in one since they were in the American League back in 1982. Is it a bad time to be a salary cap fan? That can be debated in the comments.
For the game this evening, the Rays will be bringing the resurgent Freddie Peralta who sports a 0.79 ERA in the postseason thus far in 11.1 innings with three appearances to include two starts. Shawn Armstrong appears to be set to be an opener for the Guardians. He has already made six appearances this postseason and has a sterling 0.00 ERA and 0.26 WHIP.
Follow along in the comments. First pitch is at 7:00 EDT.
So when Stephen Curry, their 38-year-old superstar, suffered a non-contact lower leg injury during an open practice Sunday, Oct. 18, there was a deep gasp from nearly everyone in attendance at the Chase Center. Curry limped off the court and went back into the locker room after tweaking his ankle.
With the NBA regular season just about ready to tip off, the Warriors will hit the road for their season opener, traveling to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Wednesday, Oct. 21 (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on ESPN).
Ahead of their season-opening contest, the Warriors shared the latest on Curry and whether or not he'll be available to go against the Lakers:
Steph Curry injury update
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr addressed reporters following Sunday's practice. Kerr said he spoke to Curry after practice when he initially injured his ankle and Curry told him it was fine.
Curry made a normal move on the wing when it appeared his footing slipped an his ankle twisted.
A Warriors spokesperson told USA TODAY that Curry suffered a moderate ankle sprain, however the team doesn't expect the injury to keep him down.
Steph Curry availability status in season-opener vs Lakers
Curry is expected to be able to play in Golden State's season opener against the Lakers on Wednesday, Oct. 21, Kerr said.
Kerr told reporters on Monday, Oct. 19 that Curry is fine following the injury scare. He added that Curry was a full participant during Monday's practice.
"I'm always concerned when Steph limps off but I went down and checked on him and he told me immediately that he was fine," Kerr said.
INGLEWOOD, CA - OCTOBER 14: Dereck Lively II #2 of the Dallas Mavericks embraces Derrick Jones Jr. #55 of the LA Clippers after the game on October 14, 2024 at Intuit Dome 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Mavericks chose not to extend Dereck Lively II before the rookie-scale extension deadline, meaning he will enter restricted free agency after the 2026-27 season if Dallas does not work out a new deal beforehand.
On the surface, that may look surprising.
Lively was awesome as a rookie. He immediately looked like the kind of center Dallas could build around long term, finishing lobs, protecting the rim, and becoming a massive part of a team that eventually went to the NBA Finals. He made the All-Rookie team and looked like one of the best picks of the 2023 draft.
The problem is that he has barely been available since.
Lively played 36 games in 2024-25 and only seven last season before undergoing season-ending foot surgery. He is entering this season still working his way back and remains out at the start of the year.
That is really what this decision comes down to.
The Mavericks know how good Lively can be when he is healthy. We have already seen it. But giving a player a three-, four-, or five-year contract after so little basketball over the last two seasons is a completely different bet.
There is also a risk on the other side.
If Lively gets healthy, plays 65 games, and looks like the guy Dallas thought it drafted, the Mavericks may regret not locking him up now. A healthy 22-year-old center who protects the rim, finishes everything around the basket, and has already proven he can play in the Finals will have a market. Dallas could have bought him low before his value rebounds.
Instead, they are essentially betting that waiting is worth the risk.
The good news is that Lively will be a restricted free agent, not unrestricted. Dallas can match an outside offer and retain him even if another team comes with a large contract. That doesn’t mean it will be cheap, but it means the Mavericks aren’t risking losing him for nothing.
I understand the decision.
I also understand why it could look bad eventually.
Lively has already shown what he can be when healthy. The problem is that “when healthy” has become the most important part of every conversation about him.
For now, Dallas is making him prove it again before committing to him long term.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 08: Bilal Coulibaly #0 of the Washington Wizards dribbles during the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on October 08, 2026 in New York City. The Wizards won 111-109. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The deadline has passed for the Washington Wizards and Bilal Coulibaly to reach a rookie-scale contract extension, which means the 22-year-old wing will enter restricted free agency this summer.
Washington selected Coulibaly with the No. 7 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. He was the first selection made by Will Dawkins, who traded up one slot to secure the high-upside wing.
Dawkins had previously extended Deni Avdija in October 2023 and Corey Kispert in 2024. It appears he won’t do the same for Coulibaly.
Coulibaly averaged 11.7 points and 4.3 rebounds last season. His 86.5-inch wingspan, which ranks in the 99th percentile among NBA guards, allows him to disrupt passing lanes and deny shots. His 1.3 steals, 1.0 blocks and 3.1 deflections per game all ranked in the 90th percentile or better at his position last season.
Coulibaly’s ability to defend the opponent’s top offensive threat propelled him to a starting role during his second and third NBA seasons.
In two games against the Milwaukee Bucks last season, Coulibaly held Giannis Antetokounmpo to just 13 points on 5-13 FG. Antetokounmpo scored 46 points on 17-25 FG against all other Wizards defenders.
“[Bilal] is super valuable to our team. Starting with the defensive presence that he brings to our team, that’s a really unique skill,” Keefe said. “He has been a game changer for us. He embraces that role, and then he has the ability to put pressure on the rim in a lot of different ways: cutting, offensive rebounding, attacking the basket. He brings something that we need on our roster, and that’s someone we can play on the other team’s best players. And that is a super valuable guy to have. We’re thrilled that he’s here.”
The Wizards open the 2026-27 season at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Capital One Arena against the Milwaukee Bucks.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 26: Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees looks on from the dugout prior to the game between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, July 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
It’s official: the Yankees’ skipper will be sticking around for the 2027 season.
YES Network’s Jack Curry, with credit to Bergen Record writer Pete Caldera, reported Monday that Aaron Boone will return for his 10th season as manager in the final year of his two-year, $10.5 million extension signed in 2025.
Plenty of mixed opinions are already swirling in reaction to this decision, but it doesn’t come as a surprising one. Many have given their praise to Boone, including former Yankees manager Joe Girardi, for bringing the Yankees to clinch their 61st postseason berth and navigating an injury-ridden roster. During his career as manager, Boone has led the Yankees to the playoffs in eight of his nine previous seasons, albeit with just one American League pennant and a World Series appearance to show for it. They’ve fallen to the division rival Blue Jays and Rays in the ALDS during the past two seasons.
The Yankees’ executives were clearly satisfied enough with Boone’s decision-making this season and chose to have him at the helm next year in hopes of bringing another championship to New York. However, with considerable levels of uncertainty at several positions this offseason, there is much to consider about how Boone will construct a winning roster. Will the Yankees give him enough ammunition to clinch a postseason spot and make it through the ALDS?
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 23: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against Noah Juulsen #47 of the Philadelphia Flyers at Ball Arena on January 23, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
After a weekend off, the Colorado Avalanche embark on another back-to-back trip to begin the week.
Their first stop takes them to Philadelphia to meet a Flyers team that’s having some early season struggles.
Colorado Avalanche (5-2-1)
The Opponent: Philadelphia Flyers (1-6-3)
Time: 5:00 P.M. MDT/7:00 P.M. EDT
Watch: ALT, ALT+ (Avalanche Local Broadcast Area), NBCSP (Philadelphia Local Broadcast Area), ESPN+, NHL Center Ice (Outside Regional Broadcast Areas – US), SN+, NHL Centre Ice (Outside Regional Broadcast Areas – Canada)
Listen: Altitude Sports Radio KKSE-FM 92.5 FM
Colorado Avalanche
The Avs head into today’s game fresh off clearing one of their biggest hurdles of the young season. They earned three of a possible four points in a split of a home and home set against Dallas, and put together an unanswered five-goal rally to defeat the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday. Mackenzie Blackwood earned wins in Dallas and at home against Pittsburgh, while Scott Wedgewood couldn’t prevail in the shootout versus Dallas in Denver.
Friday’s game marked the debut of new Avalanche assistant head coach Brett McLean. McLean, who replaced David Hakstol, will face the challenge of revamping a power play that has been woefully anemic over the past couple of years. As McLean acclimates to his new role with his one-time former club, changes that go beyond simple personnel swaps like we’ve seen implemented over the past couple of games leading up to Hakstol’s departure (exchanging Nečas for Jaden Schwartz on the top unit, for example) should be on the horizon.
Gavin Brindley was called up from Loveland on Wednesday to take the place of the injured Zachary L’Heureux. Bednar stated that L’Heureux and Nicolas Roy were considered “week-to-week”, but indicated that both will not be on the road trip. Logan O’Connor also will remain in Denver, but he will be working through on-ice drills while the team is on the road.
Minnesota’s victory over Columbus on Sunday has them occupying first place in the Central Division, but a win in Philadelphia coupled with a Pittsburgh victory over Utah tonight could put the Avs in front of Minnesota.
MacKinnon still leads all skaters in points (16) and assists (10), and is tied with Lehkonen for the team lead in goals (6). Defenseman Noah Juulsen spent the 2025-2026 season with Philadelphia prior to signing a two-year contract with the Avs this off-season.
The Avs split the season series against Philadelphia last season, with both teams earning victories as the road team.
Projected Lineup
Forwards: Artturi Lehkonen – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Nečas Gabe Landeskog – Brock Nelson – Nazem Kadri Jaden Schwartz – Fedor Svechkov – T.J. Hughes Parker Kelly – Gavin Brindley
Defense: Devon Toews – Cale Makar Brett Kulak – Sam Malinski Josh Manson – Brent Burns Noah Juulsen
Between the Pipes: Mackenzie Blackwood Scott Wedgewood
Philadelphia Flyers
Coming into this season, the Flyers had every reason to feel optimistic. They returned to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in five years this past spring and eliminated their archrival Pittsburgh in the first round. They fell to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes in a four game sweep in the second round.
Flyers general manager Daniel Brière spent his off-season revamping his goaltending platoon in the hopes of building on that playoff appearance. On June 16, he acquired goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for goaltender Samuel Ersson, defenseman Emil Andrae (later traded to Columbus for Kirill Marchenko), and Philadelphia’s 2026 third round pick.
At the start of free agency, he also signed goaltender Dan Vladar to a five-year, $27.5 million dollar contract. Brière also signed right wing Noel Acciari to a two-year, $5.6 million dollar contract the same day. Garrett Wilson and Michael Bunting were late additions to Brière’s roster: Wilson signed a one-year, $850,000 contract, on September 27, while Bunting signed his one-year, $1.2 million dollar contract, on October 06.
Brière also triggered what became an unprecedented spike in player salaries when he tendered a five-year, $90 million dollar offer sheet to restricted free agent center Leo Carlsson of the Anaheim Ducks on July 03. Although Anaheim matched the offer sheet, this move was a clear statement to the rest of the League: the Flyers were on the way up, and Brière was willing pay a significant price to build on what he believed was a franchise on the rise.
The assumed ascent for the Flyers became a calamitous crash right from the opening puck drop. Philadelphia lost their home opener in a rematch with Pittsburgh by a humiliating 7-0 outcome on September 30. They followed this performance up with eight consecutive losses—a new franchise record—before finally recording their first win of the season, a 3-1 decision against the visiting Ottawa Senators this past Saturday.
Matvei Michkov leads all Philadelphia skaters in points (5) and goals (4), while the injured Konecny and Couturier currently share the team lead in assists (3). Porter Martone leads all Philadelphia skaters in penalty minutes (14). Vladar and Woll have a combined nine (9) losses in goal, with Vladar holding the single win.
Although Philadelphia is last in the Metropolitan Division, they sit one point behind Columbus, who lost to Minnesota on Sunday night.
Philadelphia heads to Buffalo on Wednesday before beginning a two game home stand at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Saturday against Anaheim.
Projected Lineup
Forwards: Trevor Zegras – Christian Dvorak – Tyson Foerster Porter Martone – Noah Cates – Matvei Michkov Denver Barkey – Sean Couturier – Michael Bunting Garrett Wilson – Jack Studnicka – Noel Acciari
Defense: Travis Sanheim – Oliver Bonk Nick Seeler – Jamie Drysdale David Jiříček – Simon Benoit
Between the Pipes: Joseph Woll Dan Vladar
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Yankees manager Aaron Boone #17, laughing on the field before Game 3 against the Rays.
A cat may have nine lives, but Aaron Boone has 10.
Despite another early playoff exit, and the noise surrounding Boone’s job perhaps reaching an all-time high, the Yankees are bringing their manager back for a 10th season next year, a source confirmed to The Post on Monday.
If and when baseball is played in 2027, with a lockout looming, it will be the final guaranteed year on Boone’s contract. As if there were not enough already, there will be even more pressure on the 53-year-old baseball lifer to finally get the Yankees over the hump in October, a feat that remained insurmountable this year when they were swept in the ALDS by the AL East champion Rays.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone #17, laughing on the field before Game 3 against the Rays. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Boone has achieved plenty of regular-season success during his tenure (a 790-565 record and three division titles), but he has been unable to parlay that success into a championship, coming closest in 2024 with a trip to the World Series in which the Yankees fell flat against the Dodgers.
Questions remain about whether Boone can be the manager that gets the Yankees back to the Canyon of Heroes, and what will be different in Year 10 — the same number of years that Joe Girardi got before him (with Joe Torre staying for 12 years before that).
Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) argues with a umpire after José Caballero (72) is called out on strikes. Robert Sabo for NY Post
There were some in the organization who thought this past regular season was Boone’s finest as a manager, given that the Yankees were missing three-time MVP Aaron Judge for over half the season, in addition to sizable injury absences for Giancarlo Stanton, Cody Bellinger, Max Fried, Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón and Trent Grisham.
General manager Brian Cashman, who before Game 3 of the ALDS called Boone “a really good manager,” has an expiring contract but is expected to remain in his post and partner with Boone again in trying to bring home the organization’s 28th World Series championship. They are expected to speak to reporters later this week for the first time since their playoff run ended to chants of “Fire Boone” after Game 3 of the ALDS.
The Record (Hackensack, N.J.) first reported the news of Boone’s return.
Boone’s biggest supporters over his tenure have included Hal Steinbrenner, Cashman and, in the clubhouse, Aaron Judge. But on multiple occasions over the past two seasons, the captain notably voiced his frustration with Boone’s comments about his comeback from injuries, which put his manager in the crosshairs and raised questions about them not being on the same page.
“He puts us in the right position to go out there and succeed, especially a season like this where I’m banged up missing 100 games,” Judge said the night the Yankees were eliminated. “… For him to manage it the way he did and put us in the best position to get into the postseason and get an opportunity to win a World Series, he’s definitely had our back and is the guy.”
Throughout his tenure, Boone has been known for standing behind his players, sometimes to a fault, as it can sometimes come across to fans as a lack of accountability when they make mistakes.
“He might take the blame for the way we perform, but at the end of the day, it comes down to us,” Cam Schlittler said after the ALDS. “The expectation needs to be a little bit better.”
There were also some more practical reasons for the Yankees to stick with Boone, with a lockout looming Dec. 1, when baseball’s current collective bargaining agreement expires. If the Yankees had decided to find a new manager, they might not have been able to finalize one until November, at which point that manager might have had just a few weeks to start getting to know his new players before having to cut off contact starting Dec. 1 until what may be an expedited spring training.
It remains to be seen whether Boone will be making any changes to his staff. Two of his coaches — pitching coach Matt Blake and director of catching Tanner Swanson — have expiring contracts but are highly regarded and widely expected to return barring promotions.
Kurt Helin
