The Mets took the second game of their three-game set with the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night, 7-5, to win the series and will go for a sweep on Wednesday night.
Here are the key takeaways...
-- New York’s offense wasted no time getting to Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara with Francisco Lindor swinging at the first pitch of the game and sending it over the center field wall for a leadoff home run, his 17th of the season.
Jared Young, back in the starting lineup after two days off with a sore foot, added an RBI single later in the inning to give the Mets a 2-0 advantage.
-- New York was at it again in the second inning with Francisco Alvarez (single) and Lindor (HBP) reaching base in front of Juan Soto who walked his first time up. This time, Soto took a play out of Lindor’s playbook and swung at the first pitch by Alcantara and sent it 417 feet to center field for a three-run bomb that put the Mets ahead, 5-0.
-- An inning later, Brett Baty joined the fun and crushed a solo homer to center field that traveled 426 feet. The home run not only extended New York’s lead, but it extended Baty’s extra-base hit streak as he now has one in five straight games.
The home run was also Baty’s 10th of the season, giving the Mets 10 players with double-digit home runs this year. Baty also added a sacrifice fly in the fifth.
-- In the meantime, while his offense was taking it to Alcantara, Sean Manaea was cruising past Miami’s lineup, retiring the first 15 batters in a row with four strikeouts on just 52 pitches.
The real test for Manaea came in the sixth inning where the left-hander has struggled all year and things came crashing down for him once again.
-- First, the perfect game was broken with a bloop single by Jakob Marsee who reached second base on Baty’s error. Then the shutout was gone after Jared Serna doubled to bring home a run. Brian Navarreto immediately followed with another well-struck double that cut the Mets’ lead to 7-2 and brought out a visit from pitching coach Justin Willard.
Willard’s words seemed to have no effect on Manaea who allowed a single to Heriberto Hernandez and then a run-scoring single to Otto Lopez that chased him out of the game after five straight hits in the sixth.
-- Jonathan Pintaro entered to try and put out the fire and managed to get a double play for the first two outs of the game, but a single by Javier Sanoja drove in another run and closed the book on Manaea who allowed four earned runs on five hits in 5+ innings while throwing 61 pitches (45 strikes).
Eventually Pintaro closed out the inning and the rest of New York’s bullpen stood strong. Nate Lavender worked around two hits in the seventh to keep his scoreless streak (14 IP) to start his career alive and Dedniel Nunez had a perfect eighth to set it up for Kodai Senga in the ninth.
The new closer wobbled a bit in his inning, allowing a run on two hits, but he struck out the final two batters of the game and earned his seventh save in seven chances.
Game MVP: Nate Lavender
The rookie left-hander had to battle in his inning, but was able to get out of trouble with the tying run at the plate.
Los Angeles, - September 03: Starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws to the plate against the St. Louis Cardinals in the second inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 3, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
Welp, the Cincinnati Reds get to face off against 2x Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal tonight!
Nick Lodolo gets the start for the Redlegs as they take on the Los Angeles Dodgers out west with a brutal 10:10 PM ET start time.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 02: Julio Rodríguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his solo home run with Bryce Miller #50 during the sixth inning against the New York Mets at T-Mobile Park on June 02, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Here’s something I said back in April:
This is something I wrote several times last year, when the Mariners bounced between impossibly hot and impossibly cold stretches. If there’s anything we know about the organization, it’s that they’re generally aiming for between 85-90 wins, and that they’ve yet to miss either high or low. The only thing that’s been consistently true about the Mariners in this era is that they’re a “good” team — nothing more, and nothing less.
If the Mariners lose today, however, they won’t be able to win 85 games in 2026. A loss to the Rangers on Tuesday would mean they will have officially fallen short of even the lowest threshold for a “good” season. Is today the day they begin (or continue) one of the great stretches in franchise history, to uphold the fundamental premise of my “going for good” theory? Or are they about to enter a new era, where seasons are no longer scripted, and anything is possible?
Bryce Miller is on the mound tonight, making his second since being moved to the bullpen. He never actually pitched in relief after the decision because Emerson Hancock quickly landed on the injured list and Miller returned to the rotation. But Dan Wilson pulled him pretty early in his last start, implying the team does still see Miller as a not-quite starter. We’ll see if that’s still the case on Tuesday.
Lineups
News
Hoby Milner is back from the family emergency medical leave list. He replaces Troy Taylor on the active roster.
Victor Robles is also back from the family emergency medical leave list. He replaces Stuart Fairchild on the active roster.
Emerson Hancock threw from flat ground Tuesday afternoon and is likely to throw a bullpen later this week. Once he does, the team will make a decision on his status for the remainder of 2026.
Sep 26, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; A detail view of Major League official baseballs before the game between the Kansas City Royals against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Game two of three with the A’s. Jays are a game back of the Guardians, but it looks like they are going to beat the Orioles tonight, so if the Jays want to stay a game back, they really ought to win.
Lineups. Springer is getting the day off. Josh Smith plays left. Jesus Sanchez DHes.
Today’s Lineups
BLUE JAYS
ATHLETICS
Brett Bateman – CF
Henry Bolte – CF
Nathan Lukes – RF
Jeff McNeil – 1B
Vladimir Guerrero – 1B
Zack Gelof – 3B
Alejandro Kirk – C
Lawrence Butler – RF
Josh Smith – LF
Carlos Cortes – LF
Kazuma Okamoto – 3B
Tommy White – DH
Andres Gimenez – SS
Donovan Walton – 2B
Jesus Sanchez – DH
Alika Williams – SS
Ernie Clement – 2B
Jonah Heim – C
Jose Soriano – RHP
Jack Perkins – RHP
I’d like the game to end earlier than last night’s. I don’t think I can stay up as late tonight.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani watches during a game against the Cardinals last week. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
Shohei Ohtani was out of the lineup again Tuesday, as the Dodgers ease him back into regular play after four days off to address lingering right biceps and left knee injuries.
“Came out of [Monday] well, but talking to the training staff, it’s more of the thought of, ‘Let’s build him up slowly,’ ” manager Dave Roberts said.
Roberts said Ohtani would be available to pinch-hit “in a big spot” Tuesday against the Reds, and he expected Ohtani would be back in the lineup for the series finale Wednesday and, after the team’s off day Thursday, again Friday in Miami.
“I’ve been training a little bit more, doing just supplementary things to be able to make sure that I’m in a good place,” Ohtani said after returning to the lineup Monday. “I hope to continue to do that to make sure that I’m up to shape.”
After going 0 for 3 Monday, Ohtani acknowledged that he didn’t feel 100% physically and likely wouldn’t for the rest of the year, despite all but ruling out pitching for the rest of the season.
“As long as I’m playing in games, it’s not exactly the best way to recover and heal,” Ohtani said. “Of course the best mode of recovery is to completely not play. But right now I just want to make sure that I’m playing, playing well and just focusing on the now.”
With Ohtani out, first baseman Freddie Freeman moved to the designated hitter spot Tuesday, essentially giving him a half-day off. And center fielder Tommy Edman hit leadoff.
Roberts said that he could see a couple more “proactive” days off for Ohtani down the stretch.
“It’s about, ‘What can we do to get him to be optimum, as we get into the postseason?’” Roberts said. “So I think that a day here or there is not the worst thing to make sure that his body overall feels as close to 100% as possible.”
This year was Ohtani’s first juggling full two-way duties from the start of the season since joining the Dodgers. The team, in conversation with Ohtani, failed to manage his workload and aches and pains in a way that would be sustainable for more of the year.
The organization tried to lean on Ohtani’s expertise, noting how unprecedented his career has been. But Ohtani hadn’t made 20-plus pitching starts in a season since 2023, when he was 28 years old. On Monday, Ohtani referred to this season as a “learning experience” to carry into next year. It will be for the Dodgers as well.
“For me, it’s just really trying to be mindful of the long season,” Roberts said. “You don’t know until you know, and it’s important to learn from experiences. And I think it’s good for all of us to kind of appreciate that he’s not supernatural, as much as we think he might be at times.”
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 08: Kody Clemens #2 of the Minnesota Twins celebrates his two run home run in the sixth inning with teammates while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 08, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The pitching and defense were pretty good all around in this one, and neither offense got much going. The Tigers briefly held the lead after a Kevin McGonigle blast, but the difference was a two-run shot from Kody Clemens in the sixth off of Drew Anderson that gave them a one-run lead which held up. Both teams’ bullpens were sharp, and the Twins evened the series with a 3-2 victory.
Drew Anderson’s shaky command dug him into a hole pretty quickly in this one. Luke Keaschall popped out to start the game, but Anderson hung a curveball a bit and Brooks Lee doubled into the right field corner. Anderson wasn’t missing by a lot, but he was trying to nibble and walked Kody Clemens and Ryan Jeffers. Josh Bell lifted a sacrifice fly to Brett Callahan in left, and Lee scored as Hao-Yu Lee, probably rightly, cut off a strong throw home. Callahan is the best throwing outfielder in the Tigers organization and has racked up a lot of assists during his time in the minors, but Lee runs reasonably well. Royce Lewis fouled a 1-1 fastball off into the visiting dughout and Colt Keith, in pursuit, smashed himself into the railing as the ball fell just beyond his outstretched glove. Fortunately, a good changeup whiffed Lewis to strand two. A long first inning for Anderson, but minimal damage at least.
Dean Kremer took the mound looking to improve over his last start, where the Tigers got to him for four earned runs in five innings on September 2 at Target Field. Kevin McGonigle wouldn’t make it easy for him. After missing his pitch, a 2-2 sinker that was up in the zone and fouled off, the Tigers rookie fought through a 10-pitch at-bat and single to center field to start the bottom half of the first. A little liner off the end of the bat went for a Gleyber Torres single to left, and the Tigers were in business. Colt Keith worked a 2-0 count after Jeffers mistakenly challenged a ball, but then lined out to first and McGonigle was too far off of second base, locked up, and thrown out for a double play. Not great. A wild pitch got Torres to second, but Riley Greene struck out.
1-0 Twins after one inning.
Anderson got Trevor Larnach on a ground out to Torres to start the second, and then punched out Kaelen Culpepper with a good changeup. Walker Jenkins grounded out to Keith at first for a much snappier second for Anderson.
Eduardo Valencia started the bottom half with a single up the left center field gap. A splitter whiffed Callahan, and Max Clark got a fastball up in the zone 2-1 and popped out in foul territory. A cutter tied Hao-Yu Lee up and he popped out as well.
Keaschall doubled to left to start the third. Brooks Lee flew out to Callahan, and it was routine, giving him time to set up. Keaschall foolishly challenged that arm and was thrown out by 10 feet on a perfect strike from the rookie. Kody Clemens bounced out, and that inning went from trouble to helping Anderson get his pitch count in a little better shape at 50 through three frames.
McKinstry grounded out, and McGonigle popped out again, to open the bottom of the third. Gleyber Torres worked a walk, but Keith tapped one back to Kremer to send us to the fourth. Still 1-0 Twins.
Jeffers singled up the middle to open the fourth, but Bell grounded to Keith, who fired to McGonigle and back to Keith for a 3-6-3 double play. Lewis flew out to McKinstry in right on Anderson’s 60th pitch. A squibber to Lee from Riley Greene opened the bottom half, and Valencia and Callahan both lifted deep fly balls but still routine outs. On to the fifth.
Anderson needed just seven pitches to handle the frame. Larnach and Jenkins grounded out, while Culpepper struck out swinging between them.
After Clark flew out and Lee struck out, McKinstry ripped a single to right field. Kevin McGonigle dug in, got an 0-1 fastball over the middle, and smoked it to left field and into the home bullpen for an opposite field two-run homer, his 16th of the year. 2-1 Tigers.
Keaschall started the sixth taking an Anderson fastball off the knob of the bat. He tried to argue for a hit by pitch but home plate umpire Vic Carapazza wasn’t buying it. In a 1-2 count, Anderson got the called strike three on a fastball away, but it was challenged and overturned to a ball. Another heater in the same spot but a little closer to the edge did the job…but Keaschall correctly challenged that one as well, and a changeup walked him. A good slider whiffed Brooks Lee for the first out as Anderson worked to hold Keaschall at first as well. Unfortunately, a 2-2 fastball was up and in the zone and Kody Clemens pulled it just over the fence in right for a two-run homer. 3-2 Twins.
It’s really tough to know what to do with Anderson. He’s fine as a backend starter but his command is just shaky enough to allow too many meatballs that get crushed. At the same time, his relief work shows that tendency even more decisively. And yet he has a sub-4.00 ERA and has been reasonably solid as a starting pitcher, with a 2.29 ERA in that role, though still with a 4.20 FIP. He’s certainly among the Tigers 10 best arms, and maybe middle and long relief is the way to go. The Tigers have a $10M club option on him for 2027
Beau Brieske entered the game and promptly gave up a drive from Jeffers. Callahan cruised back to the wall and while it probably wasn’t quite going to clear the fence, he caught it with his glove on the yellow line at the top of the fence for the second out. A 3-2 fastball to Josh Bell was ripped hard to right field, but McKinstry cruised over and hauled it in on the run.
Lefty AJ Minter took over from Kremer in the bottom of the sixth. AJ Hinch responded by pinch-hitting Spencer Torkelson for Keith, playing first base. He took a fastball on the outer edge in a 2-2 count and Jeffers burned the Twins last challenge. It was still a ball, but Minter dotted a cutter at the top of the zone to strike him out anyway. Greene lifted a shallow fly out to center and Valencia flew out to left.
Brieske spun a 1-2-3 top of the seventh, and Ben Malgeri faced Minter, pinch-hitting for Callahan, in the bottom half of the seventh. Malgeri drew a walk, stole second, and took third as the throw bounced into center field. The Twins pulled in their infield and Max Clark bounced out to Culpepper at shortstop too quickly for Malgeri to try and score. Hao-Yu Lee struck out, and it was up to McKinstry, who flew out to left. Those three at-bats with a man on third were pretty much the death knell in this one.
Still 3-2 Twins, and on to the eighth.
Lefty Brant Hurter took the mound for his first inning of work in the majors since his lower back strain in May. He locked up Jenkins with a set of really nasty looking sweepers from that wide angle and low release point. Keaschall flew out to Clark, and Malgeri made a great diving catch in foul territory in left to retire Brooks Lee. The defense was not the Tigers’ issue in this one.
Jeff Hoffman took over for the Twins in the bottom half, and McGonigle started the inning by flying out to right field just short of the wall for the first out. Torres tapped a 3-2 slider away back to Hoffman for the second out, and so it was up to Torkelson, now without the platoon advantage. He fouled off a first pitch meatball of a slider right down the pipe thigh high, and eventually struck out swinging on one down and away.
So, now it was the Tigers needing a walkoff victory, but first they’d have to hold the Twins in place in the ninth.
Hurter got Clemens to start the inning, and then gave way to the next man up. Yilber Diaz got the assignment with most of the usual high leverage suspects unavailable in this one. He fired 99 mph heaters to get ahead of Jeffers 0-2, but Valencia called for a slider and Diaz left it up. Jeffers doubled to left. Bell hammered a ball to center field, but Clark made a nice play on it and Jeffers had to tag and hold at second. Lewis grounded out to McGonigle, and it was last call. Solid inning for Diaz, who just needs to locate his fastball-slider combination, which is electic. Of course, that’s easier said than done, but Diaz’s life story already reads like a book, and he’s overcome a lot more than control issues, so here’s hoping. The Tigers could really, really use an arm like that in the late innings.
Yoendrys Gomez looked to close it out for the Twins. He tied up Greene with a perfect sweeper to strike him out. Valencia lined out to Ryan Kreidler at second base. Keaschall made a nice sprawling play on a sinking drive from Malgeri in right field, and that was that.
They’ll decide the series at 1:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday. RHP Keider Montero will take on RHP Zebby Matthews in that one.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - AUGUST 27: A general view of Oracle Park during the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Francisco Giants at on Thursday, August 27, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Bryan Kennedy/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants continue this three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals tonight.
Taking the mound for the Giants will be right-hander Landen Roupp, who enters tonight’s game with a 4.17 ERA, 3.70 FIP, with 137 strikeouts to 68 walks in 144.2 innings pitched. His last start was in the Giants’ 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates last Wednesday, in which he allowed one run on two hits with four strikeouts and two walks in five innings.
He’ll be facing off against Cardinals left-hander Quinn Mathews, who enters tonight’s game with a 4.38 ERA, 3.26 FIP, with 24 strikeouts to 12 walks in 24.2 innings pitched. His last start was in the Cardinals’ 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers last Thursday, in which he allowed one run on four hits with four strikeouts and four walks in five innings.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 07: Jacob Young #30 of the Washington Nationals catches a ball during the second inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on September 07, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For most of the season, the Nats have been road warriors. However, that has not been the case at all since the end of July. They have struggled mightily away from home and this west coast trip has been no different. There have been a lot of close games, but they have been unable to get the job done.
The Nats are making a couple changes to their lineup. Yohandy Morales will be in the lineup and playing first base. That pushes Abimelec Ortiz to DH. Dylan Crews moves from left to center with Daylen Lile shifting to left field. Jorbit Vivas and Harry Ford are also back in the lineup. Riley Cornelio will start a bullpen game.
San Diego is actually only making one change to their lineup. Veteran Freddy Fermin will replace youngster Ethan Salas behind the plate. Other than that it is the same crew. Tatis, Machado, Merrill and France are the main guys in this offense. Casey Mize has not had the best start to life in San Diego but he will look to change that tonight.
The Nats are playing out the string here, but finding some life at the end of the season would be nice. Hopefully that can start tonight. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats.
The Athletic is one of several major NHL publications that remain unconvinced by the Calgary Flames' rebuild. Whether ranking the club near the bottom of its power rankings or limiting the club's representation in league-wide evaluations, the publication has shown little confidence in the organization's current roster.
A few days ago, The Athletic released one of its most anticipated features of the year: its annual NHL player tiers. Unsurprisingly, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid once again topped the rankings.
This year's list is divided into five categories: MVP, Franchise, All-Star, Star, and Support. The MVP tier features the league's elite players, while the Franchise tier includes 23 skaters who can serve as the cornerstone of any organization. The All-Star and Star tiers make up the bulk of the rankings, recognizing established impact players from around the NHL.
For the Flames, however, their inclusion on the list was brief. Goaltender Dustin Wolf was Calgary's only representative, earning a spot in the Support tier.
One Bad Season Tanked Wolf's Reputation
In the comments under Wolf's ranking, they praise the 25-year-old for his breakout performance in 2024-25, but discuss how his sophomore slump tarnished his budding reputation. One NHL executive quoted by The Athletic believes that the young netminder, entering his third season, may never recapture his rookie form. As insulting as that is, many forget that Wolf is a two-time AHL Goalie of the Year and a former league MVP.
In the NHL, he's backstopping the NHL's lowest-scoring team, so even if he gives up one or two goals, too many of those games still end in losses because the Flames struggle to score.
Since most of the team's core is Wolf's age or younger, growing pains are bound to come for an organization preparing to move into a new arena. The hope is that, with a modernized facility and all the amenities the Saddledome has lacked over the years, Calgary could recruit more elite talent. Until then, the Flames have committed fully to their rebuild, relying on prospects rather than outside additions. The reinforcements are not coming from other teams; they are coming from within the system.
Wolf's placement in the Support tier is surprising. He's not a supporting player; he's the team MVP. Yes, he's not at the same level as Andrei Vasilevskiy or Igor Shesterkin, both Vezina Trophy winners. Still, those clubs wouldn't be as successful with a mediocre goalie between the pipes. Can anyone imagine how bad the Flames would have been last season without their No. 1 goalie posting a 23-29-3 record? Yikes.
Overall, most NHL fans who don't stay up late to watch Calgary games rarely see how impactful Wolf is in every game he plays. Casual fans may look at the rankings and conclude the Flames are simply rebuilding. However, the Calgary faithful will see these rankings and wonder why Wolf couldn't move up a tier, and ask why players like Matt Coronato and Zayne Parekh were left off entirely.
Calgary's rebuild won't be measured until the latter part of the decade, when the organization expects to be back in the playoff picture. Until then, rankings like these are likely to become the norm.
It took three months, but the Yankees finally have their captain back.
Aaron Judge has been progressing nicely over the past few weeks in his recovery from a fractured rib injury, and he finally received the okay to return on Tuesday night.
“It’s a long time coming,” Aaron Boone said. “He’s been chomping at the bit.”
Judge isn’t facing any restrictions in his return, so he jumped right back out there for the Yanks, batting third and playing his usual right field in the opener against the Rockies.
The slugger took three at-bats and played six innings in the field, which is part of the team’s plan as they look to play it smart with his build-up after opting to skip a minor league rehab assignment.
He missed a pair of middle-middle sliders before swinging through a fastball up in the zone, as Gabriel Hughes struck him out in his first plate appearance back.
Judge then got ahead 2-1 before flying out to center his second time around.
He worked a full count against left-hander Mark Manfredi in the sixth, but was called out looking at a fastball on the corner of the zone to end his night.
"I thought he looked really good," Boone said. "First AB was getting himself in good positions, just missed a couple of sliders before they beat him with the fastball. I thought he looked like Judgey.
"Obviously there will be some time getting the timing and rhythm and everything, but I thought he was on everything for the most part -- overall I thought it was a pretty good night for him."
Judge wasn't pleased with Boone for taking him out after six innings, so the skipper is confident he'll be ready to go for the middle game of the three-game set Wednesday night in the Bronx.
He does anticipate getting him a full off day at some point during the series, though.
"The competitor in him wants to be out there," Boone said. "He's done a lot of work and I know he feels in his mind he's very much ready to play and go the distance, but it's my job to be smart, especially these first several games."
Phil Jackson, who won 11 NBA titles as a coach combined with the Lakers and Bulls, is set to get a statue at Crypto.com Arena in April. NBAE via Getty Images
Jackson’s coaching résumé speaks for itself: 11 NBA championships, which are the most by any head coach in league history, in 13 NBA Finals appearances across 20 years.
The most playoff wins (229) by a coach in league history.
A 70.4 regular-season and 68.8 playoffs winning percentage, both the highest marks in league history among individuals who’ve coached at least 10 seasons.
But Jackson’s impact and case as the NBA’s greatest coach of all time goes beyond statistics and rings.
He popularized the triangle offense, which was developed by Tex Winter, a longtime assistant coach under Jackson with the Bulls and Lakers. The offensive system was the backbone for team success for two decades, and its principles have influenced successful NBA offenses for even longer — particularly the Warriors’ most recent dynasty.
His ability to manage personalities on superstar-driven teams led to his teams maximizing their potential: Jackson-coached teams won 25 consecutive playoff series from 1996-2003.
His holistic approach to coaching also earned him the moniker of “Zen Master.”
When it comes to NBA coaches, Jackson’s combination of success and influence stands above the rest.
Former Celtics coach Red Auerbach has a statue at Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Auerbach, who led the Celtics to eight consecutive NBA titles from 1959-66 and nine championships in 10 years including the 1957 NBA title, was the architect behind one of the greatest dynasties in league history. Especially when factoring in his influence on Boston’s roster construction, which continued in his roles as Celtics general manager and eventually president after his retirement as coach in 1966. He was rightfully voted as the greatest coach in NBA history by the Professional Basketball Writers Association in 1980.
Popovich’s longevity with the Spurs is unmatched: an NBA record 1,390 regular-season wins to go with five NBA championships and six NBA Finals. Three NBA Coach of the Year awards, which is tied for the most in league history (the award was created in 1962). Twenty-two consecutive playoff appearances (1998-2019, which is tied for an NBA record. Popovich reinvented himself and his teams throughout his 29 seasons as the Spurs’ coach, consistently achieving success at the highest level with each version of the Spurs that developed.
Gregg Popovich led the Spurs to five NBA championships. Getty Images
But Jackson has a feather in his cap that Auerbach and Popovich lack: He successfully led two different franchises to dynastic runs with the 1990s Bulls and the 2000s Lakers.
An argument against Jackson, and in favor of another coach being the greatest of all time, was that Jackson coached some of the greatest players of all time in Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman. And that’s before even mentioning other key players to the dynasties Jackson led such as Pau Gasol, Ron Harper, Lamar Odom, Toni Kukoc and Horace Grant.
But Auerbach had Hall of Fame players such as Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, John Havlicek and Sam Jones, to name a few.
Popovich had Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Tony Parker, Manu Ginóbili and Kawhi Leonard.
Coaching great talents is a prerequisite for becoming an all-time coach.
Among all the all-time coaches, Jackson stands above them all.
LANDOVER, MD - CIRCA 1983: Michael Ray Richardson #20 of the New Jersey Nets in action against the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1983 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Richardson played for the Nets from 1983-86. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Brooklyn Nets could be in for more ABA-related fun during the 2026-27 season.
Last week, the team announced plans to celebrate the franchise’s 60th anniversary with an “ABA Night” on November 18. This week, a Sacramento Kings fan account on X discovered the NBA filed to trademark the term “ABA CHALLENGE SERIES” and an accompanying wordmark in late June.
The USPTO also has it listed as “live” and “pending.‘’
🚨BREAKING: The NBA may be planning a special "ABA Challenge Series" this season.
— Trademark filed on June 23 with intent for "live basketball games and basketball exhibitions" — League celebrating 50th anniversary of ABA-NBA merger with 4 ABA teams rumored for Classic unis 🧵 pic.twitter.com/U5MWZ6Vq5G
The Nets are shedding some light on their ABA roots this season. On ABA Night, they’ll give away a Julius Erving bobblehead giveaway. Peter Vecsey reported that all living players and coaches from the 1974 and 1976 title teams will be in attendance.
What exactly does the Nets ABA Night (Nov. 18) mean? I’m told all the living players and coaches from the franchise’s only two title teams (‘74 & ‘76) will attend…
There’s been no official word from the league or the Nets on whether or not there’s more to the scheduled “ABA Night,” although the “Challenge Series” might indicate that something larger is in the works.
The Nets are one of four NBA teams to have originated in the ABA, the other being the Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, and San Antonio Spurs. To our knowledge, they’ve yet to announce anything formally related to a the trademark filling either.
Brooklyn will face the San Antonio Spurs twice (December 23 and March 18), the Denver Nuggets twice (March 1 and March 25), and the Indiana Pacers four times (October 25, November 1, January 11 and March 15).
Sep 3, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Athletics starting pitcher Jack Perkins (50) pitches to the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Last night, the Athletics played spoiler by kicking off their homestand with a 6-5 walk-off win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Tonight, the A’s will look to continue their strong finish to the season and secure a second consecutive series victory.
Right-hander Jack Perkins will make the start for the A’s. The 26-year-old enters his 34th appearance, 14th start of the season and first career start against the Blue Jays with a 3-10 record, a 6.50 ERA, a 1.54 WHIP and 116 strikeouts over 98 1/3 innings.
Perkins’ strikeout numbers showcase the stellar arsenal he brings to the mound. However, his ongoing command issues have prevented him from taking the next step and establishing himself as a core member of the A’s pitching staff.
In his last outing against the Seattle Mariners, Perkins was bailed out by the A’s bullpen. The right-hander allowed three runs on four hits in just three innings, striking out seven batters while walking five. Following that game, the Athletics optioned Perkins to Triple-A. He was recalled the next day as the corresponding move after fellow right-hander J.T. Ginn landed on the injured list with an elbow impingement.
Perkins has the ability to be a successful starting pitcher in this league, yet he has not reached his fully evolved form. If he keeps struggling, it would behoove the team to return him to a late-inning or long relief role. Will Perkins deliver a quality start, or will the team once again have to turn to its bullpen earlier than expected?
Here’s how the Athletics will line up for this matchup:
Center fielder Henry Bolte will look to follow his electric performance yesterday with another strong showing this evening. Third baseman Zack Gelof did not start the season in the majors, yet he is three home runs and six stolen bases away from a 20-20 season. The Blue Jays must be mindful of the two speedsters, who ran wild on the basepaths in the series opener.
After a hot streak, right fielder Lawrence Butler has cooled down. The Athletics could use a resurgence from him and slumping catcher Jonah Heim. The team also welcomes back designated hitter Tommy White, who sat out the last five games because of back tightness.
The A’s offense will face Blue Jays right-hander José Soriano. Toronto was active on both sides of this season’s trade deadline, and Soriano was one of its key acquisitions. The Blue Jays traded one of their top prospects to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for the hard-throwing right-hander.
Through 22 starts with the Angels, Soriano went 9-6 with a 3.29 ERA. In his first six starts with his new team, the 27-year-old went 2-1 with a 4.36 ERA.
The Green and Gold have faced Soriano plenty of times over the past few years. The right-hander enters this outing 1-3 with a 7.52 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 10 career appearances against the Athletics. This will be his third start against the A’s this season, but his first as a member of the Blue Jays. He received no-decisions in both of his first two starts. Will that happen again today, or will Soriano finally factor into the decision?
No George Springer in the Blue Jays lineup today. Left fielder Josh Smith and designated hitter Jesús Sánchez make their first starts of the series for the visitors. Perkins will have to be careful when facing the always-dangerous Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as well as Andrés Giménez, who hit the game-tying home run last night.
Time to make it two straight wins and send Toronto tumbling in the wild-card race. Let’s go, A’s!
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 07: Jackson Merrill #3 of the San Diego Padres steals second base during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Petco Park on September 07, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Washington Nationals (67-79) at San Diego Padres (76-68), September 8, 2026, 6:40 p.m. PST
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - AUGUST 29: Cal Quantrill #44 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at American Family Field on August 29, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
