As far as NBA altercations go, this certainly wasn’t the most intense. But Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid drew a technical foul for it, either way.
Embiid and Detroit Pistons forward Tolu Smith engaged in a brief dustup late in the first half of a Wednesday, Nov. 4 game between the two teams.
The play happened with 1:25 left to go in the second quarter, when the 76ers had the ball. Sixers forward Jaylen Brown was driving to the basket when Smith was jostling with Embiid for positioning below the basket. Smith shoved Embiid, who took exception to the move after the play was blown dead.
Embiid then gave Smith a little shove with his right elbow. The contact was minor, but it led to a quick back and forth between the two. It escalated with light shoving, and players eventually had to step in to separate Embiid and Smith, who were shouting and trying to square off.
Eventually, officials reviewed the sequence and levied a technical foul against Embiid for being the one to initiate the action with the elbow.
The Pistons crowd at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit immediately booed Embiid. Pistons All-Star guard Cade Cunningham converted the technical free throw. Embiid was seen encouraging the boos.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 22: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 22, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers will try to get back into the win column as they take on the Oklahoma City Thunder for the second time this week.
Share your thoughts as the game unfolds. If you aren’t a member of the community, sign up so you can talk to your fellow Cavalier fans and make your voice heard!
Valverde hits late winner as Madrid win 3-2 in Athens
Napoli thrashed by Porto, Club Brugge win at PSV
Anastasios Douvikas led the rout with a hat-trick as Como cruised to a 9-1 victory at Lens, equalling the record for the most goals scored in a single Champions League game.
Only two teams had previously won a game by a margin of eight goals since the launch of the modern Champions League in 1992. Liverpool thumped Besiktas 8-0 in the group stage in 2007 and Real Madrid won by the same scoreline against Malmo in 2015.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 30: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the New York Knicks during a 2026 Emirates NBA Cup game on October 30, 2026 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons are looking to keep the good times rolling against the Philadelphia 76ers. Detroit and Philly are the two best teams in the East, and the Pistons have already notched one win against the Sixers this season. In fact, the 106-93 win in October was Detroit’s sixth consecutive victory against Philly. Tonight, they go for lucky No. 7. That loss against the Pistons also happens to be Philadelphia’s lone blemish on the season. In that matchup, the Pistons were without the services of Jalen Duren. It worked out because they were able to rely on the all-around goodness of Paul Reed. It also didn’t hurt that Joel Embiid missed that first matchup to rest.
Tonight, the Pistons will have no such luck. They are still missing All-Star big man Duren, and tonight the Sixers will employ the services of their former MVP in Embiid. While Detroit has been playing amazing basketball, they have been vulnerable down low, and Embiid will be the best interior big man they’ve faced since they lost Duren to a hamstring injury.
One benefit in Detroit’s favor is that this is a nationally televised game on ESPN, and it seems like Cade Cunningham loves to come up big when the lights are brightest for national television. Cunningham is also coming off of perhaps his most dominant performance of the season, scoring 33 points in just 26 minutes of action. If the game against the Hornets was close instead of a 30-point blowout late, if seems like Cunningham could have gone for 45 points.
Game Vitals
When: 7 p.m. ET Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan Watch: ESPN Odds: Pistons -2.5
Projected Lineups
Detroit Pistons (6-1)
Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, John Collins, Paul Reed
Philadelphia 76ers (7-1)
Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, Joel Embiid
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 26: Tre Johnson #12 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on February 26, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Joe Boatman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Washington Wizards can match their best start in five seasons with a win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday at Capital One Arena.
Washington has won two straight games behind stout defense, especially in the second half, and impressive offensive showings from Anthony Davis, Trae Young and Kyshawn George.
A bulk of that scoring has come at the rim behind a revamped frontcourt and slashing wings. Look for Washington to attack the rim against Atlanta’s 27th-ranked interior defense that allows 53.8 paint points per game.
The Detroit Red Wings already caught a glimpse of what goaltender Michal Postava can do at the NHL level.
Now, he could soon get another crack at it.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Red Wings announced that Postava had been called back up from the American Hockey League affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins following an injury to John Gibson during Tuesday's 4-2 setback against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
UPDATE: The #RedWings have recalled Michal Postava from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions and placed Albert Johansson on IR retroactive to October 24. pic.twitter.com/eWWsi1hFDR
In a corresponding move, defenseman Albert Johansson was placed on Injured Reserve retroactive to Oct. 24.
Gibson, who made 11 saves on the 13 shots he faced in the first period, did not return for the final 40 minutes of play; he was replaced by Daniil Tarasov.
Postava is just over a week removed from having picked up his first career NHL victory, a 4-3 shootout triumph over the high-powered offensive attack of the Edmonton Oilers.
Not only did he stop 25 of 28 shots during regulation and overtime, but he denied two of the NHL's most dangerous players in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in the subsequent shootout, before capping the night with a save on Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to secure the victory.
Postava was called up late last month to the Red Wings under emergency conditions after Tarasov was injured during practice; he was then returned to the Griffins after Tarasov's return.
So far this season in Grand Rapids, Postava is a perfect 5-0 with a sparkling 1.20 goals-against average and a .955 save percentage.
The Red Wings signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2025 to a two-year pact with a salary cap hit of $975,000.
Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
He may be one of the last players ever who has to make that call.
Bauers is one of eight free agents who received a qualifying offer Monday, along with Yankees closer David Bednar, Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki and Marlins outfielder Randy Arozarena. Major League Baseball and the players union have both proposed scrapping the system in the next collective bargaining agreement. The current deal expires Dec. 1 and a lockout is expected.
This is not new territory. When the last CBA expired in 2021, 14 players received qualifying offers. Brandon Belt was the only one who said yes.
Eight of the others had deals in place by the time the owners locked out the players. Four more waited out the 99-day lockout.
What is a qualifying offer in baseball?
A qualifying offer is a one-year contract set at the average salary of baseball's 125 highest-paid players. This year it's a record $23.15 million, up from $22.025 million last year.
A team can only make the offer to a player who spent the whole season with the club and has never received one before.
The player has two choices.
Accept, and he's back with his team for one more season. He can't be traded without his consent until June 15.
Reject, and he becomes a free agent with a draft pick penalty attached. If he signs somewhere else, his old team gets a compensation pick, and his new team gives up at least one of its own.
How much that pick is worth depends on the old team's finances. A revenue-sharing club like the Brewers can get a pick right after the first round if the player signs for $50 million or more. Luxury-tax payers like the Yankees and Cubs only get one after the fourth round.
Most players say no. Since the system began after the 2012 season, only 18 of 157 players accepted before this year. A record four did it last winter.
Who got qualifying offer in 2026?
Randy Arozarena, Mariners: six straight 20-homers, 20-steal seasons
Jake Bauers, Brewers: 26 homers and an .874 OPS before his NLCS MVP run
David Bednar, Yankees: 35 saves and a 2.47 ERA
Ryan Jeffers, Twins: a 116 OPS+ since 2023, sixth among primary catchers
Brandon Lowe, Pirates: 35 homers and 96 RBIs
Adrian Morejon, Padres: the first setup man ever to get a qualifying offer
Trevor Rogers, Orioles: the only starting pitcher in the group
Seiya Suzuki, Cubs: a 128 OPS+ over five seasons in Chicago
Eight offers is the fewest since 2023. Teams handed out 14 before the last lockout.
Cubs outfielder Ian Happ and Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm did not get qualifying offers, which was a little surprising. The Yankees decided not to offer one to Jazz Chisholm a year after Trent Grisham accepted their offer and posted just 0.7 WAR in 2026.
Why the 2026 qualifying offer could be the last
Draft-pick compensation was at the center of the 1981 players strike, and the union has pushed to end or limit it in every negotiation since, according to MLB. Players see it as a drag on free agency, because teams think twice about signing someone who costs them a draft pick.
On May 27, the union proposed eliminating it. On June 25, the league agreed.
MLB repeated that offer Tuesday in a proposal that also pushed its salary cap plan back to 2028. The union quickly rejected the package. The biggest fight between the two sides is over the cap.
According to the league, ending the system would remove draft-pick compensation from free agency for the first time since 1976.
Still, nothing is done until there's a deal. Baseball learned that last time.
When the 2021-22 lockout ended, the owners offered to drop the qualifying offer in exchange for an international draft. The two sides gave themselves until July 25, 2022 to agree. The union rejected the draft, and the qualifying offer survived for the rest of the CBA.
None of this changes the rules for this winter. Teams had to make their offers, and players have to answer, before the current CBA expires.
What's less clear is what happens to a player who rejects his offer and is still unsigned when a new deal arrives. If the system is gone by then, it's unclear whether his old team would still get a pick.
How the qualifying offer worked before the 2021 lockout
The 2021 offer was worth $18.4 million. Thirteen players turned it down, and they split into three groups.
Some didn't wait at all. Eduardo Rodriguez signed a five-year, $77 million deal with the Tigers and Noah Syndergaard took one year and $21 million from the Angels before the decision deadline even arrived. Justin Verlander rejected the Astros' offer and agreed to return to Houston the same day on a one-year, $35 million deal with a player option. That contract was finalized during the lockout.
Others beat the clock. The Rangers gave Corey Seager 10 years and $325 million and Marcus Semien seven years and $175 million. The Mariners gave Robbie Ray five years and $115 million. Raisel Iglesias re-signed with the Angels on Dec. 1. Chris Taylor re-signed with the Dodgers.
Teams committed a single-day record $1.4 billion in contracts on Dec. 1, according to an Associated Press tally. Hours later the owners locked out the players.
Transactions froze from Dec. 2 until March 10, 2022 and the rest of the players with qualifying offers had to wait.
When the market reopened, Freddie Freeman signed with the Dodgers for six years and $162 million. Nick Castellanos got five years and $100 million from the Phillies. Carlos Correa took three years and $105.3 million from the Twins, with opt-outs after each of the first two seasons. Trevor Story signed with the Red Sox for six years and $140 million.
Michael Conforto never signed in 2022. He underwent shoulder surgery and sat out the season.
Because the new CBA kept the qualifying offer, the draft picks still changed hands. The Red Sox used the 79th pick as their compensation for losing Rodriguez, on outfielder Roman Anthony. The Dodgers never got to use theirs for Seager, they lost it when they signed Freeman.
Will free agents sign before the Dec. 1 lockout?
If 2021 is any guide, expect a late rush. Players want contracts and security before the shutdown, and teams want to fill roster holes.
The qualifying offer adds pressure. A player who rejects his offer stays tied to draft compensation until the next amateur draft begins. In 2019, Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel waited so long that they signed after the draft, and their old teams got nothing.
This time, no one knows what rules will be in place in 2027.
The last time a lockout loomed, only one player said yes. Brandon Belt took his $18.4 million and stayed in San Francisco.
West Ham recover from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 at Cardiff
Leaders Middlesbrough beaten 2-0 at Wrexham
Scott Parker’s return to West Ham had had looked like beginning in painful fashion but instead featured a stunning comeback from 3-0 down. The east London club’s new head coach had watched Cardiff’s Jack Moylan help himself to a first-half hat-trick, before a rousing response after the break ended with Max Kilman levelling the scores at 3-3 eight minutes from time. Elsewhere in the Championship, leaders Middlesbrough went down 2-0 at Wrexham.
Parker had been confirmed as West Ham’s head coach earlier on Wednesday, taking over from Nuno Espírito Santo, who was sacked on Tuesday. The club’s former midfielder was appointed on a two-and-a-half year contract.
When the Florida Panthers take the ice tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks, Lars Eller will skate in his 1,200th regular-season game.
Eller was originally the 13th overall pick in the 2007 NHL draft, selected by the St. Louis Blues. Eller played just seven games for the Blues before moving on to the Montreal Canadiens.
He had some strong seasons with the Canadiens, but Eller shone brightest with the Washington Capitals. With the Capitals, Eller posted his career-high in goals and points and won the Stanley Cup in 2017-18. Eller was outstanding in that run, scoring seven goals and 18 points in 24 games.
Following his successful tenure with the Capitals, Eller had stops with the Colorado Avalanche, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators and now the Panthers.
Eller has been solid for the Panthers, even if the offense isn't great. In 15 games, he's notched one goal and eight points while averaging 15:39 of ice time. Surprisingly, Eller hasn't been very successful in the faceoff dot, winning just 40.8 percent of his draws.
Although Eller is approaching a major milestone that just 141 other players in the NHL have achieved, Eller is still focused on earning the two points and not underestimating a weaker opponent.
“You underestimate that team, and they can beat us if we're not on top of our game,” said Eller. “We barely got by them in Chicago. I think they're going to be competitive. If we think it's going to be easy, we'll probably lose.”
The 37-year-old is slated to skate on the right wing of the third line with Eetu Luostarinen and Anton Lundell. In the eight games they've spent time together, the Panthers’ third line has posted an expected goals percentage of 72.2 percent, according to moneypuck.com.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free.
See more of The Hockey News on Google and save us as a preferred source.Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 26: Brandon Lowe #5 of the Pittsburgh Pirates rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Saturday, September 26, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Izzy Rincon/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Brandon Lowe is officially a free agent and able to sign with any of the 30 MLB clubs as soon as possible.
Now the waiting begins.
The Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman is one of the best free agents available in this year’s cycle after a historic season.
Lowe slugged 35 home runs in his lone year in Pittsburgh, the most by any second baseman in team history. He broke Neil Walker’s record by 12.
Lowe slashed .260/.331/.493 with a .824 OPS in 150 games after being traded from the future American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays.
He recorded 152 hits, 29 doubles, 96 RBIs and consistently carried the Pirates lineup from the No. 2 spot in the batting order.
Not known as a good defender, Lowe improved his defense well enough to earn one of three Gold Glove nominations at second base.
Pittsburgh has officially offered Lowe a qualifying offer as he enters free agency. The deal is a one-year, $23.15 million contract for the 2027 season. If Lowe accepts, he will be back with the Pirates and can still negotiate a long-term deal.
If he rejects, the Pirates will receive a compensatory draft pick when Lowe signs elsewhere. Lowe has until November 17 to accept or deny the terms. Lowe was one of eight players to be offered a qualifying offer.
Multiple MLB analysts have estimated the contact Lowe could command on the market. Former MLB GM Jim Bowden only projected a three-year, $45 million deal, a $15 million average-annual-value for someone already offered over $23 million.
Keith Law of The Athletic has the most stunning projection. Law regards Lowe as the third-best free agent on the market and estimates he will sign a five-year, $150 million contract.
The difference in years and annual value is staggering and paints a difficult picture for what Lowe will command. It also doesn’t help that the league and players have until December 1 to agree on a new CBA before the impending lockout.
Lowe, 32, put together one of the best all-around seasons in Pirates history this century, and the Pirates should offer him a three-year deal nearing $20 million.
They can afford it, plus a potential change in revenue sharing and the economic landscape of baseball could make the deal even easier.
The clock is ticking, and it’s time for the Pirates to step up to the plate and show they are committed to winning and winning significantly in 2027. Sign Brandon Lowe. It just makes too much sense.
HOUSTON, TX - NOVEMBER 2: Amen Thompson #1 and Fred VanVleet #5 of the Houston Rockets talk during the game against the Boston Celtics on November 2, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
November 4, 2026
Location: Toyota Center —Houston, Texas
Time: 7:30 PM CST
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio:KBME Sports Talk 790 / KLTN 102.9 (en español)
Probable starting lineups
Rockets: Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun
Dec 23, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich speaks with San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
The San Antonio Spurs’ “Pounding the Rock” culture is having a moment.
In the recent 60 Minutes profile, Victor Wembanyama praised Gregg Popovich as “the greatest coach of all-time” and called the Spurs “a winner’s franchise.”
NBA star Victor Wembanyama says he learned a lesson in humility from former San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, whom he calls the greatest coach of all time.
“He often said something when we were in film, ‘After a win, you're rarely as good as you thought you were, and after… pic.twitter.com/fQf8IHSjgo
The reasons for Wemby’s celebratory fist pump during the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery are rooted in the Spurs’ culture. And the hits just keep on coming this week …
The latest episode of the Run It Back podcast featured Stan Van Gundy talking about the quiet strength and character of the Spurs’ culture during a conversation about the Miami Heat’s early season struggles.
Former all-star guard Mike Bibby also drew a contrast between the Spurs and his old Sacramento Kings team on a new episode of the Straight Game Podcast. At the tail end of his career, Bibby wasn’t allowed around the Kings team and facility without jumping through hoops and getting approvals.
The Spurs, meanwhile, welcomed Bibby and his friends with open arms – even offering a free ride on the team plane. Co-host Kyle Draper chimed in by describing the inclusive “family” nature of Spurs’ team dinners while Ty Ellis said “that word travels” around the league.
This week also saw a clip of Steve Kerr discussing Popovich’s direct, but compassionate, way of delivering bad news. Kerr said he’s tried to model that example in his successful coaching career.
Steve Kerr says Gregg Popovich was so good at delivering bad news that he could bench you and somehow make you feel good about it
“Gregg Popovich was the best I’ve ever seen at delivering a bad message in a really good way. He took me out of the rotation as a player one time,… pic.twitter.com/MU13nWwtqk
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 23: Head Coach Will Hardy and Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz look on during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on October 23, 2026 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Utah Jazz will take on the New Orleans Pelicans in what looks like a must-win game for the Jazz, who are in the midst of a 5-game losing streak. The Jazz started the season with expectations of competitiveness, but more than that, wins. That’s not what happened. Utah sits at 1-6 for the season and looked especially bad in their last game against the Spurs in a blowout loss. The Jazz’s sole victory this season was a close win against the Pelicans and they’re surely hoping to get another win against the Pelicans who now sit at 3-4 on the season.
To get the win, Utah will have to overcome the injury to Jaren Jackson Jr. who is now out for an extended amount of time. Utah needs to get some big games from their core players, but especially Keyonte George who has struggled the last two games after a hot start to the season. If George can get back to the form he was in at the beginning of the season, we likely see the Jazz get a win tonight. If not, the season starts looking really rough.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 11: Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics fights for a loose ball with Myles Turner #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at Fiserv Forum on December 11, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Milwaukee Bucks (1-6) at Boston Celtics (5-2) Wednesday, November 4, 2026 7:30 PM ET TV: NBCSB, My24 Bucks+, League Pass Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, WTMJ 103.3 FM, Sirius XM Regular Season Game #8, Home Game #6 TD Garden
The Celtics go for their 5th straight home win as they return home to host the Milwaukee Bucks. This is the first of 3 games between these two teams this season. They will play in Milwaukee on November 8 and again in Boston on April 11. The Celtics won the series last year 3-1, losing one game in Milwaukee. The Celtics are 124-113 overall, all time against the Bucks and they are 77-40 in games played in Boston.
The Celtics are 3rd in the East with only Philadelphia (7-1) and Detroit (6-1) ahead of them in the standings. The Bucks are 14th in the East with only Brooklyn behind them. The Celtics are 4-0 at home and 1-2 on the road. The Bucks only win this season was a home win against the Indiana Pacers. The Celtics have won the last 3 games against the Bucks.
The Bucks have overhauled their roster since last season. They made the big trade that sent Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to Miami for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez, Jr, and Kasparas Jakucionis. They also traded for Caris LeVert from Detroit and signed Pete Nance and Kam Jones to two way contracts. They signed Bogoljub Markovic as a free agent. They also drafted Braydon Burries with the 10th pick and Nate Ament with the 13th pick. They lost Thanasis and Alex Antetokounmpo, Andre Jackson, Kevin Porter along with Giannis and Porter. They also hired Taylor Jenkins as their head coach, replacing Doc Rivers.
After this game, the Celtics will head out on a road trip that will take them through Charlotte, Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Toronto. They play Dallas and Orlando at home before a West coast trip that takes them through Denver, Sacramento, Golden State, and Washington. They then play one game at home against Atlanta before playing at San Antonio and Dallas. Then it’s home against Charlotte before a game at Brooklyn.
After this game, the Bucks will return home to host Toronto and Boston before playing at New York and Orlando. They then host Atlanta and play at Miami and host Portland. Then they play Philadelphia and Toronto on the road before hosting Brooklyn. Then it’s one game at Detroit before a 3 game home stand against Oklahoma City, San Antonio and New York.
The Celtics have been changing their starting lineup with Jordan Walsh, Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, and Neemias Queta getting starts along with Derrick White, Paul George, Jayson Tatum and Mitchell Robinson. Against the Rockets, White, Scheierman, Gonzalez, Tatum and Queta got the start. The starting lineup is a work in progress for the Celtics and so it’s hard to predict who Joe will go with from game to game.
I’m just guessing that White, Gonzalez, George, Walsh and Queta will start in this one. Since Tatum is out, it’s possible that Scheierman once again starts but I’m guessing that Walsh will get the start. For the Bucks, they have started Burries, Herro, Jaquez, Kuzma and Turner in all 7 games so far and I’m going to guess that the same lineup starts this game.
The Celtics still have Devin Carter on the injury report due to illness. After missing the final 3 games of the preseason, Carter was diagnosed with mononucleosis and is without a timetable for a return. After playing both games in 2 back to back sets, Jayson Tatum is listed as out for rest. Payton Pritchard is also listed as questionable with a right shoulder contusion. Milwaukee has just Kam Jones (ankle) as questionable on their injury report at this time.
Probable Starting Matchups PG: Derrick White vs Brayden Burries
Derrick White | NBAE via Getty ImagesBrayden Burries | NBAE via Getty Images
SG: Hugo Gonzalez vs Tyler Herro
Hugo Gonzalez | NBAE via Getty ImagesTyler Herro | Getty Images
SF: Paul George vs Jaime Jaquez, Jr
Paul George | NBAE via Getty ImagesJaime Jaquez, Jr | Getty Images
PF: Jordan Walsh vs Kyle Kuzma
Jordan Walsh | NBAE via Getty ImagesKyle Kuzma | Getty Images
Celtics Reserves Chris Cenac, Jr Mike Conley, Jr Luka Garza Jordan Walsh Ron Harper, Jr Sam Hauser Payton Pritchard Mitchell Robinson Baylor Scheierman
Two Way Players Devin Carter Dillon Mitchell Amari Williams
Injuries/Out Devin Carter (illness) out Jayson Tatum (rest) out Payton Pritchard (shoulder) questionable
Head Coach Joe Mazzulla
Bucks Reserves Nate Ament Ousmane Dieng AJ Green Kasparas Jakucionis Caris LeVert Bogoljub Markovic Ryan Rollins Jericho Sims Gary Trent, Jr Kel’el Ware
Two-Way Players Kam Jones Pete Nance Corman Ryan Injured/Out Kam Jones (ankle) questionable
Head Coach Taylor Jenkins
Key Matchups Hugo Gonzalez vs Tyler Herro Herro is in his first season in Milwaukee after being traded from Miami. He is averaging 21.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. He is shooting 45.9% from the field and 43.1% from beyond the arc. He is a very good shooter and so the Celtics need to defend him well wherever he is on the court. I’m guessing that Hugo gets the start here again, but with Joe playing mad scientist with the lineups, you never know.
Paul George vs Jaime Jaquez, Jr As with Herro, Jaquez is in his first season with the Bucks. He is averaging 16.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. He is shooting 50.6% from the field and 44.0% from beyond the arc. He is a good shooter and so, as with Herro, the Celtics need to stay with him and defend him well. Honorable Mention Jordan Walsh vs Kyle Kuzma Kuzma is averaging 10.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. He is shooting 43.9% from the field and 29.0% from beyond the arc. Although he is struggling from the perimeter, he is very capable of hitting 3’s if left open. Tatum is out so the Celtics may start Hauser, or Scheierman or Walsh or any one of several other players here if Tatum doesn’t play.
Keys to the Game Defense – Defense is always the biggest key to winning. Defense really does win championships. The Celtics are 11th with a defensive rating of 109.3. The Bucks are 26th with a defensive rating of 118.6. The Celtics must work hard on defense and keep their focus on the defensive end so as not to allow any easy baskets for the Bucks. They especially need to defend the perimeter as the Bucks are 3rd in the league attempting 43.7 three pointers per game.
Rebound – Next to defense, rebounding is always a big key to winning. The key to rebounding is effort and focus. The Bucks are 3rd with 49.6 rebounds per game while the Celtics are 20th with 42.4 rebounds per game. The Celtics especially need to fight for offensive rebounds as the Bucks are 2nd with 15 offensive rebounds per game while the Celtics are 13th with 12.6 offensive boards per game. The Celtics have to fight as a team to try to grab every rebound to avoid the Bucks getting 2nd chance points. The Bucks are 3rd, getting 19.0 second chance points per game.
Don’t Underestimate the Bucks – The Bucks have not been playing well so far this season, going just 1-6 in their first 7 games. However, the Bucks are still a rival in the Eastern Conference that can play hard, which makes up for a lot of problems. The Celtics have to give max effort on the boards and on defense and they have to give that effort for the entire game and not just 1 or 2 quarters.
3 Point Shooting – The Celtics are 8th in the league, averaging 40.6 three pointers per game. They are shooting 34.5% as a team from beyond the arc. The Bucks are 3rd, averaging 43.7 threes a game and 20th in the league shooting 33.3% on threes as a team. Against the Rockets, no one on the Celtics could hit their 3’s. If the Celtics’ 3’s aren’t falling in this game, they need to take the ball inside.
X-Factors Home Game – The Celtics are home once again after a 2 game road trip. They have the home crowd behind them to give them extra motivation. The Bucks are on the road for the 2nd straight game and have the distractions of travel and a hostile crowd. The Celtics need to take advantage of playing at home and play with energy and effort. The Celtics have not lost at home this season and the Bucks have not won on the road. They need to keep it that way.
Officiating – Officiating is always an x-factor in every game. Every crew officiates differently. Some call it tight, others let them play. The Celtics need to adjust to how the refs are calling the game and not allow bad calls or no calls to take away their focus from playing the game. The Celtics also have to be aware of the new points of emphasis for this season and try to avoid flopping, off‑arm push‑offs, reckless closeouts, delays before free throws, and illegal screens. They have been especially calling flops and push offs and so the Celtics need to especially avoid doing both.
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 18: Assistant pitching coach Joe Torres #86 of the Cleveland Guardians speaks with Peyton Battenfield #50 in game two of a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on April 18, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Jaime Crawford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cincinnati Reds announced on Wednesday afternoon that they have found their new pitching coach. Joe Torres, who had been an assitant pitching coach with the Cleveland Guardians since back in 2022, will assume the roll immediately and work with the staff as it heads into the 2027 season.
The #Reds today named Joe Torres as the Major League Pitching Coach.
Torres, now 44 years old, is a former 1st round draft pick of the then Anaheim Angels from back in 2000. A lefty, he got off to a sharp start within an Angels organization that won the World Series in 2002, and Baseball America even named him the #50 overall prospect in the game prior to 2001. He missed all of the 2004 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and his pitching career went sideways from that moment on, and he never actually made it to the big leagues after bouncing around the farm systems of the Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Colorado Rockies.
Beginning in 2017, he began coaching on the Guardians farm, doing so while the likes of Terry Francona managed the big league club. That means that the current Reds pitching coach, 1B coach (Colin Cowgill), and hitting coach (Chris Valaika) all spent time under Francona either playing or coaching during the future Hall of Fame manager’s time spearheading the Guardians.
Torres will replace Derek Johnson, who served as the franchise’s overall pitching coordinator prior to his leave of absence last June. Johnson, who came to the Reds as the team’s pitching coach back in 2018, was relieved of his duties at season’s end after having been absent for the final 3+ months of the 2026 season.
