LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 12: Assistant Coach Greg St. Jean and Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers watch film before the game against the Utah Jazz on April 12, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
In the search for the coaching candidate most willing to work for exposure, the Blazers are still scouring the market for eager suitors to take the reins of their roster.
Shockingly, not many clear options are stepping up.
As a result of their reluctance to pay livable wages, the Blazers are not looking at marquee free agent coaches, but assistants. On Sunday, longtime NBA beat writer Marc Stein reported a couple of names, including a former Laker, who Portland is considering.
League sources tell The Stein Line that the Blazers, meanwhile, have expressed interest in Minnesota assistant coach Micah Nori in addition to previously reported candidates Jared Dudley (Denver) and Hetzel
In response to that report, Portland-based NBA reporter Sean Highkin added a current Lakers coach to the mix of potential names in Greg St. Jean.
Some good info on the Blazers coaching search in here.
One more name I have to add that I haven’t seen reported anywhere but have heard is at least getting a look is Lakers assistant Greg St. Jean. https://t.co/jIL31HuiOG
St. Jean has been with the purple and gold across two stops. He was part of Frank Vogel’s staff in 2019-20, helping the Lakers to a title in the bubble.
When Jason Kidd departed for Dallas, St. Jean joined him, forming a relationship with Luka Dončić. He would eventually join Vogel again briefly in Phoenix, but that staff lasted just one year with the Suns before being fired.
He’s become an influential voice among the current coaching staff and would certainly be a notable loss if he does go to Portland. That being said, until the Blazers start operating like a real franchise, it’s hard to know how serious anyone is going to consider the offer to be head coach.
DETROIT, MI - MAY 17: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers guards Tobias Harris #12 of the Detroit Pistons during the game during Round Two Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 17, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Sixers may be done for the season, but Sixers fans are never out of things to talk about. I’ll share a few in my latest “Sixers thoughts” column…
Tobias Harris showed what he was truly made of in Detroit’s Game 7 loss
As the playoffs progressed, I read so much online about how Tobias Harris received an unfair shake in Philadelphia, how fans here mistreated him and how he shouldn’t be measured up against a contract an incompetent front office handed him.
Harris had some good postseason performances for a 60-win Pistons team this spring, but I just knew the shoe was eventually going to drop and I was going to revel in it. Game 7 on Sunday night, in which a top-seeded Detroit squad lost by 31 points at home to Cleveland, was the exact disaster-class from Harris that Philly could smell coming from a mile away.
In 23 minutes of play, Harris mustered just five points and didn’t make a single shot from the field. It didn’t feel that dissimilar from his final game as a Sixer when he had a whopping zero points as the Knicks sent them home packing in six in the first round back in 2024.
I’ve also come across takes that ask, “Why are you still thinking about Tobias Harris?”
Why wouldn’t I? This is what fans do. This is the nature of sports. You root for the guys on your favorite team. If they disappoint you and leave, you probably don’t wish them well. Add in the national media and fans across the basketball community doing their classic schtick of wondering why Sixers fans were so mean to an individual who contributed nothing meaningful to winning and you’re left with a fairly clear-cut answer.
The Celtics have the history and the banners. The Knicks have Madison Square Garden and the celebrities sitting courtside. The Sixers have… I don’t know. There is no defining characteristic. I mean that in a more solemn way. Everyone’s just angry and I don’t blame us!
On this day 25 years ago…
The Raptors prevailed 101-89 over the Sixers north of the border to force a Game 7 in the 2001 Eastern Conference Semifinals. It was a rough evening for MVP Allen Iverson, totaling just 20 points while shooting only 25 percent from the field. Meanwhile, Vince Carter dominated for Toronto, dropping 39 points to go with five boards, five assists and four steals.
The series would shift back to South Philadelphia for the finale two days later with the Sixers ultimately winning after Carter missed a would-be game-winning jumper at the buzzer. The Sixers would then go on to face Milwaukee in the Eastern Conference Finals, taking that series in seven games as well.
Some MVP history…
I love immersing myself in basketball history. I find myself looking at the awards voting history on basketball-reference from time to time.
Do you know when the last time a non-Joel Embiid Sixer received a first-place MVP vote was? 2005! Iverson garnered two first-place votes, finishing fifth overall after averaging 30.7 points per game, his fourth and final scoring title. Steve Nash won his first of back-to-back MVPs that season and while I loved watching the brand of basketball those Suns teams played, Shaquille O’Neal was massively robbed for his effort that season, his first in Miami.
Who should be the Sixers’ new lead basketball executive?
I’m certainly not saying it will happen, but the answer very much should be Vince Rozman. Rozman as president of basketball operations with Jameer Nelson as general manager? I’m in.
Stephen A. Smith didn't mince words while responding to Jaylen Brown after the Celtics star's "f--k Stephen A" rant during a Twitch livestream on Saturday.
Stephen A. Smith didn’t mince words while responding to Jaylen Brown after the Celtics star’s “f–k Stephen A” rant during a Twitch livestream Sunday.
During Monday’s installment of “First Take” on ESPN, Smith didn’t back down in their feud — which dates back to the end of Boston’s season after blowing a 3-1 series lead to the 76ers in the first round of the playoffs — and claimed “the list goes on” of things he could report about Brown.
“But in the end, Jaylen Brown be careful what you wish for,” Smith said. “You really want me to start reporting on that level? You understand? Locker room, how the organization might think about you, how the city may feel about you, how Jayson Tatum may or may not feel about you, sneaker deals, endorsement deals, the list goes on and on.
Stephen A Smith sends a warning shot at Jaylen Brown after his ‘f*ck Stephen A’ comments
“Jaylen Brown be careful what you wish for. You really want me to start reporting on that level? You understand? Locker room, how the organization might think about you, how the city may… pic.twitter.com/AXbWAXmNAZ
“The season is over bro. You’re on Twitch trying to do what I do and talking about me needing to step away. It makes no sense.
“I’m not being disrespectful. I’m simply making the point that it is not wise after 24 hours of having your season over in the first round, for you to be coming out talking about that is your favorite season. It ain’t the smartest thing in the world to do.
“You’re talking about clickbait and all of that stuff, somebody told you, one of the best ways to get it is to bring up my name and that’s what you did. So who’s really looking for clickbait? Is it me or is it you?”
Stephen A. Smith responded to Jaylen Brown after the Celtics star’s “f–k Stephen A” rant during a Twitch livestream. XCeltics star Jaylen Brown went off on Stephen A. Smith during a Twitch livestream on Saturday May 16, 2026. X
“F–k Stephen A,” Brown said, according to video clips from the Saturday stream. “Stephen A, Stephen B, Stephen C. Like my offer still stands: You want me to be quiet and stop streaming, well I want you to be quiet and get off these networks. Because you’re not using your platform to do real journalism.”
Warning: Adult Language
Celtics star Jaylen Brown goes OFF on Stephen A Smith for questioning why Jayson Tatum wasn’t on his stream and making his own narratives about why the 2025-2026 Celtics season was JB’s favorite
“What type of journalism is this?… F*CK Stephen A… My offer still wants. You… pic.twitter.com/XAqaJ6YJYZ
Their rift stems from Smith’s remarks when he said earlier this month that it wasn’t a good look that Brown said in a separate livestream that this was his “favorite” season of his career after Boston’s first-round playoff exit.
At the time, Smith urged Brown to “be quiet” and “go on vacation” unless he was trying to get traded.
The Celtics were two years removed from a championship and without their star forward Jayson Tatum, who was working his way back from a torn Achilles, this season.
Brown was tasked with carrying much of the load before Tatum’s return.
He was also fined $50,000 for criticizing referees while on a livestream following the Celtics’ season-ending loss to Philadelphia.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) drives past Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the first quarter of Game 7 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 2, 2026. Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Brown recorded a career-best 28.7 points per game during the regular season and made a fourth consecutive All-Star Game.
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The highly anticipated Western Conference Finals begin tonight, May 18, as the San Antonio Spurs head to Oklahoma City to take on the reigning NBA champion OKC Thunder.
The clash marks the first time since 1998 that two 62-win teams have met in the playoffs, promising a spectacular battle of young talent and elite defense.
The top-seeded Thunder enter Game 1 with a perfect 8-0 postseason record after completing back-to-back sweeps of the Suns in Round 1 and Lakers in Round 2. They’ll face a Spurs squad that has won eight of their last eleven games and boasts a dominant 4-1 regular-season record against Oklahoma City this year.
NBA Western conference finals: what to know
What: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
When: May 18, 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Channel: NBC
Streaming: DIRECTV (try it free)
The primary headline of the series centers on Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren in what has quickly become the league’s most exciting young rivalry, and while two-time NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads a battle-tested, defending champion Thunder squad with home-court advantage, the Spurs’ elite rim protection and defensive schemes give them an opportunity to slow the game down.
DIRECTV is our top pick for watching basketball live for free — its five-day free trial includes NBC (plus nearly every other channel you’ll need for the rest of the NBA postseason). When the trial is over, you’ll pay as low as $44.99/month and gain access to over 90 live channels.
TRY DIRECTV FOR FREE
You can also stream the NBA playoffs with a subscription to Peacock, which costs $16.99/month after a seven-day free trial.
This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.
The San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder kick off the premier matchup of these NBA playoffs on Monday, May 17.
Victor Wembanyama & Co. will give OKC more trouble than it's seen to date, and our Spurs vs. Thunder same-game parlay is eyeing a gritty, tightly-contested opening game.
The San Antonio Spurs have the NBA's best defensive rating for the playoffs at 102.2. The Oklahoma City Thunder are no slouches, either, ranking sixth at 109.3. The best defense in the game against another that hasn't had to break much of a sweat is ripe for a low-scoring opening salvo.
SGP leg #1: Spurs +6.5
No team gave the Thunder fits in the regular season like the Spurs did. San Antonio is the only team in the NBA that finished with a winning record over OKC this year, going 4-1 in the matchup. While that familiarity won't guarantee a win here, this will be a tight game that goes down to the wire
SGP leg #1: Victor Wembanyama Over 13.5 rebounds
Victor Wembanyama has recorded 14+ rebounds in five of his last six games with at least 20 minutes played. Game 1 against the Thunder should be close, and Wemby’s rebounding will be needed against the Thunder’s two-headed monster of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Get Zak Hanshew's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Spurs vs Thunder predictions for Game 1.
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NBA Championship odds
Stay up-to-date with the latest NBA Championship odds for each remaining team, as well as NBA title splits, betting trends, and the previous list of teams that have won the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
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See what the current line movement and updates are in the NBA Finals MVP odds race, along with Finals MVP betting trends, favorite analysis, and recent superstars to receive this award.
Live NBA Playoff bracket
Never lose track of where each series sits with our live NBA Playoff bracket, as well as the updated prices for each team to win their respective series — round by round.
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The long wait is over. The Knicks’ springtime sojourn waiting for the Cleveland Cavaliers to dispatch the Detroit Pistons so they can commence the Eastern Conference Finals ends on Tuesday night, after New York went nine days without a game.
But the long layoff presents challenges for the Knicks and head coach Mike Brown. Asked if he’s worried about complacency, his team losing its sharpness, or being a step slow, the head coach said, “You worry about all those things.”
“But at the end of the day, we’ve had the chance to rest, too,” Brown said. “And they’ve had to play 14 games in 29, 30 days. So, it could go either way. You just hope when we step out there, our competitive spirit is at an extremely high level and we don’t ease into the game at all.
“Because they’re a dangerous, dangerous offensive team, they’re very potent with their shooters and playmakers and they have size and toughness and all that.”
Josh Hart added that the break – a roughly 218-hour interlude – is something they would rather not have to deal with, but it did offer them a chance to reset.
“Obviously, you'd rather not have a 9-day break – you're in a good rhythm, then you've kinda got to sit there and wait,” Hart said. “Ideally, if it was a three- or four-day break, that would've been nice. Good points and bad points [to the rest].”
During the time off, the Knicks did get a big boost as OG Anunoby, who missed the final two games of the sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers, was a full participant in practice yet again on Monday and looks set to return to action from a hamstring issue. Brown had no other injury issues to report.
Attacking Cavs
“I remember back in the day when I was with [Greg Popovich], Pop said you need three All-Stars to win a championship. Well, they’ve got four,” Brown said of the Cavs’ trio of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen that was boosted with James Harden’s coming over in an early February trade. “[Harden] has added a dimension to their team that not many teams have.
“Not many teams can say, 'Hey we have four All-Stars on our roster,' and that fourth guy is a playmaker and a scorer. That’s a problem when you have that and Donovan Mitchell and everybody else and then they have the shooting.”
But, even with the importance of Mitchell and Harden to the Cavs’ offense, Brown said the Knicks have to be “conscious of trying to play the right way against this group.”
“We have to put pressure on them in all phases, starting with transition and ending with the ability to try and get an offensive rebound,” he said. “You wanna make all of their guys, especially their guys that playmake for them and do a lot for them, you wanna make them work as much as you can.
“But that’s not gonna be our vocal point. Our vocal point is going to be to take the best possible shot that we can get because it’s hard to score in the playoffs. But we do wanna make those guys work.”
Leaning on MSG
With the No. 1 Pistons eliminated, the Knicks have home-court advantage for the series, something that the players will look to use to their advantage.
"It means the world to me," Brunson said. "This place has done wonders for myself and my family. I don't take it for granted, not one bit."
Hart added that Knicks fans always come out and "show love," and MSG is "definitely the best atmosphere in the league."
"You always want to be at home, be in the Garden," he continued. "And you feed off of that energy. It's fun. When the Garden is going, especially during this time, there's nothing like it."
Of course, New York is also back home for Mitchell.
“Yeah it’s great I get to play at home, woo, but it doesn’t matter,” the Cavs' star said. “We’ve got to be locked in and ready to go, and I know we will be.”
The 25-year-old Madar has extensive pro basketball experience overseas and was the 2023 EuroLeague Rising Star playing for Partizan Belgrade. He's also played for Haopel Tel Aviv (Israel), Fenerbache (Turkey) and Bayern Munich (Germany).
Per Mozzart Sport, "Madar has been dissatisfied with the treatment at Hapoel for some time, during the quarterfinal with Real he was given a total of 10 minutes and he played less than five minutes in the second game and a little more than six minutes in the fourth game. That's why going to the NCAA turned out to be a great solution for him."
Per Sports Illustrated's Kevin Sweeney, Madar's eligibility would "come as a result of exemptions for military service as well as national team participation, which can provide another avenue for a permissible year of delayed enrollment."
The point guard was drafted No. 47 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics and played on the Celtics' 2021 Summer League team before returning overseas.
Wade's roster build in his return to Baton Rouge has been a slow burn. It took weeks for the former NC State coach to land his first transfer commitment, but has since added small forward Mouhamed Dioubate (Kentucky), combo guard Divine Ugochukwi (Michigan State) and shooting guard Abdi Bashir Jr. (Kansas State)
Yam Madar age: How old is Yam Madar?
Madar is 25 years old and will turn 26 during the 2026-27 season (Dec. 21).
When did Celtics take Yam Madar in NBA Draft?
Madar was selected in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft (pick No. 47 overall). He played with the Celtics Summer League team in 2021.
The “NBA on Prime Video” broadcast announced Sunday night that Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had won his second consecutive MVP award – the only problem was ESPN’s Shams Charania had made the announcement almost 12 hours prior.
Many in the basketball world, from tv personalities to players, had thoughts on the situation, with Warriors star forward Draymond Green being one of them.
“I think the NBA has to do something about that,” Green said on the latest episode of “The Draymond Green Show.” “Like, ultimately, you’re the NBA. You control the media. Shams is an NBA reporter with ESPN, who is a partner of the NBA. To tweet at six o’clock in the morning who the NBA MVP is, it’s actually embarrassing.”
Draymond on SGA Winning MVP, Shams Leaking It, And SGA/Wemby Matchup Tonight
“Shams leaked it, it's actually embarrassing, it makes our league look like we have no organization, like that's child's play… It's the conference finals, you (Wemby) got all the motivation you need,… pic.twitter.com/vMGsXsCaQz
— The Draymond Green Show (@DraymondShow) May 18, 2026
“I thought that was pretty pathetic, if I’m being honest,” Green added.
While some were upset, Charania joined “The Pat McAfee Show” and defended his actions, explaining that he believed he had a responsibility to report the news – even if it comes before a scheduled release.
“This is a massive story,” Charania said. “And when I get it, I vet it. And then my job is to report the news. And so that’s all I focus on. That’s what I wake up thinking about. That’s what I go to sleep thinking about.”
"When I have big news I'm gonna report it..
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander winning back to back MVPs is a massive story..
However, Green had a different belief when it came to the premature release of the news.
“It makes our league look like we have no organization,” Green said. “… Like we can’t hold the winner of the most prestigious individual award in the NBA, we can’t hold those results until it’s actually time to be announced. That was a little disappointing.
“There’s no way that can happen. If there’s supposed to be an announcement on Amazon Prime, the announcement has to happen on Amazon Prime. This is something Commissioner [Adam] Silver has to do something about. This this can’t happen.”
SAN ANTONIO, TX - FEBRUARY 4: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks to pass the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 4, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, 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 (Photos by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s a big day for the Spurs as they kick off their first Western Conference Finals appearance since 2017, and it’s against none other than an old rival who has given the Spurs a few very tough tests in their short existence in the Oklahoma City Thunder. Going up against the defending champions without homecourt advantage and with an unproven roster is daunting, and it’s easy to start getting nervous when you start really crunching the numbers. However, I’m choosing to look at the this serious from an optimistic view, and here is where I’m at:
1. The Spurs beat OKC in the regular season by daring average-ish shooters to shoot. This has already been pointed out, but here’s a short summary of the strategy: Wemby completely abandons Caruso, Dort, and others in the corner to guard the glass. I don’t think this is a sustainable strategy- I wouldn’t bet on Caruso to miss 10 wide open 3s this series, much less in an individual game. I thought the Wolves would be better equipped to exploit the Spurs use of Wemby zoning down low with Naz Reid, in particular, in the corner. But they never really leaned on that heavily enough. If we stick with that defensive strategy, OKC will find a way to exploit it. If we don’t have a clean counter, that could lead to OKC in 7, either through their main rotation players shooting better, or by dropping them from the rotation and playing guys like Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe, as JG points out. But the latter has downstream effects that I’ll discuss later.
2. Both teams are noticeably improved since they played in the regular season. The Thunder added more depth and versatility, and shooting, by adding McCain and providing a bigger role to Ajay Mitchell.
Meanwhile, the Spurs added more shooting, depth, and versatility through exponential internal growth. Even if Castle is an average to slightly above average shooter, instead of the elite shooter he’s been in the playoffs, that is a drastic swing in the Spurs favor. Most of our losses came from both not shooting well, and not shooting enough from distance. Castle, Harper, and Bryant all demonstrating improvement and confidence is a big change in our favor (each improved over 10 percentage points from January-on).
I give the Spurs a significant edge here, because it means we don’t have to mess with our rotation or our rhythm to get it on the floor- there’s no change in confidence. If there is foul trouble or an injury, guys like Harrison Barnes and Luke Kornet know who they are and what they can do and they don’t get impacted by shifts like the Thunder benching someone would. If the shooting holds up or stays slightly above average, the Spurs are well equipped to thoroughly handle OKC- we’re looking at a Spurs in 5 or 6 type scenario like against the Wolves.
If both of the above are true, that OKC is capable of exploiting the Spurs primary defensive strategy and our counterpunch will be less effective; while simultaneously we’ve experienced massive sustained internal development, then I would predict fireworks and offensive explosions and Spurs in 7, because not enough has changed in the Thunder’s favor.
Some other keys
1. Stephon Castle’s turnovers and fouls. If he’s taking care of the ball and on the floor, the Spurs win. I would think of it this way: “if Castle has as many assists and made 3s as fouls and turnovers, Spurs win; if he fouls out or has more than 4-5 turnovers, we lose”.
2. Wemby discipline. While JG points out “the little things”, I would point more specifically to Wemby’s discipline. If he is overaggressive going for blocks, it’s going to open up a lot for OKC- high variance type plays that would favor the Thunder. If he doesn’t handle their physicality and cheap shots, it’s a big win for OKC. If he starts to force things and turns the ball over or takes bad shots, it’s a big win for OKC. He has to be mentally and physically prepared to be near perfect on both ends and stay available for 36 minutes per game.
3. Can Keldon, Kornet, and Harper get even close to winning non-Wemby minutes? The benches will be big deciding factors. The Spurs had a minus 31 net rating in 107 minutes versus OKC in minutes where Kornet was the only big on the floor. Now, some caveats: Kornet was starting for many of those minutes, and Wemby was coming off the bench recovering from injury. Wemby hopefully won’t find himself on a minutes restriction this series, so there should be fewer non-Wemby minutes to lose. But we need to lose them by significantly less than we did during the regular season to have confidence. If Kornet and the bench group can have a neutral net rating, I would have a lot of confidence the Spurs can win and win big.
Final prediction: Spurs in 6.
I think Steph will control his turnovers, and I think he will be diligent in showing his hands and trying to avoid fouls on SGA. There will be a game or two that get away in both aspects. Wemby will force some things on offense and chase some blocks to overcompensate, and we’ll blow a game or two not having enough to overcome it. But for the other four games, Steph continues his leap. We’re disciplined, execute, and get enough shooting from Steph, Harper, and others to keep the floor spaced out. Tony dominates Fisher, Wemby dominates Chet.
MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 3: The sneakers worn by Jordan Walsh #27 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 3, 2026 at Fiserv Forum Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
Former G League and pro guard TJ Clark has decommitted from Ole Miss, he told Rivals.
The 6-foot-3, 22-year-old committed to Chris Beard and the Rebels in mid-December but has now decided to reopen his recruitment.
Clark, a native of Covington, Georgia, has spent the past few years in the pro ranks, including stops with Overtime Elite, the NBA G League, and most recently a season in Mexico.
He attended Newton High School before signing a professional deal with Overtime Elite (OTE) from 2021 to 2023. After two seasons at OTE, Clark went on to play in the NBA G League in the 2023-24 season for two teams — the Ontario Clippers and Texas Legends. With Ontario, he averaged 3.9 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 0.8 assists while shooting 48.4% from the field. Following a trade to the Texas Legends, he averaged 4.8 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 41.5% from the field.
In the 2024-25 season, Clark suited up for Rayos de Hermosillo, a top professional team in Mexico that participates in the Circuito de Baloncesto de la Costa del Pacífico (CIBACOPA) league. The Rayos are among the league’s most successful teams, winning multiple championships. During his one year stint there, Clark averaged 10.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 42% from the field and 34% from three.
The Chicago White Sox (24-22) and the Seattle Mariners (22-26) open a three‑game series tonight at T‑Mobile Park. The White Sox are one of the biggest surprises in baseball. This past weekend Chicago took two of three from the Cubs and have now won seven of their last ten games to remain just a single game behind first place Cleveland in the American League Central. The Mariners lost three in a row over the weekend to San Diego and have now lost six of their last ten to fall into third in the AL West behind the Athletics and the Rangers.
The pitching matchup features left‑hander Noah Schultz for Chicago against right‑hander Bryan Woo for Seattle. Woo has been sharp recently putting together back-to-back quality starts, posting a 3.91 ERA with 47 strikeouts and a 1.00 WHIP overall on the campaign. Schultz, meanwhile, carries a 4.91 ERA and has struggled in his last two outings, allowing a combined 10 earned runs over eight innings. His command will be a key storyline tonight.
Offensively, the White Sox have leaned on Munetaka Murakami, who leads the team with 17 home runs and 32 RBIs. Andrew Benintendi has been hot, going 5-6 over the weekend against the Cubs. Seattle counters with Randy Arozarena, who leads the Mariners with a .301 batting average and Luke Raley who is the top bomber for Seattle with 10 home runs. The Mariners have relied heavily on power—owning a 10–4 record when hitting at least two home runs—while the White Sox have thrived when reaching eight or more hits, going 17–7 in such games.
This series pits two teams who could well be vying for the same Wild Card spot come October which makes this game and series in May all the more important.
Lets dive into tonight’s matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.
Game Details and How to Watch: White Sox vs. Mariners
Date: Monday, May 18, 2026
Time: 9:40PM EST
Site: Rate Field
City: Chicago, IL
Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, CSN, Mariners.TV
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
The Latest Odds: White Sox vs. Mariners
The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Chicago White Sox (+135), Seattle Mariners (-163)
Spread: White Sox +1.5 (-163), Mariners -1.5 (+135)
Total: 7.0 runs
Probable Starting Pitchers: White Sox vs. Mariners
Pitching matchup for May 18:
White Sox: Noah Schultz Season Totals: 29.1 IP, 2-2, 4.91 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 26K, 21 BB
Miguel Vargas is riding a 9-game hitting streak (12-32)
Chase Meidroth is 0-11 over his last three games
Julio Rodriguez is 1-16 over his last 4 games
Luke Raley has hit safely in 5 of his last 6 games (7-22)
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Top Betting Trends & Insights: White Sox vs. Mariners
The Sox are 10-12 on the road this season
The Mariners are 12-14 at home this season
The White Sox are 27-19 on the Run Line this season
The Mariners are 17-31 on the Run Line this season
The OVER has cashed 27 times in games involving the White Sax this season (27-19)
The OVER has cashed 22 times in Mariners’ games this season (22-25-1)
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Expert picks & predictions: White Sox vs. Mariners
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
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Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s game between the White Sox and the Mariners:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline
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The Phoenix Suns have numerous decisions ahead of them this upcoming offseason, including multiple restricted free agents, unrestricted free agents, and players with trade value. The following series will examine those decisions as our writing team presents both a point and a counterpoint for each.
Royce O’Neale may or may not be the number one player on the trade block for the Phoenix Suns this offseason. He has a cheap contract, the Suns want to continue getting younger and more athletic, and he has value to any team he could potentially end up on.
The Suns appear to want to keep the nucleus of Devin Booker, Jalen Green, and Dillon Brooks together. Mark Williams, Jordan Goodwin, and Collin Gillespie are free agents, so even if the Suns wanted to use those players as trade chips, they cannot. The Suns have four young players they drafted the last two seasons who have some value, but nothing other teams around the league should covet. So that leaves O’Neale and Grayson Allen as the Suns with value, under sizeable contracts, that could fetch a decent role player in return.
But even though there are many good reasons to trade O’Neale, there are many reasons that he should remain a Sun as well.
The main reason why O’Neale should not be traded this offseason is his shooting. Last season, O’Neale shot a career high 40.8% from the three-point line and made 2.7 three-pointers per game. Both of those rank in the top 25 of all NBA players. It was not an outlier year either; O’Neale shot above 40% from long range in the 2024-25 as well, and he has continued to improve as a shooter almost every season since he came into the league.
Not only is the shooting percentage real, but his ability to take and make difficult shots is valuable as well. O’Neale is not a movement shooter, but his quick release off the catch or pump-fake side-step dribble three-point shots make him extremely valuable to NBA offenses. So while O’Neale should not start 67 games next season like he did this year, he can be a key contributor and a needed shooter coming off the bench.
O’Neale is not the future at the forward position for Phoenix, and it may be this offseason that Rasheer Fleming gets the nod from Jordan Ott as a more integral rotation player than O’Neale. But with the ups and downs that come from playing young players, the Suns will still need a veteran presence who can stay ready and play under any circumstance. That is where O’Neale provides so much value, even as someone coming off the bench.
We have seen Ryan Dunn struggle to commit fouls on defense over the last two seasons, and Fleming will have his growing pains as the lead defender on the ball as well. Let’s not forget the handful of games that Brooks spent fourth quarters on the bench for his erratic fouling and behavior. Even though he is not a great defender anymore, O’Neale provides the calming presence on both ends that the Suns will need to deal with the growth of the young bucks.
Offensively, it will be difficult for any young player on the roster to replicate O’Neale’s role on offense. He is one of the Suns’ smartest, craftiest, and crucial pieces to their offensive success. He was not a go-to scorer, but he did handle the ball more this season and showed he can keep the Suns’ offense moving. He was a steadying presence that often went overlooked by most of us fans, but with O’Neale starting 67 games and playing in crucial stretches, he showed that Jordan Ott valued him more than we did.
By the way, his 67 starts led the team this season. Which is the next reason that O’Neale should remain a Phoenix Sun: his consistency.
O’Neale played 69 games in his rookie season and has yet to play below 70 games in his career since then. His 78 games were the third most games played this season by a Sun, and you can pencil him in for 70 or more games next season as well. Being in the lineup every day and being a consistent shooter are two extremely valuable skills the Suns need in the rotation. Not only is his play consistent, but so is his demeanor. He keeps his poise when things spiral, which is needed to balance out the chaotic nature of playing alongside the necessary chaotic Dillon Brooks style of basketball.
The weaknesses for O’Neale are easy to see. Is O’Neale the defender he used to be at his peak? No, he is not. He has glaring flaws, especially in rebounding and defending the ball. His value is only going to decline with age; however, holding onto him for one more season could be wise, because he can be used as an expiring contract next season. He has two years left on his 4-year, $42 million contract he signed in 2024, which is not exceptional value, but he still provides the Suns with value at that price tag. The Suns will not be able to easily pick up a 40% three-point shooter off the street to replace O’Neale.
Unless O’Neale is traded away for a star player, the Suns have to keep him because the only other knockdown three-point shooters on the roster are Collin Gillespie and Grayson Allen. Outside of those three players, the Suns do not have the consistent shooting needed to space out opposing defenses. If the Suns truly are set on Devin Booker, Jalen Green, and Dillon Brooks being a three-headed monster next season, they are going to need players like O’Neale who can fill in the gaps. Right now, outside of Allen, O’Neale can fill in those gaps better than anyone else on the Suns roster.
Hopefully, Ryan Dunn or Rasheer Fleming can supplant him soon, but for now, O’Neale is just as integral a piece to the Suns’ next season as any role player on the roster. The Suns won 45 games this season, with O’Neale starting 67 games and only making $10.5 annually. He is the quintessential glue guy, and replacing him will be much tougher than it looks at the surface. So even if you do want him traded, and I won’t tell you you are wrong, it will be difficult for the Suns to replace a guy who was one of the most dependable players on the team last season.
Madison Square Garden Sports has moved to split the New York Knicks and New York Rangers into two separate, publicly traded companies — a move analysts say could finally unlock billions in trapped franchise value tied up under James Dolan’s sprawling sports empire.
The Knicks entity would include the NBA franchise and the Westchester Knicks G League affiliate, while the Rangers company would house the NHL club and the Hartford Wolf Pack.
James Dolan’s MSG Sports filed to split the Knicks and Rangers into separate publicly traded companies. James Keivom for NY Post
“This move has been a long time in coming,” Derek Reisfield, co-founder of MarketWatch and a former CBS executive who worked on NFL rights negotiations, told The Post.
“There has been a persistent gap in the stock value of MSG Sports to the private market value,” Reisfield said.
Forbes valued the Knicks at $9.75 billion last year, while CNBC recently pegged the franchise above the $10 billion mark amid soaring NBA media-rights expectations.
The Rangers, meanwhile, were valued by Forbes at $4 billion — making them the NHL’s second-most valuable franchise behind only the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Knicks have been valued near or above $10 billion by major sports finance outlets. Knicks star OG Anunoby is seen above during his team’s playoff series against Paul George (8) and VJ Edgecombe of the Philadelphia 76ers. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
MSG Sports, however, currently carries a public market valuation of roughly $8.5 billion — far below the combined estimated private-market value of the Knicks and Rangers.
Investors have long argued that Dolan’s complicated corporate structure obscured the true value of the teams.
MSG Sports said the transaction, if completed, would create two separate publicly traded companies. The company cautioned there is no guarantee the separation will be completed.
Still, the filing immediately fueled speculation over whether Dolan could ultimately cash out of one or both franchises after decades of insisting the teams were not for sale.
The Rangers would be housed in a separate public company under MSG Sports’ proposed spin-off. Robert Sabo for NY Post
“Will one of the teams get sold, that’s not clear,” Reisfield said. “But having separate entities will either allow partial sales of individual teams to raise money, or the entire sale of one of the teams.”
Sports franchise valuations have exploded in recent years as billionaires and private equity firms pour money into scarce marquee assets. Reisfield noted that the teams’ ties to MSG remain a complicating factor because the arena’s operating permit expires in 2028.
“The arena is a huge component of a sports franchise’s value and cash driver,” he said. “Many of the sports teams are really two businesses now, a sports team and a real estate development company.”
The Garden is owned separately through Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. — a structure that has long raised questions among investors over lease agreements, shared expenses and how cash flows between Dolan-controlled entities.
In 2023, the company renamed itself to Sphere Entertainment Co. and spun off its traditional live entertainment venues — including Madison Square Garden arena, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre and the Chicago Theatre — into a newly created company that took the name MSGE.
Madison Square Garden is a key piece of the valuation puzzle as MSG Sports moves to split the Knicks and Rangers. Christopher Sadowski for NY Post
MSG Sports on Monday touted the proposed split of the Knicks and Rangers as a way for investors to “more clearly evaluate each company’s assets and growth prospects” while providing “enhanced strategic and financial flexibility.”
Shares of MSG Sports were trading at around 0.75% higher as of 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday. Sphere Entertainment’s stock price was down nearly 2%.
Shares of MSGE were up 0.51% just before the close of Monday’s trading session on Wall Street.
An MSG spokesperson declined to comment further beyond the company’s statement.
Sep 29, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Mandatory Credit: Atlanta Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh poses for a photo during Media Day. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
When talking to Sixers media for the first time last week, Bob Myers said he’d like to have a new front office boss in place by the 2026 NBA Draft on June 23.
Myers, a longtime executive with the Golden State Warriors and the president of sports for HBSE, is currently running basketball operations for the Sixers while searching for a candidate to lead day-to-day operations.
Over the weekend, renowned NBA insider Marc Stein put out a few names he’s hearing as candidates. (As always, we strongly suggest subscribing to Stein’s newsletter and reading it in full.)
Onsi Saleh was the first name mentioned. Saleh is currently the GM of the Atlanta Hawks, but spent time working under Myers with the Warriors. Saleh would be quite the get for Myers, but it doesn’t seem likely. The biggest hurdle is the Sixers would need to get permission from the Hawks to even get an interview. That seems highly unlikely after Atlanta’s success this past season and the foundation Saleh has built there. This feels similar to when Josh Harris and company began sniffing around Daryl Morey when he was still with the Houston Rockets. The Rockets denied the Sixers’ request for an interview.
The other two candidates are interesting for very different reasons.
One of the names brought up was Vince Rozman. Rozman was hired by Sam Hinkie all the way back in 2013 and stayed with the Sixers in various roles through much of the front-office turmoil over the last decade. In 2022, he left the franchise to pursue an opportunity working under Sam Presti for the Oklahoma Thunder. Rozman is currently still serving in his role as VP of identification and intelligence, primarily overseeing the organization’s draft evaluation and strategy.
The 2020 NBA Draft was Morey’s best night running the Sixers. He got off the contracts of Al Horford and Josh Richardson while acquiring Danny Green and Seth Curry. He also selected Tyrese Maxey, Isaiah Joe and Paul Reed. If you recall, Morey was hired mere weeks before the draft. The man charged with draft prep and getting Morey up to speed was Rozman. Of all the gettable names tossed around, Rozman might be the most intriguing. He has experience, familiarity with the organization (though he’s been detached enough to come in with clear eyes) and is currently working under arguably the best executive in the business.
The other name brought up was longtime executive Neil Olshey. Olshey boasts an impressive and varied resume, but he comes with legitimate red flags. When he was serving as the lead executive for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2021, he came under investigation following reports of a toxic work environment. He was fired by the organization later that year.
He was also mired in a bit of controversy over his decision to hire Chauncey Billups as head coach in 2021. Billups was accused of raping a woman in 1997 while playing for the Boston Celtics. Billups and teammate Ron Mercer were not criminally charged, but both settled civil suits in 2000. Olshey insisted the organization did its own investigation and felt comfortable hiring Billups. During Billups’ introductory press conference, Olshey shut down any questions related to the accusations.
Aside from all that, Olshey is 61 years old and has never gotten a team to the NBA Finals. Bringing him on would feel like Morey 2.0 with unnecessary baggage. It would be a fairly uninspiring hire.
While Stein didn’t suggest he was a candidate for the main job, he did talk about Jameer Nelson as a person the organization is high on and would like to keep around — and possibly elevate. The St. Joe’s alum, who spent 14 years in the NBA, was hired by the Sixers to serve as assistant general manager of their G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats, back in 2020. He was promoted to assistant GM of the Sixers in May of 2025.
Depending on the future of Elton Brand, who’s still in his role as the team’s GM, it feels like there’s a possibility of a new president of basketball operations with Nelson serving under them as the team’s GM or even the VP of basketball operations.
It hasn’t even been a full week since Morey was let go, so expect more names and possibilities to be thrown out in the coming weeks. We’ll update you when any new reports surface.
Update: Stein has added two more names to the list.
Cavaliers GM Mike Gansey and Phoenix Mercury GM Nick U'ren, who worked for the Warriors before his move to the WNBA, have emerged as names to watch in Philadelphia's front office search, @TheSteinLine has learned.
Gansey has spent his entire career as an executive with the Cavaliers, beginning in 2012 as the team’s director of developmental league operations. He became GM of Cleveland’s G League affiliate, the Charge, and won league’s Executive of the Year Award in 2017. He was promoted to GM of the Cavaliers under president of basketball operations Koby Altman ahead of the 2021-22 season. Cleveland will be playing the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, a place the Sixers haven’t been in over 25 years.
U’Ren was in our initial list of possible candidates we published the day after Morey was let go. Here’s what we wrote about him:
Yet another candidate with an interesting background, U’Ren started his NBA journey as a video coordinator with the Phoenix Suns back in 2009. He then moved on to the Golden State Warriors as manager of advanced scouting and special assistant to the head coach in 2014. The team’s general manager at the time — Bob Myers. U’Ren is famously credited for the Warriors’ Death Lineup, which helped the team to a title. He was promoted to director of basketball operations in 2018, working under Myers.
In 2023, he was hired as general manager of the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. He helped turn an aging team that finished 9-31 in 2003 to a WNBA Finals appearance last season. The Myers’ connection is there, but U’Ren is a pretty intriguing candidate in general. Is he ready and willing to make the leap to an NBA gig such as this? We’ll see.
The inclusion of guys like Gansey and U’Ren would make it an even bigger disappointment if they hire someone like Olshey or another retread candidate. This franchise needs fresh blood and fresh eyes to lead it into the future.
(@ItsKingSlime) 
