TEMPE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 21: Yoshinobu Yamamoto #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers before the spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium on February 21, 2026 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Yamamoto threw 30 pitches in his 1 2/3 innings last Saturday against the Angels in the Dodgers’ Cactus League opener. After a scoreless first inning, Yamamoto allowed three hits and two runs, one of them earned in the second inning.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 13: Tyler Glasnow #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers participates in a bullpen session during spring training workouts at Camelback Ranch on February 13, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers are back at Camelback Ranch on Wednesday, playing the White Sox in a battle of co-tenants. The Dodgers are the home team in this one, where Max Muncy and Alex Call will see their first game action of 2026.
Lineup
Miguel Rojas SS Kyle Tucker DH Will Smith C Freddie Freeman 1B Teoscar Hernández LF Max Muncy 3B Andy Pages CF Alex Call RF Hyeseong Kim 2B
Tyler Glasnow starts on the mound, his first game this spring.
Other pitchers
Blake Treinen is set to make his 2026 Cactus League debut, pitching along with Alex Vesia, Jack Dreyer, Ben Casparius, and Kyle Hurt, plus non-roster invitees Carson Hobbs and Jordan Weems.
Pitchers active from minor league camp are Cam Day (wearing number 90), Myles Caba (91), Kelvin Ramirez (93), and Nick Robertson (97).
Other position players
Michael Siani and Ryan Ward are active on Thursday, as are non-roster invitees Ryan Fitzgerald, Keston Hiura, Zach Ehrhard, Josue De Paula, Kendall George, Zyhir Hope, Chris Newell, Noah Miller, and catchers Eliézer Alfonzo and Griffin Lockwood-Powell.
Also active from the minor league side are Elijah Hainline (05) and Yeiner Fernandez (89).
Spring training baseball isn't always a recipe for high-scoring games, but when the floodgates open, they are thoroughly blasted.
So, with my MLB picks, I'm eyeing a trio of game total Overs where there should be more offense, including a showdown between the Colorado Rockies and San Francisco Giants on Thursday, February 26.
Spring Training predictions for February 26
Picks
Odds
/ Over 11
-115
/ Over 8
-115
/ Over 11
-115
Pick #1: Rockies vs. Giants Over 11
The Colorado Rockies are showcasing their young bats (Charlie Condon and Kyle Karros, in particular) while the San Francisco Giants are trotting out what may be their Opening Day lineup.
With the starting pitching matchup between Valente Bellozo and Blade Tidwell, we could see half this total on the board by the time we go to the bullpen.
Pick #2: Marlins vs. Blue Jays Over 8
I assume we're getting a relatively low total because Kevin Gausman is on the bump for the Toronto Blue Jays. But it's still pretty early in spring training, so even if he pitches well, it will be brief.
Toronto hit lefties better than almost everyone last season, and it could ambush Miami Marlins starter Braxton Garrett this afternoon.
Pick #3: White Sox vs. Dodgers Over 11
The Los Angeles Dodgers are unbeaten this spring, and scored 10 runs yesterday against the D-Backs and 11 the day before against the Guardians.
The Dodgers were also one of the few teams that did more damage vs. lefties than the Jays, and the Chicago White Sox will send Sean Newcomb to kick things off here.
The same principle applies here with Tyler Glasnow starting as it does with Gausman. Even if he is sharp — which he may not be, as he is coming off a side injury — he won't pitch deep enough to impact the final total too much.
Montreal Canadiens’ prospect Adam Engstrom will be out of action for at least four weeks, the Laval Rocket announced on Wednesday. The Swedish blueliner was injured in Saturday’s game against the Utica Comets and is dealing with an upper-body injury. His absence is a big blow to the organization. Granted, the Canadiens currently have seven defensemen on the NHL roster, but should an injury occur, Engstrom would have been first on the call-up list.
Furthermore, the 22-year-old was enjoying a great season in the AHL, and his pairing with David Reinbacher was the team’s best. In 40 games with the Rocket, Engstrom put up 33 points. He also skated in 11 games with the Habs this season, and while he didn’t pick up any points in the process, he didn’t look out of place at all.
A third-round pick at the 2022 draft, the Swede has developed into a good puck-moving defenseman with smooth skating and puck-handling skills; he can even be physical when the situation calls for it. With so many left-shot defenseman in the organization, decisions will eventually have to be made. Engstrom has NHL potential, but he’s stuck behind Mike Matheson, Lane Hutson, Kaiden Guhle, Jayden Struble, and Arber Xhekaj. At the very least, he could have been a good asset to move by the trade deadline if the Canadiens felt they couldn’t make room for him in the NHL eventually.
As for the Rocket, he plays a significant role on their blueline and will be sorely missed. Laval currently sits atop the North Division with 71 points. Pascal Vincent and his men have a six-point lead over the Syracuse Crunch, but the Tampa Bay Lightning affiliate does have three games in hand.
The Rocket played its first game without Engstrom on Wednesday and suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Toronto Marlies. It was a tumultuous game, and Vincent was ejected with a couple of minutes left after voicing his displeasure with the officiating. David Reinbacher and Samuel Blais were also assessed 10-minute misconduct penalties by the officials.
NEW YORK — Max Scherzer is returning to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Two weeks into spring training, the three-time Cy Young Award winner has agreed with the reigning American League champions on a one-year, $3 million contract, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was subject to a successful physical and had not been announced.
The 41-year-old Scherzer can earn another $10 million in performance bonuses, starting with 65 innings pitched.
Scherzer went 5-5 with a 5.19 ERA in 17 starts and 85 innings for the Blue Jays last season, his 18th in the major leagues. Then he made three starts in the postseason, beating Seattle 8-2 in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series before getting the ball twice in the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The right-hander pitched 4 1/3 innings of one-run ball in Game 7 and left to a rousing ovation from fans in Toronto, but the Blue Jays lost 5-4 in 11 innings.
Scherzer signed a one-year, $15.5 million contract with Toronto in February 2025. A free agent again this winter, he’s set to rejoin the Blue Jays and provide even more depth for a strong rotation expected to feature some combination of Dylan Cease, Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage, Cody Ponce, José Berríos and Eric Lauer.
“He’s not afraid to question baserunning, question defense, question offense. He still thinks he’s our best baserunner on the team from his days with the Nationals,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said about Scherzer last fall. “He’s not afraid to push the envelope. He’s not afraid to be curious. He’s not afraid to share things that he’s been through that maybe I haven’t been through.”
Scherzer has won two World Series titles, with Washington in 2019 and Texas in 2023. The eight-time All-Star is 221-117 with a 3.22 ERA for the Diamondbacks, Tigers, Nationals, Dodgers, Mets, Rangers and Blue Jays.
He ranks 11th on the career list with 3,489 strikeouts — 20 behind Hall of Famer Walter Johnson.
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — One of the world's top middle-distance runners has been banned for two years in a dispute over a missed drug test which overshadowed the opening of last year's world championships.
Ethiopia's Diribe Welteji, the silver medalist in the women's 1,500 meters at the 2023 world championships, was ruled to be “negligent” in failing to comply with an attempt to collect a doping test sample last year, the Court of Arbitration for Sport said Thursday.
World Athletics wanted a four-year ban but CAS reduced the sanction, accepting Welteji's rules violation wasn't intentional. The two-year ban ends in June 2027, when Welteji will be 25, and means she could qualify for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Welteji was initially cleared by an Ethiopian tribunal in August and was due to race on the opening day of the world championships in Tokyo the following month. World Athletics objected and she was ruled ineligible to compete the day before.
CAS said in its statement that drug testers arrived at Welteji's property in February 2025 and were told by Welteji's husband that she was asleep, and that witnesses disagreed about what took place after that until the testing staff left without a sample.
CAS said its arbitrator accepted there were language barriers and that “certain technical and best practice departures occurred” but that “an athlete of (Welteji's) caliber and experience should have known that she was required to comply regardless of the timing of the visit.”
Having shoot-from-the-hip Phoenix Suns' owner Mat Ishbia appear on ESPN's 'The Pat McAfee Show' seems a perfect cocktail for something a little unhinged to happen. And it did (as reported by Brian Windhorst at ESPN):
Ishbia offered a $1 million prize to the winners of the Dunk Contest and 3-Point Contest at next year's All-Star Game in Phoenix (plus $1 million to charity in the name of the winner).
"Let's get the best guys in. Let's make it awesome."
It makes a great soundbite, and Ishbia's heart is in the right place trying to get stars to the events, but...
Ishbia did not consult with the NBA league office before making the offer. If he had, he would have been told the payout would violate the CBA and its existing bonus structure, something confirmed by both the league office and the players' union to Windhorst.
Getting stars to do the 3-Point Contest is never a problem — and defending champion Damian Lillard is already talking to Stephen Curry about next year's contest, and getting Devin Booker and Klay Thompson to join them. There is always a stacked field for this event.
The Dunk Contest is another matter. Keshad Johnson won this year's contest over a field of Carter Bryant, Jase Richardson and Jaxson Hayes. The last time an All-Star from that season won the Dunk Contest was Blake Griffin jumping over a car in Los Angeles in 2011.
A big pool of bonus money might help change the dynamic of the Dunk Context, but Ishbia is going to have to find another way to make that a reality.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 15: Byron Buxton #25 and Joe Ryan #41 of the Minnesota Twins look on prior to the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
At last year’s Trade Deadline, the Twins faced a reckoning. After taking the AL Central title in 2023 and experiencing their first playoff success in over two decades, they stumbled down the stretch in ’24 to a disappointing 82-80 record. Now, the bottom had fallen out. A 13-1 drubbing on July 30th at the hands of the Red Sox dropped their record to 51-57, good for fourth place and 12 games back of the pace in the wide-open Central. President of baseball operations Derek Falvey pulled the trigger on a deadline fire sale for the ages, trading 10 players off their big-league roster. Those moved included three-time All-Star Carlos Correa — in what amounted to a salary dump — and five relievers, headlined by closer Jhoan Duran.
Minnesota Twins
2025 record: 70-92 (4th, AL Central) 2026 FanGraphs projection: 79-83 (3rd, AL Central)
Despite spurious reports that he had been traded to the Red Sox, the Twins did hold onto ace Joe Ryan, as well as fellow starter Pablo López and longtime center fielder Byron Buxton, who has repeatedly affirmed that he will exercise his no-trade clause if the Twins attempt to move him. For his part, Buxton had something of a career year at 31, smashing 35 homers while playing in 120 games for the first time since 2017. Ryan, too, took the next step, striking out 194 in 171 innings while earning his first All-Star berth. Rookie second baseman Luke Keaschall and sophomore starter Simeon Woods Richardson looked the part as MLB regulars.
That’s pretty much where the bright spots ended. At least the Twins were consistent, finishing 23rd in both runs scored and runs allowed. Everyday players Matt Wallner, Trevor Larnach, and Brooks Lee were relied upon to shoulder their share of the load and floundered, combining to end the season below replacement level despite playing in a combined 385 games. On the other side of the ball, manager Rocco Baldelli’s cupboard was left threadbare by the deadline moves as he finished the season with a patchwork group of journeyman and underperforming prospects.
Baldelli was relieved of his duties after the season and Falvey departed “mutually” in a shock January shake-up that occurred about a month after Joe Pohlad took over from his brother Tom as the Twins’ controlling owner. The front office, now headed by Falvey’s former deputy Jeremy Zoll, has been largely inactive this offseason, signing veterans Josh Bell, Victor Caratini, and Taylor Rogers to short-term, low-risk deals. López, one of the few proven contributors on the roster, is undergoing Tommy John surgery that will cost him the entire season. Ryan, the team’s unquestioned ace, was scratched from a scheduled spring start last Saturday with lower back tightness (though he reportedly got encouraging news from the MRI that followed). And Buxton, the team’s de facto captain, cannot reasonably be relied upon to stay on the field over the course of a full season.
And yet FanGraphs’ projection has them finishing ahead of not only the White Sox but the Guardians in the Central under new manager Derek Shelton (late of the Pirates). They anticipate Buxton taking 473 plate appearances — something, again, he did for the first time since 2017 last year. They’re also bullish on Wallner not only taking a step forward with the bat but no longer being a defensive liability in his age-28 season while expecting 23-year-old Kaelen Culpepper to be a key contributor as a rookie.
To be candid, I don’t see what the algorithm is seeing. Losing a half-season of Correa, Duran, and company with only marginal replacements and expecting to win nine more games seems like a pipe dream. Given how placid their front office has been this offseason, I don’t think even the Twins expect to fare that well. To be fair, FanGraphs was also counting on a healthy season from López in their calculations, though his 2.6 WAR can’t account for the large swing they project.
Given the busy offseason of the White Sox — headlined by the signing of Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami — and the Guardians’ ability to exceed projections each year, Minnesota has a very real chance to enter the race to the bottom of the division (no matter how irrationally optimistic Pohlad seems to be despite refusing to invest). Expect them to use this season to assess whether young talent like Lee, Culpepper, and Walker Jenkins can be part of the next competitive Twins team while once again lying in wait as one of the league’s few true sellers at the deadline.
More Pinstripe Alley MLB team season previews can be found here.
DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 23: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates during the game against the Detroit Pistons on February 23, 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 Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Phil Jackson had a handy rule for determining the NBA’s real championship contenders well before the playoffs began. Jackson is credited as the creator ‘40-20 rule,’ which states a team has to hit 40 wins before 20 losses in the regular season to have a shot at the title. This rule has held up shockingly well throughout time, with 18 of the last 19 champions and 41 of the last 45 champions fitting into the criteria. Only the the 1995 Houston Rockets, 2004 Detroit Pistons, 2006 Miami Heat, and 2021 Milwaukee Bucks have won an NBA championship without winning 40 games before losing 20 games since the league introduced the three-point line for the 1979-1980 season.
With the Boston Celtics’ loss to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night, there’s now only three teams that fit Jackson’s ‘40-20 rule’ for this season’s 2026 championship race:
The Pistons went 14-68 two years ago. What’s changed since then? Cade Cunningham started living up to the hype as a former No. 1 overall pick, Jalen Duren developed into an All-Star center, and head coach JB Bickerstaff (who replaced Monty Williams after the 14-win season) whipped the defense into the league’s No. 2 unit behind homegrown players like Isaiah Stewart, Ausar Thompson, and Ron Holland. Detroit made a big jump to 44 wins last year then had the Knicks sweating in a tough first-round series. Right now, the Pistons are on pace to win 61.5 games this season. It’s simply an incredible turnaround.
The Spurs were always destined to be a contender eventually with Victor Wembanyama, but no one thought it would happen this quickly. Wembanyama hasn’t even played a playoff game yet, but that won’t stop the Spurs from being a popular pick to win it all this year. Wembanyama’s defensive impact is levels beyond any other player alive, and he’s a top-10 offensive player, too. San Antonio put a solid supporting cast around him this year by trading for De’Aaron Fox, signing Luke Kornet in free agency, and rejuvenating Harrison Barnes’ career. The Spurs have proven it’s better to be lucky than good by moving up in the lottery three straight years for Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper. This organization lit two lottery picks on fire in the 2020s with Josh Primo and Jeremy Sochan, but it didn’t even matter because they landed the best prospect ever and then moved up into the top-4 of the lottery the next two years.
I’m not fully convinced the ‘40-20 rule’ holds this year. The Denver Nuggets were my preseason championship pick, and while injuries have crushed them during the regular season, they should still be a serious contender if they can get healthy by the playoffs. The Celtics will also have a good chance at the title this year, especially if Jayson Tatum returns from a torn Achilles. I wrote that there are nine teams in the title race this season a couple weeks ago, and I still stand by it. This championship picture is much wider than it historically has been due to the CBA bringing parity to the league.
The NBA’s problems — tanking, load management, a typically crappy All-Star Game — get all of the attention, but the playoffs might be the best product in all of sports right now. This last Super Bowl sucked! Meanwhile, last year’s Thunder-Pacers NBA Finals was amazing, and this year’s title race will be as wide open and competitive as it has ever been. The ‘40-20 rule’ hitting 41 out of 45 years is astounding. If the Pistons, Spurs, or Thunder win it all this year, please remember that Phil Jackson was right again.
ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 22: Nathan Eovaldi #17 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning at Globe Life Field on August 22, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Morning, all!
ESPN wasn’t terribly impressed with the Rangers’ offseason, giving them a C+ and noting that they saved some money but didn’t make the team any better.
Sebastian Walcott had a good feeling going into his elbow surgery and wasn’t surprised he ended up only needing internal brace surgery.
Nathan Eovaldi was working mostly on his curveball and cutter in Wednesday’s win over Cleveland.
A year ago Jake Burger’s 4 year old daughter had open heart surgery, and yesterday Burger marked the anniversary by hitting a homer.
Shawn McFarland continues his top 30 Ranger countdown with a look at number 27, left handed pitcher Josh Trentadue.
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 03: A general view of Dodger Stadium with confetti on the field during the Los Angeles Dodgers World Series Championship celebration on Monday, November 3, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jessie Alcheh/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
I saw the movie ‘Redux Redux’ last night, an action movie about a woman who travels to parallel universes to punish someone who did her wrong, over and over and over again.
Weirdly enough, that got me to thinking about a Dodgers question for today. This doesn’t even need to be in the realm of the film’s tagline — “revenge on repeat” — but can be anything. For instance, I might try to prevent the St. Louis Cardinals from trading Willie McGee to an American League team in August 1990, which might or might notlead to Eddie Murray winning a batting title. You know, the real important stuff.
Today’s question what is one Dodgers-related action you would try to change in another universe? A game, a transaction, a specific action? Let us now in the comments below.
The Portland Trail Blazers head to the Windy City tonight to face the slumping Chicago Bulls at the United Center for an 8 p.m. ET tip.
Chicago is in the middle of a 10-game losing skid, but my Trail Blazers vs. Bulls predictions expect the hosts to snap out of it.
Read more in my NBA picks for Thursday, February 26.
Trail Blazers vs Bulls prediction
Trail Blazers vs Bulls best bet: Bulls moneyline (+155)
It’s been an underwhelming campaign for the Chicago Bulls, who are sitting in 12th place in the East with a 24-35 record. Chicago couldn’t be in worse shape right now, with its last victory coming on January 31.
February has been a terrible month for this team, but this contest presents a clear opportunity to end a 10-game skid. The Bulls have won two straight against the Portland Trail Blazers, including a 122-121 victory in November.
The Blazers have also lost two of their last three and are 12-16 on the road. Chicago has a 15-16 record at the United Center.
Trail Blazers vs Bulls same-game parlay
Matas Buzelis has been brilliant, averaging 15.3 points per game on 36% shooting from downtown. He’s averaging 2.1 makes on 5.7 attempts per game.
The youngster has cashed the Over in treys in back-to-back contests, even going 6-for-11 from long range in Tuesday's loss to the Hornets.
Isaac Okoro is averaging only 9.2 PPG, but he’s hit the Over in four of his last six appearances.
In Chicago’s last meeting with Portland, Okoro played well, scoring 13 points. He’ll do his part in helping the Bulls grab a victory this evening.
Trail Blazers vs Bulls SGP
Bulls moneyline
Matas Buzelis Over 2.5 made threes
Isaac Okoro Over 10.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Gettin' Giddey with it
Josh Giddey is averaging 7.9 dimes at home, and he had 13 assists against the Blazers in November.
Over/Under: Over 235.5 (-110) | Under 235.5 (-110)
Trail Blazers vs Bulls betting trend to know
The Chicago Bulls have hit the Game Total Under in 24 of their last 40 games at home (+8.60 Units / 20% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Trail Blazers vs. Bulls.
How to watch Trail Blazers vs Bulls
Location
United Center, Chicago, IL
Date
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
BlazerVision, CHSN
Trail Blazers vs Bulls latest injuries
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Nazem Kadri always brings his best against the San Jose Sharks, averaging 4.3 shots on goal and 1.2 points over the last 14 meetings.
My Flames vs. Sharks predictions expect the well-rested veteran to put forth another strong offensive showing tonight.
Let’s dive into my NHL picks for Thursday, February 26.
Flames vs Sharks prediction
Flames vs Sharks best bet: Nazem Kadri Over 2.5 shots on goal (-135)
Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri has recorded at least three shots on goal in nine of the past 10 head-to-head meetings with the San Jose Sharks, including two of three this season.
Kadri has recorded 24 attempts over three games against the Sharks. He attempted 6+ in each of them.
That’s a sweet spot for Kadri to clear this line. He’s gone Over this line in 22 of 29 games (76%) this year when attempting 6+ shots.
The Sharks have allowed the second-most shots to centers over their last 10, so the volume should remain strong.
Flames vs Sharks same-game parlay
Kadri hit the scoresheet in 11 of his last 14 games against the Sharks, tallying 17 points in total. He should be able to build on those outputs given they rank Bottom 4 in both shots and goals allowed.
Matt Coronato has seven points over his last six games vs. teams that sit Bottom 10 in goals against and skates on the top power play with Kadri.
Flames vs Sharks SGP
Nazem Kadri Over 2.5 shots on goal
Nazem Kadri Over 0.5 points
Matt Coronato Over 0.5 points
Flames vs Sharks odds
Moneyline: Calgary +105 | San Jose -125
Puck line: Calgary +1.5 (-230) | San Jose -1.5 (+190)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+105) | Under 6.5 (-125)
Flames vs Sharks trend
Nazem Kadri has averaged 4.8 shots on goal over his last 10 games against San Jose. Find more NHL betting trends for Flames vs. Sharks.
How to watch Flames vs Sharks
Location
SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, CA
Date
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Puck drop
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBCSCA, SN1
Flames vs Sharks latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
On adjusting the Knicks’ style of play and still evolving the system with 20 games left:
“We have a brand of basketball or style of play that we’re focused on, we’re trying to get better at. We’re playing different offensively, not a lot different, but we’re playing different offensively to a certain degree from the preseason up until this point we’ve made some changes. And we made some changes defensively. That evolution will continue to happen throughout the course of the rest of the year.”
On failing to help the offense from the sidelines in the loss against the Cavs:
“No matter what we did, we either turned the ball over or we had a tough shot. And so we made some play calls tonight, but we didn’t generate anything from the calls that we made.”
Josh Hart
On the difficulty of maintaining Brown’s demanded pace late in the season:
“It’s what? Game 55 [actually it was the 59th game]? Sometimes it’s tough. Guys are banged up. So sometimes playing with that pace is difficult at times.
“I think that’s when we really have to focus on the execution, calling plays, calling sets, and executing those, getting guys in position to be successful… Obviously, you want to play fast, play with pace. Sometimes it’s difficult, and we’ve got to adjust to it.”
Jalen Brunson
On the team not being a finished product yet:
“We’re still becoming a better team every single day. We’re not trying to be a final product by Game 60… I know how good we can be.”
According to Cleaning the Glass, the Knicks are now 10.7 points better per 100 possessions with Karl-Anthony Towns on the court this season.
That ranks 1st among 45 players who have seen at least 1600 minutes of court time. pic.twitter.com/1xkn7gfwDh
“I’ve seen teams come together pretty late and win a chip. I think for us, we just gotta continue to have our head down, block out the noise and just continue to find ways to improve every single day. Because at the end of the day, when playoff time comes, and the ball goes up, there ain’t no more time.
“We gotta have it figured out. Not hearing all the noise and having it distract us, and we lose games trying to impress people or whatever the case may be, or trying to please the noise. We just gotta keep our heads down and focus on everyone in this locker room, this organization, and how we can help each other win.
“And be the best version of ourselves so that when it comes to playoff time, we have no regrets where we stand.”
On whether the plan was for him to shoot less after attempting five shots vs. Cleveland:
“Nah, we had a game plan that we wanted to try to execute. You’ve seen this all year: we wanted to move the ball, hunt mismatches, do what we do. We just didn’t execute today to get the job done.”
On taking only those five shots:
“We’re trying to run our offensive game plan that we had coming into today. We wanted to execute it at the highest level possible. We just didn’t do a good job of making the plays needed to win the game.
“That’s fine. It happens like that. Yeah, we’re just trying to do what we talked about at shootaround, what we game-planned offensively, what we wanted to get done.”
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 2: Head Coach Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics (C) is given a technical foul in the second quarter of a game against the Miami Heat at TD Garden on April 2, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As we breathlessly await the next trickle of information about Jayson Tatum’s eventual return to the court, it makes sense to discuss something that I’m sure the coaching staff has been thinking about for a long time. Who starts when Tatum returns? And what are the trickle down impacts of the rest of the rotation? (and yes, we are totally milking this Tatum news cycle content for all it is worth)
First of all, let’s assume this is after whatever reintegration time the team takes to ramp him up. They might bring him off the bench or give him a minutes restriction at first. But once he’s through the training camp phase, I assume he’ll be back in the starting lineup.
We can also assume that Jaylen Brown and Derrick White will join him in the starting lineup. So that leaves 2 other spots. Let’s look at some of the candidates.
Neemias Queta – He’s started all season long and has been the team’s best center. He’s earned the right ot keep starting. However,…
Nikola Vucevic – …the Celtics traded Anfernee Simons for Vuc for a reason. Thus far he’s been coming off the bench behind Queta, and that makes a great deal of sense. However, it will be interesting to see how well Vuc fits next to Tatum.
Payton Pritchard – Seems unlikely they would transition him back to a 6th man role if that wasn’t going to be his final destination once Tatum returns. But on the other hand, he might be the 3rd best performing player this season (or 2nd??).
Sam Hauser – Of the remaining players, he has the most starts this season (27) and has plenty of history playing with Tatum. He obviously stretches the floor and has evolved his game even more this year.
Jordan Walsh – He’s been up and down this season, but has established himself as a valuable role player. One that doesn’t need the ball to make an impact on the game.
Baylor Scheierman – Back in Summer League, it wasn’t exactly clear if he had a long term future in Boston. Fast forward to today and he’s firmly in the rotation and a big part of the team’s depth and identity. He’s started 12 games and gives the game good effort and surprising defense.
Hugo Gonzalez – No one is surprised by his defense and he’s been creative and poised in his role. Another player that doesn’t need the ball to add value. Of course, he’s still a rookie on a deep squad.
So make the call. Which two players would you start next to Tatum, Brown, and White?
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Over 11
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Over 8
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Over 11
