Philadelphia Flyers GM Danny Briere has seen and done it all during his brief time in charge of his former team, and his first piece of business is looking like his best so far.
On June 6, 2023, two years ago yesterday, Briere made his first trade as the general manager of the Flyers, sending Ivan Provorov and Hayden Hodgson to the Los Angeles Kings (and then the Columbus Blue Jackets) in exchange for what would become Oliver Bonk, Helge Grans, the 22nd overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, Cal Petersen, and Carson Bjarnason.
Petersen's albatross contract has, of course, expired, leaving the Flyers with just the good stuff: a great goalie prospect in Bjarnason, an NHL-caliber defenseman with an elite toolkit in Grans, a promising potential top-four defender in Bonk, and a first-round pick that became much higher than expected as the fruits of the Sean Walker trade.
In the last two years, Briere has swung his fair share of deals, like the Cutter Gauthier one that yielded Jamie Drysdale, and the other that offloaded Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost for diminishing returns.
Bringing in Grans, Walker, and other draft picks has proven to be one of Briere's best moves so far, if not the very best.
The 22nd pick in this year's draft, whether used on a prospect or traded for future-facing roster player, will assuredly aid the Flyers in taking the next step.
With an extended opportunity at the start of the upcoming season, Grans, 23, could replace the older, more expensive, and oft-injured Rasmus Ristolainen, though he'll have to earn his place on the NHL roster.
The same is true of Bonk, a back-to-back OHL champion and Memorial Cup winner who will be starting his professional career in the Flyers organization this fall.
Provorov, since leaving Philadelphia, has scored a total of 65 points in Columbus while playing in all 82 regular season games two years in a row. Despite that, the Flyers' former top draft pick and his Blue Jackets have yet to make the playoffs.
For Briere, this trade was an easy win at the time and is looking even better with the time that has already passed.
The future will decide what happens next, but the Flyers have all the pieces in place to take multiple successful steps forward on the backs of the assets they acquired in Briere's first deal as Flyers GM.
The Mets continue a three-game series with the Rockies in Colorado on Saturday at 9:40 p.m. on SNY.
Here's what to know about the game and how to watch...
Mets Notes
Clay Holmes (6-3, 3.07 ERA) has held opposing batters to a .143 average with runners in scoring position, tied for the fourth-best mark in the National League and tied for the seventh-best mark in the majors (min. 50 at-bats w/RISP)
Despite a broken toe, Francisco Lindor delivered a clutch ninth-inning double on Friday night to boost his slash line to .400/.483/.920 over his last seven games. He is back in the starting lineup after not starting the previous two days
Juan Soto celebrates a milestone, appearing in his 1,000th career game. He is 6-for-19 (.316) with six runs, one double, two homers, four RBI, eight walks for a .536 OBP and .684 slugging through six games in June
Pete Alonso is riding a 15-game on-base streak, batting .310 in that span with four doubles, six homers, 20 RBI, and three walks
The Mets (40-24) own the majors' best team ERA at 2.84 and are sixth with 573 strikeouts. The starting staff has posted a 2.86 ERA this year, the best in the majors, while the bullpen has posted a 2.81 ERA, ranking second.
METS
ROCKIES
Francisco Lindor, SS
Jordan Beck, DH
Brandon Nimmo, LF
Thairo Estrada, 2B
Juan Soto, RF
Hunter Goodman, C
Pete Alonso, 1B
Ryan McMahon, 3B
Jeff McNeil, CF
Ryan Ritter, SS
Luis Torrens, C
Brenton Doyle, CF
Brett Baty, 2B
Sam Hilliard, LF
Jared Young, DH
Kyle Farmer, 1B
Ronny Mauricio, 3B
Tyler Freeman, RF
What channel is SNY?
Check your TV or streaming provider's website or channel finder to find your local listings.
How can I stream the game?
The new way to stream SNY games is via the MLB App or MLB.tv. Streaming on the SNY App has been discontinued.
Open “MLB” and tap on “Subscriber Login” for Apple Devices or “Sign in with MLB.com” for Android Devices.
Type in your MLB.com credentials and tap “Log In.”
To access live or on-demand content, tap on the "Watch" tab from the bottom navigation bar. Select the "Games" sub-tab to see a listing of available games. You can scroll to previous dates using the left and right arrows. Tap on a game to select from the game feeds available.
For more information on how to stream Mets games on SNY, please click here.
On Sunday, June 8, the Indiana Pacers (50-32) and Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14) are all set to square off from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City for Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
Indiana continued its miraculous playoff run with another fourth-quarter rally to steal a Game 1. Tyrese Haliburton hit his fourth Game 1 game-winner with a jump shot at 0.3 seconds remaining to win 111-110.
Haliburton (14 points, 10 rebounds) and the Pacers overcame Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's game-high 38 points and multiple double-digit leads throughout. The Thunder entered the fourth quarter with a 9-point lead and ended the game efficiently in many areas, including free-throws (21-of-24) and turnovers (6).
Both teams won all three of their Game 2's this postseason and 3-0 against the spread.
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 tipoff, 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.
Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.
Game details & how to watch Pacers vs. Thunder live today
Date: Sunday, June 8, 2025
Time: 8:00PM EST
Site: Paycom Center
City: Oklahoma City, OK
Network/Streaming: ESPN / ABC
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 NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.
Game odds for Pacers vs. Thunder
The latest odds as of Sunday:
Odds: Pacers(+390), Thunder (-520)
Spread: Thunder -11
Over/Under: 228.5 points
That gives the Pacers an implied team point total of 108.5, and the Thunder 120.5.
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!
Expert picks & predictions for Sunday’s Pacers vs. Thunder game
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Pacers & Thunder game:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Indiana Pacers at +11
Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 228.5
Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!
Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Pacers vs. Thunder on Sunday
Indiana is 3-0 ATS and on the ML in Game 2's of the playoffs
Oklahoma City is 3-0 ATS and on the ML in Game 2's of the playoffs
Pascal Siakam (19 points, 10 rebounds), Aaron Nesmith (10 points, 12 rebounds), and Tyrese Haliburton (14 points, 10 rebounds) double-doubled in Game 1 for Indiana
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 38 points in Game 1
Jalen Williams and Tyrese Haliburton are tied for the series lead in assists with 6
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 NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD) - Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) - Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) - Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
When asked for an update on the situation by NBC Sports Bay Area’s Tristi Rodriguez before the second game of the series on Saturday, manager Bob Melvin relayed that the person wasn’t caught.
“I heard they didn’t get it, that it came out of the upper deck and the cameras weren’t shooting that high,” Melvin told reporters. “Hope it doesn’t happen again.”
The incident, described after the game by Giants infielder Tyler Fitzgerald as “dangerous,” occurred in the top of the fourth inning with the Braves up to bat. As right fielder Mike Yastrzemski threw the ball home on a Sean Murphy sacrifice fly, another baseball bounced onto the infield from the upper deck.
Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow described whoever threw the ball as a “clown,” and San Francisco players were visibly confused. The run scored, however, and play continued as usual following a brief meeting between the umpires.
Melvin didn’t disclose whether or not the Giants are investigating further. But as of right now, it looks like whoever threw the ball might get away with an offense that could have gotten them banned from Oracle Park.
PITTSBURGH — Bryce Harper was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday and Phillies prospect Otto Kemp, who has raked all season at Triple A, was called up to take his place on the active roster.
Harper is dealing with right wrist inflammation. It was revealed Friday by manager Rob Thomson that Harper has been playing through soreness in the wrist for “a little while,” and that it was likely caused by swinging rather than a specific event.
The Phillies avoided the injured list with Harper last week when he missed five games after being hit in the surgically repaired right elbow by a 95 mph fastball. They hoped to do the same this time with his wrist but sitting Harper for 10 days to help it clear up was determined to be the right move. He is first eligible to return on June 16 in Miami.
The other half of Saturday’s transaction was one Phillies fans have been calling for. The right-handed Kemp impressed in spring training and never stopped hitting once the IronPigs’ season began. He’s hit .313/.416/.594 and leads the International League with 14 homers and 55 RBI.
With Lehigh Valley this season, Kemp has started 33 games at third base, 10 at second, seven at first and seven in left field. The Phils could play him at either infield corner with Alec Bohm on the other side.
The Phillies originally signed Kemp, 25, as an undrafted free agent in 2022 out of Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. He put together a strong 2024, rising from Single A all the way to Triple A, and has been a major difference-maker with the bat this season at the minors’ highest level.
Much to the perpetuated disappointment of Philadelphia Flyers fans, former Flyers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky continues to steal the show in the NHL playoffs, setting a new postseason record while playing with the Florida Panthers.
Bobrovsky, 36, made 42 saves against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Friday night, powering his Panthers to a crucial 5-4 overtime victory to tie the series at 1-1.
In Wednesday's 4-3 overtime loss in Game 1, Bobrovsky also made 42 saves, meaning he has invented and holds an NHL record that will make Flyers fans' skin crawl.
The Russian netminder is now the only goalie in NHL history to start a Stanley Cup Finals series with back-to-back 40-save efforts.
If it makes you feel any better, Bobrovsky, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, passed Boston Bruins legend Tuukka Rask for 18th all-time in wins in the NHL playoffs after posting his 58th career postseason win with the Game 2 victory Friday night.
The former Flyers goalie is now three playoff wins away from catching Henrik Lundqvist, seven away from Dominik Hasek, and nine away from fellow countryman Andrei Vasilevskiy.
We can only hope that the Flyers made good use of the second-round pick and two fourth-round picks they received from Columbus for 'Bob' back in 2012.
Bobrovsky is now 13-6 this postseason with a 2.21 GAA, a .912 save percentage, and three shutouts.
Former NHL legend and recently appointed SKA St. Petersburg
coach Igor Larionov made some waves in his first official press conference as
reported by RG.org. The man who took over from Roman Rotenberg said he wants to
bring Ivan Demidov back to the KHL for one more season.
The 19-year-old forward finished the last year of his
contract with SKA in April before signing an ELC contract with the Montreal
Canadiens. Still, the bench boss say he would love to speak to the organization
to plead his case.
Saying he knows both Kent Hughes and co-director of scouting
Martin Lapointe, the former centerman explained that if he could talk to them,
he would say that sometimes in life you have to take a step back to move three
step forward.
While Larionov may well believe this would be good for the
youngster’s development, there’s no way the option would even be entertained by
the Canadiens. Montreal played by the rules and let the youngster honor the
last year of his contract with SKA, but he’s now under the Habs’ control and
needless to say the team has big plans for him.
After making his NHL debut in two regular season games, the
youngster played five playoffs’ games with the Habs and has already showed that
he belongs. Still, the winger is serious about becoming an impact player for
his new side and he’s decided to spend the Summer in town where he’ll be able
to train under the watchful eye of the Canadiens’ staff while also polishing
his language skills in both French and English.
That kind of program is not at all compatible with Larionov’s
wish and while he may dream of getting to work with as talented a youngster as
Demidov, it will remain just that, a dream.
Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
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Former Crystal Palace captain aims to complete the entire course for seventh time to raise funds for Cure Leukaemia
When Geoff Thomas was forced to abandon his seventh attempt to complete Tour 21 at the age of 58 after an unforgiving day on the cobblestones, the former Crystal Palace captain thought his days in the saddle were over. “My bike sort of disintegrated underneath me,” remembers Thomas. “That’s when the issues with my knees started so I’d not really been on the bike since then.”
But, two years on and having celebrated his 60th birthday earlier this year, he will join the group of amateur riders in tackling the entire Tour de France route a week before the pros, a ride of nearly 3,500km to raise money for Cure Leukaemia.
A busy offseason lies ahead for the Boston Celtics.
While navigating their complicated financial situation, the Celtics may have to find replacements for veteran big men Al Horford and Luke Kornet, who are set to become unrestricted free agents. There will be some intriguing frontcourt options in the 2025 NBA Draft, but what if president of basketball operations Brad Stevens has other ideas?
A historic 3-point shooting team, the Celtics could use an infusion of explosive and physical play. Enter Adou Thiero, a forward out of Arkansas who thrives in both categories and wreaks havoc on the defensive end.
Thiero could fall to the Celtics when they pick at No. 28 or No. 32 overall in this month’s draft. Learn more about him and his potential fit with the C’s below:
Adou Thiero’s bio
Position: Forward
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 200 pounds
Birthdate: May 8, 2004 (age 21)
Birthplace: Utah
College: Arkansas
Adou Thero’s collegiate stats
2022-23: 2.3 points per game, 1.9 rebounds per game, 0.4 assists per game, 34.5 field goal percentage (20 games)
— Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball 🐗 (@RazorbackMBB) December 21, 2024
Why Adou Thiero fits with Celtics
Thiero isn’t what anyone would call a sharpshooter. He needs time to develop his offensve game, so why would he fit in with the 3-point-happy Celtics?
The former Razorback is a versatile defender who plays with high energy each time he takes the floor. He averaged 1.6 steals and 0.7 blocks per game as a junior.
Boston doesn’t need another 3-point shooter, but it may need someone with a Jrue Holiday-like skill set to replace the veteran guard, who could be traded as a result of the team’s goal to get under the second apron.
NBC Sports Boston’s Celtics insider Chris Forsberg explained why Thiero is a solid fit for the C’s.
“Could Adou Thiero add an injection of physical play for the Celtics? A menace on the defensive end, a willing cutter to the hoop on offense, and a nose for attacking the offensive glass, Thiero’s game plays at an NBA level based on those traits,” Forsberg said.
“What will make him even more valuable is if he can develop a 3-point shot. He made just 26 percent of his threes as a junior.”
The Buffalo Sabres seemed to find a good replacement in Rochester for Seth Appert when he joined Lindy Ruff’s coaching staff in Michael Leone, but there is some speculation that the Amerks head coach may be garnering interest to join another NHL club’s staff.
Jeff Marek of Daily Faceoff reported on Friday that the 37-year-old could be a candidate to join Dan Muse’s coaching staff in Pittsburgh. Muse coached and worked with Leone in the US National Development for two seasons.
The Michigan native joined the Sabres organization last June and led the Amerks to a second place finish in the AHL’s North Division (42-22-8)record in his rookie season and a sweep of Syracuse before falling to Laval in the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. He previously serving as an assistant coach for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program for three years and for two seasons as head coach and general manager of the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers.
Former Buffalo Sabre and Rochester Americans alum Scott Metcalfe passed away on Friday. The 58-year-old was a former Edmonton Oilers first round pick and was acquired by Buffalo in 1988. He played 19 career NHL games with the Oilers and Sabres, and multiple stints with the Amerks over nine seasons.
The Amerks mourn the loss of Hall of Famer and Calder Cup champion Scott Metcalfe, who passed away earlier this morning at the age of 58.
— Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) June 6, 2025
The Florida Panthers evened the Stanley Cup Final with a 5-4 double overtime victory over the Oilers in Edmonton on Friday. Former Sabres on both sides factored in the contest, as Evander Kane scored in the first period to wipe out an early Panthers lead and Dmitry Kulikov tied the score 3-3 in the second period.
Injured Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow throws in the outfield at Dodger Stadium before a game against the New York Mets on June 4. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
The Dodgers now have 15 pitchers on the injured list. This team, with all of its talent, is going nowhere without frontline pitching. Andrew Friedman realized this when he emptied Fort Knox during the offseason. But, like previous seasons, they are dropping like flies, with shoulder and forearm issues.
Other MLB teams don't seem to have these issues, at least not to this degree.
At what point do we begin to look at the training staff, starting with pitching coach Mark Prior? What is it that he's asking (and teaching) these guys to do with their arms, to get that extra 'something' out of them? Too often that extra something becomes nothing at all.
Rodger Howard Westlake Village
The underperforming, injury-plagued — and very well-paid — Dodger pitching staff illustrates the true financial advantage of big-market teams willing and able to spend. Yes, the Dodgers can afford to sign and pay frontline players, but, just as important, they can also afford to set aside or simply eat the contracts of those expensive players if they become hurt or ineffective, and replace them with additional highly (over)paid players. It’s almost a lock that, if their staff isn’t healthier and more reliable come August, the Dodgers will probably trade for pitching help and take on even more salary. Small-market teams such as the Reds, Guardians and Pirates can’t sign many top-tier players in the first place, let alone replace them if they don’t pan out.
John Merryman Redondo Beach
Instead of spending hundreds of millions on pitchers to sit on the injury list for the majority of every year, I recommend the Dodgers instead allocate those funds to put nine All-Star offensive players in the lineup. Then just do what the team always winds up doing anyway — rely on inexpensive, lower-tier and journeyman pitchers for the season.
Jerry Leibowitz Culver City
Time to say goodbye
It's about time that the Dodgers separate from Clayton Kershaw. Yes he has been with them forever, and was very good. But that was then, not now. The Dodgers separated from Chris Taylor, and Austin Barnes, long-term team members, now it's time to do the same with Kershaw.
Deborah R. Ishida Beverly Hills
Dear Clayton,
It's time to say goodbye. Injuries have taken their toll. Don't ruin what has been a first-ballot Hall of Fame career by performing at a level that is a shadow of yourself. It's been a great run, but you are hurting the team. Announce that you're leaving so the fans can give you the send-off you deserve. Please don't hang around and make us watch you continue to pad the worst stats of your career.
Geno Apicella Placentia
At 37 and having pitched more than 3,000 innings, there’s no doubt Clayton Kershaw still has the smarts if not the scintillating fastball of days gone by to help the Dodgers race toward another World Series appearance. Manager Dave Roberts says he trusts him to keep taking the mound, and so do I. Like the headline reads, “History says don’t count out Kershaw.”
Marty Zweben Palos Verdes Estates
Max retention
While we all lament and understand the need to move on from fan favorites, thank goodness the Dodgers resisted the urge to go the youth route with Max Muncy. And it's not his glasses. Have you seen his swing of late? Probably not — it's too fast for the naked eye.
Robert Gary Westlake Village
Too much Ohtani praise?
Look, I get it. Ohtani is great. Amazing. Remarkable. Fill-in-the-blank with any superlative.
But it seems like every week Dylan Hernández writes the exact same column, praising Ohtani for his greatness and saying how important he is to the Dodgers. And it was the same when he was on the Angels.
Everyone knows that. I'd like to see Dylan mix it up with his critique and commentary a bit more.
Greg Wagner Huntington Beach
It looks like "Plaschkeitis" has spread to another LAT sportswriter. In his report of the Dodgers' 18-2 win over the Yankees, Jack Harris writes, "It was a statement, a reminder and a warning all wrapped into one." It was also just one game, and 24 hours later, the Dodgers lost to the Yankees.
Try to hold it down fellas; you're giving everybody whiplash.
Ralph Martinez Arcadia
Don't run from rivalry
An easier path to the playoffs is no reason to cancel the most storied intersectional rivalry in sports. If USC cannot defeat Notre Dame, USC does not belong in the playoffs. Recruit and coach a team to beat them. Don’t look for a way to claim success by running away from them.
Jay McConnell Los Angeles
USC football coach Lincoln Riley makes excuses why his team can't or won't play Notre Dame. I think the truth is he's scared to play Notre Dame because he feels overmatched. USC lost to Notre Dame in 2023 and 2024, and Riley can't handle another loss.
Neil Snow Manhattan Beach
Verdict on Bauer
There are two subjects I hope never to read about again in The Times' Sports section:
Got an unused night light? Send it to Mookie Betts.
Mike Eberts Los Feliz
The Los Angeles Times welcomes expressions of all views. Letters should be brief and become the property of The Times. They may be edited and republished in any format. Each must include a valid mailing address and telephone number. Pseudonyms will not be used.
‘I’m still searching for the missing piece off the tee’
Rory McIlroy admitted he is concerned about his form before next week’s US Open after missing the cut at the Canadian Open. The Masters champion shot a dismal second-round 78 on Friday, carding a quadruple bogey, a double and four other bogeys in an eight-over-par round that left him languishing 21 shots behind the halfway leader, Cameron Champ, who finished on 12 under.
It is the first time the world No 2 has missed the cut since the Open at Royal Troon last July. McIlroy’s round continued his troubled buildup to Oakmont having been forced to switch to a different driver after his previous model was deemed non-conforming in a random test on the eve of last month’s US PGA Championship, in which he finished joint-47th.
Flyers Coach Rick Tocchet Can Complete His Staff with This NHL LegendNew Philadelphia Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet has made the first two additions to his coaching staff, but he still needs one more. How about an NHL legend who just left the Vancouver Canucks?
