CLEARWATER, Fla. – It didn’t take Kyle Schwarber long to do what he did better than anyone else in the National League last season.
Schwarber, who led the league with 56 homers in 2025, went deep in his first at-bat of the Grapefruit League season on Sunday. The home run, against Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Braxton Ashcraft, came off the bat at 108.7 mph and traveled 438 feet to right field. In other words, a bomb.
“I got a good swing off,” Schwarber said. “But the wind was blowing and that made it look further.”
Schwarber doesn’t often rack up eye-popping results in spring training. Last year, he went 9 for 49 (.184) with two home runs. The year before, he was 5 for 38 (.132) with no homers. But Schwarber is a veteran player and a proven big-league performer. For those types, membership has its privileges: He uses spring training to get ready for the regular season. Results are secondary at this time of year. He has finished 15th and second, respectively, in NL MVP voting the last two seasons so those lackluster springs clearly didn’t carry over.
Schwarber hit second in the Phillies’ lineup Sunday, behind leadoff man Trea Turner and ahead of No. 3 hitter Bryce Harper and cleanup man Alec Bohm. It’s possible that Schwarber and Harper will flip-flop in the regular season. Or things could stay the same. Manager Rob Thomson will use different variations throughout spring training. Schwarber’s goal is to just be ready when the bell rings March 26 at Citizens Bank Park.
Actually, Schwarber will need to be ready earlier than that. He will play on Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. First game is March 6.
“Usually, Schwarber doesn’t hit in spring training so (the home run) was good to see,” Thomson said after the 4-3 loss to Pittsburgh. “And Bohmer (sacrifice fly, double) stung the ball really well.”
Though Schwarber is and will be the Phillies’ primary DH, he could get some work at first base this spring just in case an emergency arises during the regular season. That work could actually come in workout situations. For now …
“We’re trying to get his bat ready for the WBC,” Thomson said.
It looked good on Sunday.
“He understands the strike zone,” Thomson said. “He can hit velocity, hit off-speed stuff, shoot the ball the other way. He’s improved overall as a hitter. It’s not just the power. He can use the whole field and pull the ball with the best of them.”
Despite chilly temperatures, Sunday’s home opener drew 8,157.
“Great crowd, especially with the weather,” Schwarber said. “A little rain then the cold front that pushed through. It’s always great when the berm is full and you get the stadium going and everybody gets that buzz going. To see fans down here ready to rock and roll for game 1 (of the home Grapefruit League schedule) that gets us to game 1 (of the regular season) is great.”
AIDAN MILLER DOWN
Infield prospect Aidan Miller is sidelined with a sore lower back. It has kept him out of the first two games. It is not considered serious. He is receiving treatment.
“We’re just being super cautious with him this early in camp,” Thomson said. “We’re getting him some treatment to calm it down.”
EAST COAST BOUND
The Phillies play the next two days on Florida’s East Coast – Monday against Washington in West Palm Beach and Tuesday against Miami in Jupiter.
FRASIER -- "High Holidays" Episode 11 -- Pictured: David Hyde Pierce as Dr. Niles Crane -- (Photo by: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
1pm CT SECN+.
After a 12-1 run rule win in the 7th, the Diamond Dores are riding a 4 game winning streak… all by the run rule. Let’s keep this red-hot Esposito-run high-powered offense rolling for the series sweep and 5th run rule win in a row (please and thank you). Then we can tell Daphne to break out the brooms, despite her being Martin’s home care worker and not the maid, as she is seemingly forever unable to convince Frasier.
Yesterday, the offense wasn’t just donger-powered, as the Diamond Dores had 15 hits in 7 innings. Logan Johnstone, Mike Mancini, Braden Holcomb, and Tommy Goodin all had 2 hit games, with the former and latter of that list hitting one over the fencing they’ve set up.
…and Austin Nye extended his season-opening scoreless innings streak at 9IP.
…and Marist still doesn’t know what to to with Vanderbilt’s tossed salads (offense) and scrambled eggs (pitching).
They’re calling again.
I was punched in the face by a man now dead.
I’m listening.
Frasier!
…and now, what you all came for… Dingers!
TGoodi's first four collegiate hits: Single 3-run HR Grand Slam 3-run HR https://t.co/0gI8HRbb59
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 13: Landon Knack #96 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks on the field during spring training workouts at Camelback Ranch on February 13, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers on Monday make their 2026 Camelback Ranch debut, hosting the Mariners for their third Cactus League game on the schedule.
Landon Knack gets the ball to start for the Dodgers, after a rough second season in the majors in 2025. Knack had a 4.89 ERA and 5.66 xERA in 10 games last year, including seven starts, with 42 strikeouts and 19 walks in 42 1/3 innings.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 13: Will Klein #61 of the Los Angeles Dodgers holds a football during spring training workouts at Camelback Ranch on February 13, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers on Sunday head to Peoria to play the San Diego Padres. Here are the active players making the trip slightly north from Camelback Ranch.
Lineup
Miguel Rojas SS Kyle Tucker RF Will Smith C Ryan Ward 1B Nick Senzel 3B James Tibbs III LF Zach Ehrhard DH Ryan Fitzgerald 2B Michael Siani CF
Kyle Tucker bats second in right field, playing his first game in a Dodgers uniform. Ryan Ward and Zach Ehrhard are the only two Dodgers in the starting lineup for each of the first two games, if you were keeping track of the team’s games played leaderboard.
Non-roster invitee Jackson Ferris starts on the mound. Last spring training he appeared in three games, including an impressive start at Dodger Stadium against the Angels.
Other pitchers
Will Klein and Ronan Kopp are the two Dodgers pitchers on the 40-man roster scheduled to throw in Sunday’s game. Non-roster invitees Patrick Copen, Chris Campos, Garrett McDaniels, Jerming Rosario, and Carlos Duran are also on the schedule.
Active from minor league camp are Payton Marin (wearing number 06), Roque Gutierrez (87), Cody Morse (90), Christian Suarez (91), and old friend Nick Robertson (97).
Other position players
The outfield prospect trio of Josue De Paula, Zyhir Hope, and Kendall George are active again on Sunday, as are fellow non-roster invitees Keston Hiura, Noah Miller, and catchers Seby Zavala, Griffin Lockwood-Powell, and Nelson Quiroz.
From the minor league side, infielders Austin Gauthier (88), Jose Izarra (89), and Kyle Nevin (03) are active, as is outfielder Kole Myers (07).
NORTH PORT, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 20: Ronald Acuña Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves poses for a photo during Spring Training photo day at CoolToday Park on February 20, 2026 in North Port, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The question as to where in the 2026 Atlanta Braves batting order outfielder Ronald Acuña, Jr. will hit can come to an end. Braves manager Walt Weiss told reporters this morning that Acuña, Jr. will reclaim his spot at the top of the order, batting lead-off for the team this season.
Despite some questionable line-up constructions with Acuña, Jr. last season – him batting seventh was a thing that happened – it was reasonable to have expected him to return to the top of the order, the question was whether or not that would be in the lead-off spot or batting second.
Well, Acuña, Jr., he of the first 40 home runs, 70 stolen base season in MLB history will return to the spot where he has started 676 games during his career – at the top of the line-up. (His next highest batting order location is hitting third, which he’s done 46 times, by the way.)
"The lead-off spot has become part of his identity. He’s been really, really good at it, and I just happen to like him there, too.” – Weiss on Acuña
As for who will bat second, that is still an open question according to the new Braves’ skipper, with Weiss noting that both catcher Drake Baldwin and first baseman Matt Olson hit left-handed pitching well enough that he could hit them back-to-back. Outfielder/designated hitter Jurickson Profar is likely another option, specially given his ability to switch-hit and get on base.
Walt Weiss confirmed Ronald Acuna Jr. will be back in the leadoff spot this year. As for who will bat second, he'll get a feel for some options over the next few weeks. He says Baldwin and Olson hit LHPs well enough that he's open to putting them back-to-back.
Now, for the next five weeks, it is just matter of everyone staying healthy so that the offense hopefully get off to a hot start when the Braves start their regular season at home against the Kansas City Royals.
Surprise, AZ - February 21: Matt Waldron #61 of the San Diego Padres throws during a spring training game against the Kansas City Royals on February 21, 2026 in Surprise, AZ. (Photo by K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)
The San Diego Padres have played two Cactus League games with many more to go before Opening Day in late March. Even with only two games played, the Friars have given fans plenty to think about.
As Spring Training continues the next few weeks, certain players have more to prove than others in order to make it onto the major league roster. Among these there are few with as much on the line as Matt Waldron.
The last of the knuckleballers
Apart from Waldron, there are no active pitchers using the knuckleball in MLB. After R.A. Dickey retired in 2017, as well as Tim Wakefield in 2011, no one apart from Waldron has had any legitimate success with the pitch.
Part of this is due to the fact that the pitch, as unhittable as it is, is incredibly difficult for catchers to get their gloves on and for umpires to correctly call. Umps simply don’t know how to call the pitch well because of how much movement it has, and the catching situation is even more dire.
In 2024, Kyle Higashioka did most of the work behind the plate and managed to do a decent job of catching Waldron, but others have not done as well.
In his lone start of the 2025 season against the Philadelphia Phillies, Martín Maldonado caught for Waldron and allowed a passed ball and three wild pitches, leading to the Phillies scoring a run in the fourth inning.
Waldron used his knuckleball 74.0% of the time in his outing against Philly, much higher than the 38.2% average across the 2024 season.
The problem with the pitch is that if it’s not executed perfectly, batters will destroy it. And even if it is executed correctly there’s no guarantee the pitch will be called a strike, with umpires having difficulty calling the pitch accurately for Waldron throughout his career.
Struggles with settling in
Waldron has spent most of his career in the minors, but he spent significant time shuttling between the major and minor league clubs from 2023-25. His largest stint in the majors came in ‘24, making 26 starts for the Padres and helping them reach the postseason in October.
In those starts, he finished with a 4.91 ERA across 146 2/3 innings. While most pitchers struggle their second and third times through the lineup, Waldron had his biggest problems his first time through. His ERA through the first three innings was much higher than it was in innings four through six (4.62 compared to 3.36). In fact, he ended the season with a 7.88 ERA in the first inning alone.
Waldron’s problems settling in have hurt his resumé deeply, leading to a 6.48 ERA during the 2025 season spent in the San Diego minor league system. If Waldron can find a way to warm up sooner and settle in, he’ll be absolutely dominant with his unhittable knuckleball.
Saturday’s start
In the Padres 10-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, Waldron allowed only one walk and one single across two innings of work. In those innings, Waldron decreased his typical knuckleball usage from 46.3% (major league career average) to 33.0%, opting to use a more balanced pitch mix.
In the first inning, he faced four batters who all start for Kansas City’s major league ball club, getting Jonathan India and Bobby Witt Jr. to groundout before walking Vinnie Pasquantino. He ended the inning by striking out Salvador Perez.
In the second, he got Kyle Isbel to lineout and then gave up a single to Dairon Blanco. Waldron then caught Blanco stealing second base before striking out John Rave, ending his first game of the year.
If he can capitalize on this start to Cactus League play over the next few weeks, it would earn Waldron consideration for a backend spot in the Padres’ rotation and possibly revive his career.
Maybe he learns how to settle in sooner and is used in a swingman role who can take over the brunt of a game’s middle innings.
Whatever the case, Waldron is running out of time to prove his usefulness at the major league level. He’s out of options and, although it’s unlikely another club claims him off waivers, it’s always possible the Padres lose him for good.
Feb 20, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Robert Gasser poses for a portrait during photo day at American Family Fields of Phoenix. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
After a losing effort against the Guardians on Saturday afternoon, the Brewers are back at it with their first split-squad day of the spring. The road Brewer squad is in Glendale, where they’ll take on the Chicago White Sox, while the home team welcomes the Royals to American Family Fields of Phoenix.
In the road lineup, Joey Ortiz bats leadoff as the DH, followed by Andrew Vaughn, Akil Baddoo, and Tyler Black. Jeferson Quero makes his spring debut behind the plate, followed by top prospect Jesús Made at second base. Fellow top prospect Cooper Pratt starts at shortstop, Luke Adams starts at third, and Luis Lara rounds out the order in right field.
Logan Henderson starts on the mound in that one, with righties Carlos Rodriguez and Peter Strzelecki also scheduled to pitch behind him.
In the home game, Jackson Chourio bats leadoff and starts in left, followed by Gary Sánchez, who serves as the DH. William Contreras bats third and starts behind the plate, followed by Brice Turang, Sal Frelick, and Jake Bauers. New Brewer Luis Rengifo bats seventh and starts at third base, followed by center fielder Blake Perkins and Jett Williams at short.
Robert Gasser will start for the home squad, with fellow lefties DL Hall and Tate Kuehner also slated to pitch.
First pitch for the road game against Chicago is set for 2:05 p.m. CT, with the home game against Kansas City scheduled to begin at 2:10 p.m. The road game is also Milwaukee’s first televised spring game on Brewers TV, free for viewing (even in the blackout region). The road game will be broadcast on 94.5 ESPN Milwaukee and the Brewers Radio Network across the state.
TAMPA, FL - MARCH 06: New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during Spring Training on March 6, 2024, at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The first two games of the Yankees’ spring schedule showcased the two hottest pitching prospects in the organization, Elmer Rodríguez and Carlos Lagrange. Today, a post-hype-prospect-turned-post-hype Major Leaguer gets the ball. Luis Gil will need a big spring to reestablish his place in the MLB rotation, especially with those two hotshots rising through the ranks. He’ll make his first start opposite Justin Hagenman as the Yankees host the Mets at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Gil only threw 57 regular season innings in 2025 after his AL Rookie of the Year-winning campaign in 2024. While his 3.32 ERA was fine enough, his strikeouts plummeted and his 4.63 FIP indicated deeper issues. He made an unimpressive start in the ALDS against the Blue Jays and enters 2026 with far less buzz around him than the new kids on the block. Even with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón set to miss the first chunk of the season, Gil still might not be guaranteed a rotation spot; FanGraphs’ RosterResource currently has him fifth on the rotation depth chart behind Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, and even new arrival Ryan Weathers (though the Yankees’ selection of Gil over Warren for a playoff start last October likely still reflects some internal thinking).
With that in mind, it will be interesting to see how he comes out of the gate following a long offseason. Will we continue to see Gil tamp down the fastball velocity as he did last season, in order to keep from running out of steam? Or will the urgency to win a spot and restore trust have him tossing fireballs right away? Of course, Gil likely won’t be built up to full velocity anyway, but we should still get a decent idea based on the numbers. As always, command and missing bats will be focal points as well.
Gil will be opposed by South Jersey native Justin Hagenman, who had his inaugural big-league cup of coffee after seven seasons in the Minors. The 29-year old right-hander posted a 4.56 ERA in 9 games with 23 K’s in 23.2 innings, not too shabby an introduction. We’re most likely looking at a depth reliever or swingman-type player here; he throws a lot of strikes but lacks a truly eye-popping offering. There may be an analogue to the Garden State in there somewhere.
It’s a packed lineup today for the Bombers. The full starting outfield—albeit with Aaron Judge at DH—will take their familiar top three spots in the lineup while Jazz Chisholm Jr. bats cleanup. Paul Goldschmidt will man the cold corner with Austin Wells behind the plate. Amed Rosario will play third base, former Rockie Yanquiel Fernández will be stationed in right field, and José Caballero rounds out the starting nine at shortstop.
How to watch
Location: George M Steinbrenner Field — Tampa, FL
First pitch: 1:05 pm ET
TV broadcast: Gotham Sports App, MLB Network (out-of-network only)
Sep 16, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Andrew Knizner against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
One of the things about having a more established team is there are fewer spring training roster battles. Backup catcher isn’t exactly the most glamorous position, especially when backing up one of the league’s more famous iron men, but it is one of the things we have to watch this spring alongside the yearly bullpen battle and the platoon obstacle course in right field. As a reminder, the candidates are:
Andrew Knizner. Knizner has the advantage of being on the 40-man roster and earning actual guaranteed money no matter what happens this spring. He also has the backing of our own Connor Donovan, who came away from writing Knizner’s 40 in 40 with a newfound appreciation for the career backup.
Jhonny Pereda. Pereda has the advantage of being on the 40-man roster, although he did not inspire the same strong feelings in ZAM that Knizner did in Connor. Pereda’s other advantage is he has an option year left.
Mitch Garver. After saying earlier this winter that the team hadn’t had any conversations about bringing Garver back, Cal Raleigh apparently influenced the organization to bring back Garver on an MiLB deal after he went unsigned this winter. Garver has the advantage of knowing the system and the way he fits on this roster; he’s also enjoyed the most successful career out of any of the potential candidates, as a World Series champ with a Silver Slugger.
Then there are the non-roster invites currently in camp with the Mariners. Two are MiLB journeyman who have been with the Mariners in the past in Bryan O’Keefe and Nick Raposo, and three are homegrown prospects Josh Caron, Connor Charping, and Luke Stevenson. Jakson Reetz, another MiLB journeyman, rounds out this group. This crew is here mostly to catch because catchers make the spring training world go round – and gain experience in the case of the prospects – but there’s an outside outside outside chance O’Keefe, Raposo, or Reetz might have a late-career resurgence. Realistically, though, this is a three-horse race between Knizner, Pereda, and Garver. Given those options, which of the the three is your early spring pick to make the Opening Day roster? Really, what this question asks is: what do you see as the role of a backup catcher, and what traits do you value most in that position?
Recently, we here at The Hockey News Montreal Canadiens have been looking at potential trade targets for the Habs from clubs that are expected to be sellers.
In this latest edition of the series, let's discuss two potential trade targets from the Calgary Flames that could be strong fits on the Canadiens' roster.
Nazem Kadri, C
Nazem Kadri has been connected to the Canadiens often this season, and it makes sense given their need for another star center. If the Canadiens landed Kadri, he could fit very nicely as their second-line center and power play.
Kadri would also give the Canadiens a veteran forward who has a Stanley Cup on his resume. Furthermore, he would be more than a rental for Montreal if acquired, as he has a $7 million cap hit until the end of the 2028-29 season.
Yet, with Kadri being one of the top centers in the trade market and having multiple years left on his deal, there is no question that the Flames would want a big return in a potential move.
Blake Coleman, LW/RW
Blake Coleman is another notable Flames trade candidate who has been linked to the Canadiens this season. If the Canadiens brought him in, he would be an excellent addition to their middle six.
Coleman is exactly the kind of forward that the Canadiens should be going after. This is because he not only contributes solid secondary offensive production, but also plays a heavy game. Furthermore, he is capable of playing multiple positions and is also well-known for his leadership qualities, which add to his appeal.
Like Kadri, Coleman would be more than a rental for the Canadiens, as he has a $4.9 million cap hit until the end of next season.
The Brooklyn Nets will look to rebound from two tough blowout losses as they continue their road trip against the Atlanta Hawks this afternoon.
Both offenses look a bit out of sync right now, and that’s why I’m taking the Under in my Nets vs. Hawks predictions.
Keep reading for a full analysis of this game and my free NBA picks on Sunday, February 22.
Nets vs Hawks prediction
Nets vs Hawks best bet: Under 228 (-110)
The Brooklyn Nets are among the slowest-paced teams in the NBA this year, averaging 99.3 possessions per game on the season.
We’ve also seen the Nets — already the worst team in the league in offensive efficiency — struggle mightily on this road trip, putting up 84 and 86 points in their last two games, respectively.
Normally, we could count on the Atlanta Hawks to lift the total, but they have hit three straight Unders themselves, averaging 107.0 points in that span.
With neither team putting up much offense, I’m taking the Under this afternoon.
Nets vs Hawks same-game parlay
While both teams have been struggling lately, the Nets are coming off two blowout road losses, and I’m looking to make that three in a row by taking the Hawks to cover in combination with the Under. I’ll also take CJ McCollum to hit his scoring total, as he’s hit that total in three of his last four games.
Nets vs Hawks SGP
Under 228
Hawks -10
CJ McCollum Over 17.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Johnson lends his wing
I’m banking on a big game from Hawks leader Jalen Johnson. I’ll take him to get Over 7.5 assists, something he’s done in six of his last seven games, and to hit at least two shots from deep, which he’s already done three times this month. I’ll also throw in a bet on McCollum to hit Over 2.5 threes, a number he’s cleared in back-to-back games.
Nets vs Hawks SGP
Hawks -10
Jalen Johnson Over 7.5 assists
Jalen Johnson Over 1.5 made threes
CJ McCollum Over 2.5 made threes
Nets vs Hawks odds
Spread: Nets +10 (-110) | Hawks -10 (-110)
Moneyline: Nets +325 | Hawks -425
Over/Under: Over 228 (-110) | Under 228 (-110)
Nets vs Hawks betting trend to know
The Under is 3-0 in Atlanta’s last three games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Nets vs. Hawks.
How to watch Nets vs Hawks
Location
State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Date
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Tip-off
3:30 p.m. ET
TV
YES, FDSN Southeast Atlanta
Nets vs Hawks latest injuries
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Feb 18, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge steps up to take batting practice during spring training workouts at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images | Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
Mets lineup
Carson Benge – RF
Mark Vientos – 1B
Luis Torrens – C
Jared Young – DH
Christian Arroyo – 3B
Ryan Clifford – LF
Vidal Bruján – 2B
Cristian Pache – CF
Grae Kessinger – SS
Justin Hagenman – RHP
Yankees Lineup
Trent Grisham – CF
Aaron Judge – DH
Cody Bellinger – LF
Jazz Chisholm Jr. – 2B
Paul Goldschmidt – 1B
Austin Wells – C
Amed Rosario – 3B
Yanquiel Fernández – RF
José Caballero – SS
RHP Luis Gil
Broadcast info
First pitch: 1:05 PM EST TV: MLB Network (out-of-market only) Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
OG Anunoby scored 20 points and made life difficult for Rockets star Kevin Durant. Karl-Anthony Towns scored seven of his 25 points in the fourth quarter and helped shut down Alperen Sengun (0-of-4 shooting, two turnovers in fourth quarter). Jose Alvarado had five points, three assists and three steals in the fourth quarter. Jalen Brunson went 4 for 4 in the final five minutes, making big shot after big shot in New York’s 18-point comeback.
“We found a way, that’s what I’m most excited about; we found a way,” Mike Brown said.
Brown and the Knicks would have gotten crushed locally if they’d lost on Saturday night. Two nights earlier, they were embarrassed at home by the Pistons.
Back-to-back losses out of the All-Star break would have had everyone on edge. But they avoided all of that. And they hit the road this week with an offense that’s still taking shape.
Brown’s offense has changed significantly since the start of the season. It will continue to evolve over the final few weeks of the regular season.
The ultimate goal? Find what works best for Brunson, Towns and the rest of the Knicks -- in that particular order.
“If you watch us closely from the beginning of preseason until now, our offense is different. And it’s different because … it’s evolving to try and fit not just Jalen, not just KAT, but all of our guys,” Brown said before Saturday’s game against Houston. “Knowing that those two guys are our leading scorer, our second-leading scorer, first-most shots, second-most shots; trying to fit those two guys in that order and then everybody else is what’s most important.”
Entering play Saturday night, New York has the No. 3 offense in the NBA. So the offense isn’t broken. But nights like Thursday -- when the Pistons embarrassed the Knicks and Towns doesn’t dominate a game with Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart sidelined -- lead to questions about the offense.
Towns, in particular, is under the microscope this season.
He entered play Saturday averaging 19.8 points -- the fewest since his rookie season.
After shooting 42 percent from beyond the arc last season, Towns is at just 35 percent this year. His shots per game are down (16.9 last season to 14.0 this season). His current mark has been impacted by his offensive fouls (he has 49, matching last season’s total).
Towns’ production and his fit have been talking points all season long for fans and media. Here is how Brown assesses what he’s seen from the All-Star center:
“I look at KAT and he’s probably right where he should be, right? Maybe he should be the leading scorer? I don’t know, but for sure the second-leading scorer. He’s that. He gets the second-most field goal attempts, right? Behind Jalen,” Brown said before Saturday’s game. “So if that’s gonna happen, it’s just like your work. You’re not gonna be up here (at a high level) every day. You’re gonna be (up and down) … but what is it gonna average out to? ... Hopefully it averages out to you getting the second-most if you’re the No. 2 guy. So I look at KAT, and that’s what his season’s about. … So that’s the way I look at it.
“And in a game, you can literally dissect every single game and say this guy didn’t get a shot. And yeah, that’s correct. It happens sometimes. That’s life. Sometimes OG may have 15 shots and KAT may have nine shots and Jalen may have 26 shots. But as long as at the end of the day it averages out to what it needs to be or what it should be, I think that’s what the season’s about.
“(The offense is) a work in progress. You’ve got to continue to feel and evolve as a group and hopefully you can do it around the guys that you need to knowing, ‘OK if this doesn’t work, I’ve got to go and change this,’ and like I said earlier, our offense is different from now than it was in the preseason because I’ve had to try to adjust and make it fit everybody to where Jalen’s getting his first, KAT’s getting his second, then we go from there.”
It’s common for teams to change their offense over the course of the season, said Brown, who referenced the Warriors with Durant.
“Even our teams in Golden State, when we got KD, we had to change,” Brown said. “It was a little different before KD, and KD gets here, we had to change it, and then as the season went along, we were like, OK this is not gonna work, we’ve got to change it.”
Brown has said that Towns has the toughest job on offense because he has to know the power forward and center spots.
In Brown’s offense, point guard, shooting guard and the small and power forward positions are interchangeable to a degree.
Center is totally different.
“He’s done fantastic,” Brown said of Towns. “And yes, we’ve simplified (the offense) a lot. We’ve simplified it a lot to try to fit him in and everyone else at the same time.”
That effort continues Sunday when the Knicks take on the Bulls.
Brown was also asked some questions specifically about the Pistons game.
In talking about the Knicks’ screens and how they need to improve as screeners, in general, Brown said this about the Pistons:
“Trying to find different ways to attack their defense is gonna be something that I look forward to doing.”
Detroit has dominated New York, winning three games by a combined 84 points.
The Knicks don’t play the Pistons again in the regular season.
Like most Knicks fans, Brown obviously expects to see the Pistons in the playoffs.
MIKE BROWN ON TYLER KOLEK
Tyler Kolek played with the Westchester Knicks earlier Saturday; he scored 19 points and handed out 13 assists in Westchester’s win over the Cleveland Charge.
Kolek hadn’t played for the Knicks in the past 10 days. Brown was complimentary of the second-year guard when asked about him Saturday.
“Yeah, Jose is playing obviously. He’s played well for us and given us a different look. Tyler has been awesome for a Year 2 (player). He has a chance to be a good pro, a real good pro,” the coach said. “We have to find a way to help him by finding ways for him to get reps. Today was an opportunity for us to find a way for him to get a rep.”
Speaking of Alvarado, Brown pointed out that assistant Rick Brunson suggested subbing Alvarado into the game late in the fourth quarter.
Alvarado replaced Mikal Bridges with five minutes remaining. The Knicks trailed by six at the time.
And the new Knick played a major role in New York’s comeback. He had a steal, a layup and helped pressure the ball in those final minutes.
Feb 21, 2026; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays infielder Kazuma Okamoto (7) misses the ground ball during the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Game two of the spring schedule. I was up early and at the bar for the hockey, and that is all I’m saying about it. Though beer at 6:00 in the morning is surprisingly good.
The Jays have Fernando Perez as the starting pitcher. He was good in Vancouver last year, 3.05 ERA in 20 starts, and finished the season in New Hampshire.
Less regulars today, as the veterans don’t like to make the bus rides:
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 17: Brayan Bello #66 of the Boston Red Sox poses for a picture during the 2026 Boston Red Sox Photo Day at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 17, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Can the US stick it to Canada twice today? We’ll find out! First pitch at 1:05 PM.
Is it on TV?
You bet! NESN is three-for-three so far in the spring. Give it up for cable television, ladies and gentlemen.
What’s the lineup?
What should we watch for?
As Alex Cora himself said, this is pretty close to a regular season lineup. I didn’t expect to see a lineup quite like this so soon, but the WBC is speeding things up a bit this spring, so let’s go ahead and pretend this is a real game for the first few innings.
