CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 16: Starting pitcher Parker Messick #77 of the Cleveland Guardians tips his hat to the fans as he leaves the game during the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field on April 16, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Guardians defeated the Orioles 4-2. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Guardians’ rookie Parker Messick took a no-hitter into the 9th inning, but couldn’t complete the first Cleveland no-hitter in 25 years, settling for a 4-2 victory over the Orioles, Thursday.
Messick game into the bottom of the 9th with only two walks allowed and nine strikeouts on 106 pitches. He tried to sneak a cutter past Leody Taveras, only for the Orioles’ CF to slash to the ball back up the middle toward right-center, just out of the reach of 2B Juan Brito, for the Orioles first hit of the night.
Parker Messick took a no-hitter into the ninth, and on the first pitch of the inning Leody Taveras delivered a single pic.twitter.com/tc9Sj4blPM
The relief of no longer having a 0 in the hit column helped spark a mini rally for Baltimore in the top of the 9th. Guardians’ manager Stephen Vogt left Messick in to face Blaze Alexander, who rewarded that decision by lining a single to center field. That forced Vogt to turn to closer Cade Smith, who allowed the O’s to further claw back in the game. Taylor Ward worked a full count against Smith, and then loaded the bases when he line a 3-2 fastball into center.
Gunnar Henderson then came to the plate representing the tying run for Baltimore. The star SS just missed hitting a game-tying grand slam as well, getting just out in front of a Smith splitter and sending a 355-foot sac fly to deep right-center. Pete Alonso then took his own chance at being the Orioles’ hero, attacking a first-pitch fastball and sending it ricocheting off the top of the wall in right field for an RBI double. Had Alonso’s sinking line drive been five feet higher and five feet to the left, it would’ve been a three-run homer that tied the game. Instead, he had to settle for putting the tying run at second with one out.
As minds in Birdland began to turn to the Orioles magical no-hitter to walk-off winner Houdini act last September against the Dodgers, Colton Cowser stepped in as a pinch hitter. After fouling off some tough pitches from Smith, Cowser just got under a ball, sending a hard-hit shallow fly to left-center for the second out. That left the fate of the comeback to rookie Samuel Basallo, who sent a 108mph grounder screaming up the middle, only for Brito to grab it and toss the ball over to first for the final out.
The fact that the O’s made Thursday’s loss look respectable came as a surprise after Messick left them utterly befuddled for eight innings. The stocky, 25-year-old lefty had Orioles swinging through fastballs, flailing and changeups and pounding easy groundouts to shortstop all night. The only really loud outs of the game on a Ward flyout in the 3rd that died right up against the centerfield fence, and a nifty snag in foul territory by José Ramírez in the 8th. The complete lack of good swings from the Orioles against Messick made it look like they could go 100 ABs against the southpaw and never sniff a hit.
To say Orioles starter Shane Baz had a bad outing in Cleveland would probably be a little harsh, but he certainly paled in comparison to his counterpart, Messick. Coming off a lackluster outing against the Giants, Baz didn’t start the game with his best stuff against the Guardians. After punching out Steven Kwan to start the game, he walked Chase DeLauter on five pitches and then made a big mistake to perennial All-Star Ramírez. Baz threw a first-pitch fastball down the heart of the plate, and the Guardians’ all-time leader in games played smashed it to deep left-center for a two-run blast.
The 26-year-old right-hander quickly but that blunder behind him, though. He got out of the first thanks to a diving stop by Jeremiah Jackson at second and a lineout to Pete Alonso. The Polar Bear then made a great snag on a grounder to start the 2nd, before Baz punched out Austin Hedges on a foul-tipped cutter and ended the inning with a pop out to short.
The Orioles’ right-hander breezed through the 3rd inning thanks to a pair of grounders and a pop-up to the catcher. He’d open the 4th by striking out Kyle Manzardo looking, before giving up a single to George Valera, ending a streak of seven consecutive Guardians retired. The O’s defense would pick up their starter to end the 4th, as Coby Mayo stabbed a hard-hit grounder at third and started a 5-4-3 double play.
Baz picked up his fourth punchout of the night to begin the 5th, snapping off a knuckle curve below the zone to get Juan Brito. After getting Hedges to ground out on another good knuckle curve, the hard-throwing Texan ran into some bad luck to end the 5th.
Shortstop Brayan Rocchio grounded a ball to the right side that just barely eluded the pocket of Jackson’s glove, skipped off the glove into right field and allowed Rocchio to skamper to second for a double. After a double with an xBA of .120 kept the inning alive, Kwan lined a single to RF Johnathan Rodríguez. The Orioles’ outfielder fired a frozen rope to home plate, beating Rocchio, but the Cleveland infielder just barely slid under the tag of Samuel Basallo to score the Guardians’ third run.
Cleveland would add their fourth run against Baz in the 6th, thanks to another rally started by Ramírez. The Guardians’ best player led off the inning by working a 10-pitch walk. He then moved to third on a line drive by Manzardo to right, before scoring on a single to left off Valera’s bat. The Oriole’s starter would limit the damage, finishing the inning with two more Ks and a groundout to short. That closed Baz’s line at 6 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 3 BB and 6 K.
The Orioles will look to end their second three-game losing streak of the season tomorrow when Chris Bassitt takes the bump in Cleveland. First pitch is set for 6:10pm ET.
Rick Bowness agreed to a one-year contract extension to remain as coach of the Blue Jackets, team president and general manager Don Waddell said on Thursday, April 16.
"If you look at the body of work that happened here over the last 37 games, I'm very pleased with Rick's work," Blue Jackets president of hockey operations/general manager Don Waddell said. "I've said all along the strengths of this organization from a coaching standpoint has been the communication he's had with the players and getting the players ready to play on a regular basis."
Bowness, 71, took over the bench from Dean Evason on Jan. 12 and guided the Jackets to a 21-11-5 record that nearly took them from last in the Eastern Conference when he accepted the job to a playoff spot. In fact, they climbed as high as second in the Metropolitan Division before a 3-9-1 finish.
"It's always interesting when you do make changes, how players are going to respond, and even through all the exit meetings that have happened so far, every player to a man said they loved playing for Rick, they respect Rick and they were all hoping he'd come back for another year," Waddell said. "So, we're very pleased to announce that signing."
Bowness' first season ended with some turbulence after his meltdown following a 2-1 loss to the Washington Capitals in a season finale that didn't mean anything to either team in the standings. After bashing a wall outside the interview room at Nationwide Arena, presumably with a hockey stick, Bowness boiled over at a news conference that prompted pushback from players the next day.
“All you’ve got to do is look at the stat sheet,” Bowness said after the final game. “Three hits. Twenty-three giveaways. Like, I don’t know if I’m back, but if I’m back, I’m changing this culture. These guys, they don’t care. Losing is not important enough to them. It doesn’t bother them. Like, how can you go out and play like that?”
Those words resonated throughout a fan base that has felt largely the same way over much of the franchise's 25-year history. The Blue Jackets have qualified for the playoffs only six times and have won only one playoff series, a 2019 sweep of the heavily favored Tampa Bay Lightning.
They also upset the Toronto Maple Leafs in a five-game postseason series held inside the league's 2020 Toronto "bubble" during the COVID-19 pandemic, but that was just to qualify for the official playoff field.
Rick Bowness furious following the 2-1 loss to Washington.
The Blue Jackets haven't sniffed the playoffs since, extending their drought to six years after replacing former president of hockey operations John Davidson and former general manager Jarmo Kekalainen with Waddell in May 2024, and replacing head coaches Brad Larsen in 2023, Mike Babcock in 2023, Pascal Vincent in 2024 and Evason in January.
The initial goal in promoting Larsen to replace John Tortorella in 2021 was to maintain the winning culture built under Tortorella while doing so with a kinder, gentler approach that some feel is better suited to the NHL's youngest players. Larsen lasted two seasons before Kekalainen replaced him with Babcock, who had left his previous stop with the Maple Leafs under scrutiny for bullying allegations.
Babcock made it 78 days with the Blue Jackets before a forced resignation following allegations that he violated players' privacy by scrolling through their cellphones. That led to Vincent being promoted as an emergency fill-in option on a two-year contract, and Waddell opted not to let him coach a second season after replacing Davidson/Kekalainen.
That led to Evason's hiring, and he lasted only halfway into his second year before Waddell plied Bowness out of retirement to finish the season. Now, Bowness' turn at the rudder.
"Coming in, I knew, 'OK, this is a pretty good team, a lot of good pieces,'" Bowness said. "We had some success early and that made it a lot of fun, but it just scratched the itch a little bit more and I'm very excited ... because I am anxious to come back and finish the job that I came here to do, and that's to get the Columbus Blue Jackets in the playoffs."
As Bowness pointed out, things cruised along nicely during a 19-3-4 start to Bowness' tenure, boosting the Jackets into second place of the Metro, but the bottom soon fell out. Bowness bit his tongue through most of the collapse, slipping just once following a 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on April 2 in Raleigh, North Carolina, but all he had pent up came out following the season finale.
“Should’ve done this about a month ago,” Bowness said. “But this is why we are where we are. This is why we’re out of the playoffs, that kind of effort. Losing ... you have to hate losing. I don’t care if it’s a meaningless game. I don’t … care. Show up and compete. Three hits! Twenty-three giveaways! What else you want to know?”
Two days later, Bowness was asked if he regretted anything about the outburst and shook his head.
"No," he said. "Did I push the bar a little bit? Yeah. I know that, but that's me, right? So, I've got to live with myself. I'm not going to walk in here and say, 'Oh, I should've done this and I shouldn't have ..." did I push it? Yeah, I pushed that envelope a little bit, but that's who I am. I'm not going to come in here and B.S. you people, right? I'm going to tell you what I see and what I don't like, and was that a little over the top? Probably. I'll be the first to admit that, but I've got to live with myself, too, man."
Players pushed back while meeting with reporters during their first day of exit interviews April 15, saying they do, indeed, care about losing. Those who were asked about Bowness' future, however, all said they hoped to keep playing for him and that no fences needed mending.
"I'd be ecstatic if 'Bones' is back," defenseman Damon Severson said. "He's the best coach I've personally ever had. I've had a couple really good coaches. I've had some really ... not good coaches. Bones has been the best one so far. I read a little bit of the guys' comments (after the rant), who were around here with the media, and I think that was the biggest thing they said was, 'We're all big fans of Bones.'
"We just let the team down, we let the organization down and the fans down by not being in the playoffs, but Rick Bowness is not the issue at all. He's going to be part of the solution here."
Severson, who missed the final 10 games with a season-ending shoulder injury, met with reporters April 16 via teleconference. Mathieu Olivier did, too, after missing the final eight games with a fractured bone in his hand. His thoughts on Bowness echoed Severson.
"I'd love for him to be back, and I know my teammates feels the same way," Olivier said. "I just love the passion and the energy that he brings every day, and the communication with everyone. It's been really good to have him around. I've been working with him and we've started to build a really good relationship with him and the coaching staff, and everyone here. I'd be really excited for him to be back."
Postseason minutes are powerful. They can rewrite narratives. They can put careers on different trajectories.
So far, his narrative has largely been out of his hands.
James has been dragged through the mud ever since the Lakers selected him with the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Nepotism. Unready. A joke.
Those words have hovered over the 21-year-old like a shadow, distorting the reality that he has outperformed a lot of other players picked before him in the draft.
James has been dragged through the mud ever since the Lakers selected him with the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. AP
But that narrative is less sexy.
James has been subjected to the same level of criticism as a No. 1 overall pick by virtue of being LeBron James’ son.
Of course, there are two sides to that coin.
Because he’s the offspring of one of the world’s most powerful people, he also had a gold-paved path into the league.
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But what’s lost in all of this is James doesn’t need to be doing this. He doesn’t need to be a punching bag for pundits. He’s subjecting himself to derision because he’s following his dream.
Behind the scenes, he works hard. He’s well-liked by his teammates and coaches. He’s humble. He has shown there’s a place for him on NBA rosters. But that hasn’t changed any minds.
Now’s his chance to make people see him.
“I mean, it’s what I’ve wanted,” James said at Lakers practice Thursday. “My dream is to play in the playoffs. I wasn’t able to play in March, so this is a bigger stage than that. And I’m completely and totally excited to get out there with my teammates and try to get some wins and try to make it down further in the playoffs.”
James started playing meaningful minutes after Doncic and Reaves suffered their injuries against the Thunder on April. 2.
In April, James actually had better stats than the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, Zaccharie Risacher.
James averaged 7.2 points on 47% shooting from the field and 43% shooting from beyond the arc. Risacher averaged 4.8 points on 42% shooting from the field and 10% shooting from deep. It’s a small sample size, but it’s an eye-popping one.
But again, that hasn’t moved the needle.
Bronny James is about to play playoff basketball for one of the most heralded franchises in sports. NBAE via Getty Images
If James can play well during the postseason, the world will be forced to notice him. They’ll be forced to open their minds. This is his chance.
James has been through harder things than trying to change his detractors’ minds. As an 18-year-old freshman at USC, he suffered a cardiac arrest during a workout in July 2023.
At the time, it was unclear if he was going to survive. Nearly three years later, he’s about to play playoff basketball for one of the most heralded franchises in sports.
For the elder James, who’s arguably the greatest player of all time, this is a dream come true.
“Every moment we get an opportunity to play together is something that I never take for granted,” LeBron said Thursday. “I mean, listen, me being on the floor with him, postseason, regular season, training camp, practices, it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my career above everything that I’ve accomplished.
“So the fact that he’s put himself in a position to get his number called for postseason [games] is pretty remarkable and pretty cool given the circumstances that he’s been given the last couple years. He earned it, he deserves it and he’ll be ready.”
Regardless of what the 41-year-old says, it’s going to be up to his son to make a statement for himself with his play.
James can make 3-pointers. He can be a menace on defense. He has so much potential.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: Nolan Gorman #16 of the St. Louis Cardinals bats against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 07, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There is a lot to like about the 2026 season so far for the St. Louis Cardinals. Through the first 18 games, the team has a winning record and several players are off to a great start. One of the exceptions is Nolan Gorman and the early numbers reveal there is real reason for concern as 2026 is starting to look a lot like 2025.
Full disclosure: I am not a numbers expert like some of my colleagues here. I’m interested in the metrics, but don’t pretend that I can interpret them like the many in our community that also probably did a lot better in algebra than I did in school, too. However, I decided to dig in to see exactly how much progress (or not) that Nolan Gorman has made with his new approach. I did not like what I learned.
I decided to compare how Nolan started the 2025 season compared to what he’s done in 2026 through the same amount of games. So far during the 2026 season, Nolan Gorman has 11 hits in 53 at-bats with 2 home runs and 9 RBI’s and a .208 average and .611 OPS. Through the first 18 games of 2025, he had an almost exact same stat line. Gorman had 10 hits in 53 at-bats with 2 home runs and a .189 average. Nolan’s walk rate and walk-to-strikeout rate was also slightly better at the start of the 2025 season compared to what we’ve seen in 2026. His hard hit rate and barrel percentage are also slightly down from 2025.
“When you talk about what we’re doing with him and what he’s doing in order to prevent that from changing…more contact, not doing that at the expense of bat speed. You have to start somewhere and that’s why I wanted to lay that out last year….the bat speed is going to drop a little bit while we try to figure out how to get him through the zone and impacting the baseball at a higher rate.”
Nolan Gorman showed signs of improvement during Spring Training, but the first 18 games of the season have not seen that trend continue. If anything, he’s regressed somewhat although 18 games is a very small sample size. I suppose I would be delusional to hope that we’d see the Nolan Gorman that we saw at the start of the 2023 season when he began on a tear. Through the first 18 games of 2023, Nolan had a .319 batting average, already had 6 home runs and 18 RBI’s with an OPS north of 1.000. The 2023 version of Nolan Gorman was a confident one while the 2026 Nolan we’ve seen so far looks…well, “uncomfortable” would be the word that comes to mind.
I have to wonder if the key to Nolan Gorman rediscovering himself might be what’s happened with Jordan Walker. When asked about how he’s been able to turnaround his approach and results, Jordan has said that he doesn’t want to think about it too much. On one of the pregame broadcasts earlier this week, I recall Jim Hayes talking to hitting coach Brant Brown. When asked about Jordan Walker, Brant said that he’s not discussing too much about mechanics unless he sees a red flag. The only change he says he’s made is talking to Walker about how he will now be pitched with the opposition knowing he’s a threat. Other than that, he doesn’t want Walker to overthink his new success. The at-bats I’ve seen Nolan Gorman take this season, he looks like a player that’s trying to apply someone else’s approach.
I think that Nolan Gorman is a player that really needs to have some success and he needs to have it soon. Jordan Walker now has his confidence back and he goes to the plate expecting to do damage. We know that Nolan Gorman is capable of being that type of impact player, too. I daydream about a St. Louis Cardinals lineup where both Gorman and Walker are offensive threats. Walker is on his way to living up to his massive potential. Will Gorman be able to jumpstart his flatline start to 2026? We can only hope.
Mitchell Robinson has seen it all as a Knick, from toiling on the league’s worst team to now being the X factor on a contender that has a chance to be the best.
The Knicks’ road to a title — the bar set by ownership — starts with Saturday’s first-round Game 1 against the visiting Hawks. Robinson, the longest-tenured player on the roster, is the only one left from their 2021 first-round loss to the Hawks.
“Yeah, it’s crazy. Was it five years ago when we played them in the playoffs?” Robinson asked rhetorically. “I didn’t get to play in that series. Five years later, here we are with a different team for both sides. It’s going to be amazing, going to be fun. [We’re] going to get after it.”
Robinson missed that gentleman’s sweep at the hands of Atlanta, sidelined by a broken foot. But after being handled cautiously the final six games — averaging 20.7 minutes in three and missing the rest — he’s come through a left ankle injury and lost toenail, healthy for this Hawks rematch.
A pending unrestricted free agent, this could be his Garden swan song. Robinson was a rookie on a league-worst 17-65 squad and has been part of their steady climb. Now they’ll aim to turn the Hawks into another rung on their ladder.
Mitchell Robinson talks to the media after practice at the Knicks training facility in Tarrytown, N.Y. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“Yeah, I’ve done seen it all,” said Robinson, 28. “This is Year 8 for me, going from not being in the playoffs, to the bottom of the East, to now one of the tops in the East. It’s been amazing. Long journey. Trust the process and here we are.”
Robinson averaged 5.7 points and 8.9 boards this season, but the numbers don’t so much lie as fall short of the truth.
“We’ve got to approach this collectively,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder said. “He’s a terrific player that impacts the game in a lot of ways.”
In their April 6 matchup, Robinson had a dozen boards, three blocks and two steals in just 20 minutes off the bench to lead the Knicks to a road win. The league’s most efficient rebounder, Robinson could be the X factor against a team already undersized before losing Jock Landale to an ankle injury.
In the postseason, when games get slower, defensive and played in the halfcourt — where every rebound matters — Robinson has a golden opportunity to thrive.
“Yeah, everything matters: box-outs, rebounds, offensive rebounds, just the little details. Everything literally counts, and you’ve got to make the best of it,” Robinson said. “I’ve been in a couple of playoff series now. So, got a little experience. With that, I use that as motivation and know what to look for.”
Knicks center Mitchell Robinson slams home a dunk during a game against the Wizards this season. Jason Szenes / New York Post
Robinson led the league in rebounds per 100 possessions, offensive rebounds per 100 and offensive rebounds per 36 minutes. And his contrast with Karl-Anthony Towns is like a great fastball-curveball combo.
“Mitchell’s size, athleticism, ability to be a vertical threat, it gives our opponents different looks offensively just by substitution,” coach Mike Brown said, snapping his fingers. “So from that standpoint, it’s pretty neat. … Those two guys are different, and I like to have diversity within our team, especially within the same position.”
Though Towns is great in dribble-handoffs and even from the arc, Robinson is a physical, ferocious offensive rebounder and rim protector.
And the Knicks have gone jumbo with both playing together for 278 minutes in 51 games this season. Their rebound rate of 58 percent was the best of any two-man unit involving Mitchell, and could be a weapon to slow the Hawks’ fast break.
“He impacts the game on the boards in a really significant way. He does things that are selfless. The rebounds show up, but his presence — whether it’s the screening or rolling, the defending — there’s a lot of things he does,” Snyder said. “There’s no one guy for us that you can say that’s your job to stop him. … So we have to approach it collectively.
“They play them together, too. So, you look at all those different lineups. So you can chase matchups, or you can stay with what you think works for your team. I think you need to do both.”
When the topic of organizational depth is raised, the Ottawa Senators organization has been heavily criticized as being one of the worst in the league.
No one questioned the talent in Ottawa, but there was always a looming fear that the Belleville Senators didn’t have enough NHL-ready players and prospects to backfill in case the worst happened.
Well, in the final 6-7 weeks of the season, the worst happened.
Steve Warne and Gregg Kennedy discuss the Senators rise in the last third of the season to make the playoffs..
The defensive core, in particular, was tested heavily at a time when the Senators were on the outside looking in on a playoff spot with multiple teams to overtake.
Now, after game 82 is in the books with a final victory in the Battle of Ontario, it’s time to look at the unsung heroes who came up played a pivotal role in the Senators qualifying for the postseason dance.
1) Lassi Thomson
The former Senators first rounder from 2019 took his act back to Sweden in 2024-25 and then returned to Belleville where he led all AHL defensemen in goals scored (14) before his recall.
When the Senators selected him, they likely hoped they had found what Jordan Spence appears to have become.
Thomson certainly hasn’t looked out of place in the 11 games he played in, logging an average of 13:23 in TOI in important games. He also did so playing the left and right sides.
Though the 25-year-old may never reach that level of production, he may have done enough to warrant a more permanent gig in the show next season based on how he played down the stretch.
As the Senators' walking wounded emerge from sick bay, Thomson may end up being relegated to the role of a black ace. He appears to have done enough to put Travis Green’s mind at ease that he can come in and backfill should the need arise.
2) Dennis Gilbert
Gilbert was acquired in exchange for Maxence Guenette to compensate for the loss of Donovan Sebrango on waivers to the Florida Panthers.
He toiled in the AHL for most of the season and was the primary recall when Jake Sanderson went down.
Gilbert also succumbed to injury, but he functioned effectively with Niklas Matinpalo in the bottom pair role before that. Depending on Tyler Kleven’s return status, he may be needed against Carolina at some point where his 119 career regular season games of experience could come in handy.
3) Carter Yakemchuk
The fan base breathed a collective sigh of relief when Yakemchuk played a pivotal role in his regular season debut against the Detroit Red Wings.
His no-look assist to Tim Stutzle on the power play, followed by his first career goal, showed the pundits that his year in Belleville had not been without reward.
Though he may never be regarded as a defensive stalwart, he certainly showed that he has a future in the Senators lineup and that that future may come sooner than later.
The fan base also breathed a collective sigh of relief when Yakemchuk cleared concussion protocol before his return to Belleville.
He may have only played four games, but he left an impression with an average of 14:32 per game and will likely serve as a black ace when Belleville wraps up its regular season.
4) Cameron Crotty
Crotty became the 13th defenseman to suit up for the Senators this season when Yakemchuk suffered his concussion.
The local product, who was acquired in the off-season, played a steady stay-at-home role in his six games, where he logged an average of 14:45 per game.
He certainly hasn’t looked out of place and even when Yakemchuk was cleared of concussion protocol, Ottawa kept him and let the latter go back to log the heavier minutes in Belleville.
With the defensive core returning to health heading into the playoffs, Thomson, Gilbert, Yakemchuk, and Crotty have done more than enough to instill confidence that they can deliver if called upon.
The ability to backfill for injuries says a lot, not only about the players in the system, but the system itself.
The structure that Travis Green and his staff have in place allows players to step into roles they are comfortable with and sets them up for success.
The Belleville Senators may not have a playoff run in them, but that's because they had to serve at the pleasure of the parent club. 13 B-Sens suited up for Ottawa throughout the season.
No matter what happens now, these unsung heroes certainly played a role in helping Ottawa get to the dance.
Pat Maguire The Hockey News
This article was first published at The Hockey News Ottawa. Check out more great Sens features from The Hockey News at the links below:
Anthony Volpe continues his road back to the Yankees with his second rehab start playing for the Somerset Patriots on Thursday night.
The Yankees shortstop played five innings and finished 1-for-3 with a strikeout on the night. After going hitless in his two at-bats on Tuesday -- batting against Phillies ace Zack Wheeler -- Volpe has the first hit of his rehab assignment.
Batting second in the lineup, Volpe grounded out to third base in his first at-bat. In his second at-bat in the third inning, Volpe swung and missed on a 3-2 pitch down in the zone. He's struck out three times in his first five at-bats since starting his rehab assignment. But Volpe got the barrel on the ball in his third at-bat, this time coming in the fifth.
On a 3-0 count, Volpe had the greenlight and drove the ball up the middle for a base hit.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that the plan is for Volpe to play back-to-back games on Thursday and Friday. The shortstop will take Saturday off before taking the field again on Sunday.
From there, Volpe will head to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where his workload will increase.
Yankees top prospect George Lombard Jr. started at third base for the Patriots on Thursday before shifting over to shortstop once Volpe's night was done.
Lombard's scorching-hot start to the minor league season continued, as he went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk through six innings of Thursday's game.
Over his first 10 games, Lombard is hitting .425 and has five multi-hit games this season.
Sunny Mehta and Bryan McCabe of the Florida Panthers celebrate their Stanley Cup victory in Game Seven of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 24, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida.
The Devils are going all in on their pick to lead the team’s front office.
The team announced Thursday that they hired Sunny Mehta to be their new general manager, with the 47-year-old expected to be formally introduced at the Prudential Center on Tuesday.
Mehta, who brings over a decade of NHL management experience, was previously a professional poker player, playing in high-stakes Texas hold ’em games in the 2000s, and has co-authored two books based on his experience, focusing on different game strategies.
Sunny Mehta and Bryan McCabe of the Panthers celebrate their Stanley Cup victory in Game 7 of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 24, 2024 in Sunrise, Fla. Getty Images
Following his professional poker stint, Mehta, who was raised in Wyckoff, New Jersey, started his NHL front office career with the Devils, spending four seasons in New Jersey (2014-18) as the director of hockey analytics.
“This is a dream come true for a New Jersey kid, who grew up watching Devils’ practices just 20 minutes away in Totowa,” Mehta said in a statement released by the Devils. “After meeting with (co-owners) David Blitzer, Josh Harris, Bob Myers, and other members of the organization, I knew this was the place I wanted to be. Thank you to Vinnie Viola, Bill Zito and the entire Florida Panthers organization for a fantastic six years and for the opportunity to take the next step in my professional career.
“New Jersey has a tremendous young core that will be looking to get back to being a contender, a complement of young assets and draft picks, and a passionate fan base hungry for success. I was fortunate enough to watch the New Jersey Devils raise three Stanley Cups and am excited to get to work to return to that level.”
Mehta spent the past six seasons as the Panthers’ assistant general manager and director of analytics, helping them construct back-to-back Stanley Cup championship-winning teams.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Sunny and his wife, Nicole, back home to New Jersey,” Blitzer said in a statement. “We quickly realized this job was in high demand and were incredibly fortunate to meet with many qualified candidates.
“Sunny’s familiarity with our organization and experience with a two-time Stanley Cup-winning team are characteristics that will serve as a foundation for future success. Our expectations are to be a perennial playoff team and compete for the Stanley Cup, and I look forward to Sunny leading us there.”
Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald talks about the hiring of new NHL hockey team head coach Sheldon Keefe (left) during a press conference on May 28, 2024, in Newark. AP
This decision for the Devils comes just days after they fired general manager Tom Fitzgerald amid a disappointing season, which saw the team finish near the bottom of the Metropolitan division.
Fitzgerald led New Jersey’s front office since January 2020, and saw the team reach the playoffs twice during his tenure, including their first postseason series win in over a decade with a victory over the Rangers in the 2022-23 season.
“After talking with David Blitzer, it was apparent to everyone that the best course of action is to move on for the benefit of the team,” Fitzgerald said in a statement. “I am incredibly appreciative to David, (co-owner) Josh Harris, and the entire New Jersey Devils organization for being a part of my life for the past decade.
“The Devils are fortunate to have a core of great players, vocal and passionate fans, but most importantly, tremendous people who worked with me toward a common goal.”
Mar 3, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kelly Olynyk (8) catches a pas against the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The playoffs are here. After 82 games and 62 wins, the Spurs have an established identity and a set rotation. A big reason for their success has been their depth outside of their main guys. The role players have stepped up, bringing shooting, defense, and playmaking. San Antonio’s top nine is not perfect, but it’s good enough to beat anyone, as they proved in the regular season.
Normally, rotations only tighten up in the playoffs, but it’s not uncommon for someone not in the scouting report to be asked to fill a small role in case of injury or to make adjustments or counters. So let’s see who the Spurs have at the edges of the rotation and what they could do in the playoffs if called upon to contribute.
The Spurs have some “break in case of emergency” backcourt shooting
Jordan McLaughlin has never really had a rotation spot in the NBA because of his limitations, but early in the season and recently, he has been showing that he can give the team a few solid minutes if needed.
McLaughlin is not particularly big, athletic, or quick, but he has good defensive anticipation and always plays hard. He offers ball handling to start possessions, which helps keep the true initiators fresh, and he can also create in a pinch. But more importantly, he’s been a good three-point shooter.
The former Timberwolf and King shot 42 percent from beyond the arc, continuing a recent trend in his career in which his outside shot seems like a reliable weapon, something that wasn’t true in his beginnings. The volume was small, and not a lot of his attempts came in high-leverage situations because of his role, but it’s safe to say he can make open looks as a spot-up shooter.
The Spurs also have a more versatile but less efficient shooter on the roster. Lindy Waters III shot 34 percent from beyond the arc this year, but on a lot of attempts per minute. He’s been better in past stops, and he can fire on the move. He doesn’t offer much ballhandling, but he understands his role, which explains his extremely low turnover rate in admittedly low minutes.
Backcourt shooting was projected to be one of the Spurs’ biggest weaknesses, and it was an issue at times, but San Antonio has done exceptionally well despite not having many rotation guards whom opponents are afraid to leave open. McLaughlin and Waters III shouldn’t be expected to play much in the postseason, if at all, but it’s good to know that if the team needs some extra shooting in a certain situation, they have those two in the deep bench.
The Spurs have a lot of big men, but not much actual big man depth
The Spurs have five centers on their roster. Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet get the rotation minutes, but Kelly Olynyk, Mason Plumlee, and Bismack Biyombo are on the bench every game, which means San Antonio has big bodies to spare. Alas, quantity doesn’t equal quality. Despite the many names, they don’t have a lot of alternatives to throw out there who can either sustain the level of play of the top two guys or offer a different look.
Biyombo is a fantastic human who should not get minutes under any circumstances when the game is on the line. Plumlee has been known to do the little things well, as he can screen, rebound, and keep the ball moving, but at 36, his best defensive years are behind him, and he’s not much of a scoring threat. Olynyk is the most unique of the three, since he can shoot open threes and is a terrific passer, but he’s one of the worst rim protectors among players his size.
The reason why the lack of quality depth has not been a huge problem for the Spurs is not hard to figure out: their top two guys are among the best in the league at their roles. If nothing unexpected happens, Wembanyama will likely see his minutes expanded in the postseason, and Luke Kornet will continue to be an excellent backup who can also share the floor with Wemby at times, for short stints.
If Wemby gets hurt, San Antonio’s chances to make a deep run disappear, no matter who’s behind him in the depth chart, so it’s not necessary to dwell on that scenario. But what happens if Kornet is injured or ineffective? It could be a problem for the Spurs.
Carter Bryant might be more important than the typical 10th man
In the last stretch of the regular season, Harrison Barnes claimed the ninth spot in the rotation, getting a lot more minutes than Carter Bryant, who at one point seemed in contention for the role. It’s not a shock, since Barnes has the playoff experience that the rookie obviously lacks, and despite his inconsistent season, he’s still a 39 percent shooter from beyond the arc on significant volume. Yet while Bryant might get squeezed out of the regular rotation if Mitch Johnson trims it, he could end up being important in some situations.
When he hasn’t had either of his two top big men, Johnson has preferred to go small often, with Bryant as the de facto center for short stretches, allowing the Spurs to be switchable on defense and play five-out on offense. Those units have some question marks in terms of rebounding and rim protection, but considering the alternatives, it’s hard to blame Johnson for preferring them. If opponents go small themselves or the Spurs need a different look, Bryat could get some run.
If the rookie is getting big minutes at the wing, it probably means something went wrong, but he could also have his moments at that slot if the Spurs just need a jolt of athleticism. Bryant might be the 10th man on the rotation, but could also be a factor in specific matchups.
Aydar Suniev is starting to make an impression with the Calgary Flames during his latest call-up from the AHL Wranglers.
The 21-year-old has played five games since being recalled, recording his first NHL point - an assist - on April 12 against the Utah Mammoth. In his most recent outing versus the Colorado Avalanche, Suniev registered four shots on goal and generated multiple quality chances.
He’s been noticeable in limited action. Suniev has shown an ability to get up ice quickly, create opportunities, and hold his own defensively. At 6-foot-2, 198 pounds, he brings size along with a strong shot, giving the Flames another intriguing option up front.
Head coach Ryan Huska has seen progress over the short stint.
“I thought he was dangerous, he had some really good chances for us,” said Huska of Suniev. “He’s a strong man, he’s heavy on the puck. The one thing he does really well is protect the puck and then he gets himself into positions to shoot and his shot is very good.”
Suniev spent most of the season with the Wranglers, where the Flames’ 2023 third-round pick (80th overall) from Kazan, Russia posted 15 goals and 23 points in 55 games in his first professional season.
The foundation is there. For Suniev, it’s now about turning those tools into consistent production at the NHL level, but his early showing has been a positive step.
NBA analyst and former All-Star Wally Szczerbiak takes a shot at some playoff Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby. Szczerbiak will be in studio with Bill Pidto and Alan Hahn for MSG Network’s pre- and postgame coverage during the Knicks’ first-round matchup against the Hawks — with contributions by Alex Monaco, Monica McNutt and Tyler Murray.
Q: Are the Knicks better equipped entering these playoffs compared to a year ago?
A: You can never predict. … I would think they would be because of the depth of their roster, and how many guys they can trust off the bench, and the different kind of rotations that Mike Brown has experimented with. … I remember when I played for Mike in Cleveland, he really did a thorough analysis of who he was playing, matchups in each individual playoff series. And I remember the first round we played against Detroit, and I was playing a lot of minutes, I was the first or second guy off the bench, but that series I didn’t play much at all because he didn’t like my matchup guarding Tayshaun Prince. So he wanted to keep LeBron [James] on him, I think, most of the time. I don’t even know if I even played until maybe Game 4, we won all four in a row.
And he explained to me, he was like, “Wally, just stay ready, this series I’m gonna experiment with some stuff. I’m gonna watch the matchups, see how the series goes.” … The following series we played Atlanta, and my matchup was different, I was taking on [Ronald] Murray, and I played like 25, 30 minutes every game and we won 4-0, and I played a lot in the Eastern Conference finals because I was matched up with Rashard Lewis, he liked that matchup for me. … He has a lot of options now with who he’s gonna go with off the bench. … These are all options that I don’t think the team had last year that Mike Brown and his coaching staff have at their disposal this year.
I personally would think they’re a little more equipped for success and the opportunity to win a championship. That’s how this team has been coached all season long. They’ve been primed to be healthy at this point in the season, peaking at this point in the season, tweaking matchups, tweaking lineups, tweaking benches here and there just to see what works best. … It’s not gonna be easy. … But I think this team is very equipped to make a championship run.
Q: What do you sense the mindset of these Knicks is trying to get over the hump?
A: I just think they embrace the journey. I think they really like each other in the locker room. I think they just need to focus on their opponent one at a time. The Atlanta Hawks are a good basketball team, they really are. They made some good moves, they’ve gotten better defensively and they have a great coach [Quin Snyder]. You gotta respect everyone on that roster. … The prep’s gonna be big for these guys this week and I know this team’ll be ready. I really believe experience wins in the playoffs.
Q: What is the key to the Hawks series?
A: Defend the 3-point line. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is a very underrated player. He hurt the Knicks a little bit from 3, and I think they really have to do a good job of not letting [CJ] McCollum get going, obviously he’s like the orchestrator, the guy they trust in the fourth quarter. McCollum’s gonna be aggressive, he’s gonna get his, but when you start doubling McCollum that leaves their shooters open, and that’s a big problem. When the Knicks don’t defend the 3-point line, that’s when they’re vulnerable, and that’s when they get in scramble mode on defense.
Jalen Brunson during practice at the Knicks training facility in Tarrytown, N.Y. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Q: This is a more rested Jalen Brunson?
A: Yes. Do you remember at the end of last year? He missed a month coming off an ankle injury, and he got back right before the playoffs. He looks quick, he looks athletic, he looks explosive, he looks rested, he looks healthy … and most of the guys do. All of ’em, almost. Obviously injuries are gonna come, but Mike Brown has managed minutes very well and trusted the bench. Landry Shamet’s a big part of the rotation, Mitchell Robinson’s been outstanding — he’s healthy this year, he’s had a bounce-back year in every way, shape or form, he’s a difference-maker on the boards. [Miles] Deuce McBride came back and had a big game. I think he’s ready to go now in the playoffs just to remind people how good he was all regular season.
Q: Describe the Jalen Brunson we see now compared to the Jalen Brunson in Dallas.
A: With Luka Doncic, he was playing Robin to Luka’s Batman. So it’s his team [now], he’s got the keys to the car, he’s the captain. He gets to impose his will on the game when he feels he needs to, and that he can pull the foot off the gas and be a pure point guard when he sees his guys are going. He is completely the engine to this team. He’s the best, if not one of the best, in closing games. He always delivers when the defense is loaded up on him and they’re locked in and they’re playing their hardest. The way this team plays in the fourth quarter and the way he executes the offense in the fourth quarter, I think, is just second to none.
Q: What do the Knicks need out of Karl Anthony-Towns in these playoffs?
A: I just think aggressiveness is important with him, when teams dare him to switch and put a small guy on him, be aggressive, demand the ball … work him into the offense. I think we saw a lot of high pick-and-roll with Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns towards the end of the year, and I think that’s an impossible play to guard. I think we’re gonna see a lot in the playoffs. That’s gonna be maybe their go-to play at the end of games possibly. They’re playing great in the fourth quarter. This team is built to win close games, and they have clutch guys on their team. Karl-Anthony Towns seems fresh, he seems like he doesn’t have as much mileage on his body this year as he did last year. I think that’s a credit to Mike Brown and the coaching staff and the training staff really managing these guys to keep them healthy for the playoffs.
Karl-Anthony Towns is greeted by Jalen Brunson on the floor during the third quarter of the Knicks’ win over the Raptors on April 10, 2026 at Madison Square Garden. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
Q: What kind of X factor can Robinson be?
A: Huge factor. Huge. Obviously he has a few limitations — he’s not a jump shooter and he’s not a great free-throw shooter. But what he does well, he has maximized to the fullest. The bench unit, when he comes out there and plays with those guys, he solidifies them defensively. He’s a big-time rim protector. The offensive and defensive glass, when they come in with that unit with [Jordan] Clarkson and Deuce and Shamet and Mitchell Robinson, I think that unit’s really developed a lot of chemistry and played great in the last couple of weeks, and that’s gonna be a dynamic bench unit that can really, I think, help this team in the playoffs.
Q: The entire starting lineup is battle-tested in the playoffs.
A: This team is experienced. They’ve had a couple of pretty good playoff runs the last couple of years. I guess your top eight is the same that made the Eastern Conference finals. … At the same time, Boston’s playing well, Detroit’s playing well, Cleveland’s scary now that they picked up James Harden. … No one’s gonna hand you anything, you gotta go out and earn every one.
Q: Compare Josh Hart starting versus off the bench.
A: I like it, especially with the way he’s shooting the ball. He brings such intangibles to that starting lineup, he doesn’t have to shoot, he does all the other little things while all the other guys are looking to be aggressive and score. I think Josh Hart’s confidence shooting the basketball is in a great place, and that’s one thing that I think hurt the Knicks a little bit in last year’s playoffs, the fact that he didn’t trust his 3-point shooting, and as a result teams were able to load up defensively on all of the other guys. They can’t do that this year.
Josh Hart during practice at the Knicks training facility in Tarrytown, N.Y. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Q: Why was the trade for OG Anunoby so important for Leon Rose?
A: In order to win in the playoffs, you need wing defenders, and OG and Mikal [Bridges] are two of the best. The main reason why they got OG, he’s one of the best defenders in the league, he can guard all five positions, and he can play all five positions, so you can play small and you can bump him to the 5. I think he’s been great rebounding the basketball this year, which has allowed Mike Brown to play a lot of different lineups. A winning player is what you got in that trade.
Q: What should Knicks fans expect from Bridges?
A: The Knicks don’t get by the Celtics without his defense last year. They’re gonna need more of the same. I think he’s had a better shooting year than he did last year. Sometimes he doesn’t get as many shots as maybe he would like and a lot of people think he should get, but he doesn’t complain, he just goes out there and does everything that the team asks of him to win. I love when he’s aggressive and looks to get himself into rhythm, looks to be aggressive and shoot. He’s a very capable outside jump shooter and 3-point shooter, so that opens up the floor for Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and all of the other guys to have a lot of driving lanes to the basket.
Q: What’s the loudest you’ve heard the Garden?
A: Donte DiVincenzo hit that 3 a couple of years ago in the playoffs. I think that was just the loudest I’ve ever heard a building. It was unbelievable, it was awesome.
Q: How big of a factor can the Garden play?
A: Huge. Massive. Like, every time I go to the Garden, I think they’re never losing, especially in the playoffs, with how loud it is, and how amped-up the crowd is and the way that energy is. I know as a former player, having that kind of home-court advantage, it’s just electric, it really is. They have been a very good road playoff team, too. This team can win on any floor, it doesn’t matter, but it sure helps having home-court advantage with that great crowd.
Q: How crazy would a Knicks-Celtics second-round series be?
A: Oh, that would be awesome. It would be really, really good. Obviously the Celtics have a little different makeup than they did last year. I think the Knicks were very fortunate to steal those first two games in Boston when Boston had those huge leads in the second half and completely fell apart. I wouldn’t bank on that happening again, but I think this year the Knicks match up a little bit better. I think Boston has retooled very well. You had three key pieces that aren’t on the roster anymore that won a championship. That’s a little bit of a question mark for Boston. Some of these guys haven’t played in the playoffs, they’re a little inexperienced, but they sure have stepped up to the plate this year and played outstanding basketball. So a Boston-Knick series in the second round would be really, really fun for the NBA, too.
Q: Do you have a favorite memory when you played for the Celtics?
A: I enjoyed the fans, I enjoyed playing there. Unfortunately, I was a little banged-up, had some injuries there. One of my favorite games was when I first got traded there, I landed like right after the first quarter ended and I made it for the second half, and we beat the Sacramento Kings, just threw on a uniform and went out there and played, made a couple of 3s, and it was off to the races in my Boston Celtic uniform.
Q: How did your game compare to your father’s, Walt?
A: Very similar. The only difference was I had a little bit more ball handling to my game. He was more of a catch-and-shoot guy, and that was maybe because of the time. He was probably a better rebounder. He loved playing down low and just rooting himself down there rebounding. I think I had a few more perimeter skills, and he had a few more big man skills.
Q: Did you play one-on-one against him?
A: Yeah, first time I ever beat him one-on-one was after my freshman year in college that summer. I remember we played a game in Pittsburgh, we were on a little mini-vacation with his family, who grew up in Pittsburgh, he grew up in Pittsburgh. We played at a local YMCA and I said, “Let’s get this over with, buddy,” and I finally beat him.
Q: How did he handle it?
A: He was alright. I was All-Freshman in the MAC [Mid-American Conference], so it was about time he handed over the reins.
Q: Did he coach you growing up?
A: Oh, yeah. He coached me in CYO and stuff. He didn’t coach me, per se, in high school, AAU, but he was very influential in being at games and being in my ear whenever I had questions or just kind of steering me in the right direction all throughout my NBA, college, all my careers.
A: The All-Star Game was great, I think I made the playoffs seven out of the 10 years. I fell short of an NBA championship, which still haunts me to this day, made the Eastern and Western Conference finals. I was just all about wanting to win, I played on good teams with great players — K.G. [Kevin Garnett], LeBron, Kevin Durant, Paul Pierce, [Latrell] Sprewell, [Sam] Cassell, you name it. I was very proud of my career, I just wish I could have avoided some injuries. I would have liked to have played a little longer, and I was still pretty healthy after that 10th year. But that would be my only regret.
Q: Did you have a chip on your shoulder after you were not heavily recruited and chose Miami (Ohio)?
A: Not really. I liked Miami, it just was a great place for me, we had a great coaching staff. I just looked at it as a kid that needed to get better, I used it as motivation to get better. I had Sean Miller, Thad Matta, Herb Sendek, Charlie Coles, Jenny Christian — great coaching staff that were experts in developing players.
Q: Tell me about your 43-point game in your 1999 opening-round upset of No. 7 seed Washington in March Madness.
A: Well, that was fun because they didn’t double-team me for the first time my whole senior year (laugh). I was dealing with triangle-and-twos in the Mid-American Conference — teams were all over me, really physical, double-teams every time I touched the ball. I had my best games in the nonconference and in the NCAA Tournament because the teams I played against didn’t really think they needed to double-team me as much.
Q: What was that like going to the Sweet 16?
A: That was awesome, it was great. I came off a loss in our Mid-American Conference Tournament championship game where I had a terrible game, lost like 49-42, I shot 4-for-17, I was getting roasted by “Mike and the Mad Dog” on the radio. That’s the first time my games were televised. And I used that roasting as motivation to go out and prove ’em wrong in the NCAA Tournament.
Wally Szczerbiak arrives to the arena before the game against the Knicks on Nov. 13, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston. NBAE via Getty Images
Q: Long Island memories growing up in Cold Spring Harbor?
A: The biggest ones were going to Robert Moses Field 2 with my brother, my sister and my mom and dad — that was my summer vacation. It was so much fun. I used to love boogie boarding. I also was really into soccer at a young age — we had a really good soccer team, travel soccer — and then I played New York State Select and Long Island Select soccer until I was in eighth grade. Another huge memory is growing up going to my dad’s summer league games, my dad’s Huntington League games, Friends Academy games, he played in the leagues after he retired (Real Madrid), so I loved palling around with him, hanging with the guys afterwards for a burger and Coke. That’s kind of where I got my bug for the game of basketball.
Q: Favorite players growing up?
A: Dominque Wilkins was my favorite. I used to go to the All-Star games with my dad, so I loved his dunking prowess, dunking off two feet. I always loved Chris Mullin, I loved [John] Starks and [Patrick] Ewing, I was a huge Knicks fan, the Knicks were my team growing up. I used to go to the Garden maybe once or twice a year, my dad would take me to a game, and it was just so much fun rooting for the Knicks teams in the ’90s. I loved Larry Bird.
Q: Whatever comes to mind: Bill Pidto.
A: He’s a wonderful host, just a joy to spend so much time with during the season and talk Knicks basketball.
Q: Alan Hahn.
A: A numbers genius that is always fun to debate at times about his stats.
Q: How good of a basketball player was he?
A: He was pretty good, he was a solid Division II player [LIU Post], great athlete, he was like a hustle 4 man, utility 4 man-type guy, a little bit like a Mitchell Robinson type where he rebounded, played defense, just hit the glass hard, could make his free throws and stuff like that. He was a big energy guy, and we played a little bit once I would come home in the summers, we used to play at St. Mary’s, we would always call him up. But unfortunately we got him when his knee was kind of cranky ’cause he had that ACL surgery that derailed his career a little bit in college.
Q: Monica McNutt.
A: She’s great on camera, she really knows a lot about the game of basketball, the NBA game. She’s great on the radio, too. Having her point of view is big time.
Q: Mike Breen.
A: He’s the GOAT, he’s the best. Ultra prepared. One thing I learned from Mike is it doesn’t matter whether it’s Game 7 of the NBA Finals or whether it’s game 52 [of the regular season] and the Knicks are up 20, 30 points, you gotta bring the same enthusiasm, the same energy to every broadcast. I think that’s what makes him so special. He never lets the fans down, he always delivers, and he knows his job is to call the game where the fans are gonna always respect his call, and he does this like no other guy in the business and he’s just nothing but pure professionalism.
Q: What do you hope the viewers say about you?
A: I hope they see the joy I have about the game of basketball when I talk basketball, whether it’s a broadcast in the studio or whether it’s a broadcast doing the color. I love talking Knicks, I love talking about the skill level and the quality players they have on their team, and I hope the fans can see the joy that I have having the opportunity to call this a job even though it really isn’t.
Q: Would you ever wear one of Clyde Frazier’s outfits?
A: I’ve tried to wear a little something a little bit Clyde-esque. I would always give anything a shot. Christmas, I wear a red velvet, like, smoker’s jacket so I always try to mix it up a little bit. I think Clyde looks great. As long as the suits fit, and they’re tailored nice, I’ll wear absolutely anything, and Clyde’s all fit to a tee.
Q: Three dinner guests?
A: Michael Jordan, Nicole Kidman, Scottie Scheffler.
Q: Favorite movie?
A: “Gladiator.”
Q: Favorite actor?
A: Russell Crowe.
Q: Favorite entertainer?
A: Metallica.
Q: Favorite meal?
A: Paella.
Wally Szczerbiak, and Mike Breen smile before a game between the Knicks and the Lakers on Jan. 7, 2020 in Los Angeles. NBAE via Getty Images
Q: Who could be a Knicks X factor?
A: Josh Hart. I just think what he brings to the table in close games, the ESP that he has with Jalen Brunson, is so key in must-win games and crucial clutch situations at the end of games. And I think his shooting’s gonna be a big X factor, also.
Q: Do you think the Knicks will embrace the pressure of NBA Finals-or-bust?
A: Yes. They have embraced it all season long. They love it. Having been in that situation as a player, you want those expectations. That’s what you live for. That’s the only reason you play this game, is to win the championship. The more pressure, the more glory when you accomplish your goal.
Q: As a New Yorker, paint the picture of the city if the Knicks reach the NBA Finals.
A: Oh, my goodness. Well they’re gonna have to shut down Seventh Avenue for a long time, that’s for sure. … I just think we’re so ready as a fan base — everyone’s just ready to explode. … But I caution everyone to just be patient and enjoy the ride and not just expect it to happen … let it happen. That’s the most important thing. And if it happens, it’s gonna be amazing, and I know this team isn’t only gonna be satisfied with the playoffs. … This team seriously has the capabilities to win the whole thing. … It’s gonna take a little bit of luck, it’s gonna take some great play, and I’m just really excited for the ride. These next couple of months are gonna be, I think, something we’ll never forget as longtime Knick fans.
Apr 11, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners starter Luis Castillo (58) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Houston Astros at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images | Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
The Mariners are back under the lights tonight after a game where for some reason, who can say really, the ninth inning absolutely did not happen. Seriously. Eat some chicharron, drink a Russian imperial stout, and smile through it all. That’s how we get through 162 games together.
Lineups:
Luis Castillo takes the mound tonight for the final match of this weird 3-game road trip. Luis actually leads MLB in swings-and-misses (3,426) since 2017, the year he made his debut. Here’s hoping he adds to that lead tonight. Offense-wise, it’s a fairly conventional lineup for Dan Wilson’s Mariners. J.P. Crawford is back in the lineup after getting the day off yesterday, and there’s been some slight jiggling in the 7-9 holes, but otherwise it’s the same lineup that put 6 runs on the Dads last night.
Walker Buehler takes the mound tonight for San Diego. Buehler had a to-ugh time in Boston last year, and his 2026 hasn’t been any better. Sporting an ERA of 4.97, the two-time All-Star has been scuffling out of the gate. With luck, the Mariners can put the hurt on him and get his ERA north of 5.
Game Information:
First Pitch: 5:40 pm PT
TV: Mariners TV with Aaron Goldsmith and Angie Mentink in the booth with Brad Adam on the field.
Radio: Seattle Sports 710 AM with Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr. on the call.
Apr 14, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) reacts after a three point shot while being fouled against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first half during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
There’s been plenty of discourse over the past couple of days following the Phoenix Suns’ loss to the Portland Trail Blazers in the 7–8 game. A lot of it has centered on Devin Booker and Jordan Ott’s rotations. That’s the natural reaction. You focus on what went wrong and look for ways to fix it. But “moving forward” is now a fragile concept. If the Suns don’t beat the Golden State Warriors, there is no next step. That’s the end of the road.
What hasn’t been talked about enough is Jalen Green. He was electric. He scored 35 points in the loss, carrying the offense at times, keeping the Suns within reach in a game where scoring didn’t come easily. His final stat line on Tuesday? 35 points on 14-of-29 shooting, 2-of-7 from deep, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, and 5 turnovers.
Being in the arena, one aspect of the game that stood out immediately was that Portland’s perimeter defense was relentless. They were draped all over Phoenix, pushing them off their spots, and forcing uncomfortable looks. It felt suffocating, and believe me, the fact that Toumani Camara was the culprit was not lost on me. But there was one player they couldn’t consistently contain. That was Green. His athleticism and quickness created space where none existed. He found openings, generated clean looks, and did it in a game where those opportunities were rare.
We received the full Jalen Green experience, didn’t we?
The scoring ability is real. It jumps off the screen. The efficiency? Ehhh, not so much. It took him 29 shots to get to 35 points, which puts him in a strange little corner of Suns history. How many players have taken exactly 29 shots and scored exactly 35? Three others. Devin Booker (2023), Josh Jackson (2019), and Stephon Marbury (2002). There’s your random useless nugget for the day.
Green’s shot selection wasn’t always clean. It usually isn’t. He forces the issue at times. Even that four-point play in the first half wasn’t a great look. Fading left from 29 feet. It was low percentage, but he hit it. Knocked down the free throw, too. It turns into a highlight, and that’s part of the deal with him.
Jalen Green ends the first half with a 4-PT PLAY 🔥
Phoenix just one possession away from Portland, trailing 65-62 👀
And then there are the turnovers. Five of them, many of the live ball variety, which is never ideal. But again, that’s part of the Jalen Green experience. He is aggressive, sometimes too much so as he’s dribbling into defenders, thus dislodging the ball. It needs to be cleaned up, but I doubt it will ever be completely cleaned up. If you look at his career statistics, he’s actually improved in that respect. A player who averaged 2.6 turnovers in 2022-23 has that number all the way down to 2.3. Oooo. Aaaah.
He missed the shot that could have put the Suns ahead with under 10 seconds left, but you know what? He took the shot. He didn’t shy away from the moment; he didn’t pass out of it. No. He wanted the ball, he was ready and willing to take it, and I find value in that.
This season has been about evaluation. We haven’t had enough clean data to fully understand who Green is within this Suns ecosystem, so these games carry weight. Especially ones with stakes. If Phoenix can defeat the Warriors tomorrow for the eight seed, they run into the Oklahoma City Thunder. That’s a defense that can swallow you whole, so there are limits to what you can take from that series from an evaluation perspective. But how a player responds to pressure, to emotion, and to moments like the Play-In game on Tuesday tells you something.
That’s been a concern with Jalen Green following his performance tast postseason with the Houston Rockets. In the seven-game series against Golden State, the 22-year-old kid who led his team is scoring at 21.0 points per night in the regular season faded. He averaged 13.3 points in the postseason on 37/30/67 splits. He was a shell of himself. The moment affected him. You saw it again recently against Houston as he played against his former team. The emotions got loud, and his game followed.
Against Portland, it felt different. He stepped into it. He didn’t shy away. He took 29 shots in a grind of a game and he took the final one. Again, there’s value in that. He wanted the ball. He made decisions. There was no hesitation. Devin Booker gave it up because he knew Green wouldn’t shrink from the moment. He missed, but he took it.
"He had it going the whole night. I can take that shot, too to force overtime, but I saw Jrue (Holiday) sleeping a little bit and Jalen shifted to the open space."
That’s the duality with him. The same lack of filter that leads to bad shots and turnovers is also what allows him to step forward when it matters. It’s the strength and the flaw, living in the same space. So in my evaluation, this one against the Blazers leans positive. The red flags are still there. The shot selection. The turnovers. They don’t disappear. But the willingness to be the guy? That gets logged too.
Now comes the next challenge. The Golden State Warriors. A familiar stage for Jalen Green, and not one that went well the last time he was there. What do you get from him now? How does he respond? And what does it add to the overall evaluation as you start thinking about his place on this team next season? Those are the questions sitting in front of this game.
There’s real weight here. These aren’t empty reps. Every possession, every decision, every response to pressure adds to the file. The hope is that the results are positive, that he builds on what we saw against Portland and leans into the moment again. Because if they aren’t, the timeline shifts. The decision on whether to move forward with Green comes quicker than expected.
The Suns exceeded expectations this season. That part is real. But now the goal is to extend it, to get into the postseason, to gather more data, more clarity. That’s how you build something sustainable. That’s how you move from a promising team to a consistent one. And understanding and determining what part Jalen Green plays in the grand scheme of things is vital.
Apr 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) stands on the court in the third quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers finally discovered midway through this season that they’re better when Jarrett Allen is heavily featured than they are when he’s not. That process was halted at the beginning of March when he injured his knee during the team’s win over the Detroit Pistons. Allen returned to the lineup the last week of March, but admitted that he was playing through pain. Everyone is pushing through something in the playoffs, but Allen is in a better place now than he was a few weeks back.
“It’s better,” Allen said when he was asked about his knee after Thursday’s practice. “I’ve had some time off for it to calm down and try to get back to homeostasis, back to the level where it should be.”
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Even though Allen is feeling better, he wouldn’t go as far as saying he felt perfect when asked if he’d be limited by his knee in any way.
“I’d be lying if I said I would expect it to be 100%,” Allen said. “No, I don’t think anybody would be 100% going into the playoffs. That’s just how it is. That’s my very political answer. … But yeah, it’s definitely something I’m going to have to deal with and manage, get treatment before, take the medicine that I’m supposed to to try to be at my best.”
We don’t know the exact severity of the injury and how much Allen is possibly downplaying it now. What we do know is that Allen has had a rough go of it this season from a health perspective. He played the fewest regular-season games in his career due to various injuries to his hands and knees throughout the season. Allen has done his part to persevere through them as much as he can, and may need to do so again in the postseason.
Allen averaged 15.4 points and 8.5 rebounds on 63.8% shooting in 56 games this season.
The Cavs open up their first-round series against the Toronto Raptors on Saturday afternoon.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 15: Gavin Sheets #30 congratulates Xander Bogaerts #2 of the San Diego Padres after his two run homerun during the sixth inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners at Petco Park on April 15, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Seattle Mariners (8-11) at San Diego Padres (12-6), April 16, 2026, 5:40 p.m. PST
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