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Mikal Bridges is Knicks' X-factor in Eastern Conference Finals matchup with Cavaliers

Mikal Bridges chose the perfect time to find his mojo. After a tepid close to the regular season, and an alarming first few games in the playoffs, the Knicks' wing has played some of his best basketball lately. 

With the Cleveland Cavaliers standing between the Knicks and an NBA Finals appearance, Bridges will be an X-Factor in the Eastern Conference Finals. 

Bridges’ offense has taken off. In the last five games, he’s averaging 18.8 points on 67.8 percent from the field and 46.7 percent from the three-point line. 

The Knicks have needed the offense from Bridges with OG Anunoby missing the last two games of the second round with a right hamstring injury. Anunoby is expected to play in the Conference Finals, but it’s unclear how he will look both physically. Also, it will be important to see if he can quickly shake off the rust of not playing for nearly two weeks. 

That makes Bridges’ offensive role even more important. He’s not a playmaker for the Knicks, but he’s proven to be a very good play finisher. He can score both as a cutter and outside shooter. 

As New York's assists and passing have increased since center Karl-Anthony Towns’ emergence as a playmaker, Bridges has become one of the main beneficiaries of the stylistic shift.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) drives against New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) in the third quarter during game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) drives against New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) in the third quarter during game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. / Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Defensive pest

Defense is where Bridges should have an even larger role. He will check Cleveland's star perimeter duo of Donovan Mitchell and James Harden throughout the Conference Finals. Both Mitchell and Harden are dynamic with the ball in their hands and are capable of creating scoring opportunities for themselves and their teammates.

Bridges’ playoff defense has been a strength to the Knicks during these playoffs, hounding the likes of Tyrese Maxey and Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the first two rounds. In the second round sweep against the Philadelphia 76ers, Bridges led the charge in defending Maxey. He and New York did a good job on the 76ers All-Star, limiting him to 18.3 points on 43.3 percent from the field.

Now, Cleveland presents some different challenges for New York’s defense. During the Knicks’ February loss to the Cavs, Bridges guarded Mitchell for much of the game, so expect him to take on that challenge again for Game 1.

Mitchell is a tough cover. He can be electric on the drive with power reminiscent of a tailback striding through the teeth of an NFL defense. Mitchell can also pull up from three as a shooter. He’s not the best playmaking guard in the NBA, but he’s shown he can both score and distribute. In Cleveland’s 125-94 rout of the Detroit Pistons in Game 7 of the second round, Mitchell had 26 points and eight assists. He consistently knifed into the lane and found Cleveland big men Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley for drop-off passes.

Bridges’ skills on defense are bolstered by length. Armed with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, he can get into passing lanes and disrupt offenses with deflections and steals. As New York blitzed Maxey in the pick-and-roll, Bridges’ anticipation created some deflections to slow down Philadelphia’s offense. New York’s defense is allowing 104.8 points per 100 possessions through 10 playoff games, the second-best number among all 16 playoff teams.

Though New York’s trade of Bridges nearly two years ago continues to be debated, he’s proven to be a key cog in the playoffs. For the Knicks to advance to the NBA Finals, they will need him to have a significant impact in this series.

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Report: Toronto Maple Leafs Give Edmonton Oilers Permission To Speak To Coach Craig Berube

After the Toronto Maple Leafs decided to move in a direction on the coaching front and let go of Craig Berube on Wednesday, he is technically on the market to join a new team, despite having two more years on his contract.

On Monday morning, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that the Edmonton Oilers have been granted permission from the Maple Leafs to speak to Berube.

The Oilers' head-coaching role is also vacant, as they fired Kris Knoblauch one day after the Leafs fired Berube.

Knoblauch was Edmonton's bench boss for three seasons, hired in November 2023. He led the Oilers to two straight trips to the Stanley Cup final, but also a first-round exit to the Anaheim Ducks in this past campaign.

As for Berube, he coached the Maple Leafs for two whole seasons.

In his first year, Berube was able to push Toronto to Game 7 of the second round of the playoffs, which is the furthest the Buds have gone in the post-season for quite some time.

On This Day: Maple Leafs Suffer Franchise-Altering Game 7 Defeat To Panthers In 2025 Stanley Cup PlayoffsOn This Day: Maple Leafs Suffer Franchise-Altering Game 7 Defeat To Panthers In 2025 Stanley Cup PlayoffsPlenty has changed over the course of a year for the Toronto Maple Leafs. But on this day last year, the Maple Leafs experienced a franchise-altering defeat to the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs.

In his second year, the team's direction started to change course. The Leafs went from 52 wins and Atlantic Division champions in 2024-25, to 32 wins and finishing at the bottom of the division one year later.

Outside of Berube's contributions in Toronto, he was a Stanley Cup champion in 2019 with the St. Louis Blues, and the following year, they finished first in the Central Division, albeit after playing 71 games due to COVID-19 ending the regular season early.

Maple Leafs Fire Head Coach Craig Berube And What's NextMaple Leafs Fire Head Coach Craig Berube And What's NextBerube had two more seasons remaining on his contract but it's clear the Leafs needed a new voice.

TSN's Edmonton reporter, Ryan Rishaug, reported that "a formal interview with Berube is expected after some initial conversation" between him and Oilers GM Stan Bowman.

In terms of Leafs GM John Chayka and his search for a new bench boss, on the 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman name-dropped Jay Woodcroft, David Carle and Manny Malhotra as three candidates that could be in the mix, or had initial conversations.

He further noted that Toronto's search will be very broad, and that it's too early to tell what kind of coach will be coming in.

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Yankees Rivalry Roundup: Rays first in AL to 30 wins

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - MAY 17: Yandy Díaz #2 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts after hitting a home run against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field on May 17, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I’m on double duty tonight for Rivalry Roundup and our Today on Pinstripe Alley/daily question post, so since I generally try to throw some very quick thoughts on what the Yankees did as well in these, you’ll excuse me for double-dipping in the next two paragraphs.

What an awful road trip. The Yankees got swept in Milwaukee, lost two of three to an underwhelming-as-hell Orioles team, and then did the same against the Mets, who entered as one of the worst teams in baseball. The 2-7 trip ended when David Bednar couldn’t hold a three-run lead in the ninth, evaporating the edge on a three-run blast by Tyrone Taylor. They then stranded the zombie runner and lost in the bottom of the 10th. That’s some bad baseball, folks.

Now, they get to play the Blue Jays! It doesn’t matter that they’ve been kind of whatever thus far in 2026; it’s not as though the O’s or Mets were rolling when the Yankees faced them this past week. So… joy.

Here’s some of what else was going on around the Junior Circuit.

Tampa Bay Rays (30-15) 6, Miami Marlins (21-26) 3

Just like that, the Rays are the American League’s first team to reach 30 wins — just as we all expected! They’re now three games up on the Yankees as well. Bad.

Early on, the Marlins shook off a Junior Caminero solo shot in the first and made a bigger statement by taking a 2-1 lead on Drew Rasmussen, as they seemed to identify a flaw in the Rasmussen/Nick Fortes battery. Owen Caissie reached on an infield hit, stole second, and scored on an Xavier Edwards single to center. Edwards then repeated the trick with Otto Lopez, swiping second and crossing home on Lopez’s hit. Although Lopez was stranded, he stole the Marlins’ third base of the inning. All told, the Fish went 5-of-6 on steals against this battery.

The Rays had an answer in the home half of of the fourth. Eury Pérez loaded the bases with one out on walks to Yandy Díaz and Cedric Mullins, as well as a double by Jonny DeLuca. He got Fortes to hit into a fielder’s choice, but was burned on a fastball down the heart of the plate to Taylor Walls. The normally light-hitting shortstop cracked a bases-clearing triple to the right-center-field gap that proved to be the difference in the ballgame.

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Pérez fanned Chandler Simpson to strand Wells, but in the next inning, Díaz took him deep for a 426-foot shot to dead center. They also got a bases-loaded walk in the sixth, and the Tampa Bay bullpen cruised with a four-run lead.

The Fish did threaten when they loaded the bases themselves in the seventh against Garrett Cleavinger. Kyle Stowers’ RBI single had made it 6-3, and the go-ahead run was at the plate. In came Ian Seymour, and down went Leo Jiménez on strikes, with Heriberto Hernández following with a lineout. Miami never got that close to the lead again.

Toronto Blue Jays (21-25) 4, Detroit Tigers (20-26) 1

The Jays aren’t back or anything and there haven’t been any sweeps, but to their credit, they have won six of their last eight series. Gotta start somewhere! After beating Detroit in 10 innings on Saturday night, Toronto made it two in a row with a pretty smooth victory yesterday. Kevin Gausman muzzled the Tigers with six scoreless innings, and the Jays built up a 4-0 lead against Jack Flaherty on the strength of a solo shot by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., an RBI triple from Daulton Varsho, and a poorly-timed wild pitch.

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Yariel Rodríguez allowed a run in relief but limited the damage, and both Joe Mantiply and Tyler Rogers threw up zeroes to nail down the win. Four big games in the Bronx are up next for the Jays to fight their way back into it, their first head-to-head with the Yankees of 2026.

Other Games

Boston Red Sox (19-27) 1, Atlanta Braves (32-15) 8: The team with the best record in baseball wasted no time in getting to Brayan Bello, and a guy who needed a big hit in a disappointing season thus far certainly delivered. Austin Riley clobbered a 431-foot, three-run homer to make it 3-0 after five batters. Grant Holmes kept the zeroes on the scoreboard for Boston with six scoreless innings as Atlanta built the lead up to 7-0 with Mike Yastrzemski going deep, too. The Red Sox sit in the AL East cellar, 11.5 games behind the Rays, though even with a better record than only the Astros and Angels, they’re only three back of the Wild Card. The American League field ain’t great, folks.

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Texas Rangers (22-24) 8, Houston Astros (19-29) 0: On the same day that Houston put Jose Altuve on the IL with an oblique strain, Nathan Eovaldi put the offense to bed with an outing familiar to Yankees fans who have seen him dominate them: seven innings, no runs, and eight strikeouts. The Astros mustered five hits, two walks, and a hit-by-pitch, but that wasn’t nearly enough because feel-good story Peter Lambert got smoked for five runs. Jake Burger seared a meaty pitch to the opposite field for a two-run homer, and when Lambert departed with the bases loaded in the seventh, he plated a pair with a double. Kyle Higashioka scored another on a single, and Brandon Nimmo made it a five-run inning with a two-bagger of his own. Higgy had the cherry on top with a homer in the ninth. It’s been a rough season to date for the Higster, so good for him.

The Rangers are still under .500, but they sit one game back of the now-.500 A’s for the AL West, who lost to the Giants yesterday. (Great division! The White Sox would be leading it.)

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Seattle Mariners (22-26) 3, San Diego Padres (28-18) 8: Meanwhile, the Mariners continue to sag and underachieve, even if the .500 first-place team means they’re far from out of it. The Padres completed a Vedder Cup sweep in Seattle, with a five-run attack on George Kirby driving the right-hander from the ballgame. Gavin Sheets had a particularly great day, going 3-for-3 with a double, two homers, two walks, and four RBI. Lucas Giolito allowed one hit over five scoreless in his belated season debut following a late signing with San Diego, only faltering in the sixth when his control abandoned him. The already-extended Colt Emerson made his MLB debut for Seattle at third base with Brendan Donovan on the IL, going 0-for-2 with a walk.

Cleveland Guardians (26-22) 10, Cincinnati Reds (24-23) 3: Brady Singer’s season ERA ballooned over 6.00 as the Guardians hit three homers in his four innings of work. Rookie Chase DeLauter clubbed a two-run shot in the first, and though Elly De La Cruz cut into the lead with a 400-foot blast in the second, Kyle Manzardo had his two-run homer in the third. Brayan Rocchio then made it 5-2 with a solo shot, and after Singer left the ballgame, Manzardo launched his second, while Angel Martínez and José Ramírez hit Cleveland’s fifth and sixth homers, respectively.

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Suddenly hot Mets visit scorching hot capitol for four against the Nationals

A.J. Ewing runs the bases after hitting a home run in a home white Mets uniform with a blue helmet, blue sleeves, and orange batting gloves
A.J. Ewing | (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Coming off their most improbable win of the year to take the Queens edition of the Subway Series, the Mets (20-26) find themselves in Washington, D.C. for a four-game series against the Nationals (23-24). With five wins in their last six games and a 10-5 record thus far in the month of May, the Mets will simply be trying to keep the good times rolling as they continue to attempt a slow climb back into the playoff picture.

To be fair, the team is still just 2.5 games ahead of the Rockies, the team with the worst record in the National League. But there’s a real opportunity to move up a couple more spots in the league over the course of these four games. The Marlins are just a half-game ahead of the Mets, and both the Diamondbacks and the Nationals are 2.5 games in front of them. While a four-game sweep to pass Washington would be a tall task, it’d be great to see the Mets gain some ground by winning the series.

As you’re undoubtedly already aware, the Mets have had one of the worst lineups in baseball this season, but things have started to improve. They’re up to 3.83 runs scored per game, the fourth-lowest rate in the game. That’s better than being literally last, though, and for much of this season, that has been the case. You can thank the Mets’ exciting duo of A.J. Ewing and Carson Benge for that, as the former has a 209 wRC+ since getting called up from the minors and the latter has a 157 wRC+ over the past two weeks.

It’s understandable when a top prospect bats near the bottom of the lineup to get his feet wet, but Ewing is taking the best at-bats of anyone on the team right now, and it would be wise for the Mets to get him into the leadoff spot as soon as possible. The 21-year-old has looked poised and comfortable in his first 25 major league plate appearances, and he’s getting on base at a .500 clip. It’d be unconventional to bat three lefties in a row at the top of the order, but the Mets might need to be unconventional here. Ewing, Benge, and Juan Soto are the team’s most appealing bats at the moment.

Recent contributions from Brett Baty (131 wRC+) and Marcus Semien (130 wRC+) over those same two weeks shouldn’t be ignored, of course. And Luis Torrens (95 wRC+) has woken up with the bat, a welcome sign as the Mets deal with the extended absence of starting catcher Francisco Alvarez following surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee.

As for run prevention, the Mets have given up 4.17 runs per game, the 11th-best rate in baseball. Their rotation ranks 12th in baseball with a 4.02 ERA, while their bullpen ranks 9th with a 3.45 ERA. There’s a major hole to fill for the next few months thanks to the fractured fibula that Clay Holmes suffered when he took a line drive off his leg over the weekend.

Turning our focus to the Mets’ opponents, you might be surprised to read that the Nationals have the best offense in baseball with 5.43 runs scored per game. Like the Mets, they’ve had a couple of youngsters leading the way, as CJ Abrams (155 wRC+) and James Wood (149 wRC+) have been their best hitters on the season.

Joey Wiemer (146 wRC+) has thrived in a part-time role, and Curtis Mead (126 wRC+), Daylen Lile (117 wRC+), José Tena (108 wRC+), and Luis Garcia Jr. (103 wRC+) have been better than league average. Keibert Ruiz (99 wRC+) is right behind them. If a lot of those names are unfamiliar to you, you’re not alone. The average age of Nationals hitters this year is 25, making the lineup the youngest in the sport.

Run prevention, however, has been a major problem for the Nats. They’ve given up 5.70 runs per game, the very worst rate in baseball. Their rotation has a 5.17 ERA that ranks 29th, and only the Rockies’ rotation has been worse. The bullpen hasn’t been much better, as its 4.78 ERA ranks 26th.

If you’re into low-scoring baseball, well, this might not be the series for you, but the Mets have a real opportunity to build upon their recent success. Whether or not that’s been a mirage remains to be seen, but it’s nice to have something to look forward to with this team right now.

Last but not least, it is going to be hot in the capitol this week, and with that comes a chance of thunderstorms and rain, especially for the Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon games. Highs will be in the mid-to-upper 90s through Wednesday, and the same cold front that’s coming for New York this week will see temperatures dip into the low 60s on Thursday if the teams are able to get that game in on a day the looks like it’ll be pretty rainy.

Monday, May 18: Christian Scott vs. Jake Irvin, 6:45 PM EDT on SNY

Scott (2026): 15.2 IP, 20 K, 9 BB, 1 HR, 3.45 ERA, 3.67 FIP, 88 ERA-

Given the long gap between major league appearances, it’s understandable that Scott felt like something of a forgotten man when the 2026 season was getting underway. He’s going to have to cut down on the walks before they come back to bite him, but his strikeout rate and ability to limit home runs have been encouraging signs. If he continues to be an above-average pitcher, he’d be a huge reason that the Mets are trending toward relevance instead of toiling away in the cellar.

Irvin (2026): 42.2 IP, 45 K, 20 BB, 6 HR, 5.91 ERA, 4.64 FIP, 146 ERA-

Having thrown 180.0 innings last year with a 5.70 ERA, the 29-year-old looks to be the same pitcher this year. His strikeout and walk rates are up, his home run rate is down, and here he is with a high-fives ERA again. FIP suggests he’s deserved better, but his 5.74 xERA does not.

Tuesday, May 19: Nolan McLean vs. Foster Griffin, 6:45 PM EDT on SNY

McLean (2026): 52.1 IP, 64 K, 15 BB, 4 HR, 2.92 ERA, 2.68 FIP, 75 ERA-

The way McLean got through seven innings after giving up three early runs in his last start was impressive, and while he isn’t the National League Cy Young favorite at the moment, he shouldn’t be counted out of the running. Yes, he has the 14th-best ERA in the NL at the time of this writing, but he ranks fifth in both FIP and xERA. He is the Mets’ ace—particularly with Clay Holmes sidelined—and is the team’s most exciting pitcher to watch.

Griffin (2026): 51.0 IP, 49 K, 18 BB, 8 HR, 3.53 ERA, 4.45 FIP, 87 ERA-

Of all the probable pitchers in this series, Griffin has been the second-best by ERA-, trailing only McLean. The 30-year-old lefty spent the 2023 through 2025 seasons pitching in Japan, having logged just eight major league innings in his career between 2020 and 2022 before making the move. The Nationals signed him to a one-year, $5.5 million deal ahead of this season, and that’s looking like a shrewd move, even if the peripherals aren’t quite as keen on him as his ERA appears today.

Wednesday, May 20: TBD vs. Zack Littell, 6:45 PM EDT on SNY

TBD

This is a real TBD for the Mets, as the team hasn’t announced its plans for the vacancy created by the Holmes injury. Sean Manaea and Tobias Myers are the two pitchers on the active roster who could be moved into the rotation. Jack Wenninger pitched yesterday and walked four batters in a short outing, but he might factor into filling in for Holmes at some point soon, even if it’s not in the cards for this game.

Littell (2026): 41.1 IP, 20 K, 15 BB, 14 HR, 6.10 ERA, 7.69 FIP, 151 ERA-

The Mets should be rooting for good enough weather to face Littell in this one. He’s tied for the second-most home runs allowed by a pitcher this year, and as a low-strikeout guy, it’s not an ideal thing to be serving up dingers. The 30-year-old was much better than this over the course of the 2024 and 2025 seasons, as evidenced by his 3.73 ERA over that span, but things haven’t been great in his first year with the Nationals.

Thursday, May 21: TBD (likely opener + David Peterson) vs. Cade Cavalli, 4:05 PM EDT on SNY

Peterson (2026): 43.1 IP, 46 K, 17 BB, 2 HR, 5.40 ERA, 2.96 FIP, 138 ERA-

If you were looking for a textbook case for the concept of an opener in baseball, Peterson would be an excellent choice. He has an 8.10 ERA when working as a traditional starter this year, but he has a 2.25 ERA working as the bulk guy after an opener. FIP has been a fan of his work regardless of those splits, but the results are undeniably quite different. Here’s hoping it continues to work for both him and the team.

Cavalli (2026): 46.2 IP, 52 K, 18 BB, 3 HR, 4.05 ERA, 3.37 FIP, 100 ERA-

The 27-year-old has been a league average pitcher, and FIP likes him more than that because of his strikeout and home run rates. He threw six innings against the Mets when he saw them in Queens, and he struck out ten, walked two, and gave up just two runs along the way.

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Braves Minor League Recap: Guanipa, Southisene Star Again

VENICE, FLORIDA - MARCH 16, 2025: Luis Guanipa #72 of the Atlanta Braves bats during the fifth inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Detroit Tigers at CoolToday Park on March 16, 2025 in Venice, Florida. (Photo by George Kubas/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

Sunday saw the teams in the Atlanta Braves farm system split the results of four games. More importantly we got to see Luis Guanipa and Tate Southisene help carry the Augusta offense, the best start of the season for Cade Kuehler, and Dixon Williams record another extra base hit.

Durham Bulls 7, Gwinnett Stripers 6

  • Jim Jarvis, SS: 1-4, BB, .299/.407/.416
  • Brewer Hicklen, CF: 3-5, R, RBI, .339/.422/.583
  • Anthony Molina, SP: 3.2 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 5.40 ERA

Box Score

Statcast

Anthony Molina got the start, and things were looking good through three innings. The Stripers held a 6-1 lead at that time, before Molina imploded a bit and gave up three runs while recording just two outs in the inning. After Daysbel Hernandez came in to get the final out in the fourth, Hunter Stratton went on to allow a run in the fifth inning. Hayden Harris got the next two innings, and didn’t allow a run – but also didn’t record a strikeout. With a 6-5 lead heading into the eighth the Stripers turned to the usually reliable James Karinchak, and he proceeded to allow two runs to score and picked up the loss. Ian Hamilton pitched a scoreless ninth to finish things off on the pitching side.

The Gwinnett offense was hot early on, but couldn’t score a single run after the third inning. Brewer Hicklen’s three for five day was one of two three-hit games, along with DaShawn Keirsey Jr.. Luke Williams had a pair of hits, while Aaron Schunk walked twice, and the following guys all had a single and a walk: Jim Jarvis, Nacho Alvarez, and Ben Gamel. Brett Wisely also had a key game, as he scored twice and batted in a pair of runs in his one for four afternoon.

Knoxville Smokies 4, Columbus Clingstones 3

  • David McCabe, DH: 1-3, BB, .274/.366/.613
  • Cal Conley, 3B: 2-4, HR, R, 2 RBI, .293/.389/.585
  • Lizandro Espinoza, SS: 1-3, BB, SB, .296/.418/.556
  • Ian Mejia, SP: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 10.13 ERA

Box Score

Ian Mejia turned in one of his better starts of the year, going three and a third innings and allowing just one unearned run on a pair of hits and a pair of walks. Mejia, who struck out three and had five whiffs, lowered his ERA to 10.13 after a rough start to his season. From there the bullpen came in and did their job. Blayne Enlow went an inning and two thirds, followed by two innings from Samuel Strickland, and one from Owen Hackman where no further damage came across. Blane Abeyta was next, but he gave up three runs in just two thirds of an inning, before Elison Joseph had to come in to get the final out.

The Clingstones actually held a 3-1 lead heading into the ninth thanks to a two-run homer from Cal Conley, then Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. adding a solo shot in the eight to give them an insurance run. Conley, who hit his fifth homer of the season, also had a single on the day. Both David McCabe and Lizandro Espinoza went one for three and drew a walk, plus Espinoza stole a base. Beyond that group, the only other hit was a Patrick Clohisy double.

Rome Emperors 3, Brooklyn Cyclones 1

  • Dixon Williams, CF: 1-4, 2B, RBI, .295/.418/.538
  • John Gil, SS: 1-4, R, SB, .273/.373/.446
  • Cade Kuehler, SP: 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K, 4.98 ERA

Box Score

Cade Kuehler turned in his best start of the season as well on Sunday, throwing six innings of one-hit, scoreless baseball. Kuehler allowed two walks and struck out six, picking up 12 swings and misses. Connor Thomas followed with two and a third innings of one-run ball, striking out two. Justin Long earned the save by coming in to get the final two outs.

All of the key prospects in the Rome lineup did something in this win. Isaiah Drake singled and drew a walk in his four plate appearances. John Gil singled, stole a base, and scored one of the runs. Dixon Williams had a double and batted a run in. Eric Hartman had a single. Drake was one of three guys to reach base multiple times, joined by Colin Burgess (1-3, BB) and Will Verdung (2-4).

Augusta GreenJackets 7, Myrtle Beach Pelicans 4

  • Luis Guanipa, CF: 3-4, 2 2B, R, 3 RBI, SB, .317/.362/.531
  • Tate Southisene, SS: 2-5, R, 2 SB, .270/.413/.482
  • Alex Lodise, DH: 1-4, BB, 2 R, RBI, 2 SB, .252/.328/.399
  • Davis Polo, SP: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 4.08 ERA

Box Score

Davis Polo got the ball on Sunday evening and went four and two thirds, allowing four runs on three hits and three walks, with five strikeouts and 12 whiffs. It was better than it sounded, as he pitched a pair of scoreless innings to open, allowed a two-run homer in the third, and didn’t allow anything more in the fourth. He came back out for the fifth, and it was clear he was running out of gas, as he allowed two more runs in two thirds of an inning. After Lewis Sifontes got the final out of the fifth inning, Kendy Richard came on and didn’t allow a hit or a run over the final four innings, allowing just one walk and striking out three, as he picked up the win.

Tate Southisene was back in the lineup after getting Saturday off, but Luis Guanipa was the story in this one. Guanipa was three for four with a pair of doubles, single, stolen base, run scored, and three runs batted in. Southisene also had a strong day, going two for five with a pair of steals and a run scored. Alex Lodise also reached base twice, as he walked, singled, stole a pair of bases, scored twice, and batted one in. That trio at the top of the lineup combined for six hits, one walk, five stolen bases, four runs scored, and three batted in. That was pretty much the entirety of the Augusta offense along with Joe Olsavsky, who was two for three with a walk and a homer.

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Reverse Scouting Kevin McGonigle

May 16, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle (7) hits a single in the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

By any measure, Tigers’ rookie Kevin McGonigle is having an excellent rookie year. The number two prospect in all of baseball coming into the year has an impressive .291/.397/.424 slash for the season and is walking more than he’s striking out. With his blistering start, he quickly settled into the leadoff slot of Detroit’s lineup.

That said, his month of May has been a bit of a struggle, as his power has mostly evaporated. He’s still taking his walks, but a .224 SLG on the month really won’t do. An exceptionally low BABIP for the month is deflating things even more, though a lot of routine fly balls and pop-ups will do that to you, but this is easily the worst stretch of his professional career. There’s nothing to be concerned about long-term at all, and we’re only talking about a few weeks for a 21-year-old rookie, but McGonigle is going to have to make some adjustments to get back on track.

To better understand what those adjustments might be, let’s pretend to be Red Team for the Detroit Tigers scouting department. Typically, MLB scouts focus on how to attack guys for the other team, but when you’re on the struggle bus, reverse scouting is the right idea. The premise is simple: if you put yourself in your opponent’s shoes and better understand how they want to attack you, you can adapt preemptively. To do so, I’ll try and find out McGonigle’s biggest weaknesses so far. Who knows, maybe he’ll read this and learn a thing or two about himself!

The first thing I thought I’d look at is pitch type distribution. Is there a pitch type the league has decided McGonigle can’t handle? I figured if that was the case, his pitch distributions before May 1 and since would look pretty different. Here’s that table:

Pitch Type (%)FastballOffspeedBreaking Balls
Before May 15216.431.7
After May 158.614.826.6

There’s a small change there, but not the one I expected. Teams saw McGonigle spit on secondary pitches and ambush fastballs early in the year, so they responded by… throwing him more fastballs? That feels unintuitive, to say the least. For the whole season, both of his home runs have come on a fastball, and he’s only whiffing on 9% of them. On its own, this doesn’t feel like the solution to beat McGonigle. Trying to get McGonigle out on a fastball feels like crossing your fingers as you send the pitch out towards home plate, but the league seems to have a plan. Let’s keep going.

Next I decided to check pitch location. Maybe that could be more illuminating than pitch type, and indeed, I think it was. Here’s what I found, with the first image being the percentage of pitches he saw in April/May, and the second being for May so far:

Now the extra fastballs make sense. It’s no secret the modern pitcher loves fastballs up, and recently, McGonigle is facing a lot of those. That top right corner of the zone is a particular hot zone, as it’s the hardest pitch to pull for power. Pitchers seem to be coming in with a concerted effort, forcing McGonigle to play more to their strengths than his, knowing that he’s looking for fastballs to drive. The game plan appears to be trying to get ahead in counts with softer stuff, then challenging McGonigle and his average raw power up in the zone, assuming whatever air contact he makes will be more of a lazy fly ball than a crushed dinger. It’s a pretty solid plan, especially since McGonigle’s entire approach is predicated on singling out a few pitches to pull in the air for extra base damage; fastballs up and away help negate this.

Naturally, the follow-up is ‘is it working’? Is this new gameplan backing McGonigle into a corner? And the answer to that is… kind of? Let me try to explain. One way of looking at that would be launch angle; more pitches up probably means a higher launch angle, and we see that. Mostly:

I went ahead and highlighted May 1 in that photo to help give a timeframe. We see McGonigle’s rolling launch angle spike in early May, and then it drops almost as quickly as it climbed. This is measuring the launch angle of his previous 25 batted balls after every batted ball, so it’s susceptible to a lot of noise. In particular, since it’s an average, this isn’t a very precise instrument to begin with. A towering popup at 40 degrees and a weak grounder at -5 degrees average out at 17.5 degrees, same as two well-struck line drives, so it’s probably worth checking out how he’s getting to that mid-May average.

Here is where I have unfortunate news to share: McGonigle has seemingly entered his Ian Kinsler arc. His ground ball rate has spiked from 27.3% to 36.6%, his line drives are down from 27.3% to 19.5%, and worst of all, his infield fly rate has ballooned from 2.2% to a hilariously untenable 16.7% (note: infield flyball rate is expressed as the ratio infield fly balls/all fly balls, not infield fly balls/all batted balls, so it’s bad, but not as awful as it sounds at first blush). Still, this isn’t how a good hitter operates long-term. If McGonigle wants to start bashing again, he needs to either commit to punishing the fastball up he knows he’s going to get and going to the opposite field more, or spit on the fastball until two strikes and wait to ambush an in-zone mistake on a breaking ball.

The good news is he’s not broken and starting to chase: his plate discipline metrics are all still excellent. He’s not going out of the zone much, and he’s making as much contact in the zone as he did in March and April. Plus, as pitchers force him to look outside, he’s responded with more of an all-fields approach which should be the right decision, if he can get back to a line-drive swing. The only red flag is in his inability to punish the fastball up the way he needs to, or to just let more of those go since he isn’t getting that many of them actually in the zone where he can barrel them up. Instead, pitchers know he’s trying to read fastball out of hand, and they’re showing them to him while not really giving him many he can drive. Essentially they’re forcing him to take his walks and betting that he’ll be too tempted to offer when he does get the fastball.

Considering his short levers, great bat-to-ball skills, and strong eye at the plate, this shouldn’t be a pitch that breaks the whole profile long term. He’s really not built to barrel up pitches on the outer edge consistently, but he torched fastballs up in the zone throughout his minor league run and without regard to velocity. It’s likely the first time pitchers have consistently spotted fastballs up and away but close to the zone against him for weeks at a time, and now, the young rookie will have to adjust. This shouldn’t be a surprise for the kid who skipped AAA. MLB pitchers will eventually force some adaptations. Based on his career so far, and the excellent run we saw in March and April, I think we’re just one small approach tweak away from the on-base machine developing into a power hitting force at the top of the lineup.

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Elephant Rumblings: On The Road Again

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 7: Nick Kurtz #16 of the Athletics bats during a spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Las Vegas Ballpark on March 7, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Justine Willard/Athletics/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to another new week A’s fans!

The team had a lackluster weekend as they dropped two of three to the Giants. Add that to the series loss mid-week to the Cardinals and the A’s did not have a great time in their latest homestand in Sacramento.

It’s in the books and behind us now though and the team has packed their bags and flown down south to Anaheim to take on the Angels in the team’s second four-game series of the season. This’ll be the first time these two teams have seen each other all year so it’s a fresh start against one another in that regard. The A’s will come into tonight’s series with a slim one-game lead over both the Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners so the team really needs to rack up wins against these Angels.

Los Angeles is, yet again, near the bottom of the league but perhaps the bottom has truly fallen out from under them this year. At 16-31 the Angels are the owners of the worst record in the sport. Their offense, led by a resurgent Mike Trout, aren’t completely punchless but still rank in the bottom third in most offensive categories. Slugger Jorge Soler and shortstop Zack Neto have provided solid production, as has former Yankee Oswaldo Peraza, but they’ve gotten little help from the other spots in the batting order.

On the pitching side for the Angels they’ve been treated to the revelation of starter Jose Soriano, who is far and away the best pitcher on the team. They’ve gotten strong results from top-20 prospect Walbert Ureña as well but none of the starters have adequate ERA’s. They’ve also had their depth severely tested early on as they’ve already had 10 pitchers start a game for them this year. Things aren’t any better in their bullpen as their relief unit ranks 29th in the league in bullpen ERA, just ahead of the Astros.

The way things have been and are headed for the Angels right now, the future is not too bright. There’s not much in the way of reinforcements coming up in their farm system anytime soon, and Trout will be turning 35 in August. Could this be the year the team finally pulls the trigger and sends their franchise icon to a winning situation? That’ll be a fascinating story to watch as the summer trade deadline approaches.

The starting matchups this week are all already set. J.T. Ginn will get us started tonight as he gets the ball for his eighth start and looking to keep his roll going. He’ll be opposed by Ureña, who himself is pitching well and has had three straight solid starts. Another thing to keep an eye on in this game? If first baseman Nick Kurtz can extend his on-base streak to 41 games:

Tuesday will see the lefty vs. lefty matchup this series as Jacob Lopez will take on Reid Detmers. Lopez has had struggles this year but has put together back-to-back quality starts and has lowered his season ERA by nearly a full run. There’s other arms in the system that are waiting for their shot though so Lopez needs to keep it up to keep the competition off his heels. Detmers, who once looked like a building block for the Angels years ago, has shifted back to the rotation after spending last year exclusively as a reliever. The early results have been mixed but he’s still only 26 years old and the Angels have nothing to lose letting him try to rediscover his previous form as a starter.

Right-hander Aaron Civale gets the ball for the A’s on Wednesday as he’ll be making his 10th start for the ballclub. He’s continued to be a steal for the Green & Gold as he’ll bring a 2.70 ERA into his first start of the year against the Angels, which ranks 7th in the American League. That mark also leads the Athletics’ pitching staff, though Ginn’s 3.12 mark isn’t far off. Civale will be going up against Jack Kochanowicz, who has gotten lit up to the tune of 12 runs in 10 innings over his previous two starts entering this one. Advantage: A’s.

The final pitching matchup of the series will pit the staff leaders against one another as Luis Severino goes up against one of the best starters this year in fellow righty Jose Soriano. Sevy was on a four-game roll before stumbling this weekend against the Giants. That was at home in Sacramento though and we all know how much he dislikes Sutter Health Park. Maybe getting back on the road will help him get back in the win column too. It won’t be easy as Soriano has been one of the best pitchers in the league this year. That said, he just endured his first rough start last time out when he surrendered six earned runs to the cross-town Dodgers, boosting his season ERA form 1.66 to 2.41. Still a good mark but doesn’t show how dominant he’s been for the Angels so far. Like Trout expect to hear his name in trade talks come this summer.

Who else thinks that’s too small of odds? Gotta take at least three of four against these guys, but division games are always a different beast. First pitch of the series is at 6:38 tonight. Until then, have a great day everyone.

A’s Coverage:

MLB News and Interest:

Best of X:

Denzel getting back into action:

Shotaro Morii getting some Single-A action:

Possible Leo De Vries promotion to Triple-A coming? He was a late scratch from the Double-A lineup yesterday:

Shortstop is a very important position, who knew?

ICYMI:

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Red Sox Minor Lines: Miguel Bleis reintroduces himself

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - MARCH 7: Miguel Bleis #44 of the Boston Red Sox throws before a spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on March 7, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Worcester: W, 4-0 (BOX SCORE)

In yet another bullpen game, the WooSox kept Buffalo (Blue Jays AAA) off the scoreboard despite using six pitchers. Everyone was in lockstep, and the Bison managed just three hits on the night. The WooSox matched that total just in their extra base hits, and Nathan Hickey hit his third home run of the season out of the nine-hole to get Worcester on the board and in the lead for good.

Portland: L, 5-6 (BOX SCORE)

Just as the Sea Dogs walked off the Yard Goats (Rockies AA) earlier in the week, this time, it was the home team’s turn to capitalize on a blown save. Michael Sansone had a very tough second inning but recovered well and kept it a tie game through 5. This was thanks to Brooks Brannon and Miguel Bleis each going yard in the first inning.

Now, I’m not saying that Bleis is suddenly going to become an organizational factor again, as this game pulled him only just barely back over the Mendoza line, but it’s good to know that revered power still exists somewhere. There was no power, or even much contact, from either side to speak of for the vast majority of this game; after no scores from the third inning all the way to the eighth, Max Ferguson had an RBI knock with two outs in the top of the ninth, and then Cooper Adams got walked off by allowing two runs. The six-game series in Connecticut was a split 3-3 and four were decided by one run.

Greenville: W, 12-10 (BOX SCORE)

After losing eight consecutive games including five with Bowling Green (Rays High-A) in town, the Drive finally got in the W column despite giving up ten runs on fourteen hits. The offense was aided by some usual suspects who remained hot even through the losing streak; Mason White hit his eighth home run of the season and Justin Gonazales had his sixth, a three-run shot to put Greenville up 12-3. Bowling Green would threaten to bring this drought to an end and get this to within two runs, but on Sunday, a dozen runs was enough to come away with the W.

Salem: : L, 5-6 (BOX SCORE)

The Drive got walked off by Fredericksburg (Nationals A) in the series finale, in part due to allowing ten walks on the afternoon and three in that defining ninth inning on the way one of those runners putting the game away, but it wasn’t all bad: Enddy Azocar, the 19-year-old outfielder and leadoff hitter for the RidgeYaks, had a four-hit day as his batting average re-approaches .300 and accounted for the team’s only stolen base of the day. Still, the team stranded a dozen men and they suffered a Sunday loss.

Have a merry Monday. And, special shout out to the first person to solidify me as a lifelong Sox fan, my father, who turns 65 today. Happy birthday Dad!

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2026 NBA Mock Draft, Vol. 2: AJ Dybantsa remains in the top spot

With the AWS NBA Draft Combine in the rearview mirror, the next key date for the 2026 NBA Draft is May 27. That is the withdrawal deadline day for collegians who wish to retain their eligibility. And with NIL as it is, some players with late-first-round grades may decide to return to school for another year. Below is our most recent mock draft, with NBC's Kurt Helin and Raphielle Johnson making the picks.

San Antonio Spurs v Oklahoma City Thunder
San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder series preview, predictions: Can Wembanyama slow Thunder?
This is the Western Conference Finals we all wanted to see, the two best teams during the NBA’s regular season.

1. Washington Wizards: F AJ Dybantsa, BYU

The Wizards selecting Darryn Peterson is not completely off the table here (nor is Washington trading down a spot if Utah wants the top pick bad enough), but if the Wizards have the top two players graded close to each other, Dybantsa makes more sense because of his positional size (6'8.5" barefoot with a 7-foot wingspan), his athleticism (42-inch vertical leap at the combine) and his natural fit between Trae Young at the point and Alex Sarr along the front line. Don't overthink this, Washington. Take the really tall, really athletic player who had a standout and healthy college season. - Kurt Helin

2. Utah Jazz: G Darryn Peterson, Kansas

If the Wizards decide to select Dybantsa first overall, Peterson will be far from a consolation prize for the Jazz. While his lone season at Kansas led to some significant questions regarding his availability, the guard provided some answers at last week's draft combine. Add in the ability to play either on or off the ball, and Peterson should fit well within a Jazz perimeter rotation headlined by Keyonte George and Ace Bailey. - Raphielle Johnson

3. Memphis Grizzlies: F Caleb Wilson, North Carolina

The Memphis front office is willing to go its own way — that may get them to roll the dice on the upside of Wilson. His athleticism is off the charts, but this is also a bet on coach Tuomas Iisalo and his player development team. While Wilson has the tools, he needs an improved jump shot; his footwork needs to improve to help him get to his counters. Also, his defense needs to be more consistent. If the Grizzlies can get that out of him, Wilson will be a home run for them and the foundation of the next iteration of this team. - Helin

4. Chicago Bulls: F Cameron Boozer, Duke

While he is not perceived to offer as high a ceiling as Wilson, Boozer's floor is what places him among the top prospects in this draft class, regardless of position. In Chicago, the former Duke forward measured at 6-foot-8 1/4 with a wingspan of 7-foot-1 1/2. Whether it's the power forward or center position, the Bulls need frontcourt help, and adding Boozer would be the first step toward addressing that area. - Johnson

5. LA Clippers (from Indiana): G Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas

The LA Clippers traded for Darius Garland at the deadline, giving them a quality point guard already, so they may look to trade down a few spots (and take Aday Mara to give them a five). If the Clippers hold on to this pick, take the best player on the board and Acuff measured well at the combine and has shown he knows how to get a bucket and lead a team. - Helin

6. Brooklyn Nets: G Kingston Flemings, Houston

Whether it's through the draft or free agency, the Nets are back in the spot where they were last June, needing to address the point guard position. Flemings does need to improve finishing in traffic, and some may argue that Mikel Brown Jr. offers the highest ceiling of the guards expected to come off the board at this point in the draft. However, he's a winning player who defends his position well, and Flemings brings a level of athleticism to the position that Nolan Traoré and Ben Saraf lack. - Johnson

7. Sacramento Kings: G Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville

Sacramento needs talent — doesn't matter what position — and Brown may have the highest upside of anyone in the run of point guards from 5-8. He's an explosive athlete who needs to improve his decision-making (he sometimes likes to go for the home run rather than the simple pass) and his jumper, but I think he will thrive in the NBA, where the spacing is far better for him than in college. - Helin

8. Atlanta Hawks (from New Orleans): G Keaton Wagler, Illinois

Wagler took off during the second half of the 2025-26 season, and his emergence was one reason Illinois reached the Final Four for the first time in 21 years. While a capable playmaker, the 6-foot-6 guard's ability off the catch is what makes him so appealing in Atlanta. Whether they re-sign CJ McCollum or not, the Hawks can use another shooter on the perimeter, especially with the underwhelming start to Zaccharie Risacher's career. - Johnson

9. Dallas Mavericks: G Brayden Burries, Arizona

It's easy to see where Burries fits in with the Mavericks. He can either be the backup point guard, who can get downhill and create shots but has a good pull-up jumper, or he can play next to Kyrie Irving, where he will be a solid catch-and-shoot option and a good defender. Burries could be a long-term running mate with Cooper Flagg in Dallas. - Helin

10. Milwaukee Bucks: C Aday Mara, Michigan

Mara's transfer from UCLA to Michigan was a game-changer for the 7-foot-3 center, who went from reserve to lottery pick in one season in Ann Arbor. In addition to being a high-level rim protector, Mara adds value as an offensive facilitator. Given the uncertainty surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo, Mara can either be a key building block for a new era in Milwaukee or a solid contributor for a retooled lineup that still has Giannis as its cornerstone. - Johnson

11. Golden State Warriors: F Nate Ament, Tennessee

What is Golden State looking for in the draft? Do they want a win-now guy who can help the Stephen Curry/Draymond Green core (with Jimmy Butler coming back midseason) make some playoff noise? If so, they might go with someone else, like Yaxel Lendeborg. However, I am betting the Warriors think bigger picture and longer term, and they bet on the potential of Ament — a 6'10" forward who can dribble, pass and shoot, a player archetype that is hard to find. He's shown flashes, but he needs to get much stronger and prove he can be consistent. There is hope here. - Helin

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from the LA Clippers): F Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan

The Thunder are in a great position: their best players are locked into long-term deals, and they have the draft capital needed to add talented contributors on affordable contracts. Lendeborg is ready to contribute immediately in the frontcourt, which is key due to Isaiah Hartenstein's team option for next season and 2025 first-round pick Thomas Sorber coming off a torn ACL. - Johnson

13. Miami Heat: G Labaron Philon Jr., Alabama

Heat Culture might be just what Philon needs. He had the ball in his hands and good spacing at Alabama and he put up numbers: 21.5 points and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 38.9% from 3-point range. The scouts' concerns have centered on whether he fits into a role and what happens when he's off the ball or on defense. He will figure that out in Miami, or coach Erik Spoelstra will look elsewhere on his roster. - Helin

14. Charlotte Hornets: C Jayden Quaintance, Kentucky

Being limited to four games this past season due to his premature return from a torn ACL makes Quaintance one of the bigger mysteries in this draft class. When healthy, he's an athletic rim protector who also runs the floor extremely well. While Moussa Diabaté played well enough to earn the starting center role, and Ryan Kalkbrenner was in the rotation as a rookie in Charlotte, it never hurts to add more frontcourt depth. - Johnson

15. Chicago Bulls (from Portland): F Karim Lopez, New Zealand Breakers

He's the best international player on the board (in an era when many of the best international players choose to play in college due to NIL money), and he would be the first player born in Mexico to be drafted in the first round. His numbers in the Australian league (11.9 points, 6.1 assists per game) are good; he has good size for a hybrid forward (6'8"), he has a good handle and can bully his way to the rim. If the Bulls can develop his jumper, he's a good fit next to Josh Giddey, another player who came out of the Australian league. - Helin

16. Memphis Grizzlies (from Phoenix via Orlando): G Christian Anderson, Texas Tech

What Memphis' roster will look like next season is up in the air, especially with Ja Morant's future still unresolved. However, the team is clearly in a place where it simply needs to add talent. Anderson is arguably the best perimeter shooter in this draft class, and he's also capable of running a team. He isn't the athlete that Morant is, but Anderson's basketball IQ and shooting ability make him a worthwhile choice in the middle of the first round. - Johnson

17. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Philadelphia): G Cameron Carr, Baylor

Carr was one of the standouts at the NBA Draft Combine, showing off a 42.5-inch vertical leap and finishing near the top of the class in all the agility drills. Then he went out and dropped 30 in the second scrimmage he participated in. He showed he can get a bucket in college; combine that with his athleticism and he would fit in just fine with the Thunder guard rotation. - Helin

18. Charlotte Hornets (from Orlando via Phoenix): G/F Dailyn Swain, Texas

The Hornets' wing rotation could use some more depth, even with Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel positioning themselves as key building blocks for the franchise. Swain has good size for a wing at the next level and did a good job of attacking defenses off the dribble. His perimeter shot needs some work, but sharing the court with Charlotte's talented wings could open up driving lanes for Swain, who can also be a factor defensively. - Johnson

19. Toronto Raptors: F/C Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan

Morez helped his cause at the NBA Draft Combine, showcasing a combination of size (6'9" with an 8'11" reach) and athleticism (a 39-inch vertical leap). He also shot well from 3 at the combine, something he didn't get to show at Michigan. Johnson is a high-energy player who was one of the locker room leaders of a national champion; he'll fit in with whatever is being built in Toronto. - Helin

20. San Antonio Spurs (from Atlanta): F/C Hannes Steinbach, Washington

If there's one area that the Spurs can afford to address via the draft, it's the team's post depth. Kelly Olynyk, Bismack Biyombo and Mason Plumlee have not seen much action in the postseason, but all three will be unrestricted free agents this summer. In Steinbach, the Spurs would be adding one of the best rebounders in this draft class. - Johnson

21. Detroit Pistons (from Minnesota): G Bennett Stirtz, Iowa

Stirtz is a high-IQ player who doesn't make many mistakes on the court, can shoot the 3-pointer and likes to play at a fast pace. Detroit's playoff run has shown how much it needs more shooting and some secondary playmaking around Cade Cunningham, and Stirtz can help with that. - Helin

22. Philadelphia 76ers (from Houston via Oklahoma City): F/C Chris Cenac Jr., Houston

Behind Joel Embiid, the pickings were slim for the 76ers at the center position this season. Andre Drummond and Adem Bona logged rotation minutes, but neither was a consistent difference-maker, especially when Embiid was unavailable. Cenac will need some time to develop, but he's an athletic frontcourt player who improved throughout his lone season at Houston. - Johnson

23. Atlanta Hawks (from Cleveland): F Amari Allen, Alabama

Atlanta is moving towards making sure it has better positional size, and the 6'7" Allen helps with that on the wing. Allen also has the kind of versatility that front offices love; he can shoot the three (34% last season), he's a good defender and he can handle the ball a little — he does everything well. The Hawks could plug Allen into their second unit and he will feel right at home. - Helin

24. New York Knicks: C Henri Veesaar, North Carolina

After three seasons at Arizona, redshirting in 2023-24, Veesaar transferred to North Carolina, where a more prominent role was available. The 7-foot center earned second-team All-ACC honors last season, and he can offer some value as a facilitator and floor-spacer. The Knicks selecting Veesaar would give them some security in the frontcourt, as Mitchell Robinson will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. - Johnson

25. Los Angeles Lakers: G Isaiah Evans, Duke

The Lakers need size and shooting on the wing around Luka Dončić and Evans is a 6'5.5" (without shoes at the combine) who can hit the 3 and played well off Cooper Flagg for a year at Duke (and then the same this year off Boozer). There are questions about his defense, but drafting at this point in the first round and getting a player who fits a need is a big win for Los Angeles. - Helin

26. Denver Nuggets: C Tarris Reed Jr., UConn

Few players participating in the most recent NCAA tournament did more to improve their draft prospects than Reed. His dominance helped the Huskies reach the national title game for the third time in four seasons, but they fell short against Michigan. A rugged post player who is also active on the glass, Reed can give the Nuggets needed depth behind Nikola Jokić, even with Jonas Valančiūnas having one more year on his deal. - Johnson

27. Boston Celtics: G Ebuka Okorie, Stanford

Okorie is a dynamic scorer who averaged 23.2 points, showed the ability to get to the rim, and demonstrated toughness for the Cardinal. The reason he's available at this point in the draft is that it's a deep draft for point guards, and he measured 6'1.25" at the combine, although his 6'7" wingspan will help defensively. If Okorie stays in the draft, this would be a good depth pick for the Celtics, who have had success with other small guards. - Helin

28. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Detroit): F Allen Graves, Santa Clara

The question for the Timberwolves is whether their second-round exit will be used as a reason for the front office to swing for the fences this summer. If so, this pick could potentially be useful to sweeten a potential trade offer. As for the pick itself, Graves was one of the WCC's best reserves during his freshman season. He's also in the transfer portal, so there's no guarantee he'll keep his name in the draft. - Johnson

29. Cleveland Cavaliers: (from San Antonio via Atlanta): F Tounde Yessoufou, Baylor

Yessoufou is an athletic wing with an extremely high motor who plays a physical, power game. How well that will work at the NBA level when mismatches are harder to find is up for debate, but he averaged 17.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game at Baylor, and that is a sign the Cavaliers may have found a solid bench player picking this deep in the first round. - Helin

30. Dallas Mavericks (from Oklahoma City via Washington and Philadelphia): G Meleek Thomas, Arkansas

The Mavericks are in a spot where they need scoring and perimeter shooting, even with Kyrie Irving returning from a torn ACL. Thomas, who shot over 41 percent from three as a freshman, fits the bill. He'll need to rein in the shot selection some, but the offensive upside makes him an intriguing option if available. Also, his timeline would align with Cooper Flagg's, which may be of high importance to new lead executive Masai Ujiri. - Johnson

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Report: Cavs plan to re-sign James Harden this offseason

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 11: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts against the Detroit Pistons during the first quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Rocket Arena on May 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

As anticipated, the Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to re-sign guard James Harden once free agency starts, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. The Cavs traded Darius Garland at the trade deadline to acquire Harden, a major shake-up that shifted the outlook of the team for the near future. That includes more than the current season.

Windhorst says the Cavs traded for Harden with the intent of getting multiple seasons out of him, along with greater certainty that he would be healthy enough to play in the playoffs. Garland, for as much of a fan favorite as he was, described his injury as like playing with nine toes. Harden, despite being ten years older than Garland, has had a cleaner bill of health. Of course, Harden also wanted contract certainty heading into next season — something his former team, the Los Angeles Clippers were not willing to provide.

The Cavs were willing to work out a new deal with Harden and his representation, according to Windhorst, with the understanding that it would be a multi-year deal. Harden has a $42 million player option (with $13 million guaranteed), and the rebuilding Clippers were not willing to absorb that. Cleveland, who is all-in to win right now, saw it as an opportunity.

While no contract agreement is allowed to be announced, the Cavs appeared willing to play ball with the former MVP and his team to work out a deal. Besides, Harden would have rejected any deal that did not have this handshake agreement as part of the trade.

Despite several uneven playoff performances already for Harden, the overwhelming expectation is that he will remain in the wine and gold for a few more years to come. There could be more changes on the way as well, and some big ones at that.

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Big upgrade? How Celtics can find center help via free agency, trades, draft

Big upgrade? How Celtics can find center help via free agency, trades, draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Eastern Conference Finals matchup between the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers is a good reminder that for the Boston Celtics to get back to a championship level, they need to upgrade their frontcourt.

The Knicks and Cavs have plenty of very good guards, but they also benefit from strong frontcourts. New York has Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson at center, while Cleveland has Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

The center duo of Neemias Queta and Luka Garza did a nice job for the Celtics during the regular season. Queta was even a legitimate candidate for Most Improved Player of the Year. But in the playoffs, this duo got exposed as not being good enough for a team with title aspirations.

Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens talked about his team’s need to be better at the rim offensively during a press conference earlier this month.

“One of the things that we’ve got to figure out is how to have more of an impact at the rim, and I think we do need to add to our team to do that,” Stevens said. “Everybody plays a role in that, but at the end of (Game 7), (Joel) Embiid is standing at the rim on all those possessions or a lot of those possessions.”

He also added: “I think the biggest thing is, can we generate looks at the rim? Yeah, everybody wants to do that, and every one of us would prefer a dunk over a 3. Every single one of us. Those are hard to get, and we struggle to generate them.”

So, how can the Celtics improve at center this offseason? Let’s look at some of their best options in free agency, the trade market and the 2026 NBA Draft.

2026 NBA Draft

The Celtics, unlike several contenders, own their 2026 first-round pick. But after finishing as the second-place team in the Eastern Conference in the regular season, they won’t pick until No. 27 overall in Round 1.

It’s not easy to get an impact player at the end of the first round, but the C’s have done a nice job finding competent role players in this range in recent seasons. The best examples include Robert Williams (No. 27, 2018), Payton Pritchard (No. 26, 2020), Baylor Scheierman (No. 30, 2024) and Hugo Gonzalez (No. 28, 2025).

Here’s a list of centers who might be available by the time the C’s are on the clock.

Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina

Veesar averaged 17 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 42.1 percent from 3-point range last season.

Zuby Ejiofor, PF/C, St. John’s

Ejiofor is a physical force who can protect the rim, but his lack of a 3-point shot could make him a bad fit for Joe Mazzulla’s offensive scheme. He also averaged 7.7 rebounds per game over the last two seasons.

Tarris Reed Jr., PF/C, UConn

Reed is listed at 6-foot-11 and grabbed 9.0 rebounds per game for a Huskies team that reached the national championship game last season.

NBA trade market

The best player who could be traded this summer is Milwaukee Bucks superstar big man and two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on May 11 that the Bucks are “open for business on trade calls and offers” for Antetokounmpo.

Any potential Celtics trade involving Antetokounmpo would likely have to involve Jaylen Brown due to salary reasons and the fact that the cost to get the Bucks’ star will be high.

But trading a player of Brown’s caliber is a huge risk. He again proved this past season that he’s an All-NBA caliber player after setting career highs with 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. His fantastic season resulted in him finishing sixth in MVP voting.

The duo of Brown and Jayson Tatum has already won a title, and there’s no reason why the C’s can’t build around those two stars and chase Banner 19 as early as next season. Brown is also two years younger than Antetokounmpo and less injury prone.

Antetokounmpo is still an elite player, though. He has averaged 30.1 points, 11.5 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game over the last five seasons. He is an absolute force in the paint both offensively and defensively. If the C’s really want to create more dunks and improve their rim protection, a trade for Antetokounmpo is probably the most impactful move possible. Antetokounmpo leads all players in dunks per game over the last two years.

But the more likely route for the Celtics from a trade perspective is probably acquiring a big man via the $27.7 million traded player exception (TPE) they created as part of the Anfernee Simons trade with the Chicago Bulls back in February. It’s a sizable chunk of money the Celtics can use to absorb a large salary.

Let’s take a look at the best potential big man trade targets with salaries that fit inside Boston’s largest TPE.

Nic Claxton, C, Nets

  • 2026-27 Salary: $23.1 million
  • 2025-26 Stats: 57.1 FG%, 11.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.1 bpg (69 games)

The Nets are still in rebuild mode, so flipping Claxton for draft picks and/or a player(s) would make sense for them. Claxton is listed at 6-foot-11 and has averaged 7.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game in his career.

Wendell Carter Jr., C, Magic

  • 2026-27 Salary: $18.1 million
  • 2025-26 Stats: 51.2 FG%, 31.9 3P%, 11.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.6 bpg (78 games)

The Magic have a ton of huge salaries, so it would benefit them to move out some money. Carter is a reliable double-digit scorer and a good rebounder. He’s not a dominant shot blocker but does bring good size (6-foot-10, 270 pounds) to the frontcourt.

The Magic ranked 28th in 3-point percentage during the regular season, and given Boston’s abundance of good outside shooters, these two teams make sense as potential trade partners.

Daniel Gafford, PF/C, Mavericks

  • 2026-27 Salary: $17.2 million
  • 2025-26 Stats: 65.5 FG%, 9.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.3 bpg (55 games)

Gafford is an athletic center listed at 6-foot-10 and 255 pounds. He can reliably provide 10-plus points (a true lob threat, too) and around 7-8 rebounds per game. He’s also a good shot blocker. Gafford plays his role very well, but he’s missed more than 20 games due to injury each of the last two seasons.

He is signed through 2028-29 with an average annual salary of about $18.2 million, which is a team-friendly deal for the value he brings.

Isaiah Stewart, PF/C, Pistons

  • 2026-27 Salary: $17.2 million
  • 2025-26 Stats: 55 FG%, 10 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.6 bpg (58 games)

Jalen Duren is an RFA this summer and could get a massive raise from the Pistons. If that happens, would Detroit be willing to give Stewart a large deal of his own in the summer of 2028? Stewart is signed for just $15 million in 2026-27 with a team option for 2027-28. It’s a great contract.

Stewart had a rough conference semifinals series versus the Cavaliers, but overall, he had a strong 2025-26 campaign for the Pistons. He averaged 10 points per game and played exceptional defense. He’s a little undersized at 6-foot-8, but the combination of very good defense, physicality, shot blocking and the ability to provide double-digit scoring would make him a nice fit for Boston’s play style.

NBA free agency

The free agent market for centers, at least among unrestricted free agents, is pretty weak. The Celtics are expected to have access to the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which should be around $15 million. 

Here are some players who might fit into the MLE.

Mitchell Robinson, C, Knicks

  • 2025-26 Stats: 72.3 FG%, 5.7 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.2 bpg (60 games)
  • 2025-26 Salary: $13 million

Robinson is an intimidating figure in the paint at 7-foot and 240 pounds. He also averaged 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game for one of the league’s top 10 defenses. He doesn’t shoot 3-pointers and struggles at the free throw line, but the defense, physicality and rebounding he brings more than make up for those two weaknesses.

Robinson made an average yearly salary of $15 million over the last four seasons, which is about what the Celtics have available with the MLE. If he wants a good-sized raise, the Celtics probably won’t be able to afford him.

Andre Drummond, C, 76ers

  • 2025-26 Stats: 47.2 FG%, 6.4 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 0.8 bpg (60 games)
  • 2025-26 Salary: $5 million

Drummond is a big body in the paint at 6-foot-11 and 280 pounds. He’s still a very good rebounder but doesn’t provide a ton of offense.

Robert Williams III, C, Trail Blazers

  • 2025-26 Stats: 70.8 FG%, 6.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.5 bpg (59 games)
  • 2025-26 Salary: $13.2 million

Williams was a fan favorite in Boston from 2018 through 2023. He’s a very good defensive player and a top-tier shot blocker with impressive athleticism. The problem is durability. Williams has been injury prone throughout his career. He has missed 20-plus games in all but one of his eight pro seasons.

Jock Landale, C, Hawks

  • 2025-26 Stats: 51.5 FG%, 10.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 0.5 bpg (68 games)
  • 2025-26 Salary: $2.3 million

Landale averaged a career high in scoring last season, and he improved his 3-point shooting to an impressive 38 percent. He plays with great energy and physicality at 6-foot-11 and 255 pounds. Landale would be an upgrade over Luka Garza.

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Celtics’ Jaylen Brown questions NBA’s need for a social justice award

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 14: Jaylen Brown #7 of Team USA Stripes looks on during the NBA All Star Media Day as part of NBA All-Star Weekend on Saturday, February 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Jaylen Brown is skeptical about the NBA’s Social Justice Champion award, challenging the idea of honoring players for what he considers a basic responsibility.

Brown, the NBPA Executive Committee’s Vice President since 2019, sees paying it forward as a moral obligation rather than a commendable chore. Each season, the NBA selects five players nominated for the award, and this season, Brown joined Bam Adebayo, Tobias Harris, Harrison Barnes, and Larry Nance Jr. as the finalists in the running.

“I’m not sure why the NBA decided they needed to create this award,” Brown said Sunday night on his FCHWPO Twitch livestream. “They’ve actually asked for my participation over the course of the last five or seven years, and I turn them down every time. I don’t really feel like you need to be rewarded for your responsibility. I honestly feel like it’s a responsibility to my community. I know some people don’t feel like that.”

Five years ago, the NBA introduced the Social Justice Champion award in honor of Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the six-time champion’s lifelong efforts in social activism. Last season, then-Celtics guard Jrue Holiday won the award, which came with a $100,000 donation to the charity of his choice — the Jrue and Lauren Holiday Social Impact Fund (JLH Fund), an organization founded in 2020 to assist Black-owned small businesses, entrepreneurs, and Black-led non-profits.

Brown, who shared the floor with Holiday for two seasons as Celtics teammates, remains connected to Jrue and his wife as the three continue to carry out their mission in Boston by investing in the Boston Creator Accelerator — a partnership between Holiday’s JLH Fund and Brown’s Boston XChange (BXC).

That’s fulfilling enough for Brown, who, throughout his decade-long stint in Boston, has strived to empower the city’s underrepresented communities.

Brown does, however, recognize Abdul-Jabbar as a pioneer worthy of admiration for both his basketball accolades and his role as a catalyst in the fight against social injustice.

“Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the one who highlights that and emphasizes that,” Brown said. “Kareem was also a great player, one of the players that I also grew up looking up to — on and off the court.”

Ever since being drafted third overall in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Celtics, Brown has grown in a similar trajectory to Kareem — both as a player and a community leader. He’s immersed himself in Boston’s culture and has never shied away from calling out areas where he believes the city can improve. In 2024, Brown launched BXC to help combat the city’s racial wealth gap by supporting Black and Brown entrepreneurs and collaborating with institutions including MIT, Harvard, and Roxbury Community College.

Annually, Brown also hosts the Bridge Program, which, through his 7uice Foundation, helps students of color prepare for college by exploring STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics).

After Brown signed his then-record-setting $304 million contract extension with the Celtics in July 2023, he stated his desire to create “Black Wall Street” in Boston. Soon after, BXC was founded.

Coming from humble beginnings in Atlanta and raised by his single mother, Dr. Mechalle Brown — who earned her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan — Brown understands the challenges of overcoming adverse circumstances. In his mind, efforts to help the next generation carve out opportunities of their own far exceed any trophy the NBA is willing to hand out.

“I feel called to do this type of work,” Brown told his stream.

“What I do with education and STEAM, it’s a weird thing to feel like you should be compensated. I have a platform, I’ve been blessed. God has blessed me, so I take the responsibility, and I pour it to my community.”

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NBA playoffs: Conference finals schedule, scores, bracket, matchups set

The NBA playoffs are down to just four teams. And what a battle it's shaping up to be.

The Cleveland Cavaliers pulled off a stunner in the Eastern Conference by dominating the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in Game 7. Now the Cavs will look to knock off a well-rested New York Knicks team coming off a sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers that seems to be peaking at the perfect time.

In the Western Conference, the No. 2 seed San Antonio Spurs eliminated the No. 6 seed Timberwolves on the road in Minnesota. This series had been a back-and-forth affair, but the Spurs took command in Game 5 at home then clinched a trip to the conference finals on the Timberwolves home court in Game 6. The Spurs will take on the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, who haven't lost in these playoffs. The Thunder started this postseason by sweeping the Phoenix Suns, and then they did the same to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals.

Here’s a look at the bracket and upcoming schedule for the Eastern and Western Conference finals:

NBA Eastern Conference finals

The New York Knicks have the higher seed and will host Games 1, 2, 5 and 7, while the Cleveland Cavaliers will host Games 3, 4 and 6.

No. 3 New York Knicks vs. No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers

All games on ESPN unless otherwise noted; *-if necessary

  • Game 1 at New York: Tuesday, May 19, 8 p.m.
  • Game 2 at New York: Thursday, May 21, 8 p.m.
  • Game 3 at Cleveland: Saturday, May 23, 8 p.m. (ABC)
  • Game 4 at Cleveland: Monday, May 25, 8 p.m.
  • *Game 5 at New York: Wednesday, May 27, 8 p.m.
  • *Game 6 at Cleveland: Friday, May 29, 8 p.m.
  • *Game 7 at New York: Sunday, May 31, 8 p.m.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama headline the playoff matchup between the top two seeds in the Western Conference.

NBA Western Conference finals

The Oklahoma City Thunder have the No. 1 seed and will host Games 1, 2, 5 and 7, while the San Antonio Spurs host Games 3, 4 and 6.

No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 2 San Antonio Spurs

All games on NBC and Peacock; *-if necessary

  • Game 1 at Oklahoma City: Monday, May 18, 8:30 p.m.
  • Game 2 at Oklahoma City: Wednesday, May 20, 8:30 p.m.
  • Game 3 at San Antonio: Friday, May 22, 8:30 p.m.
  • Game 4 at San Antonio: Sunday, May 24, 8 p.m.
  • *Game 5 at Oklahoma City: Tuesday, May 26, 8:30 p.m.
  • *Game 6 at San Antonio: Thursday, May 28, 8:30 p.m.
  • *Game 7 at Oklahoma City: Saturday, May 30, 8 p.m.

NBA Eastern Conference semifinals

No. 1 Detroit Pistons vs. No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers

Cavaliers win series 4-3

No. 3 New York Knicks vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers

Knicks win series 4-0

NBA Western Conference semifinals

No. 2 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves

Spurs win series 4-2

No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers

Thunder win series 4-0

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA playoff bracket 2026: Conference finals schedule, scores, matchups

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Renewing an old rivalry between the Spurs and Thunder

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JANUARY 13: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs and Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on during the game on January 13, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

I’ve said before that one of my favorite things about being editor-in-chief of this website is reaching out to the writers that cover other teams and having conversations with them. The Fraternizing with the Enemy series is one of the things of which I’m most proud from my tenure at PtR. So when I say that I very nearly took this series off, you’ll understand what a big deal that is.

See, running this website has brought me not only a lot of joy since 2010, but also a lot of friendships. Of those relationships that have developed over the years, none have been more important to me than the one that grew between J.A. Sherman and me. J.A. used to run Welcome to Loud City when it was a part of S.B. Nation, and we met as fellow blog managers. We frequently Fratted together, and even did so through the Western Conference Finals of 2014 which Spurs fans remember fondly and Thunder fans less so.

As time went on and he left the sports blogging world, he became one of my closest friends. Last year, at the age of 49, he died. I don’t currently have the words to express what losing him has meant to me. Those of you who have experienced the loss of someone close to you know how foundation-shaking a thing it can be.

I wrestled with the idea how best to honor him, and finally settled on continuing the series. I reached out to one of his former contributors, Cray Allred, who currently runs the excellent Daily Thunder and has agreed to accompany me as our teams battle it out on the court. Please enjoy and discuss, but also remember my friend. His family misses him terribly, and so do I. This is for him.

Cray:

Nice to meet you, J.R.! I actually used to write and podcast a bit for J.A. at Welcome to Loud City (rip). Great guy. 

12 years ago, but it seems like yesterday. The Spurs battles from that era were some of the best (i.e. most grueling and miserable until they were over) for Thunder fans. I still have nightmares about Derek Fisher guarding Tim Duncan in the post in 2014. And I bet Anthony Edwards’ in-game congrats in Game 6 didn’t wash away your memory of KD hugging his family in the final moments of the 2012 G6. Or maybe you’re a more well regulated fan than I am lol. 

J.R.

I’ll admit that I’d completely forgotten Durant’s 2012 celebration. Candidly, 2014 put a lot of negative memories to rest. In some ways, it does seem like yesterday. And in other ways it’s been long enough that it feels like forever. The DeMar DeRozan years. The Dejounte Murray years. The misses in the draft like Lonnie Walker and poor Josh Primo. Tearing down the team meant losing Derrick White and Jakob Poeltl; bottoming out meant learning to actually pay attention to the lottery. Not much fun. 

Nightmares aren’t fun either, so I’m sorry that last year’s championship didn’t cleanse your subconscious of the trauma that the Beautiful Basketball Spurs inflicted on you and your fanbase. That’s the thing about zero sum games like professional sports. There’s no ultimate celebration for thee without misery for me. And it’s not just a single me. Every title-clinching team leaves a collection of bitter opposition fans in its wake.

It’s hard to remember, in the midst of our fond memories of victories last, that every series we remember with nostalgia is a painful memory for up to four different communities — and speaking of painful memories, the loss of J.A. Sherman is something I’m still dealing with. He had become one of my closest friends, and I miss him terribly and daily. The time I was fortunate enough to spend with him is both a source of joy and pain, but I’m so glad you knew him too, and this conversation helps me to not focus on that loss. 

Which brings me to the series, and what now seems like the inevitable clash of these two young teams that has all of the markings of an epic (and potentially annual) conflict. What do you think of the series? What are you looking forward to and what concerns you? 

Cray

I suggest we dedicate this article to J.A. He was the rare sports media member, able to voraciously follow every play and story without losing his positive, good-natured outlook. We could all stand to be a little more like him when yelling at the TV, muting our @s, and writing from the rollercoaster that every fanbase rides.

As for the series, my Thunder optimism has provoked the “blind homer” label from a loyal reader. I know the Spurs are capable of reaching OKC’s level in the very near future. I know Oklahoma City looked just as spooked as the rest of the league when struggling against Victor Wembanyama and the talent orbiting him in their matchups this regular season. I know Wemby might be the most inevitable force of nature the sport has ever seen.  (Is he still growing? Please tell me he at least stopped growing.)

But I know the Thunder are in a historic tier of excellence in their own right. Specifically, their defense has become one of the most relatively dominant of all-time, as has their lead bucket-getter. If a reigning champ was ever built to withstand an alien invasion, it’s the basketball team in Oklahoma City.

If healthy.

That’s my main concern for the conference finals: that Jalen Williams’ fourth return from injury this season will not be shortlived like the others. OKC needs his size and rim pressure on the mix in order to hold up against Wemby on both ends. Ajay Mitchell has been a revelation, and there are plenty of bright spots throughout the postseason roster I could point to for the Thunder hopeful. But only JDub adds the kind of perimeter and paint force on the level of SGA and Chet Holmgren.

As for the matchup dynamics, I think the biggest game-by-game swings will come from corner shooting volume (San Antonio’s bread and butter, which OKC de-emphasizes in their defensive scheme) and midrange proficiency (Shai’s all-time bread and butter, which only doubles and triples have been able to slow thus far in 2026).

What do you think? Should I feel like the Spurs are more of an existential threat than my interpretation of the numbers has convinced me?

J.R.

I don’t think it’s my place to try to dial up your fear of San Antonio. Through the first two rounds of the playoffs, my Fraternizing partners have been very upfront about their doubts as to whether they could keep pace with the Spurs. So your confidence is not only refreshing, but well-founded, I think. I’ve never thought it was wise to put too much faith in regular season success when trying to predict how a postseason series would go. As a result, I’m trying to maintain my balance in the face of so many people I respect picking the Spurs, or at least calling the matchup even. 

The Western Conference Finals is a reality now, but at the beginning of the season it was just dream, and a remote one at that. I feel a bit like I should be thankful for how far the team has come, but what kind of fan can satisfy themself with nearly making the finals? No, fanatics are never satisfied. Which means we have to get our hands dirty and dive into the nitty gritty. 

But where to begin? How about Wemby’s dislike for Holmgren! What does it mean to you that there’s some unfulfilled animosity brewing under the surface before the games even get underway?

Cray

I can relate to your capacity for greedy discontent. The Thunder vaulted into the 1 seed two years ago, way ahead of schedule. Pushing Luka and the Mavs, the eventual Finals representatives from the West, to six games was way beyond our expectations for OKC. And it felt awful. As soon as you can sniff title contention, you stop counting moral victories. (Not to mention those 2012 Thunder, who appeared primed to leave San Antonio and the rest of the league in the dust. We know how that worked out.)

I’m a total hypocrite when it comes to Wemby and Chet. I love the rivalry, and I enjoy it getting as petty and charged as possible. It wouldn’t feel like Thunder/Spurs if everyone seemed to be having a good time. But I still find Wemby’s disdain for Chet to be pretty annoying since it’s never felt provoked by Holmgren, let alone reciprocated. Maybe Chet starts to take it more personally this time around. That might be a good thing for OKC, since he’s been far from his best against San Antonio of late.

One thing to track is SGA tiptoeing into the petty wars. Known for his class, SGA has developed a routine of avoiding verbal spats and sticking to the high road *during* the series, only to flex at the opponent after besting them. See: Dillon Brooks and the Los Angeles Lakers. If he pulls out this win, you can expect Shai to finally trade a barb or two with Wemby on their budding MVP and championship rivalry about which Victor has been much less bashful.

All that is to say, I think the animosity between our fanbases will be raging in the very near future. There is no way out of this postseason without us locked into another very bitter feud in place for the years to come. And this time around, the algorithms are here to make it even nastier.

Aside from Wemby, I expect to be most tormented by Dylan Harper and Devin Vassell. They’re both gamers I’ve been admiring from a distance up until now. Are you worried about any Thunder players outside of Shai driving you insane?

J.R.

Two words. First word. First syllable. Sounds like “Eww.” Second word. First syllable. Sounds like “Fort.”

I don’t think that there’s anyone I’m more primed to dislike than Lou Dort, and it’s not a new thing because I’ve had a decades-long dislike for guys that are a danger to the health and well being of their fellow players. It started when I was a kid watching a game with my day and I was so upset at the player who was killing our team with these baseline jumpers. He kept getting open and simply refused to miss. 

I finally blurted out, “Someone kick him in the knee!” and my dad had a talk with me about what we do and don’t do as fans. It was a lesson in sportsmanship and mutual respect. About playing hard but also recognizing that it’s better to take your lumps and learn from it than it is to give in to your worse instincts and lash out, endangering the career and livelihood of your fellow competitor. 

That lecture is something that guided me as a student athlete, and it guides me as an editor-in-chief. Every writer on PtR called out Wemby’s shot at Naz Reid’s neck as being unjustified. I was horrified that Vic was about two inches below what might have shattered the dude’s jaw. 

So when I see a guy that’s not just going to the edge of what the refs will allow (never the line that I think should be the limit for a player) but into the realm of what could take an opponent out of a game, I get uncomfortable. 

So here are my questions: is Dort’s reputation earned, or does he get a bad rap? Am I right to be concerned that he could injure one or the Spurs, or has that threat been blown out of proportion?

Cray:

Wow, most other fans LOVE Sweet Lu.

Jokes aside, I get it. Dort is the Thunder most prone by far to actual, outright flopping. And he lost the benefit of the doubt with many after tripping Nikola Jokic this season. He’ll be scrutinized even more closely as a result of taking such a blatant action out in the open. So I wouldn’t call his rap sheet unfounded. (And props to you for holding Wemby to the same standard.)

While he’s even admitted to crossing the line, I do think his reputation as a goon or even an enforcer is overstated. (Jaylin Williams has a lot more fun doing the latter.) No one who has seen his multitude of finishing fails would accuse him of masterful body control that could mask constant dirty intent. Referees are always trained on his matchup, and he racks up a small fraction of the uncommon fouls that other boundary-pushing, sly defenders like Draymond Green and Dillon Brooks are notorious for. If he were as sneaky and capable as his reputation, he would be capable of more than standing in the corner on offense. He’s guilty of more reckless hustle plays than cheap shots, though that’s little consolation if your favorite player is at the bottom of the pileup. 

What I think is underrated: Dort’s genuine, elite on-ball defense. It’s not just driven by his physicality; he’s not just good because he fouls. He’s thrived through the changing winds of what refs call too much or too little over the years. And he isn’t the one turning halfcourt into football. Opposing offenses run him through a gauntlet of screening collisions to free their best scorers from Dort’s ball denial. Of course they’d rather he let up when facing the first, second, or seventh pick of a possession; his coaches don’t, and that’s why he’s got a starting gig in the NBA. 

But when his dreads go flying on one end after he brushes your big’s shoulder, followed by an ugly, swished moonball after the ball swings his way on the other end…I get that the Dort experience is annoying at best.

With the conference finals almost underway, here’s to a healthy series free of any dangerous swinging limbs. I hope De’Aaron Fox and Luke Kornet join Jalen Williams in flipping from questionable to active when Game 1 tips later tonight. Strength for strength, I’m ready to find out who’s got whose number.

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Marquette In The 2026 NBA Playoffs: Eastern Conference Finals Edition

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 10: Tyler Kolek #13 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round Two Game Four of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 10, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Here’s Tyler Kolek cooking the Sixers. | Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Good news, everyone!

Marquette fans everywhere still have a rooting interest in the 2026 NBA Playoffs! Our lone entrant in the Conference Semifinals advanced to the Conference Finals, so we’ve still got something to latch onto here.

Tyler Kolek — New York Knicks

Look, I’m not trying to tell head coach Mike Brown how to do his job here, but the fact of the matter is that New York is a perfect 6-0 when Marquette’s very own Tyler Kolek gets on the floor for the Knicks in these playoffs. Fair’s fair, so I have to remind myself that the Knicks are 2-2 when Kolek does not play, and .500 in the playoffs isn’t that far from advancing anyway. It does mean that the Knicks have only lost when Mike Brown does not get Kolek into the game though, so perhaps I’m more right than I realize.

We should also point out that Kolek has played in six of the Knicks’ last seven games, all of which have been a part of the most overwhelming 10 game point differential stretch in NBA Playoffs history.

Tyler Kolek is helping the Knicks mollywhop the opponents, and I will not accept explanations that challenge this information. I mean, come on, like anyone could possibly believe that the Knicks would have beat the Sixers by 30 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals without Kolek giving them four points, three rebounds, and two assists in 13 minutes?

Anyway, that level of Kolek-led domination has the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight year. Oooh, that means Tyler Kolek is a two-time Eastern Conference Finalist! Take that, almost every single other pick in the 2024 NBA Draft!

While Tyler Kolek’s playing time is the clear key to the Knicks’ success, we do have to acknowledge that Jalen Brunson led New York in scoring against the Sixers, averaging 29.0 points thanks to 45% three-point shooting. However, the Knicks’ point guard in name was not their assists leader in the series, as that went to Karl-Anthony Towns. The self-proclaimed best shooting big man in NBA history beat out Brunson in the helpers department, 7.5 per game to 6.0. KAT also shot 55% on threes, which is some Markus Howard freshman year level nonsense, and having fun beating the Knicks when Brunson and Towns essentially can’t miss from deep.

After more than a week off, #3 seed New York will face off against the #4 seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Cavs have had to play two seven game series in the playoffs so far, which means they’ve played 14 games against just 10 for the Knicks. Cleveland went down 2-0 out of the gate against #1 seed Detroit in the Eastern semis, then evened the series out, and then won two road games to close the series out, handing out a 125-94 thumping in Game 7 on Sunday night.

Donovan Mitchell was the Cavs’ leading scorer in the series, putting up 28.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. His three-point shooting was not working in the series, landing at just under 29%, but Mitchell was a 36% shooter in the regular season, so the Knicks will have to watch out for a bounce back from him. Evan Mobley was Cleveland’s leading rebounder at 7.4 per game, while the Cavs were led in assists against the Pistons by James Harden. He had 6.3 assists per game to go with nearly 20 points and just over five rebounds a night in the series. Harden was a shooting liability in the series, hitting just 38% of his shots overall and just 29% from long range. I’m not entirely sure why the 36 year old guard led the Cavaliers in minutes in the series, but that’s a thing that happened, and you gotta wonder if that’s going to start catching up with Harden, who is in his 17th year in the league.

2026 NBA Playoffs

Eastern Conference Finals

All games at 7pm Central on ESPN

Game 1: Tuesday, May 19
Game 2: Thursday, May 21
Game 3: Saturday, May 23
Game 4: Monday, May 25
Game 5*: Wednesday, May 27
Game 6*: Friday, May 29
Game 7*: Sunday, May 31

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