New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown, left, talks with guard Jalen Brunson during the fourth quarter of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026.
By mid-August, Josh Hart was already tired of the perpetual congratulations. In September, it felt like “a burden.”
As great as winning a championship was for the Knicks — and many of the players celebrated wildly and extensively, to be clear — Hart wanted to focus on progress, not history.
“You’re fully into the swing of working out in the summer and it’s tough to turn the page,” Hart said. “Because you’re sitting there, you turn the page, you’re like ‘I got to work and then somebody says, ‘Congrats, we did this, my family did this, we watched it together,’ and you just keep getting brought back to the championship.
“You move on, you get brought back. That’s also why I can’t wait for that opening night tip, to really put all that stuff behind us.”
Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) attends practice at the Madison Square Garden Training Center in Greenburgh, N.Y., Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. Robert Sabo for NY Post
Hart’s conundrum is at the center of Tuesday’s season opener against the 76ers, a night at MSG meant to celebrate the feelings and accomplishments he’s been trying to avoid. It will be a test of focus from the Knicks, who will go from accepting rings to raising a banner to trying to beat LeBron James.
All within minutes.
It probably helps that New York’s head coach, Mike Brown, has participated in four ring nights with the Spurs and Warriors. There’s a voice of experience in a high position.
“It is a little tough even for me as a coach,” Brown said. “People are patting you on the back, telling how good you are and it’s good and you want people to be able to do that with you and for you and all that stuff, but in the same breath there always has to be a part of you — and I know this from experience that says — don’t listen to this, don’t read this, don’t watch this. Because it’s hard to stay even-keeled in situations like that. You got to embrace it, you got to enjoy it with others, especially your family, but try to come back down to earth as soon as possible. … We have a pretty sharp group. But if they don’t know, we’ll definitely help by reminding them, ‘This is not last year. This is a new season and we can’t just think we’re going to switch that light on and get after it.’ ”
History suggests the Knicks will beat the Sixers. The defending champions are 64-15 in their home openers, according to The Elias Sports Bureau, which isn’t surprising because defending champs tend to be good. Not all of those games were ‘ring night,’ but most were and the recent examples hold firm:
New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown, left, talks with guard Jalen Brunson during the fourth quarter of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The last loser of their own ring night was the 2020 Lakers, who fell to the Clippers in an empty arena because of the pandemic. James, who will be at ring night Tuesday with the 76ers, was on those Lakers. Two years ago, the Knicks were shellacked by the Celtics on ring night in Boston.
OG Anunoby won his ring night with the Raptors in 2019, but it required overtime to topple the Pelicans. Anunoby finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in 36 minutes.
“You celebrate with the ring, take pictures, then the game started. It was kind of weird,” Anunoby said. “Then the game goes on, first quarter and second quarter, it gets back to normal. You get used to it. But initially, yeah, it was kind of weird.”
For Hart, Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges, this will be their first game as champs on ring night. They were the defending NCAA titlists with Villanova in 2016, but the banner was raised at a students-only pep rally called Hoops Mania — not before a game.
Brunson, nonetheless, understands the assignment.
“It’s about how quickly you turn a page and how quickly you understand that the egos have to be checked at the door,” he said.
Coming off a convincing 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Colorado Avalanche had an opportunity to build momentum against a Philadelphia Flyers team that entered the night with just one win through its first nine games.
Instead, the Avalanche stumbled into a frustrating 3-2 loss at Xfinity Mobile Arena, undone by defensive breakdowns, costly turnovers, and an inability to consistently protect Mackenzie Blackwood. Matvei Michkov struck twice for Philadelphia, while Noel Acciari added the eventual game-winner.
Martin Necas and T.J. Hughes found the back of the net for Colorado, but their efforts weren't enough to overcome a Flyers team that made the most of its opportunities. The Avalanche finished with 16 turnovers compared to Philadelphia's six, a disparity that underscored just how uncharacteristically careless Colorado was with the puck.
First Period
The Avalanche endured a frustrating opening 20 minutes , finding themselves trailing the Flyers 1-0 after a period in which defensive breakdowns, missed opportunities, and a string of unfortunate bounces defined the frame.
Blackwood was the primary reason the deficit remained at one, turning aside several dangerous Philadelphia chances to keep Colorado within striking distance. Meanwhile, the Avalanche struggled to generate sustained offensive pressure and even Necas take a shot to the mouth from a deflected puck off the crossbar. Despite the difficult start, Colorado closed the period with five consecutive shots on goal, offering a small glimmer of momentum heading into the second.
Colorado was tested early when Devon Toews turned the puck over, leading to a scoring opportunity for Philadelphia, but Blackwood came up with the save.
The Avalanche were subsequently penalized for too many men on the ice, and the Flyers capitalized on the power play to take a 1-0 lead. Michkov buried the rebound off Trevor Zegras' initial shot to open the scoring. Colorado challenged the goal for goaltender interference, but the challenge was unsuccessful, as officials ruled that Josh Manson had pushed Parker Martone into Blackwood, allowing the goal to stand.
Gavin Brindley was left with an unenviable task in the opening period, serving the bench minor for too many men on the ice before also serving the delay-of-game penalty resulting from Colorado's unsuccessful challenge.
Philadelphia, which entered the game with just one win in its first nine contests, continued to apply pressure early on. Zegras nearly doubled the Flyers' lead on a 2-on-1 rush, but Blackwood made an acrobatic save to deny him at the backdoor.
The Avalanche continued to struggle defensively with around eight minutes remaining in the period, as Flyers forward Sean Couturier was left all alone in the low slot. After receiving a pass from behind the net, Couturier quickly fired a shot on Blackwood, who came up with yet another outstanding save to keep the deficit at 1-0.
Things went from bad to worse for Colorado when Nathan MacKinnon set up Artturi Lehkonen for a backdoor opportunity. However, Lehkonen's shot struck the crossbar before ricocheting directly into Necas' mouth. Necas immediately went down before leaving the ice to receive medical attention.
You could have aptly titled the opening period "Friendly Fire," as Brett Kulak ripped a wrist shot that caught Brock Nelson in the leg, adding to an already frustrating first frame for the Avalanche.
Despite being outshot 13-8 through the first 20 minutes, Colorado closed the period with five consecutive shots on goal, showing signs of life after spending much of the frame under pressure. The Avalanche headed into the first intermission trailing 1-0, with Blackwood's strong performance keeping them within striking distance.
Second Period
Michkov nearly doubled Philadelphia's lead midway through the period after collecting a loose puck and attempting a flashy between-the-legs shot on Blackwood, but he couldn't quite pull off the highlight-reel finish.
The 21-year-old would make no mistake on his next opportunity at 12:22. After carrying the puck into Colorado's defensive zone, Michkov circled behind the net before working his way back toward the point and unleashing a wrist shot through traffic that beat a screened Blackwood to give the Flyers a 2-0 lead.
At the other end, Brock Nelson looked to spark a Colorado response with a slick toe-drag move on Flyers goaltender Joseph Woll, but Woll stayed with him to shut down the attempt and preserve Philadelphia's two-goal advantage.
Colorado earned its first power play of the game with 4:11 remaining in the period after Travis Sanheim took exception to a hit Cale Makar delivered on Noel Acciari. Sanheim retaliated by checking Makar from behind, drawing a roughing penalty and giving the Avalanche an opportunity to cut into the deficit with the man advantage.
Just as the power play expired, Necas brought Colorado back within one. Finding space in the offensive zone, Necas picked his spot and fired a wrist shot through traffic, beating Woll on the blocker side to make it a 2-1 game and give the Avalanche some much-needed momentum.
Colorado headed into the second intermission trailing by just one, but the Avalanche still had plenty of work to do. Their defensive lapses continued to leave Blackwood exposed, while the offense needed to find a way to turn late-period momentum into a sustained push over the final 20 minutes.
Third Period
The Avalanche caught a break in the opening minute of the third period, though it came at a cost to Makar, who was struck in the face by Couturier's high stick behind the net. Colorado generated some early pressure on the ensuing power play, but Woll came up with a crucial save, robbing Jaden Schwartz on a beautiful backdoor opportunity.
Philadelphia soon extended its lead to 3-1 when Noel Acciari redirected Oliver Bonk's slap shot past Blackwood. The goal came as a result of yet another defensive breakdown by Colorado, as the Avalanche lost track of their assignments and allowed Acciari to establish position in front of the net with little resistance. Toews and MacKinnon were caught occupying similar positions without effectively covering an opposing player, leaving Acciari free to screen Blackwood and get a stick on Bonk's shot.
With Colorado once again facing a two-goal deficit, Hughes gave the Avalanche a lifeline. The rookie continued his hot streak, scoring his second goal in as many games after netting his first career goal in Friday's 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins at Ball Arena.
Hughes pounced on a rebound in the low slot and fired toward the net, beating Woll, who got a piece of the shot with his glove but couldn't keep it out. The goal cut Philadelphia's lead to 3-2 late in the game, setting up a tense finish as Colorado searched for the equalizer.
The Avalanche pulled Blackwood in the closing minutes in an attempt to salvage a point, but Philadelphia held firm to secure the 3-2 victory.
Takeaways
The loss was a disappointing setback for Colorado, particularly against a Flyers team that entered the matchup with just one win in its first nine games. While Necas and Hughes provided the offense to keep the Avalanche in contention, Colorado's defensive shortcomings proved too costly to overcome.
The turnover battle told a significant part of the story. Colorado committed 16 giveaways compared to Philadelphia's six, repeatedly surrendering possession and giving the Flyers opportunities to attack before the Avalanche could get organized defensively. Those mistakes, combined with poor coverage around the net, left Blackwood with little margin for error.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, capitalized on its opportunities. Michkov scored twice, Acciari added the decisive goal, and Woll turned aside 24 shots to help the Flyers hold on for the win.
The defeat dropped Colorado to 5-3-1 on the season, while Philadelphia improved to 2-6-3. For the Avalanche, the result serves as a reminder that offensive firepower alone won't be enough if defensive details and puck management continue to fall short. They'll need a much sharper effort in those areas moving forward.
Andre Drummond #0 of the New York Knicks dunks against the Toronto Raptors during the fourth quarter of a preseason game at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026.
The Knicks will get their first glimpse of life without Mitchell Robinson.
After eight years with Robinson on the roster — though not always on the active list — New York faces the Sixers in Tuesday’s opener with Andre Drummond as the backup center.
It is by far the biggest change from last season’s championship-winning roster and therefore will be under the microscope when Drummond faces his former team from Philly.
“Mitch [who signed with the Celtics in free agency] is a great player. We’re not bringing Andre in here to quote-unquote be Mitch,” coach Mike Brown told The Post’s Steve Serby. “Andre’s going to be Andre, but that means everybody else has to give a little bit more defensively, and has to give a little bit more when it comes to offensive and defensive rebounding.”
Drummond’s greatest strength, throughout a lengthy career, was rebounding. But he’s now past his prime at 33 years old and replacing the NBA’s best offensive rebounder in Robinson.
The Knicks entered camp without a third center after Karl-Anthony Towns and Drummond, opening up a competition that ended with James Wiseman as the winner.
Wiseman is a former No. 2 pick and draft bust with the Golden State Warriors, but a superb athlete who always had a fan in Mike Brown.
Andre Drummond #0 of the New York Knicks dunks against the Toronto Raptors during the fourth quarter of a preseason game at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. Getty Images
Brown was the lead assistant at Golden State when Wiseman was drafted there.
“It was a different situation with the Knicks,” Brown said. “You come in as No. 2 pick in the draft with Golden State and you’re talented and skilled as he is and it can be tough on you because of expectations. Not just from the media and fans but sometimes your teammates and coaches and rest of the organization and if it’s hard for certain individuals to live up to. … With this situation, it’s — OK, he’s been around the block, he’s experienced adversity. We’re not looking for him to start or fight for a starting position. We’re not necessarily looking for him to come in and be a backup. He has the luxury of growing at his own pace without much pressure.”
The Sixers also have frontcourt questions after their backup, Ariel Hukporti, tore his Achilles in the preseason opener. Hukporti was the Knicks third-string center last season but left in free agency.
Joel Embiid’s backup is Adem Bona, who will have to deal with Drummond, his teammate last season.
Justin Langer has claimed the severe penalties handed down to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft for their roles in the infamous Sandpapergate scandal changed cricket forever, in a subtle but impossible to miss way.
Collin Sexton participated in his first full Lakers practice on Monday and and is considered day-to-day for Wednesday’s season opener against the Warriors.
Sexton said he’s dealing with a “lower leg injury,” adding that he has been experiencing “tightness.” He said that “nothing in particular” brought it on.
“We’ll be taking it day by day,” Sexton said. “At the end of the day, I had a really good practice [Monday], felt good. Super excited to be back out there with the guys, so I look forward to it.”
Los Angeles Lakers player Collin Sexton (10) poses during media day at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, Calif., Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The 27-year-old guard will bolster the Lakers’ second-unit scoring and give them another ball-handler when he returns. He has career averages of 18.3 points on 47.2% shooting (38.9% from beyond the arc), 2.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game over his eight seasons in the league with the Cavaliers, Jazz, Hornets and Bulls.
After watching the Lakers’ exhibition games, Sexton said he sees where he could slot in alongside his new teammates as another ball-handler.
“I’m super excited to get out there, and I can see where I can fit in pretty easily,” he said. “I think even just on the defensive side, bringing that energy, bringing that juice, and, and trying to disrupt, not always turning the ball over and get someone to turn it over for just disrupt and bring the clock down. And then offensively, getting to the paint. I think that’s something that I’ve done really well in my career.
“And then spacing, making sure I’m spacing for the guys like Luka [Doncic], AR [Austin Reaves], even just when Walker [Kessler] gets in the pocket, being ready to shoot on the back side. So, just finding ways that I can help the team.”
Freddy Peralta threw 5 1/3 gritty innings, Junior Caminero and Yandy Díaz each hit a two-run homer and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night to advance to the World Series for the third time in the franchise’s 29 seasons.
The Rays will face the Milwaukee Brewers in the first matchup in which both teams are seeking their first World Series title since 1980, when the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Kansas City Royals.
Game 1 is Friday night in Milwaukee.
“We got one more bite!” Rays manager Kevin Cash told his team as the clubhouse celebration started.
The loss extended Cleveland’s World Series championship drought to 78 years.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our group,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “It just hurts. It stings. Really felt like we had a team to go and just weren’t able to get there.”
On the 18-year anniversary of their first AL pennant in 2008, the Rays jumped ahead 2-0 in the second inning on Richie Palacios’ two-run double and clinched it with closer Bryan Baker on the mound.
The Guardians wouldn’t give up and had the go-ahead run at first base in the eighth when Kevin Kelly struck out Brayan Rocchio to leave the bases loaded after two runs scored.
Peralta, the ALCS MVP, allowed one run and five hits to earn his second win of the series in his third appearance. He pitched six scoreless innings to win Game 2 and got two outs in relief in Game 4.
A sellout crowd of 40,230 fans waved yellow-and-blue rally towels, rang cowbells and chanted “Let’s go Rays!” throughout the night at Tropicana Field, which needed major renovations after Hurricane Milton shredded the roof two years ago and caused extensive damage throughout the stadium.
The Rays played their 2025 home games across the bay in Tampa at the New York Yankees’ spring training complex, got new ownership before this season and secured a new stadium deal to bear ready in 2029 near the NFL’s Buccaneers. They returned to the Trop to win 55 games in the regular season. Only the Brewers had that many home wins this year.
“This is for you!” Caminero yelled to the crowd from a microphone on the field after the game. “Let’s go! I can’t hear you!”
After sweeping the Yankees in the Division Series, the Rays fell behind the Guardians 0-1 and 1-2 in this series before taking three straight games.
Caminero gave Tampa Bay a cushion with his first career postseason homer in the seventh inning. The two-time All-Star sent a drive off the left-field foul pole to give the Rays a 5-1 lead, becoming the first player to go deep on a splitter by All-Star closer Cade Smith.
Caminero turned around before reaching first base, looked toward his dugout and pounded his chest with both arms, cupped his ear rounding second to hear more cheers, stopped before reaching the plate, pointed into the stands and crossed his arms before crossing home.
Caminero hit 42 homers in the regular season but needed 33 at-bats to get his first in October.
The Guardians answered against Tyler Wells and Ian Seymour by loading the bases on two singles and a walk with two outs. Seymour walked Patrick Bailey to force in one run and hit Angel Martínez with a pitch to force in another. Kelly entered and fanned Rocchio on three changeups.
“Credit to our guys. It’s a gut punch there in the seventh. And our guys came right back,” Vogt said. “Our guys never quit. They never stopped fighting. That’s who they are.”
Díaz, who guaranteed a Game 6 victory through an interpreter on Sunday, gave the Rays another four-run lead with a two-run shot off Hunter Gaddis in the bottom of the eighth.
Caminero led off the Tampa Bay second with single off opener Shawn Armstrong, who took the loss in his second start in three games. Left-hander Tim Herrin replaced Armstrong. Chandler Simpson reached on a fielder’s choice and stole second before Victor Mesa Jr. walked. Simpson advanced to third on Jonny DeLuca’s flyout to center. After Mesa stole second, Palacios looped a double to right-center for a 2-0 lead.
Armstrong, who was the opener in Game 4, faced the first four batters, becoming the first pitcher in postseason history to start a game after pitching both of the previous two days.
DeLuca’s sacrifice fly off Joey Cantillo made it 3-0 in the third but the Rays missed an opportunity to break it open with more runs after they loaded the bases with no outs.
Nathaniel Lowe’s RBI single in the sixth drove in Cleveland’s first run.
TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 10: Teruaki Sato #7 of Team Japan celebrates after hitting a double in the first inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between Czechia and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 10, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Gene Wang - Capture At Media/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The NPB’s Hanshin Tigers accepted Teruaki Sato’s posting request, ever-so-slightly increasing the likelihood of giving the third baseman a new home in the Bronx.
The Japanese Triple Crown winner is now officially available to pursue MLB contracts, and the Yankees are one of many teams interested in his talents. Sato finished the regular season batting .306 with a .383 OBP and .991 OPS. The slugger also recorded 39 home runs, just short of his career-high 40 last season, and totaled 106 RBIs. It’s hard not to dream about the lefty hitter’s swing in Yankee Stadium.
Envisioning the Yankees’ lineup for next season, Sato could make a great fit in the middle of the order. Keeping the power hitters at the top, including Aaron Judge, Ben Rice, and Cody Bellinger (in no particular order), it’s easy to visualize Sato batting cleanup or at fifth. His tenacity could be just what the Yankees need to build off the heavy hitters’ momentum and be unstoppable at the plate. Too often last year, New York had to settle for the slumping Jazz Chisholm Jr. or rookies Spencer Jones and George Lombard Jr. in the five-hole. Even if he’s not chosen to be the primary cleanup hitter, Sato would slot in nicely there as well, easing the pressure on the youngsters and lengthening the lineup.
In addition to adding some power to the Yankees’ offense, Sato could solve the Yankees’ constant frustrations at the hot corner. Ryan McMahon, José Caballero, and Anthony Volpe are the current options. None really emerged as a reliable everyday starter, as Volpe shifted from shortstop to second base (before sampling third very late in the game) and the trio of McMahon, Caballero, and Amed Rosario alternated — often committing costly errors that put the Yankees in tough spots. McMahon’s offense was lackluster at best, finishing the regular season among the top 20 worst hitters in the league, batting .213 with a .279 OBP and 78 wRC+. A career lefty-killer, Rosario too often came up empty against southpaws, and likely won’t be back after becoming a free agent. Caballero occasionally managed to give the Yankees a boost offensively, but his defense gave Boone enough pause to bench him for the majority of the postseason.
It’s worth noting that while Sato won the NPB equivalent of Gold Glove at third in 2025, MLB.com’s Max Ralph noted that “there are some concerns about his long-term fit on the infield.” If Sato can even be acceptable there, that would be enough. His bat alone already makes him a much more enticing possibility than McMahon, Caballero, or Volpe.
The Yankees should try every avenue to bring Sato to New York, as he’d be a great addition to the middle of the order. They will surely need someone like Sato as another offensive weapon to supplement their core, in addition to the kind of defensive skills to keep any opposing teams at bay.
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 13: Freddy Peralta #51 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates the third out against the Cleveland Guardians during the fifth inning in game two of the American League Championship Series at Tropicana Field on October 13, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Another brilliant start by Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen carried the Rays to victory in a decisive Game 5 in Cleveland that put the Rays in the driver’s seat as the series comes home to Tampa. The Guardians now face back-to-back elimination games, and while they should have ace Gavin Williams going on short rest on Tuesday, if they get there, the Guardians will be trying to piece together another bullpen game out of depth starters and their heavily taxed relief corps just to survive on Monday.
Tasked with taking them down will be right-hander Freddy Peralta, and it would be pretty fitting if it was Peralta carrying the Rays into a World Series matchup against the club he’s spent most of his career with, the Milwaukee Brewers. Peralta signed a free agent deal with the Mets last offseason, only to be moved to Tampa at the deadline after a rough first half. As they do, the Rays helped him clean up his mechanics and get back to form, producing a pretty strong finish to the season in September. Even so, Peralta is not fully back to being the strikeout artist he’s been his whole career. The Rays are unlikely to get seven innings of zero or one-run ball out of him against a very scrappy and desperate Guardians lineup.
RHP Shawn Armstrong (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Freddy Peralta (1-0, 0.79 ERA) at Tropicana Field, 8:08 p.m. ET on TBS.
A final look at the Knicks’ magical playoff run by the numbers:
16-3
The Knicks’ playoff record, by far the greatest in their history, surpassing the 12-7 mark in 1969-70 and the 12-5 record in 1972-73
13
Consecutive Knicks playoff wins, just two shy of the NBA record. The streak consisted of three wins against the Hawks, four versus the 76ers, four over the Cavs and two more wins against the Spurs.
45
Points Jalen Brunson scored in the NBA Finals Game 5 championship clincher. It was 47.8 percent of the Knicks’ total.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts after hitting a three-point shot over San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
33
Where Brunson was selected in the 2018 NBA Draft (third pick of the second round)
3.4, 7.7, 10.3
OG Anunoby’s scoring jump (16.7 ppg to 20.1 ppg), field goal percentage jump (48.4 to 56.1) and 3-point percentage jump (38.6 to 48.9) from the regular season to the playoffs
2
Karl-Anthony Towns’ triple-doubles in the Hawks series (Game 4 and Game 6), the first Knick to ever have two triple-doubles in the same playoff series
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) puts up a shot during the second quarter of Game 1 in the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden, Saturday, April 18, 2026. Jason Szenes / New York Post
53
The Knicks lead over the Hawks after three quarters of Game 6 (117-64) — the biggest after three quarters in playoff history. At one point the lead was 61.
67.6
Landry Shamet’s 3-point percentage (23 of 34) across eight games, from Game 3 of the 76ers series, through the entire Cavs series and Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
25
Three-pointers the Knicks hit in the clinching Game 4 against the 76ers, tying an NBA playoff record. Miles McBride (7), Brunson (6), Josh Hart (4) and Shamet (4) led the way.
68.2
Mikal Bridges’ outrageous field goal percentage across 10 straight playoff games. He shot 73-for-107 during that span.
26
Josh Hart’s playoff career-high point total in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Cavs. Hart sank five 3-pointers.
29
The deficit the Knicks faced during their miracle Game 4 Finals comeback against the Spurs, the largest comeback in NBA Finals history.
Knicks forward Og Anunoby is greeted as he walks off the court at the end of the fourth quarter of Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
1.2
Seconds remaining when Anunoby’s Flying Tip-In in Game 4 of the Finals stamped him as the owner of arguably the most important shot in Knicks history and one of the most significant plays in New York sports history
5
NBA Finals games — out of five — in which the Knicks trailed by double digits against the Spurs. They won four of them.
20.6 million
The average number of viewers for the five-game Finals series, the highest total in 28 years since Michael Jordan’s 1998 Bulls.
53
The gap in years between championships for the Knicks now that they’ve ended the five-decade-plus gap since the 1972-73 winners.
On Monday, the Winnipeg Jets announced that forward Walker Duehr is fully healthy and has been placed on waivers for the purpose of joining the Manitoba Moose in the AHL.
Duehr is not expected to be claimed as he spent the majority of last season with the Moose, apart from three games with the Jets. With Manitoba last season, the 27-year-old posted an identical 17 goals and 17 assists for 34 points in 62 games.
He has spent most of his career at the AHL level, though he has shown himself to be a fringe NHL player. He has 21 points in 95 career NHL games with the Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks and Winnipeg Jets. In the AHL, Duehr has 112 points in 205 career games, and last season was his first with the Moose.
His assignment comes as Manitoba has gotten off to a 3-1-0 start, and Duehr's return should give the team added forward depth. He had been sidelined with an injury at the start of the season, and his recovery clears him to rejoin the lineup.
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The Mets are scheduled to speak with Kevin Long about a position on the coaching staff, according to a report Monday evening by the New York Post's Mike Puma.
Long, 59, was most recently spent 2022-26 as the Philadelphia Phillies' hitting coach.
His MLB hitting coach stints include the Yankees (2007-14), Mets (2015-17) and Washington Nationals (2018-21).
Among those tenures, he helped the Yankees (2009) and Nationals (2019) win the World Series.
With the Nationals, Long mentored a young Juan Soto, now the Mets' prized slugger, during the first leg of Soto's career in Washington (2018-22).
Long's time as the Mets' hitting coach was under former manager Terry Collins, who led the team from 2011-17.
New manager Andy Green's coaching staff was among David Stearns' talking points during the president of baseball operations' Sept. 28 news conference.
"Andy and I are going to have conversations on that this week, and we'll get to a decision point here over the next week or so," Stearns said last month when asked about building out Green's 2027 coaching staff.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 18: Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians catches a fly ball off of a hit by Victor Mesa Jr. #25 (not pictured) of the Tampa Bay Rays during the ninth inning in game five of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field on October 18, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There is a little bit of baseball news:
Japanese slugger Teruaki Sato is entering the ‘posting system’ this off-season. The story I read says that the Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, Phillies and Blue Jays are the likely landing spots. I don’t know how likely it is that the Jays will be after him, as he’s played mostly third base in his NPB career. He hit .306/.383/.609 with 39 home runs for Hanshin Tigers last year. The year before he had 40 home runs. Ok, sign him Rogers.
And the Yankees say that Aaron Boone will return as manager next year. I didn’t think there was much doubt.
Rays are up 3-2 in the series. I don’t care who wins the series, but I’m cheering for Cleveland tonight, because I want a game seven.
Tonight’s lineup:
Today’s Lineups
GUARDIANS
RAYS
Steven Kwan – LF
Yandy Diaz – DH
Jose Ramirez – 3B
Jonathan Aranda – 1B
Chase DeLauter – RF
Liam Hicks – C
Jo Adell – DH
Junior Caminero – 3B
Nathaniel Lowe – 1B
Chandler Simpson – LF
Travis Bazzana – 2B
Victor Mesa – RF
Patrick Bailey – C
Jonny DeLuca – CF
Petey Halpin – CF
Richie Palacios – 2B
Brayan Rocchio – SS
Taylor Walls – SS
Tanner Bibee – RHP
Freddy Peralta – RHP
I’m going to post this early because I’ve got a couple of things to get done and odds are I’ll forget to post it.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 18: Taylor Walls #6 and Richie Palacios #1 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrate their 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians in game five of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field on October 18, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With three games decided by two runs or fewer, the ALCS series has been very competitive this season.
The outliers are Game 1, when the Cleveland Guardians won 7-3, and Game 4 when the Tampa Bay Rays won 7-3. The Rays are averaging 3.6 runs per game in this playoff round, while the Guardians are just behind at 3 runs per game.
So it’s no wonder the series is going on much longer than the Milwaukee Brewers four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Rays will have the advantage of home field tonight for Game 6, and they feel so confident that Yandy Díaz said, “it all ends tomorrow. We’re going to win tomorrow,” after the Tampa Bay beat the Guardians 3-1 in Cleveland on Sunday evening.
For Game 6, the Guardians are turning to RHP Shawn Armstrong, who has yet to give up a run in 7.2 innings over six appearances with six strikeouts this postseason, including a one-inning start against Tampa Bay in Game 4. Freddy Peralta will be on the mound for the Rays. Peralta was very effective against the Rays in Game 2 when he threw six scoreless innings, giving up four hits and two walks, while striking out six in a 3-1 victory.
Cleveland Guardians (2-3) at Tampa Bay Rays (3-2) — 6:08 PM MDT
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 1: Manager Terry Francona #77 of the Cleveland Guardians talks with bench coach DeMarlo Hale #30 during a game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on October 1, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The American League Championship Series returns to the gulf coast of Florida on Monday night as the Tampa Bay Rays look to complete the series flip over the Cleveland Guardians.
Tampa took both games over the weekend up in northern Ohio after entering the weekend slate trailing two games to one within the series. Now, they’ll take the field at home in the Trop with Freddy Peralta on the mound and once again pitching like an ace with the opportunity to make it to the World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on the docket.
Righty ‘reliever’ Shawn Armstrong will start for Cleveland in what will very clearly be an all-hands-on-deck bullpen game as they look to stave off elimination. First pitch is slated to be chucked by Peralta at 8:08 PM ET down in Tampa, with coverage of the game carried on TBS/truTV.
Here is how both clubs will line up to start:
Do-or-die for the Guardians while the Rays have their sights set on the AL pennant pic.twitter.com/HVjcn7nAfr
