SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 5: Chris Manon #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings during a 2026 NBA Preseason game on October 5, 2026 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
During his Summer League debut in 2025, while playing for the Golden State Warriors, Chris Mañon recorded eight points, three rebounds, three steals, two blocks and one assist in 19 minutes against the Los Angeles Lakers. Although Mañon spent the entirety of his 2025 Summer League stint with the Warriors, his play in that opening game caught the eye of the Lakers organization, which ultimately signed him to a two-way contract for 2025-26 and did so again this summer for 2026-27.
Mañon has appeared in all three of Los Angeles’ preseason games thus far, headlined by a 12-point, five-rebound, one-block, one-steal performance against the Sacramento Kings on Oct. 5.
“I really like Chris. We had him in for a draft workout. I think we maybe had him in for two draft workouts,” Redick told reporters. “Then he was with Golden State during the California Classic and really popped against us. So we started working that pretty much immediately with his agent because he wasn’t on a two-way. So, we’re invested in him and we’re invested in his development, in his career. I thought he played really well against Sacramento. I don’t think any of our guards played well against Golden State.”
Mañon only played in nine games with the Lakers last season but logged 46 G League appearances for the South Bay Lakers, where he averaged 11.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.1 steals. His defensive playmaking, perhaps the standout trait of his game, has seemingly translated across every context. He posted a 5.6% steal rate in four years collegiately, posted a 3.8% steal rate in the G League last season, picked up five steals in 46 NBA minutes a year ago, and has four steals in 40 preseason minutes this season.
Redick has emphasized defensive disruption during training camp and preseason play, an area Mañon could clearly help boost with his knack for occupying the passing lanes. He’s also been a highly effective interior scorer, shooting 60.5% on 2-pointers for his collegiate career and 59.6% (155-of-260) in the G League. It’s doubtful the 24-year-old factors into Los Angeles’ rotation this year but he owns a collection of skills the Lakers are intrigued by, so his development will be worth monitoring wherever he receives the majority of his playing time in 2026-27.
With his contract to manage the Houston Astros expiring at the end of this month, Joe Espada was granted permission by the club to interview with the Seattle Mariners for their open managerial position.
A baseball official with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports that Espada will interview with the Mariners. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Espada is still under contract.
Espada recently concluded his third season managing the Astros, leading them to a second American League West title in that span, even as they finished with an 81-81 record, the worst in major-league history for a division winner. The Astros' streak of eight consecutive playoff berths was broken in 2025; Espada was the club's bench coach or manager in seven of those seasons.
MLB.com first reported Espada was going to interview with Seattle.
The Mariners fired their manager, Dan Wilson, after a 76-86 season that fell well short of expectations after the club reached Game 7 of the AL championship series. Wilson's downfall arguably began then, as the club blew a 3-2 lead to the Toronto Blue Jays as Wilson made several questionable in-game decisions.
Espada's contract was set to expire along with Astros general manager Dana Brown's after this season. But Houston owner Jim Crane did not hesitate to fire Brown in August even as the club was fighting for the AL West title. Crane said then that Espada's status would be settled at season's end.
While Espada did guide the club to the postseason, the Astros' two-and-out performance against the visiting Chicago White Sox in the wild-card series certainly clouded his future.
Though switching managerial jobs within a division in one offseason is rare, it is hardly without precedent. Most notably, Craig Counsell jumped from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Chicago Cubs after the 2023 season.
The Sixers still have a few lingering injury questions as the days tick down toward their regular-season opener next Tuesday against the Knicks.
Adem Bona (left foot sprain) and Anfernee Simons (hamstring) were partial participants in practice for the second straight day, a team official said Tuesday. Dominick Barlow (back) did not practice.
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said Simons and Bona both “did a good majority of stuff in the half court.” Will they play Friday in the Sixers’ preseason finale vs. the Celtics?
“I hope so,” Nurse said. “I don’t know where that hope line is, but there’s certainly some hope.”
Barlow does not sound as if he’s on the verge of a return.
“There is no timeline,” Nurse said. “He just has some soreness that he’s dealing with. Giving him some real decent time off to see if that will kind of progress it quickly. There’s no timeline. Just hoping it gets a little better, he feels a little better and he can get back out there fairly shortly.”
Whenever he gets the green light to play, Bona would be the logical next name in line after Joel Embiid. The Sixers used Jabari Walker and Dean Wade at the five Saturday in their blowout preseason loss to the Celtics. Walker has boosted his stock in the preseason, averaging 11.0 points and 8.0 rebounds in 20.5 minutes per game and shooting 5 for 13 from three-point range (38.5 percent).
“They’ve both played pretty (well). I think Jabari’s played outstanding, actually,” Nurse said. “And Dean, we’ve seen that he’s a really good player, kind of a multi-faceted guy. … He can pop, he can guard multiple positions, he rebounds really well for his position.
“So I think those guys have done a nice job and that’s where we’ll start if we have to, as far as backup five. But it looks like they both are capable. I guess we’ll see. It’ll matter with matchups, who we’re playing and all that kind of stuff, too. … I’m pretty happy with the jump Jabari has taken, just confidence-wise. And I’m really happy with the player that Dean is.”
Meanwhile, Simons has yet to make his Sixers preseason debut.
For what it’s worth, Labaron Philon Jr. gave a rave review of the 27-year-old guard’s practice performance.
“He looked great,” Philon said. “Coming off screens, shooting the ball, getting into the lane, pull-ups. He’s a very confident, high-level shotmaker. … Seeing a guy come back and be ready like that, it’s crazy. I would say he made a lot of threes today and he was coming off of real quick actions.”
Philon had his most productive game of the preseason last time out, posting 14 points and seven assists.
The rookie has been learning the many new details of life in the NBA and feels “the game has really slowed down as I’ve gotten better and the preseason has gone on.”
“There’s really more space on the court,” Philon said, “and you’ve got to be able to knock down shots. … Knowing where to be on the court, knowing how to space on offense, and knowing how to be at the right place at the right time on defense.”
Being around tons of talented players and stepping into a bench role hasn’t seemed to dent Philon’s self-belief.
“His confidence is through the roof,” VJ Edgecombe said. “Everybody knows he plays with such a swagger. We’ve seen it in college. I played against him in high school. He always had that swagger; he’s always been confident. I’m just happy to see him on the floor and he’s been playing really well.”
Could Philon be part of the Sixers’ opening-night rotation?
Nurse indicated that Simons’ health will be the largest factor in answering that particular question.
“I think they’re different players,” Nurse said. “It’s not maybe direct competition, but I think the competition is, ‘Who’s the guard off the bench in the rotation?’ I’m going to probably lean more toward a nine-year veteran, as long as he’s healthy. And I think with the talent that he has … I envision those three — VJ, Tyrese (Maxey), Anfernee — sharing that spot as much as possible.
“And then (Philon) gets a crack in probably pretty short stints at the start (of the season). That’s how I would see it. And if Anfenee’s out, then (Philon) is now in that rotation.”
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 12: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on prior to Game Two of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Monday, October 12, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Aaron Gash/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Bouncer up the middle. Betts to the bag – over to first! To beat the champ, you gotta knock ‘em out! The Dodgers stand tall and win back to back titles!
-Joe Davis, Rogers Centre, November 2, 2025
So go the best-laid plans of mice and men, as the Dodgers flop in Game 2 of the NLCS, going into a 0-2 hole.
From a game where everything went to plan except winning, to a game basically handwrapped for the taking before the bottom fell out in dispiriting fashion, using Davis’ iconic call, the Dodgers suffered the indignity of a standing eight count in the second round of this bout.
The team has had its figurative bell rung as it returns to its own corner for round 3. Now the Dodgers have to climb out of a hole they have largely dug for themselves.
The good news is that the last time to dig themselves out of a 0-2 LCS hole was the 2025 Toronto Blue Jays in last year’s ALCS. The bad news is that those Blue Jays were the gooberiest goobers to ever goober, which are adjectives that are so far away from this iteration of the Dodgers, they might as well be antonyms.
Still, stranger things have happened.
Plenty of ink will be spilled on the lack of performance from Shohei Ohtani, the one-man argument to bring full ABS to Major League Baseball by Will Smith, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto having his worst postseason start since his debut against the San Diego Padres in Game 1 of the NLDS in 2024, and that will be done by others.
If Milwaukee had to have Game 1, the Dodgers needed Game 2, if only to keep themselves from now facing the specter of being eliminated in front of their home fans at Dodger Stadium.
The math is pretty simple
Respectfully, I disagree with Max Muncy’s assessment of the NLCS: yes, there is a lot of series left, provided that the Dodgers actually start playing better and winning.
The Dodgers need to win four of the next five games in order to have the opportunity to defend their title for a second time, either against Tampa or Cleveland.
The Dodgers need to win at least two of the next three home games in order to earn a trip back to Milwaukee to try and do something they haven’t done all year: win in Milwaukee without Adric present. And before anyone asks, no, I have zero desire or budget to revisit Milwaukee in 2026.
If the team fails at this first hurdle, the streak of teams other than the Dodgers celebrating a championship at Dodger Stadium will continue, as the 1963 champions were the only team to clinch at Dodger Stadium. Yes, the 2020 title would have been a clinch of a title at home, but alas, everyone was quarantined due to COVID, with the series at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX.
The last person to have this miserable a time in Milwaukee was David Vassegh in August 2022. As a fellow Slide Bro, I will now abstain from posting or linking to the footage you are now likely thinking of. Thankfully, no bones were broken this visit, as the Bernie’s Slide Experience is closed for the offseason.
There are no bad ideas right now, except standing pat
The Dodgers’ offense, regardless of how Mookie Betts would define it, has been a slog to watch this NLCS. Unless the plan is to stand pat and/or go down quietly, the time to brainstorm ideas and try to jumpstart a comeback is here.
The Brewers have turned the tables and taken the Dodgers’ best pitchers in stride. It’s not panic if things are actually growing dire. Speaking of dire, let’s address Shohei Ohtani’s contributions, or lack thereof, since Denver in August.
As a weird happenstance of history, as things have turned out, I have been present for Ohtani’s final regular-season home runs in 2025 and 2026. Neat.
The problem with the latter is that the final home run in ‘26 was on August 18th in Denver.
Katie Woo and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic broke the story that the Dodgers were debating sitting Ohtani for Game 3 of the NLCS, while providing the following analysis:
Still, given [Ohtani’s] poor performance and questionable health, the possibility of sitting Ohtani should be on the table. Ohtani spent roughly two weeks on the injured list with left knee and right biceps pain before the end of the regular season. Before the postseason began, he said that although he did not feel 100 percent, he felt better than he did before the IL stint and was optimistic he’d be able to play through his ailments.
“I haven’t been able to get a good grasp of the root cause of all this,” Ohtani said ahead of the NLDS, through team interpreter Will Ireton. “I think that process is going to happen during the offseason when I’m going to have a little bit more time to be able to address it. But as of now, it’s something I’m just going to have to manage.”
The Dodgers have given Ohtani plenty of leash to do just that but can no longer ignore the glaring hole in the heart of the order. With their season closing in, the Dodgers must consider all options. That includes sitting Ohtani.
[Emphasis added.]
While I am generally skeptical of swing analytics as a panacea when folks are struggling, there is a key difference between Ohtani and his teammate Will Smith, who has also been a non-factor offensively this October: Smith doesn’t look like he is in physical distress while batting.
No one is asking, mockingly or otherwise, whether Smith has forgotten how to play baseball. I don’t think Ohtani has forgotten; I just think he’s that hurt.
Yes, one might be tempted to think that Ohtani is one at-bat from going on a hot streak. I sure did.
In the first nine games of the postseason last year, Ohtani had a woeful slash line of .158/.273/.368 with 2 HR, 3B, 6 RBI, and 6 BB to 17 K, while being smothered by the Philadelphia Phillies’ gamut of left-handed pitchers.
Yes, Ohtani had the greatest postseason game ever in 2025 NLCS Game 4, and if one were to exclude it from last year’s tournament, he had a slash line of .275/.431/.575, 3 HR, 3 2B, 5 RBI, 11 BB compared to 10 K.
Unlike last year, Ohtani was basically healthy but running out of gas on the mound. Here, I think the check on Ohtani’s injuries has finally come due and, if I were in a position to give counsel, it would be to not take a half measure when a full measure is due.
Ohtani didn’t roll his ankle or do something that can be mended in 24 hours. At this point, you either sit him in favor of either Josue De Paula or Teoscar Hernandez in the DH spot depending on the pitcher, or you openly ask him whether it is time to replace him on the roster, with Commissioner approval.
Here’s the problem. As of now, there is no World Series; there is only tomorrow and the next day. The day after that isn’t even guaranteed unless the Dodgers win a game in this series.
There is now a non-zero chance that Tarik Skubal has pitched his final game as a Dodger.
There is now a non-zero chance that Yoshinobu Yamamoto has pitched his final game of the year.
Win Game 3, and you guarantee another day with Skubal. Win two games, and you both guarantee another day with Yamamoto and a return trip to Milwaukee. Do otherwise and go into the long offseason wondering “what if?”
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 16: Braxton Fulford #37 of the Colorado Rockies looks on prior to the game between the San Diego Padres and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Casey Paul/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Welcome to the 2026 edition of Ranking the Rockies, where we take a look back at every player to log playing time for the Rockies in 2026. The purpose of this list is to provide a snapshot of the player in context. The “Ranking” is an organizing principle that’s drawn from Baseball Reference’s WAR (rWAR). It’s not something the staff debated. We’ll begin with the player with the lowest rWAR and end up with the player with the highest.
No. 44, Braxton Fulford (-0.3 rWAR)
Had the Colorado Rockies not signed free-agent (and left-handed bat) Brett Sullivan, Braxton Fulford probably would have had a very different 2026.
Not signing Sullivan might have resulted in Fulford spending much of 2026 as the Rockies’ backup catcher.
But that’s not what happened, and as a result, the 2021 Rockies draft pick spent the bulk of his season with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes. Yes, Fulford was with the Rockies a bit too (more on that in a moment), but this was another year in which the Texas Tech alumnus did not make a significant developmental step.
First to his Triple-A numbers.
While with the Topes, Fulford had 201 plate appearances that resulted in a slashline of .251/.363/.468, including eight home runs and a 101 wRC+. That means that his hitting performance was slightly better than replacement level — in hitter-friendly Albuquerque.
He also caught 374.0 innings and had four errors. (He spent four innings at first base, which was not a significant part of his defensive portfolio.)
Granted, those are small sample-size numbers, but the early indications are that Fulford has failed to adjust to MLB pitching.
Defensively, Fulford caught 95.2 innings for the Rockies compared to 249.0 innings in 2025. He finished the MLB season with two errors, -2 DRS, and a FRV of -2 as well.
Here’s what Sam Bradfield wrote last year: “Overall in his rookie year, Fulford had a bumpy year. He showed flashes of brilliance, but also had incredibly cold stretches.”
That largely seemed unchanged in 2026, save that Fulford was given fewer opportunities to show what he could do given Brett Sullivan’s success.
The question, then, becomes what’s next.
At this point, it appears that Goodman will remain the starting catcher for the Rockies while Sullivan continues in his role as backup (with occasional stints on the mound).
There’s really no place in this equation for Fulford. It seems unlikely the Rockies will change anything given that Fulford remains under team control until 2032 and has one option remaining. Too, the front office probably is focused on Jack O’Dowd (HM PuRP), Daniel Jackson (No. 12 PuRP), and Jack Natili (No. 20 PuRP), the latter two being catchers they drafted in 2026.
Clearly, it’s too soon to count Fulford out. But in 2027, he will need to show he can be a big-league catcher.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 05: John Collins #20 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket against Khaman Maluach #10 of the Phoenix Suns in the second half during a pre season game at Little Caesars Arena on October 05, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Plenty of eyes will be on second-year center Khaman Maluach throughout this season as he looks to receive his first real opportunity to play consistent minutes in the NBA following the injury to Mark Williams.
You could essentially call last season a redshirt year for Maluach, considering how little he played. Sure, he appeared in 46 games, but he averaged only 8.9 minutes per contest. It’s difficult to draw many meaningful conclusions from a sample size like that, especially when you’re talking about a young player still learning the nuances of the NBA game. Add in the fact that he’s entering his second season following a full summer of what we hope was growth and development, and projecting what to expect from the 20-year-old big man becomes even more challenging.
That said, I came across an interesting statistic that could serve as the foundation for a weekly update tracking his progress throughout the season. A “Malu-Watch”, if you will. It’s certainly a flawed metric, but one that could serve as a useful reference point for evaluating his impact on the defensive end. Because at the end of the day, that’s where I’m hoping Maluach makes his greatest contribution.
Whoever starts at center for the Phoenix Suns isn’t going to be somebody the team relies upon to score 20 points every night. Perhaps there will be occasional performances where that happens, but with Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and Miles Bridges occupying the other four starting positions, the expectation is that those players will dominate the shot diet. The center position will primarily serve a complementary role offensively. But defensively? That’s where the opportunity truly lies, and it’s where I’m hoping Maluach can establish his value.
So what’s the statistic I’m referring to? Rebounds + blocks + steals per 36 minutes.
It’s not a perfect representation of defensive impact, and there are certainly limitations to evaluating a player through those three categories alone. But I came across an interesting little nugget that caught my attention. Based on that measurement from last season, Maluach ranked among the top five centers in the NBA. And considering how limited his opportunities were a season ago, that’s an intriguing starting point as we prepare to evaluate what he can become with a more consistent role.
Again, I recognize how flawed this statistic is. Maluach played only 8.9 minutes per game last season, and per 36 numbers are much like single-game plus-minus. They tell part of the story, not the entire story. When you’re extrapolating production across 36 minutes, you’re assuming a player can maintain the same level of effectiveness and energy over that extended period. That’s not necessarily realistic, especially for a young center still developing his conditioning and understanding of the game.
But the advantage of using per-36 is that it provides a consistent baseline for comparison. Rather than relying solely on counting stats from game to game, where minutes can fluctuate due to rotations, injuries, and foul trouble, it provides a standardized metric for evaluating a player’s production relative to his time on the floor. And I think that could be an interesting way to monitor Maluach throughout the season, tracking his defensive production as his role evolves and his minutes potentially increase. It won’t tell us everything about his impact, but it could provide another layer of context as we evaluate his development.
What does that look like through the first three preseason games?
When you look at his performances through the first two preseason games against the Pistons and Bulls, I think the numbers reflect much of what we witnessed. Defensively, Maluach looked out of sorts. From a rebounding perspective, he wasn’t consistently securing the basketball, often tipping rebounds around rather than grabbing them with authority. His positioning seemed off, and he didn’t appear entirely comfortable with what was happening around him. It almost felt like he was thinking too much rather than reacting instinctively.
But one thing I’ve noticed about Maluach throughout his young career, whether it’s been in Summer League, the G League, or playing against NBA competition, is his ability to adjust. Whether those adjustments happen within a game or from one game to the next, he’s consistently demonstrated an ability to process what went wrong and execute more effectively following difficult performances.
And we saw that in his third preseason appearance. His positioning on the glass was noticeably better, and he attacked rebounds with much more conviction. He looked more comfortable, more decisive, and more confident in where he needed to be defensively. Perhaps my favorite play of the game came when he picked Jordan McLaughlin’s pocket, showcasing the kind of defensive instincts that make his development so intriguing.
Last season, Maluach’s per-36-minute numbers in rebounds + blocks + steals came in at 15.0. Thus far this preseason, considering he’s played 21.8 minutes with 8.0 rebounds, 0.7 blocks, and 0.3 steals, he finds himself at 14.9. Initial analysis says the trend he set last season, albeit in a very limited role, is continuing.
As the season progresses, feel free to check in with Bright Side each week as we track Maluach’s development, how his defensive impact manifests itself statistically, and whether those numbers align with what we’re seeing on the court.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 08: Jake LaRavia #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Sacramento Kings in a preseason game at Crypto.com Arena on October 08, 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. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Through three preseason outings, Jake LaRavia is shooting 6-of-11 (54.6%) beyond the arc. While an 11-shot sample is far too small to project any future success, LaRavia’s willingness to shoot is encouraging. Per 36 minutes, he’s attempting 5.9 3-pointers, an uptick from last preseason’s 3.8 and a jump from last regular season’s 4.2. In the playoffs, as his playing time dwindled and jumper cratered, he averaged just 2.2 3-point attempts per 36 minutes. LaRavia’s head coach, JJ Redick, notices him operating with a level of belief necessary to be a good shooter.
“I think Jake had a like a really nice base and foundation to shoot with. So it wasn’t like he was completely revamping his shot on those small tweaks. Ultimately, the tweaks don’t matter if they don’t give you confidence,” Redick told reporters after Thursday’s game against the Sacramento Kings. “I feel like he’s shooting the ball with a lot of confidence right now and he feels confident in the shot. [He had] a great summer shooting the ball, has had a great training camp of practices shooting the ball and that’s carried over to games.”
LaRavia’s playing time dipped last postseason for numerous reasons, largely because his outside shot abandoned him and derailed much of his decision-making offensively. After shooting 35.3% from deep through Jan. 15, he made just 27.9% of his 3s over the final 43 regular-season games before netting just 2-of-7 triples (28.6%) in the playoffs.
“I think the response has been great. Obviously, he’s played really good so far. He was big for what we wanted to do last year,” Austin Reaves told reporters postgame on Thursday. “I think he has spoken about it, not shooting the ball the way he knows he can and wants to. But he told me, I think it was one of the last games of the regular season, we were just [having a] casual conversation and he just told me he was like, I’m going to get the in the gym. I’m going to be one of the best shooters on this team.”
Before struggling over the second half of the season, LaRavia was a key cog in the Lakers’ rotation behind his defense, viable floor-spacing, quick decision-making and offensive rebounding. An extended cold spell from deep interfered with many of those traits. This season, following a summer of reflection, he’s altered his mindset to be less worried about whether each specific hot goes in and is instead harping on the controllable aspects to be the best version of himself.
“I think the one thing that kind of changed for me this year was focusing more on the input rather than the output,” LaRavia said. “So not really focused on my makes or my misses, but am I doing everything in my control to give myself the best opportunity to make the shot. So as far as the output goes, I’m not really concerned about how many shots I’m making right now because at some point, I’m going to also miss shots. But as long as the input stays the same, then I’ll be consistent.”
Colorado Avalanche superstar Cale Makar has a pretty good reason to miss a hockey game.
As first reported by Evan Rawal of The Denver Gazette, Makar will miss Tuesday night's game against the Dallas Stars as his wife, Tracy, has gone into labor and is expected to give birth at any moment to their twins.
According to The Denver Post's Corey Masisak, the Avs will move forward with 11 forwards and seven defenseman for the game.
Makar’s absence comes as the Avalanche defenseman continues another impressive start to the season, recording three goals and four assists for seven points through five games.
The 27-year-old is one of Colorado’s most important players, serving as the centerpiece of the team’s blue line and a major contributor offensively.
Cale Makar is going to be a father!
Makar married Tracy in 2024, and the couple is now preparing for a major milestone off the ice as they await the arrival of their child.
The news comes amid a major period for Makar, who recently agreed to an eight-year, $163.2 million contract extension with the Avalanche. The deal carries an average annual value of $20.4 million and is set to begin in the 2027-28 season, making Makar the NHL’s highest-paid player.
Makar has established himself as one of the league’s premier defensemen since making his NHL debut in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He has won two Norris Trophies as the NHL’s best defenseman and captured the Conn Smythe Trophy during Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup championship run.
For now, the Avalanche will have to manage without their top defenseman while Makar focuses on his growing family. The team has not announced how long he could be unavailable or whether he will miss additional games.
With seven points already this season, Makar’s on-ice production will be difficult to replace, but Tuesday’s absence puts family first.
Given the Avalanche play the Stars again Wednesday evening at Ball Arena, there is a possibility he may not be available for that game, either.
Head Coach Jared Bednar informed reporters that they would take monitor Makar's status day-by-day.
Congratulations to the Makar family. Puck drop from American Airlines Center is at 6:30 pm. local time.
Richardson ‘disappointed’ to miss world championships
‘I understand the seriousness of what has been raised’
Matt Richardson has promised to cooperate with a British Cycling investigation into allegations of serious misconduct after he was withdrawn from this week’s World Track Cycling Championships in Shanghai.
In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Richardson said that he understood the seriousness of the allegations, which the Times reported were related to his behaviour to other riders, and promised that he would act with contrition to anyone that he had offended.
When fans tune in to an NBA Cup tournament game, the league wants them to instantly recognize something is different — this isn't just another regular-season NBA game.
One key way to do that: Distinctive, vibrant NBA Cup courts, and they are back this season.
These courts will be used for the group play, quarterfinals and semifinals of the NBA Cup (in a change this year, the semifinal games will be played on the higher-seeded team's home court, with the two teams in the Cup Finals traveling to the iconic Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, home of the Butler Bulldogs, for that game).
This year's court design is inspired by Nike’s “End of Ordinary” NBA Standard Issue Collection, with the collection's designs extending onto the court. At center court is the team's logo as well as the NBA Cup trophy, and there are oversized "woodmarks" featuring the team's name in the style of the Nike Standard Collection jackets.
NBA Cup games will start on Oct. 30 and run on selected NBA Cup nights through Nov. 27. The 30 NBA teams have been drawn into three five-team groups within their conference, and each team will play at least four NBA Cup games against the others in its group. The winner of each group — with point differential as the tiebreaker — and one wild card team from each conference will enter an eight-team tournament (four East teams, four West) and play a single-elimination tournament to reach the NBA Cup Finals.
Last season, the New York Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup Finals, previewing what would happen in the NBA Finals in June. Whether we get another NBA Finals preview in the Cup remains to be seen, but we fans will know when the NBA Cup games hit, with these courts it will be hard to miss.
Not only is Los Angeles struggling to find cohesion at the plate but the Brewers also are firing on all cylinders.
This is what MLB legend Derek Jeter alluded to when speaking about where the Dodgers stand after their Game 2 loss on Monday.
MLB Hall of Fame member and commentator Derek Jeter looks on prior to game two of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. Getty Images
“It’s tough, man. It’s tough to turn around your team, the entire team offensively, when you’re going up against a team like the Milwaukee Brewers,” Jeter said, per Fox Sports.
He then praised the Brewers’ pitching staff before adding, “So you really don’t get a chance to exhale when you’re at the plate, and relax, and try to find your swing and find confidence.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani reacts to a strike during the sixth inning of Game 2 of baseball’s National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, in Milwaukee. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
“I agree: The Dodgers are in trouble, unless they can figure out how to string together some hits because on top of them being in a little bit of trouble, now the Milwaukee Brewers’ offense is getting hot,” Jeter continued.
“It’s gonna be a tough task. This is the biggest hurdle they’re gonna have to overcome, if they want to go back and win a third championship in a row.”
“I agree, the Dodgers are in trouble. Unless they can figure out how to string together some hits.”
The Dodgers definitely need to figure things out fast against Milwaukee. The good news is that they have three straight games at their home field, which could provide the momentum boost needed to get them on track.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) takes pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) out of the game in the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game two of the MLB National League Championship Series at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Monday, October 12, 2026. Tannen Maury/UPI/Shutterstock
During this past off-season, Stuart Skinner's time with the Pittsburgh Penguins ended when he signed a two-year, $7.5 million contract with the Winnipeg Jets in free agency.
With the Penguins having multiple young goalies, it was not too surprising to see Skinner sign elsewhere this summer. Now, as the Connor Hellebuyck trade request drama continues, Skinner is impressing early on for the Jets.
In three games so far this season with the Jets, Skinner has a 2-0-1 record, a 2.62 goals-against average, and a .920 save percentage. With numbers like these, the former Penguins goalie has been a nice surprise for the Jets early on as Hellebuyck continues to sit out.
Skinner was also very good for the Jets in his most recent appearance on Oct. 7 against the Colorado. During the matchup, the former Penguins goalie stopped 32 out of his 34 shots. This was after he made 34 saves on 36 shots against the Detroit Red Wings in his previous appearance.
It will now be interesting to see if Skinner can keep this kind of play up for the Jets this season. If the former Penguins netminder does, Winnipeg could surprise a lot of people this campaign.
Skinner was acquired by the Penguins from the Edmonton Oilers last season. In 27 games for Pittsburgh in 2025-26, he posted a 12-9-5 record, an .885 save percentage, and a 2.99 goals-against average.
Four-star shooting guard Devin Cleveland has narrowed his list of schools under consideration to three, a source told Rivals.
Moving forward, the 6-foot-3 rising senior out of La Lumiere School (IN) will consider Michigan, Missouri, and TCU. Cleveland will announce his college commitment on Friday, Oct. 16, and has visited each of his three finalists.
Cleveland, a Chicago native, is ranked as the No. 32 overall recruit in the 2027 class and the No. 5 ranked shooting guard, according to the Rivals Industry Rankings, an average of all three major recruiting media companies (Rivals, ESPN, 247Sports).
In late July, Cleveland announced a top seven that also included Alabama, Arkansas, Marquette, and Syracuse.
More on Devin Cleveland
Playing on the EYBL Circuit this summer, Cleveland averaged 16.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game for Brad Beal Elite.
“I feel like I’m a winner,” Cleveland previously told Rivals in an interview. “That’s what I’ve been trying to prove this EYBL season. You know, the past couple of years, I haven’t really had much success in winning games, so just coming over here with Bradley Beal, their identity is to win. So, I’m just trying to be a leader. I can score the basketball, and I’m a willing passer. I try to get my teammates involved every game.
“I watch a lot of Devin Booker, Jeremiah Fears, my brother Fred Cleveland, who is a pro overseason. Watching how they score the ball, create contact on the offensive end so I can draw fouls and little things like that.”
Cleveland also discussed what he’s looking for in a program.
“I’m going to be looking a lot at the fit. I want to play for a coach who believes in me and believes in my game, and that it will fit in with their system. Really, I just want to win. That’s all I want to do at the end of the day.”
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada celebrates after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (Photo by Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
Joe Espada has been with the Houston Astros for nine years as bench coach and then manager. There does not appear to be a tenth year in his future.
Last week, former Fox 26 Houston sports director Will Kunkel reported that the Astros would begin the search for both GM and manager after October 31:
The Astros will not be interviewing or moving forward on any potential general manager or manager candidates until after the World Series, per sources. pic.twitter.com/5LpVJRb9cu
Back on August 24, Bob Nightengale had initially reported that a senior Astros official had said that Espada was told he wouldn’t be returning at the same time Dana Brown was fired as GM, but that he agreed to stay on the rest of the year. The team would later deny that, but the chain of events seems to indicate that the denial had more to do with the information leaking at the same time Espada was away from the team with a family emergency and not that the information was incorrect.
The Astros look like they will have a full regime change for 2027.
The morning after Nico Sturm's scary head injury, the Minnesota Wild announced a roster move. Sturm has been placed on the injured reserve.
In addition to the move, the Wild recalled forward Justin Kirkland from the Iowa Wild to replace Sturm on the roster. Minnesota already has Tyler Pitlick up so now John Hynes can decide between the two for who plays.
Kirikland, 29, has recorded two assists in four AHL games with Iowa this season. He recorded one goal and one assist in 20 NHL games with the Calgary Flames last year.
Sturm, 31, was hit in the head in Monday's game against the Vegas Golden Knights by a puck. It hit around the same spot that left Brock Faber with a skull fracture and a timeline that is indefinite.
“Very, very scary,” goalie Jesper Wallstedt said after Monday's game. “Obviously, we’ve seen what it could do. We don’t know what the situation is like, if it’s the same or worse or not as bad. Obviously, I wish Nico is doing good and doing well, and it’s not that bad. But very, very scary, and obviously you get flashbacks to the preseason game when that happened to Brock. Hopefully, it’s not like that, but obviously very hard to see.”
Sturm was taken to a local hospital by ambulance and per a source, he was stable sitting in the back drinking water. Michael McCarron also stated he was able to see Sturm during intermission and said he was looking okay.
Hynes didn't have an update after the game but said Sturm obviously wouldn’t be on the team’s plane to Winnipeg for tonight's Tuesday night game.
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