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How the ‘Skubal Scope’ could change pitching injuries — and Tigers ace's season

Tarik Skubal is back on the mound. His agent, Scott Boras, already has a name for what got him there so fast.

"The Skubal scope," Boras called it after Skubal became the first known MLB player to undergo a procedure using the NanoNeedle Scope 2.0.  The minimally invasive device is the size of a toothpick and it helped remove a loose body from the two-time Cy Young Award winner’s left elbow.

Skubal, who is scheduled to start Saturday, June 13, needed just 12 days to get back on the mound for a full bullpen and just 32 days from surgery to his rehab start on June 7. The new technology knocked weeks off a surgery and rehab that normally takes more than two to three months.

It marked the beginning of a new way to treat one of baseball’s most stubborn and frustrating pitching injuries.

"Any time you can get in and out without leaving much of a trace at all, it’s a huge benefit," said Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the orthopedic surgeon behind some of the biggest procedures in professional sports.

ElAttrache, the team doctor for the Los Angeles Dodgers and NFL's Los Angeles Rams, had been waiting for the right case to try the NanoNeedle. Skubal, dealing with a single loose body and having the motivation of being in his final year of a contract, was it.  

The right time, the right pitcher

The timing mattered as much as the technology. A pitcher who stops throwing in April or May doesn’t just pick up where he left off. He must reset back to spring training to ramp up. For Skubal, who is set to become one of the most coveted free agents on the market this offseason, every missed start carried extra weight.

"The nature of the procedure is one thing," ElAttrache said, "but the timing is the other."

Launched just last September, the NanoNeedle Scope 2.0 is made by Arthrex, a Florida-based medical device company. Traditional elbow surgery requires a scalpel to cut through the skin and tissue before a surgeon can even get inside the joint. The NanoNeedle punctures through like a needle, causing far less damage going in. Surgeons still need to pump fluid into the joint to inflate it so the camera can see what it’s working on. The NanoNeedle needs a fraction of what a traditional scope needs.

The less fluid pumped in, the less the joint swells, it lowers the pain and a pitcher is ready to throw quicker.

Ryan Keller, Arthrex’s senior product manager, said the NanoNeedle uses roughly one-seventh the fluid of traditional arthroscope. Keller said studies show patients who undergo the procedure rarely need so much as a Tylenol afterward.

Skubal wore a battery-powered patch called Jumpstart over the wound site, another Arthrex device. It sends a small electrical charge through the skin to kill bacteria and speed healing.

Before the procedure, Skubal had been pitching with a loose body that was starting to lock his elbow mid-delivery.

"You can imagine how disconcerting that is," ElAttrache said, “to have in the back of your mind, as a random warning that your elbow is going to lock in the middle of throwing 99 miles an hours."

A pitcher managing that can’t fully convince himself the problem is gone until he is throwing free and easy again. One the surgery was done and the swelling stayed down, he didn’t have to spend his first bullpen session wondering if he was going to feel it again.

He could just pitch

"You can’t get rid of the apprehension if your elbow is still sore," ElAttrache said. "He was able to get rid of that apprehension within his first bullpen throwing session."

Los Angeles Dodgers’ left-hander Blake Snell had the same procedure, but his case was more involved. ElAttrache said the recovery won’t match Skubal’s pace, but he expects it to cut Snell’s time off roughly in half.

He won’t be the last pitcher that benefits from it. Loose bodies keep coming. Already this season Cincinnati Reds ace Hunter Greene and the Dodgers' Edwin Diaz have had them. It has become one of baseball’s most persistent and least glamorous injuries.

And until now, one of its most disruptive.

How the NanoNeedle will change sports injuries

The NanoNeedle won’t fix everything, but it can be used for other injuries.

ElAttrache said it won’t replace Tommy John surgery, but since it can go where other traditional tools can’t, it can help with shoulder injuries, meniscus tears and with spots that do not show up clearly on MRIs. A surgeon can now look directly at those areas with something the size of a needle and barely leave a mark.

And it’s advancing. The NanoNeedle Scope 3.0 is coming before the end of the year. Keller said it will have better image quality. Eventually he thinks it could replace traditional arthroscopy entirely.

Scenes from Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal's rehab start with the West Michigan Whitecaps on Sunday, June 7, at LMCU Ballpark in Comstock Park.

Bigger than just baseball

ElAttrache’s mentor was Frank Jobe, the surgeon who invented Tommy John surgery.

Arthrex is getting publicity because of Skubal and Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who had surgery with the NanoNeedle before the 2024 Paris Olympics. But they also are also pushing into cardiovascular, obstetric and pediatric medicine.

So, a tool that will help save a pitcher’s contract year might end up changing how traumatic orthopedic surgery is for kids in the future.

ElAttrache has seen it before and it’s part of what drives him.

"The things you develop to help these famous athlete end up helping the masses," ElAttrache said. "Especially for kids. I see this as something that will be very useful to help kids."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is the ‘Skubal Scope’? New procedure speeds Tarik Skubal’s return

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Sabres Top Prospect Konsta Helenius Named To AHL Top Prospects Team For Second Straight Season

 

Accolades are becoming old hat for Buffalo Sabres top prospect Konsta Helenius. The 20-year-old played nine games for the Sabres during the regular season, stepped in during the Stanley Cup Playoffs in impressive fashion, and scored the golden goal for Finland at the 2026 IIHF World Championships in Switzerland last month. On Wednesday, the American Hockey League named Helenius to their 2025-26 Top Prospects Team.

The young center was named to the 2024-25 Top Prospects after making his Noreth American debut with 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) in 65 games with the Rochester Americans. This season, he led the Amerks with 62 points (21 goals, 41 assists) in 63 games, tying for ninth in AHL scoring and setting a franchise record for scoring by a teenager. 

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Forwards Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (DET), Ilya Protas(WAS), defensemen Carter Yakemchuk (OTT) and Adam Engstrom (MON), and goaltender Sergei Murashov (PIT) were also selected.   

The Sabres were fortunate at the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas two years ago after trading down three slots with the San Jose Sharks the day before the draft to garner an extra second-round pick. Helenius was thought of by many draft analysts as the most pro-ready forward next to top pick Macklin Celebrini after playing last season in the Finnish SM-Liiga, and for Finland at the Under-18’s, World Junior Championships and World Championships.

After two full years in the AHL, it is highly likely that Helenius will not be seeing any time in the minors going forward. With the likely departure of Alex Tuch and possibly Beck Malenstyn in free agency, GM Jarmo Kekalainen will look to internal options like Jiri Kulich, Noah Ostlund, and Helenius in part to fill the void up front. It is also possible that the Sabres GM may be involved in what is expected to be a brisk trade market this summer, which might necessitate trading one or more of those prospects. 

It would have surprising however, to see the Sabres move Helenius, who seems very capable at a young age to make an impact in the NHL. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo

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The Spurs may have topped 28-3 as sports' most infamous collapse

Every once in a while, you see something you've never seen before. Something that makes the impossible, possible, regardless of what the odds say. On June 10, the New York Knicks gave fans another moment that will forever be a snapshot in time.

Erasing a 29-point lead in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals to take a commanding 3-1 series lead, the Knicks' comeback story is one that will be told for years to come. You'll remember where you were, what the weather was like, what you ate for dinner and maybe the first call or text you made in the immediate aftermath of the OG Anunoby shot heard around the sports world.

Whether the comeback is the greatest in sports history is up for debate. At the very least, Game 4 of the NBA Finals went from being a game Knicks fans couldn't wait to turn off to being a game they can't relive enough.

Anatomy of a stunning comeback: How Knicks pulled off improbable win

Now on the doorstep of their first NBA title since 1973, the job isn't finished. In the meantime, let's put the comeback into context.

Here's a look at how the Knicks' comeback compares to the New England Patriots' famous 28-3 comeback against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl 51, by the numbers.

Knicks comeback compared to Patriots' 28-3, by the numbers

Largest lead

The Spurs held a 29-point lead with 9:40 to go in the third quarter, meaning they just had to survive for another 21 minutes and 40 seconds of game time. On the gridiron, the Falcons were up 28-3 with 8:31 to go in the third quarter. They held that lead until just over two minutes remaining in the quarter, when New England cut the deficit to 19.

Score at the start of the fourth quarter

There was a sense of impending doom for both the Falcons and Spurs entering the fourth quarter. Both sides had to know that no lead was safe against an opponent that had proven time and time again their ability to mount large comebacks.

Still, both teams held a double-digit lead entering the final quarter:

  • Falcons led 28-9
  • Spurs led 90-75

99%

That was the win probability for the Spurs and Falcons in the game, according to ESPN Analytics. San Antonio's win probability topped out at 99.6% when a De'Aaron Fox jumper put them up by 29. Despite the dwindling lead, the Spurs still had a 99.5% chance of winning with just over eight minutes left in the fourth quarter.

As for the Falcons, they still had a 97.5% chance of winning with just 4:40 to go. It was down the peak of Atlanta's win probability, which was 99.7% before the Patriots' third quarter touchdown.

1

The number of points the Knicks won by in Game 4. It's also the number of leads the Patriots had in Super Bowl 51. That's right, New England's one and only lead of that contest was the game-winning touchdown in overtime.

Key moments in Knicks, Patriots comebacks

Comebacks of this magnitude aren't possible without a little big of luck and good fortune. Luckily for the Patriots and Knicks, their opponents were willing to provide plenty of opportunity.

Here are a few turning points:

Knicks-Spurs turning point

The Spurs' demise can be traced back to the 10:09 mark of the third quarter. Stephon Castle would pick up his fourth foul of the game, a charge drawn by Jalen Brunson, forcing the Spurs' rookie to take a seat. Head coach Mitch Johnson elected to sub in Keldon Johnson for Castle, leaving Fox as the primary ball handler on the court.

After a Karl-Anthony Towns turnover, Victor Wembanyama was whistled for what eventually became a flagrant foul. Wembanyama's confidence was clearly shaken after that, given the chance of a looming suspension if he picked up another.

Without Castle's calming presence on the floor and ability to get to the rim, the Spurs became reliant on Wembanyama to create. With him being rattled in the wake of the flagrant foul that the home crowd was desperate for, it allowed the fans back into the game to make an impact of their own.

San Antonio became the gambler that chases losses. Having already dug a hole, the Spurs fell in love with 3-point shooting, hoping to recapture that first half magic. They made just 3-of-17 looks from beyond the arc in the second half after sinking 14 of 26 in the first half.

Instead of relying on getting to the rim, the Spurs seemingly took their foot off the gas and allowed the Knicks to chip away – a move that might've cost them a championship.

Patriots-Falcons turning point

The Falcons, just like the Spurs, lacked the situational awareness that the moment required. Up 28-3 in the third quarter, Atlanta no longer needed to flex its muscle with a high-powered passing attack. Instead it should've become a game of possession and possessions, given that New England needed time and the ball in order to steal a victory.

The Falcons were more than happy enough to oblige. Atlanta possessed the ball three times in the fourth quarter going up 25. Dan Quinn's team failed to run more than 2:26 off the clock on all three.

However, the biggest turning point came with 9:44 left in the third quarter. Having just allowed a field goal to make the score 28-12, the Falcons had a chance to run precious time off the clock. A pair of runs from Tevin Coleman set up a third-and-1.

Conventional wisdom would suggest to run it again, taking 40 seconds off the clock at the very least. If Atlanta picked up the first down, it keeps the drive going and likely puts the game out of reach. Instead, Matt Ryan dropped back to pass and was sacked by Dont'a Hightower. Adding insult to injury, the quarterback fumbled and the Patriots recovered at the Atlanta 25-yard-line, giving them the short field they needed.

Just over two minutes later, the damage was done and it was a one-possession game with all the momentum on the New England sideline. After tying it up to send the Super Bowl to overtime, the Patriots got the opening kickoff and everyone in the world knew they were marching down the field for the game-winning touchdown.

Which comeback was more impressive?

The NBA might've switched the characters, swapping in Mitch Johnson, Victor Wembanyama and Jalen Brunson for Dan Quinn, Matt Ryan and Tom Brady, but the stories are quite similar. Both the Falcons and Spurs played dominant in the first half at a level that was unsustainable.

A second half regression to the mean was inevitable, but both sides took their foot off the gas thinking they could coast to the finish. In some ways, the Falcons and Spurs looked like teams that thought the opponent was simply going to quit and give up – something that the Patriots and Knicks don't have in their DNA.

"It ain't over till it's over," as New York Yankees legend Yogi Berra would say.

If you're really trying to measure one comeback against the other, however, the Patriots are worthy of getting the edge. They had no margin for error in the Super Bowl, meaning there was no chance for revenge with a loss. They either win the Super Bowl or they don't – there was no tomorrow, just next season.

Even if the Knicks lost Game 4, they would be tied 2-2 in the series with at least two more games to play. Point is, the Knicks' comeback is just a chapter in this NBA Finals. It could be the chapter, but that means they would have to fend off a more impressive comeback by the Spurs if they overcome a 3-1 series deficit.

That is the fundamental difference between the two comebacks and that's without accounting for the clock component. New England had to limit Atlanta to short possessions, which isn't always possible if the opposition handles the clock properly.

Massive shifts happen more frequently in basketball, simply due to the nature of the back-and-forth action, creating scoring runs that quickly cut into large deficits. With free throws stopping the clock, the Knicks' comeback is one that could be replicated more often – something that was evidenced by their Game 1 effort against Cleveland one round ago.

Debate history if you want, but no one is taking anything away from two historic nights in sports. After all, there's plenty of room for both.

So move over, 28-3. 29-point lead would like to take a seat.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Comparing Knicks NBA Finals comeback to Patriots' 28-3 in Super Bowl

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Celtics ‘in on' Giannis, ‘open to trading anybody' but Tatum: Reports

Celtics ‘in on' Giannis, ‘open to trading anybody' but Tatum: Reports originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Giannis-to-Boston rumors are heating back up.

Prominent NBA insiders Kevin O’Connor (Yahoo Sports) and Bill Simmons (The Ringer) reignited the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade discourse with eye-opening updates on the Celtics’ interest in the Milwaukee Bucks superstar. O’Connor said the C’s are willing to part ways with all but one of their players.

“I have heard Boston is shopping people around a lot right now, that Boston is making calls, Boston is open to trading anybody besides Jayson Tatum,” O’Connor said on The Kevin O’Connor Show. “And that doesn’t necessarily mean they land Giannis at the end of the day, but I do believe, based off of everything and all the conversations I’ve had, is that the Celtics are in on Giannis, and that they are making a push on him… This feels very, very real to me.”

Simmons, who had initially poured cold water on the Giannis-to-Boston rumors, changed his tune on Thursday.

“I thought Boston was out of this,” Simmons said on theBill Simmons Podcast. “I know Boston was out of this. I was wondering if they were playing possum or not. I think they were playing a little possum. I think they are in on Giannis.

“I’m not recanting what I said before. I don’t know the reasons for it. Maybe they felt like Miami’s offer is an offer they could beat. Maybe they want to drive the price of Miami’s offer up and don’t really have interest in him.”

Simmons added that Boston remains among Giannis’ preferred destinations.

Those updates coincided with an interesting X post by Celtics star Jaylen Brown, who would presumably be the centerpiece of a Giannis deal.

“The neighbor’s rice always smells better,” Brown wrote.

So, what should we make of the latest Giannis rumors? Kayla Burton, Phil Perry, and Marc Bertrand shared their reactions during Thursday’s Early Edition.

“I wouldn’t mind it as long as the guy is healthy,” Burton said. “He only played 36 games last season. … That’s my only concern when it comes to him. … He’s on the upside of 31 years old now, had some injuries. … I just don’t know the number of pieces that they have to trade away.”

Antetokounmpo was limited to 36 games due to multiple injuries, including a hyperextension and bone bruise in his left knee. The two-time NBA MVP remained elite when healthy, averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists while shooting over 62 percent from the field.

“He’s still a great player, and when you look at some of the advanced numbers, he’s still one of the best offensive players in basketball when he’s on the court,” Perry said. “I think part of the reason he’s missed time is because he’s just been checked out in Milwaukee, so I don’t worry as much as some others do about his health.

“I just take away from the reporting from Kevin O’Connor, they’re willing to trade anybody, or they’re shopping anybody not named Jayson Tatum. OK, they’re willing to potentially move Jaylen Brown, and they’re in on Giannis. … I’m not sure there’s a package out there, whether it’s Miami or anywhere else that would beat the Celtics’ willingness to trade away a second-team All-NBA guy.”

Trading Brown would be a stunning development. The 2024 NBA Finals MVP has been key to Boston’s success since being selected third overall in the 2016 draft. He took his game to another level this past season with Tatum sidelined, averaging a career-high 28.6 points per game and finishing sixth in the MVP race.

But after blowing a 3-1 series lead in their first-round playoff matchup vs. the Philadelphia 76ers, it’s time for Brad Stevens and the C’s to reevaluate their situation.

“You’ve got to watch what is playing out right now with the teams that are dominating, whether you want to say it’s the Knicks or it’s the Spurs,” Bertrand said. “Which of those teams are you going to compete with with this current roster? The Knicks have already beaten you once. Are you going to compete against the Spurs with the way this roster is currently constructed?

“If the Celtics are all in on building a championship team, they might need it to look different than the way it looks now.”

If Antetokounmpo is moved, it’ll likely happen before the 2026 NBA Draft on June 23.

Watch the full Early Edition segment in the video player above.

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Lakers trade deadline target could be set for free agency

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 17: Keon Ellis #23 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during a pre-season game on October 17, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Lakers have a clear need for athleticism across the floor and, particularly, on the perimeter. It’s something that was apparent even at the trade deadline and could be seen in the players the team was targeting.

There were a ton of other players they were connected to, like Keon Ellis, that they couldn’t pick up at the deadline. In the end, Ellis was traded to the Cavaliers. However, his time in Cleveland wasn’t exactly a great experience. In the playoffs, he was ineffective and non-existent.

Ellis played beyond 10 minutes only once in the postseason, did not play multiple times and provided nothing offensively. He went 5-15 from the field, scoring just 19 points across eight games and had a plus-minus of -31.

Now that the season is over, the Cavaliers have some tough decisions to make. As a second-apron team, money is going to be tight. Ellis was already set for free agency and, after underperforming, it looks unlikely Cleveland is going to retain him.

In a recent article, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported on Ellis likely being the odd man out with the Cavs.

The most pressing piece of roster business in Cleveland, outside of the Cavaliers ironing out a future agreement with James Harden, will come down to its decisions on Dean Wade and Keon Ellis as they seek to move out of the second apron.

Sources say that team officials already concede behind the scenes that it will be extremely difficult to keep both players. My early read: The priority is likely going to be bringing back Wade, who started a career-high 38 games this season and has been one of Cleveland’s top point-of-attack defenders as a jumbo-sized swingman.

This could be exactly the kind of opportunity the Lakers could take advantage of. They have more cap space than most teams this offseason, and they can pick up quality players other teams can’t retain due to the apron restrictions.

And considering the down postseason Ellis had, there’s a chance for LA to buy low on Ellis as Fisher detailed later in his report.

Ellis’ market, meanwhile, has seemingly taken a bit of a hit since February, when league sources say half the league was expressing interest in acquiring him from Sacramento via trade. The Cavaliers always appeared to be a curious landing spot for Ellis compared to a team like the Lakers that had a clear need for perimeter defenders. It remains to be seen how Ellis fares in free agency now after largely falling out of Kenny Atkinson’s playoff rotation.

Ellis averaged a modest 6.7 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game this season. He actually was better statistically in many ways with Cleveland as he averaged 8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and shot 49.1% from the field. His greatest value lies in his defense. He is a solid perimeter defender who averaged 1.3 steals per game in Cleveland.

While things didn’t go according to plan for him in the playoffs with the Cavs, it’s hard to trust a franchise that traded for James Harden to push them over the top in the playoffs. If they do move on from Ellis this offseason, don’t be surprised if the Lakers are involved.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

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Larry David nearly collapsed after Josh Hart’s shocking Game 4 miss

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows larry david and jerry seinfeld celebrate knicks' game 4 comeback win over spurs, Image 2 shows Larry David and John McEnroe celebrate during the 2026 NBA Finals, Image 3 shows A man in the front row of a basketball game attempting to catch a ball, leaning far over the court, as other spectators watch

Josh Hart nearly brought Larry David to his knees.

The guard’s missed layup with 1:57 left in the fourth quarter as the Knicks sought to fully realize their 29-point comeback in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday caused David, the “Seinfeld” co-creator and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star, to nearly fall over in shock on celebrity row.

Hart was later beaten to a rebound and fouled Stephon Castle, who sank a pair of free throws with 30.3 seconds left to give the Spurs a lead.

Fortunately for Hart, the flub became a moot point, thanks to OG Anunoby’s tip-in with 1.2 seconds left to give the Knicks the 107-106 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

“I’ve got a special shoutout for OG, man, because he saved me, at least for this game, a lifetime of regret,” Hart said.

Larry David after the tip in by OG Anunoby went in. Getty Images

Anunoby not only saved Hart, but also David, a native New Yorker, longtime Knicks fans and sideline staple, who was able to revel in the record win with the rest of celebrity row.

The bonkers postgame scene saw David and Jerry Seinfeld embrace, both being among a fan base unable to believe what they’d just seen.

Pop superstar Taylor Swift was hugging pals and fellow musicians Alana and Este Haim along with “Law & Order: SVU” star Mariska Hargitay — all decked out in custom “Stevie Knicks” t-shirts.

Timothée Chalamet celebrated wildly after the win, jumping up and down with fans and even stealing a reporter’s mic to tell the world that the Knicks would win in 5. 

In less than two minutes, David went from near-collapse to over-the-top jubilation — and now, the Knicks, up 3-1 in the series, sit one win away from their first NBA title in 53 years.

As David’s version of himself on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” famously says, “Pretty, pretty, pretty good!”

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What can the Dallas Mavericks expect from the 9th overall pick?

The ninth pick in the NBA Draft is quite the interesting place to be. When you look back at the past 25 to 30 years, the swings between “complete flame out” and “Hall of Famer” are quite volatile. Dirk Nowitzki, Amar’e Stoudamire, Andre Iguodala, DeMar Derozan and Kemba Walker were all selected at the ninth pick. In that same span, Rodney White, Mike Sweetney, Ike Diogu and Pat O’Bryant were all picked. Volatile is an understatement!

In recent years as teams have refined the draft process, the swings have gotten a bit less dramatic. With that in mind, let’s look back specifically at the last ten NBA Drafts to see if we can find any trends that could help us see what the Dallas Mavericks could be doing in this draft.

Flame outs

2017: Dennis Smith Jr. (Dallas Mavericks)

2018: Kevin Knox II (New York Knicks)

2022: Jeremy Sochan (San Antonio Spurs)

It doesn’t take an incompetent organization to miss on a pick, as evidenced by the Spurs missing on Sochan in 2022. Jalen Williams and Jalen Duren were taken just a couple picks after the Spurs took Sochan at ninth. Others taken after that pick include Tari Eason (17th), Christian Braun (21st), Walker Kessler (22nd) and Andrew Nembhard (31st).

In the case of the Mavericks and Knicks, I think it’s fair to classify those front offices as incompetent. But even then with DSJ and Dallas, it seems like he was doomed due to coaching, which is unfortunate. However, organizations can make their own luck here, and the all three of these failed to with their picks.

Jury is still out

2023: Taylor Hendricks (Utah Jazz)

I think Hendricks has the potential to be a good pro. Obviously, his career was thrown for a loop after he suffered that awful leg injury in Dallas a couple of years ago, but Hendricks is a talented player who could thrive in the correct system.

Stars in their role

2016: Jakob Poeltl (Toronto Raptors)

2019: Rui Hachimura (Washington Wizards)

2021: Davion Mitchell (Sacramento Kings)

The interesting parallel here is that only one of the three here, Poeltl, is making an impact for the team that drafted him. And even Poeltl was shipped off early on in his career before finding his way back. That’s why it’s important to do the scouting on all of the guys in this range, because you never know if eventually, you’ll be the place where the player shines brightest.

All-star ceiling

2020: Deni Avdija (Washington Wizards)

2024: Zach Edey (Memphis Grizzlies)

2025: Collin Murray-Boyles (Toronto Raptors)

Deni is the only All-Star to come from the ninth pick since Andre Drummond, who was drafted in 2012. That being said, even in consensus weaker classes in 2024 and 2025, the ninth pick has panned out well. Edey, when healthy, has been a force for Memphis. Murray-Boyles was Toronto’s third best player in their seven-game battle against the Cavs this postseason.

Tally it all up, and there’s truly nothing off the table with this pick. Which makes it all the more interesting as we turn to our friends at the FanDuel Sportsbook to see who is favored to be selected ninth overall.

What do you think about the options who could be available? Let us know in the comments!

Wager Responsibly! Odds are subject to change. If you need help, call 1 (800) GAMBLER.
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Warriors reportedly not a factor in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 7: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks hug after the game on January 7, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

In today’s Dub Hub:

Once again, the Golden State Warriors appear to be on the outside looking in when it comes to the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Warriors have not been a factor in the Milwaukee Bucks’ most recent trade discussions surrounding the two-time MVP.

Via The Stein Line:

Minnesota and Golden State were both prominent Antetokounmpo suitors in February when the Bucks briefly invited trade interest in their Face of the Franchise, but sources say neither team has factored into the Bucks’ recent trade talks.

Golden State has long been viewed as a potential destination for Antetokounmpo in an attempt to extend Stephen Curry’s shrinking championship window. However, the Warriors currently lack the combination of young talent and draft assets that other contenders can offer Milwaukee. Any trade package would likely require Golden State to part with multiple future first-round picks, which have become increasingly valuable under the NBA’s revised draft lottery system.

Meanwhile, according to Fischer, the Bucks have a firm offer on the table from the Miami Heat centered around Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and “prime draft capital.” If that’s the case, the Warriors would likely have a difficult time fielding a more competitive offer without mortgaging their post-Curry future.

Of course, trade talks can evolve quickly during the offseason, but for now, the Warriors’ long-rumored pursuit of Antetokounmpo has seemingly lost momentum.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Thursday, June 11th:

Warriors News:

NBA Intel: Domantas Sabonis, Michael Porter Jr, Pelicans trade talks; Raptors, Cavs | Hoops Hype

Porter Jr., who turns 28 on June 29th, drew trade interest from teams, including the Golden State Warriors, as the deadline neared. The Warriors considered parting with a first-round pick for Porter Jr. hours before the deadline, league sources told HoopsHype. In addition, Terance Mann was brought up in expanded discussions involving Porter Jr., but there were complications regarding his involvement, which would’ve necessitated a potential third team, HoopsHype has learned. Brooklyn also values Mann, who was a starter last season and is considered a strong veteran presence in their young locker room. 

2026 NBA buzz: Latest news, injuries, league intel, updates | ESPN

Lendeborg’s individual workout and in-person meeting with the front office Thursday will assuredly play a role in whether the Warriors decide to draft him in two weeks. It’ll also matter how the board in front of them falls. There are plenty of intriguing players who could surprisingly fall out of the top 10, including Arizona guard Brayden Burries, who league sources said is expected to be among the lottery prospects working out for the Warriors next week. — Anthony Slater

‘Curiosity’ on both sides for a potential Warriors-LeBron James team-up

NBA News:

The Knicks, one win from NBA championship, really look like a team of destiny | The Athletic

“When you do it once, you know you can do it again,” said OG Anunoby, who strengthened his NBA Finals MVP case with a 33-point performance to help New York take a 3-1 series lead back to San Antonio for Game 5. “You never want to be down, but that’s just how it goes. It’s a game of runs. They went on their run early, but we knew we had a run to go on, as well. So, just staying with it, not getting too low in the moment, and keep pushing, having confidence, believing in ourselves and knowing it’s a 48-minute game. Play until the end.”

Knicks complete 29-point comeback to take a 3-1 series lead against the Spurs

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Warriors to work out Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg

That could make him the perfect fit on the Warriors, who are still chasing superstars, and hoping to build one more NBA Finals contender around Steph Curry. Lendeborg, who is talented defensively on both the perimeter and interior, can score in a variety of ways, and is very polished, would likely slot right into the rotation, as he figures to be one of the most NBA-ready players in the draft. But, despite his age, there’s also a belief by many that Lendeborg has a lot of untapped potential, and has a star ceiling rather than just a high floor.

Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.

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Two Words, Wolves Pod: NBA Finals Game 4 + Olivia Miles

On today’s episode, Andrew Dukowitz of Zone Coverage joins the show to discuss a wild New York Knicks win in Game 4 of the NBA Finals and the 10-2 start of the season for the Lynx:

— The Knicks erased an NBA Finals record 29-point deficit to win Game 4 to take a 3-1 series lead. Jalen Brunson was incredible yet again down the stretch, and OG Anunoby had the clutch block and tip-in layup to seal the victory.

— Karl-Anthony Towns picked up two early fouls, which kept him out most of the first half, but still finished with a game-high +17 as the former Minnesota Timberwolves franchise player is one win away from becoming a champion.

— It is easy to look back on the trade of Towns and have regret. Ultimately, the Knicks will end up winning the trade if they close out these Finals, but the Wolves still have a path to make the trade a positive from their perspective as well.

— The Minnesota Lynx have started the season with a 10-2 record, including eight straight wins. They are leading the WNBA in almost every conceivable category, including best record, most points scored, and fewest points against, while Napheesa Collier hasn’t played a single minute.

— Olivia Miles has been incredible to start her WNBA career. She has put up 17.8 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game on 53.2/37.1/91.2 percent shooting splits. Miles is well on her way to winning Rookie of the Year and may finish on the ballot for Most Valuable Player.

— It is still unclear when Collier will return to the court, but it appears as though the talk of her leaving in the offseason has died down at least for now, with the Lynx getting off to a hot start.

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Mariska Hargitay has emotional moment with Jalen Brunson after Knicks win: ‘I love you’

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Actress Mariska Hargitay delivered a heartfelt message to Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson after New York's historic comeback from down by as many 29 to beat the Spurs 107-106 on Wednesday night at the Garden, Image 2 shows Actress Mariska Hargitay and Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson hugged after New York beat the Spurs 107-106 on Wednesday night at the Garden, Image 3 shows (L to R) Este Haim, Taylor Swift, and Mariska Hargitay attend Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on June 10, 2026 in New York City.
Actress Mariska Hargitay delivered a heartfelt message to Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson after New York's historic comeback from down by as many 29 to beat the Spurs 107-106 on Wednesday night at the Garden.

Actress Mariska Hargitay delivered a heartfelt message to Jalen Brunson after the Knicks’ historic comeback from down by as many as 29 to beat the Spurs 107-106 on Wednesday night at The Garden.

The “Law & Order: SVU” actress was ecstatic as she and Brunson, who finished with a game-high 36 points, hugged on the court.

“I love you so much, I’m so happy!” Hargitay said.

Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates with Mariska Hargitay after Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 10, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. NBAE via Getty Images

Before that, she sprinted onto the court and hugged Brunson’s father, Rick Brunson, an assistant to Knicks head coach Mike Brown and member of the 1999 New York Knicks team that reached the NBA Finals.

The moment was captured on video by actor Ben Stiller, a fellow diehard Knicks fan who last season described Hargitay as the “envy” or celebrity row.

“The love that Mariska Hargitay gets from you postgame is the envy of every other Knicks fan, Knicks celebrity fan. She gets a hug after a loss,” Stiller said on Brunson’s “Roommates” podcast with Josh Hart.

During a recent appearance on the “Today” show, Hargitay described Brunson as “magnificent” and called him “my inspiration.”

She previously said the two became friends when they learned they were fans of each other.

(L to R) Este Haim, Taylor Swift, and Mariska Hargitay attend Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on June 10, 2026 in New York City. Getty Images

Hargitay sat with her friend, superstar singer Taylor Swift, and singing sisters, Este Haim and Alana Haim, at Game 4 — and they wore matching blue and orange shirts with “Stevie Knicks” written on them.

They were seen jumping up and down after a go-ahead tip-in by Knicks forward OG Anunoby with 1.2 seconds remaining sealed the win over San Antonio.

Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Four of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 10, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. NBAE via Getty Images

The Knicks could close out the series in Game 5 in San Antonio on Saturday.

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Who’s Hot, Who’s Cold: Blue Jays Pitchers

Jun 2, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Over the past four weeks, the Jays are 14-12 with a 3.97 ERA

Hot

Kevin Gausman: 5 starts, 2-1, 3.14ERA. In 28.2 innings, batters hit .243/.278/.411 with 3 home runs, 5 walks and 31 strikeouts.

Two quality starts, one good start that went five innings and a couple of less great starts. At 35 he’s still a very good starting pitcher.

Louis Varland: 11 games, 2-0, 6 saves, 0.64 ERA. In 14.0 innings, batters hit .163/180/.204 with no home runs, 1 walks and 14 strikeouts.

He also had 2 holds. Louis allowed one earned run over the last 4 weeks (and two this season). I’m pretty amazed at the just one walk, as he had walked quite a few before that. He’s been amazing. We are very lucky to have him.

Braydon Fisher: 13 games, 3 as opener, 0-0, 2.08 ERA. In 13 innings, batters hit ..156/.240/.289 with 2 home runs, 5 walks and 18 strikeouts.

He had 2 holds. Yeah, he’s been terrific. He gave up one run in each of two appearances, and that was it.

Tyler Rogers: 12 games, 0-0, 2 saves, 1 blown save, 4.50 ERA. In 6 innings, batters hit .346/.414/.423, with 3 walks and 6 strikeouts.

Tyler had 7 holds. He gave up three runs in those 12 games, 2 in one games, and 1 in the next. I really enjoy watching him.

Adam Macko: 12 games, 1 as opener, 2-0, 3 holds, 1.50 ERA. In 12 innings batters hit ..244/.292/.333 with 1 home run, 2 walks and 8 strikeouts.

He was good and now he’s in Buffalo. The life of a reliever with options.

Cold

Patrick Corbin: 5 starts, 1-2, 5.48 ERA. In 23.0 innings, batters hit .269/.343/.484 with 4 home runs, 10 walks and 18 strikeouts.

There were also 8 stolen bases, with no one caught in the last four weeks. He’s averaged 4.6 innings per start. Maybe Spencer Miles should stay in the rotation and Corbin should go to the pen. He had one QS, one game that would have been a QS if he had pitched one more inning and three that were poor starts.

Jeff Hoffman: 12 games, 2-2, 5.91 ERA. In 10.2 innings, batters hit .268/.348/.439 with 1 home run, 4 walks and 18 strikeouts.

He had 2 holds. He had one blowup appearance (more than one run against, and it was epic) and two games where he allowed one run and 8 with no runs allowed.

Yariel Rodríguez: 9 games, 0-1, blown save. 8.64 ERA. In 8.1 innings, batters hit .343/.452/.543. with 2 home runs, 6 walks and 4 strikeouts.

Also had a hold. He’s been DFAed again. No one will pick him up off waivers. I don’t know if it is time to release him and let him earn his money at home, or store him in Buffalo.

Connor Seabold: 5 games, 0-0, 8.10 ERA. In 3.1 innings, batters hit .375 /.444/ .375, with 2 walks and 1 strikeout

Had a hold. He’s been DFAed.

Inbetween

Dylan Cease: 3 starts, 0-2, 4.60 ERA. In 15.2 innings, .193/.270/.449, with 4 home runs, 6 walks and 28 strikeouts.

Three starts, he had one Quality start, one bad start and one in between. The ERA is high, but the other numbers are good….almost two strikeouts an inning. And of course, there was a IL stint in between.

Trey Yesavage: 5 starts, 1-2, 4.30 ERA. In 29.1 innings, batters hit .180/.278/.330 with 2 homers, 14 walks and 29 strikeouts.

Trey had two QS. one game that was an inning short of a QS and two very poor starts. There were no steals against him in those five games. In fact there has only been 1 steal attempt with Trey on the mound, and it was successful.

Mason Fluharty: 14 games, 1-0, 2 as opener, 2.31 ERA. In 11.2 innings, batters hit .261/.320/.413 with 2 home runs, 3 walks and 17 strikeouts.

He had 3 holds. He’s very good vs LHH .514 OPS, but not good against RHH (883).

Spencer Miles: 6 games, 1 start, 4 opener, 2-1, 3.80 ERA. In 21.1 innings, batters hit .184/.262/.276 with 2 homers, 8 walks and 23 strikeouts.

Spencer also had a hold. He had one blow up outing, (6 earned in 3 innings), one where he gave up 2 earned in 1.1 innings, and another where he allowed one run in 4.1.

Also Pitched

Max Scherzer: He pitched yesterday, and you likely remember it.

Tommy Nance: 3 games, 0-0, 0.00 ERA. In 3 innings batters hit ..273/.273/.273, with 0 home runs, 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.

Austin Voth: Pitched in that one game, gave up 5 earned in 3.1 innings. Now he’s in the minors with the Twins.

Simeon Woods Richardson: Threw 4 innings in that one game, allowed just 1 hit with 3 strikeouts.

Chad Dallas: Pitched in 1 game, gave up a run in 3.2 innings, 2 hits, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts.

Chase Lee: Pitched in 2 games. In 2 innings, he gave up 2 earned, on 1 hit, a home run, 4 walks and no strikeouts.

Tanner Andrews: Pitched in 2 games. Batters hit .111/.273/.111. And didn’t give up a run.

Hayden Juenger: Pitched in 2 games. Gave up 3 earned in 2 innings. Batters hit .286/.400/.429, 2 walks, no strikeouts.

IL

Joe Mantiply: Pitched in two games. 0.00 ERA. in 1.2 innings, batters hit .333/.429/.333. Might be back before the season’s over.

Yimi García: Could be back in the next week or so.

Cody Ponce: Will miss the season.

Shane Bieber: Could be back next week?

José Berríos: Had Tommy John. Might be back by the end of next season.

Ricky Tiedemann: They haven’t talked about him in awhile, which is never a good thing.

Bowden Francis: Won’t pitch this year.

Lazaro Estrada: Won’t be back for a while.

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Series Preview: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Jackson Chourio (11) is out on second after Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Isaac Collins (6) grounds into a double play during the fifth inning of the game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday September 4, 2025 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. | Jovanny Hernandez / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Brewers are back in town this weekend, as they’ll host the Philadelphia Phillies for a three-game set beginning Friday night. The Brewers, at 41-25 on the season, sit in first place in the NL Central, 3.5 games ahead of the Cardinals entering Thursday’s play. They’re coming off a 4-2 road trip in which they swept the Rockies and dropped two of three against the A’s in Las Vegas.

On the other side, the Phillies sit at 37-31 and in second place in the NL East, eight games behind the NL-leading Atlanta Braves. After getting out to a dismal 9-19 start that resulted in the firing of manager Rob Thomson, the Phils have rattled off a strong month-and-a-half, with a 28-12 record since April 27 under interim manager Don Mattingly.

The Brewers are currently without starters Quinn Priester, Logan Henderson, and Brandon Woodruff. Woodruff is expected to rejoin the team in Milwaukee this weekend, and he’ll potentially make his return next week against the Guardians. Priester continues to struggle with his command during his rehab assignment, while Henderson is targeting a July return. Relievers Jared Koenig, Angel Zerpa, Rob Zastryzny, Brian Fitzpatrick, DL Hall, and Carlos Rodriguez are also out, with Zerpa out for the season, Fitzpatrick evaluating whether to get Tommy John surgery, Hall out until late July, Rodriguez with a TBD return, and Zastryzny and Koenig on their way back. Outfielder Brandon Lockridge is also nearing a rehab assignment as he recovers from a knee injury.

UPDATE: While I was writing this, Priester was returned from his rehab assignment again and remains on the IL.

The Phillies are without outfielder Johan Rojas, who is out for the season after a suspension followed by a torn right UCL. Left-hander Kyle Backhus just began a rehab assignment, and outfielder Adolis García is considered day-to-day with a pulled muscle in his throwing arm. Lastly, top prospect Aidan Miller (MLB No. 14), who is with Philadelphia’s Triple-A affiliate, is out until August with a back injury.

Offensively, the Brewers are led by Jake Bauers, Brice Turang, Jackson Chourio, William Contreras, and Christian Yelich. Catcher Gary Sánchez’s power made a return during the team’s recent road trip, while Andrew Vaughn continues to mash against lefties. Garrett Mitchell, Sal Frelick, David Hamilton, Joey Ortiz, Blake Perkins, and Luis Rengifo round things out. As a team, the Brewers are hitting .254/.340/.389 (.729 OPS ranks eighth) with 57 homers (27th), 352 runs (third), and 68 steals (third).

The Phillies’ big 1-2 remains Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber. Schwarber leads the majors with 24 homers this season, as he’s hitting .239/.358/.575 with 100 strikeouts to 42 walks over 65 games. Harper, who has 15 homers, is hitting .267/.376/.517. Alec Bohm and Brandon Marsh have eight homers each, and Marsh leads the team with a .326 batting average. The aforementioned García is hitting just .195 but he does have seven homers, and Trea Turner and Bryson Stott both remain speed threats with 26 steals between them (14 for Turner, 12 for Stott). J.T. Realmuto is in the midst of another down year, and he’s sharing time behind the plate with Rafael Marchán and Garrett Stubbs. Edmundo Sosa, former Brewer Steward Berroa, and prospect Justin Crawford (the son of Carl Crawford) round out the squad. As a team, the Phillies are hitting .228/.298/.389 (.687 OPS ranks 27th), with 86 homers (ninth), 276 runs (24th), and 54 steals (tied for 10th).

After all of the injuries, Milwaukee’s bullpen leaders as it stands are Trevor Megill, Abner Uribe, Grant Anderson, and Aaron Ashby. Chad Patrick has also been effective in his bullpen role (though he did allow three runs in Wednesday’s loss). Rookie Coleman Crow appears to be moved to the bullpen, too, and newbies Joel Kuhnel and Drew Rom round things out. As a staff, the Brewers have a 3.47 team ERA (fourth), including a 3.50 starter ERA (fifth) and a 3.43 bullpen ERA (eighth). They’ve struck out 639 batters (tied for second) over 591 1/3 innings.

Jhoan Duran leads the Phillies’ bullpen, as he has a 1.99 ERA and 17 saves in 18 chances this season. José Alvarado and Brad Keller are tied for the team lead with 30 appearances apiece, though Alvarado’s 5.25 ERA over 24 innings isn’t ideal (Keller’s 3.38 ERA over 29 1/3 innings is much better). Orion Kerkering has also been solid, with a 2.10 ERA over 25 2/3 innings. Tanner Banks (6.08 ERA over 23 2/3 IP), Tim Mayza (3.41 ERA over 29 IP), Chase Shugart (3.48 ERA over 20 2/3 IP), and Jonathan Bowlan (3.92 ERA over 20 2/3 IP) fill the rest of the ‘pen. As a staff, the Phillies have a 4.01 team ERA (12th), including a 4.14 starter ERA (13th) and a 3.79 bullpen ERA (12th). They’ve struck out 641 batters (first) over 606 1/3 innings.

Probable Pitchers

Friday, June 12 @ 6:40 p.m.: RHP Jacob Misiorowski (7-2, 1.50 ERA, 1.91 FIP) vs. RHP Andrew Painter (1-7, 6.21 ERA, 5.09 FIP)

Misiorowski continues to mow down hitters at a crazy rate, as he leads the majors with 116 strikeouts over just 78 innings. He also sports a league-best 0.808 WHIP, allowing just 4.7 H/9. He’s allowed a whopping one earned run since the end of April, spanning 45 1/3 innings over seven starts. In that time, he has a perfect 6-0 record and 65 strikeouts, including at least eight strikeouts in all of those appearances. He’s coming off a seven-inning outing against the Rockies, in which he allowed an unearned run on four hits, three walks, and a hit batter, striking out eight. Miz’s only career appearance against the Phillies came last September, when he allowed three runs on six hits and a walk, striking out four over 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision.

Painter is a highly regarded prospect who has unfortunately dealt with injuries early in his career. Even so, he’s just 23, though he hasn’t had much success here in his rookie season. Across 12 appearances (11 starts), Painter has totaled 58 innings, with a 6.21 ERA, 5.09 FIP, and 47 strikeouts. He’s lost each of his last three outings, allowing 12 runs over 14 1/3 innings against the Guardians, Dodgers, and White Sox. This marks Painter’s first career appearance against Milwaukee.

Saturday, June 13 @ 6:10 p.m.: LHP Shane Drohan (3-1, 3.11 ERA, 2.71 FIP) vs. RHP Aaron Nola (3-4, 5.86 ERA, 4.21 FIP)

Drohan, who made his MLB debut as a starter but then followed with 10 bullpen outings, is set for his third turn through the rotation since rejoining this month. He has a 3.11 ERA, 2.71 FIP, and 37 strikeouts across 37 2/3 innings this season, and the Brewers dominated in both of his recent starts. In those games, he allowed five runs on nine hits and three walks, striking out nine over 10 1/3 innings as the Crew won 16-2 against the Giants and 12-4 against the Rockies. This marks Drohan’s first career appearance against Philadelphia.

Nola, 33, is in his 12th MLB season, all of which have been with the Phillies. While “even year” Aaron Nola was very much a thing entering this year — he had a 2.37, 3.28, 3.25, and 3.57 ERA in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024, respectively, compared to a 3.87, 4.63, 4.46, and 6.01 ERA in 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025, respectively — he hasn’t had a very “even year” kind of year in 2026. Across 13 starts, he has a 5.86 ERA, 4.21 FIP, and 68 strikeouts over 66 innings. He got roughed up in his last appearance, allowing five runs on six hits and four walks while striking out four over 4 1/3 innings against the White Sox. Nola has made 15 career starts against Milwaukee, with a 7-3 record, a 3.09 ERA, and 101 strikeouts over 90 1/3 innings, though he got roughed up last September, allowing six runs in five innings in a loss.

Sunday, June 14 @ 1:10 p.m.: LHP Kyle Harrison (7-1, 2.72 ERA, 3.11 FIP) vs. LHP Cristopher Sánchez (8-2, 1.54 ERA, 1.85 FIP)

Harrison, who has a 2.72 ERA, 3.11 FIP, and 77 strikeouts across 59 2/3 innings this season, is coming off his worst start as a Brewer, though that can be blamed at least in part on the environment of Las Vegas Ballpark. He went just 2 1/3 innings, allowing eight runs on eight hits and a pair of walks with four strikeouts on 71 pitches, but the Brewers were able to pull out a 15-14 comeback win in 12 innings. Harrison has made a pair of starts against the Phillies while with the Giants, one in 2023 and one in 2024. In those games, he’s totaled six runs allowed on 17 hits and two walks, striking out 10 over 8 1/3 frames.

Sánchez, 29, has developed into one of the best pitchers in MLB. After finishing second in NL Cy Young voting and leading all pitchers with an 8.1 bWAR in 2025, he’s doing it again in 2026. Across 14 starts, he leads the league with 93 1/3 innings and a 5.0 bWAR, sporting a 1.54 ERA, 1.85 FIP, and 113 strikeouts. After allowing no runs in the month of May, he eked out an NL Pitcher of the Month Award over Misiorowski. Sánchez is coming off his worst start in a while, though, as he allowed all of two runs over seven innings, still picking up 10 strikeouts in a 5-2 win over the Blue Jays. Sánchez has made three career appearances (two starts) against the Brewers, with a 2.03 ERA and eight strikeouts over 13 1/3 innings.

How to Watch & Listen

Friday, June 12: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)

Saturday, June 13: Brewers TV & nationally on FS1; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)

Sunday, June 14: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)

Prediction

The Phillies and Brewers both got out to sluggish starts and both have turned it on over the last month-plus to push themselves well over .500. This should be a fun series with some great pitching matchups. Give me the Crew to eke out two of three.

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Golden Knights vs Hurricanes Expert Picks & Game 5 Best Bets

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Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final comes to us live from Lenovo Center in Raleigh tonight, with the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes knotted at 2-2.

Our NHL experts have a bevy of NHL picks and Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes predictions for you to sink your teeth into ahead of the 8 p.m. ET puck drop on June 11.

Golden Knights vs Hurricanes expert picks tonight

PickOdds
Josh Inglis: Hurricanes Jordan Staal Over 0.5 points+120
Neil Parker: Hurricanes Brandon Bussi Over 21.5 saves+100
Todd Cordell:  HurricanesTaylor Hall Over 0.5 points-125
Quinn Allen: Golden Knights Brett Howden anytime goal scorer+270

Odds courtesy of BET99.

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Josh Inglis' expert pick: Golden KnightsJordan Staal Over 0.5 points

Price: +120 at BET99

Jordan Staal has been an issue for the Vegas Golden Knights all series, and the longer this Cup Finals goes, the more of an impact he will have.

He has six points in two games and multiple points in back-to-back matches. His 5-on-5 line is better with the addition of Seth Jarvis, and there is a case to be made that he is playing among the most offensively talented wingers on the team.

Staal also gets PP1 looks until the puck is cleared, and he changes. Carter Hart is giving up goals in bunches, and Staal is getting some Conn Smythe love for a reason

Neil Parker's expert pick: Golden KnightsBrandon Bussi Over 21.5 saves

Price: +100 at BET99

While the Golden Knights have been on the losing end of the 5-on-5 possession battle with a 42.0 Corsi For percentage, they’ve consistently pushed back, and their 47.5% shot share paints a far clearer picture of how the series has played out through four games.

As a result, I’m anticipating the Golden Knights showing up on time and with an emphasis on testing Carolina Hurricanes rookie goalie Brandon Bussi in Game 5.

Bussi has only faced 22.76 shots per 60 minutes since taking over the crease in Game 3, and Vegas has recorded 25.2 shots per 60 this postseason, so a slight uptick from the Golden Knights is all it will take for Bussi to clear this low total.

I recommend this to -110 odds.

Todd Cordell's expert pick: HurricanesTaylor Hall Over 0.5 points

Price: -125 at BET99

I want to ride the Taylor Hall train until the wheels fall off. He continues to be a nightly force for the Carolina Hurricanes, helping them dominate the run of play against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Carolina has controlled better than 68% of the expected goals during Hall’s 5-on-5 minutes. No other player is above 58%. He’s full value for it, leading the way in shot attempts, scoring chances, and sitting tied for first in Grade A opportunities.

Back him to get a point up to -140.

Quinn Allen's expert pick: HurricanesBrett Howden anytime goal scorer

Price: +270 at BET99

Brett Howden has quickly made a name for himself in the playoffs. He leads the Vegas Golden Knights with 14 goals in just 20 games and has already scored four times in the Stanley Cup Final. The center has generated 22 individual high-danger chances this postseason, including 14 on the road.

In the Final alone, Howden has produced 12 individual Fenwick attempts, ranking third on Vegas. The veteran continues to put himself in dangerous scoring areas, and the underlying chance generation suggests more opportunities should follow.

I'll play this to +200.

More Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes Game 5 picks

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Where does Knicks 29-point comeback rank among biggest NBA playoff/finals comebacks of all-time?

Somewhere, Pau Gasol let out a sigh of relief on Wednesday night.

Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals saw what announcer Mike Breen called "the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history" — and it felt like every bit of that. This was an iconic moment. New York trailed by 29 in the third quarter and by 20 with 9:30 left in the game. It should have been over... but Madison Square Garden had some magic left in her.
However, was this the greatest comeback in NBA postseason history? Here were the top three coming into the game.

Celtics vs. Lakers, 2008 NBA Finals Game 4

These Lakers featured Kobe Bryant at the peak of his powers and picked up Pau Gasol midseason from Memphis, but it was Lamar Odom who sparked the Lakers early in Game 4 — 13 first-quarter points — and they raced out to a 26-7 lead to open the game. The Lakers built up a 24-point first-half lead and were on their way to tying up the series with the Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen Celtics. The Celtics chipped away at that lead some, but the Lakers still led 70-50 with 6:04 remaining in the 3rd quarter — the Lakers were in total control on their home court.

Then the Celtics went on a 21-3 run and made it a game behind a spark from James Posey off the bench, scoring 18 and punctuated by a P.J. Brown dunk over Kobe at the end of the third.

Boston scored 57 in the second half, went on to win Game 4 97-91, and that was the series.

Before this week, that was the largest blown lead in NBA Finals history, which is why Gasol may rest a little easier this week.

Rockets vs. Magic, 1995 NBA Finals Game 1

This series had all the star power — Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler against Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway — but very little drama as the Rockets swept that series.

The only drama came in Game 1, when the Magic raced out to a 20-point first-half lead, and it looked like the young legs and energy would have their day. Houston stormed back, and the end of the game became the stuff of legend: Orlando's Nick Anderson missed four straight free throws that could have sealed the win, which opened the door for Kenny "The Jet" Smith to knock down an off-balance 3-pointer that forced overtime. In the extra frame, an Olajuwon tip-in won the game.

Warriors vs. Clippers, 2019 First Round

This remains the biggest comeback in playoff history statistically, even if it happened in the first round.

With 7:31 remaining in the third quarter, Kevin Durant scored an and-1 on a driving dunk and, after he knocked down the free throw, it was 94-63. The game was over... except nobody told the Clippers. Led by Lou Williams, the Clippers outscored the Warriors 72-37 the rest of the way and pulled off the greatest comeback in NBA playoff history, eventually taking the lead on a Landry Shammet 3-pointer in the final minute and going on to a 135-131 win.

"When I say we stopped playing, we stopped playing, like defense, offense, execution-wise we were not as engaged as we needed to be," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "We got exactly what we deserved. The Clippers were great. They executed, they were hungry, they stayed connected. They were together."

The Warriors went on to win that series and advance to the NBA Finals for the third straight year, then physically broke down and lost to a red-hot Toronto Raptors team with a young OG Anunoby.

Knicks top them all

A Celtics fan could argue that their 26-point comeback on the then New Jersey Nets in the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals, behind 41 points from Paul Pierce, should be included on the list.

However, the Knicks in 2026 top them all.
When you consider the stakes and the stage — and the history of the franchise having not won a title in 53 years — what the Knicks have done is now the greatest comeback in NBA history.

Without question.

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A favorable matchup for Dodgers’ left-handed hitters

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 09: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers runs to first after hitting an RBI single in the seventh inning during the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Christopher Denver/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Only a few months away from turning 37, Freddie Freeman seems intent on materializing one of the smoothest “declines” in baseball, if we can even call it that. The Dodgers’ star first baseman isn’t the same hitter he was when he joined this team back in 2022, but you wouldn’t really know it from looking at his numbers. Preparing for a matchup against Mitch Keller, a pitcher against whom Freeman is batting .500 in 18 at-bats, he is in the middle of his finest stretch this season, having recorded a hit in 13 out of his last 15 appearances, once again maintaining an OPS in the mid .800s.

When he takes the field today, it’ll be Freeman’s 66th appearance in 69 games. That level of availability indicates a durability ever more important in the context of this current season, with Shohei Ohtani receiving more days off, Betts facing his issues, both health and production-wise, and even Kyle Tucker not quite hitting the ground running as many expected he would.

Freeman and many Dodger left-handed hitters have enjoyed a terrific first two games in this series against the Pirates, particularly when you adjust the expectations for having faced Paul Skenes. A brief rundown of the Pirates’ numbers against lefty hitters shows why that success shouldn’t come as a surprise. Pittsburgh’s staff has allowed a 5.14 ERA against left-handed hitters, the fourth highest in the big leagues. Mitch Keller, today’s starter, is one of many Pirates pitchers whose stats plummet when facing lefties. Eighteen of the 22 extra-base hits given up by Keller in 2026 have come against left-handed hitters.

Thursday’s game info

  • Teams: Dodgers at Pirates
  • Ballpark: PNC Park, Pittsburgh
  • Start time: 3:40 p.m. PT
  • TV: SportsNet LA
  • Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)