17 years on, Bryce McGain remains “incredibly proud”.
Braves, Weiss look forward to marquee matchup of Chris Sale against Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Dodgers
The venue has changed and the intensity has gone up another notch as well, as the Atlanta Braves suddenly find themselves back at home and with home field advantage against the Los Angeles Dodgers. It’s a massive opportunity for the Braves — even though the task remains difficult against the two-time defending World Series Champions and the hero of the 2025 World Series, himself, Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Either way, the Braves are here for a reason and they’ve also got a big lever to pull in the form of a Chris Sale start in front of the hometown fans as well, so it’s definitely a situation where you feel like both teams have a really good shot at coming out of this ballpark with the crucial 2-1 advantage.
“It’s going to be good TV. Two of the best in the game,” stated manager Walt Weiss when he was asked about the marquee matchup of Sale vs. Yamamoto. “I think that was a match-up this year, right? The 1-0 game. Probably more of the same, I would imagine. But two really good ones.”
When Weiss was asked about the grand pitching lan for this series, he continued to reiterate that he’s been taking things one game at a time. “I think it depends on some different certain circumstances, the state of your bullpen — obviously the focus is on winning that game that day,” explained Weiss as he discussed the extreme surface level details of his plan. “But it can change depending on your circumstances. Like in Game 1, we didn’t have a full bullpen. So going into that game, we knew we couldn’t chase from behind. Just couldn’t do it, because it would have left us shorthanded the next day if we had the lead. So we do what we did in Game 1 and Game 2 we had a full rack, and it allowed us to do the bullpen game.”
“It just depends on where you’re at at that particular point time,” continued Weiss. “You’ve got to be careful looking too far in front of the future because it’s a task at hand always. Obviously that happens a lot during the regular season. That’s part of the daily [routine] in the regular season. But in postseason most of the time you’re focused on that game. But every once in a while, because of the circumstances, you may have to think a little bit differently.”
It’s certainly been a different strategy for Walt Weiss to employ during this series but it’s one that has paid off to the point where the Braves now find themselves tied in the series with two games coming up in Cobb County. Although Rowdy Tellez will be starting this game from the bench, there’s always the chance that he could play a big role in any given game as a pinch-hittter and as such, his thoughts on what lies ahead are as valuable as anybody’s.
When Tellez was asked about Sale and his preparation, he was very complimentary of the future Hall-of-Famer. “I think his ability to flip the switch. He’s pretty calm, mild mannered throughout the day. You hear a song come on and it’s, like, all right, it’s time to go,” explained Tellez as he talked about Sale getting prepared for any given game. “But to be that consistent for that long and be the same guy day in and day out, I think that’s pretty special. Once he gets on the mound, he’s going to give you everything you’ve got. And that gets the guys going, too, knowing that whatever he’s going to do we’re going to try to match his energy and bring whatever we can.”
Tellez doesn’t just have faith in his starter for Game 3, either. He’s feeling pretty good about Sale, Game 4 starter Tyler Mahle and the bullpen’s chances in general as well and expressed as such now that the series has switched venues. “Those are our 1-2. Anytime you can get to the 1-2 and have a chance to win both games it’s going to be huge,” stated Tellez. “Our bullpen has been electric. Obviously Ray [Kerr] went from stocking shelves to punching out Ohtani. So I think our bullpen has been lights out, and I think that’s huge for us going down the stretch and we’re able to save our arms.”
Again, it really can’t be stated enough just how massive of an opportunity this is for the Braves. Sure, it’s going to be tough against a Dodgers lineup that can go off at any given moment but the same could be said of the Braves and some of the hitters that they have to offer. It’ll certainly be a tough one but knowing how Sale usually rises to the occasion and how this team has always seemed to come up big in big-time situations, this seems like a golden opportunity for the Braves to do something special.
“I don’t think anybody’s believed [in the Braves] all the way through, outside this building,” exclaimed Weiss when he was asked about the team’s chances going forward. “As soon as we would slip, they’d just say, aha, I told you so. And then here we come again. That’s been the way the season’s gone.”
Hopefully Atlanta will take advantage of the opportunity and come up huge. We’ll see what happens!
Why Warriors great Don ‘Nellie' Nelson was more than a coach with Golden State
Why Warriors great Don ‘Nellie' Nelson was more than a coach with Golden State originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – To the NBA at large, Don Nelson was a Hall of Fame coach known for innovative strategies, savvy business acumen and a unique personality.
To those who played for him during his two terms as coach of the Warriors, Nelson was all that and more. He was their life force, their lifeline and the life of the party.
“I mean,” Matt Barnes said Tuesday night, “I may not be here if it wasn’t for Nellie.”
It was “Nellie Night” at Chase Center, an evening dedicated to the memories of the man who passed away on Aug. 9 at age 86. Nelson coached the Warriors for seven seasons (1988-95) and after 10 years coaching the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks, returned to Golden State in 2006 for four more seasons by the Bay.
Nelson was a brilliant coach, but those under his tutelage also pay a debt to the man for things he did not only regarding basketball, but also on a personal level.
“I was bouncing around a little bit at that point in my career,” said Barnes, who joined the Warriors as a free agent in October 2006. “Baron Davis called me one day. I was in (Sacramento). We were having a pickup game at the (Oakland) practice facility. I went out there, played well. I didn’t know Nellie was watching.
“He came down, smelling like cigars. I don’t know if it was beer or (Scotch) that I could smell. One of the two. He put his arm around me, said, ‘Son, where are you going to camp?’ I was like, ‘S–t, coach, I don’t know.’”
Barnes ended up with the Warriors.
It was Nelson who, concerned about Chris Mullin’s early-career issues with alcoholism, suspended his star forward and strongly encouraged him to enter a rehab program.
Mullin recovered, becoming a five-time NBA All-Star and a member of the fabled 1992 Dream Team that blew through the Barcelona Summer Olympics with the force of a hurricane. He has been sober since 1987.
Stephen Jackson is another of Nelson’s rehabilitation successes. He was one of the league’s troubled souls, considered a villain for his part as an Indiana Pacer in a brawl with fans at the Detroit Pistons’ arena – the Malice at the Palace – in November 2004. He received a 30-day suspension from the NBA and one year of probation. Less than two years later, he fired a pistol outside an Indianapolis strip club, pleading guilty to one count of criminal recklessness.
Mullin, then Golden State’s general manager, and Nelson decided to take the risk and trade for Jackson – current Golden State GM Mike Dunleavy went to Indy in the deal – in January 2007 and it paid off.
Jackson was a central figure on the “We Believe” Warriors, who reached the NBA playoffs on the last game of the 2007 season and then, as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, toppled the top-seeded Mavericks. Jackson, Barnes and Davis were among the veterans who celebrated at Nelson’s penthouse apartment near Lake Merritt in Oakland.
Jackson concedes that his career – and life – found new direction under Nelson.
“I played for a lot of great coaches,” Jackson said. “But Don Nelson was one coach who showed me he believed in me and gave me the confidence to believe in myself. The only coach to make me a captain in my whole NBA career.
“So, all those things the confidence he gave me on the court and the father figure he was off the court, all those things I hold dear to my heart to this day, and something I’m definitely going to miss.”
Mullin was only person Nelson coached who later became his GM. Indeed, with the Warriors reeling from 12 consecutive losing seasons, Mullin reached out to Nelson and the coach, then 66, decided to sign on for a second act.
“When I called Nellie, I didn’t know if he was done,” Mullin recalled. “And I chatted with him a little bit. He still wanted to coach. It’s like a player that still has got something in the tank. When he came back, he wasn’t coming back just to hang out in the Bay Area. He still had that desire to teach, to make players better, and bring a unit together. He still had that that itch to coach and coach at a high level.”
The “We Believe” season was the high point of Nelson’s second act in Golden State. The Warriors won six more games (48 to 42) the following season but failed to make the postseason. Ownership essentially dismantled the roster, firing Mullin, and Nelson bowed out shortly thereafter as the league’s all-time winningest coach.
He retired his farm in Maui, growing marijuana and playing poker with his friends. Basketball stayed in his blood; when the Warriors hired Steve Kerr in 2014, he reached out to Nelson “to pick his brain.”
It was quite the brain to pick.
Mets announce three coaching staff changes for 2027 season
The Mets have made three changes to their coaching staff, the club announced Tuesday.
Director of major league hitting Jeff Albert, quality assurance coach Danny Barnes, and batting practice pitcher Kevin Mahoney will not return to the big league staff roster for the 2027 season. However, the team announced that all three coaches may return to the organization in different roles, but are free to speak with other clubs.
Albert joined the Mets organization in 2022 as director of hitting development. He was promoted to the majors in October 2025.
Barnes, a former Toronto Blue Jays reliever, has served in several roles with the team over the last five seasons, including running major league spring training.
Mahoney, who played and coached in the Yankees organization for 12 years, has been with the Mets' staff for two years.
The change is minor compared to New York's complete revamp of its coaching staff after missing the postseason in 2025.
According to SNY MLB Insider Chelsea Janes, the Mets are expected to retain the rest of the coaching staff, including hitting coach Troy Snitker, bench coach Kai Correa, and pitching coach Justin Willard, all of whom joined the staff ahead of the 2026 season.
Thoughts on the maddening first two Yankees-Rays ALDS games
The Yankees have found themselves in an all-too-familiar situation once again and will fight for survival as they return to the Bronx to face the Rays in an elimination game.
Who’s to blame? Well, let’s look at the facts. The Yankees’ pitching rotation isn’t first on the list, with both Gerrit Cole and Cam Schlittler allowing two or fewer earned runs, but the offense appears to be on life support. Ben Rice is one of the few saving graces for this team, but the infield’s inability to execute has put the whole squad in a distressing situation.
Starting Ryan McMahon at third backfired for the Yankees almost immediately in the first inning, when the third baseman fumbled a routine ground ball that allowed Yandy Díaz to reach safely instead of throwing him out at first. It would be astounding to see him start again on Wednesday night over José Caballero or Anthony Volpe.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. also made an egregious error worth noting in Game 2, completely misfiring his throw to Luis García Jr., which gave Tampa Bay their first run of the evening. His response to the error was even more shocking following the game, when the second baseman admitted that he’d still make the throw despite having his back turned to properly execute it. Chisholm Jr. remains hitless in this series and has yet to make an impact on either side of the ball.
Gerrit Cole battled through a solid five innings in the first game of the series, striking out five batters and giving up only one run. Jonathan Aranda’s long ball was the only scoring on either side, and I’d say that the Yankees’ offense was far more at fault for the 1-0 loss in Game 1.
Cam Schlittler got through 4.1 innings, striking out two and allowing two earned runs in 76 pitches during Game 2, and held back the Rays’ offense long enough for the Yankees’ infield to throw away any hopes of evening the series for their return to the Bronx.
The offense is lifeless in the ALDS
Despite coming off two electric wins scoring a combined 18 runs in the Wild Card Series, the Yankees’ offense was no match for Rays’ ace Drew Rasmussen, who completely dominated the Yankees with 10 strikeouts and a no-hitter through 7.2 innings in Game 1.
Spencer Jones, Trent Grisham, and Cody Bellinger all struck out twice in the first meeting of the ALDS, and the Yankees’ only hit of the night came from Austin Wells with a double in the eighth inning. He unfortunately made the poor decision to ignore coach Luis Rojas’ stop sign and go for the triple, and was tagged out at third by Rays’ third baseman Junior Caminero following an elite play from shortstop Taylor Walls.
Taking a deeper dive into the Pinstripes’ offense, Ben Rice has been one of the only players in the lineup who’s shown up in this series, with a game-tying home run in the fourth of Game 2 and another late home run that cut the deficit. Bellinger was one of two other Yankees who got a hit on Monday night with a single following Rice’s first homer, and gave fans a sliver of hope that this offense might come alive. He also crushed one deep into center, which would’ve been a grand slam in 12 of the 30 ballparks, but it flew into the glove of Jonny DeLuca to send the game into the bottom of the fifth.
Wells got the only other hit of the night, redemption from his erroneous decision-making that was one of the reasons preventing the Yankees from making any headway in Game 1.
It’s clear that the depleted Yankees’ offense and egregious errors cost them their shot at evening the series. This is not an unfamiliar situation, as they’ve started several series on the road down 2-0 in the last five years. The last team in franchise history to erase the 2-0 deficit in a Division Series was the 2017 Yankees, who defeated the Guardians in five and later fell short in the ALCS to the Astros in seven.
Aaron Boone, after sending out an unchanged lineup for most of the postseason so far, must take the heat for failing to lead this team down a different path this time. They’ve been down this grueling road before, but there is little change from each postseason run that ends in the same demoralizing fate year after year. The Yankees ended the 2025 season, notably including a healthy Aaron Judge on the roster, with a four-game ALDS loss and were outscored by the Blue Jays in a combined total of 37-16.
Right now, it’s obvious that this team is completely depleted of offensive momentum, and it’s about time to shuffle the order as the Yankees go into survival mode.
Down 2-0 in the series with a looming return to the Bronx, the Yankees have their work cut out for them to continue this postseason run.
Division Series Day Four Game Thread
We’re back in the National League today after spending yesterday watching the two AL matchups. The White Sox are one win away from the ALCS one year after losing 100 games. The Rays handled business themselves, beating their division-rivals and league-wide hated Yankees and now find themselves on the cusp of the next round as well. Both series take a beat today so we’ll have to wait and find out what happens next until tomorrow.
As for today, we got a one quality matchup on the mound with a couple aces going in Atlanta. Runs may be scarce in that contest. Meanwhile back in California it’s a couple mid-rotation pieces so all the runs are coming tonight.
Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta Braves (6:00 PM EDT)
The Dodgers won the first game of the series before dropping the second game on Sunday night. The reigning champions feel more vulnerable than they have over the past couple of years and that happens to older teams. Still, their the reigning champions so there’s no way you can count them out. Especially when the series is tied. If I’m Atlanta though, you did what you needed to do by stealing a win in Los Angeles.
The Dodgers are turning to Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto (14-9, 2.53 ERA) for the first time this October. The right-hander was nearly untouchable in the postseason last year and LA is hoping for more of the same this go around. If he continues to be that dominant today then the Dodgers could be one win away from the NLCS by the end of the day.
Atlanta meanwhile has their ace up their sleeve as lefty Chris Sale (14-9, 2.16 ERA) gets the call for the must-win Game 3. In most other years Sale would be on his way to a Cy Young Award with those kind of stats, but unfortunately for him the Brewers have someone who is just a little better. Still, if you’re Atlanta you have to feel good about your chances with your ace on the hill. If they can score a couple runs off Yamamoto they could take tonight’s contest and set themselves up for a clinching scenario in front of the home crowd tomorrow.
Here’s how Los Angeles will line up today:
And here’s Atlanta’s lineup:
Milwaukee Brewers at San Diego Padres (9:30 PM EDT)
This series has been fantastic. The Brewers came away with the win in Game 1 thanks to some controversy involving a roof, and then followed that up with a walk-off win against arguably the best closer in the sport. That’s put the #1 seed just one win away from the NLCS and a rematch with the Dodgers for a trip to the World Series. And at this point it’s starting to feel as though they’re the only ones standing between the Dodgers and a third straight championhip.
They’ll have mid-season trade acquisition Dustin May (7-9, 4.70 ERA) on the bump for them tonight. May was solid during the first half with the Cardinals before his trade to Milwaukee to reinforce the middle of their rotation. While he took the ball every turn, his stats with Milwaukee have fallen off. He’s been used in shorter bursts with the Brewers so it wouldn’t be shocking to see a quick hook for the right-hander if he’s struggling early.
The Padres meanwhile will ask Nick Pivetta (3-2, 2.86 ERA) to help them stay alive in these playoffs. The 33-year-old missed the majority of the year with an elbow strain that many thought would require season-ending surgery. He’s successfully avoided that and provided the Friars with a boost in their rotation. Now they’ll be asking the world of him as they face the prospect of seeing their season end if they can’t pull out the win tonight in front of their home town crowd. No pressure.
Here’s Milwaukee’s starting nine with a chance to punch their ticket to the next round:
And the Padres’ lineup for this must-win contest:
So how do you guys think today goes? Do the Brewers finish the sweep and punch their ticket to the NLCS? Can the Dodgers bounce back and take Game 3? Some exciting baseball tonight!
NLDS, Game 3: Schedule, probable pitchers, and open thread, 10/6/26
Dodgers at Braves
Series tied, 1-1
First pitch: 6:00 PM EDT
TV: FS1/FOX ONE
Probable pitchers: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, RHP (LAD); Chris Sale, LHP (ATL)
Brewers at Padres
Brewers lead, 2-0
First pitch: 9:30 PM EDT
TV: FS1/FOX ONE
Probable pitchers: Dustin May, RHP (MIL); Nick Pivetta, RHP (SDP)
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NLDS Game 3 discussion thread
We have a pair of NLDS games on tap today.
In the early game, the Braves host the Dodgers with the series tied at 1 game apiece. 5:00 p.m. Central start time on FS1.
In the late game, the Padres, having lost two heartbreakers in Milwaukee, try to stave off elimination. 8:30 p.m. Central start time on FS1.
Talk about it here…
Aussies’ huge blow for first Test confirmed as star one step closer to fairytale return
Cameron Green will miss the opening Test of the highly-anticipated series against South Africa beginning on Friday in Durban due to injury in a significant blow for Australia.
Controversial catch call stuns as India gun ends learn run with statement T20 knock
Captain Shreyas Iyer struck his maiden T20 international century to lead India to a convincing eight-wicket win over the West Indies in the opening match on Tuesday.
Boston Celtics Daily Links 10/6/26
GlobeJayson Tatum explains ‘totally different perspective’ heading into 10th NBA season
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Jayson Tatum has new perspective at Celtics training camp
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Is Anything Possible?—The Week in Green
CLNS MediaFour Things to Watch in Celtics vs Cavaliers Preseason Opener
Payton Pritchard and Celtics Without Extension for Now
Why Vibes are High at Celtics Training Camp | Training Camp Report from South Carolina
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NBC Sports BostonFrom Boston to Charleston, observations from a week around the Celtics
NESNMaine Celtics Add Former Big East Sixth Man of the Year With Surprising NFL Connection
Boston Unmasked: Guess the Celtics Legend in Under 60 Seconds (Oct. 5)
Jayson Tatum Explains His ‘Totally Different Perspective’ for 2026-27 Season
Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla Climbs 3 Spots in NBA Coach Rankings
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Celtics’ First Preseason Game Could Reveal Answer To Biggest Question
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Neemias Queta makes bold claim on Celtics center rotation
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Celtics Charleston Notebook: Wings rotation, avoiding flops, loving trucks
Jaylen Brown erupts in Sixers preseason debut
Celtics training camp takeaways: New addition standing out
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Celtics history: 1998 preseason canceled ahead of ’98 lockout; Kaftan passes
Boston Sports Journal Simone’s Training Camp Notebook: Simulating the unpredictable
Simone’s Training Camp Notebook: Film breakdown with Ron Harper Jr.
Hardwood Houdini Jaylen Brown shows Celtics exactly what they lost in electric 76ers debut
Athletic writer recognizes Derrick White as one of best players in the East
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Joe Mazzulla’s brilliant warning proves he’s ready for Celtics adversity
Karl-Anthony Towns trade chatter opens wild new path for the Celtics
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Boston Celtics/YouTubeThe Celtics Invaded a Local Sports Bar in Charleston for NFL Sunday
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It's Only October, But Things Are Already Getting Ugly In Detroit
The Senators couldn't have asked for much more from the first two games of their season... except maybe a little better luck on the injury front.
The Senators will take a 2-0 record into Detroit on Tuesday night after an extremely efficient 4-1 road victory over the Boston Bruins on Monday. Tim Stützle led the way with two goals and an assist, but for the second straight game, the Sens win came with an injury concern involving one of their most important players.
This time it was Linus Ullmark.
For a good portion of Tuesday, it appeared Ullmark might be available to back up Samuel Ersson against the Red Wings. However, at approximately 2 p.m., the Senators announced they had recalled goaltender Jonas Johansson from Belleville and defenseman Jorian Donovan had been returned to the AHL.
That doesn't necessarily mean Ullmark's injury is more serious than initially believed. With Ersson already expected to start the second half of the back-to-back, recalling Johansson also ensures recovery time for Ullmark in that they don't even have the option to use him off the bench on Tuesday.
Ullmark left Monday's game after the second period following a collision in his crease. Sens captain Thomas Chabot tackled J.J. Peterka as the Boston forward drove toward the net, sending Peterka sliding hard into Ullmark.
Ersson replaced Ullmark for the third period.
As for the rest of the lineup on Tuesday, the Sens didn't have a morning skate, but we know that winger Ridly Greig will return from his two game suspension. In all likelihood, Hayden Hodgson will come out.
The least disruptive strategy would be Greig taking Foegele's spot while Foegele takes Hodgson's spot. But Travis Green will meet with the media before game time and his strategy is the only one that matters.
Sens Lineup (from Monday night)
William Eklund -- Dylan Cozens -- Fabian Zetterlund
Warren Foegele -- Tim Stutzle -- Drake Batherson
Michael Amadio -- Shane Pinto -- Claude Giroux
Nick Cousins -- Stephen Halliday -- Hayden Hodgson
Thomas Chabot -- Jordan Spence
Tyler Kleven -- Carter Yakemchuk
Cameron Crotty -- Nikolas Matinpalo
Samuel Ersson
Jonas Johansson
Along with Ullmark, Sens will remain without two of their top three defencemen in Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub.
Stalled in Motor City
While the Sens arrive in Detroit undefeated, things have become uncomfortable very quickly for the Red Wings.
Detroit, which holds the copyright to name Hockeytown, also holds the record for longest active NHL playoff drought at 10 years. They opened the season with consecutive losses and scoring just two goals. The good news for the Wings is that former captain Dylan Larkin appears poised to make his season debut Tuesday.
“It looks that way right now,” Red Wings coach Todd McLellan told reporters. “He’s got one more hurdle to cross. Still on IR, so the doctor will look at him here, and if he’s clear, he’s playing, and if he isn’t, then he won’t.”
Larkin centred a line with Lucas Raymond and Viktor Arvidsson at Tuesday's morning skate and also worked on Detroit's first power-play unit.
The Red Wings could certainly use the offence, but Larkin's return also brings one of Detroit's biggest offseason storylines back to centre stage.
Larkin requested a trade during the offseason, and the Red Wings subsequently stripped him of the captaincy. During player introductions before Detroit's home opener, Larkin was greeted by why widespread boos from the home crowd.
That wasn't the only message Red Wings fans delivered.
“Sell the team” chants could also be heard during the game as frustration surrounding the club spilled into the stands.
And Larkin isn't the only major player involved in an uncomfortable situation with the team.
Defenceman Simon Edvinsson remains unsigned and won't be in the lineup again on Tuesday. The restricted free agent has returned home to Sweden after requesting a trade, reportedly unhappy with how contract negotiations have unfolded. Detroit still hopes to sign him to a long-term contract.
Wings Lineup
Viktor Arvidsson -- Dylan Larkin -- Lucas Raymond
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard -- Emmitt Finnie -- Alex DeBrincat
Michael Rasmussen -- Andrew Copp -- Keegan Kolesar
Nate Danielson -- Carter Mazur
Albert Johansson -- Moritz Seider
Anton Johansson -- Justin Faulk
Ben Chiarot -- Axel Sandin-Pellikka
Andreas Englund
John Gibson
Daniil Tarasov
Scratched: William Wallinder
Injured: Jacob Bernard-Docker (upper body), Marco Kasper (upper body), J.T. Compher (undisclosed), Mason Appleton (undisclosed)
By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa
This article was first published at The Hockey News Ottawa. For more articles like this click one of the THN.com/Ottawa headlines below:
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How the Sixers can add another backup center after Ariel Hukporti’s Achilles injury
The Sixers’ preseason opener was the textbook definition of a glass-half-full, glass-half-empty night.
The glass-half-full: Jaylen Brown scored 22 points in 15 minutes. VJ Edgecombe couldn’t buy a bucket from deep, but he chipped in a well-rounded 12 points, seven assists and four rebounds in only 20 minutes of action. Even Jabari Walker shined with 11 points and 11 rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench.
The glass-half-empty: The Sixers’ depth at backup center behind Joel Embiid, which already looked flimsy with Adem Bona nursing a foot injury, took another major hit when Ariel Hukporti went down with a torn Achilles only five minutes into the game.
The Sixers spent part of their bi-annual exception to sign Hukporti to a one-year, $3.4 million contract this offseason. Losing him is a blow on multiple fronts, particularly since they don’t have an easy way to replace him.
The Sixers do still have one open standard roster spot, but they’re hard-capped at the $209.0 million first apron. They’re only $1.8 million below that line at the moment, which means they don’t have enough room under the first apron for a veteran-minimum contract for anyone with even a single year of NBA experience. If they wanted to sign someone now, it would have to be an undrafted rookie free agent. That’s not exactly what the doctor ordered for the win-now Sixers.
Minimum contracts begin to prorate downward once the regular season begins, so the Sixers will be able to fill that last roster spot with a free-agent signing starting on Dec. 3. However, they might prefer to keep that spot open until the trade deadline to give themselves some additional flexibility for an in-season addition.
If so, they’ll need to explore alternate ways to replace Hukporti for now.
The easiest would be a two-way contract. The Sixers still have one open two-way spot, and they have 7’6″ center Tacko Fall in training camp on an Exhibit 10 deal. However, Fall is currently nursing a hip strain and is not expected to be reevaluated until mid-October, so he might not be ready for opening night, either.
As other teams begin to trim down their rosters to the 15-man regular-season limit, the Sixers could look to poach someone who gets waived. Their pro scouting department should be working overtime for the next few weeks as they figure out how best to fill that open two-way spot heading into the season.
The Sixers could also explore a trade for a backup big, although their options are fairly limited in that regard for now. Anyone whom they signed this summer is not eligible to be traded until at least Dec. 15 (including Hukporti), so their best options would be moving Dominick Barlow ($3.4 million), Walker ($2.6 million) or Justin Edwards ($2.4 million). They can take more salary than they send out in a trade since they’re under the first apron, but they can’t exceed the first apron under any circumstance. (What are the odds they could pry Jay Huff’s $2.7 million contract away from the Indiana Pacers…?)
If Hukporti is confirmed to be out for the season, the Sixers could apply for a Disabled Player Exception, although it wouldn’t do them much good. It would be worth 50% of Hukporti’s contract, or $1.7 million, which means they could only use it to sign an undrafted rookie free agent or a prorated veteran-minimum deal. If they wanted to use it as a trade exception instead, they couldn’t take back more than $1.8 million (the value of the Disabled Player Exception plus $100,000).
Lastly, they could waive Walker, who has only $250,000 of his $2.6 million contract guaranteed until Jan. 10. If they waive him and sign someone else to a one-year, veteran-minimum deal in his place, they’d add about $100,000 to their books in total, but they’d still be $1.7 million below the first apron. That would leave them enough flexibility to still add someone else mid-season on a prorated minimum contract, although they’d have to wait until roughly mid-December to do so.
To put it lightly, the Sixers don’t have a ton of great options to replace Hukporti right now. If Bona hasn’t recovered from his foot injury by opening night, the Sixers will not have a single healthy backup center behind Embiid. Perhaps they plug the gap with a two-way signee, but they’ll otherwise have to experiment with small-ball 5 looks until Bona returns.
In the games that Embiid sits out, the Sixers’ center rotation is even more of a question mark moving forward. Bona and Hukporti figured to split a majority of the minutes on those nights, but that’s no longer on the table. Head coach Nick Nurse will need to break out his mad-scientist cap and figure out a way to patch a center rotation together. Barlow, Walker and Dean Wade all might wind up playing some minutes at the 5.
Hukporti’s injury is by no means a death knell to the Sixers’ title chances this year, but it shouldn’t be downplayed, either. Until the Sixers figure out a way to patch that hole in their rotation, they’ll be vulnerable in the frontcourt, particularly given Embiid’s lengthy injury history.
Unless otherwise noted, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball Reference. All salary information via Spotrac and salary-cap information via RealGM.
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Former Penguins Forward Placed On Waivers By New Team
A former Pittsburgh Penguins forward is available for the taking.
According to PuckPedia, former Penguins forward Jansen Harkins has been placed on waivers by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Harkins has appeared in one game this season with the Lightning, where he has recorded five hits and a minus-1 rating. This is after he had three goals, eight points, and 113 hits in 44 games with the Anaheim Ducks during this past season.
The Penguins claimed Harkins off waivers ahead of the 2023-24 season from the Winnipeg Jets. From there, he played in 45 games with the Penguins during the 2023-24 campaign, where he posted zero goals, four assists, 74 hits, and a minus-4 rating.
Harkins also played in 14 AHL games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins during the 2023-24 season. During them, he recorded five goals, seven assists, 12 points, and a minus-1 rating.
Harkins' time with the Penguins ended during the 2024 NHL off-season when he signed a two-year contract with the Ducks in free agency.
It will now be interesting to see if another team claims the former Penguins forward off waivers from here. Teams looking for more forward depth and grit could consider taking a chance on him.
Dodgers can borrow blueprint to beat Braves' Sale from unlikely source
The Los Angeles Dodgers might have to borrow the blueprint for beating Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale from an unlikely source.
The lowly Los Angeles Angels.
The Angels finished the regular season with the second-worst record in baseball but also humbled Sale, the 10-time All-Star, at Anaheim Stadium April 6 in what remains Sale's worst outing of the 2026 season. It's what the Dodgers need as they prepare to face the 6-foot-6 left-hander in Game 3 of the best-of-five NLDS tied one game apiece with Atlanta Tuesday, Oct. 6.
The blueprint starts with aggression: April 6 at Anaheim Stadium, Angels shortstop Zach Neto hit the first pitch he saw, a 95-mph four-seam fastball, for a 400-foot home run.
The blueprint shifts to patience: Sale retired nine batters in a row heading into the bottom of the fourth when he hit Angels outfielder Jorge Soler. It was an opening, a piece of string from Sale’s ball of yarn beginning to unravel.
Then the Angels pulled that loose piece of yarn. With a base hit. Two consecutive walks. Another hit batter. When the inning ended, the Angels led 4-1.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Angels went back to aggression: Joe Adell jumped on a first-pitch fastball, blasting a 411-foot home run and giving the Angels a 6-1 lead. Suddenly Sale gave way to a reliever in a game the Angels won 6-2.
Beyond the Dodgers offense
The offense is only part of the blueprint, of course. That night at Anaheim Stadium, when the Angels roughed up the Sale, Angels ace Jose Soriano muffled the Braves' bats.
He pitched eight innings, allowed only one earned run and struck out 10 batters. Basically, he outsale-d Sale, who gave up six earned runs in four innings – statistically, his worst outing of the year.
Dodgers vs. Chris Sale: a tale of two teams
So how can the Dodgers use the blueprint?
Aggression at the outset would make perfect sense. Mookie Betts, likely to bat leadoff, has as much success against Sale as any current Dodger.
Betts is 7-for-16 (.389) with two doubles and a home run.
Freddie Freeman should have the confidence to swing with aggression, too. Against Sale, Freeman is 5-16 (.313.) with two doubles and two home runs.
Teoscar Hernandez should be afraid to take his thunderous swings. Though he’s struck out 10 times in 24 plate appearances against Sale, Hernandez also has homered and doubled twice against the Braves star pitcher.
It’s unlikely Shohei Ohtani will break out of his slump against Sale. He is 3-for-15 (.200) with a double and five strikeouts and is struggling at the plate.
And as Soriano did for the Angels, it’ll be up to Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto to help hold the Braves’ offense in check.
Dodgers make big adjustments to lineup
The Dodgers have made adjustments to their lineup for Game 3. The most notable is Ohtani's move to fifth in the batting order, the lowest he's hit since 2020. Ohtani batted leadoff for the Dodgers before injuries left him on the injured list in September. He is 2-for-8 with two strikeouts in the first two games of the NLDS.
Freeman will bat second, moving up from fourth, and Teoscar Hernandez will bat third, moving up from fifth.
Enrique Hernández will get the start at third base ahead of Max Muncy and bat ninth.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dodgers can borrow blueprint to beat Braves' Sale from unlikely source