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Is Kiké Hernández playing tonight? Dodgers fan favorite activated from IL

Kiké Hernández is back.

The Los Angeles Dodgers activated the fan favorite utilityman from the 60-day injured list on Monday, May 25 after Hernández missed the first 53 games of the season while recovering from offseason elbow surgery. Hernández is in the starting lineup and will make his 2026 debut against the Colorado Rockies.

Santiago Espinal was designated for assignment in a corresponding move, the Dodgers announced. Hernández will bat ninth in the order and gets the start at third base in place of Max Muncy, who was hit by a pitch on his right wrist in the Dodgers' 5-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, May 22 and has missed the last two games.

"He'll bounce around, which he has the ability to do," manager Dave Roberts told reporters. "He'll play some third. He'll play some second. If there's an opportunity to spell somebody out there in the outfield, he might do that, too. He'll be available off the bench in pinch-hitting spots, but some of it depends on Max, how Max is feeling, and see how that goes."

Monday will mark Hernández's 10th season with the Dodgers in his 12-year big league career. Last October, he became the franchise's all-time leader in postseason appearances (92) as he hit .250 with nine runs, one home run and seven RBI in 17 playoff games as the Dodgers won their second consecutive World Series title.

"October Kiké" made arguably the biggest play of the season in the ninth inning of Game 6 of the Fall Classic when, with the tying runs in scoring position for the Toronto Blue Jays, he ran full sprint into shallow left field to snag a line drive from Andrés Giménez and immediately fired a dart to Miguel Rojas at second base, who scooped it for a game-ending double play to force a Game 7.

And, as everyone wouldn't find out until he announced it later on his Instagram, Hernández did it all on a torn muscle/extensor tendon in his left elbow.

"He's a tough competitor, tough player," Roberts told reporters. "And I don't think anyone appreciated just how severely injured he was. He was not gonna come out of the lineup and gave himself every opportunity to play, and then the pain that he was going through. That's kind of what makes him special."

Hernández, a free agent for most of the offseason, didn't re-sign with the Dodgers until Feb. 12 so that he could immediately be placed on the IL and not take up a spot on the 40-man roster. During that time in contract limbo, he played a key role in bringing closing pitcher Edwin Díaz to LA. Now, Hernández gets his chance to contribute on the field again.

"I know, just talking to him, he's excited to be back -- number one -- but also to be back healthy and be back competing again, playing again, getting active," Roberts told reporters. "Just getting his energy back, it's gonna be good for our group."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kiké Hernández activated off IL, in lineup for Dodgers vs. Rockies

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Two Potential NHL Landing Spots For Flyers' Samuel Ersson

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson should be watched closely this off-season. After a tough season that saw him finish with an .870 save percentage, it would be understandable if the Flyers looked to upgrade their backup goalie spot.

If the Flyers end up making Ersson available for trade this summer or decide not to tender him a qualifying offer, he could generate some interest if teams believe he can be better next season.

Due to this, let's look at two teams that potential landing spots for Ersson if the Flyers decide to move on from him this off-season, whether through trade or free agency. 

Ottawa Senators 

The Senators could be a team to keep an eye on if Ersson becomes available. Their backup goalies, like James Reimer and Leevi Merilainen, struggled this season. Due to this, Ottawa could use another goalie, and Ersson would have the potential to be a decent backup for them if he bounced back from getting a change of scenery. 

Florida Panthers 

The Panthers are entering the off-season with both Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov as pending unrestricted free agents. If they end up losing Tarasov specifically, Ersson could make sense as a buy-low backup goalie target for a Panthers club with limited cap space. 

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Cavs' guard Dennis Schroder out for Game 4 vs. Knicks because of illness

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers guard Dennis Schroder missed Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Knicks on Monday night because of an illness.

Schroder is averaging 3.3 points and 15 minutes in the first three games of the series. The 13-year veteran was acquired from the Sacramento Kings on Feb. 1.

Schroder is averaging 5.5 points during the playoffs. He had 19 points, including three 3-pointers, in Cleveland's 125-120 victory over Toronto on April 29 in a first-round game.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

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Cavaliers took Fat Joe’s Game 4 tickets away: ‘Knick fans can’t sit courtside’

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Knicks superfan Fat Joe claims the Cavaliers took his courtside tickets, Image 2 shows Red 3 CLE" t-shirts with the Cleveland Cavaliers logo are draped over arena seats" type="image/jpg"/>

Knicks superfan Fat Joe may have to sit “All The Way Up” in the stands at Rocket Arena after the rapper said the Cavaliers “took the tickets away” he purchased to sit courtside for Game 4. 

Fat Joe appeared on ESPN’s “NBA Today” live in Cleveland when he said, unprompted, that the Cavs took the tickets from him because they didn’t want Knicks fans sitting that close. 

“We had bought some courtside tickets to the game and once they found out it was superfan Fat Joe, they was like, I can’t sit courtside. New York Knick fans can’t sit courtside,” he said on the program. “They took the tickets away courtside after we purchased it, so shame on you all.” 

In fact, Fat Joe wasn’t the only Knicks fan that semeed to have their tickets revoked.

At least 10 other Knicks fans with courtside seats had been called by a Cavaliers executive and told they no longer had seats, a league source told The Post.

After those fans were informed they no longer had courtside seats, the Cavs did relocate them to a higher section inside the arena for Game 4.

Knicks superfan Fat Joe claims the Cavaliers took his courtside tickets.

In a post on social media, podcast host and entrepreneur Jason Calacanis claimed that the Cavaliers had “blocked me from buying” seats courtside.

He also said that Cavs owner Dan Gilbert had ticketholders with courtside seats sign a DocuSign that they would not resell their tickets or they “would face a lifetime ban” by the team. 

The Cavaliers did provide their side of the story when reached about the situation with Fat Joe.

“Playoff courtside seating is governed by a specific agreement that prohibits the resale or transfer of tickets without approval,” a Cavaliers spokesperson told The Post. “All courtside ticket holders are required to comply with the terms of the single-game playoff agreement.”

While not courtside, a number of Knicks celeb fans were on hand for Game 4.

Spike Lee and Timothée Chalamet posted on social media from Cleveland hours ahead of the game and Fat Joe was seen inside the arena.

Pop icon Taylor Swift and her fiancé, and Cleveland native, Travis Kelce, sat courtside during Game 3.  

Teams have tried to keep Knicks fans out of their arenas during the postseason, with the Sixers notably attempting to prevent visiting supporters from invading the City of Brotherly Love by limiting ticket sales to those who lived in the greater Philadelphia area.

The attempt fell flat as Knicks fans took over Xfinity Mobile Arena during the two games in Philly. 

Those games also included appearances by Lee, Chalamet, Ben Stiller and Tracy Morgan. 

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Fat Joe, a Bronx native, has a longstanding history of Knicks fandom and has been at Madison Square Garden plenty during the course of the team’s playoff run this season. 

During his appearance on ESPN, he told the panel the reason he went to Cleveland was “so we can be done tonight.” 

The Knicks are on the verge of their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. 

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Cavs vs. Knicks Game 4 open gamethread

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 19: Sam Merrill #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the third quarter of a game against the New York Knicks in Game One of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers will try to avoid being swept off their home floor.

Share your thoughts as the game unfolds. If you aren’t a member of the community, sign up so you can talk to your fellow Cavalier fans and make your voice heard!

Go Cavs!

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Cincinnati Reds blast New York Mets 7-2 behind Nick Lodolo

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 25: Nick Lodolo #40 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during the third inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on May 25, 2026 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Cincinnati Reds looked perfectly miserable against New York Mets rookie Nolan McLean, at least in the Top of the 1st inning in the series opener at Citi Field. McLean breezed through the top of the Reds lineup by striking out the side to begin, with none of Blake Dunn, Elly De La Cruz, or JJ Bleday looking comfortable at all in the batter’s box.

Perhaps the Reds just needed to shake off some quick rust after being idle for three of the previous four days. Whatever it was, they flipped the switch shortly thereafter and eventually blasted the Mets prized rookie and the rest of their roster in a 7-2 win to begin their road trip.

Bleday later homered off McLean, Tyler Stephenson did, too, and that was more than enough to back the best start of Nick Lodolo’s blister-delayed 2026 season. The latter fired 6.0 IP of 6 H, ER, 0 BB, 7 K ball on 98 pitches, keeping New York’s offense completely off the board until a solo homer by Marcus Semien in the Bottom of the 6th.

For that, Lodolo takes home this game’s Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game award, something I certainly hope he does again another two-dozen times before the season’s end.

While Dunn and Elly struggled (0 for 9, 5 K) atop the order, it was the middle-back of the lineup that carried the offense on the day. Bleday homered, Eugenio Suarez went 2 for 3 with a walk, a double, and 2 runs scored, Nate Lowe walked twice, poked a soft double down the RF line, and scored, and Spencer Steer came up large with a key hit and drove in 3 on the day. That, of course, came before Stephenson in a Reds lineup that increasingly looks potent again with Ke’Bryan Hayes on the IL and TJ Friedl on the back of milk cartons all over the tri-state area.

It was an all-around excellent win, the Reds feasting on the Mets on a day when so much of Cincinnati spends feasting on metts. And the Reds now get to hand the ball to Chase Burns tomorrow in the second game of the series. That will commence at 7:10 PM ET, with the Reds with the serious upper-hand on paper.

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Nolan McLean unravels in second straight start as Mets’ issues reappear in loss to Reds

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean reacts after giving up a two-run RBI single, Image 2 shows Bo Bichette, wearing a batting helmet, high-fives a teammate, Image 3 shows New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (10) wearing an orange hard hat and pinstriped jersey with a poppy on the sleeve, celebrating with teammates in the dugout

Out of all the potential issues the Mets could face, this wasn’t supposed to be one of them. Nolan McLean was their constant. Their ace who could stabilize, solve everything and stop losing streaks single-handedly during his starts.

In an ideal world for the Mets, Carlos Mendoza wouldn’t have needed to walk to the mound in the fourth inning Monday and pull McLean after just 78 pitches.

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He wouldn’t have needed to turn to his bullpen that early. But after delivering the worst start of his career last week, McLean one-upped that on Memorial Day, lasting just 3 ¹/₃ innings in his shortest outing with the Mets, surrendering seven runs on five hits, walking two and hitting two more batters in the Mets’ 7-2 loss to the Reds at Citi Field.

“It’s just bad pitching, honestly,” McLean said, turning a question about his stretch and windup splits into a telling line that he hasn’t needed to utter much throughout his young career. “If I’m just gonna be straight up, I just haven’t been pitching my best, and I gotta be better.”

The usual issues appeared again for the Mets (22-32). They couldn’t manage to score more than two runs for the fifth consecutive game and now have their second four-game losing skid of the season. They made Reds starter Nick Lodolo, who entered with a 7.20 ERA, look like an All-Star. The boos at Citi Field were temporarily replaced by “Let’s go Knicks” chants.

Mets pitcher Nolan McLean (26) reacts after giving up a two-run RBI single to Cincinnati Reds left fielder Spencer Steer (7) in the fourth inning. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Mets third baseman Bo Bichette (19) hits a single in the fifth inning. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

“I mean, they’re all frustrating,” manager Carlos Mendoza said when asked if this current stretch was more frustrating after the Mets appeared to turn a corner. “Especially when you’re not playing well. They’re all the same, to be honest with you. Yeah, it sucks.”

But around all that, McLean tossed what he called a second uncompetitive start in a row. The 24-year-old mostly breezed through opponents last season and at the start of 2026, too, and that’s exactly what happened Monday for his first 18 pitches.

McLean struck out the side in the first inning, but he quickly unraveled after hitting Reds third baseman Sal Stewart. He eventually loaded the bases and watched as Cincinnati scored its first two runs when Spencer Steer grounded into a fielder’s choice and McLean threw a wild pitch.

Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (10) is greeted by his teammates in the dugout after he scored on his solo home run in the sixth inning. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

Then, JJ Bleday crushed a homer over the right-center field fence in the third, before Steer connected on a two-run single the following frame and Tyler Stephenson launched a two-run homer on the first pitch after a mound visit. McLean has allowed 16 runs, with 13 earned, across his last nine innings, walking four batters and hitting four others.

He has struggled to land his secondary pitches while also getting into bad counts, McLean and Mendoza agreed. McLean also admitted that he dealt with fatigue early Monday — perhaps trying to get “a little bit too much after it” to fix what went wrong after his start against the Nationals last week, he said. When he cruised through the opening frame, Mendoza thought, “Oh, he’s on today,” but everything unraveled from there.

And all it takes — with these Mets and this offense — is one bad inning to sink them, let alone three from their ace strung together. Marcus Semien homered in the sixth as part of a two-hit day to give a lineup missing Juan Soto (illness) for a second consecutive day a temporary jolt. Carson Benge added an RBI groundout the following frame to score Brett Baty.

But that was it. The Mets, as they’ve done all season, had other chances and failed to convert. They had runners on first and third with two outs in the third, but Mark Vientos rolled over a pitch and grounded out. They had the same situation again in the fifth inning, but this time, Vientos struck out on a curveball that hit him.

On most occasions, McLean could bail out the Mets. He could deliver a gem — or at least give them a chance to win. The last thing the Mets need is another rotation problem. Clay Holmes and Kodai Senga are already injured. Sean Manaea and David Peterson have already been demoted at different points, though Peterson is slowly working his way back. Freddy Peralta has mostly underwhelmed.

And now, at the very least, they have a worrying trend with McLean.

“He’s gonna get back on track,” Mendoza said. “He’s got too good of stuff for this to keep going. … It just sucks it happens on back-to-back outings, especially in the middle of this stretch.”

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ECF Game Thread: Knicks at Cavaliers, Game 4, May 25, 2026

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 23: Mikal Bridges #25 and Landry Shamet #44 of the New York Knicks celebrates during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Three of the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals on May 23, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Knicks return to Rocket Arena tonight, leading the Eastern Conference Finals 3-0 over the exhausted Cavaliers. After building up (and blowing) a 22-point lead in Game One, Cleveland has been overwhelmed by New York’s pace, physicality, and depth of talent. Kenny Atkinson insists that his Cavs are winning analytically, but that’s the irrational talk of a desperate man. No team in NBA history has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a seven-game series, and, given New York’s 10-game murder streak, Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, et al., are unlikely to be the first.

Tip off is at 8 PM EST on ESPN. This is your game thread. This is Fear the Sword. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Be cool to each other, don’t injure yourselves with those black market confetti cannons, and go Knicks!

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Reds 7, Mets 2: The Knicks are one win away from the Finals

May 23, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) brings the ball up court in the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers during game three of the eastern conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images

In just a short while, the Knicks will begin playing in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, needing just one more win to send the team to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. It has been a postseason to remember, as the Knicks are currently rocking a ten-game winning streak—making them just the tenth team in history to win ten straight games in a single postseason. And not only have they won, but they have largely dominated, as they have an NBA-record +234 point differential across their first thirteen playoff games.

Making the Finals would be a remarkable vindication for so many different individuals. For Leon Rose, who went from being a player agent with CAA to serving as the president for the Knicks and making a series of shrewd moves which positioned the franchise as perennial contenders. For Mike Brown, who has handled several ups and downs in his first season as the team’s head coach only to have them on the brink of history. And perhaps above all else, for Jalen Brunson, who has continuously been the recipient of skepticism over the ability of a small point guard to be the primary option for a legitimate championship contender. While the team is in this position because of the contributions of several players—from the starters to the bench players—Brunson has unquestionably been the face of the franchise since signing with the team in 2022, and leading them to the Finals would further cement his place on the Mount Rushmore of all-time greats in Knicks history.

Making the Finals would not be the end of the road, of course. The Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are currently locked in a 2-2 tie in the Western Conference Finals, and whichever team comes out on top would face the Knicks for the rights to raise the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Either squad would be a fearsome opponent, as the Thunder are the reigning champions and the Spurs have the best player on the planet in the form of the 7’4” Victor Wembanyama. The Knicks will likely be seen as underdogs regardless of which team they face off against, and given the team’s lengthy history of disappointment and heartbreak, fans could certainly be forgiven for expecting the other shoe to drop at any moment.

Still, the way they have been playing, it’s tough to count the Knicks out against anybody. Fans have every right to believe that this could finally be the year. And either way, to go from the perennial losers that the Knicks were for most of this century to being just one win away from the Finals is an accomplishment that should not go overlooked. If and when they do finally finish the Cavaliers off and cement their title as Eastern Conference champions, it will be an emotional moment of jubilation—not just for the players and coaches and front office members, but for the entire city of New York.

Just one more win to make it to the final dance. Tune into ESPN at 8:00 to see if they can make it happen. Let’s go Knicks.

…oh, the Mets lost to the Reds today, by the way. Nolan McLean got the absolute crap kicked out of him for the second straight start. He gave up seven runs in just 3.2 innings of work. The bullpen trio of Austin Warren, Jonathan Pintaro, and Tobias Myers combined for 5.1 scoreless innings, but the bats couldn’t get the team back into the game against Nick Lodolo and the rest of the Reds pitching staff. Cleanup hitter Marcus Semien(?) hit a solo homer against Lodolo in the sixth and they also scratched out a run in the seventh and that was about it. The Mets have now lost four straight.

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Win Probability Added

What’s WPA?

Big Mets winner: Carson Benge, +5% WPA
Big Mets loser: Nolan McLean, -33% WPA
Mets pitchers: -31% WPA
Mets hitters: -19% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: Carson Benge leadoff hit-by-pitch in the first, +3.6% WPA
Teh sux0rest play: J.J. Bleday solo homer in the third, -9.1% WPA

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James Hird return not ruled out after Bombers sack coach Brad Scott

  • Scott leaves after run of just one win in 11 games in 2026

  • Dean Solomon looms as a potential interim boss at Bombers

Essendon are not ruling out a return of James Hird as head coach, despite president Andrew Welsh insisting he’s not just bringing back an old Essendon boys’ club.

Welsh, who stood by the call to block Zach Merrett’s trade request last year, is adamant the Bombers “won’t be pushed around” even as they have sunk further into the doldrums.

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Nolan McLean struggles in second straight outing, Mets fall to Reds, 7-2

The Mets lost their fourth straight game, falling to the Cincinnati Reds on Memorial Day, 7-2.

Here are the takeaways...

-- Nolan McLean came out firing and struck out the side in the first inning, but it was all downhill from there. The righty ended up allowing seven runs on five hits, including two home runs, with six strikeouts over 78 pitches into the fourth inning. His season ERA is now up to 4.40 after allowing 13 earned runs over his last two outings.

He hit Sal Stewart in the rib on an 88 mph changeup in the second inning and then loaded the bases on a single and walk. A run scored on a forceout as Bo Bichette's slow glove flip to second base caused a late throw to first. McLean then threw a wild pitch as the Reds took a 2-0 lead.

McLean nearly escape the third inning unscathed, but let up a solo home run to JJ Bleday with two outs that made it a 3-0 game. The right-hander allowed two more runs in the top of the fourth on Spencer Steer's single up the middle and then gave up a two-run homer to Tyler Stephenson as the Reds went up 7-0. McLean stayed in and plunked his second batter of the day before getting pulled from the game after 3.1 IP. 

-- New York's hitting woes continued, failing to take advantage of runners in scoring position. Carson Benge was left stranded on second base in the second inning and Mark Vientos grounded out to end the third inning with runners on the corners.

The Mets found themselves in the same situation in the fifth inning and came up empty again, as Vientos struck out swinging on a ball that hit his leg. Overall, NY left eight on base and went 0-for-6 with RISP.

-- RHP Austin Warren cleaned up the mess in the fourth inning, getting the final two outs of the frame. He stayed in the game and tossed a scoreless fifth inning. Jonathan Pintaro entered in the sixth and made quick work of the Reds, retiring six straight through the seventh inning.

-- Marcus Semien got the Mets on the board with a solo home run in the sixth inning, cutting the deficit to 7-1. Brett Baty led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a double and scored on Benge's groundout, making it a 7-2 game.

-- Tyrone Taylor appeared to injure his right leg running out of the batter's box on a groundout in the sixth inning. He was replaced on defense in the seventh by MJ Melendez, who took over in LF with Nick Morabito moving to RF. The team later said Taylor left with right hip pain.

-- Bichette had three of the Mets' nine hits, going 3-for-4.

Game MVP: Nick Lodolo

The Reds' left-hander kept New York's bats quiet, tossing six strong innings. He allowed one run on six hits and struck out seven with no walks.

Highlights

What's next

The Mets continue their three-game series against the Reds on Tuesday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.

New York is yet to announce a starting pitcher, while developing star Chase Burns (6-1, 1.83 ERA) will start for Cincinnati. 

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Knicks had their own Finals-or-bust mandate — before James Dolan’s edict

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows New York Knicks guard Josh Hart reacts on the court, Image 2 shows New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) passes the ball to New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the first quarter

CLEVELAND — Josh Hart, in his trademark style, started with a joke when formulating his thoughts.

What was his immediate reaction when owner James Dolan mandated the Knicks reach the Finals this year?

“We better get to the Finals,” Hart said after Knicks shootaround Monday morning ahead of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals, “or we’re gonna get traded.”

The comment was tongue in cheek, but there is no doubt that there was significant pressure on the Knicks to win the East this year.

That expectation was set when Tom Thibodeau was fired despite reaching the conference finals. It was solidified in January when Dolan said that “getting to the Finals, we absolutely got to do.”

Monday morning, the Knicks were preparing to fulfill that mandate.

“We all had that aspiration regardless, so we didn’t really need to hear that because we all wanted that moment, we all wanted to see that, especially after last year being in the Eastern Conference finals and coming up short,” Karl-Anthony Towns said. “We understand that we’ve gotta take that next step. So what he’s talking about is also how we all felt.

“We wanted to go out there and we wanted to take that next step. Get past the Eastern Conference finals. It was historical last year, the city went crazy and it was awesome to see the city so alive but there’s new standards now, there’s new expectations and we’ve raised the expectations so we knew what we came into this season to do and what we want to accomplish and we’ve just gotta keep our head down and continue to focus on the goal at hand.”

Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) reacts on the court during the second quarter of Game 3 against the Cavs. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

Hart echoed a similar sentiment — that Dolan wasn’t putting any more pressure on the team than they were already putting on themselves.

“Not pressure because I think that’s the goal that we all kind of have,” Hart said. “Obviously, it hits a little bit different when the big dog says it. But that’s the goal that each and every one of us has. And we’re our own biggest critics, so this kind of adds a little bit more fuel to that internal fire of the hunger to get there.”

It is also notable when Dolan delivered that mandate.

Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) passes the ball to New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11). Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

It’s hard to remember with how the Knicks have played in the playoffs, but there was a point in the regular season where they were spiraling. Dolan’s comments — breaking a two-year media silence — came Jan. 5, just a few hours before the Knicks were punked by the Pistons in concerning fashion. It was in the middle of a stretch in which the Knicks lost nine of 11 games.

At the time, they looked far from a Finals team.

“The regular season is full of peaks and valleys and ebbs and flows, that’s how a regular season goes,” Towns said. “And you kind of expect a run like that to happen at a certain part of the season. It was just the most inopportune time, especially when things weren’t looking great and New York fans, rightfully so, are not the most patient. So we understood that.

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“Tough stretch for us but it also helped us grow and be more unified and understand that if we continue to believe in each other, we continue to lean on each other, we can get out of any situation regardless of it’s a 2-9 run in the season or it’s a 22-point deficit in Game 1. As long as we continue to believe in the goal and continue to lean on each other, we’ll be fine.”

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NBA Playoff Monday discussion

May 23, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) and Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) prepare for a jump ball in the fourth quarter during game three of the eastern conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images | Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Happy Memorial Day! Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals is tonight between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Watch it on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET. The Knicks lead the series 3-0 and will win their first Eastern Conference championship since 1999 if they win tonight. Enjoy the game everyone!

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Dodgers activate Kiké Hernández, designate Santiago Espinal for assignment

Los Angeles, CA - April 01: Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Enrique Hernández (8) warms up prior to the start of a MLB game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

The Dodgers activated infielder/outfielder Kiké Hernández off the 60-day injured list as expected on Monday, and he starts at third base in the series opener against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Santiago Espinal was designated for assignment, which created room on both the active and 40-man rosters for Hernández.

Hernández had left elbow surgery in November after dealing with that injury for a good chunk of last season. He had a three-week rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City, during which he played 12 games, 10 of them at third base plus one each at second base and center field.

Monday starts Hernández’s 10th season with the Dodgers, for whom he played from 2015-20 and again in 2023-25. He’ll be the 56th player in franchise history to play in at least 10 seasons for the Dodgers, and the 35th position player to do so.

Espinal, signed to provide a right-handed bat off the bench who could play around the infield, started five games at third base and four games at second base. He played in 26 total games and batted 44 times, hitting .220/.238/.366 with three doubles and a home run.

He became a bit redundant with Hernández getting activated. The Dodgers could have also optioned the Hyeseong Kim, who has six hits in his last 40 at-bats with 16 strikeouts and four walks over his last 14 games. But instead they kept Kim around as an extra left-handed bat with excellent defense and plus-speed.

A similar decision arose two weeks ago when Mookie Betts returned from the injured list. Switch-hitter Alex Freeland was the odd man out that day, the 24-year-old optioned such that he could play every day in Triple-A rather than play sparingly on the Dodgers bench. Kim is 27 with seven full seasons in the KBO under his belt, and has less developing to do. He could fit well in a bench role, at least for as long as it takes Tommy Edman to be ready for his own return.

Just before Betts was activated, Katie Woo at The Athletic reported that Espinal and the Dodgers restructured the date at which his $2.5 million contract would be fully guaranteed. Fabian Ardaya at The Athletic on Monday reported that date has not yet been reached, which means Espinal will only be paid on a pro-rated basis for his time with the team. If it takes the full week for Espinal to be claimed off waivers, traded or released, the Dodgers will be on the hook for around $900,000.

Kim starts at second base on Monday night.

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Bargain-hunting Knicks fans invade Cleveland on eve of Game 4 of NBA conference finals

CLEVELAND — It’s an orange and blue wave.

Riled-up Knicks fans have taken over Cleveland on the eve of Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals against the Cavaliers on Monday — taking advantage of bargain-rate ticket prices in the Ohio city.

Thousands of Big Apple hoops faithful flocked to Rocket Arena for a chance to watch the Knicks sweep the Cavs and earn their first trip to the finals in 27 years — and a shot at the first championship in 53 years.

Knicks fans are taking over Cleveland’s Rocket Arena for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Monday. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

“It’s insane. We weren’t even planning on staying,” said diehard fan Monica Martinez, who told The Post she drove for six hours to get to Cleveland. “We extended our trip. I waited 25 years for this, so we are going to do it all and do it up.”

Many wallet-conscious New Yorkers said they made the trip to Cleveland since they wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford to see their favorite team play at Madison Square Garden, where tickets cost hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Most paid between just $150 and $200 to get into Rocket Arena.

Forest Hills resident Vernon Balanza said he copped tickets to Game 3 on Saturday for just $137 — a far cry from the arm-and-a-leg cost to get into the Garden for a playoff game.

“It’s just too expensive,” Balanza said of the World’s Most Famous Arena in Manhattan. “The cheapest ticket is like $500, $600. Even then, I can’t get myself to pay for that.”

Brooklyn native Archer Batravil, who now calls Miami home, made the trip from the Sunshine State.

Diehard Knicks fans are finding plenty of pals — and bargain-rate playoff ticket prices — in Cleveland. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Knicks fans are ready for the sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Lone Pine Press for NY Post

“It means the world to me as a born and bred New Yorker, living and dying with every shot,” he said. “It’s been [27] years since 1999. I’m ready for the revenge game against the Spurs.”

The San Antonio Spurs, who beat the Knicks in the 1999 NBA Finals, are currently dueling with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.

Even former Knick Stephon Marbury got into the action. A clip posted on X captured the former hoopster rallying passengers on a flight to Cleveland for the game.

“After the game, not before the game, we going crazy,” he said. “Go New York, go New York go!”