NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 31: A general view of the Savannah Bananas Show on Arthur Ashe Kids Day during the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sunday, August 23, 2026 in Flushing, NY. (Photo by Brad Penner/USTA via Getty Images) | USTA via Getty Images
The Savannah Bananas have taken the baseball world by storm with their wacky version of the game. On Monday, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced that the Bananas will have a two-game series next spring when the Dodgers are away in Washington to play the Nationals.
Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium will host the Bananas and the Firefighters for games on April 23-24. Enter into a drawing at bananaball.com/tickets by Oct 31 2026 by 8:59pm PST.
Additional details regarding game times and event information will be announced soon.
In other news in the baseball world, Andy McCullough of The Athletic says that for the Milwaukee Brewers to keep winning, they may trade away many of the players that got them there. That is the antithesis of what the Dodgers have been doing. The Brewers are close to winning their first World Series ever after making the NLCS last year.
In other roster news, the normally cranky Dylan Hernandez of the California Post says that the Dodgers could’ve used a player like Miguel Vargas on their team this year, and maybe going forward as the team needs to turn from it’s ‘old’ roster into using their deep farm system.
With the Mavericks floating around .500 and Cooper Flagg establishing his place as one of the league’s young superstars, I find myself quoting the first John Wick movie as the Mavericks head home to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.
It’s been a tumultuous 20 months to be a Dallas Mavericks fan. We’ve gone through the worst trade in league history, seen a GM get fired, switched out head coaches, traded away most of the roster that led the team to the 2024 NBA Finals, and control just one first round pick in the next five NBA Drafts.
“People keep asking if I’m back and I haven’t really had an answer, but now yeah, I’m thinking I’m back.”
Dallas now sits at 2-2, having beaten Indiana and Miami on the road, while suffering losses to San Antonio and Houston. Heading into the year, I would’ve prayed for a 1-3 start and if you had told me Flagg would’ve been out for a game and a half and Kyrie Irving would be sitting the second night of a back-to-back, I’d have braced for 0-4.
But there’s just something about this Mavericks team.
“Our guys simply made big, big plays and big shots at the end,” first-year head coach Dusty May said in his postgame comments on Monday. “It’s a lot of fun when your two superstars are as unselfish as [Flagg and Irving] are, and they show as much grace as they bring along these younger players. It’s been fun to be a part of and see it so far. Obviously a long way to go, but this is a very, very good win for our team.”
After a disappointing season-opening loss, Dallas has shown bright spots in three straight games and kept a game against the defending Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs close for three and a half quarters without its two best players — Flagg and Irving. They’ve earned two road wins over key Eastern Conference opponents that hope to make deep runs after disappointing 2025 campaigns.
Flagg has been exceptional. His per game stats won’t tell the entire story since he missed half of one of his three games following a controversial foul by Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith that forced him to miss a game and a half, but even with that caveat, the 19-year-old is averaging 25 points per game on 57% shooting. He has 11 steals and five blocks in three games and his playmaking has taken another leap, averaging over six and a half assists a night.
While Flagg’s ascension will get most of the attention — and he’s owed that respect — it’s the rest of the team that gives me hope that Dallas could defy expectations this year and maybe even make it to the playoffs.
Walter Clayton Jr., who was signed the day of the Mavericks’ first game in Houston, has been a perfect fit for this team. He scored 15 points in 17 minutes in Dallas’ win over Miami and was a team-best +22 in those minutes. He’s giving Flagg and the Mavericks an outlet when drives to the basket stall or when someone loses their dribble and has to reset.
Zaccharie Risacher has also made an impact. While his shot may not be falling, his defensive impact cannot be ignored. He led the league in stocks (steals + blocks per game) going into Monday’s game, only to be passed by Flagg and a couple others during the night’s action, and Risacher’s block of Davion Mitchell’s layup sealed the win Monday. He’s not the No. 1 overall pick Atlanta wanted two years ago, but Dallas doesn’t need him to be that and he’s filling into his role beautifully and helping Dallas stay competitive.
P.J. Washington is as steady as ever, averaging over 15 points and seven boards a night while bringing the defensive toughness that helped this team reach the Finals two years ago. Daniel Gafford is ready to go to war every night and his physical play in Monday’s game energized Dallas in moments where they may have folded last season.
It’s not a perfect team, and there are still moments that make me want to tear my hair out — like a 30-17 fourth quarter against the Spurs or a 38-12 second quarter against the Rockets or having to come back from a double-digit deficit twice in one game because Dallas’ concentration lulled after the first comeback — but this is a young team and they’re going to make some dumb mistakes. They’re going to have lapses, and some games are going to get ugly because of them.
But the signs of life this team has shown in the first week of the season have me hopeful. Hopeful that we might just have something cooking in Big D for the first time in three seasons, and that the pain of the last two seasons can be forgotten with a young team that never gives up.
I can’t tell you how many games Dallas will win this year, but I can promise you this: it’s gonna be a lot of fun to watch.
ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 27: The Boston Red Sox celebrate after winning game four of the 2004 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on October 27, 2004 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Red Sox defeated the Cardinals 3-0 to win their first World Series in 86 years. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Hello and happy Tuesday everybody. Hope you’re doing well. Happy 22nd anniversary of Game 4 of the 2004 World Series: the night where the curse was officially reversed!
Who needs to talk about the Brewers being on the brink of a title when we already did that 22 years ago and when we can take a trip down memory lane?!
Where were you on this day in 2004?
Little 8-year-old me was at my home in Quincy with my mom. My dad was not at home; he was at Busch Stadium, the lucky jerk. I napped before the game to make sure I didn’t miss anything if that night was the night. When Foulke stabbed that ball before tossing it to Mientkiewicz, I was picked up and swung around living room like I was a goddamn ceiling fan. I remember waiting by the house phone waiting for a call from my old man—he said he would call if they won—for what felt like an eternity. It finally rang, and all I could hear was screaming for about two minutes before I could make out his voice (also screaming, of course). I can still remember it clearly.
Share how you celebrated 86 years of hurt being washed away in the comments below.
MEMPHIS, TN - OCTOBER 21: Kyle Filipowski #2 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on October 21, 2026 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Monday, October 26th was a disastrous day for Utah Jazz big men. Before gametime, Jaxson Hayes was ruled out due to right shoulder soreness. In the first quarter, Lauri Markkanen suffered a nasty wrist injury on his shooting hand, and he staggered back towards the locker room. Not too long after that, Jaren Jackson Jr. sustained a right knee injury after Ty Jerome stumbled into his leg – if the tweet found below correctly reads coach Hardy’s lips, this could keep Trip out for a long time.
Will Hardy: "I think Jaren tore something, and I don't know about Lauri"
So, with 4 separate 7 footers now riding the bench with injury (Nurkic was looking classy as usual), where does the coaching staff turn for big man production? Surely, surely this would be the time for Kyle Filipowski, 3 year Jazzman with thousands of prime developmental minutes under his belt, to step up and show that all of the priority placed on his improvement since the 2024 draft was wisely spent. This would be that magical moment where Flip proves to all that his stats were not empty and his skills not gimmicky. In the face of necessity, Filipowski stands ready.
Instead, this quickly became the Mo Bamba game. And it was fun! He blocked shots, ran the court hard, and climbed Mount Edey in a way I’ve never before seen. Our defense was struggling, so I get it – Hardy wanted an anchor down low, and Bamba fits that archetype better than Filipowski does. However, Bamba was not the only bench big to get the call-up in the second half; Tony Bradley also reacquainted himself with Jazz fans, to the tune of one of the worst 5 minute stretches of basketball I can remember.
Ultimately, in a game where the Jazz were lacking some serious size in the frontcourt, Kyle Filipowski only played 8 minutes. Last season, he started half of the season’s games, and played nearly half of the 48 minutes of each game. And he showed us something! He was a really solid defensive rebounder, and his passing from the top-of-the-key was the perfect fit for Hardy’s offense. Of the bench youngsters at the end of last season (Collier, Flip, Cody, and Brice), Filipowski was the one that I was most confident would be a winning NBA player in our first non-tanking season (even if I preferred Brice in the long run). He needed to be able to eat minutes for our bench lineups to make sense.
Throughout the first 4 games, however, we have not been so lucky. Filipowski has flashed nothing so far. The rim protection has not taken the leap that many were (perhaps irrationally) hoping, and it seems that some added weight over the offseason has prevented Flip from playing any meaningful minutes at the power forward spot. On offense, he has been completely invisible. He is shooting 1 for 6 from the field across 3 games (DNP against the Lakers), with zero assists and zero offensive rebounds. On both ends of the court, he has been floating, and it seems that Hardy has noticed and cut his playing time accordingly.
Now, I want to give Filipowski the benefit of the doubt and offer an alternative theory. While training during the Summer, Flip suffered a herniated disk in his back which kept him out of most of the Jazz’s preseason contests. Could this disappointment be attributed to rust or justifiably poor conditioning? Has his flexibility been hampered by the remaining effects of his injury? Will Flip be playing more minutes, more effectively in a few weeks when he is completely recovered? I do not know the answer to any of these questions, but the uncertain nature of his injury leaves room for Filipowski to be an unfortunate victim of circumstance.
The insult to this injury is just how well an actualized Filipowski would fit with this team. The Jazz are currently lacking playmaking, especially in the frontcourt with Jusuf Nurkic out. If we could go back to a dribble hand off, top of the key offense, we’d take some of the pressure off of Isaiah Collier which has led to him being one of the worst watches in the league so far. Flip has been able to function this way his entire basketball career up until this season, and he chose the wrong time to lose this superpower. Additionally, one of the lineups I was most looking forward to were the JJJ+Flip combos – their strengths and weaknesses complement each other in a way that I thought would unlock the funkiness of Kyle’s game. However, if Flip has meaningfully lost aggression/flexibility/touch, then even that synergy with Jaren isn’t enough to get him consistently onto the court. In an ideal world, that doesn’t seem to me to be too unrealistic, this very well could’ve been the best year of Filipowski’s career.
So, what should we be looking for as we track Flip’s journey back up to his old production? First, he needs to understand his role in Hardy’s offense. Currently, it seems that no one really understands their role in Hardy’s offense, so this may come in time. But, even if confusion persists and Flip doesn’t become a top-of-the-key playmaking hub, he still must find ways to make his presence felt on offense. Crashing the glass, setting hard screens, quick decision making: every scheme requires these things, and even if Hardy’s isn’t quite getting implemented right now, Flip would certainly be a much more beneficial offensive player if he solidified the little things. Additionally, picking up his defensive rebounding would be a huge sign of life for the young big man. He’s snagged 2 rebounds in 3 games, and for a team lacking consistent boardmen, this is unacceptable. Flip is not only a good rebounder, but he’s a good passer too – some of our offensive struggles in the first few games could be mitigated with more semi-transition attempts, which may be borne with some solid outlet passing. These are not big changes that Flip needs to make, but they provide a base level of value, even if the shot isn’t falling.
Jaren may be out for a long time, and who knows how long Lauri will be sitting on the bench next to him. Hayes will come back soon, and Nurkic won’t be too far behind, but as long as 7 footers are healing up, there is a hole that Filipowski can fill. More than ever, this team needs Kyle to prove that the last two years weren’t flukes, or the product of tanking teams, because if he doesn’t, Tony Bradley might just end up bear-hugging opposing defenders again, for no discernible reason. The Utah Jazz need Kyle Filipowski to play well, and as Kyle nears second contract negotiation time, he may very well need that too, if his goal is to stick around the league for more than a cup of coffee.
How have you felt watching Filipowski thus far? Sound off below!
Colby Shelton brought the boom against Mesa, crushing his second AFL homer and driving in four. | (Arizona Fall League/Instagram)
The Arizona Fall League is underway, and Chicago has eight prospects in the Grand Canyon State, headlined by Caleb Bonemer, 3B/SS/OF (No. 2/MLB No. 27). Rounding out the crew are Mathias LaCombe, RHP (No. 17); Colby Shelton, INF (No. 23); Nick Altermatt, RHP; Jonathan Clark, RHP; Grant Magill, C; Tommy Vail, LHP and Garrett Wright, RHP.
The team added Vail after Pierce George, RHP (No. 18), suffered an olecranon fracture in his pitching elbow. While it sounds like an awful injury, he is expected to participate in 2027 Spring Training. Anthony DePino, INF (No. 21), was also originally on the Dogs roster, but instead underwent shoulder surgery. He should also be ready for spring.
The White Sox prospects are suiting up for the Glendale Desert Dogs (5-13), sharing the dugout with hopefuls from the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, and Pittsburgh Pirates.
Chicago ties Los Angeles for sending the most Top 30 prospects (five) to the AFL.
Peoria Javelinas 3, Glendale Desert Dogs 0 (10/21/26 — 6 innings) The rain put an early end to this one, but the Dogs’ bats never really got started in a 3-0 loss to Peoria. Both teams managed four hits before the game was called after the sixth, but Glendale’s were all singles, with three coming in the second inning and nothing to show for them. Shelton had one of those knocks, finishing 1-for-2 with a strikeout. After a red-hot start to the fall, Bonemer cooled off just a bit, going 0-for-3 with two Ks, while Magill went 0-for-2 with a punchout.
Glendale Desert Dogs 10, Mesa Solar Sox 0 (10/22/26) For once, the Desert Dogs were doing the trampling, piling up 10 runs on 14 hits in a shutout of Mesa. Apparently, Bonemer heard me talking about his bat cooling off and took it personally, going 3-for-5 with three RBIs and finishing a double shy of the cycle. His triple to center came off the bat at 106.9 mph.
Magill added a 1-for-4 night, while Shelton went 0-for-3 with a walk and a sacrifice fly. Chicago’s pitching prospects kept up their fall dominance, with Altermatt, Clark and LaCombe each tossing a hitless, scoreless frame. Altermatt and Clark supplied the punchout party, fanning two and three, respectively.
Glendale Desert Dogs 5, Scottsdale Scorpions 4 (10/24/26 — 8 innings) Bonemer’s AFL farewell was quiet at the plate, but his final numbers should make Sox fans feel pretty good about their No. 2 overall prospect. The 21-year-old went 0-for-2 with two free passes and a K in the Dog’s 5-4 win. He wrapped up 13 games with a .286/.364/.633 slash line, a .996 OPS and three homers over 55 plate appearances, and finished tied for the league lead in extra-base hits (nine) and second in total bases (31). The assignment’s main mission was outfield work, and he got it: eight games in center, three in left, and one in right. There were a couple of adventures along the way, including his lone error in the opener and a fly lost in the sun later on, but the reps were the point. Bonemer was the only Chicago hitter to see action in the win.
On the mound, Wright put his spotless ERA through a stress test. A leadoff single in the seventh was erased by a catcher pickoff, but a walk, single and another walk loaded the bases. Wright punched out the next batter before handing the mess to Cristhian Tortosa, who struck out the final hitter to keep Wright’s 0.00 AFL ERA intact. Vail also joined the fall fun, working a hitless, scoreless inning with one walk and three Ks in his debut.
Mesa Solar Sox 13, Glendale Desert Dogs 12 (10/26/26) Shelton kept his strong fall rolling, but the Dogs came up just short in a 13-12 slugfest. The 23-year-old went 3-for-4 with a walk, four RBIs and two runs scored, including his second AFL blast. His three-run round-tripper gave Glendale a 4-3 lead in the first, and his RBI single in the seventh pulled the Dogs within one. That was as close as they would get, though, as Mesa held on for the win.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 06: A young fan of the Tampa Bay Rays looks on as a cownose stingray swims in the outfield Tampa Bay Rays Touch Experience prior to the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Monday, April 6, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Good Tuesday morning, Purple Row!
Colorado Rockies fans probably associate “Fishin’ in the Dark” with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and TJ Rumfield, the Gold Glove finalist who has selected the classic hit for his walk-up music.
But with the World Series headed to Game 4 down in Tampa Bay, which has actual fish onsite, it seems appropriate to turn our attention there. And in this scenario, the Milwaukee Brewers, with a 3-0 lead, are definitely doing the fishing.
It probably comes as no surprise to learn that Kristie Ackert ranks the Rockies last. She notes improvement since 2025, but until the Rockies are able to address their issues with the rotation, their World Series odds are slim.
Ryan Spilborghs goes solo in this episode, and it’s worth your time. Seriously, if you don’t click on any other link, click on this one. In it, he views the proposed salary cap from the owners’ perspective and argues that it does not work; rather, a cap would shuffle money around. Spilborghs is clear, though: He’s on the side of neither the owners nor the players. Rather, he’s advocating for baseball.
The Penner Sports Group has expanded its portfolio to include a minority investment in Valencia CF. Worth noting, this is one of Spain’s most historic soccer clubs. And, apparently, some Denver Broncos fans aren’t happy about it.
One of the highlights of this year’s World Series coverage has been reading Michael Baumann for FanGraphs. In this article, Baumann examines why these two teams have been successful with a focus on player development.
Yesterday, MLB announced that Francisco Lindor has won this year’s Clemente Award. He is the fifth Puerto Rican player to receive this honor, and his list of initiatives is extensive.
This is a topic Jared Thomas mentioned in yesterday’s Rockpile. MLB is exploring the placement of outfielders in an attempt to increase the number of hits that drop during a game. Given that the Arizona Fall League has traditionally been one of MLB’s testing labs, it’s worth following this story.
If there’s a team that needs to be looking in the mirror this offseason, it’s the Philadelphia Phillies. One of their first moves is to hire the former Red Sox hitting coach, Peter Fatse.
Musical outro
And with that, I’ll turn it over to the Dirt Band.
Myself, I prefer “You Ain’t Going Nowhere,” but that’s probably a bad choice for walk-up music, so I’ll defer to TJ on this one.
Game 3 was an example of how the Brewers take one tiny advantage and turn it into victory. Seven straight hits in the fifth inning gave them an eight-run inning on their way to a 10-1 win. The World Series could end tonight.
I appreciate your reading.
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Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): How About Sonny Gray as a Veteran Rotation Option for the Cubs? “Fast-forward to October, and we’re on the cusp of free agency. There, Sonny Gray should be freely available, and the Cubs will have a chance to pursue the long-appreciated veteran righty.”
Brock Beauchamp (Diamond Centric): DiamondCentric’s 2026-2027 Top Free Agents, Ranked. “We offer the top 50 free agents, but over the coming weeks, that list will continue to grow until it’s well over 100 names.”
Thomas Domol (North Side Baseball): It Might Not Feel Like It, But the 2026 Cubs Had a Good Season. “Perception became the North Siders’ reality this year. Expectations drove a narrative that flipped the Cubs’ 2026 campaign into a failure in the minds of many fans. A closer look reveals it wasn’t one.”
Pure soul and blues power: The CD “Soul Serenade” released by the German-born guitarist Gregor Hilden in intense collaboration with the American singer blues and soul singer Johnny Rogers. It represents a captivating, grooving musical travelogue through black soul and R&B. Exciting vocals, guitar played with power and feeling, a diversity of saxophone parts and a strong, yet sensitive band are what make up this group. The arts section of the Frankfurter Rundschau daily and Jazz Podium both declared Hilden to be “probably Europe’s best blues guitarist.”
Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 26: Garrett Mitchell #5 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates with William Contreras #24 after scoring in the fifth inning during Game Three of the 2026 World Series presented by Capital One between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Monday, October 26, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
To whoever said that you can’t rely on stringing together multiple hits to win a World Series game, I have a bridge to sell you. All joking aside, the Brewers just authored one of the most comprehensive offensive performances in a Fall Classic in recent memory, all without the ball leaving the yard. They jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third, but it was their eight-run fifth that represented likely the final nail in the Rays’ World Series coffin. Milwaukee annihilated the Rays at Tropicana Field, 10-1, to put themselves one win away from their first ever title and on the cusp of becoming the first team to sweep a Fall Classic since the Giants steamrolled the Tigers in 2012.
World Series Game 3
Milwaukee Brewers 10, Tampa Bay Rays 1
(Milwaukee leads, 3-0)
There has been something of a false narrative surrounding the Rays’ play in the business end of these playoffs. Many are quick to praise Tampa Bay’s sound fundamentals when that hasn’t exactly been the case against the Guardians nor indeed in the World Series against the Brewers. Case in point in the bottom of the first, Chandler Simpson reached on a fielder’s choice but then was caught stealing when he over-slid the bag at second to end the inning — already the fifth out on the base paths made by the Rays this series in just two games plus one inning.
They have also suffered a handful of game-altering defensive misplays or simply not converted certain difficult outs you’d still expect them make, and there was another impactful miscue in the third today. First, however, was one of the best defensive plays by either team this series. Simpson immediately atoned for getting thrown out by making an astonishing catch in the second. Garrett Mitchell drew a leadoff walk and Sal Frelick lifted a deep fly ball down the left field line for what looked like a certain RBI double, but Simpson covered a ton of ground before securing the catch and crashing full speed into the wall just to the right of the foul pole.
But then in the third, Chourio lined a first pitch curveball for a one-out single to give him a multi-hit effort in all three World Series games so far. Jake Bauers followed with a five pitch walk to put a pair on for Christian Yelich, the Brewers captain muscling a humpback liner the other way to left for an RBI single to open the scoring. William Contreras then lined a first-pitch heater the other way, and a momentary lapse in concentration from right fielder Victor Mesa Jr. saw the ball clang off his glove as he went to gather, allowing Chourio to score from second (though Contreras did get tagged out in no man’s land between first and second.)
Despite retiring the side in order in the fourth, by the fifth it became clear that Peralta’s command was gone, 35 of his eventual 87 pitches on the outing getting called balls. This came to a head in that fifth inning, where the Brewers strung together one of the most impressive rallies in recent World Series memory. He issued a one-out single to Chourio and then loaded the bases with two outs thanks to a walk of Yelich and an infield single by Contreras. That spelled the end of his start, Kevin Cash calling on Cam Booser as the first arm out of the Rays bullpen.
Booser’s is one of the most inspiring comeback stories in MLB today, retiring in his 20s before returning to pitch almost a decade in the minor believing his shot in the Show would come. This made it all the more inspiring that the 34-year-old southpaw entered this game having not allowed a run in seven postseason appearances as the Rays’ main setup man, but it all went sideways in a manner emblematic of the Rays punching above their weight all year long only to come crashing back to Earth this series.
Brice Turang came up with the bases loaded and clubbed a sharp grounder off Taylor Walls’ glove at short — again, a tough play but one you would expect the Rays infielder to make — allowing Chourio and Yelich to score. Garrett Mitchell and Cooper Pratt then both ambushed first-pitch fastballs from Booser, Mitchell’s going for an RBI single and Pratt’s going for a two-run double. Frelick followed with a double of his own to plate Pratt and chase Booser from the game without the reliever having recorded an out. Cole Sulser was the next man out of Tampa’s ‘pen and the hit parade continued. David Hamilton lined a single to center to score Frelick and Chourio doubled his fourth hit in as many ABs to bring the speedster Hamilton home all the way from first. By the time the dust had settled, the Brewers had sent 12 men to the plate and hung an eight-spot on the board (the most two-out runs in an inning in World Series history), all ten of their runs scoring without the aid of the long ball from the team that had hit the most home runs in this postseason.
Much was made of the Rays unlocking Peralta after acquiring him from the Mets at the deadline, particularly the historic 2.5 mph jump in fastball velocity in the playoffs, but all that velocity doesn’t count for much if you can’t throw the ball over the plate. He ended his outing having given up five runs on seven hits and three walks before Booser allowed a hit to all four batters he faced to put four runs on his card.
While all this was going on, the story could not have been more different for the Brewers starter. Robert Gasser amazed with his five scoreless innings against the Dodgers in Game 3 of the NLCS to earn the opportunity to make a start in the World Series. The 27-year-old rookie reprised that gem with an even more spectacular performance tonight.
Following a leadoff single by Yandy Díaz in the first, Gasser set down the next 15 batters he faced in order. Unlike the Brewers, the Rays showed zero intention of working deep counts, and Gasser was able to leverage this to his advantage. Many of his first pitches were off-speed or breaking offering just outside of the zone, close enough to tempt the Rays to chase resulting in a lot of harmless contact early in counts. His fastball may only operate in the low-90s, but with more precise command and sequencing than Peralta Gasser kept the Rays lineup completely off balance.
His streak of 15 in a row retired ended with a walk by Mesa to lead off the sixth, but Gasser erased that base runner three pitches later by getting Nick Fortes to ground into a double play. He threw just five pitches in the second, eleven in the third, nine in the fourth, and 13 in the sixth to leave him with plenty of gas left in the tank, but with a ten-run lead there was little incentive to push things further, instead presenting Milwaukee an opportunity to get some game time for relievers who hadn’t pitched much this postseason including the longest-tenured Brewer, Brandon Woodruff. Gasser ended his outing having pitched six scoreless, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out three on 75 pitches.
Mesa would be the Rays’ last base runner until the ninth, Antonio Senzatela pitching a perfect seventh and eighth before Woodruff wrapped up the final frame — a special moment for a veteran pitcher who has missed significant portions of the last four seasons with major arm injuries. He allowed a run on a one-out single from Cedric Mullins and an RBI double from Díaz to put a bow on the Brewers’ comprehensive victory, 10-1.
Milwaukee can complete the sweep tomorrow night at The Trop, which would cap off one of the most one-sided playoff runs in history, the Brewers 10-1 overall this postseason after tonight’s rout in Game 3. First pitch of Game 4 is scheduled for 8:00 pm ET, though neither team has announced a starter at the time of writing.
TALKING STICK, AZ - OCTOBER 06: Justin Lamkin #47 of the Surprise Saguaros pitches during the game between the Surprise Saguaros and the Salt River Rafters at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 in Talking Stick, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Lamkin was nothing short of perfect in his latest gem for Surprise. The 2025 No. 71 overall pick retired 13 consecutive batters before exiting in the fifth. During the start, Lamkin showcased his newly developed curveball, which accounted for three of his four strikeouts and has been a weapon so far in the desert. The 22-year-old had posted a 2.04 ERA and an 0.93 WHIP through seven starts prior to injuring his throwing shoulder in late May. Back on the field this fall, Lamkin has been back to his stingy ways and has allowed just one run on one hit over his past 8 1/3 frames spanning two outings.
I reject all discourse about the Red Hot Chili Peppers. This song is fun and this music video is fun. Your song of the day is RHCP with The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 14: Head coach Taylor Jenkins of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on against the Chicago Bulls in the first quarter during the preseason NBA game at Fiserv Forum on October 14, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A team needs to have standards.
That was the idea running through my mind when I heard that Kevin Porter Jr. was waived by the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this week. In the last, disastrous season for Cream City, Porter averaged more than 17 points and seven assists, with more than two steals per night. While his efficiency wasn’t fantastic, his production was undeniable, and under usual circumstances, he would have been an ideal acquisition for a number of teams, including the Toronto Raptors.
But with KPJ, circumstances are far from normal.
Serious legal problems
The guard’s documented history of violence has already sent him out of the league in a previous stint. As early as 2022, there were already “ongoing concerns about volatility,” said Nate, over at our sister site, Brew Hoop. He continued to describe Porter Jr.’s legal troubles that resulted in felony charges as a result of accused domestic abuse.
The circumstances of the case are murky, as his partner at the time, Kysre Gondrezick, is alleged by police to have told the authorities that she had been struck in the face multiple times to the point of bleeding, as well as been a victim of strangulation by Porter Jr. An ABC report pointed to a Manhattan Assistant District Attorney alleging a pattern of abuse in the relationship.
However, Gondrezick had come out and denied that any such attack had taken place in an interview with the New York Post. Porter Jr. ended up accepting a plea deal where he accepted responsibility for misdemeanour assault and harassment.
The circumstances resulted in Porter Jr. being traded and waived, before eventually making his way back into the league, ending up on the Los Angeles Clippers and eventually the Milwaukee Bucks. The PG was waived by a team that had a number of other standout guards, namely, recent acquisition Tyler Herro, and Ryan Rollins.
Bucks coach Taylor Jenkins called the waiver a “very difficult decision” made to support other guards on the team, but spoke positively about Porter Jr, in a clip shared by journalist Cameron Ezeir.
However, there was been very little discussion about where exactly a player of his calibre might end up since his departure from the team, which, as aforementioned, would be unusual without being coupled to the point guard’s apparent history of disgraceful personal conduct.
Why the Toronto fit wouldn’t work
Some Toronto Raptors fans have been clamouring for a change at point guard, displeased with Immanuel Quickley in the role. However, it should be undoubtedly clear based on two waivers thus far, that regardless of what he does on the hardwood, Kevin Porter Jr. should not be on any Toronto fan’s wishlist for the roster.
The Raptors’ strength is in large part based on locker room cohesion, and an absence of tension. The Raps are not in the business of managing problem players, and someone like Kevin Porter Jr. has demonstrated himself to be exactly that, even in his earliest days on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Porter Jr. could be a massive disruptor of chemistry, and after his very public legal battle, has demonstrated himself unfit to play for any team, let alone the Toronto Raptors.
Fans and front office alike will be testing the waters this year for new additions to the Raptors as they make a playoff push, but regardless of how dire the circumstances get, Kevin Porter Jr. is not the answer to anyone’s problems.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - OCTOBER 26: Devin Booker #15 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 26, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
As you watch the Phoenix Suns play basketball against an Oklahoma City Thunder team that is severely undermanned, a situation that became even worse when Alex Caruso went down with an ankle injury in the first half, your natural inclination is to ask who’s to blame. Which player isn’t playing up to expectations? Is it the Miles Bridges trade and the impact it’s had on both ends of the floor? Is it Devin Booker failing to elevate his game to the level Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was playing at on the opposing side before he got into foul trouble? Is it the bench? Is it the injuries?
Surely, somebody has to be to blame. Somebody has to be the reason this team is struggling against a Thunder squad that’s quite literally limping through the game. But why does it always have to be someone? Why do we feel the need to point a finger at an individual and declare, “Yeah, that’s the reason why!” Because it gives us the justification to follow it up with, “Yeah, that’s the guy who needs to go!”?
In the case of the Phoenix Suns, it’s a collective issue. I don’t think there’s one sole culprit responsible for the poor basketball we’ve witnessed through the first three games of the season. While continuity exists in theory, connectivity is clearly missing at this extremely early stage of the season, and we witnessed it again Monday night in Oklahoma City.
The offensive sets aren’t crisp, and their execution leaves plenty to be desired. But defensively, the Suns collectively have a real problem. They allowed players like Ajay Mitchell to attack the lane at will, converting layup after layup. And don’t get me wrong, Mitchell is a skilled player. With the injuries Oklahoma City is dealing with, he could very well be someone who takes a significant leap this season. But Phoenix’s inability to contain his drives was troublesome.
Combine that with another night of ineffective rebounding (they lost that battle 48-38), and you have a team that seemingly can’t get out of its own way. Whenever the offense sputters, the defense can’t prevent the opposition from going on runs. Teams can knife into the lane for easy points while taking chances from beyond the arc, knowing that even if those shots don’t fall, there’s a good chance they’ll get another opportunity courtesy of an offensive rebound.
That’s why you can’t point the finger at one person. The problems we’re seeing aren’t isolated. They’re interconnected. Poor communication leads to defensive breakdowns. Defensive breakdowns expose rebounding deficiencies. Those extra possessions put additional pressure on an offense that’s still trying to figure itself out. And suddenly, everybody looks worse than they actually are. Three games into the season, the Suns don’t need a scapegoat. They need accountability across the roster, better execution, and a collective understanding of what winning basketball requires. Because pointing fingers won’t fix what five guys have to solve together.
Bright Side Baller Standings
There are some nights when you know early on that Devin Booker is going to take over a basketball game. Against the Warriors, that was evident from the jump. Booker poured in 43 points, the most ever scored by a Phoenix Suns player in a home opener. Another record for a guy who seems determined to rewrite the franchise record books one page at a time.
Naturally, he dominated the Bright Side Baller voting, earning 85% of the total vote. A landslide victory, and deservedly so. Shoutout to the three people who still thought Mariah Carey was better.
Bright Side Baller Nominees
Game 3 against the Thunder. Here are your nominees:
I recently finished NBC/Peacock’s Crystal Lake series. Great watch. The premiere season follows Pamela Voorhees as she grieves the supposed loss of her son whose body was never found after he drowned at summer camp. Without spoiling too much, Pam, progressively pushes boundaries of what she’ll do to bring the boy home, or to at least avenge the loss.
It reminds me a lot of what we’re seeing with Jaylen Brown.
It’s a sad spiral to watch. A largely sympathetic character repeatedly does what they can to fumble away the benefit of the doubt.
All over someone named Ja(y)son, nonetheless.
You’d have to be living under the rock to have missed this past weekend’s exchange of words between the two former Celtics teammates and NBA champions.
In short, Jayson Tatum posted a summer docuseries episode where he claimed to have known nothing of the eventual blockbuster that sent Brown to the rival Philadelphia 76ers. Brown called “cap” (or BS) publicly in an Instagram comment.
Tatum addressed the not-so-subtle jab after Boston’s win over the New York Knicks on Friday. He insisted there was no beef. A day later, Brown agreed, but said there might be some “lamb chops and gravy” and that Tatum should “stay ready at all times.”
Then, NBC Sports Boston’s Brian Scalabrine went on his Starting Lineup show on Sirius XM and shared details from the final months of No. 7’s time with the Cs, saying that Brown had a list of demands he wanted the organization to meet and if they didn’t, he wanted to be traded.
Pretty explosive stuff here from Brian Scalabrine:
"My understanding of this thing is that (Jaylen Brown) demanded to be traded. Not through the media, but to the organization." …
"My understanding is that Jaylen Brown went to the organization and had a list of demands, and… https://t.co/GC7fpjc7qh
Nonetheless, the damage was already done and you’ll never guess how the fanbase reacted.
Those who were already only tolerating Brown while he was still wearing the green and white pounced on the opportunity to smear him and took their repsective victory laps online. I’m not going to link a bunch of tweets here, but trust me, it’s not hard to find it.
The speed in which a large majority of the fanbase has turned its back on JB is dissappointing. He’s undeniably one of the great players in the franchise’s storied history and will likely be the last to ever wear No. 7 (unless this gets brutally ugly).
It’s been less than four months since the trade and his status in the Celtics community has already plummetted. But regardless of how you feel about it, Brown won an NBA Finals MVP here. He played an undeniable role in one of the winningest eras in franchise history (in terms of winning percentage). Plus, JB embedded himself in the Boston community with his 7uice Foundation.
He also, at least partly, did this to himself.
I’m not trying to pick sides here, and frankly probably still land pro-Jaylen, but I also dont’ think Scal is just making things up. He might’ve misspoke and inadvertently suggested that there was a trade request, but there has to be some truth mixed in there.
Is that truth justified?
Maybe. It depends what the alleged demands were. If Brown wanted the organization to favor him over Tatum, really in any way but specifically in some sort of “me or him” scenario, then he was out of bounds.
We’ll probably never know what they were, but it’s safe to assume it wasn’t something small.
Then, of course, the Twitch stream following Boston’s playoff elimination didn’t sit well with anyone. Brown reitterated that he was proud of his teammates (as he should’ve been with the low expectations publicly put on the group ahead of the season), and that the 2025-26 season was his favorite of his 10-year career.
Mind you, the Celtics won a title two years ago in which he was Finals MVP.
So now, we’re looking at a formerly beloved player now playing for a rival team and a fanbase that is willing to go to war for Tatum, who still wears the uniform and is the undisputed face of the franchise. The unstoppable force will meet the immovable object on Jan. 21, when Brown makes his regular-season return to TD Garden.
When the NBA released its schedule back in August, fans circled that date imagining a celebration of a tremendous 10 years. Now it’s tough to know what to expect. For all we know, Brown’s name might be met with 18,000+ boos when it’s called along with the rest of Phildelphia’s starters.
The worst part is that it’s tough to even say what’s appropriate at this point. Brown hasn’t been shy about the bitterness he feels towards both the Celtics and Tatum. That bitterness, though, comes from one of two places: ego or betrayal (it’s probably a mix of both).
Regardless, a nasty reunion is going to be a bad look for everyone involved. Of course, JB will look foolish or egotistical for burning bridges in Boston. The fans would come across as ungrateful — not the best message for any future potential Celtics.
Who knows what the story will be by then, though. We’re still three-ish months away. There’s plenty of time for more drama and back-and-forth. For now it just feels icky.
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 26: Milwaukee Bucks huddle up after the game against the Indiana Pacers on October 26, 2026 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
After a few false starts, the Bucks finally got their first regular-season win last night, beating the Indiana Pacers 110-102. The team had been building toward a win, but minor mistakes were costing them dearly. However, in this game, they put those lessons to good use and stayed in it long enough to outlast the weary Pacers, who were down two starters (Ivica Zubac and Andrew Nembhard) and on the second night of a back-to-back. Read our full summary of the game here.
Rollins keeps building. I loved that he never took a backwards step to the trash-talking Haliburton. Rollins had a great first half, going 4/7 and 3/4 from deep. He tailed off a bit in the second half but made key plays late to seal the Bucks’ win.
Back to regular programming for Herro, who started slow but built as the game went on, culminating in an 11-point third quarter (when the team desperately needed it). He seemed to make a point of rebounding and kickstarting the transition offence himself. Obviously, as long as Herro is aggressive, he’ll draw attention and open up shooters, but racking up those stats while only committing two turnovers was maybe the most impressive part. That said, Herro did space out a few times off the ball on some really basic actions; a simple flare screen for Aaron Nesmith had him lost.
This was Jaquez’s first bad game of the year, a real come-down-to-earth performance. Nothing seemed to be working for him, and I’m not sure there’s much more to it. Jaquez wasn’t detrimental to the team or anything; it just wasn’t his night.
Man, this was a funny game for Kuzma because, I’d say, 90% of his output was positive; he obviously made key threes to keep the team in it (plus hit the dagger at the end), and his shooting overall was very efficient. Plus, Kuz impacted in other areas of the game while keeping his turnovers to a minimum. However, there were still those 2-4 plays we seem to see every game from Kuzma that make you want to pull your hair out. Namely, him apparently being unable to throw a simple kick-ahead pass to a teammate streaking in for the layup. Or, better yet, when he ran into Jaime Jaquez as Jaquez tried to finish off Turner’s lob late in the game.
Without troubling the scoreboard much—which does need to change—Turner was impactful. Obviously, everyone will point to those back-to-back blocks in the fourth quarter, but he also had two key blocks in the first half. Turner was also huge on the boards, with three of his nine rebounds being offensive. I thought he played a good game that the stat sheet won’t fully reflect. Don’t get me wrong, Turner still had a few iffy plays, and I’d like him to let it fly more than he has been, but it was still a really solid outing for the big man.
First off, what a funny stat line for Ware: shot 13 times in just 19 minutes, LOL. Jokes aside, another great game for the big man, who, like Turner, made a major impact as a rebounder (five of his 14 rebounds of the offensive variety). Overall, he’s just looked much more engaged in the last two games, which has been great to see. I also want to mention that Ware is giving the Bucks a legit vertical spacer like they haven’t had in a few years (maybe Giannis, but even he wasn’t really a consistent lob threat, per se). Like, you can legit throw it up anywhere near the rim, and Ware will cram that sucker in. Oh, and he shoots threes. Just. Needs. To. Put. It. All. Together.
I sound like a broken record, but Jakucionis just comes in and plays solid on both ends. KJ has got great chemistry with Kel’el Ware in particular, and his ability to pass with both hands opens up so many angles. I mean, that left-handed wraparound pass to Ware was sick (see Bonus Bucks Bits).
Grade: B
Brayden Burries
16 minutes, 4 points, 2/5 FG, 0/2 3P, +6
Burries couldn’t find much offensive rhythm, but I thought he had some great defensive possessions guarding Haliburton in the pick-and-roll. More specifically, Haliburton likes to put his man “in jail” on pick-and-rolls, meaning he comes off the screen and then slows down to keep his man on his back (“in jail”). What Burries did well was pushing back, changing angles, etc., so Haliburton couldn’t get comfortable.
This wasn’t Green’s night from a shooting perspective, but he made some nice playmaking reads, most notably his dime to Ament in open court for the dunk. Green let the numbers advantage tell him who was open, then zipped it inside to the rookie.
It was a rough first stint for Ament—who looked frazzled and rushed—and when Jenkins went to Ousmane Dieng for what would have been Ament’s second-quarter minutes, I wasn’t sure he’d get back on. However, Jenkins did go back to Ament in the second half and he looked considerably more comfortable, making better reads and running the floor hard; you could almost see the weight come off his shoulders as that first field goal went down. Crucially, Ament got only one foul and had some really solid possessions guarding Pascal Siakam. As I’ve said previously, Ament has all the tools to be a solid wing defender; he just needs to figure out how to use them.
Grade: C+
Taylor Jenkins
Jenkins finally got the team to play closer to a four-quarter effort last night, and it resulted in a great win. I thought the decision to close with Turner was smart, even though his offensive contributions were limited, because they needed a sturdier presence inside. Additionally, I liked Jenkins’ choice to close with a three-guard front of Herro, Rollins, and Jakucionis, which gave them more ball-handling to attack the pressing Pacers defence. Finally, he has clearly been working behind the scenes to get his guys to limit turnovers, and it paid off against Indiana, with the team throwing it away only 11 times—we’ll see if that continues. Great game.
Grade: B+
Limited minutes: Ousmane Dieng
DNP-CD: Caris LeVert, Bogoljub Markovic, Jericho Sims, Gary Trent Jr.
Inactive: Kam Jones, Cormac Ryan, Pete Nance
What We Learnt
Jenkins has talked a lot about defensive intensity—which has become a bit of a buzz term, frankly—but the fourth quarter showed exactly what he wanted. The way the Bucks guarded the ball, talked, and helped the helper was great to see. Now that they know what it looks like, hopefully they can recreate that moving forward.
Bonus Bucks Bits
“We’ve been close,” Jenkins said. “Great execution down the stretch—timely shots, timely blocks, timely rebounds… We talked about owning the pace and owning the paint. I thought we did that in spurts in the first half, and did it way more in the second half. Still more to clean up, but really proud of the group.”
Once again, the Bucks won the paint battle (50-48); they also won bench points (37-32).
Milwaukee had seven offensive rebounds in the fourth quarter.
It was great to see Nate and Brayden get a long stretch on the court from late in the third to the middle of the fourth. Both stayed in the game and contributed to the decisive 17-4 run during that span.
Minor note on Nate Ament: less is more at this stage of his career. Not sure whether it was because he wanted to get his first basket out of the way, but he was very focused on getting his own in the first half. In the second half, everything flowed more easily because, by and large, Ament let the game come to him.
As Terrapin Revisited noted in the Rapid Recap comments, Fiserv did look pretty empty. I hope that was mostly because the Brewers were playing.
The aforementioned wraparound pass from Jakucionis:
(Photo by Luther Schlaifer/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
INDIANAPOLIS — The needle drop hit in the Indiana Pacers’ starting lineup announcement, and the chorus of the “Welcome Back, Kotter” theme song played just long enough for the fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse to fill their lungs with air for what was coming next. The audio flipped again to 50 Cent’s “Many Men,” and Tyrese Haliburton ran out for the home fans for the first time since he tore his Achilles in June 2025, though you couldn’t hear his name over the deafening sound of 17,000 people screaming in unison.
Unfortunately for the home crowd, that was the last time they really got to roar. By the second quarter, the only noise coming from the fans was boos condemning the Pacers for a totally flat performance in a game that was so eagerly anticipated for so long.
The Dallas Mavericks routed Indiana from the start, dropping 44 first quarter points on their way to a 37-point first half lead. The Pacers would rally back a bit in the second half after 19-year-old Dallas star Cooper Flagg exited the game with a shoulder injury, but this was a premium example of a game not being as close as the 16-point final margin would indicate.
“It was one of the best crowds I’ve ever seen here,” head coach Rick Carlisle said after the loss to Dallas. “But a great crowd doesn’t guarantee you anything if you don’t compete the way you need to compete.”
The Pacers needed a big fourth quarter comeback to win their opener against an uninspiring New Orleans Pelicans game a few days earlier. A few days later, the Pacers fully looked like the blitzkrieg offense we expected as they trounced the Nets in Brooklyn. On Monday night, Indiana gave the Milwaukee Bucks their first win of the season in the most jarring result of the new year so far.
“That’s what the NBA is,” Haliburton said after the game. “It’s not all fairytales, sunshine, and rainbows.”
Indiana’s roster remains similar to the one that went to the 2025 NBA Finals, but every year is different, and it leaves this team with new questions to answer from the last time it was whole. That’s especially the case in an Eastern Conference is significantly improved. The idea that the Pacers were going to hit the ground running this season was probably always unrealistic. It’s important to remember that they started 10-15 back in 2024-25 before eventually finding some special chemistry on the way to the Finals.
The challenge for the Pacers right now is using the regular season as a lab to figure out their most existential questions without losing too much ground in an ultra-competitive East. Like every team this early in the season, they have a few things that need deeper exploration.
How Ivica Zubac changes the dynamic
The biggest change from the team Haliburton left to the one he rejoined is the substitution at center. The Pacers let Myles Turner walk because they didn’t want to pay him. That looks like a wise move, but it also forced the team to put its best assets on the table to fill its void at center. Indiana shocked the league by trading for Ivica Zubac at last season’s trade deadline during a lost year, sending out two first-round picks to get him. One of those was top-4 protected for 2026 when Indiana entered the lottery tied for the best odds. When the pick fell to No. 5 and conveyed to the Clippers, it felt like a double loss for a team that just endured a 19-win season without Haliburton.
Ultimately, centers don’t come cheap, and the Pacers had to pay to play in the big man market. Zubac’s skill set is so much different than Turner’s in ways that are both obvious and less intuitive, and Indiana will spend this season tinkering with the best ways to leverage his talent within their system.
Everyone will notice the spacing component. Turner took 8.7 three-point attempts per 100 possessions during his last season in Indiana. Zubac is a total non-shooter who hasn’t attempted a three-pointer the last three seasons. While Turner would pop after setting his screens, Zubac is going to roll, and it takes away some of what made the 2025 Pacers special while giving him a new element with some real benefits.
Zubac is going to play with a lot more power than Turner ever did. His ability to add a component of smashmouth basketball will be welcomed for a team that felt built on finesse even at their best. While the offensive adjustment with Zubac is readily apparent, the defensive end will require some tinkering, too.
Zubac often played in a deeper drop with the Clippers. He was so good at walling off the paint in these coverages that he earned my (fake) vote for 2025 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. The Pacers want their bigs playing more at the level of the screen, which requires Zubac to get up to the touch on ball handlers to see if he can make plays with his hands before retreating back. The Pacers just don’t have the point of attack defenders to viably run a deep drop right now, and it’s going to require an adjustment period from everyone involved.
The reality is that Zubac didn’t look quite as nimble last season with the Clippers before the trade. Now he’s already suffered an ankle sprain against Brooklyn that should keep him out of the lineup in the short-term and could linger beyond that. How the Pacers integrate Zubac is the biggest question they need to answer in their 82-game season, and it’s likely to remain a work in progress for now.
Rick Carlisle is still searching for the right lineup combinations
Carlisle played 11 guys in the first half against Dallas. He played 12 players in the first half against Brooklyn, including a starting lineup switch that subbed out Jarace Walker for Aaron Nesmith. Nesmith was nursing a hamstring injury during the preseason, and his return to the lineup will go a long way toward answering some of Indiana’s biggest questions.
“It’s hard to run when you’re taking the ball under the net the whole game,” Haliburton said after the Dallas loss.
The Pacers can probably bank on a top-5 offense with Haliburton back. How they fix the defense is a much more pressing issue. Through three games, Indiana ranks No. 19 in defensive efficiency, which feels about right despite the small sample. Indiana needs Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard to get after it defensively the same way they were during the 2025 Finals run. They also need to figure out what the bench rotation looks like beyond Obi Toppin as their sixth man, and likely Kelly Oubre — the team’s only real free agent addition this summer — as their seventh man.
T.J. McConnell hasn’t played yet as he recovers from a hamstring strain, and Ben Sheppard is also out with a meniscus tear. Jalen Slawson was firmly on my too good for Summer League list, but his opportunities to add some downhill force and defensive playmaking will still be limited by his two-way contract. Quenton Jackson adds some similar elements as perhaps the most athletic player on the team on a standard contract, and Indiana would benefit from adding his quickness and defensive havoc if it can get around his shooting concerns. Jay Huff was impressive last season filling the center void on a bad team, but Carlisle doesn’t appear to really trust him yet. Every time it feels like Walker could take another step forward as a former lottery pick, he stagnates at both ends of the floor.
The Pacers should be able to count on their top-7, which is more than some teams can say. McConnell’s return will be big, but he took a noticeable step back last season and may be experiencing some age-related decline at 34 years old. Can anyone else on this roster help force more takeaways to get the offense out running? I’m not sure. If Jackson, Walker, Huff, or even Slawson can make it a viable 8- or 9-man rotation come playoff time, Carlisle should be pleased.
It’s still too early to say where the Pacers fit in in the East
The great thing about the East this season is that it really feels like every game matters with 10 teams realistically dreaming of making a Finals run. It’s just important to remember that 82 games is a long, long, long season. Don’t forget that a year ago, the Chicago Bulls started 5-0 before sputtering so much that they blew the team up at the deadline. The Pacers are 2-2 with the easiest schedule in the NBA so far.
The path for Indiana to get back to greatness starts with Haliburton leading this group to a top-5 offense while managing to get the defense into the top half of the league. This was a good-not-great team in 2024-25 before finding an unforeseen level of excellence in the playoffs, which is the exact same thing the Knicks did one year later on their way to a championship. Haliburton is back, but questions remain.
The Milwaukee Brewers are just one win away from clinching their first-ever franchise championship, putting pressure on the Tampa Bay Rays as they head into a do-or-die matchup at Tropicana Field on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
The Rays, looking to keep their championship hopes alive, are turning to franchise legend Evan Longoria for inspiration, as he is set to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
The iconic third baseman was selected third overall by the Rays in the 2006 draft. During his decade-long tenure with Tampa Bay from 2008 to 2017, Longoria collected numerous accolades and consistently delivered standout performances both at the plate and in the field.
His impressive resume includes being named the 2008 American League Rookie of the Year, earning three All-Star selections and capturing Gold Glove Awards in 2009, 2010, and 2017 for his impressive defense. Longoria also finished sixth in AL MVP voting in both 2010 and 2013, and he claimed a Silver Slugger Award in 2009.
Longoria’s legacy is also cemented in Rays history. He is honored with a statue outside Gate 4 at Tropicana Field, commemorating his iconic celebration after hitting a walk-off home run in the 12th inning of the final regular-season game in 2011, a moment that propelled Tampa Bay into the postseason.
Now, the Rays find themselves facing an uphill battle, trailing the series 3-0 after the Brewers dominated Game 3 with a commanding 10-1 victory. With their championship hopes hanging by a thread, Tampa Bay will look to rally as they fight to keep their World Series dreams alive.
