SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - FEBRUARY 05: Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith looks on during the second half of a game against the Golden State Warriors at Delta Center on February 05, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The initial round of Ryan Smith’s Utah Jazz rebrand didn’t go according to plan. That is, unless the plan was to make Walker Kessler visible from space while simultaneously removing any concept of “design” from the team’s identity.
Highlighter yellow on a bed of black. The new threads in Utah were clearly hideous and universally panned as perhaps the worst primary uniforms in all of professional basketball. A harsh overcorrection from new ownership, which saw the Jazz’s seemingly endless color palette and determined that this basketball organization needed something that had been slowly fading away: identity.
They knew this, of course. In the immediate aftermath of Utah’s rebranding fiasco — a crime of fashion, if you will — the team quickly scraped together an even newer rebranding announcement: purple is back.
Thank the basketball gods for that.
Paired alongside an all-new colorway for the Jazz was an anchoring thread that desperately held the organization to its early roots. Fans hated the State of Deseret-themed yellow-and-black apparel, but couldn’t get enough of the purple alternates. The ugly rebrand was overtaken by the return of the purple mountains’ majesty, and a second round of rebranding gave way to perhaps the most beautiful set of uniforms in the entire NBA.
Purple and white, with a powder-blue accent, is a winning combination. The nerdy girl just took off her glasses, and now she’s turning heads in the hallway. Utah found its identity, and it is hot!
With this in mind, a recent quote from owner Ryan Smith caught my attention.
“Gail sat us down multiple times,” Smith remembered. “A little bit like ‘buyer beware, are you guys sure you know what you’re getting into? […] I know you’re going to do it differently than us, but you care about Utah, and you’re going to keep [the Jazz] here.”
“As we’ve thought about what our ‘why’ is, and Utah is a big piece of that, and probably the biggest piece and our community. When you see the Mammoth on the screen, it says ‘Utah’ as opposed to ‘Mammoth’. […] It’s not by accident that ‘Utah’ is on the jersey. This was all thought through to the ‘why’ for us.”
Buyer Beware: Gail Miller’s warning about buying the @utahjazz
This week on “Deseret Voices,” @RyanQualtrics and Ashley Smith sit down with @mckaycoppins and reveal the blessing — and warning — they got from legendary Utah Jazz owner Gail Miller before selling them the… pic.twitter.com/V7dr0Jo4us
There’s a reason why the Utah Mammoth hockey team displays the word “Utah” and not “Mammoth” on their uniforms — both home and away. A closer look at the Jazz’s newest round of redesigns shares that same pattern; the word “Jazz” is nowhere to be found. Ryan Smith has been effusive in his belief in the Beehive State as a national stage.
In his eyes, there is much more to Utah than the greatest snow on Earth; Utah isn’t the exclusive, impenetrable zone that larger markets like LA, New York, Miami, etc. often believe it to be.
The Jazz and Mammoth are ambassadors for a Utah community that Smith holds dear to his heart, and that community is the driving force in his teams’ identities.
Calvin Barrett is a writer, editor, and prolific Mario Kart racer located in Tokyo, Japan. He has covered the NBA and College Sports since 2024.
May 26, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Colt Keith (33) slides into safe at home in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
The Tigers were starting their week back home in Detroit against the Angels, hoping to carry the luck of their Sunday win along with them. To get them there, they had Keider Montero on the mound up against Jack Kochanowicz.
Things started well, with Montero getting the Angels out in order. Kevin McGonigle got the home hald going with a leadoff single, but Dillon Dingler grounded into a double play to eliminate the baserunner. A Riley Greene strikeout then ended the inning.
Jorge Soler started the second with a single, then Wade Meckler singled behind him, advancing Soler to third. Montero righted the ship and got himself out of the jam by getting the next three batters out in order. In the home half, Colt Keith hit the strangest comebacker I’ve ever seen, as the ball headed right back to the mound at Kochanowicz’s feet and the shot straight up about a sixty feet in the air, letting Keith get safely to first. Kochanowicz appeared to be okay. Spencer Torkelson was then hit by a pitch. A wild pitch from Kochanowicz advanced the runners and brought the trainers back out, because he was certainly out of sorts all of a sudden. A Zach McKinstry flyout brought Keith home and put the Tigers on the board first. They would only get the one run, but it was a good start.
Logan O’Hoppe hit a leadoff single between diving fielders to start the third. Zach Neto then walked. A one out single by Vaughn Grissom right up the middle, once again slipping by diving fielders, scored two runs and put the Angels out ahead. With two outs, Wade Meckler singled back to the mound and the Tigers were able to get the final out of the inning tagging Grissom out at the plate. In the home half, McGonigle got back on base with a one-out single. Two outs followed, leaving McGonigle stranded.
Jo Adell homered to start the fourth. With one out Donovan Walton doubled, and one out later Neto doubled to bring in another run. Montero did get the final out of the inning, but considering how well the Tigers have been doing at staging comebacks this season, I wouldn’t blame you if this was where you tapped out. Colt Keith wasn’t going to go down without a fight, though, and he hit a triple to center, sneaking it right by Mike Trout. With one out, McKinstry hit a sac fly to score Keith.
The Angels went 1-2-3 for the fifth. In the bottom of the inning Matt Vierling got a leadoff single, followed by a walk to Wenceel Perez. And I’ll be eating my words, as McGonigle came through with a triple into right, scoring both baserunners and tying up the game.
Dingler took a walk despite O’Hoppe challenging the fourth ball call. That was the end of the day for Kochanowicz, which should be good news for the Tigers, as the Angels’ bullpen is… not great. Mitch Farris came in and gave up a wild pitch to put Dingler on second. Riley Greene walked to load the bases. A pinch-hitting Jahmai Jones, brought in to face the lefty reliever, came through with a single, scoring McGonigle. Still no outs. Spencer Torkelson was very close to hitting a grand slam, coming nearly in line with the foul pole, but after review, the call was upheld. With two outs, Hao-Yu Lee came in to replace Workman, but a flyout ended the inning.
With one out in the sixth, Oswald Peraza was hit by a pitch. With two outs, Montero’s day was done and he was replaced by Brenan Hanifee. Montero’s final line for the game was 5.2 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 1 HR on 89 pitches. Not a great outing, but not his worst. Hanifee got the final out of the inning. In the home half, Perez hit a one-out home run.
McGonigle continued to be as consistent as they come, getting a walk. After the second out of the inning, a wild pitch advanced McGonigle to second, then Riley Greene walked. That was it for Farris who was replaced by José Fermin, who got the final out of the inning.
Neto singled to start the seventh. Grissom singled with one out, bumping Neto over to third. That was it for Hanifee, who was replaced by Will Vest, who battled it out and won against Soler. The final out of the inning was a very nice catch at the wall by Greene.
The Tigers went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning.
In the eighth, Peraza got a one-out single. A groundout advanced Peraza to second, and then an O’Hoppe double (missed spectacularly by Perez in center), brought Peraza home. Neto then singled back to Vest, who was fine. Mike Trout walked to load the bases. Grissom then hit a grand slam. Tyler Holton came in to get the final out of the inning. Chase Silseth was the new Angels pitcher for the inning. The Tigers went down in order again, which isn’t really the best way to make a comeback.
Siri started the ninth with a solo home run because, sure, why not at this point? Three outs followed, and the Tigers were down to their final three outs to make something happen. Kirby Yates came in and gave up a leadoff walk to Dingler. That would be it for baserunners, though, as the Tigers then went down in order and the game was over.
Mar 24, 2026; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Josiah Hartshorn against the New York Yankees during spring training at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Some movement in the system today as outfielder Josiah Hartshorn and right-hander Mason McGwire were promoted from Low-A Myrtle Beach to High-A South Bend. Both players have been among the best performers in the Cubs minors so far this season.
Also, shortstop Alex Madera and first baseman Cameron Sisneros were promoted to Double-A Knoxville from South Bend.
Right-hander Henry Cone moves to Myrtle Beach from rookie ball Mesa.
Yenrri Rojas started this game and gave up three runs on two home runs in the first inning. He pitched the second and third innings without incident, retiring the side in order in both frames, but then came out to pitch the fourth inning. All six batters he faced in the sixth reached and he was pulled after the sixth one hit a two-run home run.
The final line on Rojas was nine runs on eight hits over 3+ innings. Three of those eight hits were home runs. Rojas walked two, hit one batter and struck out three.
The Smokies only managed six hits today but two of them were home runs. The first was a solo home run in the seventh inning by third baseman Jefferson Rojas. It was Rojas’ fifth home run of the season. Rojas was a perfect 2 for 2 with two walks.
The other home run came in the top of the ninth by center fielder Andy Garriola, his ninth. Garriola was 2 for 4.
Second baseman Alex Madera went 1 for 2 with an RBI single in his Double-A debut. Madera also walked once.
It was a strong start for Alfredo Romero, who got the win after allowing just one run on four hits over 5.2 innings. Romero struck out two and walked one.
Jackson Brockett went the rest of the way for the 3.1 inning save. He also allowed just one run on three hits. Brockett struck out five and walked one.
Both TinCaps runs scored on solo home runs by Jake Cunningham.
First baseman Josiah Hartshorn hit a sacrifice fly in his first High-A at-bat. Later on, he hit an RBI double off the left field wall for his first South Bend hit. Hartshorn finished the game going 1 for 2 with a walk and the sacrifice fly. He scored once and had the two runs batted in. Those were also the only two South Bend RBI for the game, as the other three runs scored either on one of two double plays or an error.
Center fielder Kade Snell went 1 for 2 with a double before leaving the game after colliding with second baseman Miguel Olivo. I don’t have any report on Snell’s condition but he was back in the dugout before the end of the game.
Olivo was 1 for 2 and was hit by a pitch.
Here’s Hartshorn’s sac fly. It really could have been a double.
Pierce Coppola didn’t have a bad start, but he got tagged with the loss anyways. Coppola allowed two runs on three hits over four innings. One of those hits was a solo home run. Coppola struck out eight and walked one, which is impressive. Coppola has now struck out 28 batters and walked six over 17 innings.
The only Birds run came on a solo home run in the eighth inning by right fielder Eli Lovich. Lovich had four of Myrtle Beach’s eight hits, going 4 for 4 with a double and the home run.
Three of the other four hits came from DH Edward Vargas. Vargas was 3 for 4.
DENVER, CO - MAY 20: Starting pitcher Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies delivers a pitch in the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Coors Field on May 20, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Starting for the Rockies is Kyle Freeland. This will be his ninth start for the Rockies in 2026.
The lefty has a 7.04 ERA in 38.1 IP. He’s struck out 35, walked 14, and given up nine home runs. Freeland has a1.70 WHIP.
Taking the mound for the home team will be LHP Eric Lauer in what will be his first start for the Dodgers.
He was traded to the Dodgers from the Toronto Blue Jays on May 17 for cash considerations. Lauer, 30, was 1-5 with a 6.69 ERA in eight games for Toronto this year and last season went 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA, posting a career-best 2.2 fWAR.
Currently, over 36.1 IP, he’s struck out 26 while giving up 16 walks and 11 home runs. He has a 1.34 WHIP.
MILWAUKEE, WI - MAY 23: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers smiles after a bird landed on the field prior to the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Aaron Gash/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Shohei Ohtani starts the Dodgers’ series finale against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night, the second straight time Ohtani has pitched the day before a team off day, and the fourth such time this season.
Ohtani labored in his last start last Wednesday through five innings, his shortest start of the year, but stranded two runners in each of his final two frames to keep the San Diego Padres scoreless. Ohtani has a minuscule 0.73 ERA through 49 innings this season. He’d need to pitch seven innings on Wednesday, the Dodgers’ 56th game of the season, to qualify for the leaderboard.
Before the season, did anyone have John Tortorella and Carter Hart teaming up in Vegas and leading the Golden Knights to a Western Conference Final sweep?
You wouldn’t have found any odds on that. Tortorella didn’t have a coaching job in October and Hart wasn’t eligible to play yet. But the former Flyers head coach and former Flyers goaltender are headed to the Stanley Cup Final after Vegas finished off the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche on Tuesday night.
The Golden Knights completed a stunning sweep with a 2-1 win at T-Mobile Arena. Hart had 20 saves and nearly delivered his first playoff shutout since 2020, when he was with the Flyers in the bubble.
The Golden Knights will face the winner of the Eastern Conference Final matchup between the Hurricanes and Canadiens. After sweeping the Flyers in the second round, Carolina has a 2-1 series lead on Montreal.
New NL Player of the Week, Ketel Marte, leads things off for the D-backs. In yesterday’s thread, ChefAZ wondered if this was the best 10-game stretch of Marte’s career. It was not, but after another three-hit game, it’s not far off the best nine-game stretch. The benefit of going that direction is, it allows us to cut out his 0-for-5 performance in the second game at Coors Field. Ketel has hit in every game since, with a total output over that time of 21-for-37, with three HR and 15 RBI. That’s a line of .568/.595/.973 for a 1.568 OPS. It trails only a 9-game streak in June 2019, when he went 22-for-34, with a line of .647/.667/1.059 and an OPS of 1.725.
Over his last three games, he’s a remarkable 10-for-13. Nobody else but Marte has had three consecutive three-hit games for Arizona since Eduardo Escobar in April 2019. Since then, Ketel has managed the feat on no less than four occasions: June and September in 2019; June last year; and the current run. Indeed, in June 2019 (as part of the nine-game spell mentioned above), he had four consecutive games with 3+ hits. That’s something only he and – probably inevitably – Paul Goldschmidt, in June 2018, have ever managed. We’ll see tonight if he can continue this torrid run, which has seen Marte’s seasonal OPS jump by 178 points in just ten days.
On the mound tonight, we have Eduardo Rodriguez, who has been worth a full two bWAR over his first ten starts this season. That’s particularly startling, considering he was worth just 0.6 bWAR over the entire 2024 and 2025 campaigns combined – a thirty-nine start run. Unlike Merrill Kelly, E-Rod has actually got W’s under his belt against winning opponents, in the White Sox and Pirates. Indeed, his only loss this year came at Coors Field, when the offense forgot how to hit. E-Rod’s 2.24 ERA is the best by a qualified starter for Arizona to this point, since Patrick Corbin’s 1.71 ERA in 2023. Only Brandon Webb (2.01 in 2006) and Randy Johnson (1.41 in 2003) have also been lower.
Evgeni Malkin is back for another year in the Steel City.
The beloved Penguins star signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract on Tuesday, marking his return for his 21st NHL season, and one that will likely be his last.
Malkin will turn 40 later this summer and has spent his entire NHL career in a Penguins jersey.
In a video posted by the team, Malkin expressed his excitement to remain in Pittsburgh for another year, calling Tuesday the “best day of my life!”
“Best city. Best fans. I stay one more year,” he said earlier in the video.
The new deal includes a possibility for Malkin to earn $3.5 million in performance bonuses, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and also includes a no-movement clause.
Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins handles the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period in Game 6 of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 29, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Getty Images
The Penguins can seek a three-team approved trade list from Malkin for possible trades Feb. 1 and beyond, the outlet also reported.
“Over the last several weeks, myself and Dan Muse have had very open discussions with Evgeni and his camp about him returning for the 2026-27 season, how his role will evolve and what all of our expectations are at this stage of Evgeni’s career and the current stage in the evolution of the Penguins,” president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas said in a statement. “The result of that process is Evgeni returning to the Penguins for his 21st season with the club.”
Malkin never wanted to leave Pittsburgh, though the team remained noncommittal publicly about the idea of keeping him for another season until recently.
The Russian star told reporters after the Penguins lost to the Flyers in Game 6 of the opening round of the playoffs that he understood if the Pens wanted to change course.
“It’s not easy for Kyle, maybe he wants new blood here,” Malkin said, per the Associated Press. “I understand business. I understand he wants maybe new team, see new faces here.”
Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates his first period goal against Dan Vladar #80 of the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 3 of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Getty Images
Malkin has certainly had a Hall of Fame career with the Penguins, winning three Stanley Cups with the franchise in 2009, 2016 and 2017.
He sits second in all-time games played with 1,269 games, third in goals with 533 and second in game-winning goals with 89.
Only Sidney Crosby has played more seasons with the Penguins.
Malkin was drafted second overall in the 2004 NHL Draft behind Capitals star Alex Ovechkin and made his NHL debut on Oct. 18, 2006.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 7: Gage Jump #79 of the Athletics pitches during a spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Las Vegas Ballpark on March 7, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Getty Images
After dropping the series opener to the visiting Seattle Mariners, the A’s hope to rebound in game two of the three-game set. The Athletics, at 27-27 remain in first place in the American League West a game and a half over the Mariners who are right behind them in second place.
The A’s hope to get jump-start from tonight’s starter, 23-year-old lefty Gage Jump called up from Las Vegas for the game today. He ranks as the A’s No. 3 prospect and No. 41 overall prospect in baseball, per MLB Pipeline. He was last week’s Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week following a stellar outing for AAA Las Vegas, tossing seven scoreless innings with no walks and nine strikeouts.
Jump will go up against 26-year-old right hander Emerson Hancock. Hancock is 3-2 on the year with a 3.07 ERA over ten starts. He’ll face off against this lineup for Mark Kotsay’s Athletics:
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 24: Gabriel Landeskog #92 of the Colorado Avalanche skates with the puck ahead of Pavel Dorofeyev #16 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the first period of Game Three of the Western Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on May 24, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Avalanche 5-3. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
If the Colorado Avalanche season were a boat at sea, the vessel would be taking on water with the feeling of impending doom as the choppy waters of a series sweep loom over the horizon. A journey that started in the waters of Los Angeles could come to a sinking halt in the desert of Las Vegas, as the Golden Knights have a 3-0 series lead with a chance to advance to the cup final tonight.
Colorado seems battered and bruised from the quest, as Cale Makar is clearly not healthy, and Nathan MacKinnon and Valeri Nichushkin were hobbled in game three.
The team from the Mile High City also appears morally drained after blowing their first third-period lead to lose game two and a 3-0 first-period lead in game three. In fact, in game three, Colorado failed to register a shot in the last 12+ minutes of the final frame despite getting a power play at one point.
Vegas has been sippin’ pina coladas like a prize fighter as their (hard-earned) luxury yacht rolls into port for another night of dominance. The Avalanche have had zero answers to what Las Vegas has brought to the table, and so for the Golden Knights, the focus will be more of the same.
Will the Avalanche end the suffering and go quietly, or will they put up a fight?
Colorado Avalanche: 8-4
The Opponent: Vegas Golden Knights (11-4)
Time: 6:00 p.m. MT
Watch: ESPN+, ESPN
Listen: Altitude Sports Radio, 92.5 FM
Colorado Avalanche
What can I really say about where the Avalanche stand today ahead of game four? A lot.
For starters, it feels like Nathan MacKinnon either got some incredible treatment over the last 36 hours or he will, at a minimum, be hobbled this evening after he took a puck to the outside of his right knee in game three. The impact was substantial enough to bench MacKinnon for most of the third period outside of one pointless power play appearance.
I don’t say pointless because MacKinnon shouldn’t be out on the power play, but he was clearly unable to make any explosive movements and was basically ineffective.
This leads me to an adjustment I hope to see from Bednar. I don’t think riding your clearly wounded top guys into the ground is going to do anything but accelerate losing.
The approach we saw in game three just came off desperate as the top group waved off a timeout just to inevitably be too gassed to stave off an open net attempt.
Moreover, it explains why the end of game three was so lifeless.
Only one team in NHL history has come back from down 3-0 beyond the quarterfinals, and that was the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs.
Saying things have changed since then is incredibly reductive, but back then, Leafs head coach Hap Day chose to bench the team’s leading scorer and a veteran defender to make his lineup younger, faster, and better equipped to play 60 minutes of playoff hockey.
Here are three keys to victory for the Colorado Avalanche:
Effort every second of every shift.
A commitment to sacrifice and teamwork
Patience and pride.
It’s desperation time for the Avalanche (although I’d argue it has been for at least two games), and they will have to lean into that to avoid the sweep. That means controlling what they can control, and that starts with effort.
Speaking of effort, you clearly aren’t going to skill it up to a victory against this Vegas team, so to win, Colorado will have to buy into sacrificing offense for defense, grinding in the corners and below the goal-line, and crashing the net.
The approach that’s required right now isn’t a pretty one. It’s not gonna land anyone on ESPN’s top ten or make an end-of-year highlight reel. The Avalanche will have to trust themselves, prepare for battle, and play for the logo on the front of their jerseys.
Note: I have italicized the individuals who are a bit questionable tonight. We haven’t gotten the real word on either Nichushkin or MacKinnon’s status, and Cale has dealt with stuff all postseason.
Nothing has been reported, but it feels like the right time to give MacKenzie Blackwood a chance in game four.
Vegas Golden Knights
When John Tortorella took the reins in Vegas, he talked a lot about just getting out of the way with this Vegas group, which has an established cup-winning core and a cupboard full of talent. It’s apparently exactly what was needed to right the ship in Vegas.
Good goaltending has also helped, as Carter Hart is on a Jordan Binnington-like run here in the 2026 playoffs. His success has been largely instrumental in Vegas’ commitment to the counterstrike approach, as he’s backstopped the group well when Colorado has earned the seldom-seen high-danger look.
Vegas is in comfortable territory right now, but won’t just take the foot off the gas this close to getting back to a cup final.
Here are three keys to victory for the Golden Knights:
Stick to the plan.
Play to win.
Ride momentum.
Vegas’ approach is undefeated against the team that many (along with Carolina) viewed as a shoo-in for the Cup Final. As the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
With this sort of series lead, it’s human nature to let up a little bit, seeing as only four teams have ever come back from being down 3-0 in the NHL’s 109 seasons. That gives the Avalanche ~ a 3.7% chance of realizing a reverse sweep.
That’s the sort of unlikelyhood that can seep into the little habits, but as we know in Colorado, habits are fleeting and must be nurtured even when the going is good. Or else.
The Golden Knights have done very well at getting and keeping momentum when it matters most. The first goal hasn’t mattered as much as the last goal in this series because Vegas doesn’t come out of their game when behind.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 25: Yuki Matsui #1 of the San Diego Padres pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning at Petco Park on May 25, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Philadelphia Phillies (27-27) at San Diego Padres (31-22), May 26, 2026, 6:40 p.m. PST
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Boston, MA - April 19: Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla calls out a play in the second quarter. The Celtics played the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2026. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla once called the NBA’s Coach of the Year award “stupid.” On Tuesday night, he became the organization’s first recipient in 46 years.
“Don’t need it,” Mazzulla told reporters in March. “I think it’s a stupid award. They shouldn’t have it. And it’s more about the players. It’s more about the work that the staff puts in. It’s just that simple. I really don’t ever want to be asked or talk about it again. It’s just that dumb. So, the players play. It’s about them. The staff works their ass off. I’m grateful to have them.”
Mazzulla beat out J.B. Bickerstaff of the Detroit Pistons and Mitch Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs, becoming Boston’s first COTY winner since Bill Fitch (1979-80), and just the fourth in Celtics history. At 37 years old, Mazzulla became the youngest coach to win since Phil Johnson 51 years ago, earning 62 first-place votes to Bickerstaff’s 29 votes.
Following a complete roster overhaul that saw the Celtics move on from core pieces Kristaps Porziņģis, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford, plus the absence of Jayson Tatum for the first 62 games of the season, Mazzulla got to work. With a slew of unproven newcomers, the fourth-year head coach reshaped the team’s identity to better suit the pieces available and keep the Celtics competitive enough to earn the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Boston went 56-26 and established a two-way playstyle that gave some of the league’s best issues throughout the year.
INGLEWOOD, CA – JANUARY 3: Head Coach Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics looks on during the game against the LA Clippers on January 3, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
On March 25, the Celtics defeated the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder and finished with the second-best home record in the NBA.
Mazzulla, thrust into the head coaching seat just four years ago following the abrupt suspension and eventual firing of Ime Udoka, has improved gradually each season. He worked his way up from a G League assistant with the Maine Red Claws to a Division II head coach at Fairmount State to an NBA assistant for three years under Brad Stevens and Udoka before finally landing his dream job in 2022.
“Thank you to the Lord for the platform he has given me, and to my wife and family who support me on this journey,” Mazzulla said, per the Celtics. “Thank you to our players who compete and give it everything they have each night. I am grateful for every member of the Celtics organization whose dedication impacts winning every day. This award belongs to our staff, who are there for the guys every day. Their relentless work ethic improves our team daily. This award should be named Staff of the Year.”
Last August, the Celtics signed Mazzulla to a multi-year contract extension to remain in Boston.
In four years, Mazzulla has amassed a 238-90 record in the regular season while going 36-21 in the postseason. In 2024, he coached Boston to its 2024 NBA Finals win over the Dallas Mavericks to end the franchise’s 16-year title drought and secure Banner 18.
Fitch, Tommy Heinsohn (1972-73), and Red Auerbach (1964-65) are the only other Celtics coaches to ever win COTY.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 25: (L-R) Brandon Marsh #16, Justin Crawford #2 and Adolis García #53 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate on the field after defeating the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on May 25, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Victor Wembanyama scored 33 points to lead the Spurs past Oklahoma City in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals Sunday in San Antonio and tie the best-of-seven series at 2-2. (Alex Slitz / Getty Images)
Victor Wembanyama is making news these days as a third-year player who has led the San Antonio Spurs to a 2-2 series tie with the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference finals.
A sports card from the 7-foot-4 French star’s rookie season has also made headlines. Wembanyama’s 2023-24 Panini Prizm one-of-one Black parallel card recently sold for $5.11 million in a private deal brokered by Fanatics Collect.
It’s the highest known price paid for a non-autographed NBA card and the fourth-highest for any NBA card, according to price guide website Card Ladder. The buyer told the Athletic that he believes it will remain the best card for a player whose superstar potential is practically unlimited.
“There’s a sort of obvious ceiling for him, just as an athlete, that I think is higher than most people that are like the ordained superstars, like the next guy that we anticipate them being pantheon people,” said the buyer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “... If you take all these players and you say, ‘What’s their ceiling?’ I think Victor Wembanyama’s [ceiling] is substantially higher.”
Professional Sports Authenticator graded the card a Gem Mint 10, which the PSA site says is reserved for “virtually perfect” cards.
The previous record amount spent on a Wembanyama card was $860,100 paid for his rookie Panini Prism Nebula Choice one-of-one card in early 2025, according to Fanatics Collect. That card had a PSA 9 grade.
The grade for the recently purchased card came with controversy. Collector Cavelle McDonald pulled the card from a pack he purchased at NorCal Sports Cards in Roseville, Calif. A video posted to the store’s YouTube account in 2024 shows McDonald and NorCal Sports Cards owner Thomas Lindenthal getting the card graded.
After learning the card’s grade, Lindenthal gave “a huge shout-out” to Kurt’s Card Care. “Your product is phenomenal,” he said.
According to its website, Kurt’s Card Care makes “100% handmade Cleaning sprays and polishes free of artificial colors and scents. Perfect for cleaning and restoring your card collection.” PSA says on its website that it “will not grade cards that bear evidence of trimming, re-coloring, restoration, or any other forms of tampering” and lists “evidence of cleaning” as a factor in the company returning a card without a numeric grade.
Some people in the video’s comment section speculated that Lindenthal’s shout-out may have indicated that the Wemby card had been tampered with in a way that should have disqualified it from being graded. NorCal Sports Cards did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Times.
McDonald told the Athletic that “Kurt’s Card Care has nothing to do with me or the card.” The new buyer told the publication that he was unaware of the situation before purchasing the card, but said it wouldn’t have made any difference if he had known.
Wembanyama had 41 points and 24 rebounds in the Spurs’ double-overtime victory against the Thunder in Game 1 of the conference finals and 33 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three blocked shots in San Antonio’s Game 4 victory on Sunday. Game 5 is Tuesday in Oklahoma City, with the winner of the best-of-seven series advancing to play the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points, Alex Caruso led another strong bench effort with 22 and the Oklahoma City Thunder moved one win away from a return trip to the NBA Finals by beating the San Antonio Spurs 127-114 on Tuesday night.
Jared McCain — getting the call with Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell both sidelined — scored 20 in his first playoff start for the defending NBA champion Thunder, who lead the Western Conference finals 3-2.
Chet Holmgren had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Thunder, while Isaiah Hartenstein had a 12-point, 15-rebound night in Oklahoma City.
The Thunder, who were held to 82 points in a Game 4 loss two days earlier, had 82 points on Tuesday before the third quarter was 3 1/2 minutes old.
“We obviously played a lot better, in terms of our process and then also the outcome,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “It’s a playoff series. If you look at any playoff series that goes to six games, at least, there’s going to be some tough games. We had a tough game the other night. This team does a great job of just coming back in the next day in a very neutral way, taking whatever the lessons are, applying them forward and getting into the next opportunity.”
Stephon Castle scored 24 points for San Antonio, which got 22 points from Julian Champagnie and 20 points from Victor Wembanyama — who was held to 4-of-15 shooting.
Keldon Johnson scored 15 off the bench for San Antonio, which missed 29 of its 41 3-point tries.
“It just felt like it was a little bit of everything in terms of we did not put ourselves in position enough to be successful on each possession,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “And so, to beat a team of this caliber, in their building, with the stakes, we’ll need to be a lot better to give yourself a chance.”
Game 6 is Thursday in San Antonio. If there’s a Game 7, it’ll be back in Oklahoma City on Saturday — and while this series winds down, the New York Knicks are waiting to see who emerges.
The Knicks will visit either the Thunder or Spurs in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 3.
Oklahoma City scored 40 points in the second quarter to take control and kept the lead the rest of the way.
“We just played to who we were tonight,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
It took nearly 10 minutes for the first free throws to be awarded. But when the parade to the foul line started, it didn’t stop.
The teams combined to make 29 free throws in the second quarter alone, the most in the second quarter of any NBA game since the bubble playoffs nearly six years ago. It wasn’t a one-sided thing — the Spurs were 15 for 17 in the quarter, the Thunder 14 for 14.
Oklahoma City went up by 20 in the third, before San Antonio closed within eight. The Spurs might have had some chances to cut even further into the deficit, but were fuming — and rightly so, it seemed — over some missed calls in the final minute of the quarter.
A tip-in try by San Antonio’s Luke Kornet with about 56 seconds left was knocked off the rim by Oklahoma City’s Cason Wallace and should have been goaltending. And on the next Spurs’ possession, an out-of-bounds call that should have gone their way — replays showed the ball went out off of Holmgren — did not. Johnson tried to challenge the call, got ignored, then got a technical foul for arguing.
“They just said they didn’t see me,” Johnson said.
After all that, Oklahoma City’s lead was 101-91 going into the fourth. The Thunder kept a double-digit lead for all but 25 seconds of the final quarter — a huge turnaround from a 21-point loss in San Antonio on Sunday.
“We definitely got better from the last game,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
