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Rick Pitino’s thoughts on NBA Finals Game 3 officiating

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Basketball coach Rick Pitino reacting during the NCAA Sweet Sixteen game

Legendary basketball coach Rick Pitino has some thoughts on the officiating in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

Pitino appeared on The Post’s “Schein Time” on Tuesday, the morning after attending Game 3, which the Knicks dropped to the Spurs 115-111.

“It was unreal,” Pitino said of the fans at MSG Monday night. “The fans were up. I’d say I was on my feet for 90% of the game, and that’s the type of magic it was.”

Rick Pitino reacts during St. John’s loss to Duke in the Sweet 16 in March. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST

On a less positive note, there’s been some controversy surrounding the officiating.

Postgame, Knicks head coach Mike Brown commented on the free throw disparity, as the Spurs took three times as many free throws as the Knicks did in the second half.

Pitino sees the complaints and understands them.

“Look, there were a couple of plays where I was like, OK, that’s the wrong call. And I’m a die-hard Knicks fan. … I credit San Antonio. I didn’t think the Knicks played their game.

“I got the sense watching it live that Mike Brown wanted to either shift the conversation or kind of go Phil Jackson on everyone and let the officials know for next game, hey, we want some calls at home.”

Pitino also credited the Spurs’ physicality for helping them escape with a close win in Game 3, especially in a raucous environment like that of MSG, which was hosting its first Finals game since 1999.

“I think San Antonio last night knew what to do to win that game from a coaching standpoint, strategy standpoint, that was extremely physical…It was a game like it was when I was coaching the Knicks. It was back then they allowed physicality.”

The Knicks look to win their first NBA Finals game on their home floor in 25 years tomorrow, with tipoff at 8:30 pm.

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Game #67: Brewers at Athletics Game Thread

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 08: Nick Kurtz #16 of the Athletics hits a home run in the 10th inning during the game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Athletics at Las Vegas Ballpark on Monday, June 8, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

How will these two teams follow up last night’s homer barrage? We’re about to find out as the A’s take on the Brewers for the second of three tonight in Las Vegas, looking to right the ship and get back in the win column on a hot spring evening in a Triple-A ballpark. The A’s have fallen to 31-35 and now sit 3 1/2 back of the Mariners in the AL West and they’ve fallen out of a Wild Card spot. Time to get out groove back, and quickly.

The starter tonight will be right-hander J.T. Ginn, who’s getting the call for his 12th start of the season. The 27-year-old continues to be on an absolute roll in what is shaping up to be his breakout year. In his past six starts he’s allowed just six runs spanning 36 1/3 frames. Overall on the year he has a 2.74 ERA but an even better 2.45 as a starting pitcher. Can Ginn, a groundball specialist, keep the ball in the park tonight? Tonight is a difficult test for any pitcher but if anyone can post a good line tonight in the hot desert weather it’s Ginn.

Here’s how the Athletics will line up for tonight’s contest:

No Brent Rooker tonight as he heads to the bench. With a lefty on the opposing mound manager Mark Kotsay is filling tonight’s lineup with lots of right-handed hitters, starting with right fielder/leadoff man Colby Thomas. He’ll be followed by Nick Kurtz, Shea Langeliers (tonight’s DH), Tyler Soderstrom and the recently-activated Max Muncy, who gets the second straight start at the hot corner tonight after going just 1-for-5 in his first game back.

The bottom half of the lineup is all right-handed hitters. With Langeliers DH’ing tonight it’ll be Jonah Heim behind the plate catching Ginn and the bullpen this evening. Henry Bolte seems to be your everyday center fielder at this point so no surprise to see him in there behind Heim. And then Zack Gelof gets the second straight nod at second base again, keeping left-hander Jeff McNeil on the bench. Alika Williams brings up the rear manning shortstop and batting ninth.

That starting nine will be facing Brewers lefty Robert Glasser. The 27-year-old has been one of the Brewers’ top pitching prospects in recent years but had Tommy John surgery in June 2024 that had kept him on the shelf for a year-plus. He’s finally healthy and in the Brewers’ rotation but has only made three starts, allowing seven runs in 13 1/3 innings of work so far. He is coming off a five-inning, one-run performance last time out against the Giants but they’ve struggled offensively all year, the A’s have bigger bats and we’re playing in a minor league park. Those three things aren’t exactly favoring a low-scoring performance tonight for Gasser.

And Milwaukee’s lineup for tonight’s contest:

More or less the same lineup as last night, and after that performance why change things up if your Brewers skipper Pat Murphy? We do have two small changes at the bottom where Sal Frelick gets into the starting nine over Andrew Vaugh, and then we’ll also see David Hamilton take over at shortstop for Joey Ortiz.

Will the Las Vegas heat cause another homer galore tonight? Will J.T. Ginn be able to keep the ball in the ballpark? How many long balls get hit tonight? And most importantly, can the Athletics bounce back and get a win? Let’s go A’s!

Follow the Game:
Watch:
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Ronald Acuña Jr. exits game with apparent leg ailment

CINCINNATI, OHIO - MAY 30: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates a hitting a home run in the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 30, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Ah, jeez. The frustrations continue for Ronald Acuña Jr. and his wheels, as he had to exit Tuesday’s game against the Chicago White Sox with an apparent lower leg injury.

With one out in the top of the fourth inning, Acuña hit a ground ball deep to the left side of the infield. Chicago third baseman Miguel Vargas’ throw bounced to first and just barely beat Acuña but that happened after Acuña started to limp once he got close to first base. Acuña appeared visibly frustrated as he was taking off his batting gloves and limped off the field and into the visitors’ clubhouse. Acuña was replaced by Eli White in the outfield.

We’ll have more on the situation as it develops but for now, it’s once again time to cross our fingers and hope that this isn’t on the more severe side of injuries for the star outfielder. We’ll see what happens.

UPDATE [9:54 p.m. ET]: The Braves have reported that Acuña is dealing with “left hamstring tightness” and yes, that’s the same hamstring that he strained just over a month ago. Hopefully this is more of the “day-to-day” variety and not anything more serious than that.

UPDATE [Post-game]: Walt Weiss spoke with the media following Tuesday’s game and informed the media that they believe that Acuña’s latest hamstring injury “isn’t as bad as the one that landed him on the IL” and that he’s currently day-to-day. Nonetheless, he’s getting an MRI so we aren’t out of the woods just yet.

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A’s and Brewers play wild game in Sin City amid NBA Finals Game 3 hoopla

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers sliding into home plate, kicking up dust, Image 2 shows Athletics players Nick Kurtz (16) and Shea Langeliers (23) high-five after Kurtz's home run, Image 3 shows Abner Uribe reacts after striking out the final batter

While the attention of many sports fans might have been turned to Madison Square Garden and the NBA Finals on Monday night, about 2,500 miles away, there was a rather bizarre baseball game taking place.

The Brewers visited the Athletics at Las Vegas Ballpark, marking the first time the A’s have played in Vegas since their move there was announced.

Milwaukee came away with a 15-14 victory in 12 innings. The 29 combined runs scored broke the MLB season high of 25 set in the Giants’ 19-6 win over the Rockies on May 31. The Brewers outhit the A’s by a small margin, 18-16.

Milwaukee designated hitter Christian Yelich slides into home plate to score on a fielder’s choice by Brice Turang during the 12th inning the Brewers’ 15-14 win over the A’s on June 8, 2026, in Las Vegas. AP Photo/Caroline Brehman

As expected for a minor league park, the ball was flying out of Las Vegas Ballpark on Monday as the two clubs combined for 11 homers.

The Athletics were responsible for seven, and four just between Nick Kurtz and Tyler Soderstrom.

Andrew Vaughn, who homered for Milwaukee, led the team with four RBIs. Three other Brewers, Brice Turang, William Contreras, and Jake Bauers, had three RBIs apiece. Tyler Soderstrom matched Vaughn and led his own squad with four RBIs alongside two home runs.

Abner Uribe (45) reacts after striking out the final batter during the 11th inning of the Brewers’ shootout win over the A’s. AP Photo/Caroline Brehman

On the other side, the Brewers and A’s each used seven pitchers in contest, and the staffs threw a total of 441 pitches, a season high.

The starters, Kyle Harrison for the Brewers and Jeffrey Springs for the Athletics, allowed a combined 13 runs. It was the longest game thus far this season, taking four hours and 14 minutes.

After heading into extras tied 10-10, each team scored four runs in the tenth inning to keep things tied 14-14. The 11th inning saw no runs scored, but in the top of the 12th, automatic runner Christian Yelich scored the deciding run when A’s second baseman Jeff McNeil threw wide to home on a grounder by Turang.

First baseman Nick Kurtz (right) celebrates with catcher Shea Langeliers (23) after hitting a home run during the A’s loss t the Brewers. Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

The Central Division-leading Brewers have been slugging the past few days, having scored seven or more runs in their last five games.

The A’s are expected to move into their new ballpark in Las Vegas for the start of the 2028 season.

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Jeremy Lin heaps praise on star duo for how they have transformed Knicks

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Jeremy Lin posing in a New York Knicks jacket before game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals, Image 2 shows New York Knicks players Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson greet each other on the basketball court

Jeremy Lin knows better than anyone how it feels to excite New York.

Before Jalen Brunson carried the Knicks within two games of winning the franchise’s first championship since 1973, Lin imbued a flailing organization with the most joy it had experienced since its playoff runs in the 1990s.

Lin went from being an undrafted, Harvard walk-on to becoming a global superstar after carrying the Knicks on a seven-game winning streak while averaging 22 points during the 2011-12 season. He brought Spike Lee back to Madison Square Garden. He inspired ticket prices to soar. He famously scored 38 points on Kobe Bryant after the Lakers superstar asked, “Who is this kid?”

Knicks alumni Jeremy Lin poses for a photo before Game 3 of the NBA Finals. Jason Szenes for the New York Post

Lin returned to ground zero of the career-defining yet short-lived “Linsanity” phenomenon Monday for Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and Spurs.

Lin will forever be celebrated by New Yorkers, who cheered wildly when his face was shown on the jumbotron.

He arrived at MSG clad in Knicks gear, representing a franchise that will forever hold a piece of his heart even though he left after his lone season with the organization after it declined to match a three-year, $25 million offer from the Rockets in the summer of 2012.

Lin brought beleaguered New Yorkers happiness and he’s thrilled they’re experiencing it once again. Many are even calling this the greatest Knicks team of all time.

As for whether Lin agrees?

“I don’t think I know enough about the history of the older teams to fully know,” Lin told The California Post. “But forget the Knicks, this is one of the most dominant runs we’ve seen in NBA history.”

Before falling to the Spurs 115-111 on Monday, the Knicks had won 13 postseason games in a row, the second-longest winning streak in NBA playoff history.

The biggest reason for that? Brunson.

Karl-Anthony Towns (left) greets guard Jalen Brunson during the second half of the Knicks’ Game 3 loss to the Spurs.
Jason Szenes for the New York Post

Lin praised Brunson for igniting the Knicks’ fanbase, saying the man known as “The King of New York” is finally showing the world what New Yorkers have known all along.

“He is starting to get [the attention] now and definitely deserves it,” Lin told The California Post. “I don’t think enough people are talking about him giving up $113 million to build a team full of players that want to win. I think that speaks volumes. That’s also historic. It’s not talked about enough. Now he’s starting to get some of the recognition he deserves as a player, but he’s the consummate teammate and professional.”

Lin went on to praise Karl-Anthony Towns, who this postseason has shed the “soft” narrative that plagued him throughout his career.

Towns has been dominant on both ends of the court against the Spurs, often getting the better of Victor Wembanyama, who’s considered the next face of the league.

“It’s huge because, one, he’s rising to the occasion,” Lin said. “Two, he’s doing it on the defensive end as well. Three, he has turned up his playmaking abilities. We’re seeing three different areas of KAT that had certain narratives already written about him, so credit to him. And from all of his interviews, he seems so centered, so grateful. It has been great to see.”

The Knicks, who have a 2-1 series lead over the Spurs and will host Game 4 on Wednesday, are so close to ending 53 years of suffering for their fanbase.

But New Yorkers shouldn’t celebrate yet.

If the Knicks allow the Spurs to become the first team in NBA history to win a Finals series after losing their first two games at home, this iteration of the blue and orange would go from being the city’s savior to its greatest flop.

Things are still precarious for the Knicks.

As Lin knows all too well, in this city things can change in the blink of an eye.

“Obviously, it’s not over until they finish the job,” Lin told The California Post. “If they don’t finish the job then that will forever be a knock. Until this point, [their run] is about as dominant as it gets.”

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Game 66: Cincinnati Reds at San Diego Padres

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 08: Freddy Fermin #54 of the San Diego Padres celebrates with Jackson Merrill #3 after hitting a home run during the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Petco Park on June 08, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Cincinnati Reds (31-34) at San Diego Padres (34-31), June 9, 2026, 6:40 p.m. PST

Watch: Padres.TV

Location: Petco Park – San Diego, Calif.

Listen: 97.3 The Fan

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The Coaching Change That Comes After

LOS ANGELES – The Kings have hired Peter Laviolette as their new head coach. More changes could be expected to bolster the coaching staff.

Peter Laviolette is a Stanley Cup-winning head coach with 24 seasons of NHL experience. Along with the title he won with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, Laviolette has two other Stanley Cup appearances with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010 and the Nashville Predators in 2017.

Now, the Kings are hoping Laviolette can bring playoff success to their organization. Los Angeles has been eliminated in the first round in the past five seasons.

So the biggest question with this hire is how Laviolette will benefit the Kings' playing style? The answer to that it is a great fit for the Los Angeles organization.

During his interim tenure as head coach, DJ Smith enhanced the defensive success through activating the backend along with forechecking and physicality. This defensive scheme helped the Kings go from outside the playoff picture to secure the final wild card spot.

Throughout Laviolette’s career, he has been known as a coach with a team that pushes the pace and presents a heavy forecheck. Every team Laviolette has coached has played an aggressive forecheck, which has led to massive improvements in their puck possession.

The season before the Flyers hired Laviolette, Philadelphia had a 47.65% CF in 2009, but that skyrocketed to 50.93% in 2010. The Predators had a 48.44% CF in 2014, but with Laviolette, that improved to 52.82% in 2015.

Teams that struggled with forechecking found success in the very next season with Laviolette as their head coach. Now, Laviolette gets to coach a Kings team that is already fond of forechecking.

Los Angeles had a 52.22% CF, which ranked in the top 10 in the NHL last season. A forecheck-heavy coach should find success with a team that has already excelled in puck possession.

The Kings dropped from 105 points to 90 points in the Pacific, while young teams like the Ducks and Sharks surged in the standings. With the right offseason moves, an upbeat tempo, active defensemen, and aggressive forecheck could keep the Kings competitive against their rivals.

While the Laviolette hire activates the defensive core in place, how else will the offense improve? That’s where the Kings will have to make another decision for the coaching staff.

Newell Brown was hired back in the 2025 season to help the power play improve. However, the Kings have experienced an even larger decline in the power play since then.

In 2024, the Kings had a 22.6% power play, which ranked 11th in the league. The next season, Brown gets hired, and the power play drops to 17.9% and 27th overall.

As underwhelming as the power play was in 2025, it was even worse this past season. The Kings had a 17% power-play percentage, which ranked 28th overall.

Brown led the Kings' power play to a bottom-six percentage in both of his seasons as an assistant coach. Brown's power-play strategy has been criticized by fans and reporters for the struggle.

In the past two seasons, the Kings' power play has been holding the puck to set up the perfect shot. Nonetheless, one good look at a power play isn’t as effective as four difficult shots.

A north-to-south style creates more shots on net, which creates more chances for goals. This style of hockey also aligns with the new head coach, who likes to forecheck and play fast.

Therefore, an east-to-west offense that has struggled will not align with Laviolette’s vision for the team. Making it apparent that Brown might be the next coach to be replaced for the Kings.

It is not official that the Kings are moving on from assistant coach Brown, but it is heavily speculated that this could be the move, with new head coach offseason hires typically comes with new staff preferences. The head coach hire may just be the beginning of the coaching overhaul for Los Angeles.

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Knicks, Spurs players speak out against ‘unacceptable’ fan violence after NBA Finals Game 3

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows A crowd of people tearing at a man's jersey in the street, Image 2 shows New York Knicks fans fight outside a watch party at Bryant Park for Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Image 3 shows Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs speaking to the media at the 2026 NBA Finals Practice and Media Availability

Players from the Knicks and Spurs denounced the fights between fans of their teams during Game 3 of the Finals. 

“We can’t forget it’s a game,” Victor Wembanyama said Tuesday. “We’re just playing a game out there. I am all for passion, but to the respect of each other. It’s unacceptable.”

Multiple videos went viral of fans clashing at a Bryant Park watch party during the Knicks’ 115-111 loss to the Spurs on Monday night at Madison Square Garden.

Dozens of enraged Knicks fans surrounded a Spurs fan
on the streets and tore apart his Victor Wembanyama
jersey from his back after Monday night’s loss in Game 3
of the NBA Finals. X / @NICHETONOTABLE

In one video, Knicks fans tore apart a Spurs fan’s Wembanyama jersey.

Another video shows a fan in a Spurs jersey leaving the scene with a bloodied face. Another video showed altercations with police. 

More than 20 people were arrested for offenses including assault on a police officer, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, menacing, resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration. 

Multiple videos went viral of fans clashing at a Bryant Park watch party during the Knicks’ 115-111 loss to the Spurs on Monday night at Madison Square Garden.

“The game is built off of respect and passion,” Karl-Anthony Towns said. “We want everyone to respect each other. We want everyone to enjoy basketball at its purest state. It’s the NBA Finals. There’s no better place to watch basketball. Leave the physicality to everyone on the court.”

Victor Wembanyama talks to the media. NBAE via Getty Images

Monday’s planned watch party outside MSG was canceled due to the increased security around the arena with President Trump attending the game.

Watch parties in other locations, including Bryant Park, were organized in its place. 

The Bryant Park party turned chaotic, though. 

Getty Images

Even some of the most famous fans were critical of it. 

“Being a Knicks fan doesn’t mean being disrespectful to Spurs fans in any way,” Ben Stiller posted on X. “We get caught up during the games but we gotta show respect to our fellow humans.” 

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Game Discussion: Milwaukee Brewers (41-23) @ Athletics (31-35)

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 08: William Contreras #24 of the Milwaukee Brewers hits a 3 run home run in the 10th inning during the game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Athletics at Las Vegas Ballpark on Monday, June 8, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Last night, the Brewers and Athletics opened the Las Vegas series with a high-powered extra-inning classic, in which the Brewers came out on top 15-14. That was just the first game of the series, and we could see more of the same tonight.

There will be a lot of pressure on tonight’s starter, Robert Gasser. After the Brewers used most of their bullpen yesterday, Gasser may be asked to eat some innings to get through this one. He made a step forward in his last start, limiting the Giants to a solo home run in five innings. Unfortunately, he took a tough-luck loss as the Brewers were shut out in that game. He should get some additional run support tonight, but will also be facing an Athletics lineup that scored 14 runs and hit seven home runs last night. So far this season, Gasser has allowed seven earned runs in 13 1/3 innings over three starts, striking out 12 and walking seven. The longest start he has made in the majors this season is five innings, and his pitch count has maxed at 89 pitches.

For the Athletics, J.T. Ginn will start tonight. He’s been their best starter this season, anchoring a rotation that has been hit with injuries. In 14 games (11 starts), he has a 2.74 ERA and 4.08 FIP. Ginn has allowed two or fewer runs in each of his last six starts, and nine of his 11 starts overall. He also has pitched through the eighth inning twice this season. That being said, we saw that no pitcher is safe in this ballpark from last night’s game. This will be Ginn’s third career appearance against the Brewers. Last season, he allowed three runs in 4 2/3 innings on April 18. He struck out seven and walked two in that start in Milwaukee, which the Brewers won 5-3.

Looking at the bullpen situation, it is not good going into tonight’s game. Here is a breakdown of the bullpen usage:

  • Chad Patrick: Pitched one inning last night, threw eight pitches. Also pitched on Sunday, pitched 1 2/3 innings and threw 21 pitches.
  • Grant Anderson: Pitched 2 2/3 innings last night, threw 28 pitches.
  • Aaron Ashby: Pitched 1 2/3 innings last night, threw 36 pitches.
  • Joel Kuhnel: Pitched 1 2/3 innings last night, threw 20 pitches.
  • Drew Rom: Pitched 1 1/3 innings last night, threw 25 pitches.
  • Abner Uribe: Pitched 1 1/3 innings last night, threw 15 pitches.
  • Trevor Megill: Last pitched on Friday, but was unavailable last night due to “discomfort”. Before tonight’s game, Todd Rosiak reported that he’s been dealing with a right side/oblique injury, but will be available tonight if playing catch goes well.

As for the Athletics, they recalled Joey Estes and optioned Kade Morris before today’s game, giving them a reinforcement for their bullpen. They also have Elvis Alvarado and Mason Barnett fresh, as both did not pitch last night. On the other side, Hogan Harris, Mark Leiter Jr., and Justin Sterner have all pitched in two consecutive games.

While the Brewers did not make any major-league roster moves before today’s game, they did provide some updates on the different rehabbing players on the injured list.

One additional note from the minor leagues; Jake Woodford is back in the organization on a minor-league contract. He has been assigned to Nashville.

The top five in the lineup remain unchanged from yesterday, but a couple of players who were on the bench are back in the lineup. Sal Frelick is back in right field and batting seventh, while David Hamilton is at shortstop and batting ninth. Despite going 4-for-6 and finishing a triple short of the cycle yesterday, Andrew Vaughn will start this game on the bench.

First pitch tonight is at 9:05 p.m. It will be on Brewers.TV locally and available on MLB Network outside the Brewers’ broadcast area. It will also be on the Brewers Radio Network.

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Paul Skenes randomly stopped to play with Little League team

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher throwing a baseball, Image 2 shows Paul Skenes stopped by a local Little League practice earlier this week

Paul Skenes is “just a boy” at heart. 

The Pirates ace and one of the biggest names in Major League Baseball was driving on Perry Highway in Wexford, Pa., a suburb north of Pittsburgh, when he saw the lights on at a little baseball field and made the night of the kids who make up Ingomar Franklin Park Little League. 

Skenes watched practice on a park bench before the kids and parents took notice of the baseball superstar, before he ended up spending more than two hours with the local little leaguers, signing autographs, posing for pictures and playing catch with them.

Paul Skenes throws a pitch during the first inning of the Pirates’ loss to the Astros at Daikin Park on June 3, 2026 in Houston. Getty Images

An Ingomar Little League coach and member of the board of directors, Eddie Dubis, told MLB.com that the kids were “totally starstruck, in awe of what happened.” 

Photos and videos circulated of Skenes online smiling with players and playing catch, even seeming to be giving advice while throwing the ball with one player under the lights at the ballpark. 

“He just said he loves baseball, he’s a baseball nut, he loves everything about the game, and he remembers being that age, and how special Little League baseball was to him when he was that age,” Dubis said.

Skenes impromptu stop spread like wildfire and his girlfriend, and influencer, Olivia Dunne, posted about it on social media. 

Paul Skenes stopped by a local Little League practice earlier this week. Livvy Dunne/TikTok

“Remembering your MLB bf is just a boy bc wdym he saw a little league team practicing while driving home and pulled over to show me and play catch with them,” Dunne captioned a TikTok post that featured screenshots of a FaceTime at the Little League park. 

Several people who said they were there commented on Dunne’s post, praising Skenes for making their kids’ night and sharing photos. 

“He took a picture with my two boys there last night and they said it was the greatest night of their life,” one person wrote, “it was SO sweet that he stopped by!!!” 

“This is my kids’ league – this meant so much to so many people tonight,” another wrote. “Can’t even tell you how many of our friends are posting pics of their kids looking like it’s Christmas morning. What a good human.”

Skenes is scheduled to pitch on Tuesday night against the defending World Series champion Dodgers.

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Knicks-Spurs Games 1 and 2 hit best NBA Finals viewership marks this decade

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows New York Knicks fans cheer at an NBA Finals watch party in Central Park, Image 2 shows New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) is double teamed by San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) and San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) during the second quarter
Knicks

This NBA Finals has been exciting — and is already hitting some strong viewership numbers.

Games 1 and 2 between the Knicks and the Spurs were the most-watched NBA Finals games since Games 6 and 7 of the Raptors-Warriors Finals in 2019, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel shared by ESPN.

Game 1 led the way, averaging 16.93 million viewers on ABC and peaking at 19.63 million.

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) is double-teamed by San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) and San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) during the second quarter of NBA Finals Game 2. Jason Szenes for the New York Post

Two days later, Game 2 followed suit, hitting 19.42 million people in the 11:15 p.m. ET quarter-hour and averaging 16.63 million viewers throughout the contest.

ESPN shared that Game 2’s thriller, a Knicks 105-104 win, was the most-watched program “across all of television” on Friday.

Viewership marks are based on Nielsen’s final same-day ratings.

The Game 1 numbers are up 90 percent from last year’s series between the Thunder and Pacers, which drew 8.91 million viewers. It is also up 3 percent from that Finals’ Game 7 viewership.

Game 2 was up 88 percent on last year’s series and marked the most-watched Game 2 since the 2018 NBA Finals between the Warriors and Cavaliers.

If the trend continues, the NBA could be in for a huge ratings boost for the entirety of the Finals.

New York Knicks fans stood in long lines and gathered in Central Park to watch the Game 3 of the NBA finals. ZUMAPRESS.com

The four Warriors-Cleveland Cavaliers Finals during the 2010s are the only other series to draw more than 16 million viewers in Games 1 and 2.

Compared to other sports, Game 1’s mark of 19.63 million outpaced the first five games of the 2025 World Series between the Dodgers and Blue Jays.

It also bests any MLB World Series Game 1 since the Chicago-Cleveland series in 2016.

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Why Brandon Bussi was Hurricanes' Game 4 starting goalie, could be for Game 5

The answer to the most guarded secret in the NHL was given when Brandon Bussi skated onto the ice for warmups in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.

In a surprise, Frederik Andersen didn't dress as Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said the team's goalie coach said Andersen needed a break.

Bussi played well enough in the series-tying 5-3 victory on Tuesday, June 9, that he could get the call again when the series resumes Thursday night in Raleigh, North Carolina.

He stopped 18 of 21 shots and now has stopped 36 of 40 since Brind'Amour inserted him at the start of the third period of Game 3. Andersen, who had started every game, had given up four goals in the second period in Saturday's game.

Bussi had to stop a Mitch Marner penalty shot in Game 3 and that save gave the Hurricanes a chance to rally, though they eventually fell 5-4 in double overtime.

Brind'Amour didn't reveal his starter either after Monday's practice or in Tuesday's pregame news conference. There was no morning skate on Tuesday.

Bussi was tested quickly again in Game 4. He stopped a Mark Stone short-handed breakaway to preserve a 1-0 lead and the Hurricanes made it 2-0 shortly after.

Stone scored in the first period and Vegas tied the game 3-3 in the second period. But Bussi stopped nine shots in the third period to make Jordan Staal's go-ahead goal stand up.

"He was really solid all night," Brind'Amour said.

The start was Bussi's first since mid-April and his first career start in the playoffs. Did he think he played well enough to get the call in Game 5?

"Talk to Rod," he told ABC.

How Brandon Bussi fared in third period

The Golden Knights kept him scrambling but couldn't get a puck past him. He stopped 18 of 21 shots in the game and gave himself a chance to get the call again in Game 5 on Thursday, June 11.

How Brandon Bussi fared in second period

The Golden Knights have outscored the Hurricanes in 9-1 in the second period and Brandon Bussi is part of that now. He gave up goals to William Karlsson and Brett Howden as Vegas tied the game. He wasn't quite set on the first goal. The second goal was a great play by Howden, who set up a screen by shooting through a defender's leg. Bussi has stopped nine of 12 shots, a big difference from his relief appearance in Game 3.

How Brandon Bussi fared in first period

He was tested early on a short-handed breakaway by Mark Stone, but came up big. Stone later scored on a breakaway as he faked a shot, stickhandled and tucked the puck past Bussi's outstretched pad. The Golden Knights' next goal didn't count because time expired. But all in all, a good period for Bussi, who made five saves and has a 3-1 lead.

Why isn't Frederik Andersen playing?

Brind'Amour said Brandon Bussi got the start because he played great when he entered Game 3. Why isn't Frederik Andersen dressed? "Let him rest," the coach told ABC.

Bussi catches with different hand than Andersen

Bussi catches right-handed while Andersen catches left.

"We don't care who's playing, what hand, what feet, we're just going to play," Golden Knights coach John Tortorella told reporters.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hurricanes' Brandon Bussi starts Game 4, gets win vs Golden Knights

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From New York To Vegas: Brett Howden’s Surprising Playoff Emergence

Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The 2026 NHL Playoffs have marked Brett Howden’s coming-out party. 

With the Vegas Golden Knights two games away from winning the Stanley Cup, Howden currently leads all players in the playoffs with 13 goals. 

There’s no doubt that Howden has been an integral piece for the Golden Knights through their playoff run thus far, but what many people may not know is how he got to Vegas in the first place. 

Howden was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft, but he was traded to the New York Rangers as part of the deal that sent Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller to Tampa Bay in 2018.

He ultimately spent three seasons with the Rangers, playing in a total of 178 games and recording 16 goals, 33 assists, and 49 points.

Shortly after being hired as the Rangers’ president and general manager in 2021, Chris Drury traded Howden to the Golden Knights in exchange for defenseman Nick DeSimone and a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.

The Rangers eventually used that 2022 fourth-round pick to select Noah Laba.

Over his first three seasons in Vegas, Howden failed to record over 20 points, but he had a career year during the 2024-25 campaign, posting 23 goals, 17 assists, and 40 points.  

Now, playing on a line alongside Mitch Marner and William Karlsson, the 28-year-old forward has found his offensive groove and could be on his way to winning both the Stanley Cup and the Conn Smythe Trophy.

“I think he's in the moment,” Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella said of Howden. I just think he likes the situation he's in. I think the line's been good. That line, once we put it together, just connected. I don't think he's afraid of a damn thing, as far as playoffs, what comes with it, the flows of it. I just think he feels that good about himself.”

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New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani says Knicks watch party outside MSG back on for Game 4

A handful of Knicks fans gathered outside Madison Square Garden on Tuesday to burn cleansing sage, hoping to purge whatever bad energy was left behind from Monday’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

Maybe it’s working, because New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced on X.com Tuesday evening that a watch party for Game 4 is back on outside MSG.

"We have approved a ticketed MSG watch party for Game 4. More details soon," Mamdani said. "As we prepare to watch together, let me be clear: this is a historic, joyful moment for our city. We will not allow it to be disrupted by violence. Be safe, take care, and celebrate responsibly."

This is seemingly another indication that President Donald Trump, who stirred up strong emotions by shutting down midtown so he could attend, will not return for Game 4.

ESPN’s Shams Charania had already reported Trump will not attend, citing “scheduling conflicts and obligations."

Madison Square Garden Sports in a statement, though, said it has been told "that the NYPD will once again implement the same 'frozen zone' restrictions for Game 4," even with Trump not attending.

"The complete closing of areas around MSG is going to affect not only the celebration but also all the small businesses that rely on Garden fans for their livelihood," MSG said.

Trump became the first sitting president in history to attend an NBA Finals game when he showed up at MSG on Monday at the invitation of Knicks owner James Dolan. He was booed when shown on the Jumbotron during the national anthem. His presence also forced the cancellation of the outdoor watch party outside MSG and triggered a security perimeter that had fans waiting two hours or more to get inside.

The Knicks had won 13 straight games before the Spurs snapped the streak, 115-111, and fans wasted no time blaming Trump on social media.

With the president staying away, New York City approved a permit for a ticketed watch party at Plaza 33 outside MSG on Wednesday night. Watch parties will also be held at Wollman Rink in Central Park and the Brooklyn Bowl.

The Knicks lead the series 2-1.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Zohran Mamdani says Knicks watch party outside MSG back on for Game 4