SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 25: Head coach Mike D'Antoni of the Phoenix Suns talks with Amare Stoudemire #1 during the game against the Sacramento Kings at Arco Arena on March 25, 2007 in Sacramento, California. The Kings won 107-100. 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 2007 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Former Phoenix Suns Head Coach Mike D’Antoni and former multi-time All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire were inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame this weekend in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Thanks to D’Antoni’s fast-paced offensive approach and Stoudemire’s ability to catch lobs and run in transition, the two were focal points in the team’s iconic “7 seconds or less” offense, which was one of the first in NBA history to play with the pace and three-point emphasis that many do now.
In his 30 years as a coach in the NBA and internationally, D’Antoni spent the most seasons of his career as a member of the Phoenix Suns coaching staff, spending the 2002–2003 NBA season as an assistant and 2003–2008 as head coach after he took over for Frank Johnson 21 games into the 2003–2004 season. In his first full year as head coach, the Suns went 31–4 to start, tied for the fifth-best start to a season in NBA history through 35 games, leading to a 62–20 regular-season record, the best in the NBA and the franchise’s second-best regular season ever. While they lost in the Western Conference Finals, it was the start of a run in which Phoenix made the conference finals in three of six seasons.
A key contributor to that squad? Stoudemire. The 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year, a five-time All-Star and a four-time All-NBA selection during his eight seasons as a Sun, the power forward and center became Steve Nash’s pick-and-roll partner, catching alley-oops, attacking the rim and helping shooters and scorers Joe Johnson, Leandro Barbosa and Shawn Marion have ample room to operate as the team ran an offense with one traditional big in the paint surrounded by four perimeter players.
Along with Nash, who won two straight NBA MVP awards, Stoudemire and D’Antoni were referenced extensively in sportswriter Jack McCallum’s book Seven Seconds or Less, which chronicles his experience around the Suns during the 2005–2006 season, when the team finished second in the West and lost in the Western Conference Semifinals to the eventual Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks.
The day before their inductions, D’Antoni and Stoudemire looked back at their time in Phoenix with gratitude, as Stoudemire became the 15th Phoenix Suns player to enter the Hall of Fame and D’Antoni became the second coach. They joined Nash, Grant Hill and Shaquille O’Neal as members of the 2000s Suns to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
They were both filled with excitement as they prepared for their big days.
“I’m soaking in the moment. I’m really cherishing the time. I’m walking slowly. I’m enjoying my family. I’m watching their faces, seeing all the other Hall of Famers who are here, and just really soaking in the moments and really taking my time with that,” Stoudemire said.
D’Antoni is at peace with how his basketball career went and feels that reaching the Hall of Fame confirms that all his dedication to the sport was worthwhile.
“It kind of validates all the stuff that went on all the years, and it’s a great cap-off to a good career. I’m happy with the way it went. I got to be doing something I love for a long time, and it’s the best,” D’Antoni said.
With the two officially inducted, recently retired Chris Paul looks to be the next Sun selected. Second in assists and steals, the “Point God” spent three seasons in Phoenix. In the 2020–2021 season, he helped the team reach its first Finals in 28 years and then helped it achieve a franchise-best 64–18 regular-season record in the 2021–2022 season.
Former outfielder Reggie Smith was inducted into the Legends of Dodger Baseball on Saturday in a pregame ceremony. The observance included the three other members of the first quartet of teammates in major league history to each hit 30 or more home runs in a single season.
A switch-hitter who went to Centennial High in Compton, Smith spent six of his 17 major league seasons with the Dodgers.
Reggie Smith #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers at Spring Training at Holman Stadium in Vero Beach, Florida, on Feb. 25, 1998. (Getty Images North America) Getty Images
Smith homered 32 times in 1977. That same year, Steve Garvey finished with 33 home runs, and Dusty Baker and Ron Cey with 30 each. The team went on to reach the World Series, where it was beaten in six games by the New York Yankees.
The Legends of Dodger Baseball was established in 2019 to honor former players who don’t have their numbers retired because they’re not in the Hall of Fame. Smith was presented with a commemorative jacket by the late Tommy Lasorda’s daughter, Laura Lasorda.
Reggie Smith of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats during a game circa 1980. (Diamond Images) Diamond Images/Getty Images
“It’s a special meaning to me because I got to wear the same uniform as my boyhood hero,” the 81-year-old Smith said.
In his speech, Smith asked the Dodgers to similarly honor Bill Russell and Dave Lopes, who passed away last year.
Other speakers included Baker and Rick Monday, who played alongside Smith on the Dodgers from 1977-81.
Monday noted that he and Smith played against each other in football, with Monday playing for Santa Monica High and Smith for Centennial.
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Los Angeles Dodgers coach Reggie Smith during the 2021 MLB All Star Game at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado, on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. (X06796) USA TODAY Sports
“I will not relive the scores of those games because I don’t want Reggie to stand up and celebrate again,” Monday joked.
Former Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley was part of the ceremony, as were current manager Dave Roberts, and former players Orel Hershier, Manny Mota, Steve Yeager, Kenny Landreaux, Jerry Reuss, Charlie Hough, Derrel Thomas, Jerry Royster and Russell.
Mark Few, who is being inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, has guided Gonzaga from being a nice little Cinderella story to a national powerhouse this century.
He led Gonzaga to NCAA title game appearances in 2017 and 2021, and the Bulldogs currently have appeared in 25 consecutive NCAA Tournaments.
Few, a two-time Naismith Coach of the Year, was an assistant at Gonzaga for a decade before taking over from Dan Monson. He has a 773-156 record in 26 seasons, and his teams have won 23 West Coast Conference regular-season crowns and 21 conference tournament titles.
He has the highest winning percentage of any Division I men's college basketball coach, as Gonzaga has won 20 or more games every year since he took over the program in 1999.
Few was an assistant coach for the 2024 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team that took home the gold medal against France.
Mike D'Antoni has his prints all over the modern game of basketball.
The coach, who began his NBA career as an assistant with the Denver Nuggets in the 1997-98 season before becoming head coach of the Phoenix Suns in the 2003-04 season, is being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Saturday, Aug. 15 as part of the class of 2026.
In the 2000s, 'experts' thought D'Antoni was insane for idolizing offense and less defense. D’Antoni influenced the game through his up-tempo, 'space-and-pace' philosophy that helped redefine offensive strategy – emphasizing ball movement, shooting, and efficiency, and shaping the analytics-driven era of the sport.
His Suns' offense was deemed 'seven seconds or less,' meaning that players had the green light to shoot good, high-volume shots within seven seconds of a 24-second shot clock.
D'Antoni's impact spans continents, having coached professionally in Italy for eight seasons before bringing his ideas to the NBA. In addition to his stints with the Nuggets and the Suns, he was also head coach of the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets and an associate head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers before ending his NBA career as an assistant coach with the Brooklyn Nets.
Through his 16 NBA seasons, D'Antoni racked up nearly 1,200 career wins. He was named NBA Coach of the Year twice, in 2005 and 2017. He also served as an assistant coach for the gold medal-winning 2012 U.S. Olympic Team and was recognized as one of the 50 Greatest Contributors in EuroLeague history in 2008.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - AUGUST 15: Michael Lorenzen #24 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during the game between the Colorado Rockies and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Saturday, August 15, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Bryan Kennedy/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Colorado Rockies had a nice little win streak going entering this afternoon’s game. That momentum came to a screeching halt a few innings into the game as Logan Webb and the San Francisco Giants played spoiler.
The Rockies looked like they might solve Webb, getting out to an early lead and positioning themselves to hang in a close game. A long, painful fourth inning for Michael Lorenzen made the game much less close, and the Rockies failed to string together any additional offense after their lone run in the third.
An early but fleeting advantage
The first inning gave a glimpse at why Webb has been able to go deep into games this season. He got Jake McCarthy to fly out in three pitches, struck Cole Carrigg out in six, and got Mickey Moniak to ground out after five.
Lorenzen worked his first faced batter, Drew Gilbert, into an 0-2 count but then fell behind to walk him. He bounced back, recording the next two outs, before walking Jung Hoo Lee. He peppered in a lot of fastballs early, but especially struggled to land his changeup. Despite the two walks, he recovered and worked out of the jam. Still, this marked his eighth consecutive start throwing at least 20 pitches in the first inning.
Webb and Lorenzen both had strong second innings. Webb allowed a single but added two more strikeouts and faced no real pressure. Lorenzen had a 1-2-3 inning of his own, making quick work of the side.
Three straight hits in the third swung the game. It all started with Ezequiel Tovar’s 500th career hit. Tovar got the Rockies rolling with a bloop single into shallow right.
McCarthy followed that up with a nearly identical shot to the same part of the field. Tovar took advantage of the single and broke for third, a decision that would quickly pay off. Carrigg came up next and nailed a grounder that got through into left field, scoring Tovar and putting the Rockies up 1-0.
Unfortunately, that lead didn’t last long.
The Giants’ first hit of the game was a big one. Gilbert slammed a solo home run over the right field wall to tie the ballgame in the bottom half of the inning. The Rockies were unable to regain the lead in the top of the fourth inning
It all falls apart in the fourth
Runs are hard to come by in Oracle Park and against Logan Webb. The Rockies got an early lead and kept the Giants within arm’s reach for a third of the game. Unfortunately, one bad inning was all it took. The wheels came off in the fourth inning, dropping the Rockies to a six-run deficit.
Back-to-back singles from Lee and Oslevis Basabe started things off. Lorenzen walked Drew Cavanaugh on five pitches to load the bases, putting the Rockies in a tough spot with no outs. Turner Hill, making his MLB debut, got his first career RBI with a sacrifice fly to start the damage.
Lorenzen continued to struggle with control, hitting Buddy Kennedy with a pitch to re-load the bases. There was a brief glimmer of hope that the Rockies could hold things at 2-1. Christian Koss grounded into a force out resulting in Basabe being thrown out at home for the second out. But the inning just wouldn’t end.
The story of Lorenzen’s outing today was an inability to finish, whether that was an at-bat or an inning. Despite getting ahead in the count against most batters, he couldn’t always shut them down. Despite persevering in the fourth and getting the second out, he couldn’t quite wrap things up. A two out single scored two and ended his day with the Rockies falling behind 4-1 and with more of Lorenzen’s baserunners still on.
Parker Mushinski entered and struggled. A series consisting of a single, a wild pitch, and another single put the Giants ahead 7-1. When it was all said and done, the Gigantes brought 11 batters up to the plate and scored six times.
Lorenzen’s day finished after just 3.2 innings pitched with six earned runs on four hits, jumping his ERA up to 7.08. Despite throwing 49 strikes out of his 82 pitches, he didn’t have the command when it mattered and finished with three walks to one strikeout.
After the game, Warren Schaeffer commented on Lorenzen’s struggles with finishing the job: “A lot of 0-2 counts. He just had a tough time putting guys away. I just think the story of the day was he got ahead and just couldn’t finish em. Lots of foul balls and (the Giants) kept the at-bats alive. They battled today.”
Lorenzen said the same, pointing to foul balls and balls in play: “The past few games I’ve just had trouble putting guys away. I get in the good counts. I’m working deep counts and then a ball is in play. Then you start falling behind.”
Colorado’s offense caught in a Webb
The gameplan coming into today was clear. Webb has managed a number of low scoring starts into deep innings this season. If the Rockies were to have any sort of a chance, they needed runs on the board early and to consistently convert baserunners into runs. It felt like they might pull it off early, but their production against Webb fizzled out extremely quickly.
After allowing the Rockies lone run in the third inning, Webb flipped a switch and retired the next 11 straight batters with ease before being replaced in the top of the seventh. It was a nearly flawless, vintage Logan Webb performance.
Four of his six innings pitched were quick 1-2-3 innings as the Rockies struggled to solve his pitch selection. Webb used a small but (obviously) effective mix of pitches: a four-seam fastball (30%), changeup (26%), cutter (24%), sweeper (14%), and sinker (6%). Schaeffer applauded Webb’s ability to hit all areas of the strike zone with his pitches, noting that “we just had no answer for him today.”
He logged seven strikeouts through the game, with four of those coming on his four-seamer. He managed a 50% whiff rate on the fastball, using it efficiently throughout. His cutter had the Rockies fooled as well. He got opposing batters to swing and miss on 12 pitches (compared to just five from Lorenzen).
His day ended with a line that the Rockies hoped to avoid: a quality start with six innings pitched, the one run on four hits, and those seven strikeouts without a walk to go along with them.
A numbers game
There were a few big milestone numbers hit today on both sides.
As mentioned earlier, Tovar notched his 500th career hit which then turned into his 250th career run.
Connor Norby, acquired in the Victor Vodnik trade, got his first hit as a Rockie.
For the Giants, Hill got his first MLB RBI but will have to wait on his first hit.
Among his K’s, Webb logged career strikeout 1,100.
The number that the Rockies didn’t hit? Win 50 on the season. They’ll try again to hit that milestone in the series finale tomorrow.
Outside of milestones, the number that defined the day for Colorado was 0, as several key bats in the lineup ended the day with O-fers. Zac Veen, Brett Sullivan, and Moniak were 0-for-3 (before Adael Amador pinch hit and went 0-for-1) and TJ Rumfield went 0-for-4.
Another defining number was 11: The number of Rockies strikeouts today. Every single Rockie with an at-bat today logged at least one strikeout (Veen had two). Not ideal.
Up Next
We’ll see you here tomorrow at the same Rockies time on the same Rockies channel. Colorado and San Francisco meet for the last time this season with another 2:05 p.m. MDT first pitch on Sunday.
For this one, two pitchers still looking for their first win of the season duke it out.
Gabriel Hughes gets the start for the Rockies, currently sitting at 0-4 through six starts, with a 5.61 ERA, a 1.277 WHIP, and 31 strikeouts.
The Giants will send out right-hander Blade Tidwell who is 0-0 in just two starts and 10 total games. He carries a 2.78 ERA, a 1.103 WHIP, and has thrown 19 strikeouts.
With the season series tied at six wins apiece, tomorrow will also decide which team wins the head-to-head battle for 2026.
The Mets’ season has hardly been a party, but celebratory moments are still worth celebrating.
One such snapshot was Franscisco Lindor at second base Saturday, swarmed by teammates after smashing a walk-off RBI single in the ninth inning for a 5-4 Mets victory over the Nationals at Citi Field.
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“It’s been a tough year for everybody here, but [the young players] are seeing that the year is not done,” Lindor said. “We have got to fight to win.”
The victory was the Mets’ eighth in 11 games since the trade deadline. It was also their most dramatic over that stretch, with a contribution from Jorge Polanco, whose ninth-inning single helped fuel the winning rally.
Polanco had been 0-for-3 with two strikeouts to that point and heard boos from a home crowd far from satisfied by his .424 OPS this season.
Francisco Alvarez’s RBI double against Yovanny Cruz tied the game before Lindor delivered his first walk-off RBI this season.
“It felt like Stearns did a good job, it’s just we didn’t perform at the beginning,” Lindor said, referring to president of baseball operations David Stearns’ roster construction. “Now we’re in a situation where guys are performing, playing better and everybody who has been in the organization from the beginning and the guys that weren’t, they were acquired by the front office.”
Lindor, after drawing a leadoff walk in the eighth, was thrown out at second trying to advance on a pitch in the dirt. He apologized to interim manager Andy Green in the dugout.
“That’s a championship-caliber player,” Green said. “That is what you want out of your whole team, and I think we have seen that time and time again.”
Lefty reliever Jefry Yan, in his Citi Field debut, performed his strikeout dance three times over 1 ²/₃ scoreless innings.
Francisco Lindor celebrates after his game-winning hit in the Mets’ 5-4 comeback win over the Nationals on Aug. 15, 2026 at Citi Field. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
“I felt really welcomed today,” Yan said of the fan reaction.
Sean Manaea was victimized by one pitch, a sweeper that Brady House hit off the left-field foul pole in the sixth for three runs, snapping his streak of four straight quality starts. Overall, the left-hander allowed four earned runs on six hits and two walks over 6 ²/₃ innings with seven strikeouts.
Jared Young’s two-run double in the first inning got the Mets started after Brad Lord walked the bases loaded to start his afternoon. A.J. Ewing, Lindor and Carson Benge drew the walks before Young delivered his latest clutch hit.
Francisco Lindor celebrates with teammates after his walkoff hit gave the Mets’ a comeback win over the Nationals. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
He began the day with an .889 OPS over his previous 30 games, giving the Mets stability at first base. Young was 15-for-36 (.326) with runners in scoring position entering the day.
Andrés Chaparro homered leading off the fourth to slice the Mets’ lead to 2-1. Manaea worked ahead 0-2 in the count before throwing a four-seamer that Chaparro crushed beyond the left-field fence.
Manaea plunked Andrew Pinckney in the sixth and walked Chaparro before House lofted a sweeper to left field that hit the foul pole for a three-run homer that gave the Nationals a 4-2 lead.
Sean Manaea pitches during the Mets’ win over the Nationals. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
It marked the first time in five starts that Manaea surrendered multiple homers in a game.
“The season is going to come and go and we’re just trying to make the most of it,” Manaea said. “I think a lot of the young guys are coming in, stepping in and playing acceptably well. As a team we’re playing a lot better baseball than we did the first few months.”
Benge homered leading off the bottom of the inning against lefty reliever Tom Cosgrove.
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Benge’s arm helped save the Mets a run in the seventh: his strong throw to the plate easily nailed Pinckney attempting to score from third on Dylan Crews’ fly ball to right.
The assist was Benge’s sixth this season.
“I didn’t think he was going to go on that one, but I still know I have got to finish the play and got to go quick,” Benge said. “So, after I saw him kind of running after I let go of the ball, I was kind of excited for it because I knew he would be out.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 15: Andrew Pinckney #45 of the Washington Nationals is tagged out at the plate by Francisco Alvarez #4 of the New York Mets to end the seventh inning at Citi Field on August 15, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Mets completed a ninth-inning comeback today against the Nationals, and they won 5-4. Sean Manaea worked six-plus innings again, and the bullpen helped to give the offense a chance to stay in the game right until the end.
After Manaea retired the side at the top of the first inning, A.J. Ewing led off the bottom of the first with a walk. Ewing then stole second base during Francisco Lindor’s at-bat, and Lindor walked as well. Carson Benge walked out to load the bases with one out. Next up , Jared Young slapped an RBI double into left field to bring home Ewing and Lindor. Marcus Semien bounced a ground ball to C.J. Abrams, playing shortstop, and Abrams threw the ball to tag Benge out at home for the second out. Brett Baty worked the fourth walk of the inning, prompting a change of pitchers for the Nationals. Will Dion replaced Brad Lord and struck out Jorge Polanco to end the inning, but the Mets led 2-0.
Manaea allowed a single to Jacob Young at the top of the second inning, but otherwise continued to stifle the Nationals’ batters. After both pitchers kept things quiet for a while, Andrés Chaparro smacked a home run into left field to lead off the fourth inning. At the bottom of the fourth, Semien walked but was still on first when the inning ended. At the top of the sixth inning, Manaea hit Andrew Pinckney with a pitch and, with one out, walked Chaparro. Brady House doinked a ball off the foul pole for a three-run home run that looked like it would be a foul ball, but put the Nationals ahead instead. After Abrams grounded out, Manaea walked Harry Ford, but Daylen Lile flied out to Benge to stop the bleeding, with the score Nationals 4, Mets 2.
At the bottom of the sixth, Tom Cosgrove replaced Dion. Benge led off with a home run to right field. Immediately afterwards, Young laid down a bunt that Cosgrove could not field quickly enough, and Young made it to first base safely. Baty grounded into a double play that ended the inning, but the score was now 4-3. Manaea returned for the top of the seventh, and he allowed a lead-off single to Nasim Nuñez. However, Manaea helped catch Nuñez stealing on a rundown for the first out. Pinckney then hammered the ball into right field, and as it bounced off the wall and past Benge, Pinckney slid into third base for a triple. At this point, Dedniel Núñez replaced Manaea on the mound. He got Dylan Crews to fly into a double play in right field; Benge caught the ball for the second out and threw it home to Francisco Alvarez, who tagged Pinckney for the third out to end the top of the inning and the scoring threat.
At the top of the eighth inning, Núñez returned and allowed a lead-off single to pinch-hitter Abimelec Ortiz. He struck out House, but was then replaced by Jefry Yan. Yan retired the next two batters and ended the top of the inning quickly. At the bottom of the eighth, Clayton Beeter came out to pitch for the Nationals. Lindor tapped a ground ball into center field for a single. He tried to advance to second on a wild pitch, but Ford, the Nationals’ catcher, grabbed the ball quickly for a throw to second to get Lindor out. Bichette lined a single into center field immediately after this. Benge walked, and another wild pitch from Beeter moved the runners to second and third. Unfortunately, Young struck out, and Semien grounded out to end the inning and strand Bichette and Benge with the scores still Nationals 4, Mets 3.
Yan returned for the ninth inning and retired the batters in order, keeping the score close and giving the Mets a chance at the bottom of the inning. Yovanny Cruz replaced Beeter at the bottom of the ninth, and he walked Baty to lead off. Polanco drilled a single into right field, and Baty moved to second. Christian Pache came out to pinch-run for Polanco as Alvarez came out to bat. With no outs yet, Alvarez slapped a line drive down left field for an RBI double, and Baty scored to tie the game 4-4. Luis Robert Jr. came out to pinch-run for Alvarez. After Ewing struck out, Lindor came to the plate and whacked a fly ball into right field for a walk-off single to win the game Mets 5, Nationals 4.
The final game of the series starts tomorrow at 1:40 PM. Christian Scott will pitch for the Mets, and Jake Irvin will pitch for the Nationals.
Longtime NBA referee Joey Crawford, who is being inducted into the Naismith Basketball of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 15, officiated 2,561 regular-season games over 39 seasons, including a record 374 postseason games and 50 NBA Finals games. He worked in 23 consecutive NBA Finals.
Officiating with an iron fist and known for his quick whistle and quicker temper, Crawford got on the nerves of NBA players and fans, including an infamous incident in 2007 when he ejected Spurs star Tim Duncan for laughing from the bench.
Crawford was suspended indefinitely for the incident and sat out the rest of the regular season and playoffs that season.
“Being at home right now, I can see the frustration,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said in explaining the decision. “I felt that for him (it was best) to use today as a work day, and he will be back in there tomorrow (for the series finale against the Brewers).”
Roberts stated Tucker will remain in the lineup when the Dodgers hit the road for a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies.
“I don’t think he even realized (his frustration) until recently, when I think people brought it to light, but the fact is that the splits are stark (between home and road)."
Tucker is hitting .192 with just two home runs and 17 RBIs at home this season. When playing on the road, Tucker is hitting .275 with nine home runs and 37 RBIs.
“I don’t think we have a reason behind it, but I wouldn’t say he is fixated on it, but he’s conscious of it," Roberts said.
Roberts wasn’t willing to offer a theory for the statistical difference in play for Tucker during home and away games.
Tucker signed a four-year deal worth $240 million as a free agent this past offseason.
The manager said that the decision to hold Tucker out of the lineup allows time for a player like Alex Call to take the field and get some time at right field.
“I like Alex in the sense that I think he can spoil some pitches and kind of work at-bats versus (Brewers starting pitcher Jacob Misiorowski), so it’s a combo.”
The Mets walked off the Washington Nationals thanks to a heroic late-game comeback, a 5-4 win on Saturday afternoon at Citi Field.
New York has won 10 of their last 13 games, including the first two games of their three-game series against their NL East division rivals this weekend.
Here are the takeaways...
-- The Mets jumped all over the Nats' right-handed starter Brad Lord. Lord recorded just two outs in the first inning before being pulled. He walked the bases loaded, and with one out in the inning, lefty first baseman Jared Young sliced a double the opposite way, the ball bouncing into the left-field corner as A.J. Ewing and Francisco Lindor came around to score. After walking the bases loaded yet again, the Nationals called upon left-handed reliever Will Dion to record the final out of the inning, escaping the jam.
-- Dion continued onward, eating crucial innings for the Nationals after Lord's start when awry. He struck out six of the first seven Mets batters he faced, allowing zero runs across 64 pitches, the most he had thrown at any point this season in both the major and minor leagues. He tallied seven total strikeouts, allowing one walk and no hits across his 4.1 innings pitched.
-- Southpaw starting pitcher Sean Manaea had an up-and-down outing. He was stellar through five innings, having allowed one run - an Andres Chaparro solo shot in the fourth - on two hits while striking out seven batters. However, Manaea unraveled in the sixth. He plunked Andrew Pinckney, walked Chaparro, and then served up a hanging breaking ball to Brady House for the righty to turn on. House's 380-foot three-run shot clanked off the foul pole in left field and turned the game on its head. Manaea eventually got out of the inning with the Mets trailing 4-2.
-- The Mets responded immediately in the bottom half of the sixth. Facing lefty sidearmer Tom Cosgrove, Benge cranked the second pitch he saw 372 feet into the right field bleachers. The rookie's 14th of the season cut the Nats' lead to 4-3.
-- Manaea was pulled in the seventh for Dedniel Nuñez after surrendering a one-out triple to Pinckney. Dylan Crews' fly ball to right field was caught by Benge, who fired a perfect throw to catcher Francisco Alvarez to beat the tagging Pinckney, a remarkable double play to end the inning. Manaea's four earned runs allowed across 93 pitches increased his 2026 ERA to 4.23.
-- Jefry Yan relieved Nuñez in the eighth, retiring both batters he faced and striking out Harry Ford looking with a low fastball to end the inning with the Mets still behind 4-3. Ford made up for it in the bottom half of the frame, pouncing on a Clayton Beeter pitch in the dirt and unleashing a barehanded throw to catch Lindor trying to steal second. Young stepped up to the plate with one out and two Mets in scoring position. During the at-bat, both runners moved up a base - to second and third - on a Beeter wild pitch, but Young struck out swinging. Marcus Semien grounded out to short to end the threat.
-- In the top of the ninth inning, Yan retired the side, punching out two Nats. Yovanny Cruz, a right-handed reliever whom the Nationals acquired at the trade deadline from the Yankees, walked Brett Baty to lead off the inning. Jorge Polanco kept the line moving by roping a single into right field. Alvarez looped the first pitch he saw, a hanging breaking ball, into left field for a double. Baty scored easily and Cristian Pache - inserted as a pinch runner for Polanco - motored around to third base. With nobody out and Mets baserunners on second and third, Ewing struck out. It was Lindor who played the hero, driving Cruz's pitch into right field to score Pache and complete the Mets' 5-4 comeback victory.
Game MVP: Francisco Lindor
This was Lindor's fourth walk-off RBI as a Met, and his first since April 18, 2025.
The Buffalo Sabres got into the Stanley Cup playoffs last season after missing the playoffs for the previous 15 years. Buffalo also won the highly-competitive Atlantic Division in the regular-season last year, and the Sabres beat the Boston Bruins in the post-season’s opening round before losing to the Montreal Canadiens in Round 2.
There was much to like about the Sabres’ long-awaited growth last season. But in TheHockeyNews.com’s annual grades for Buffalo players, we’re also handing out grades for players who no longer are with the Sabres. And in today’s “Sabres Grades” file, we’re turning our attention to one of the centerpieces of one of this summer’s two big blockbuster trades for Buffalo – star defenseman Bowen Byram, who was dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks in June for a package featuring the 2026 fourth-overall draft pick.
Playing behind Sabres star D-men Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power, Byram’s opportunities in Buffalo were going to be more limited than what he’ll get with the Blackhawks. But just because Byram went on post-trade to sign a six-year contract extension paying him $12.5-million per-season with the Hawks, that doesn’t mean Byram had an A+ season. In fact, he still has room to grow his game before it gets to‘A’ territory.
But let’s focus on Byram’s 2025-26 impact, and see why he’s going to be judged by his lucrative new contract for the next half-dozen seasons in Chicago:
Bowen Byram
Position: Defense
Grade: B+
The Skinny: To be sure, Byram did many good things in his second-and-final full season in Buffalo. In 82 games last year, the 25-year-old generated new personal-bests in goals (11), points (42) and plus/minus (plus-15). And those totals came with Byram getting slightly-less time-on ice – averaging 22:20, down from 22:42 in 2024-25.
So, although Byram is going to be judged by his contract extension, the truth is he’s going to be paid $6.25-million next season before the extension kicks in next summer. And on a Blackhawks team desperate for playoff success, Byram is going to be paid as their top blueliner right away, and he’s going to be judged accordingly.
Byram’s 2025-26 totals were slightly better than his 2024-25 totals including seven goals and 38 points in 82 games. So you can see why some are calling his extension into question. Byram is a better-than-average D-man – and a much-better-than-average D-man at that. But he’s not a defenseman on the level of a Cale Makar with the Colorado Avalanche and Quinn Hughes with the Minnesota Wild. And fairly or unfairly, the change in his financial compensation means Byram is going to be judged against the performances of the crystal-clear best defensemen in the game today.
Did Byram have a good year in 2025-26? There’s no question. He found a new level for his game, and in 13 playoff games with Buffalo, he produced four goals and seven points. But that’s going to be the bare-minimum people expect out of Byram in Chicago, regardless of his change in salary next summer. And Byram isn’t close to the peak of his powers, so there definitely could be a world where he becomes more than a half-point-per-game player with the Blackhawks and a key contributor on an up-and-coming Hawks team.
And if that’s what he does for the Blackhawks next season, you can bet Byram’s grade from THN.com next summer will be at least an ‘A’.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 14: Christian Walker #8 of the Houston Astros celebrates after hitting the game winning three run home run during the tenth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Daikin Park on August 14, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TONIGHT’S GAME: The first-place Houston Astros (63-60), who own a 3.0-game lead in the AL West, will play the middle game of their three-game series against the division rival Seattle Mariners (57-66) tonight at Daikin Park.
RHP Hayden Wesneski (2-0, 3.86 ERA) will make his fourth Major League start of the season tonight, this time opposite the M’s and RHP Emerson Hancock (6-7, 3.35 ERA).
BIG WES: After missing 14 months with injury, RHP Hayden Wesneski has returned to the Astros rotation by posting a 2-0 record with a 3.86 ERA (8ER/18.2IP) in three starts. He’s worked two straight quality starts, including tossing 7.0 innings of three-run ball in his last outing on Monday at SF. This solid start to the season has continued a strong run for Wesneski, who was great in his rehab appearances, posting a 2.25 (5ER/20IP) combined ERA in five minor league rehab starts.
ABOUT THE RECORD: At 63-60 and three games over .500, the Astros have matched their high-water mark for the season, also reached with 60-57, 59-56, 58-55, 6-3, and 5-2 records. The Astros 3.0game lead in the AL West is their largest division lead of the season.
THE TURNAROUND: After a slow start to the season, the Astros are 43-29 since May 22, which is the best record in the AL in that span. On that date, the Astros were 20-31, 11 games under, which is their low water mark for the season.
TONIGHT’S BROADCASTS: Tonight’s English telecast on SCHN will feature Kevin Eschenfelder, Geoff Blum and Julia Morales. The English radio call will be made by Robert Ford and Josh Reddick. The Spanish radio broadcast will feature Francisco Romero and Alex Treviño, while the Spanish telecast on SCHN2 will have Danny Gonzalez and Gene Flores on the call.
TONIGHT’S GIVEAWAY: At tonight’s game, 10,000 fans will receive a Yordan Alvarez Home Run Train Bobblehead, presented by Phillips66. One lucky fan who receives the Golden Yordan Alvarez Home Run Train Bobblehead will win Free Gas for a Year, Courtesy of Phillips 66.
LAST NIGHT’S WALKOFF: The Astros came back from two different two-run deficits last night and scored five runs in the 10th inning en route to a 10-7 series-opening win over the visiting Mariners. 1B Christian Walker was the hero, as he connected for his third-career walkoff homer, a three-run shot in the 10th.
RHP Peter Lambert (2ER/5IP) started for the Astros and recorded his eighth straight start of allowing two-or-fewer earned runs.
ELIAS SAYS: The Astros posted a five-run 10th inning last night, marking just their ninth time in franchise history to score five-plus runs in an extra inning and their first time to do so since they scored five runs in the top of the 11th on June 30, 2024 at NYM. Last night marked the first time in franchise history for the Astros to score five-plus runs in an extra-inning as the home team.
HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS: The Astros are celebrating Hall of Fame Weekend at Daikin Park, which will include the induction of Astros legends Alan Ashby and the late Phil Garner into the Astros Hall of Fame in a pregame ceremony today. Prior to the ceremony, Ashby and members of Garner’s family will be available to the media in the press conference room at 4:30 p.m. today.
THAT’S OFFENSIVE: Among American League teams, the Astros rank first in slugging (.412), first in total bases (1710), second in OPS (.731), second in home runs (164), and third in runs scored (569). In the Majors, the Astros rank tied for third in homers, trailing only the Nationals (177) and Yankees (170), and tied with the Braves (164).
MVP-CALIBER: Yordan Alvarez holds the lead in all AL Triple Crown categories, ranking first in average (.323), first in homers (36) and first in RBI (88). Additionally, he leads MLB in OPS (1.063), OBP (.437), SLG (.626), and TB (275). In the AL, he ranks first in hits (142) and XBH (61), and second in runs (81) and walks (85).
YOR-GONE!: DH Yordan Alvarez connected for his 36th home run of the season last night, which gave him the outright lead in home runs in the AL. He’s now just one homer shy of matching his career high in homers (37 HR in 2022) and is 11 homers shy of matching the franchise record for a single season, set by 1B Jeff Bagwell in 2000 (47 HR).
WHAM BAM CAM: RF Cam Smith has a triple, three homers and seven RBI in his last six games. Smith is batting .375 (18×48) with one triple, three home runs, nine RBI and a 1.087 OPS in his last 13 games dating back to July 29.
HADERADE: LHP Josh Hader has been stellar since returning from injury in early June, going 4-1 with a 0.93 ERA (3ER/29IP), 40 strikeouts, a .121 opponent batting average (12×99) and a 0.76 WHIP, while also converting all 17 of his save opportunities, through 30 appearances.
VS. THE M’S: Prior to last night, it had been three months since the Astros last played the Mariners, last seeing them in a four-game series in Houston from May 11-14. The Astros have gone 2-7 against Seattle this season with four games left to play.
ON THE MEND: RHP Mike Burrows (rt. elbow neuritis) made his first affiliate rehab start since his injury last night, working 4.1 scoreless inning for Triple A Sugar Land in their game at Round Rock. He allowed three hits and one walk with three strikeouts while tossing 67 pitches (43 strikes).
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 2009 – In the Astros 6-2 loss at MIL, 2B Kazuo Matsui singles for his 2,000th combined hit between his career in Japan and his six years in the Majors. With 2,000 hits, Matsui is automatically inducted into Japan’s Meikyukai, similar to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Saturday, August 15, 6:10 p.m. CT
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: Space City Home Network, SCHN2 (Spanish)
Radio: KTRH 740 AM; KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 14: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a double during the sixth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium on August 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers face the best pitcher in baseball on Saturday at Dodger Stadium. Kyle Tucker will watch.
CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 14: Cleveland Guardians right fielder Chase DeLauter (24) singles during the third inning of the Major League Baseball interleague game between the San Diego Padres and Cleveland Guardians on August 14, 2026, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 18: Jaxson Hayes #11 of the Los Angeles Lakersdunks the ball during the game against the Utah Jazz on December 18, 2025 at Delta Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Do you remember how nice it was when the Jazz used to have a good defense? I won’t blame you if you say no – 2022 was the last defense Utah has put forth that has been above league average, and even then, everyone knew it was a paper tiger. In recent years, the Jazz haven’t even had the luxury of a fool’s gold defense; over the past 4 years, the Jazz have been rated the 23rd, 30th, 30th, and 29th best defenses, respectively. While frustrating to watch, it was permissible (and maybe even advantageous) for these tanking iterations of the team. But now? The Jazz expect to win, and win they will not unless that defense takes a major step forward. And if defenses are really built on the shoulders of giants, then whichever free agent center Utah brought in this offseason had better be a real gamechanger.
This is, admittedly, an unfair expectation for new Jazzman Jaxson Hayes. However, it is true that competent teams often rely on competent big men – my pick for the best 4 teams last season (Spurs, Thunder, Knicks, Timberwolves) each fielded 48 minutes of above-average center minutes. Hayes will likely be asked to play similar minute totals to fellow Western backups, such as Luke Kornet and Jaylin Williams, and a certain level of dependability is a must if the Jazz want to at least competitively spar with these rival clubs.
The question that naturally follows, then, is “Can he do it?”. In an attempt to find an answer, I went on a journey. NBA.com offers the wonderful feature to watch the plays that accompany every one of a players box score statistics from a season, and of that I took full advantage in conducting my comprehensive Jaxson Hayes deep dive. I streamed each of his shot attempts, assists, steals, blocks, and turnovers, all in very quick succession, to supplement the understanding of his game that I already held with me as a dedicated fan of the NBA. Now, out of the goodness of my heart, I’ll present my findings from this statistical expedition, so no other Jazz fan will have to repeat this rather repetitive task.
Before I begin, Jaxson Hayes’s personal history requires a disclaimer. This article does not attempt to determine the contents of his character, or whether it was “right” for the Jazz to sign him. Hayes’s issues with domestic violence are horrific, and a blemish on him and his basketball career. However, whether one likes it or not, Hayes is on the team now, and will likely play semi-meaningful minutes. For that reason, I will focus my analysis on Hayes as a basketball player, rather than Hayes as a person.
The Basics
Name: Jaxson Hayes
Height: 7’0
Weight: 220 Pounds
Wingspan: 7’3.5
Stats: 66 GP, 9 GS, 18.3 MPG, 7.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 0.9 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 76/100/65 (on 2 three point attempts)
Offense
BROOKLYN, NY – FEBRUARY 3: Jaxson Hayes #11 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on February 3, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Immediately, I realized that watching every Jaxson Hayes shot attempt would be a much more entertaining exercise than when I did the same for Josh Okogie. While both are fairly simple players who do not deviate from their highly specialized role, Jaxson Hayes’s particular set of skills happened to align perfectly with Lakers superstar, Luka Doncic. So, while I was technically watching Jaxson Hayes interior shot attempts, the real star of most of these plays was Luka, making mincemeat of the defense in the pick-and-roll. This was engaging to spectate, sure, but sparks doubt about just how replicable Hayes’s production would be in a Luka-less offense. Doncic is likely one of the 5 best pick-and-roll operators in league HISTORY, and is one of the best big-man amplifiers in the league today. While Keyonte made huge leaps as a passer this past season, and Collier has immense natural talent, neither come close to any of the poise, accuracy, and creativity of Doncic. This fear of mine is reflected statistically – in the 404 minutes Hayes played without Luka, the Lakers offensive rating was 5.9 points worse than league average. With both of them on the court? 8.9 points better than league average. On-off numbers are finnicky, to be sure, especially in single season samples, but the numbers paint a picture that matches logic and the film.
However, while the film clearly did show Luka and Hayes having a very synergistic relationship, I do not think that Hayes is completely dependent on Doncic. As a roller, I think Hayes is, while simplistic, rather effective. It all begins with his overwhelming, game-defining athleticism. Hayes covers ground, both horizontally and vertically, with explosive speed and range. His stride lengths are long, he gets off the ground remarkably fast, and he seems to stay in the air forever, which helps him both in the half court and transition. Additionally, while Luka is great at getting the ball to his teammates where they can score, Hayes first has to know where to be. After watching his shot attempts (makes and misses), I was impressed with Hayes’s understanding of space. He fills the areas he needs to fill, and is able to get open to catch Luka’s well-placed lob passes. With his athleticism and length, Hayes always seems to be in range for a dunk, and will place himself around the paint accordingly.
Put this all together, and Jaxson Hayes will perhaps be the best in-game dunker the Jazz have ever had.
(Before people get mad, yes, I know who Darrell Griffith and Jeremy Evans and Donovan Mitchell are. The argument for Hayes would be quantity+quality.)
I compared the simplicity of Hayes’s game to Okogie’s. Just as the majority of Okogie’s halfcourt attempts were catch-and-shoot three pointers, the majority of Hayes’s halfcourt attempts were catch-and-DUNK two pointers. For both, I got pretty good at anticipating how each shot attempt would go. If Okogie started to dribble in the film, I immediately got worried. Likewise, Hayes’s was by-far the most effective when he was asked to do as little as possible. Sometimes, he would fake a handoff to one of the Lakers 3 primary ball-handlers and attempt to drive to the rim, and this was rarely successful. Hayes isn’t the physically strongest guy, and when he’s driving into a set defense, he’s prone to get bodied off of his spots. While in a car, if you want to go forward, you shift to drive. If you want to go backward, you shift to reverse. Hayes functions in a similar way. He clearly has very distinct mindsets on offense that he struggles to switch between. While driving to the rim, you can tell he’s in the “score” gear and will be attempting a shot no matter what. He sometimes flashes pretty impressive passing (nothing crazy, but more impressive than you’d expect for a 0.9 APG center – NBA players are so good), but struggles to merge his passing gear and his scoring gear into one comprehensive offensive gear. For a player as simple as Hayes, this isn’t the biggest problem in the world – he isn’t often making the most complex decisions. In his limited role, it didn’t hurt his effectiveness too much; he still made his shots at a 76% clip, and the shot selection is rarely too abrasive. However, it certainly does limit his offensive ceiling, and means that he will likely continue to be slightly less than the sum of his parts on this end of the floor.
A few miscellaneous offensive notes;
Better touch outside of 3 feet from the rim than I expected. Didn’t take many, but his hooks and floaters were pretty efficient shots.
I don’t love his screening. Maybe it’s due to his weaker frame relative to other centers, but he sets a lot of slip or ghost screens which didn’t lead to much separation. Additionally, he uses his arms a lot in his screening form and sometimes starts to move a bit too early – expect a fair few moving screens this next season.
The offensive rebounding is nothing special, but if he does have adequate positioning down low, his combination of verticality and quick second and third jumps does help him a lot. Just doesn’t have the muscle to be too dominant of an offensive rebounder, however.
Defense
LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 11: Jaxson Hayes #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers plays defense during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round Two Game Four of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 11, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
While far from a perfect defender, this is where Jaxson Hayes provides the majority of his impact. And, just like his offense, the strengths he provide on this end of the floor all rely heavily on his athleticism, which is legitimately in the 99th percentile of the 99th percentile.
Ground coverage is one the best skills you can bring defensively (if combined with some base level of basketball understanding), and Hayes is better than nearly everyone in the league at this one thing. His agility is legitimately freaky for a guy his size, and his motor revs pretty hot for a big man (except after he misses on offense – then, he’s prone to pouting before getting back on defense). He’s got the flexibility to change directions, the length and height to take up space, and the athleticism to get where he needs to be. On his good possessions, it feels that Hayes is nearly omnipresent – he can begin the play by switching onto a guard, following him closely on a drive to the rim, and then immediately pounce on a closeout to a corner shooter. His physical gifts give him such a high defensive ceiling on a play-to-play basis. For an example, look at the nimble feet he showcases following Hart to the rim, and the quick leaping ability to explode upwards and get the block.
Jaxson Hayes with the huge block, leading to a Luka Dončić lob to Rui Hachimura for the slam dunk (with replays) pic.twitter.com/mPpAOKcIoi
It’s easy to slot Hayes into the rim runner, drop defense archetype, but defensively, that isn’t quite right. He really doesn’t spend too much time in the paint, and isn’t the most effective when trying to function as a traditional defensive anchor. He doesn’t have the most core strength, and can get bumped from his interior positioning by bigger drivers. Additionally, his timing and positioning in drop defense isn’t really anything special. He does not attempt to play defense like Rudy Gobert or Walker Kessler, but this does not mean that he is not effective. He actually seems to be more in the ilk of a Jaren Jackson Jr., flying in from the weak side to help his teammates and make momentum shifting blocks. Switching appears to his preferred pick-and-roll coverage, as opposed to the more traditional drop. While I didn’t count while watching all 52 of his 2025-2026 blocks, it seemed to me that the majority of his blocks came off of these switches – the ball handlers sizes Hayes up, gets a step on him, and gets blocked from behind once he reaches the rim. This defensive style clearly benefits his athletic makeup; his ground coverage and agility aren’t maximized if he is consistently staying as close as he can to the basket. This switching style helps get rid of open midrange shots (his opponents shoot 2.5% worse in that area while he is on the court), but is less effective near the rim, where his opponents shoot 1.7% better while he’s out there. Overall, opposing offenses are less effective while Hayes plays, largely because he’s so able to muck things up and semi-competently play a variety of different defensive roles (fine at drop defense, positive as a switcher, positive as a help side defender).
Once again, though, Hayes is not perfect. He’s rather jumpy at times, biting on fakes that he really shouldn’t be biting on. His weaker physical frame leads to issues rebounding, and likely means he will need to be paired with a strong rebounder in the front court. His positioning is sometimes off – defense is a game of inches, where being one step to the left determines whether your opponent scores or misses. The best defenders make that seemingly inconsequential step more often than the only slightly above average defenders, but the impact those steps make over a season are immense. It’s why it’s sometimes difficult to see just what makes a prime Rudy Gobert or Draymond Green substantially better defensively than their peers – at some point on the defensive possession, they made a step, which causes their opponents to, rather inconspicuously, miss more shots every game. Hayes simply makes that step less than the best of the best.
Still, he is an overall positive on this end, even if we shouldn’t be expecting some game-changing force. He produces big, momentum shifting plays, and those have value. When Keyonte George is on a hot streak during game 3 of the first round of the 2027 Western Conference Playoffs, and Jaxson Hayes swats a Reed Sheppard floater into the fifth row, The Delta Center will be rocking. That big-play potential means something to me, and solidifies my slightly positive evaluation of Hayes’s defense.
Conclusion/How It All Fits
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 11: Jaxson Hayes #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a slam dunk against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 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. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jaxson Hayes makes stuff happen – you can feel when he’s out there – and the Jazz do need someone like that (the team seemed to recognize this, with another signing, Okogie, also being a real shaker). However, does he make enough good things happen to play in the postseason? I’m not as sure about that. I appreciate the battle-tested dynamicity that Hayes brings to the team. He’s not going to fade into the background like Filipowski or Cody or Brice or Bamba tend to do. Instead, he’ll inject around 15 minutes per game of chaos, and I believe that is valuable. I just don’t think he does anything quite good enough to project him as someone that can certainly play on the biggest stage, especially offensively. While his defense is loud, I worry how tangible his offense will be against strong interior opponents without the buoy of Luka’s dominant playmaking. In the playoffs, the Jazz can’t afford to be playing 4v5 offensively, if the weak link isn’t guaranteeing a rather impressive level of defensive fortitude. So, while Hayes is good enough defensively to be be a regular season positive, will that be enough in a 7 game series against the Spurs? The Thunder? That remains to be seen.
Luckily for the Jazz, they do have a rather versatile front court, with different options that they can mix and match. I’m particularly excited to see minutes with both Hayes and Filipowski on the court, as I think their strengths and weaknesses are pretty synergistic with each other. With his shooting, Filipowski can play at the power forward, and provides the front court rebounding to mitigate Hayes’s rebounding in that department. Hayes’s switching and ground coverage, on the other end, insulate some of Filipowski’s defensive weaknesses. I’d also like to just have a taste of a Nurkic+Hayes front court – in his younger years, Hayes nearly split his minutes 50/50 between power forward and center, and would provide a jolt of athleticism next to Nurkic’s more ground bound style. This only makes sense is Nurkic can maintain and improve his shooting numbers next year.
After this deep dive, I believe I am in the camp that Hayes will provide good, dependable production in the regular season, eating minutes at an above-replacement level. I also expect his minutes to decline precipitously in the playoffs, where Jaren Jackson Jr. may play more as a backup center (much of the synergistic benefits Hayes provides to Filipowski can be given by Jackson as well). While much has been said about the problems that arise from JJJ center minutes, it’s not like Hayes is some dominant rebounder either – will the Jazz be losing that much by replacing his minutes with Jackson? This is not an indictment on Hayes – the team isn’t paying him very much money, so if he is just a regular season minute eater, you can’t really complain. He dunks, he blocks, and he tries, all of which will be appreciated by a Delta Center crowd anxious for things to, once again, begin to happen.
