ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 26: The Milwaukee Brewers celebrate in the dugout during the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in game three of the 2026 World Series at Tropicana Field on October 26, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images
And it all comes down to this.
Last night, the Milwaukee Brewers dominated the Tampa Bay Rays in a 10-2 blowout (that saw old friend Antonio Senzatela throwing two quality innings in relief).
Tonight may mark the end of the 2026 MLB season if the red hot Brewers can complete the sweep — and nothing we’ve seen so far suggests they won’t. That means the home team enters this one as an underdog.
The Brewers will send Dustin May to the mound to start game. The righty is 0-0 in postseason play and has a 5.63 ERA. He was struck out five.
Starting for the Rays is RHP Griffin Jax. He is 0-1 in the postseason with a 6.00 ERA that includes six strikeouts.
Milwaukee Brewers (3-0) at Tampa Bay Rays (0-2) – 6 p.m. MDT
Pitching Matchup: RHP Freddy Peralta (2-0, 1.08 postseason ERA) vs. LHP Robert Gasser (0-0, 1.00 postseason ERA)
Jackson Chourio | (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Brewers lineup
Jackson Chourio – LF Jake Bauers – 1B Christian Yelich – DH William Contreras – C Brice Turang – 2B Sal Frelick – RF Cooper Pratt – SS Garrett Mitchell – CF David Hamilton – 3B
SP: Dustin May – RHP
Rays lineup
Yandy Diaz – DH Jonathan Aranda – 1B Junior Caminero – 3B Liam Hicks – C Jonny DeLuca – CF Chandler Simpson – LF Ryan Vilade – RF Richie Palacios – 2B Taylor Walls – SS
SP: Griffin Jax – RHP
Broadcast info
Time: 8:00 PM EDT TV: FOX / FOX ONE, Fox Deportes Radio: ESPN Radio
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 01: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks and Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons look on during the third quarter in Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 01, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Knicks (0-3) have taken the loss of Mitchell Robinson so hard that they’ve started shooting like him. We admire the heart but question the logic of emulating a player who makes the same percentage with or without a blindfold. Tonight, the team whose offense got drunk and fell off a parade float will host the Pistons of Detroit (3-0) at Madison Square Garden. If New York shoots well from deep, their O-rating just might crawl out of last place. And if Mikal Bridges tops six points, everyone in the discussion thread wins a no-prize. Our budget can’t afford chicken sandwiches.
The Pistons are the last undefeated team in the east but are vulnerable without the services of Ausar Thompson and Jalen “Contract Diva*” Duren. Both are sidelined with injuries sustained while hooping or carrying giant sacks of money. Tip off is 8 p.m. EST on NBC. This is your game thread. This is Detroit Bad Boys. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Honor your humanity. And go Knicks!
SAN ANTONIO, TX -OCTOBER 16: De'Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs goes for a loose bal against Sacramento Kings in the first half of a preseason game at Frost Bank Center on October 16, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much. The rule against trolling also applies to members of this site that visit other fan sites.
The Spurs got their first win of the season against a short-handed Mavericks squad on Saturday night, blowing them out 122-106 with a fourth quarter surge. They meet the Sacramento Kings tonight, who they destroyed 126-97 in their final preseason tuneup on October 16. Ben Simmons looked like the best player for the Kings in that game, but he’s now out for the season after tearing his Achilles tendon in practice before the season ever started. Zach Lavine seems to think the problem with the team is a lack of veteran leadership, which is a little ironic, since he’s a veteran and the highest paid player on the team. Doug Christie is on the hot seat, and this is pretty sad for a team that is just a few years removed from the ‘Light the Beam’ era in Sacramento.
On paper, this looks like an easy win for the Silver and Black at home, but they haven’t been playing all that great so far in the season, with just a 1-2 record so far, with Victor Wembanyama still in offseason mode. If they approach this matchup with appropriate fear, it could be over before halftime, but if they let the purple-wearing visitors hang around, it could be a long night for the good guys. Here’s hoping that they put this away early and we can see David Jones Garcia work on his game for most of the final quarter.
Let’s enjoy the game, and look for a dominant performance from the Silver and Black. Let’s GOO Spurs!!
Game Prediction:
De’Aaron Fox is ejected from the game after giving Damontas Sabonis a wedgie on court after dunking on him.
San Antonio Spurs vs Sacramento Kings October 27, 2026 | 7:00 PM CT Streaming: DAZN, League Pass TV: DAZN, CWSA Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 24: Head coach Kenny Atkinson of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with referee Courtney Kirkland #61 during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Rocket Arena on October 24, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers clawed their way back from a 15-point first-half deficit to defeat the red-hot Minnesota Timberwolves127-125 in an overtime thriller on Monday evening. However, they may have gotten some help from the referees in completing the comeback. Based on the NBA’s Last Two Minute Report, the Cavs were the beneficiaries of two missed calls at the end of regulation and overtime that assisted in the victory.
The first incorrect call came at the end of regulation. The league says that Anthony Edwards should’ve been awarded free throws on a drive to the basket in the final seconds of regulation.
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It’s difficult to see any foul on this particular angle. Harden helped from the corner and certainly reached in. Maybe a different angle would give you a clearer view of the alleged foul. Edwards did throw his palms up in frustration when he saw a foul wasn’t called, suggesting that there was some contact there.
If this was called according to the report, the Cavs would’ve likely needed to make a basket to tie or win the game in the final 4.2 seconds of regulation.
The second missed call came at another important moment. LaMelo Ball shouldn’t have been charged with a foul on a late tie-up with Donovan Mitchell at the end of regulation.
This is a much more obvious missed call than the first one. Here, Mitchell does seem to just dribble into Ball’s foot and lose the ball. Any contact that occurred was after Mitchell just dribbled straight into Ball. The whistle shouldn’t have blown, and play should’ve been allowed to continue. The closing seconds could’ve played out differently if this wasn’t called a foul.
The Cavs earned a hard-fought victory on Monday. These two missed calls don’t take away from that, but Cleveland is fortunate that these decisions went in their favor.
A day after Anthony Edwards dropped 47 points during the Minnesota Timberwolves first loss of the season, ESPN’s Shams Charania hit us with some devastating news.
Just in: Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards will undergo an arthroscopic procedure on his ailing right knee and miss up to two months, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/HenrAY2APs
There were murmurs about the health of Anthony Edwards’ knees heading into this season. After developing “runner’s knee” in his right knee last season, he had to miss a handful of games with the ailment. The All-NBA guard went into the postseason hurting, but then brutally hyperextended his left knee in the postseason against the Denver Nuggets. He worked his butt off to get back on the court in time for the second round matchup against the San Antonio Spurs, despite operating at suboptimal health.
Edwards was listed as questionable leading up to tip-off on Monday, but ultimately exploded for a season-high in points. However, he had already been seen wincing in pain and grabbing at his knee throughout the previous contests. He’s even missed postgame media availability all season due to getting treatment on that very knee. Ant is notorious for playing through injury, but despite averaging a career-best 33.3 points per game this season, the Wolves award-winning medical staff decided this was the best route to go. A more long-term fix instead of season-long management.
Still, this sucks.
The Wolves were one of the most exciting and fun stories early in this season. Their 3-1 start and blossoming chemistry on and off the court was the talk of many shows and podcasts. This is a stark reality check that things can be snatched away in an instant. No one knows that more than the 2025 NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder, who recently lost two starters in Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace to even more brutal and long-term injuries. There appeared to be a window for another Western Conference team to burst through.
That can still be the Timberwolves!
Luckily for Minnesota, President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly has built this iteration of the team to be deep at the guard position. Ayo Dosunmu, fresh off signing a new five-year contract, has been nothing short of awesome for the Wolves. He’ll likely get first dibs at starting for the next few months. Terrence Shannon Jr. has found his footing this season, providing a steady offensive punch that his team will desperately need. There are decent peripheral options to backfill the bench guard positions between Jaylen Clark and Bones Hyland.
Obviously no one can fill the big shoes of Edwards alone. The team’s chemistry will truly be tested now. If it wasn’t for his Herculean effort against Cleveland yesterday, Minnesota would have likely been throttled in regulation. LaMelo Ball and Jaden McDaniels will have to step up as leaders on the court.
As far as Ant’s recovery timeline, it’s always hard to tell with these things. History will tell you that he’ll beat the projected return date. Two months from now would be end of December and just about 30 games away. That would immediately put Edwards out of contention for regular season awards, thus a true supermax extension option would be off the table. Will this matter later?
I’ll take the blame for this one though, ya’ll. I had to ask the stupid question of what Wolves fans biggest fears was and of course, it came to fruition. My bad.
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 26: Chandler Simpson #14 and Richie Palacios #1 of the Tampa Bay Rays look on from the dugout during the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game three of the 2026 World Series at Tropicana Field on October 26, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I don’t want the Rays to win the World Series. I didn’t want them to win before Game 1, and I ESPECIALLY don’t want them to win it now that they’re down three games to none, because I don’t want any team other than the 2004 Red Sox to ever win after being down three games to none ever again. This is very important to me.
Having said that, my God, Rays, please win tonight. There are few more depressing days than the first few days after the baseball season ends, when the rhythm that has dictated your life since late March suddenly disappears. You don’t notice its absence on the first day after the series. Maybe you don’t notice it on the second day, either. But that third day is brutal. The third day brings that realization that the foreseeable future is dark and cold and has nothing for you at 7:10 PM on a Tuesday night.
Moreover, it’s been a lackluster postseason and we deserve a good series. Griffin Jax will take the mound at 8 on FOX for the Rays to try to give us one. He’ll be opposed by … wait, really? This isn’t a typo or some kind of Mandela Effect thing going on? Really? REALLY?Okay, sure, whatever. Life is mysterious and unknowable, I guess… Dustin May.
As if Senators fans needed another reason to dislike Brady Tkachuk, Sens owner Michael Andlauer just gave them one.
During an appearance on the Coming in Hot podcast on Tuesday morning, Andlauer discussed Tkachuk's return to Ottawa and dropped a nugget that's sure to irritate Sens fans even further.
Travis Green looks ahead to Tuesday's game against Vegas after Saturday's win over the New York Rangers (Senators YouTube).
When Tkachuk faced the Senators at Canadian Tire Centre last Wednesday, this time as a member of the Florida Panthers, he was booed relentlessly from the pregame warmup until he left the game with a double minor penalty late in the third period.
We knew the fans would be furious with Tkachuk, but even the players seemed extra ticked off. He was their captain, the guy who talked about winning Cups here someday and went around scolding people for daring to question his commitment to Ottawa.
Then he asked for a trade with two years still remaining on his contract.
The hostility surrounding Tkachuk's return was greater on the ice than most people expected. And now we may have another reason why.
According to Andlauer, when Tkachuk opened the scoring in the first period, he had the nerve to skate past the Senators' bench, chirping the teammates he'd left behind and bragging about his scoring prowess.
"Some things never change, eh boys?"
That's what Andlauer says Tkachuk told the Senators' bench.
If Tkachuk ever had any respect for his former teammates, he'd go into this game feeling some remorse about the way he ended things, which doesn't mean playing the game any differently than he normally does. But after you've let your teammates down so profoundly, trying to dunk in their face in your first game back is as about as tone-deaf as it gets.
As we know now, the Senators had the last laugh. Hell, they're still laughing a week later. They trampled Tkachuk's new team and no returning player has ever had a rougher welcome home.
"I don't think that (comment) motivated our players much," Andlauer said sarcastically, with a smile.
The Senators scored five unanswered goals to win 5-1.
In fairness, Tkachuk's comment wasn't totally off-base. He was still out there taking undisciplined penalties while grotesquely gnawing away at his mouthguard like a dog with a chew toy.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 19: VJ Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers on January 19, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
As their two days of rest ends, the Sixers released a pretty clean injury report for their nationally televised bout against the Indiana Pacers. VJ Edgecombe, who was a late scratch from Philadelphia’s previous game vs. Detroit with an abdominal contusion, is not listed at all. Neither is Joel Embiid for that matter, who missed the second part of that back-to-back with plantar fasciitis management, so the whole starting five will be good to go in Indy.
Indiana’s injury report is far more lengthy after falling to the Milwaukee Bucks two days prior. Ivica Zubac has already been ruled with an ankle sprain, and Tyrese Haliburton is questionable with left hamstring tightness. Haliburton has played in all four of the Pacers’ games so far since returning from his torn achilles.
Obi Toppin and Aaron Nesmith are at least probable. Andrew Nembhard is questionable after missing that Bucks loss with neck soreness. They have three more reserves already ruled out including former Sixer T.J. McConnell.
Injury Report for tomorrow's game against the 76ers:
Aaron Nesmith – Probable (left hamstring strain) Obi Toppin – Probable (left hand sprain) Tyrese Haliburton – Questionable (left hamstring tightness) Andrew Nembhard – Questionable (neck soreness) Ben Sheppard – Out (left… pic.twitter.com/Kdok5dcrkG
If the Pacers are down this many players, it lines up for plenty of opportunity for Kelly Oubre Jr. in his first game against the Sixers after spending the last three seasons in Philadelphia.
Per ESPN, the 25-year-old is having an “arthroscopic procedure” on his right knee.
Edwards had yet to miss any games for the 3-1 Timberwolves, averaging 33.3 points in 33.8 minutes per game. He was the early league leader in field goals made and attempted. On Monday, Oct. 26, he scored 47 points in 41 minutes against the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was his second game with at least 45 points this season.
He was on the NBA's latest injury report, listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Golden State Warriors. Now, though, he seemingly could be out until the calendar flips to 2027.
The Timberwolves took big swings this offseason, trading away Julius Randle and Naz Reid while bringing in LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga. The early returns were promising, but now Minnesota must navigate a tough Western Conference without its best player.
Edwards is a perennial All-Star and the best pure shooting guard in the NBA. Through four games, he's avweraging 33.3 points per game, and he is a three-tier scorer, who is just as lethal from 3-point range as he is slashing to the basket and getting to the cup. He is one of the premier offensive forces in the world, and his competitive spirit sets the standard for the Timberwolves. He'll be sorely missed.
Yet, Minnesota's offseason acquisition of LaMelo Ball and its investment in backup guard Ayo Dosunmu does provide some relief for the Timberwolves to try to weather this stretch without Edwards. Ball has been solid for Minnesota so far this season. He's a player who can initiate offense and create his own shot. To be clear: spacing and defensive attention will be trickier with Edwards out, but Ball is equipped to take on more scoring responsibility.
Dosunmu should be elevated into a starting role. He's also a talented scorer and wields dynamic speed and athleticism. He also showed last postseason — when both Edwards and guard Donte DiVincenzo were knocked out with injuries — that he could carry the Timberwolves, at least in a spot basis; in Game 4 of Minnesota's first round series against the Nuggets, Dosunmu dropped 43 points in a victory in which the Timberwolves were massively shorthanded.
Minnesota's Anthony Edwards will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his ailing right knee and could miss up to two months, reports ESPN’s Shams Charania. However, Edwards could return sooner than eight weeks, depending on what the doctors find during the surgery.
This is a proactive move by the Timberwolves, who look at how they have played and the landscape of the West early in the season and think they can be in the mix to come out of the conference. By having the surgery now, Edwards will be back around Christmas at the latest, and the team will have plenty of time to ensure a high seed and get its chemistry right before the playoffs.
While it's just four games, Edwards has played at an MVP level to start the season and has led the Timberwolves to a strong 3-1 record. He's averaging 33.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 40% from 3-point range.
More scoring and shot-creation load will now fall on LaMelo Ball and Jaden McDaniels.
On Tuesday, Williams was asked about the league’s ruling and said that if he had to do it again, he’d do it.
“Do I agree with it? Not necessarily, but it’s the league’s rule,” Williams told Khobi Price of the California Post. “I paid my fine. If I gotta flop again to get a win, then that’s what I’ll do.”
Ziaire Williams on the NBA fining him $2K for flopping late in Sunday's win over the Jazz.
Said he doesn't necessarily agree with the league's ruling ("I thought it was a good defensive play) and is hoping to appeal the fine. Added: "if I gotta flop again to get a win, then… https://t.co/oFY6KESqeGpic.twitter.com/etqpUqo0PH
Lakers forward Ziaire Williams opens up about being fined $2,000 for flopping. NBAE via Getty Images
Williams added that he asked his agent, Aaron Mintz of CAA Sports, to look into appealing it.
“I thought it was a good defensive play,” Williams said. “… I sent it to my agent; hopefully we can appeal it, but if not, it is what it is.”
Williams was asked if the money has already been pulled from his bank account. “Oh, I’m pretty sure they did. I don’t know where that money is going, but they [took] it out of that account real quick.”
Williams’ flop happened at the 4:44 mark of the fourth quarter after he exaggerated contact when Jazz guard Keyonte George drove to the basket.
George’s attempted play was a midrange shot that would’ve put Utah up by three points. Instead, he was called for an offensive foul — resulting in Los Angeles gaining possession of the ball.
The Lakers’ Ziaire Williams opens up about being fined $2,000 for flopping on Sunday. NBAE via Getty Images
While the Lakers went on to win the game, Williams said his play isn’t the worst flopping play the NBA has seen and is curious to see what happens the rest of the season.
“I’m not mad about [it] or anything, and it’s not going to affect the way I play defense. I’m always going to do what it takes to win,” Williams said.
The Lakers’ Ziaire Williams attempts to block Jaren Jackson during the Lakers’ comeback victory Sunday. Getty Images
The Chicago Blackhawks are off to a lousy start in 2026-27. They came in with the expectation that young players would take a step forward and that they'd be playing more meaningful games in March.
They weren't unrealistic and saying it's playoffs or bust, but they wanted to stay much closer to the playoff line as the season moved along.
That isn't trending to be the case for the Blackhawks after about a month of the season. They are already well below .500 and are more points out of the playoffs than they are in the standings. That's never a good sign, even early.
When that is the case, teams start to look ahead to the upcoming draft. The Blackhawks would never admit it, but they are trending towards having another top pick. In 2022, they picked 7th. In 2023, they picked 1st. In 2024, they picked 2nd. In 2025, they picked 3rd. In 2026, they had the 4th overall pick but traded it. There have also been other first-round picks sprinkled in there from trades.
On Monday, NHL Central Scouting revealed its preliminary rankings for the 2027 NHL Draft. If the season continues on its current path, the Blackhawks will make it a 5th straight year with a top-5 pick.
You can see the prospect ranking from NHL Central Scouting here. The most notable name here that you will see as many people's projected number one is Michigan defenseman Landon Dupont. If the Blackhawks were to win the 2027 NHL Draft Lottery, they would absolutely consider him.
Highly anticipated prospect Landon DuPont was among players to earn an A rating on NHL Central Scouting's preliminary players to watch list for the 2027 #NHLDraft.
Other prospects include Nazar Privalov, Alexis Joseph, Sergei Skvortsov, and Carter Meyer, among others. All of them have an A grade, which means that they are receiving a first-round grade. B grades are for second and third-round grades; C grades are for fourth and fifth-round grades, and W grades for for sixth and seventh round grades. LV means "limited viewing", which means that the league's scouts would like to view the player before giving him a grade.
Of the A-grade players, 21 are forwards, 5 are defensemen, and 1 is a goalie. That is a drastic difference from the preliminary ranking of the 2026 class, which had 15 forwards, 10 defensemen, and no goalies.
The goaltender is Vilmer Salen Forsberg, who currently plays for the OHL's Brantford Bulldogs. It is unlikely that the Blackhawks will draft a goalie high due to having Spencer Knight and Drew Commesso in the mix, but they do have some recent ties to Brantford when it comes to drafting.
Only time will tell how these projections play out as the season goes along. For the Blackhawks, they would prefer to not be thinking about the draft so soon, but their performance isn't doing them any favors. At some point, the losing will force the reality that one of these top prospects will be a possibility.
With NHL Central Scouting releasing its preliminary list of players to watch from the 2027 draft class, @theTonyFerrari breaks down some of the noteworthy names and where they currently stand among this crop of talent: https://t.co/ougXG50TMi
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(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Anthony Edwards was among the NBA’s leading scorers through the first week of the season, and he was helping make the Minnesota Timberwolves the most exciting team in the league. Now the 25-year-old superstar is set to miss the next two months as he’s set to undergo an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Edwards’ knee had been bothering him during preseason, but he fought through it to drop 45 points in the season opener, and then 47 points in an overtime loss to the Cavs on Monday night. One day later, the team decided its best for Edwards to take care of his knee now so he can be healthy for the most important games of the season. This injury seemingly ends Edwards’ MVP case — candidates must play at least 65 games — and will probably put a big dent in Minnesota’s regular season record.
There have been so many injuries already early in the season. The Oklahoma City Thunder likely lost Jalen Williams for the year to a nasty dislocated ankle, then lost Cason Wallace for several months to a torn labrum. The Pistons are already down Jalen Duren to a hamstring strain, and the Utah Jazz are now without Jaren Jackson Jr. for two months after a torn MCL. The Orlando Magic have already seen Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs go down. That’s just the start of it.
Injuries impact every season, and they’re coming for this one early. Here’s hoping Edwards can get right again for the games that really matter.
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 26: Chandler Simpson #14 of the Tampa Bay Rays makes a catch at the warning track during the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game three of the 2026 World Series at Tropicana Field on October 26, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We have Game 4 of the World Series this evening, and with the Brewers holding a commanding 3-0 lead, its very possible this is the last major league baseball game we will have in 2026.
