When USA TODAY Sports reached out to ESPN, a representative declined to comment.
In his playing days, Kidd was a nine-time All-Defensive player, a 10-time All-Star and was the 1994-95 Rookie of the Year. He spent time with the Phoenix Suns, the then-New Jersey Nets and played one season with the New York Knicks. He was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks and won the 2011 NBA championship with them. He coached the Mavericks from the 2021-22 season until this spring when he and the team "mutually agreed to part ways."
Kidd, 53, has twice been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: as a player in 2018 and again in 2025 as a member of Team USA's gold-medal winning 2008 Olympic team.
Kidd first became a head coach with one season at the helm of the Brooklyn Nets with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry on the roster. He had a stint with the Milwaukee Bucks but was fired midway through his fourth season there. He also spent time as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers where he helped guide the team to the 2020 NBA championship in the Bubble.
The 2026-27 NBA season tips off on Oct. 20 with three games. The Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons face off in an afternoon tilt, followed by an evening doubleheader which begins with LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers visiting the defending champion New York Knicks. Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs host two-time consecutive Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder in a rematch of the Western Conference Finals to cap things off.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 26: Manager Oliver Marmol #37 of the St. Louis Cardinals chats with St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom prior to a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Tampa Bay Rays on Opening Day at Busch Stadium on March 26, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I have been a St. Louis Cardinals fan for more than five decades and I have lived through many different eras of losing seasons, championships and everything in between. I can’t recall any of them being more unclear about what the expectations should be for an upcoming season than the one that will hopefully begin in the Spring of 2027.
I think it’s safe to say that most of us were pleasantly surprised by the 2026 St. Louis Cardinals. The results of a poll that I shared after the final game of the season seems to back that up as a vast majority gave the team a B grade or better for the 2026 season.
Only 7% of those who voted gave the Cardinals a grade less than C for the 2026 season. Why? I think most of us had a realistic understanding that the roster would be full of young players being given the opportunity to either prove they belong or proving they don’t. Along the way, we saw a remarkable comeback season from Jordan Walker including an iconic and unexpected Home Run Derby victory. We also saw JJ Wetherholt establish himself as one of the game’s best defensive second basemen with a big potential offensive upside. Alec Burleson muscled up and led the league in RBI’s and Joshua Baez had one of the greatest Major League debuts with his 3 home run introduction against the Cubs. The late season appearance of Leo Bernal had many of us believing we were witnessing the new St. Louis Cardinals catcher for years to come.
It wasn’t all sunshine and roses, though. Nolan Gorman regressed and may very well be on his way out of the organization. Matthew Liberatore struggled. The bullpen was a train wreck during the second half of the season. While Jordan Walker’s season was a positive, there are legitimate concerns about his swing decisions late in the season starting to resemble 2025. However, all things considered I think that most of us felt like the Cardinals season went at least slightly better than we expected. When all was said and done, a 77-85 record wasn’t nearly as bad as it could have been.
What are your expectations for the 2027 St. Louis Cardinals season?
I have so many questions about what the Cardinals should do this offseason. Based on what Chaim Bloom said during his end-of-season press conference, I think he’s anticipating that many fans are not going to understand what phase this rebuild is in.
“This is a dangerous time…especially during the summer, when we were playing well, I heard plenty of comments about how we were back on track, or maybe ahead of schedule. We may have exceeded some other people’s expectations, but in my view, there’s nothing that happened this year that should tempt us to lose focus on our goals.”
Will Chaim Bloom continue to acquire more prospects or will he start adding to the Major League roster? I expect it will be a combination of both. A majority of our community said that the bullpen should be the priority in 2027 and I don’t necessarily disagree. I’d expect at the very least that the Cardinals will add some arms to eat the middle innings. What about third base or centerfield solutions? Will St. Louis trade from their catching depth to fill one of those voids?
There are many current roster questions, too. Will the St. Louis Cardinals continue to give Ivan Herrera opportunities behind the plate or is he a trade candidate? What about Alec Burleson? The Cardinals have 2 more years of control with two seasons of salary arbitration remaining. He said he’s “all ears” if the team wants to talk extension. Should they lock him up and make him a part of the emerging Cardinals core or consider trading high on his performance this year? What about the Cardinals starting rotation? My expectation based on the post-season press conference is they plan for Matthew Liberatore to be a starter again in 2027. Andre Pallante, Michael McGreevy and Kyle Leahy should be locks for the starting rotation and hopefully Leahy will not be limited to a smaller number of innings like he was in 2026. I’d prefer that the Cardinals find a reliable starter or two and have Liberatore return to a middle innings solution, but I highly doubt the team is considering that as an option.
I have watched Chaim Bloom’s post-season presser multiple times and I feel like he’s struggling with messaging about what the 2027 St. Louis Cardinals season will look like. I understand that he’s likely not done rebuilding the farm system with prospects, but will the larger part of the fanbase support another season of rebuilding without additions to the Major League roster from outside of the organization from trades or free agent signings? I’m hopeful that there will be some combination of both. I think that many believe the St. Louis Cardinals to be at least a .500 team in 2027, but does that include the front office? It will be interesting what else is said by Chaim Bloom during the offseason to manage those expectations. More importantly, what he DOES before Spring Training 2027 will tell us even more.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — When the division series makes its way to The Bronx, Max Fried will get the ball first for the Yankees.
The club plans to start Fried for Wednesday’s Game 3 followed by Carlos Rodón for Thursday’s Game 4, if the Yankees can get it there, manager Aaron Boone said Monday before a slop-filled 5-2 loss to the Rays at Tropicana Field.
Fried would pitch on six days of rest. Rodón would be on six days of rest from the four-inning simulated game he threw last Thursday at Yankee Stadium, though he hasn’t pitched in a real game since Sept. 22 (eight shutout innings against the Rays).
New York Yankees pitcher Max Fried throws a pitch during the first inning of Game 2 of the Wild Card against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. Robert Sabo for New York Post
“Just like how it lines up for Max 3 and Carlos 4, how we’ve been building them out,” Boone said. “It keeps certain guys available in certain situations. Obviously, it’s always subject to change based on how the series unfolds. But that’s how we’re planning on going right now.”
Rodón had been available out of the bullpen for the wild-card series, though the Yankees did not need him, before being in consideration to start Game 1 of the ALDS before Boone landed on Gerrit Cole. Theoretically, the Yankees could use Rodón out of the bullpen in Game 3 if they absolutely need to and start Cole in Game 4, since he would be on normal rest.
Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón #55 during warm ups. Charles Wenzelberg for New York Post
If not, Cole could be a bullpen option later in the series.
“I hope I never have to [use him in relief],” Boone said.
As Miguel Rojas is entering the final chapter of a 13-year career, he has a lot to be proud of.
One thing that he is certainly proud of happened over the Dodgers’ bye week last week, when he revealed he flew out to Miami to take his citizenship test and passed.
“As soon as I made the decision that I wanted to do this, I wanted to do it for my family, for my kids and for the future of them,” Rojas said. “So I’m really proud of being an American.”
Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series hero earns citizenship during bye week. Carlin Stiehl for CA Post
Rojas, 37, first came to America after he arrived as a 16-year-old prospect out of Venezuela with the Cincinnati Reds.
Since then, he’s developed a whole life in the United States, and he and his wife, Marianna Rojas Gamboa have two children that were born here when he was playing with the Miami Marlins.
“I’m proud of being working here for over 20 years now,” Rojas said. “I’ve been playing professional baseball now for a long time, and that gave me the opportunity to learn the culture, the country, and I don’t take that for granted.”
Miguel Rojas and the Los Angeles Dodgers being introduced before playing the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS. Wally Skalij for the CA Post
On the baseball field, Rojas has had a lot to celebrate as he is a two-time World Series champion with the Dodgers.
For Rojas, Dodgers fans will always remember him as a World Series hero last year, when he had a game-tying home run in the ninth inning against Toronto Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman to even the score at four apiece.
Miguel Rojas earns citizenship during bye week. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Dodgers would get the win after Will Smith made World Series history by hitting the first Game 7 extra-innings go-ahead home run.
While the Dodgers are preparing to play Game 3 of the NLDS on Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves, Rojas’ time on the baseball field will soon be coming to an end, as he announced at the beginning of the season that he plans to retire after the season.
In his 13-year career in the MLB, Rojas has played five seasons with the Dodgers and has a career 19.6 WAR, a .260 batting average, 61 home runs and 386 RBIs.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 5: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during a 2026 NBA Preseason game on October 5, 2026 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Real fans watch preseason games, these half-hearted scrimmages in which stars tend to lollygag, and the guys fighting for roster or rotation consideration tend to play as you’d expect—like guys trying to secure seats at the southern reach of the bench. Bandwagoners and parade crashers don’t tune in for this slop. Real fans do, cuz a Knicks game is a Knicks game. We even watch summer league!
After a short summer respite, the World Champion Knickerbockers and your loyal P&T blogger were all feeling rusty. From the start of tonight’s 120-97 loss to the Sixers, the champs continued to show their penchant for the long ball, heaving more than half their shots from the outfield. Both teams converted 33% from deep through the first 12 minutes, and here’s some good news: Finals MVP Jalen Brunson’s surgically repaired wrist had a familiar sweet snap as he drilled two three-pointers.
The guests took an early lead, but Philly answered with a 14-3 stretch through the heart of the quarter. Seeing former Celtic Jaylen Brown in Philadelphia blue boggled the brain for a moment. He carried his unit with LeBron James, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey taking the night off (chickens), and the new Sixer collected 13 early points. Meanwhile, Brunson and OG (The Tipmeister) Anunoby scored eight points apiece for our heroes.
JAYLEN BROWN IS COOKING THE KNICKS STARTERS RIGHT NOW 🔥🍿
Former Knick Ariel Hukporti started the game, but exited early with an injury after facing up with Karl-Anthony Towns. He was assisted to the locker room, and it had the hallmarks of an Achilles tear. If that turns out to be the case, it’s a devastating blow to a likable guy who stood to get significant playing time this season.
On the subject of Towns, he attacked the paint and looked not a bit sour about his contract situation. Behind him, Andre Drummond played his first (unofficial) game as a Knick and was exactly the same Drummond he’s always been.
As the quarter went on, Tyler Kolek (with longer locks) assumed ball-handling duties. He seemed to have a mandate to score and forced it a little. Due to an absence of defense on either side, the teams swapped buckets like high-schoolers on layup lines. One welcome exception was the dependable Landry Shamet, who drained a pair of triples.
But, true to his word, Coach Mike Brown doled out minutes to as many players as he could. The spotlight in these early days is squarely on sophomore Mohamed Diawara. He attacked the rim with mixed results and coughed up the ball twice. Not a great sign after a crummy summer league. Alongside him, Jordan Clarkson logged his allotment of minutes, picking up where he left off.
Veteran James Wiseman took a turn at center, hoping to convince Brown to award him the team’s final roster spot. He scored two buckets but seemed a step slow on defense. Speaking of which, Pacome Dadiet guarded with more aggression than I remember. His offense, however, was pretty much exactly as I remembered—he and Miles McBride combined to shoot 0-of-4 from downtown in the half.
The second quarter belonged to the 76ers, who reached a 14-point lead late in the period and went into intermission ahead 72-58. They shot 53% from the field and 46% from deep, converting 11 dingers to the Knicks’ five. After missing a bunch of shots in the second quarter, our guys had shot 23% from deep. Brown led all first-half scorers with 22, while Anunoby logged 12 for the good guys.
Kolek and Shamet started the third, as did Walker, who answered their buckets with a trey of his own. Diawara turned on the charm with consecutive finger-rolls, a putback, and a steal. From there, the teams traded inefficient offensive blows.
Drummond swatted three blocks, and his layup fueled a nice push during that run, but Clarkson committed two travel violations and whiffed on multiple shots. Wiseman hit from the line and dunked a tip-in, while Ochai Agbaji went scoreless with some misses, and Dadiet’s fouls sent the Sixers to the stripe. By the end of this sludgefest, both teams had scored 21 points. The Knicks were still down, now 93-79.
Drew Eubanks and Bruce Brown started the fourth quarter for the Knicks, and we saw cameos by Kevin McCullar, Jr., Tyler Nickel, Tony Bradley, and Jaden Akins. By the buzzer, Brown had played 20 players (and it would’ve been 21, but Jose Alvarado is nursing a bruised knee). Aikins and Dadiet both hit from deep, which were rare sights on a night when the Knicks shot 8-of-41 from yard.
For the home team, rookie forward Saint Thomas impressed with a double-double. Thanks to his efforts, the Liberty Bells inflated their lead to 23. Caleb Love continued to have a nice game for them (15 points, 3-of-6 from deep). When the cutting was done, our heroes had fallen, 120-97. Big deal. We’ll give these bums the business on banner night.
Up Next
The Knicks host the Wizards on Thursday. Safe travels, Knickerbockers, and get well soon, Huk.
The team announced that Max Strus suffered a partial tear of the plantar fascia in his right foot during Sunday's preseason game. He will be re-evaluated in four weeks, which means he will miss the start of the season.
This is a rough start for Strus, who missed the majority of last season with a foot injury (a fracture of the fifth metacarpal in his left foot, which required surgery). He returned for a dozen games at the end of the season for the Cavaliers, then had a larger role for them in the playoffs, which prompted the Clippers to send a pick to Washington to obtain him as part of a five-team trade this summer that saw Los Angeles send out John Collins.
Look for rookie Keaton Wagler, as well as Gradey Dick, to get more run with Strus out.
As noted by Tomer Azarly of Clutch Points, the Clippers have what would be a solid five-man regular-season rotation lineup all out injured already: Jordan Miller (shoulder surgery), Bradley Beal (knee), Strus, Brandon Ingram (partially torn Achilles) and Yanic Konan Niederhauser (foot). Four of them — Miller, Strus, Ingram and Niederhauser — are all expected to miss the start of the season.
The NHL is putting its “Hot for Hockey” audiobook campaign on ice.
Less than a week after the NHL started releasing a series of short stories in audiobook form that feature current players in real-life NHL storylines through the lens of a romance novel, the league has discontinued the marketing initiative, Front Office Sports reported.
In fact, the NHL has wiped Spotify completely of the seven 30-to-90-second audio stories that had already been released last Thursday, most of which received negative feedback on social media.
The NHL was trying to capitalize on the popularity of the hockey-themed romance novel trend as well as the new interest from fans of the hit shows “Heated Rivalry” and “Off Campus.”
Initially, Sports Business Journal reported that the NHL planned to release these short stories throughout the season, but the league told Front Office Sports on Monday that the marketing campaign was only meant to be a one-week thing associated with the start of the season.
@HalfordBrough#WWL The NHL has launched the "Hot for Hockey" campaign in response to the popularity of Heated Rivalry and other hockey romances.
A league spokesperson did not explain why the stories were removed from Spotify.
“As a start of the season concept, these were matchup specific posts created by authentic authors, illustrators and voice actors designed to run during our opening games in the first week. Our marketing now is focused around many other activations including our Hockey Hits Different celebrity campaign, tune-in messages and other initiatives,” the league spokesperson said.
No actual romance was involved in the audio stories, but they did evoke a similar feel to the style that hockey romance novels are meant to convey.
The SBJ report announcing the campaign indicated that the league had contracted popular hockey romance authors to write and narrate the stories released by the NHL.
Among the first installments released was one featuring Jack Eichel and another that included Sebastian Aho.
Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers looks on during warm-up prior to a game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Tuesday, September 29, 2026. Getty Images
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters in Pittsburgh that the “data is overwhelming in terms of new fans that we acquired last year who were first introduced to hockey either through Off Campus or Heated Rivalry” before adding that “since it seems to be a cultural phenomenon, we figured why not get on board.”
The NHL’s endeavor into the hockey romance novel or “BookTok” space shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, considering the popularity Bettman noted, but the league’s somewhat checkered history with it does raise some eyebrows.
The NHL has iced its short-lived ‘Hot for Hockey’ marketing campaign. NHL/SpotifyHudson Williams and Connor Storrie are pictured in “Heated Rivalry” Season 1, Episode 1, on Monday, April 28, 2025. HBO
Three years ago, former Kraken forward Alex Wennberg, who now plays for the Sharks, and his wife, Felicia, had to put out a statement condemning the “BookTok” fan fixation on Wennberg that she described as “sexual harassment, inappropriate comments.”
“What doesn’t sit with me is when your desires come with sexual harassment, inappropriate comments and the fact that, with the Internet, we can normalize behavior that would never be OK if we flipped the genders around to a guy doing this to a female athlete,” she wrote at the time.
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 5: Dyson Daniels #5 of the Atlanta Hawks dribbles the ball during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on October 5, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Atlanta Hawks were in action on Monday evening to face the Memphis Grizzlies for their first preseason game. This was the first time that fans were able to see the team in action, and it was also the first time the team would be able to play against another team other than themselves.
CJ McCollum and Lu Dort were out for this game, and the starting lineup consisted of Kingston Flemings, Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu.
Alexander-Walker got things started for the Hawks with a 3-pointer.
The Hawks’ defense was solid with the starters in the game, and they were able to keep the Grizzlies from scoring much. That led to the Hawks gaining an 11-point lead, and they were able to maintain for some time before the Grizzlies started to get some shots to go.
Aaron Wiggins was the first person to come off the bench for the Hawks, followed by Jock Landale. The second unit wasn’t as crisp as the first, but they were still able to keep the lead. Asa Newell worked hard for his first bucket of the game, and got an and-1 to go with it.
The Grizzlies started to find a rhythm in the second quarter, and they started pulling away from the Hawks, even with most of the starters in the game.
Alexander-Walker tried to keep the Hawks in it, getting this spin move to go in the lane.
Even that wasn’t enough for the Hawks to get some momentum, as the Grizzlies continued to pile up the points. It wasn’t the best showing for the Hawks, as they gave up 49 points in the second and trailed 81-61 going into halftime.
The Hawks pulled most of their regular starters for the third quarter, and it was only Flemings who remained on the floor. Corey Kispert, Keshon Gilbert, Jock Landale and Newell were the other four players who joined him in the third.
Kispert had it going in the quarter, scoring 10 points and shooting perfect from the field. Dorian Finney-Smith saw his first minutes of the game in the third, and made an immediate impact on both sides of the ball.
The ball does 2 full circles around the court and Dorian Finney-Smith knocks down the triple 🔥 pic.twitter.com/n7pLmHYt6I
It was a way better quarter for the Hawks on defense, only allowing 29 points, and they trailed the Grizzlies 110-98 heading into the fourth.
The Hawks had already found some life in the third, and they continued that in the fourth to cut down their deficit. Jalen Wilson knocked down two 3-pointers and the Hawks were down only single digits.
The Hawks tried to keep cutting into their deficit late in the fourth, but the Grizzlies always had an answer on the other end. It was a strong effort from the Hawks’ third unit, but in the end, it just wasn’t enough.
Kispert finished the game with 19 points, Alexander-Walker finished with 14 points and Newell finished with 12 points and rebounds.
The Hawks will be back in action on Oct. 8 against the San Antonio Spurs.
The Knicks played their first game since winning Game 5 of the NBA Finals, as the starters shook off some rust and the bench fought to earn minutes in a 120-97 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Here are some takeaways...
-- Mike Brown went with the starting lineup that won the NBA Finals on Monday night: Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns. The Sixers and Nick Nurse took a different approach as LeBron James, Tyrese Maxey, and Joel Embiid all sat out; leaving him with VJ Edgecombe and Jaylen Brown as the only regular-season starters in the lineup.
-- Former Knick Ariel Hukporti, who signed with Philadelphia over the summer, also started for his new team. Unfortunately for Hukporti, the big man took an awkward fall in the first quarter and grabbed for his ankle. Knicks and Sixers players gathered around him and helped him to the locker room. He did not return to the game.
-- Andre Drummond, Landry Shamet, Miles McBride, and Tyler Kolek were the first four players off the bench for Brown's group. Shamet picked up where he left off in the playoffs, making two threes right away.
Philadelphia led 33-32 after the first quarter as Brown led the way with a game-high 13 points. Anunoby played the most minutes out of the New York starters (10) and was second in points (six) behind Brunson (eight).
-- Brown played more of the bench in the second quarter, with Mohamed Diawara and Jordan Clarkson entering for the first time. The back-and-forth game continued as Brown and Caleb Love scored eight straight to put the Sixers up 58-51 and force a New York timeout with 4:29 left in the half. Philly's young guards continued to attack with Edgecombe converting the and-one layup over James Wiseman to go up double digits.
The Knicks were outscored 39-26 in the second quarter as Love nailed a buzzer-beating three-pointer, taking a 72-58 lead into the half. New York allowed Philadelphia to shoot 53 percent from the field and 46 percent from three (11-for-24). Brunson and Anunoby were tied for the team-high with 12 points each, while Brown had 22 points for his new team.
-- The bench started the second half as Brunson and Co.'s night was done early, as was Brown's for Philly. New York's shooting struggles continued without their starters, failing to score a field goal for five-plus minutes toward the end of the third quarter and trailing, 93-79, heading into the fourth.
-- Overall, NY shot 38 percent from the field and 20 percent from three (8-for-41). Shamet led the bench with 10 points, while Diawara had eight points in 17 minutes. Fighting for a backup center role, Wiseman had eight points and five rebounds in nine minutes while Tony Bradley had two points in six minutes. Drummond scored six points with five rebounds and three blocks against his old team.
EL SEGUNDO, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Walker Kessler #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks to the media during NBA Media Day on September 28, 2026 at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, 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
It was unlikely the Lakers were going to be at full strength in their preseason opener — or in any exhibition game — on Monday.
In the first contest of a back-to-back and three games in four nights, head coach JJ Redick announced pregame that Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler would both be out. Joining them on the sidelines are Collin Sexton and Arthur Kaluma.
Walker Kessler jammed his finger on the backboard while Austin Reaves tweaked his ankle, per JJ Redick.
Collin Sexton and Arthur Kaluma are dealing with lower-body ailments.
None of them are dealing with serious injuries and are day-to-day, per Redick. https://t.co/JehtenA9rN
With two projected starters out, the Lakers’ starting lineup included Luka Dončić, likely starter Quentin Grimes and Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams and Kevon Looney.
Lakers starters tonight:
Luka Dončić, Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams and Kevon Looney
It’s unclear how many, if any, of these players were among those modified participants in practice. We’ll get a better idea of how serious these injuries are as well come Tuesday when the Lakers play again against the Warriors.
Ideally, Kessler’s injury, in particular, is short-term so he can build as much chemistry as possible with Luka and Reaves. In that same vein, Reaves getting back as soon as possible is the best-case scenario.
For the devoted fans who caught Summer League, not getting a chance to see Kaluma will be a bummer. He has a skillset that, in theory, could really complement the team’s stars.
Again, though, players were always going to sit out during this opening stretch of preseason games. We’ll have to wait to see how serious, if at all, the injuries are.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 5: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during the game against the New York Knicks during a 2026 NBA Preseason game on October 5, 2026 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
We are so back.
The Sixers tipped off their preseason with a 120-97 win over the defending champion New York Knicks Monday night.
In his first game as a Sixer, Jaylen Brown put up 22 points, shooting 8-of-13 from the floor along with two rebounds and two assists in 16 minutes of action. VJ Edgecombe played 19 minutes and put up 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting with four rebounds and seven assists.
Out tonight for the Sixers was LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Anfernee Simons, Dominick Barlow and Adem Bona. Before the game, Nick Nurse said he’s aiming to get the starters in two of their four preseason games, and that he isn’t concerned about the minor injuries picked up by Simons and Barlow.
As expected, the offense early was centered around Brown. He got to his spots to pull up, but missed his first two attempts and split his first pair of free throws as well. He had a layup roll out on him but fought for the offensive rebound, putting it back and getting fouled in the process.
99% of the preseason is just getting through it healthy. Unfortunately, Ariel Hukporti went down just five minutes into the game, favoring his right ankle in what looked like a non-contact injury. His former Knicks teammates were quick to put an arm around him as he was being helped off the floor. Jabari Walker came in to replace him, now the only healthy backup five on the team.
Brown did eventually get into a rhythm, making three straight shots to put up 13 in the quarter. Edgecombe made his presence felt as well, consistently getting to the basket successfully, but he couldn’t get a jumper to fall. Labaron Philon Jr. was the first sub of the night but he took a back seat for the first few minutes of his shift as those two were cooking. Philon made his first shot of the night, a pull-up jumper from the midrange.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope became the latest Sixer to get in on the fun with a quick seven points to end the quarter. He drilled a three that looked like it would keep the Sixers up by three, but a missed boxout allowing OG Anunoby to grab the rebound and get fouled on the putback attempt. He split his pair of free throws, giving the Sixers a two-point lead after a high-scoring first.
Second Quarter
The concerns about this center rotation were on display as the Sixers gave up three more offensive rebounds early in the second. One was courtesy of our old friend Andre Drummond, but Brown drilled a three in his face a few possessions later as he continued to have the hot hand.
Walker was really active with six rebounds and a couple of stocks, but being a couple inches shorter than the average center just catches up with him. On top of his strong effort on that end of the floor he knocked down his first two threes of the night, getting them up quickly. The makings of a stretch-five are there for Walker, and it’d be huge if the Sixers could unlock that.
Brown continued to put on a show for everybody, getting up to 22 points in just under 17 minutes of play. Just as he checked out of the game, Edgecombe came in and went right back to the basket for an and-1 layup. Everything he was doing off the dribble was intriguing. He made a really nice pass to a cutting Dillon Jones, and spun around to find Caleb Love in the corner for a three as the buzzer expired. The only thing he couldn’t do in the half was a get a three-pointer to fall, but he was good enough to help the Sixers get out to a 14-point lead.
Third Quarter
Neither Brown or Edgecombe were out on the floor to start the second half, officially ending their nights. Walker started the half with another three, but the team cooled down, missing five straight shots. The Knicks got aggressive in where they were picking up the Sixers, forcing them higher up the court and forcing worse passes and shots as a result.
It was encouraging to see Philon be the one to put his head down and get to the basket to stop some of the bleeding. He also made a nifty behind-the-back dribble to evade a defender, but couldn’t get the floater to fall to complete the highlight play. His attack though remained the only consistent offense for the Sixers in the quarter.
Labaron Philon with the footwork and handles to dance his way right to the rim pic.twitter.com/Ijn7UuifoZ
Like Edgecombe, Philon was also struggling to get his outside jumper to fall, but also like Edgecombe, it was a good quarter for him to showcase his playmaking chops. He found a cutting Jameer Nelson Jr. shortly after he checked into the game for his fourth assist of the night. Nelson finished an and-1 that helped keep the Sixers lead at 14.
Fourth Quarter
The rest of this recap is going to be random observations about the two-ways and exhibit 10 contracts still playing in this game. Rayan Rupert has the makings of a defender. He seems to know where to be and is always hustling to get there. Nothing he did tonight really showed up in the stat sheet though, and two of his shot attempts were two of the easiest blocks for the Knicks’ defenders.
Caleb Love is what the kids call a bucket and hooper. If shoots like he did in the first half he’s going to be very fun to watch in the preseason, but he seemed to really run out of gas in the second half. Definitely a situation worth monitoring over the next three games.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves tweaked his ankle but is “fine”. William Liang for CA Post
Reaves tweaked his ankle, while Kessler jammed one of his fingers on the backboard.
Coach JJ Redick said both Reaves and Kessler were “fine”.
Walker Kessler (14) and Collin Sexton (10) were both sidelined against the Kings. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectLakers guard Collin Sexton had his right lower leg/calf wrapped during the team’s shootaround on Monday. Khobi Price
Veteran guard Collin Sexton and two-way forward Arthur Kaluma were also sidelined for Monday’s game because of “very light lower-body injuries,” according to Redick.
Sexton had his right lower leg/calf wrapped during the team’s shootaround on Monday
All four players are deemed day-to-day, per Redick.
In light of their absences, the Lakers started lineup against the Kings was Luka Doncic, Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams and Kevon Looney.
The Lakers’ preseason opener against the Kings was the second night of a back-to-back set in Northern California. They’ll make the quick trip to San Francisco postgame for Tuesday’s matchup against the Warriors.
“The guys that are out [Monday] may play [Tuesday,” Redick said, “but for the most part, they’re all day to day.”
The Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani sits in the dugout during Game 1 of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
As the Dodgers mull potential lineup changes for Game 3 of the National League Division Series, manager Dave Roberts said he is “open” to moving Shohei Ohtani lower in the batting order.
In his three seasons with the Dodgers, Ohtani has batted first or second in every game he has started. However, as he has admitted he is trying to “manage” in the aftermath of knee and arm injuries, and as Roberts has acknowledged Ohtani is “not 100%,” the lack of success could compel the manager to replace him at the top of the lineup with a more productive hitter at some point.
“I would,” Roberts said Monday. “I would. I think it’s something that, you know, I think moving him from 1 to 2 — but going further than that? I’m open to it.
“And it’s something that if I do, I would obviously have the conversation with Shohei to explain why. And at the end of the day every conversation I’ve had with him is whatever’s best for the team, he’s all-in on. So I know that undoubtedly.”
The Dodgers are batting .215 through the first two games of the NLDS, with the Atlanta Braves scheduled to pitch left-handed ace Chris Sale in Game 3 on Tuesday. If the Dodgers lose, they would need to win back-to-back elimination games to advance beyond this series.
Roberts said the lineup changes he would consider include starting Kiké Hernández and Miguel Rojas, both of whom hit well against left-handers. That could mean infielders Max Muncy (0 for 7 against Sale, with five strikeouts) and Tommy Edman (0 for 11 against Sale) might not start.
Center fielder Andy Pages, who batted so poorly last October he was benched for the final three games of the World Series, is hitless in seven at-bats in this series, with four strikeouts.
“I’m gonna continue to give Andy leash,” Roberts said. “I believe in him. I feel that for us to win the World Series this year, we’re gonna need him to be an active part of our team.
Roberts said he did not envision benching catcher Will Smith, who is 0 for 8 in the series. The Dodgers’ backup catcher, Hunter Feduccia, is a career .205 hitter with no postseason experience.
But, even with the Dodgers’ star-studded lineup, the spotlight shines brightest on Ohtani.
Ohtani has not homered since Aug. 18. He hit .157 between then and the end of the regular season, striking out in 41% of his at-bats. In this series, he has two hits and two strikeouts in eight at-bats, and his inability to refrain from swinging at pitches outside the strike zone has become a glaring weakness.
“He’s not 100%,” Roberts said. “But, at the end of the day, he can still do a better job of staying in the strike zone.”
Ohtani hasn’t given the Braves a reason to challenge him within the strike zone.
“Everything orbits around Shohei, in the sense of his talent,” Roberts said. “And the Braves are going to enter with caution. And, so, knowing that, they’re going to continue to expand as long as we keep giving that to them. So until we show some discipline, they’re going to continue to kind of use that playbook.”
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – The New York Yankees' Spencer Jones hit the ball into the roof at Tropicana Field in the second inning of Game 2 of the AL Division Series on Monday night. It came down in a glove.
That's an out at the Trop, even after it hits the ceiling.
Four catwalks ring the inside of the dome, labeled A through D from highest to lowest. They hold up the roof, along with the lights and speakers, and the hang over the field.
The ground rules split them in two. A fair ball that hits either of the lower rings, C or D, is a home run. A fair ball that hits either of the upper rings A or B is in play. If it drops, it's a live ball. If a fielder catches it, the batter is out.
That's what happened to Jones. It hit the B ring and Victor Mesa Jr. caught it.
This time, there was little hubbub, a stark difference from Game 1 of the NL Division Series, when the San Diego Padres' Ty France hit the roof of Milwaukee's American Family Field with one out in the bottom of the ninth, a runner on and the Padres trailing the Brewers 3-2. The ball ricocheted off a beam and was caught by left fielder Jackson Chourio for the second out.
The Padres moderately protested, but the ruling was in line with ground rules in Milwaukee, leaving it a mystery whether France's 105.3 mph fly, hit at a 49-degree launch angle, would have been a home run had it completed its flight unimpeded.
In this ALDS, there was no controversy. At least not for now.
That’s what dynamic manager Dave Roberts was grappling with on Monday, as the Dodgers gathered at Truist Park in Atlanta ahead of Game 3 of their National League Division Series against the Braves.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, center, watches as Shohei Ohtani hits during practice ahead of a baseball NL Division Series Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
And even superstar Shohei Ohtani might not be immune.
“I am considering [changes],” Roberts said. “I think that’s a very fair question.”
That didn’t mean Roberts was ready to commit to any significant alterations ahead of a pivotal Game 3, with the best-of-five series tied one game apiece.
He noted the danger of reading too far into small playoff sample sizes this early in the postseason.
Still, he said there were things he was “thinking through” and “possibly kind of some changes” that could be enacted on Tuesday.
One possibility: Inserting Miguel Rojas and/or Kiké Hernández into lineup, perhaps in place of Max Muncy and/or Tommy Edman, to give the Dodgers extra right-handed bats against a dominant left-hander in Sale.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Kiké Hernández heads to first for an RBI double during the seventh inning. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
“[We already moved] him from 1 to 2 –– but going further than that? I’m open to it,” Roberts said. “It’s something that, if I do, I would obviously have the conversation with Shohei to explain why.”
The explanation, of course, wouldn’t be too complicated.
In Ohtani’s currently diminished physical state, he has simply not been the same presence at the top of the order that the Dodgers have grown accustomed to from the four-time MVP.
“Like we’ve talked about, he’s not 100%,” Roberts said.
But also, “I think there’s a little bit of [him also] trying to do too much,” Roberts added. “I think that’s a piece.”
“It’s hard to have success when you’re out of the zone,” Roberts said. “So I think that’s the thing, then the question is: How do we get him [attacking pitches back] into it?”
Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani walks to the plate against the Atlanta Braves in the seventh inning. Wally Skalij for the CA Post
A change of mindset could help, especially against a premium pitcher like Sale (who has held Ohtani to a 3-for-15 mark with five strikeouts and only one double in their career head-to-head matchups).
“Trying to chase slug tomorrow night might not be the right plan, given the starter,” Roberts said.
Instead, Roberts pointed to the opposite-field single Ohtani slapped past a shift for his lone hit in Sunday’s Game 2 loss.
“That at-bat yesterday, the block base hit the other way, that’s something that is production,” Roberts said. “I think that’s something where, against a guy like Chris Sale, it gives you a chance.”
The Dodgers, of course, would love to get more pop from Ohtani, who led the team with eight home runs during last year’s World Series trek. Roberts also knows the slugger “feels the responsibility” to provide such power, which might be contributing to his lack of plate discipline.
Thus, for now, taking the pressure off Ohtani’s shoulders by potentially hitting him lower in the lineup might also prove to be prudent.
“At the end of the day, every conversation I’ve had with him is whatever’s best for the team,” Roberts said. “And he’s all in on [that]. I know that undoubtedly.”
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages takes part in a team workout at Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium. CHRIS TORRES/EPA/Shutterstock
While Roberts will contemplate other changes beyond Ohtani’s spot in the order, there were a few ideas he outright struck down Monday night.
The big one: Removing Andy Pages from the batting order despite his 0-for-7 start in the playoffs –– one that has felt reminiscent of his historic struggles last October, and been further marred by a consequential ABS challenge he missed in Game 1.
While Roberts said he feels Pages has been “trying to do too much” –– downplaying any lingering effects from the fractured hand that sidelined the center fielder for most of September –– he also said he wanted to give the 25-year-old slugger more leash.
“I believe in him,” Roberts said. “And I feel that for us to win the World Series this year, we’re gonna need him to be an active part of our team.”
That was all part of the balance Roberts was trying to strike with his team’s season potentially hanging in the balance. It might still feel early for drastic changes. But one more loss, and the club’s three-peat bid will be on the brink.
“Our guys are our guys,” Roberts said. “Yeah, I can tweak a lineup. I can kind of insert, take out a player or two. But at the end of the day, we still have got to go out there and play and execute and take good at-bats.”
