CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 23: (L-R) Singer Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs attend Game Three between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Rocket Arena on May 23, 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
CLEVELAND — The New York Knicks are known for their celebrity crowd. Timothée Chalamet, Ben Siller, and Spike Lee are mainstays on the sideline at Madison Square Garden. But so far, the Cleveland Cavaliers have hosted the biggest celebrity so far in attendance for a game.
Cleveland Heights native and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has been to many Cavs playoff games since he entered the NFL. The team even had a bobblehead giveaway for him back in 2023. Although he’s never brought his world-famous pop star fiancée to the game.
Taylor Swift was in attendance, sitting baseline, across from the Cavs’ bench throughout the game. The in-arena hosts did not officially welcome them during the first half of Game 3.
Swift is one of the highest recording artists of all time. She boasts 14 number-one hits on the U.S. Billboard Top 100. This has led to her being the wealthiest female musician of all time.
The Cavs need all the good luck they can get in their Eastern Conference Finals series against the Knicks. They trail 2-0 in the best-of-seven series to decide who will go to the NBA Finals. The Cavs had a chance to steal Game 1 in New York, but blew a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter and ultimately lost in overtime.
The Cavs are hoping to turn things around in Game 3. Maybe Swift and Kelce can help turn the luck around this series.
CINCINNATI — Four years after considering retirement, Bryan Torres made it to the major leagues at age 28 and homered for the St. Louis Cardinals in his debut.
“Eleven years to get to here,” Torres said, fighting back tears after helping the Cardinals beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-1 in the opener of Saturday’s doubleheader. “I’m not a homer guy. Today, my debut, it just happened. I’ve been learning to manage the pressure. When the heart is going too fast, you have to slow things down. I felt a little pounding in my chest today.”
Torres, who first played minor league ball in 2015, hit seventh and played left field.
Bryan Torres is all smiles as he rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the ninth inning of the Cardinals’ 8-1 Game 1 doubleheaderwin over the Red at Great American Ball Park on May 23, 2026 in Cincinnati. Getty Images
With dyed blond hair and wearing thick eye black, he worked a full-count walk from Chris Paddack (0-6) in the second, singled on a cutter in the fourth, grounded out in the sixth, flied out in the seventh and homered on a 95.2 mph fastball from Jose Franco in the ninth, driving the 2-1 pitch into the first row of the right-center field seats.
“There’s not many words to describe this moment,” he said.
Cardinals fans at the game, many of them waving their shirts, kept chanting his name and three batters later induced a curtain call.
“All those guys bring us some energy,” Torres said.
Torres became the third Cardinals player since 1900 with multiple hits that included a home run in his debut, the first since Bobby Smith at Cincinnati on April 16, 1957.
“Pretty neat, man,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “There’s moments throughout the year that you take a step back and get to enjoy. That’s one of them. You could tell, even in his first at-bat, there’s a calmness to him in the box.”
Torres signed a minor league contract with Milwaukee in 2015, was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco organization in December 2019, became a free agent after the 2021 season and spent two years with the independent Milwaukee Milkmen of the American Association.
“I’m not going to lie, at one moment, I thought I’d retire,” he said. “In that moment, I decided I wanted to give myself a chance, and if I did, give it 100%.”
Bryan Torres is doused by teammate Iván Herrera after the Cardinals’ Game 1 doubleheader win over the Reds. Getty Images
He signed a minor league deal with the Cardinals in September 2023, hit .331 with 28 doubles, two homers, 56 RBIs and 33 stolen bases at Double-A Springfield, then was promoted to Triple-A Memphis and batted .328 with 16 doubles, nine homers 51 RBIs in 2025.
He was added to the 40-man roster last November and played for Puerto Rico in this year’s World Baseball Classic, going 2 for 6 with a double, three walks and three runs.
“I’m going to try to get him out there as much as possible,” Marmol said. “This is a left-handed bat who understands the strike zone, finds a way on base, a real pesky at-bat. I like his skill set.”
Torres was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Friday after hitting .336 with 10 doubles, two homers, 16 RBIs and 10 stolen bases in 36 games.
Bryan Torres celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run in the ninth inning of their win over the Reds in Game 1 of a doubleheader. Getty Images
“I was in (the) clubhouse sitting in my seat and my manager, Ben Johnson, said: ‘I’ve got some good news for you. Bryan Torres is going to The Show,’” Torres recalled. “Everyone started yelling and jumping up and down. Some of them started crying with me.”
Several family members were at Great American Ball Park. His first call was to his mother, Lissette Crespo.
“Since I was a young kid, 4 years old, she lost all her weekends to bring me to the stadium,” he said. “During the week, she always (brought) me to the park to practice, to play.”
His parents traveled from Puerto Rico on Friday only for that night’s game to be rained out.
“It was very emotional. He was crying and when I received it I cried with him,” his mom said during the Cardinals’ telecast. ”That was a special moment.”
Torres took the roster spot of outfielder Nathan Church, placed on the 10-day injured list with a left shoulder strain. He became the oldest position player to debut for the Cardinals since catcher Alberto Rosario at age 29 in 2016. Left-hander Nick Raquet debuted last season for St. Louis, also at 29.
“It’s been a very long and tough road, and not the usual road,” Torres said. “Everything happens for a reason. My family is very happy. We’re living the dream, basically.”
Donovan Mitchell's health is something to watch as Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals unfolds.
ESPN's cameras showed Mitchell walking back toward the locker room midway through the second quarter, though ESPN later reported he was not accompanied by a trainer. He returned to the bench area in short order and got back into the game before the quarter was through.
Donovan Mitchell went to the locker room halfway through the second quarter of Game 3 vs. the Knicks.
DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 17: Starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen #24 of the Colorado Rockies throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning at Coors Field on May 17, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a late-inning rally, the Colorado Rockies will look to win back-to-back games for the first time in two weeks. After starting 14-18, the Rockies have gone just 6-14 in May, tied with the Los Angeles Angels for the second-lowest winning percentage in MLB. Only the Detroit Tigers have a worse record (4-16). They have also been outscored 124-77 during that stretch, and has been held to three or fewer runs in 10 of their last 20 games. If they win tonight, they have the chance to split and if they win tomorrow, they can potentially win their first series in May.
After Tomoyuki Sugano posted the Rockies’ first Quality Start since May 1 last night, right-hander Michael Lorenzen (2-6, 7.03 ERA) will look to continue the momentum. In his last start against these same Diamondbacks, Lorenzen only pitched 4.2 innings and allowed seven runs (six earned) on nine hits with five strikeouts and three walks with two home runs. It was the fourth time this season that Lorenzen has allowed seven runs in a start — the most of such outings in MLB this year — and the fourth-straight game in which he allowed multiple walks. The last time he did that was in 2024 when he allowed multiple walks in nine straight games.
Lorenzen has faced the Diamondbacks 11 times (three starts) and is 3-2 with a 3.77 ERA against them. Last time he faced them on the road was July 6, 2025 with the Kansas City Royals. In that outing, he threw seven scoreless innings and allowed two hits with one walk and seven strikeouts.
Lorenzen will face Dbacks’ right-hander Zac Gallen (2-4, 4.78 ERA). Gallen is currently in his eighth season with the Snakes, which ties a record for pitchers with teammates Merrill Kelly and Kevin Ginkel, as well as former pitchers Randy Johnson (1999-2004, 2007-2008) and Andrew Chafin (2014-2020, 2023). Only Ketel Marte has more time on the Snakes’ roster than those three on the active roster.
In his last start on May 18 against the San Francisco Giants, Gallen allowed just two runs on four hits across six innings with one walk and five strikeouts in the 12-2 victory. Today marks Gallen’s 19th start against the Rockies. He is 9-1 against them with a 3.41 ERA.
May 6, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) delivers a pitch during the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
May 23, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) throws a pitch during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
On Saturday, news broke of Taijuan Walker signing with the Angels on a minor league deal. I’ve always felt the hate directed at Walker was a bit over the top. Sure, he wasn’t good, but he did have some stretches where he was an effective pitcher for the team. His time here was clearly up and they made the correct move in getting rid of him, but since they made that decision, something has changed.
That something is Zack Wheeler returning and being his usual, Cy Young caliber self.
It seems as though the season has turned on his return, which isn’t too surprising since going from Walker to Wheeler is quite the leap forward in talent. But it’s nights like tonight, where Wheeler didn’t have this top top stuff and was still able to carve up the Cleveland lineup. However, his offense was once again stymied by the Guardians starter, this time in the form of Slade Cecconi.
Cecconi was going through the Phillies lineup similarly to what Gavin Williams did last night. He was matched by Wheeler, perhaps even beaten, particularly in the fourth inning. In that inning, Chase DeLauter doubled to begin the inning, wobbling Wheeler a bit. He responded as pitchers of his caliber do by striking out the next two hitters and getting the third to ground out harmlessly to first to end that threat. Good teams respond to that by getting their starter some runs and that’s what the Phillies did.
In their half of the inning, with one out, Bryce Harper and Alec Bohm hit back to back singles to get things started. Brandon Marsh grounded out on a spectacular play by Kyle Manzardo to put the runners on second and third with two outs and Bryson Stott up, the team needing something to break their scoreless inning streak. Stott delivered and the Phillies were up, 2-0.
Wheeler continued dominating the Guardians, eventually going six innings and only allowing two hits and one walk, lowering his season ERA to 1.67. In the bottom of the sixth, Harper and Bohm got on to start things off, then were joined on a walk by Stott. J.T. Realmuto struck out for the second out to bring up the horrendously struggling Adolis Garcia. Somehow, he worked a walked and an insurance run was added, making it 3-0.
From there, the bullpen trio of Orion Kerkering, Brad Keller and Jhoan Duran were able to keep Cleveland off the board, only allowing one combined baserunner and never really being threatened. The losing streak of three games was snapped and the Phillies are back at .500. These two teams will be playing (maybe!) tomorrow in the rubber match to see who takes the series.
If you're a lover of player prop bets, look no further than Golden Knights star center Jack Eichel in Game 3.
Eichel loves a good homecoming, especially in the playoffs.
Since arriving in Vegas, the all-world forward has registered at least one point in eight of the 10 home playoff games that followed a road contest.
The Golden Knights lead the top-seeded Colorado Avalanche 2-0 after taking Games 1 and 2 of the Western Conference Final in Denver. Games 3 and 4 are in Las Vegas on Sunday and Tuesday, respectively, and Eichel already has three points in the first two games (1 goal, 2 assists).
As part of Vegas' three-goal comeback in the third period of Friday's 3-1 win, Eichel scored the game-tying goal and assisted Ivan Barbashev on the game-winner.
This is Eichel's 10th career playoff series - all with Vegas - and in 54 postseason games, he's got 12 goals and 49 assists.
More specifically, in those 10 home playoff games where the Knights returned from the road, Eichel has 15 points (2 goals, 13 assists), again, registering at least one point in eight of those contests.
Eichel has been instrumental in helping the Knights move two wins away from their third Stanley Cup Final appearance in nine seasons, and six wins from their second championship.
The 29-year-old has 18 points this postseason, with two goals and 16 assists, registering at least one point in 11 of the team's 14 games.
"Phenomenal," Vegas defenseman Noah Hanifin said of Eichel. "I mean, he’s such a good 200-foot player, but man, some of the offensive things he can do with the puck, how smart he is, how patient he is.
"He steps up at big moments. That’s what you need out of your best players."
Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9), right wing Pavel Dorofeyev (16) and defenseman Kaedan Korczak (6) celebrate a third-period goal against the Colorado Avalanche in game two of the Western Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena.
Operating with the third-lowest payroll in MLB, per Spotrac.com, the small-market Rays are pitching well, making contact and running the basepaths just like they have during most of their best nuisance-making seasons over the last 20 years.
“The thing, I think, that amazes me the most is our ability to, on the days we don’t hit home runs, still score runs,” seven-year veteran Drew Rasmussen, who was scheduled to pitch Saturday’s rained-out game against the Yankees, said. “Shoot, baseball at the major league level my entire time has been striking guys out and watching guys hit homers.
“To see a team that has the ability to score without needing to run the ball out of the yard, it’s really refreshing. But also, I do think it can lead to more sustainability. Teams that are dependent on homers are just that — dependent on homers to put up big innings. Yes, we’ll always take them, and I’m definitely excited to see us hit some more, but it is really cool that our athleticism has the ability to put us in ball games.”
Yandy Díaz celebrates after hitting an RBI double during the Rays’ win over the Orioles on May 19, 2026. Getty Images
The Rays (34-15) have won the first four meetings of the season against the Yankees to open up a 5.5-game lead in the East.
While the $336 million Yankees entered Saturday leading the majors in home runs, the $108 million Rays lead in sacrifice bunts, have the fewest strikeouts and rank No. 4 in stolen bases (two spots ahead of the Yankees).
On the mound, the Rays are right with the Yankees in MLB’s top-five in ERA and WHIP.
“I think we are doing a lot of things well,” manager Kevin Cash said. “We’ve kind of maximized opportunities with guys in scoring position. It’s a lineup filled with a bunch of guys who make contact and put pressure on pitchers, and then our overall speed. The up-the-middle defense has been good, pitching has been tremendous, the bullpen has really come together.”
The Rays’ game-winning four-run rally Friday started with a Yankees’ error and then included two singles, a walk, a double and a sacrifice fly to score a pinch runner.
And two first-to-third dashes.
Chandler Simpson slides into second base during the Rays’ win over the Yankees on May 22, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post
“To see how everyone contributes to helping us win day-in and day-out has been awesome,” Rasmussen said. “It also kind of keeps everybody in the flow of playing and gives the opportunity for everyone to stay in rhythm.”
But it’s not exactly a cast of no-names considering former All-Stars Junior Caminero, Jonathan Aranda and Yandy Díaz might be the American League’s best trio of hitters outside of the Yankees’ Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Ben Rice.
Carson Williams slides across home plate during the Rays’ May 22 win against the Yankees. Robert Sabo for the NY Post
“Their starting pitching is really good, they have three really linchpin hitters in the middle of their order and then a lot of complementary speed pieces that do a lot of different things that put pressure on you,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “It kind of hasn’t bounced our way against them, but we have to find a way to beat that club.”
Sometimes it just takes a road trip to the Bronx to bring national attention to what the Rays are piecing together.
“If you take these games, these might come down and be the deciding factors later in the year,” Díaz said through a translator. “It’s time [people noticed]. For the last few years, we have been one of the best or better teams in MLB, so we’ll take all the attention. It feels really good.”
Díaz’s memory is a little faulty.
The Rays made five straight playoff appearances — including eliminating the Yankees en route to the 2020 World Series — but finished under .500 in each of the last two seasons.
Drew Rasmussen throws a pitch during the Rays’ May 17 game. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
So, what’s the difference now?
“We’re getting a little more alignment than we did last year,” Rasmussen said. “We’re doing the simple stuff — scoring runners in scoring position, throwing strikes. The stuff you learn about in Little League, but it still does pertain to the game at this level. Guys are willing to sacrifice at-bats to move a runner.
“What is it in particular? I don’t know. It just seems like we are playing an all-around team game, and I think that really has helped in our success at this point.”
Unlike other surprise teams — the White Sox, for example — the Rays aren’t being carried by surprise stud performances.
It’s more like a collection of high-end numbers on the back of a baseball card. Maybe that makes it more sustainable.
“I felt like that’s kind of how we were built going into spring training, learning the guys,” Cash said. “It was going to take a roster that was doing everything — doing their part. To date, it certainly feels like that.”
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MAY 18: J.T. Ginn #35 of the Athletics looks on from the mound during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 18, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The A’s saw their three-game winning streak snapped last night in the first game of this series down in San Diego. The team remains in first place in the AL West though so can’t let last night’s struggles follow them into the second game of this weekend set against the Padres.
On the mound for the Athletics tonight will be right-hander J.T. Ginn. The right-hander is coming off a tough-luck loss last time out when he went eight no-hit innings before allowing a single and walk-off two-run home run to ruin his evening. That tough ending aside, Ginn’s 2.98 ERA leads the team’s rotation as the 26-year-old has been a revelation for the squad. Let’s hope his extended outing last time out won’t affect him tonight in what’ll be his ninth start of the season.
Here’s the A’s lineup for tonight brought to you by Mark Kotsay:
That starting nine will be facing veteran right-hander Lucas Giolito. The longtime White Sox starter only signed on with the Padres recently, inking a deal at the end of April as the Padres dealt with a slew of injuries to their starting staff. It was a bit odd considering his solid year last season with Boston but he’s on the older side for pitchers. After taking some time to ramp up he finally got promoted to the big league team last week and looked solid in his first and so far only start for the Padres, firing five inning of three-run ball against the Mariners. In four career starts against the A’s Giolito has a 5.01 ERA so history is on our side tonight.
And the Padres’ batting order for tonight looks like this:
New York's Madison Square Garden is famous for its celebrity row, but Cleveland's Rocket Arena saw arguably the most famous woman in the world pull up courtside Saturday night.
Pop icon Taylor Swift and fiancé Travis Kelce sat on the sidelines for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Knicks and Cavaliers. Kelce, the longtime Kansas City Chiefs star, grew up in nearby Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
False alarm. Former Dodgers star Chris Taylor is not retiring, after all.
A day after Major League Baseball’s transaction log stated that Taylor was retiring — and the league’s official social media account even put out a post recognizing his career — Taylor changed his mind on the decision and instead went on the injured list with the Angels’ Triple-A affiliate in Salt Lake City, a source confirmed to The California Post.
Taylor had not played since being hit by a pitch in his left arm earlier this week in a Triple-A game. He is going on the minor-league IL now with a forearm fracture, as MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger first reported.
Chris Taylor decided not to retire. Getty Images
Taylor, 35, has been in the Angels’ organization ever since the Dodgers released him in the final year of his contract last May.
He played 30 games with the Angels at the big-league level over the second half of last season, batting .179 while missing time with a fractured hand.
He re-signed with the Angels on a minor-league deal this spring and has spent the entirety of the year in Salt Lake, where he was hitting .255 in 32 games this year.
News of Taylor’s supposed retirement on Friday night was met with a wave of gracious reactions from Dodgers fans online. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also praised Taylor’s contributions in Los Angeles, where the utilityman was a two-time World Series champion and a 2021 All-Star selection over a productive 10-year stint.
Turns out, such plaudits were premature.
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Chris Taylor is sticking with the Angels’ Triple-A team for now, going on the IL. Getty Images
According to a source, Taylor told the Angels’ organization he was planning to retire this week, leading the club to file official paperwork to the league Friday.
By Saturday, however, he changed his mind, electing to keep his career active and go on the minor-league IL instead.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 22: Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres hits a two-run home run against the Athletics during the first inning at Petco Park on May 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Athletics (26-25) at San Diego Padres (30-20), May 23, 2026, 6:40 p.m. PST
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Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift take in Knicks-Cavaliers Game 3 courtside in Cleveland
The Knicks have Celebrity Row at the Garden, and now the Cavaliers have Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift.
As Cleveland hosted the Knicks at Rocket Arena for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals on Saturday, the Chiefs tight end and Swift — who have been a couple since 2023 and set to get married in less than two months — sat courtside, with Kelce.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce sit court side during the first quarter on Saturday night. Charles Wenzelberg/New York PostTaylor Swift and Travis Kelce are pictured at the Cavaliers’ May 23 game. Getty Images
The broadcast captured the couple with just over eight minutes remaining in the first quarter, with Kelce wearing a backwards hat and Swift handing him a piece of gum from her purse, and Kelce later chugged a beer during the second of the Knicks’ eventual 121-108 win — and was pictured looking devastated at the scene unfolding around him on the court.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are pictured during the Cavaliers’ Game 3 against the Knicks. es Wenzelberg/New York PostTaylor Swift and Travis Kelce are pictured during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. es Wenzelberg/New York Post
But this time, they went to watch the sport that Kelce recently revealed he almost played in college, as he discussed on an episode of the “New Heights” podcast that he nearly went to West Virginia before opting to attend Cincinnati for college football before a conversation with his father, Ed.
“[Ed] looked at me and said, ‘You are a man of your word. You wanna be like these kids that commit to a university and de-commit and now the integrity of your word doesn’t mean anything?’” Kelce said during the episode with Cincinnati basketball coach Jerrod Calhoun, who was part of the Bob Huggins-led staff recruiting Kelce to West Virginia.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are pictured at Rocket Arena. Charles Wenzelberg/New York PostTaylor Swift and Travis Kelce are pictured at the Cavaliers’ game against the Knicks on May 23. AP Photo
Kelce continued with his football career and ended up becoming one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, recording seven seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards, winning three Super Bowls and becoming Patrick Mahomes’ most consistent target across the rise and fall of the Kansas City dynasty.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce play with a Cavaliers doll during the game. Getty Images
Back in 2024, the Cavaliers also honored the Cavaliers brothers with a bobblehead night.
Swift and Kelce watched as the Cavaliers trailed the Knicks, 60-54, at halftime, with OG Anunoby recording 13 points to lead the Knicks while James Harden collected 14 points for Cleveland.
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift celebrate. NBAE via Getty Images
The Mets’ offense appeared to have found their footing in recent games, but they’ve quickly returned to their feeble ways down in Miami.
New York struck against Marlins righty Eury Perez on a Juan Soto homer in the first inning of Friday’s series opener, but managed just three baserunners the rest of the way.
They followed that with an even worse showing on Saturday.
Max Meyer had just about everything working as he held the Mets to three walks and a 64 mph opposite-field single across his seven shutout innings of work.
New York was held to only that hit until a Tyrone Taylor pinch-hit double in the ninth, followed by a Mark Vientos RBI single that finally got them on the board.
That was the Mets’ first at-bat with a runner in scoring position over the first 18 innings of this weekend set, and it was quickly wasted as A.J. Ewing grounded out to end the game.
They now have just two runs on six hits and four walks in the pair of losses.
“We’re better, we’ve seen that,” Carlos Mendoza said. “We’ve ran into two pretty good arms the past couple of days.”
“Obviously we haven’t done what we’ve wanted at the plate, but you gotta give credit where credit is due,” Vientos added. “The pitchers we’ve faced have been doing their thing.”
Both Perez and Meyer were certainly at their best, but this continues a season-long skid in which the Mets have managed to score one run or less in a league-worst 14 games.
With these last two, they’ve now dropped four of their last five.
Now 1.5 games back in the basement of the NL East, though, they know they have to turn the page quickly.
“You can’t sit here and feel sorry for yourself,” Mendoza said. “You gotta keep going.”
“Once 12 o’clock hits tomorrow, it’s a new day,” Vientos added. “Today is in the past and we have to focus on tomorrow and come back and win the game tomorrow.”
This is a sentence I never thought I'd write (and may never write again), but it's true about this Western Conference Finals: The team with Victor Wembanyama is not the one forcing the most adjustments.
At least not heading into a critical Game 4 at home for San Antonio. Mathematically, Game 4 is not "must win" for the Spurs, already in these playoffs we have seen two teams come from 3-1 down to win a series. Realistically, that is not going to happen against Oklahoma City. Victor Wembanyama understands that.
"We're going to see what we're made of," he said after a Game 3 loss at home where he and the Spurs raced out to a 15-0 lead at the start but ended up losing by 15 when the final buzzer sounded.
Here are three things to look for in Game 4, which will take place at 8 p.m. ET Sunday in San Antonio, a showdown you can watch on NBC or stream on Peacock.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is controlling series
If you just look at the counting stats, you might argue MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is struggling this series: 26.7 points a game on just 39.1% shooting and 28.6% from 3.
You'd be wrong. Gilgeous-Alexander is controlling this series and dictated the last two Thunder wins by his ability to read and process defenses so quickly, then make the right play. The Thunder are getting the shots they want, shots they like.
SGA has been drawing defenders, seeing how the Spurs are bringing a third defender to his side of the court (usually at the nail), then picking San Antonio's defense apart, setting up teammates for big games. It was evident in Game 3 when he had 12 assists to just two turnovers, and for the series he's averaging 11 assists to 2.3 turnovers per game. Part of the problem for San Antonio is that they want to force the ball to Oklahoma City's worst shooters, but then Alex Caruso turns around and hits eight 3-pointers in Game 1. The Spurs don't roll out terrible shooters, and if you let guys like Jaylin Williams (five 3-pointers in Game 3) or Lu Dort or anyone else on their roster set their feet, they'll knock it down. And SGA is finding the open players who have time to set their feet and shoot in rhythm.
I'd say the Spurs need to find a way to throw Gilgeous-Alexander off his game, but good luck with that. He's the two-time MVP for a reason.
Non-Wembanyama minutes
San Antonio was +4 in the 39 minutes Wembanyama played in Game 3, but lost the nine minutes he was out by 19 points. That's been the trend all series: San Antonio is +21 in 125 minutes with Wembanyama on the court, and -38 in the 29 minutes he is off the court.
That was not much of a problem in the regular season because the three-guard attack of Stephon Castle, De'Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper could get downhill and score or create opportunities for others. However, now they are going against the best defense in the league and doing it with two of those guards playing through injuries.
The second that Wembanyama goes to the bench, you can see the level of aggression and attacking the rim from the Thunder. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault has made sure to keep Gilgeous-Alexander on the court when Wembanyama is off, which allows him to attack the rim without consequence (all due respect to Luke Kornet). Spurs coach Mitch Johnson doesn't have a lot of options — maybe going small with Carter Bryant at center? — but San Antonio has to find a way not to lose the non-Wembanyama minutes by so much, because OKC is not a team they can beat so badly when he is on the court they can get away with it.
Who is still healthy?
The injury report for this series has too many key players on it, but here is where things stand.
• Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell is out with a calf strain, which he appeared to injure on the play where he picked up a flagrant foul trying to stop a Stephon Castle transition bucket (then Devin Vassell stepped in, and both he and Mitchell picked up technical fouls). • The Thunder's Jalen Williams is officially questionable for Game 4 with a left hamstring issue. He did not play in Game 3, and it would be a surprise to see him back this quickly. • San Antonio has nobody on their injury report for Sunday. • Spurs' coach Johnson said he expects both Fox and Harper will be "ready to go" in Game 4.
