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Sam Rinzel Will Make Rookie Mistakes But He Deserves A Significant Role On Blackhawks

Sam Rinzel is going to be one of the defensemen who make the Chicago Blackhawks roster out of camp. He will make it alongside Alex Vlasic, Connor Murphy, Artyom Levshunov, and Wyatt Kaiser. The rest is still being sorted out.

With just nine games played so far in his NHL career, it’s impressive to have the status that he does at just 21 years old. Being a former first-round pick, he’s always had the pedigree, but now we’re seeing it show on NHL ice.

Those nine games came at the end of last season, following the end of his collegiate career at the University of Minnesota. He recorded five assists but has yet to score his first career NHL goal.

As a young defenseman, his main concern is learning to play the position well in the NHL. He skipped the AHL because of his abilities; now he’s looking to get to another level. 

Rinzel plays a two-way style that could allow him to be an impactful top-pair defenseman in the best league in the world. Still, at such a young age, there are going to be ups and downs. 

Even if Rinzel is a legitimate top-pair guy right away, it won’t be without rookie mistakes. We saw some of that in Tuesday night’s preseason game. Right after looking skilled, poised, and mature on the power play, he made a soft play that led to a Detroit Red Wings goal. 

When Jonatan Berggren came out of the box, he made a play to steal the puck from Rinzel, which set up a goal for Lucas Raymond. Rinzel would like to be more prepared for that as Berggren was coming out of the box. As he develops, he will be harder on the puck with more consistency. 

"I just think I've got to be better in that situation, just getting back to it, and I think knowing my outs, knowing what I've got to do."

Rinzel is well aware of the things that need to be better in his game. For being as young and inexperienced as he is, it seems like he's confident that his rookie mistakes won't linger. 

Part of being a young guy on a young team can be many other players on your pair throughout camp and preseason. Rinzel seems to think that he can help complement anyone's strengths as their partner, no matter who it is. 

"It doesn't matter who's your partner. Our whole [defense] core is tight-knit, so I don't think it matters who you're playing with. I just think everyone's game kind of has [its] own little niche, so I just think it's playing to your strengths, and it always complements each other well."

There is no denying the fact that Rinzel buys into whatever the Blackhawks ask of him in his game. Although he is clearly going to have those rookie lapses from time to time, and it won't end right when his first year is done, there are plenty of tools there for him to have a significant role right away. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

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Roki Sasaki’s dazzling postseason debut comes after rookie season filled with ups and downs

LOS ANGELES — Roki Sasaki dazzled in his postseason pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers, closing out their sweep of the Cincinnati Reds with a perfect ninth inning in the NL Wild Card Series.

The youthful looking rookie from Japan celebrated with a beer in his hand and goggles on in the team’s batting cage after their 8-4 victory advanced the Dodgers to the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Dodgers partied in the cage, lit up like a surgery center, rather than their remodeled clubhouse featuring high-tech screens that could be ruined by sprays of beer and Champagne.

Sasaki got Spencer Steer and former Dodger Gavin Lux on swinging strikeouts — with 100-mph pitches — before retiring Austin Hays on a lineout to shortstop that started the celebration.

The Dodgers went without a designated closer during the regular season. Did the 23-year-old from Japan earn the role for the postseason?

“I trust him, and he’s going to be pitching in leverage,” manager Dave Roberts said. “So the more you pitch guys and play guys, you learn more. I don’t think the moment’s going to be too big for Roki.”

It appeared to be too big for Sasaki early in the season. He signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers in January, receiving a $6.5 million signing bonus because he was under age 25 and subject to international signing bonus pool rules. Sasaki spent the last four seasons in the Nippon Professional Baseball League

Expectations were high for the pitcher who’s been a dominant force at every other stop in his fast-rising career.

Sasaki made his major league debut with the Dodgers against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo, where he walked five in three innings while throwing just 25 strikes among 56 pitches.

His Dodger Stadium debut on March 29 ended in the second inning he again struggled with his control. He issued four walks and got only five outs while throwing 61 pitches to just 12 batters.

Sasaki came off the 60-day injured list on Sept. 24 and made his first career relief appearance against Arizona. It was his first appearance in the majors since May 9 because of a shoulder injury. All eight of his previous MLB outings were starts, though he did make a few relief appearances during his stint at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

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Jazz Chisholm Jr. a gamer for Yankees in season-saving playoff win over Red Sox

NEW YORK — Left out of the starting lineup for the New York Yankees’ playoff opener, Jazz Chisholm Jr. was understandably unhappy.

Any accomplished player would be. Chisholm just has a different way of blowing off steam.

“I played `MLB: The Show’ and mercy-ruled someone,” he said. “That’s how I get my stress off.”

Back at second base, Chisholm played a huge part in saving the Yankees’ season as they beat the rival Boston Red Sox 4-3 in Game 2 of their AL Wild Card Series.

And this one was no video game.

“Anything to help us win,” Chisholm said. “All that was clear before I came to the field today. After I left the field yesterday, it is win the next game. It is win or go home for us. It is all about winning.”

The dynamic Chisholm raced all the way home from first base on Austin Wells’ tiebreaking single in the eighth inning and made a couple of critical defensive plays that helped the Yankees push the best-of-three playoff to a decisive Game 3.

“It’s what you expect. He’s a game-changer. He showed his maturity,” New York captain Aaron Judge said. “He showed up at the park today and had the biggest plays for us.”

Afterward, manager Aaron Boone said Chisholm will start Game 3 against rookie left-hander Connelly Early.

A left-handed hitter, Chisholm began Game 1 on the bench with the Yankees facing ace lefty Garrett Crochet. The two-time All-Star entered on defense in the eighth and flied out against left-handed closer Aroldis Chapman with the bases loaded for the second out of the ninth, failing to drive in a run.

That was Chisholm’s only plate appearance in a 3-1 loss that left New York on the brink of elimination.

After the game, Chisholm seemed upset about not starting. His back was turned to reporters while he answered several questions at his locker. Chisholm said Boone texted him to let him know he wouldn’t be in the Game 1 lineup.

“I did see that,” Boone said. “Every player is not going to agree with every decision that I make. I try and help make them understand my thought process and what I am thinking. I did that with Jazz. He is a guy that wears his emotions on his sleeve. So, wasn’t necessarily how I handled it, but I don’t need him to put a happy face on. I need him to go out and play his butt off for us tonight. That’s what I expect to happen.”

Boone said the two had a conversation the day before about the potential move, and he thinks Chisholm understood.

“Jazz and I are good. No concerns that he was going to go out there and get it done,” Boone said after Game 2. “He loves to play. He feels a responsibility to us, his teammates. And, you know, he and I have always been good. Despite what you may think happened yesterday, like, yeah, he’s a gamer, and he likes the stage.”

Amed Rosario played second base in Chisholm’s place and batted fifth. A right-handed hitter, Rosario was 6 for 9 with a home run and a double in his career against Crochet before going 0 for 3 in the playoff opener.

Chisholm is 0 for 4 with three strikeouts and a walk against Crochet.

“There is never a problem between me and Aaron Boone. He’s been my manager all year, and I’ve stood behind him all year,” Chisholm said after the Game 2 win. “We always have disagreements. I mean, I played third base this year, and we had a little bit of a disagreement in that."

“But at the end of the day, I always stand with Booney because he always understands where I come from. He knows I am a passionate player. He knows I wear my feelings on my sleeve. He knows I am there to compete.”

New York also put two other dangerous left-handed hitters on the bench against Crochet in Ben Rice and Ryan McMahon. Neither got in the game.

With right-hander Brayan Bello on the mound Wednesday night for the Red Sox, Chisholm was back at second base and batting sixth. Rice was at first base and hit a two-run homer on the first postseason pitch he saw. McMahon played third and went 1 for 3 with a walk.

With the score tied in the seventh, Chisholm saved at least one run with a diving stop to his right of an infield single by pinch-hitter Masataka Yoshida. Chisholm also made a tough play to start an inning-ending double play with two on in the third.

There were two outs in the eighth when he worked the count full and drew a walk. Chisholm was running on another 3-2 pitch when Wells pulled a line drive that landed just inside the right-field line and caromed off the low retaining wall in foul territory.

Right fielder Nate Eaton made a strong, accurate throw to the plate, but the speedy Chisholm barely beat it with a headfirst slide.

“He’s a special player. He’s one of the best players in the game. Exciting. One of the best athletes I’ve ever seen,” Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz said. “I knew he was scoring no matter what.”

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NHL's Best Forward Pairings To Watch This Season

In the NHL, winning games and having a successful line often comes down to finding the right chemistry among pairings. 

Typically, the word “pairings” is linked to defense, but there are duos at forward in the NHL who can be game-changers. Some of the NHL’s most dangerous duos are already generating buzz as training camps and pre-season action heat up. 

Each pairing below has an intriguing story as the 2025-26 NHL season begins. Not all are just about on-ice production. Which duos should we be watching?

Jack Eichel And Mitch Marner, Vegas Golden Knights

In Vegas, Jack Eichel and newly acquired Mitch Marner hit the ice with Ivan Barbashev, instantly showing chemistry and even connecting for a highlight-reel goal in their first session. 

Eichel, fresh off a career year, is also in a contract season. The likelihood is he gets a deal done far before it becomes worrisome, but if negotiations drag into the season, or Kirill Kaprizov’s new whopper of a deal slows things down, how these two play together could have an impact on Eichel’s numbers and what the Golden Knights see their long-term future looking like. 

Each player said they are excited to play alongside the other, with Marner suggesting the focus will be on using each other’s skills to “open each other up” offensively.

As far as playoffs go, Eichel will need to help Marner achieve post-season success he wasn’t able to accomplish in Toronto alongside Auston Matthews.

Connor McDavid And Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers

Ideally, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are pushing their own respective lines in Edmonton, but who are we kidding? Every season, these two superstars wind up together, and they are arguably the most dynamic duo in the NHL. 

McDavid has three Hart Trophy wins, while Draisaitl has one. Either could win it again this season, with McDavid at 2.90 (+190) and Draisaitl at 11.00 (+1000), according to BetMGM.

They complement each other so well that it’s hard for the Oilers not to go back to the well and go to these two often. 

Another star player in a contract year, McDavid is trying to decide what to do about an extension. He wants to win the Stanley Cup, which has eluded him for the last two finals. How does playing with Draisaitl this season impact his decision about signing or moving on? Is he pushing for this combo? Or, does McDavid prefer to spread out the offense?

If McDavid is considering playing elsewhere next season, he’d have to be open to playing somewhere that doesn’t have the yin to his yang.

Oilers Double Down On McDavid-Draisaitl Duo Despite Depth ConcernsOilers Double Down On McDavid-Draisaitl Duo Despite Depth ConcernsEDMONTON - The Edmonton Oilers’ decision to reunite Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on the top line heading into the 2025-26 season is generating some discussion.

Auston Matthews And Matthew Knies, Toronto Maple Leafs

In Toronto, Auston Matthews looks to play his first season without Marner, and the narrative surrounding what that looks like could get interesting. 

With Matthew Knies, Matthews and Marner on a 5-on-5 line last season, the Leafs averaged 3.63 goals per 60 minutes. Without Knies and Matthews together without Marner, the Leafs averaged 2.87 goals per 60, according to naturalstattrick.com.

The hope is that Knies steps up, and these two go on a tear regardless of who plays right wing, making the loss of Marner less painful for Leafs Nation.

The Leafs signed Knies to a new long-term extension, and pairing these two as a successful duo would solve many potential problems for the team, which has tried to pick up several depth pieces and fill holes with quantity over quality. 

The Maple Leafs’ lack of playoff success has been their Achilles heel. It was finally time to change things up, move on from the “Core Four” and go with different pairings. Whether it works remains to be seen.

Rickard Rakell and Sidney Crosby (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)

Sidney Crosby And Bryan Rust/Rickard Rakell, Pittsburgh Penguins

The future of the Penguins’ top line will be a season-long storyline.

Sidney Crosby has made it clear time and again that Pittsburgh is where he wants to be, even after his agent said it’s always a possibility he could leave. But Crosby does want to win.

How the Penguins play this season may shape what happens to Crosby’s linemates, Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. The wingers set career highs in points last year – 70 points for Rakell and 65 for Rust – and Penguins GM Kyle Dubas has hung onto them despite making moves elsewhere to bring in the youngsters.

Rust and Rakell were the subject of trade speculation this summer. While the Penguins only have 7.00 (+600) odds of making the playoffs, according to BetMGM, Crosby’s line could help Pittsburgh pull off some kind of surprise and keep the team from selling the captain’s wingers soon.

Nathan MacKinnon And Martin Necas, Colorado Avalanche

Colorado broke up its dynamic duo last season when it traded then-pending UFA Mikko Rantanen in January. The Avalanche then put Martin Necas on Nathan MacKinnon’s right wing, and they didn’t really miss a beat. 

The Avalanche scored 15 times in nearly 270 minutes with the Artturi Lehkonen-MacKinon-Rantanen line on the ice, according to naturalstattrick.com. With Necas replacing Rantanen, the Avs scored 13 times in 218 minutes, which is actually a higher rate.

Necas is expected to skate alongside MacKinnon again to start the season. But now, Necas is the pending UFA, and although negotiations are ongoing, there’s no certainty that he’ll re-sign.

Will things change as these two build chemistry together? Are they successful enough that Necas wants to stay where he is and sign a new deal? We’ll just have to watch.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

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Why Seth Curry hilariously couldn't take Steph's No. 30 Warriors jersey from him

Why Seth Curry hilariously couldn't take Steph's No. 30 Warriors jersey from him originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Move over Steph, there’s a new Curry in town.

The Warriors signed Seth Curry to a one-year free-agent contract on Wednesday, bringing together the two sharpshooting brothers in the Bay for the 2025-26 NBA season.

And Seth wasted no time having fun with his new team and the local media. He told reporters on Thursday in San Francisco about his lighthearted effort to take Steph’s iconic No. 30 Warriors jersey.

“I tried to buy it from him,” Seth said about Steph’s jersey number. “He said he didn’t need the money. [I] don’t think the NBA would like it either.”

Steph … probably doesn’t need the money. The 37-year-old has made just $410.5 million entering his 17th NBA season — all with the Warriors.

Regarding his brother, though, maybe Seth truly deserves the right to wear No. 30. After all, the 35-year-old has worn No. 30 often over his 11 NBA seasons and holds the higher career 3-point shooting percentage, with 43.3 to Steph’s 42.3.

Though Steph has made 4,058 career triples compared to Seth’s 945. And the two have vastly different trophy cases, to say the least.

Steph has worn the No. 30 on his back for all of his 1,181 career games — including 155 NBA playoff games.

So, sorry, Seth, but there is no universe where he steals No. 30 as Steph’s teammate on the Warriors. He’ll have to make do with No. 31.

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SEE IT: Knicks' Josh Hart suffers back injury in preseason meeting with Sixers

Preseason injuries are the last thing any NBA team wants to deal with, but Knicks guard/forward Josh Hart suffered an injury during the first half of Thursday's exhibition match against the Philadelphia 76ers in Abu Dhabi. 

After grabbing a defensive rebound, Hart took a couple of dribbles before falling to the floor. There wasn't much, if any, contact on the play, and Hart stayed down for a few moments before getting helped towards the locker room. 

Hart was also ejected on the play, as he threw the ball in frustration after the whistle blew. 

Following the game, the Knicks classified Hart's issue as a "sore lower back."

Hart, 30, has been an extremely valuable piece for the Kicks since being acquired ruing the 2022-23 season. The Villanova product has averaged 11.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game in a Knicks uniform, while showcasing the ability to play anywhere on the floor from point guard to power forward.

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Jonathan Kuminga downplays offseason drama, commits to winning with Warriors

Jonathan Kuminga downplays offseason drama, commits to winning with Warriors originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Teammates were forced to answer questions for Jonathan Kuminga on Monday at Warriors Media Day because of his absence. Coach Steve Kerr fielded a few the next day before shutting them down and turning his attention to basketball. Finally, Kuminga on Thursday was able to speak for himself.

Kuminga on Wednesday ended his restricted free agency that lasted all three months of the offseason and bled into the beginning of training camp, signing a two-year, $48.5 million contract that has a team option on the second year. He went through his first training camp practice Thursday and later addressed the media for the first time since inking his new deal.

The business side of basketball was eye-opening to Kuminga, who turns 23 years old on Oct. 6. The longer it took for Kuminga and the Warriors to agree to a deal, the louder the outside noise grew.

But it was brought down to hush from Kuminga’s answers speaking on the situation for the first time.

“It’s part of what we do. It’s a business,” Kuminga said. “At the end of the day, all that matters is that we got it done and I’m excited to be here.”

The only time Kuminga somewhat hinted at where his head was at during his restricted free agency was when he posted a picture to Instagram story on July 30 of him and his agent, Aaron Turner, that read, “I’ll bet on myself all day #JustKnow” while tagging Turner.

Once Jan. 15 arrives, the Warriors have three weeks to trade Kuminga by the NBA’s Feb. 5 deadline. His contract helps the Warriors find an in-season trade partner to move Kuminga if they choose to do so, but he doesn’t view his new deal as purely betting on himself.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Kuminga said. “But I’ll tell you, me betting on myself is helping us win a championship. And I think that’s our goal and how we all look at it. I’m blessed, I’m glad I got this done.”

Kuminga was drafted No. 7 overall by the Warriors in 2021, one year after the team took James Wiseman No. 2 overall and the same year they selected Moses Moody at No. 14. A youth infusion appeared to be on the way as Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson entered the later part of their careers.

And then Curry led the Warriors to a championship in Kuminga’s rookie year that surprised many, possibly changing the franchise’s plans of what’s best for the present and future of the team. Yet the Warriors have turned down multiple trade offers for Kuminga in the past.

His 2024-25 season was hampered by a badly sprained ankle in early January that kept Kuminga sidelined for more than two months. Kuminga started the first three games of the season and then was back to the bench, starting just 10 regular-season games in total. He has played 258 regular-season games in his career and hasn’t even started a third of them.

Which brings everything to the ultimate question: Does Kuminga want to remain with the Warriors and play for one team like his idol, the late Kobe Bryant?

“I’m here now,” he said, throwing up his hands at the podium. “That’s everybody’s goal, to be somewhere for longer. You never know how your future will be determined. So far, that’s my goal and what I want to accomplish is being here longer.”

Kerr on Wednesday reiterated the Warriors will operate through their veteran star trio of Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. He emphasized what he always has for how Kuminga can earn more minutes and have a larger role: Run the floor, rebound and be the best defender he can.

Showing a focus for the small details has fell by the wayside for Kuminga at times over his first four seasons in the NBA. He has shown an affection for playing isolation ball offensively and has missed assignments defensively. Playing that way won’t get him on the court under Kerr, in particular with this roster.

When asked about how he views his role on the Warriors, Kuminga deferred to winning over anything individually.

“Just helping us win,” Kuminga says. “Find a way to help us win. Both ends – defense, offense – just find a way to be a piece that’s going to help us win games and hopefully a championship. Being involved on both sides. Finding a way to have an impact. If it’s defense, if it’s an assignment, just go guard the best player. Or if they need me to score. … I feel like that’s what I’m looking forward to and I am very open-minded.”

Kuminga’s role isn’t expected to change much, but over the course of a season, he can be a highly valuable player for a team run by players in their mid-to-late 30s. He’ll be relied on to be more of a scoring factor in games that Curry and Butler need off or can’t go, and called upon to do what’s necessary to win on a nightly basis. Plus, the better he plays, the better his trade value is for the Warriors, possibly creating a win-win for both sides.

However it all plays out for Kuminga and the Warriors, he’ll have a new look to his game. At least when it comes to the front and back of his jersey.

Kuminga switched his jersey number from 00 to 1, marking a new chapter in a story that feels far from complete.

“A new start,” Kuminga explained. “I wanted to go back to my actual number that I used to wear when I was at [St. Patrick High School]. I just wanted to try new things, you know.”

There wasn’t more fuel added to the fire by Kuminga’s first comments since re-joining the Warriors. How their relationship continues, however, can either burn the house down or be the spark he always needed to keep the flame all along.

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NBA season 2025-26 preview: Five players under most pressure this season

It's become a sports cliché to say "pressure is a privilege."

By that logic, there are a lot of players — the five that follow in particular — who have a lot of privilege this season. There is always pressure in the NBA — pressure to win, but for most players it's more about pressure to keep their job and the paydays coming beyond this season. That pressure hits some players harder than others.

These five players are facing the most pressure in the league this season.

Trae Young

It's not just that Trae Young is playing for his next contract, although it's that, too. Atlanta could have offered Young up to a four-year, $229 million max extension this past summer if it wanted to. Instead, Atlanta's new front office built a roster that, on paper, is the best Young has ever had around him. Kristaps Porzingis is a pick-and-pop big who can also defend the paint, a perfect partner for Young. Nickeil Alexander-Walker to provide more wing defense and shooting. Luke Kennard to space the floor. A healthy Jalen Johnson and an improving Zaccharie Risacher can take some shot creation load off Young. This is a team with top-four finish and deep playoff run potential.

Atlanta is testing the biggest question facing the franchise: Can you build a contender around Trae Young? There are plenty of skeptics around the league, and if this goes sideways, the Hawks can pivot away from Young. If that happens, the market for the four-time All-Star may not be what he hopes. In Young's hands hangs the future direction of the Hawks organization and his next contract.

That's pressure, although on media day he seemed unfazed by it all.

"My focus is on the team. Whatever happens will happen," Young said. "If it doesn't happen, I'm still young and who knows what the future has in store for me."

Kristaps Porzingis

Let's stay in Atlanta with someone else playing for his next contract...

How much money is Kristaps Porzingis worth on the market? When he plays, he's a force — 19.5 points a game, shooting 41.2% from 3-point range last season, while adding 1.5 blocks a night. When Boston won the title two seasons ago, he was key to that run and averaged 20.1 points and 1.9 blocks a night — the Hawks brought him in and put him next to Young to be that guy for a new team.

However, he has played in 60+ games only once in the past seven seasons, and three times in his 10-year NBA career. Can he prove he can stay healthy enough this season and help lift the Hawks to the top four in the East, followed by a deep playoff run? Can he help make the Hawks more than the play-in team they have been in recent years?

Porzingis, 30, also is playing for his next contract. He's making $30.7 million this season and, no doubt, would like a new contract in the range Myles Turner just received from Milwaukee (four years, $109 million). Is he worth it? He's going to have to stay on the court and prove it this season, or next offseason, the offers may be smaller than he imagined.

DeAndre Ayton

DeAndre Ayton understands the pressure on him this season.

"Some people say it's my last leg, some people say it's my last chance," Ayton said at Lakers media day. "This is an opportunity I can say I'm truly not going to take for granted. It's almost like a wounded animal. I feel all the tension, and I know where I'm at. I've been in the gym every day."

Ayton has talent — even last season, in what was perceived as a down year in Portland, he averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, and he is a plus defender in the paint. The questions have been focus — it's not there night-to-night, he can drift through games — and health, he has played 65+ games once in the past four seasons. Ayton's best seasons were in Phoenix, when Chris Paul was pushing him hard but also setting him up for easy buckets in the pick-and-roll. The Lakers are betting LeBron James and Luka Doncic can do that same thing this season and push Ayton to new heights.

The center position has become a mercenary role in the NBA. Unless you're a Jokic/Wembanyama/Towns kind of impact big, teams think they can get 85% of the production for close to the minimum and lean that way.

Ayton is a free agent next summer and he's not going to find a contract close to the $35.5 million he is making this season, but if he wants to be paid in the range of Ivica Zubac/Naz Reid/Nic Claxton — around $20 million a season or more — he has to prove he is worth it. Coach J.J. Redick praised Ayton's play and work ethic at media day, but praise from a coach before the practices start is cheap. Ayton must take advantage of this opportunity in Los Angeles, or he will be playing for the veteran's minimum in future years.

Donovan Mitchell (and entire Cavaliers team)

Last season, it seemed like Kenny Atkinson had turned the Cavaliers into a contender: 64 wins, No. 1 seed in the East, best offense in the NBA and a top-10 defense. Donovan Mitchell was on MVP ballots and was named First Team All-NBA.

Then came the playoffs, and they were run out of the second round by the Pacers in five games. There were reasons for that loss — Darius Garland's turf toe limiting him is at the top of the list, but Evan Mobley and De'Andre Hunter also had postseason injuries — that does not change the fact that it was an ugly and embarrassing playoff exit for a team with title aspirations.

Cleveland is running it back (but with the upgrade of Lonzo Ball in for Isaac Okoro). Cleveland has the most expensive roster in the league and a championship-or-bust mentality. That is pressure.

Cleveland is built to run it back one more season after this one, but if things go sideways for the Cavaliers, at what point does ownership balk at being in the second apron and paying all this to fall short?

Zion Williamson

It feels like Zion Williams is perpetually on this list.

Tell me if you've heard this one before: Zion is more focused on his health than ever before and is in the best shape of his career entering the season. He says he is focused. He is still putting on a show in warm-ups.

New head of basketball operations in New Orleans, Joe Dumars, said all the right things about keeping Zion in the Big Easy, and talking to him about the accountability and responsibility that comes with his prodigious talent. Dumars is right. He's also not the first person to have that conversation with Zion. Did it sink in this time?

On one level, there is only so much pressure on Zion. He is just 25 and entering only his seventh NBA season. He will make $126.5 million over the next three seasons, guaranteed.

The pressure is centered on his place in the league, his ability to lead, and, ultimately, his legacy. Dumars didn't seriously try to trade Zion this past offseason because what little he heard showed him all the offers would be lowball — plenty of teams are willing to take a chance on Zion, but the return to the Pelicans was not going to help really jumpstart a rebuild like Dumars might wish.

His talent is not in question. Zion looks every bit the franchise cornerstone when healthy — 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists a game last season — but he played in just 30 games last season due to a hamstring issue. In his six NBA seasons in New Orleans, he has played 214 games and missed 258.

Zion doesn't just need to be on the court, he needs to lead this team by example. He needs to demonstrate a level of maturity and show that the lessons of the first six years have truly taken hold. Or the rest of the league will start to move on, leaving Zion to the teams willing to take a long shot chance.

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Owen Farrell focused on forging another team identity after teeing up Donald

Fresh from a chat with the Ryder Cup captain, the Saracens stalwart is back at his old club with half an eye on an England return too

By his own admission, Owen Farrell was exhausted after the first weekend of the season. A stray boot to the face inside 10 minutes made for a bloody nose and a rude awakening on his second Saracens debut against Newcastle, 17 years after his first. Farrell soldiered on to the hour mark, helping Saracens to a bonus-point victory before an early train home on Saturday morning. It was Sunday that left him “emotionally drained”, however.

Farrell was glued to Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph, watching Luke Donald’s side so nearly snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The 34-year-old is a keen golfer – he took the phone call from his father, Andy, to join the British & Irish Lions tour in July in a clubhouse – and played alongside Donald at last month’s PGA Championship Pro-Am at Wentworth.

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Jonathan Kuminga shares honest response to fans questioning Warriors commitment

Jonathan Kuminga shares honest response to fans questioning Warriors commitment originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Dub Nation, listen closely.

Days after signing a two-year, $48.5 million contract to return to the Warriors after a months-long standoff, forward Jonathan Kuminga addressed the fans that question his commitment to Golden State. 

And, perhaps to no surprise, Kuminga made sure to draw a distinction between keyboard warriors and actual Warriors fans.

“I feel like a lot of the fans get in their feelings so much,” Kuminga told reporters on Thursday. “And it’s mostly not the ones that are actually at the game.” 

“It’s the one that is on Twitter, on TikTok, on social media. The ones that actually come here every other day and support us, they are the real MVPs.” 

After a drama-riddled offseason, Kuminga, sporting a new jersey number, returned to Golden State practice ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season. 

The 22-year-old swingman, who became a restricted free agent at the conclusion of the 2024-25 NBA season, will collect a check from Golden State for at least one season.

It is then that Kuminga looks to demonstrate how committed he is to the franchise and Dub Nation. 

“But the ones that are home every day just don’t know what’s going on; they don’t even read what’s happening and just go out there and say whatever,” Kuminga added. 

“That’s what they love to do. I don’t have a problem with that, but the real me, the people I talk to, the front office, and my coaches, they know what’s happening, and they know how committed I am to this team and what I want to accomplish. I think that’s all that matters to me.”

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Wigan v Leigh Super League semi-final set to go ahead after ticket allocation furore

  • RFL says game on despite alleged Leigh owner complaint

  • Holders Wigan hitting form at the right time

Friday night’s Super League playoff semi-final between Leigh Leopards and Wigan Warriors is expected to go ahead as planned, but only after it was overshadowed by a controversy that could only really happen in rugby league.

The events of last weekend should have been the springboard for a significant and positive six weeks for the sport, kickstarted by St Helens’ stunning victory over Leeds in the opening round of the playoffs. Saints won in dramatic circumstances, scoring the winning try after the full-time hooter had sounded and whetting the appetite not only for the run-in to Old Trafford but also this autumn’s Ashes series.

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Penguins Forward Bryan Rust Out Week-To-Week

The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without one of their best players to start the 2025-26 season.

Forward Bryan Rust will be out for a minimum of two weeks with a lower-body injury after he left Wednesday's practice early. 

This means he will at least miss the first four games of the regular season against the New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Rangers again, and Anaheim Ducks. He'd have an opportunity to return on October 16 against the Los Angeles Kings if he heals quickly. 

Rust had the best season of his career last year, finishing with 31 goals and 65 points in 71 games. His 31 goals and 65 points are career-highs. 

His absence could open up a spot for top forward prospect Benjamin Kindel since he's been phenomenal during training camp and the preseason. There's a chance he could get the nine-game trial to open the year before the Penguins have to decide if he goes back to the WHL or sticks with the main club. 

The Penguins will play their final preseason game against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday before opening the regular season against the Rangers on Tuesday. 

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