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2026 NBA Draft Lottery: odds, date, time, top prospects, how it works, future format

The NBA Draft Lottery is less than a week away. The Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets each have the highest odds — 14% — in the lottery to land the No. 1 pick in what is expected to be a loaded draft. Recent years also have seen a number of teams jump bottom of the lottery into the top three of the draft, including the Dallas Mavericks, who won the lottery last year and earned the right to take the future Rookie of the Year, Cooper Flagg.

The defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder, who had the best record for the second season in a row, could even win the lottery. They own the Los Angeles Clippers’ pick courtesy of the Paul George trade.

This figures to be the final NBA Draft Lottery in its current format before the league likely puts a new system in place for next season in an effort to reduce teams tanking for better odds. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 including, the top prospects.

NBA mock drafts: 3.0 • 2.0 • 1.0 | NBA Draft combine participants

The lottery is at 3 p.m. ET Sunday, May 10. It will be at Chicago’s McCormick Place convention center and coincides with the draft combine.

It will be on ABC, ahead of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers.

The 14 teams that didn't make the playoffs have a chance to land the No. 1 pick. The teams that finished with the three-worst records — Washington, Indiana and Brooklyn — each have the highest odds (14%) at winning the No. 1 pick.

Here are the odds for every team in the draft lottery, based on team records at the end of the regular season. Teams that finished the season with identical records had their draft order determined by a random drawing.

Record: 17-65
Odds for No. 1 pick: 14%

Record: 19-63
Odds for No. 1 pick: 14%

Due to the Ivica Zubac trade with the Clippers, if the Pacers’ pick lands between the 5-9 spots on lotto night, it will go to L.A.

Record: 20-62
Odds for No. 1 pick: 14%

Record: 22-60
Odds for No. 1 pick: 11.5%

Record: 22-60
Odds for No. 1 pick: 11.5%

Record: 25-57
Odds for No. 1 pick: 9%

Record: 26-56
Odds for No. 1 pick: 6.8%

The Pelicans owe their unprotected first-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks as part of their 2025 draft-night trade.

Record: 26-56
Odds for No. 1 pick: 6.7%

Record: 31-51
Odds for No. 1 pick: 4.5%

Record: 32-50
Odds for No. 1 pick: 3%

Record: 37-45
Odds for No. 1 pick: 2%

Record: 42-40
Odds for No. 1 pick: 1.5%

The Clippers owe their 2026 first-round pick to the Thunder as part of the 2019 Paul George trade.

Record: 43-39
Odds for No. 1 pick: 1%

Record: 44-38
Odds for No. 1 pick: 0.5%

The draft lottery determines the order of the first 14 picks. It takes place in a private room with NBA officials, representatives of participating teams, select media and the accounting firm Ernst & Young, which oversees the drawings, in attendance.

For the drawings, 14 ping-pong balls (numbered 1 through 14) are dropped in a lottery machine. Before the lottery, 1,000 of a possible 1,001 combinations are assigned to the 14 participating lottery teams. A league representative randomly selects four balls, revealing a four-number combination.

From the NBA:

The drawing process occurs in the following manner: All 14 balls are placed in the lottery machine and they are mixed for 20 seconds, and then the first ball is removed. The remaining balls are mixed in the lottery machine for another 10 seconds, and then the second ball is drawn. There is a 10-second mix, and then the third ball is drawn. There is a 10-second mix, and then the fourth ball is drawn. The team that has been assigned that combination will receive the No. 1 pick. The same process is repeated with the same ping-pong balls and lottery machine for the second through fourth picks.

If the same team comes up more than once, the result is discarded and another four-ball combination is selected. Also, if the one unassigned combination is drawn, the result is discarded and the balls are drawn again.

After the first four picks are determined, the remaining picks are based on regular-season records, in reverse order.

FIRST ROUND NOS. 15-30

15. Portland (to Chicago)

16. Phoenix (to Memphis)

17. Philadelphia (to Oklahoma City)

18. Orlando (to Charlotte)

19. Toronto

20. Atlanta (to San Antonio)

21. Minnesota (to Detroit)

22. Houston (to Philadelphia)

23. Cleveland (to Atlanta)

24. New York

25. Los Angeles Lakers

26. Denver

27. Boston

28. Detroit (to Minnesota)

29. San Antonio (to Cleveland)

30. Oklahoma City (to Dallas)

Dybantsa could become one of the NBA’s most unstoppable shot-creators. At 6-foot-9, he has a special blend of athletic tools with the way he bends, shifts, and explodes with the ball in his hands. Dybantsa led the nation with 25.5 points per game while breaking Danny Ainge’s 48-year-old BYU freshman scoring record with a 43-point eruption. He gets to the rim at will, cooks in the midrange, draws fouls at a high rate, and displays point-forward potential. What will determine his upside is whether he can become a knockdown 3-point shooter, as well as a more impactful defender to take full advantage of his physical tools. But the native of Brockton, Massachusetts, has a tremendously high floor with his scoring skill alone. — Kevin O’Connor

He’s a do-it-all offensive talent who can post up, run pick-and-rolls, set screens, spot up and crash the boards. He doesn’t need to rely on bully ball to make an impact as a scorer or passer. Defensively, some of the questions about Boozer popped up in Duke’s Elite Eight loss to UConn: He wasn’t big enough to defend Tarris Reed, and he got smoked by Alex Karaban on a key 3-pointer on the perimeter. But he plays hard and has improved at every weakness in his game so far. — O’Connor

He can pull up from anywhere and get to his spots. Plus he’s 6-6 and plays with a fluidity that just screams superstar. Not to mention he’s a defensive playmaker with the tools to guard multiple positions and the approach to impact the game even if he’s not scoring. Between the cramping saga, the missed time, the lack of apparent athletic pop, and the stretches where he played heavy minutes but struggled to produce offensively, there’s a lot to be concerned about. But the pre-draft period could answer any questions. — O’Connor

Wilson is the most gifted athlete in the draft class. He's 6-10 with springs for legs. When he's flying above the rim, finishing through contact, and chasing down every shot in his area code, he looks like a future franchise cornerstone. But the conversation changes when you watch his jumper because he hasn’t shown any consistency as a shooter at any level. Still, even without the jumper, he has star upside. — O’Connor

Acuff is not the biggest guard or the most explosive athlete, but he reads defenses like someone who's been in the league for a decade. He emerged as a freshman as a skilled, low-turnover playmaker. And that’s not even what he’s best at. Acuff is a wiry scorer who can get a bucket from anywhere on the floor with a quick trigger, slippery handle, and a feel for manipulating defenses. He has a knack for clutch moments too. The question that follows every undersized guard into the draft is whether the brilliance survives contact with bigger, longer, faster defenders. — O’Connor

The 2026 NBA Draft will again be two days: Tuesday, June 23 for the first round; and Wednesday, June 24 for the second round. Both rounds are in Brooklyn, New York.

ABC/ESPN will broadcast the first round, and the second round will be on ESPN.

Almost certainly. NBA commissioner Adam Silver wants to curb the wide-spread tanking teams engaged in ahead of this season’s draft.

The league reportedly will put forth a new 3-2-1 format for a vote by team owners on May 28. The new format will create a system where each team gets a certain number of ping-pong balls to win the No. 1 pick. Here’s how it looks in reverse order of the standings and then play-in game participants:

  • No. 1-3: two ping-pong balls (5.4%)

  • No. 4-10: three ping-pong balls (8.1%)

  • Teams in 9-10 play-in games: two ping-pong balls (5.4%)

  • Losers of 7-8 play-in games: one ping-pong ball (2.7%)

The league hopes non-playoff teams will be incentivized to stay competitive late in the season. It also provides the No. 8 seeds in the East and West at least one shot at the top pick.

In addition, the league will not allow teams to win the top pick in back-to-back seasons or win a top-five pick in three consecutive seasons.

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Nick Nurse steps away from 76ers for brother's funeral, expected back for Game 2 vs Knicks

NEW YORK (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse was away from the team Tuesday ahead of Game 2 of its second-round playoff series against the New York Knicks to attend the funeral of his brother.

Nurse's brother Steve Nurse, 62, died unexpectedly last Wednesday. Nick Nurse left the team following Philadelphia's 137-98 loss to open the second round against the Knicks on Monday for the service on Tuesday in Ankeny, Iowa.

Nurse is expected to rejoin the Sixers for Game 2 on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.

“I'd like to pass my condolences along to Nick Nurse and his family, his brother's family and all their friends," Knicks coach Mike Brown said at the team's training center in suburban Greenburgh. “Life is precious and you don't wish that upon anybody, so I'd like to pass along my condolences to him and his family while they're going through these times.”

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

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LeBron James says Lakers can’t shortcut details against Thunder

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 6: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 6, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Eliminating the Thunder from the playoffs is no easy task.

Last year, no one could do it. This season, they have yet to lose, much less even flirt with the idea of being eliminated.

The Lakers are well aware of the challenge at hand as they begin their series against OKC. They understand that a near-perfect performance will be required, especially considering that they are still playing without Luka Dončić.

On Tuesday’s episode of the “Mind The Game podcast”, LeBron James laid out the realities of what it’s going to take to pull off this upset.

“We cannot shortcut the details. In order for us to give ourselves a chance to win games, we cannot shortcut the details and the game plan. We know we can’t stop everything. It’s impossible. They’re that great. But if we can control the controllables, which is not turning the ball over because we know how great they are when it comes to pick sixes and how handsy they are and the athleticism and speed that they play with. Then we can give ourselves a chance, and that’s all you can ask for in the postseason is a chance to compete and compete to win games.”

The recipe to beat the Thunder is still being concocted, but how to lose to them is well-known. If you turn the ball over, they’ll take advantage. Thunder opponents have a turnover rate of 16.5, which is the third highest in the playoffs. Off of those turnovers, OKC scores an average of 20.8 points per game. So, they not only create advantages, but they also make you pay.

Add in the fact that the Thunder never foul — at least according to head coach JJ Redick, with his tongue in his cheek — and OKC employs MVP winner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and has one of the deepest benches in all of basketball and it’s difficult to find a weakness that can be exploited.

So, it’s all about the Lakers controlling what they can control. That means protecting the ball, getting good looks at the basket and defending as well as anyone can against the Thunder.

LeBron’s done impossible tasks like beating the prime Warriors and even winning against the Rockets in the first round this season, so we’ll see if he can pull another unprecedented upset by taking down the Thunder.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

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Brewer lefty Angel Zerpa to undergo Tommy John surgery

Apr 17, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Angel Zerpa (61) delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the eighth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Just a day after getting two of their best hitters back, the Brewers received some unfortunate news on the pitching front: left-hander Angel Zerpa will undergo Tommy John surgery, shelving him for the rest of the 2026 season and likely the start of 2027, too.

Zerpa, 26, was acquired from the Royals back in December, as Milwaukee sent righty Nick Mears and switch-hitting outfielder Isaac Collins to Kansas City. Entering the season with a career 3.97 ERA and 4.13 FIP, it seemed like an odd move as the Brewers lost arguably a better reliever in Mears along with a valuable outfield depth piece.

Zerpa then starred for Team Venezuela in this spring’s World Baseball Classic, making six appearances spanning 5 1/3 innings, allowing no runs on three hits and a walk (one intentional), striking out eight. He got out to a solid start with Milwaukee this season, allowing no runs over his first four appearances, spanning 4 2/3 innings, with three strikeouts.

He then picked up his first career save in his fifth appearance, but things quickly went downhill from there. Over his final eight appearances (including the save), he allowed 11 runs (nine earned) over just eight innings, raising his ERA to 6.39 and FIP to 5.35.

Zerpa hit the IL on April 29 with left forearm tightness, and it was reported over the weekend that he was weighing whether or not to undergo TJS, though the road back seemed lengthy either way. Now, Zerpa will indeed get the surgery, keeping him out through early 2027. In his first arbitration season, Zerpa is making $1.095 million this season; he’ll be eligible for arbitration again in 2027 and 2028.

After entering the season with left-handed pitching as a key area of depth, the Brewers are already without three key arms in Zerpa, Jared Koenig, and Rob Zastryzny for the foreseeable future (Zastryzny and Koenig are both out until at least late May). Still, the Brewers have four lefties — Aaron Ashby, DL Hall, Shane Drohan, and Brian Fitzpatrick — filling half of their bullpen.

Here’s to wishing him a speedy recovery.

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Boston Celtics Daily Links 5/5/26

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 02: A detailed view of the shoes on Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter of a game against the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at TD Garden on May 02, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Herald What’s next for Celtics? Boston’s biggest questions after playoff collapse

GlobeKendrick Perkins roasts Jaylen Brown’s comments on refs: ‘The agenda was y’all couldn’t make shots’

5 lingering questions about how the Celtics could possibly have blown a 3-1 series lead to the 76ers

Bill Simmons: Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla ‘screwed this series up’ vs. Sixers

Stephen A. Smith rips Jaylen Brown’s Twitch comments as ‘awful look’

NBA insider tabs Celtics as ‘stealth’ team in a potential Giannis trade

Jaylen Brown’s unfortunate moment, Jayson Tatum’s absence, and other Celtics thoughts

Celtics roster reset: What changes can we expect this offseason?

Five lingering questions about how the Celtics could possibly have blown a 3-1 series lead to the 76ers

Knicks crush 76ers to start Eastern Conference semifinals and keep up historic postseason roll

CelticsBlogBrad Stevens’ next move is to reload for another title run

Everything Jaylen Brown addressed in post-Celtics elimination livestream

CLNS Media Celtics Post-Mortem | The Garden Report

NBC Sports Boston The TD Garden curse? Inside Celtics and Bruins’ home playoff struggles

NESNReport: Former Celtics All-Star, NBA Champion Among Four Finalists For Head-Coaching Job

Three-Time NBA Champion Comes To Celtics Jaylen Brown’s Defense Amid Recent Criticism

Draymond Green Calls Out Jaylen Brown After Celtics Blow 3-1 Lead

Mass Live Joe Mazzulla shows troubling pattern after Celtics collapse to 76ers | Brian Robb

Draymond Green calls out Jaylen Brown for Joel Embiid flopping comments

Former Celtics guard makes candid statement on being back in playoffs

Bill Simmons makes blunt statement about Joe Mazzulla after Celtics collapse to 76ers

Celtics trade rumors: Boston could be ‘stealth’ suitor for Bucks star

Celtics WireWhat did the 2025-26 NBA season and playoffs tell us about the Celtics?

Report: Mazzulla to stay, Vooch likely out without paycut; Queta, Walsh to be picked up

Report: Rumbles Boston Celtics stealth Giannis Antetokounmpo landing spot

Celtics history: Russell, Jones retire; ’69 banner, Smith passes

A Celtics 2025-26 NBA regular season, playoffs postmortem

What will the Celtics do in the 2026 NBA offseason?

Celtics center Luka Garza hopes to stay in Boston for the long run

Celtics Jaylen Brown has praise for Joel Embiid between flopping jabs

The AthleticAfter decades of dominance, Boston’s sports teams deliver a month of misery

Hardwood Houdini Forgotten guard could give Celtics free-agent fix they desperately need

Celtics’ biggest hole looks even more gaping after one day of round 2

76ers’ performance against Knicks only adds salt to the wounds for Celtics fans

Celtics have obvious first move in free agency to recover from gut-wrenching failure

NBA shift away from Celtics’ style a reason to consider major offseason changes

Baylor Scheierman’s valuable playoff lesson will shape his offseason focus

Celtics playoff humiliation could get even worse with 76ers-Knicks series

Joe Mazzulla’s challenge changed Luka Garza’s Celtics season, and maybe his career

Chowder and Champions Celtics have a painfully obvious Nikola Vucevic decision they must make

Celtics quietly have an important Neemias Queta dilemma on their hands

Celtics’ playoff collapse against 76ers just got even more disastrous

CLNS Media/YouTube LIVE Garden Report: Celtics Post-Mortem

REACTION: Jaylen Brown Says This Was “Favorite” Celtics Season Despite Game 7 Loss | Garden Report

Locked on Celtics Boston Celtics Had A Gap Year After All | Tatum Was Most Important Development

Barstool Sports The Discourse Around Jayson Tatum Sitting Out Game 7 Is Patently Insane

The ScoreWhat’s next for the NBA’s 1st-round losers?

BasketNewsCeltics deserve NBA investigation over Jayson Tatum injury, expert claims

AudacyCeltics’ next season is the real question. What is this team going to look like next season?

What went wrong in the Celtics’ historic playoff collapse?

Fadeaway WorldAaron Gordon Draws Interest From Lakers, Suns, Celtics, And More; Exploring Potential Trade Packages

Bill Simmons Names The Real Reason Why Celtics Choked 3-1 Series Lead

Clutch Points 2 players Celtics must trade after unbelievable 3-1 playoff series collapse vs. 76ers

Celtics rumors: Insider states obvious about Joe Mazzulla’s job security despite 3-1 collapse

Basketball Network Phil Jackson explains Boston’s collapse vs. Philadelphia to Ron Harper: “Why triangle won vs pressure”

SI .com Everything Jayson Tatum Said About His Knee, Rehab, Game 7, In His Exit Interview

Boston Celtics Offseason Primer: Free Agents, Draft, Salary Cap, Trades

Jaylen Brown Made a Surprising Admission About the Celtics During Cringy Livestream After Game 7 Loss

Celtics’ Shocking Elimination Could Lead Intriguing Free Agent to Pelicans

From ‘Gap Year’ to Heartbreak: Why this Boston Celtics Season Was Still a Big Success

The LeadCan the Celtics’ New Era Overcome a Gut-Check Game 7?

Celtics Can’t Waste Their Depth Development

Essentially SportsJaylen Brown to Face NBA Investigation After Saying Refs Have Agenda Against Him: Report

Celtics Roundtable How Should Boston Celtics Season Be Viewed By Those Inside, Outside Building?

Heavy Celtics Blockbuster Trade Pitch Swaps Jaylen Brown for 2-Time MVP Amid Turmoil

NBA Trade Rumors: Jaylen Brown, Nuggets Stars Hit Updated Big Board

Jayson Tatum Drops Truth Bomb on Celtics’ Championship Window

Warriors Star Predicts Celtics Future With Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown

Bleacher ReportNBA Scout Reveals Celtics Need in Free Agency ‘If They Want to be Considered Serious Contenders’

NESN/YouTubeHow The Celtics Move Forward After First Round Exit With Sean Grande

WEEI/YouTubeDo the Celtics Need a Roster Shakeup? Joe Mazzulla the Right Coach Going Forward?|The Greg Hill Show

Even Celtics fans are questioning the future of the team.

The Sports Hub/YouTubeJoe Mazzulla leads Celtics to third playoff COLLAPSE in four years

CBS Sports Jaylen Brown for Giannis Antetokounmpo? Why one side probably says no to NBA’s hottest trade rumor… for now

The Big LeadKendrick Perkins doesn’t hold back on Jaylen Brown after Celtics loss

The Sporting News The real problem with the way the Celtics handled Jayson Tatum’s knee injury

Sportskeeda “Something is fishy” – Doctor Demands Investigation Into Jayson Tatum Injury Amid Celtics Drama During Game 7

ESPN/YouTubeGreeny & Wilbon compare Jaylen Brown’s behavior to that of Scottie Pippen in the ’90s 👀 | Get Up

Maine Wire Jaylen Brown Not Happy Playing Second Fiddle To Jayson Tatum, May Demand The Celtics Trade Him

Heat RoundtableMiami Heat Ship Away Cornerstone Franchise Piece to Rival in Mock Trade

ForbesThe Celtics’ Luxury-Tax Dumps Came Back To Haunt Them Against The Sixers

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Cavaliers vs Pistons Computer Picks: Our Best Player Prop Projections for Game 1

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Our NBA player prop projections are ready for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons, with the model highlighting several high-value spots.

By analyzing the data against current market lines, we’ve identified where the strongest edges exist.

These Cavaliers vs. Pistons predictions are driven by numbers instead of guesswork.

If you’re building your card, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Tuesday, May 5.

Cavaliers vs Pistons computer picks for Game 1

Cavaliers CavaliersPistons Pistons
Mitchell u25.5 points 
-115		Cunningham o26.5 points
-125
Mobley o8.5 rebounds
-102		Duren o10.5 rebounds 
-115
Harden o2.5 3-pointers 
-130		Robinson o2.5 3-pointers 
-105

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Cavaliers Game 1 computer picks

Donovan Mitchell Under 25.5 points (-115)

Projection: 23.3 points

This season, opposing starting shooting guards have shot just 27.6% from three against the Detroit Pistons (the second-worst mark in the league) making it a difficult matchup for Donovan Mitchell to clear his points prop in Game 1.

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Evan Mobley Over 8.5 rebounds (-102)

Projection: 8.59 rebounds

The Cleveland Cavaliers have led the league with 15.0 offensive rebounds per game over their last five outings, and Evan Mobley made his presence felt on the glass against the Raptors — a trend he’ll look to carry into the Eastern Conference semifinals.

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James Harden Over 2.5 3-pointers (-130)

Projection: 2.61 3-pointers

This season, opposing starting point guards have averaged 6.2 three-point attempts per game against the Pistons — the 10th-most in the league — setting up a favorable spot for James Harden to thrive from deep. When Harden gets it going, the Cavaliers tend to follow, so expect him to set the tone early and clear the Over on this prop.

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Pistons Game 1 computer picks

Cade Cunningham Over 26.5 points (-125)

Projection: 28.7 points

Cade Cunningham is on a tear, averaging 32.2 points over his last five games — a jump of 8.2 from his season average.

The matchup with Cleveland only adds fuel to the fire, as opposing starting point guards have shot a league-high 41.4% from three against the Cavaliers this year, setting Cunningham up nicely to boost his scoring from beyond the arc in Game 1.

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Jalen Duren Over 10.5 rebounds (-115)

Projection: 12.06 rebounds

Detroit ranks third in the league with 13.0 offensive rebounds per game, and as the Pistons’ top presence on the glass, Jalen Duren will look to assert himself early — battling Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen by owning the boards and setting the tone inside.

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Duncan Robinson Over 2.5 3-pointers (-105)

Projection: 3.22 3-pointers

Duncan Robinson cleared the Over in five of seven games during the opening round against Orlando, but this matchup brings a different kind of challenge. Cleveland’s defense is far more disciplined on the perimeter, closing out hard and limiting clean looks from deep, which will put added pressure on Robinson to find space.

If Detroit wants to keep pace, they’ll need Robinson to get going early from beyond the arc and knock down shots against a Cavaliers defense that won’t give him many easy opportunities.

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How to watch Cavaliers vs Pistons Game 1

LocationLittle Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
DateTuesday, May 5, 2026
Tip-off7 p.m. ET
TVPeacock/NBC

Not intended for use in MA.
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Potential Dorion GM Hire Causes Canucks Fans To Voice Displeasure

Things appear to have accelerated greatly in the Vancouver Canucks’ search for a new General Manager. With the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery taking place today, reports have emerged regarding former Ottawa Senators GM Pierre Dorion’s status in the hiring process. 

Earlier today, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, The Athletic’s Thomas Drance, and CHEK TV’s Rick Dhaliwal all confirmed that Dorion has become one of the Canucks’ leading candidates for the open General Manager position. This comes after TSN’s Darren Dreger reported that Dorion was in consideration for the role on Sunday. 

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This is not the only development in this saga from today. Since the reports on Dorion emerged earlier today, fans have taken to social media and have even begun emailing the Canucks to voice their disapproval. During “Donnie & Dhali” on CHEK TV, Dhaliwal reported that fans’ displeasure at Dorion’s consideration has officially reached the team, prompting concerns. 

Though dialogue around Dorion has increased dramatically today, many reports have outlined that the search is not over yet. Gary Mason of The Globe and Mail reported that Vancouver has narrowed their list down to "five good candidates," and that Dorion and Abbotsford Canucks Assistant General Manager Ryan Johnson are two of them. 

As of 12:30 pm PT on May 5, no other reports have come out regarding Vancouver’s GM search. 

The 2026 NHL Draft Lottery will take place at 4:00 pm PT later today. 

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May 9, 2016; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion attends a press conference to introduce Guy Boucher as the new head coach of the Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
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Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

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A Self-Inflicted Exit: Ranking the Reasons Behind the Boston Celtics’ Playoff Meltdown

Boston, MA - May 2: Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla argues a call in the second quarter. The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers played in the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 2, 2026. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images

The story of the 2025-2026 Boston Celtics is a complicated one. A team that blew expectations out of the water after a 56-win season, that, fair or not, reset those expectations going into the playoffs. The team then fell dramatically short, blowing the first 3-1 series lead in franchise history, and, to dump salt into the wound, they did it against the Philadelphia 76ers. A lot went wrong in the 3-1 collapse. Let’s power rank the reasons why the Celtics are watching the second round of the playoffs from their couch. 

  1. Joe Mazzulla

When assigning credit or blame to a basketball team, I tend to shy away from assigning it to the coach. I believe that in basketball, players have an outsized impact on game results compared to other sports. It’s a simple equation: fewer players on the court or field equals more individual player impact. It’s one reason coaches are more valuable and impactful in the NFL than in the NBA. That being said, I have Joe Mazzulla at the top of my list when it comes to why the Celtics were bounced early this season. 

There was a litany of head-scratching decisions from Mazzulla throughout the first round. His decision to turn his back on the identity of the team that won 56 games for him triggered a domino effect that culminated in the collapse. The 2025-26 Boston Celtics racked up wins by being the deeper, harder-playing team every night. Mazzulla left that identity behind immediately to start the playoffs.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 24: Baylor Scheierman #55 of the Boston Celtics reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers during game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 24, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 108-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Over the last 15 regular-season games, Baylor Scheierman played 24 minutes per game and contributed 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists while shooting 45.5% from three-point range. Scheierman peaked with monster performances late in the season in MSG and a 30-point masterclass in the last game of the regular season. In Game 1 of the first round, Baylor played three minutes going into the fourth quarter. This decision had a compounding impact on the team, as these minutes were funnelled towards Jayson Tatum, who was tasked with playing over 42 minutes in Game 3, and tasked with a heavy load in any game that became close. Tatum himself was not surprised that it led to an injury. 

“A little bit to be expected, I was away for ten and a half months, and then I came back, and I’m playing every other day, and I’m playing 36-40 minutes. So it’s not unusual that something would come up.”

Not only did Mazzulla abandon what made this team special, but he also tightened his rotation and loaded his superstar with minutes after an Achilles rupture.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 28: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket against Jordan Walsh #27 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter in Game Five of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoff at TD Garden on April 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images

There are additional micro decisions that I think really hurt the Celtics. Tyrese Maxey fried the faces off of the Celtics in their first-round matchup, dumping 26.9 points per game on an efficient 57.9% true shooting on the heads of the Celtics. There was one player on the Celtics this season who showed they could slow Maxey down: Jordan Walsh. Walsh held Maxey to 18.4% true shooting in the regular season and 54% true shooting in the first round. Mazzulla played Walsh an inexplicable 5 minutes in Game 7. Walsh should have been in the starting lineup several games prior. 

Last on the Mazzulla front. The decision not to play Payton Pritchard more minutes was baffling. When Pritchard was on the court, he gave the Celtics offense a zip that wasn’t there with him off the court. Without Pritchard on the court, the team and specifically the offense, cratered. With Pritchard on the court in the first round, the Celtics had an 11.7 net rating; with him off the court, the Celtics have a negative 14.1 net rating. Zooming in on the offense, with Pritchard on the court, the Celtics offense had a scorching 120.5 offensive rating. With him off the court, the offense collapsed to a 99.8 offensive rating. Joe’s decision to only play Pritchard 26 minutes in Game 5 hurt the Celtics, especially coming off a Game 4 in which Pritchard had flames shooting out of all of his orifices. 

And I won’t even mention the choice to start a lineup in Game 7 that had played zero minutes together. 

Three of the last four seasons ended with Celtics losses, and the Celtics were heavy favorites going into all of these series. Joe Mazzulla did not cover himself in glory in any of those losses. 

2. Jaylen Brown

Moving on to the first player on the power rankings: Jaylen Brown. Brown had an incredible season, and will deservedly find his way onto either First or Second Team All-NBA. Jaylen again showed the world that putting a ceiling on him is typically a mistake.

However, part of what made Jaylen’s season special was the leap he took as a passer and decision-maker. Historically, Jaylen has tended to get tunnel vision in big spots. But in the regular season, Brown was consistently making the right play, getting teammates involved and leading a Celtics offense that ended the season ranked second in the entire league. Brown reverted to his old ways in these playoffs. Jaylen recorded more turnovers (25) than he did assists (23).

I don’t think this came from selfishness. I believe Brown tends to press and force the issue; he wants to put the team on his back and will them to victory. Despite his play coming from a well-intentioned place, it brought out his worst habits. Leading to a Celtics offense that stalled out when he was on the court. With Jaylen on the court in the first round, the Celtics had a negative 1.3 net rating; with him off the court, the Celtics had a 23.2 net rating. With Jaylen on the court, the Celtics had a 108.7 offensive rating; with him off the court, the Celtics had a 131.3 offensive rating. An astronomical swing — a swing that can’t happen with a team’s second-best player.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 28: Jaylen Brown #7, Derrick White #9, and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics look on during the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Five of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoff at TD Garden on April 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images

3. Derrick White

Derrick White is up next. Coming into the playoffs, I wasn’t worried about a down shooting year for Derrick. I thought the team could survive his 32.7% three-point shooting clip. Unfortunately, Derrick took his bad shooting to another level, making it untenable for the Celtics. Not only did White shoot 27.3% from the three-point line, but his two-point field goal percentage also plummeted from 48.7% in the regular season to 42.3% in the playoffs. To make matters worse, White lost confidence and stopped being aggressive. Hesitancy in the playoffs will get you killed. In the last 15 games of the regular season, which marked Jayson Tatum’s return, White was taking 10.5 field goals per game. Coming into Game 7, White was only taking 9.2 field goals per game. It’s very hard for a team to win with their third player struggling to this degree. 

4. Neemias Queta

Neemias Queta unfortunately joins the ranks. Specifically, Neemias Queta’s foul trouble. In Game 7, we saw what Queta was capable of on a big stage. The Portuguese big man was the most impactful Celtic as the team tried to save their season. Pouring in 17 points and 12 rebounds on the way to being a team-high plus nine in his 32 minutes. It was all on display in Game 7: the athleticism, the improved touch, the clutch free-throw making, the ability to clean the glass.

Unfortunately, the Boston Celtics needed more Neemias Queta early in the series. From the first game in the series, Queta found himself in foul trouble, which shouldn’t happen when playing against Andre Drummond and Adem Bona. If I had any hair left, I would have pulled it out when the big man committed another unnecessary foul, reaching in after the 76ers had corralled a defensive rebound. You could live with some of the fouls; it was the avoidable ones that killed the team. With a weak front line, the Celtics needed Queta to play at least 30 minutes per game in this series, and he eliminated that possibility with some horrendous fouls. 

There is plenty of blame to go around for the excruciating first-round loss that the Celtics experienced in round one of the playoffs. However, while it hurts, every issue on the list is fixable, but only if the issues are acknowledged. A lot went wrong for the Celtics in this year’s playoffs, but I remain confident that the team will be right back in the mix this time next year. 

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Texas Rangers lineup for May 5, 2026

DETROIT, MI - MAY 02: Texas Rangers left fielder Ezequiel Duran (20) warms up before a regular season Major League Baseball game between the Texas Rangers and the Detroit Tigers on May 02, 2026 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Texas Rangers lineup for May 5, 2026 against the New York Yankees: starting pitchers are Jacob deGrom for the Rangers and Elmer Rodriguez for the Yankees.

The Rangers have a game in New York this evening, and have a weird looking lineup.

The lineup:

Carter — CF

Seager — SS

Jung — 3B

Pederson — DH

Duran — 2B

Burger — 1B

Osuna — LF

Jansen — C

McCutchen — RF

6:05 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are +105 underdogs.

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3-Man Fastbreak: Three Challenges Cleveland Creates for Detroit in Round 2

NBA: Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers

That was fun, eh?

The Detroit Pistons’ first round victory over the Orlando Magic that was overloaded with storylines and narrative shifts feels like it should have earned the victor a vacation. Instead, Detroit turns the page quickly to a tougher test in the Cleveland Cavaliers, with Game 1 tipping off tonight at Little Caesars Arena. The beauty of the NBA playoffs is that it allows no rest for the wicked.

If there’s one thing we learned about Detroit in Round 1, it’s this: they don’t go away easily. That mindset, echoed by J. B. Bickerstaff and his players all season, now faces its stiffest test yet.

Here are the three biggest challenges Cleveland presents.

1. Frontcourt size

Detroit struggled early in the Orlando series adjusting to physicality in the paint and Cleveland brings an even tougher version of that problem.

Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are simply a different tier of frontcourt. Mobley is coming off a strong first round, averaging 18.1 points and 8.6 rebounds while showing off an expanded offensive game, including timely perimeter shooting. His versatility is amplified by Allen, who anchors the paint defensively (2.3 blocks per game in Round 1) and frees Mobley to operate more offensively. Oh, did I mention that Mobley was last year’s Defensive Player of the Year?

CLEVELAND, OHIO – JANUARY 04: Isaiah Stewart #28 of the Detroit Pistons steals the ball from Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Rocket Arena on January 04, 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 Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Allen, meanwhile, is riding momentum from a dominant Game 7 performance (22 points, 19 rebounds) that may have swung Cleveland’s fate.

On paper, Detroit has more resistance inside than Toronto did – but a concern that didn’t come up as often in round 1 was foul trouble. The Pistons’ physical style is a strength, but against savvy bigs like Mobley and Allen, it can quickly become a liability.

Jalen Duren will need to replicate his Game 7 impact (15 points, 15 rebounds), and Isaiah Stewart has to be a more steady presence. Without that, Cleveland’s size could tilt the series early.

2. Harden’s playstyle

James Harden’s playoff reputation has long been debated, but his ability to manipulate defenses – especially by drawing fouls – still makes him dangerous. It is worth mentioning this will be the first time this season Detroit plays this iteration of Cleveland with both Donovan Mitchell and Harden available. And with Mitchell commanding the bulk of defensive attention, Harden becomes a potential X-factor.

Harden was productive in Round 1, averaging 20.6 points and 6.1 assists while consistently getting to the line (6.9 free throw attempts per game, top 10 in the first round). That matters against a Detroit team that avoided major foul trouble against Orlando – something that may not hold here.

Matchups will be key. Ausar Thompson will be glued to Mitchell, leaving Cunningham and Duncan Robinson to deal with Harden. That’s where Cleveland will hunt advantages, particularly targeting Robinson, which could limit his minutes if he becomes a defensive liability. Do we see an unleashing of Ron Holland to help contain?

3. A style-proof offense?

Detroit just held Orlando to 45.6% shooting in the paint – the worst mark of any playoff team in seven years. That defensive dominance won’t translate as cleanly in this series.

DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 27: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball as Daniss Jenkins #24 of the Detroit Pistons plays defense during the game on October 27, 2025 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Cleveland can beat you in multiple ways. They can run through Mitchell and Harden, punish mismatches inside with Mobley and Allen, or stretch the floor with perimeter shooting. Unlike Orlando, you can’t neutralize one player and expect everything else to collapse.

The Magic showed flashes of offensive versatility early in Round 1, but ultimately became predictable by the end. Cleveland won’t.

What gives Detroit more than a chance is elite defensive versatility, led by Thompson, who’s may be the best perimeter defenders in the league and can even switch onto bigger players in spurts. If he can disrupt Cleveland’s rhythm the way he did Orlando in Round 1, Detroit has a path.

But this series will demand more. More discipline, more shot-making and more answers.

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2026 NHL Draft Lottery results: Toronto Maple Leafs win No. 1 pick

2026 NHL Draft Lottery results: Toronto Maple Leafs win No. 1 pick originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The 2026 NHL Draft Lottery was held on Tuesday.

Picking No. 1 overall is the Toronto Maple Leafs, while the San Jose Sharks took a jump to pick at No. 2.

Penn State forward Gavin McKenna is likely to be the first prospect off the board, but there’s no true consensus this year. Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg, Canadian defenseman Carson Carels and American defenseman Chase Reid are fellow top prospects.

The draft will be held from Friday, June 26 to Saturday, June 27 in Buffalo, home of the Sabres.

Here are the draft lottery results following the two big draws for the first two selections:

2026 NHL Draft Lottery results

16. Washington Capitals

15. St. Louis Blues (via Detroit)

14. Columbus Blue Jackets

13. New York Islanders

12. New Jersey Devils

11. St. Louis Blues

10. Nashville Predators

9. Florida Panthers

8. Winnipeg Jets

7. Seattle Kraken

6. Calgary Flames

5. New York Rangers

4. Chicago Blackhawks

3. Vancouver Canucks

2. San Jose Sharks

1. Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs entered the lottery with an 8.5% chance at winning the first pick, the fifth highest of the 16. Fellow Canadian side Vancouver had the top odds with a 25.5% chance, but didn’t get within the first two picks.

Vancouver has never picked No. 1 overall in the draft, so the drought will continue after a season in which it won just 25 games, the fewest in the league.

Toronto would’ve also had to shift its first-rounder to the Boston Bruins had it not been in the top five due to a previous trade agreement involving Brandon Carlo. But it’ll be safe now with McKenna likely going first.

San Jose, which picked Macklin Celebrini No. 1 overall in 2024, had a 5% chance at picking first but will gladly collect second as it hopes to take another step forward to a playoff berth.

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2026 NHL Draft Lottery results: Toronto Maple Leafs win No. 1 pick

2026 NHL Draft Lottery results: Toronto Maple Leafs win No. 1 pick originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The 2026 NHL Draft Lottery was held on Tuesday.

Picking No. 1 overall is the Toronto Maple Leafs, while the San Jose Sharks took a jump to pick at No. 2.

Penn State forward Gavin McKenna is likely to be the first prospect off the board, but there’s no true consensus this year. Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg, Canadian defenseman Carson Carels and American defenseman Chase Reid are fellow top prospects.

The draft will be held from Friday, June 26 to Saturday, June 27 in Buffalo, home of the Sabres.

Here are the draft lottery results following the two big draws for the first two selections:

2026 NHL Draft Lottery results

16. Washington Capitals

15. St. Louis Blues (via Detroit)

14. Columbus Blue Jackets

13. New York Islanders

12. New Jersey Devils

11. St. Louis Blues

10. Nashville Predators

9. Florida Panthers

8. Winnipeg Jets

7. Seattle Kraken

6. Calgary Flames

5. New York Rangers

4. Chicago Blackhawks

3. Vancouver Canucks

2. San Jose Sharks

1. Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs entered the lottery with an 8.5% chance at winning the first pick, the fifth highest of the 16. Fellow Canadian side Vancouver had the top odds with a 25.5% chance, but didn’t get within the first two picks.

Vancouver has never picked No. 1 overall in the draft, so the drought will continue after a season in which it won just 25 games, the fewest in the league.

Toronto would’ve also had to shift its first-rounder to the Boston Bruins had it not been in the top five due to a previous trade agreement involving Brandon Carlo. But it’ll be safe now with McKenna likely going first.

San Jose, which picked Macklin Celebrini No. 1 overall in 2024, had a 5% chance at picking first but will gladly collect second as it hopes to take another step forward to a playoff berth.

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Mets show slight signs of life — can they get back up on their feet? | The Mets Pod

Connor Rogers and Joe DeMayo recap a somewhat good, maybe not bad week on the latest episode of The Mets Pod. 

The guys discuss a Mets team that won some games, the shaky status of manager Carlos Mendoza, some offensive production, the ups and downs of Mark Vientos, Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty, and Carson Benge, plus the ace-like work provided by Clay Holmes. 

Connor and Joe then cover the developing Christian Scott story, the non-development of hitting in the minor leagues the last few years, and answer Mailbag questions about the bullpen, Sean Manaea, and top prospect A.J. Ewing. 

Be sure to subscribe to The Mets Pod at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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In a new role, Mitchell Parker looks like a very different pitcher for the Washington Nationals

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 14: Mitchell Parker #70 of the Washington Nationals in action during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 14, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After a disastrous 2025 season, Mitchell Parker knew he had to change a lot. That point was driven home even further when the former rotation mainstay was sent to the minors on March 13th. Coming off a season where he posted a 5.68 ERA, Parker had to become a new pitcher to stick around in the big leagues.

Parker has done just that in 2026, totally changing up his arsenal. Last season, Parker threw his 4-seam fastball 55% of the time and his slider at a 12% clip. This year, he is throwing the slider at a crazy 58% rate and throwing the heater just 31% of the time. Who knows if this will work long term, but Mitchell Parker is a very different pitcher these days.

It is not just the usage that has changed though. The shape of Parker’s slider is also quite different. It is almost 2 mph slower than last year, but has much more break. When you look at the pitch plot, you can see how much Parker subtly manipulates the shape as well.

Despite heavy usage, the slider is really fooling hitters. Parker is generating whiffs almost 40% of the time on the slider, despite using it as his primary pitch. Batters are hitting a decent .259 off the pitch, but their expected batting average is .233. 

The heavy slider usage is also helping Parker’s fastball be more effective. Batters are hitting .167 off his heater and whiffing almost twice as often this year. Parker’s whiff and chase rates this year have been elite, both ranking in the 93rd percentile. While this has only led to a 4.05 ERA so far, his underlying numbers suggest more improvement is in store.

Parker’s FIP and xFIP are 3.43 and 3.44 respectively. Last season both of those numbers were around 5. It is clear that Parker’s changes have made him a better pitcher. However, it is not just those changes that are allowing him to thrive. He is also in a new role as a multi-inning relief arm.

He is only going 2 or 3 innings per appearance. That allows him to spam those sliders without hitters catching on to it. If he used this approach as a starter who is meant to see hitters two or three times, he could be in trouble. However, this new mix and Parker’s experience as a starter makes him perfect as a multi-inning reliever.

Before the season, we talked a lot about the Nats cutting back on fastball usage. After being at the top of the charts for fastball usage last year, the Nats are now bottom 10 in that category. Parker is one of the guys who has benefited the most from that philosophy change. He was throwing a ton of heaters, but his fastball is not an elite pitch.

When Parker got recalled from AAA, you could immediately see his massive changes. In his first outing, Parker threw his slider over 60% of the time and was racking up the whiffs. It was pretty wild to see a pitcher you thought you knew transform that quickly.

Now, these changes are not going to make Parker an ace, or even part of the Nats long term pitching plans. However, it is clear that this slider heavy approach has made him a better pitcher. He now has a clear plus weapon that he can lean on to get big league hitters out. Parker’s slider has good movement and he is commanding it very well. When he does not command it, he is in trouble, but he is doing a great job putting it just underneath the zone.

Before the season, I would not say I was that interested in Mitchell Parker. He was a pretty generic arm with no real out pitch. I figured he would get a couple spot starts here and there, but that he would just be an ordinary arm. With his mix changes, that has changed.

Again, these tweaks have not made him a star, but they could make him a viable big league arm. Last season, Parker was in the big leagues, but was not a big league caliber arm. Now, he is a guy who has a chance to be a nice multi-inning relief weapon for this team.

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Pirates manager Don Kelly, pitcher Chris Devenski suspended by MLB for incident on Saturday vs. Reds

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 10: Manager Don Kelly #12 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on April 10, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Pirates will be down pitcher Chris Devenski for the first two games of the Diamondbacks series and manager Don Kelly for one after Major League Baseball suspended Devenski for intentionally throwing at Cincinnati’s Sal Stewart in the seventh inning of Saturday’s game against the Reds.

The league announced the moves, which are accompanied by undisclosed fines, on Tuesday. Devenski was originally suspended for three games, but a settlement was reached to knock it down to two. Kelly will still be suspended for Tuesday’s game, and bench coach Kristopher Negrón will be the manager.

This all started over disagreement when Sal Stewert stepped outside of the box and messed with the timing of Devenski. There was some arguing going on between the two then Devenski went inside on a pitch and Stewert voiced his frustration over that. 

It was then determined by crew chief Alan Porter that Devenski did it on purpose. The veteran pitcher got replaced by Yohan Ramirez who got Stewert to fly out to right field. 

Personally, I don’t think Devenski did that on purpose at all. This is his 11th season in the Majors and there has been no history of him being a dirty pitcher or a pitcher who likes to throw at batters.  

Devenski said after the game that he had no intentions of throwing at Stewert and that it was just a pitch that missed the spot. Stewart struggled vs the Pirates pitching going 0-13 in the series which also resulted in Cincinnati getting swept.

The timing of this could be a big deal especially with how much the Bucs have been using their bullpen to start the season. Through 35 games, Pirates relievers had worked 143 2/3 innings, which is the sixth-most in MLB.

Kelly being suspended is not a massive deal for the team since he is only slated to miss Tuesday night’s game vs the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kelly will be back to his managing duties Wednesday night with Paul Skenes set to pitch.