From last summer all the way through February, the sports world begged the question: What will the Warriors do with Jonathan Kuminga?
Even former United States president and NBA superfan Barack Obama was curious.
So when Obama and Warriors coach Steve Kerr were in the same room for a dinner party last offseason in Aspen, Obama couldn’t help himself.
“Coach!” the ex-president said as he approached Kerr (h/t ESPN’s Wright Thompson). “What’s going to happen with Kuminga?”
It is unknown what Kerr’s response was, although it probably was along the lines of, “I don’t know,” the same response he likely repeated when asked about the situation over the next eight months.
Kuminga, whom the Warriors drafted No 7 overall in 2021, never found his footing in Kerr’s offense designed around Steph Curry. He showed flashes of his athleticism and potential, but the young high-flying wing couldn’t gel in Golden State system, especially after the team acquired Jimmy Butler.
After five seasons, the Warriors finally found a resolution to President Obama’s question.
With another important offseason ahead for the Warriors, and with Kerr’s return as coach after signing a new two-year contract, perhaps Obama will have some more questions for the coach.
‘We’re going to try to get him available as quickly as possible’
Mikel Arteta is crossing his fingers that Jurriën Timber will have a chance of facing Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final as he weighs up his options at right-back.
Arsenal confirmed on Tuesday that Ben White would miss the rest of the season with a knee injury that is expected to rule him out of the World Cup, although Arteta said the defender must “wait and see” regarding the summer. Timber has not played since Arsenal’s win over Everton on 14 March owing to a groin issue. The Netherlands defender is understood to have been close to returning at the end of last month before experiencing a setback.
To say that Steve Kerr went back and forth about his decision to continue coaching the Warriors would be an understatement.
In the days after Golden State’s 2025-26 NBA season ended with a play-in tournament loss to the Phoenix Suns, it became clear to some inside and outside the Warriors organization that Kerr likely would not return next season.
For very good reason.
Fast forward approximately three weeks, and Kerr officially is back on a new two-year contract.
So how close was he to calling it quits? ESPN’s Wright Thompson, who spent the last season with Kerr behind the scenes, published a detailed feature story about Kerr’s recent life on and off the court and shared an anecdote about the coach’s mindset before Golden State’s thrilling 126-121 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in the first of its two play-in games.
“Steve Kerr walked into the lobby of the Beverly Wilshire with a secret,” Thompson wrote. “Win or lose, he’d decided to retire as head coach of the Golden State Warriors. It was a Tuesday morning in mid-April, the day before the team’s first postseason play-in game in Los Angeles. When this season ended, his 12-year run with the Golden State Warriors would end, too.”
“I think it’s over,” he said, almost mouthing the words. His sweatsuit separated him from the businessmen eating breakfast in suits and ties nearby. He put the odds at 95 percent.”
However, all it took to change Kerr’s mind, even just for a moment, was that one final win.
Later in the piece, Thompson then recalled Kerr’s sentiment postgame, in a private meeting with his assistant coaches, where he appeared to have a change of heart.
“An assistant with a stat sheet said they’d led for only four minutes and six seconds,” Thompson recalled about the private postgame meeting. “Everyone laughed and tried to stay in the moment. Steve looked over at me and spoke quietly, almost a whisper.
“I’m not leaving,” Kerr told Thompson.
Thompson shared that Kerr then opened his phone to find dozens of text messages before reading the one from his wife, Margot, first.
“You’re not leaving,” Margot wrote in the message.
And after Kerr weighed his decision for a few more weeks, she was proven right.
Former Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes and the Minnesota Wild will not be advancing to the conference finals of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Despite keeping things competitive, the Wild ultimately dropped their second-round series against the Colorado Avalanche in five games. After surrendering the first two games to the Avalanche, Minnesota won Game 3 on home-ice, but lost both Games 4 and 5 en route to their elimination.
Hughes finished the post-season with four goals and 11 assists in 11 games played. Seven of these points came against the Avalanche, most of which were the product of a 9–6 Game 1 in which Hughes scored a goal and two assists.
This was Hughes’ first playoff run since the 2023–24 season, during which Vancouver was eliminated in Game 7 of the second round by the Edmonton Oilers. The defenceman’s only other post-season run came during the 2020 Bubble Playoffs, in which Vancouver also lost in Game 7 of the second round.
Minnesota made it past the first-round of the post-season with a six-game series win against the Dallas Stars, with this being the first time they have won a playoff series since 2015. The Wild have yet to win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.
May 13, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) controls the puck under pressure from Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) in the third period in game five of the second round of the 2026 Stanely Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Despite Vancouver not coming close to making the post-season, Minnesota’s series loss greatly benefits the Canucks. Having acquired the Wild’s first-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft, Vancouver will now end up with a higher pick than if Minnesota were to advance to the next round. In nearly all situations, this means Vancouver will receive the 24th-overall selection. However, if the Anaheim Ducks advance over the Vegas Golden Knights, that selection will turn into the 23rd-overall pick.
With the Wild eliminated, Colorado will move onto the Western Conference Final, facing the winner of the Ducks and Golden Knights’ series. As it stands, Vegas currently has a 3–2 in that series.
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All of us want that elusive fifth Stanley Cup — which for many will be the first in a lifetime — but however the next decade or so goes, it looks like there will be pure joy thanks to Matthew Schaefer.
The latest kid who won the Calder has officially won the Calder, after the league and the Islanders conspired to make the otherwise not-surprising-and-in-fact-unanimous news a surprise on network TV with a presentation during his interview on Good Morning America Wednesday.
More than anything in at least a generation (surely?), the outstanding, talented, grounded and lovable Schaefer is the gift Islanders fans have been waiting for. May he remain glorious and not jaded by traffic.
Not had enough good-story tears for one day? This Willie O’Ree Award candidate runs the Central Park North Stars and brings some light and happiness to kids and adults with disabilities and their oft-overburdened parents and families. [NHL]
And in the playoffs, it was going to be a tall order for the Wild to come back from a 3-1 series deficit, but they were close to accomplishing a big step by grabbing a 3-0 lead in Colorado in Game 5. Alas, they lost, after two late Avalanche goals forced overtime. The Wild are out, and the Hurricanes-Avalanche final is set. (Not really or yet on that last part, but…come on, really.) [NHL]
The Avs made another goalie switch after falling behind 3-0. Scott Wedgewood did not give up a goal. [Sportsnet]
Brayden McNabb gets a one-game suspension for his interference penalty that sidelined Ryan Poehling. [TSN]
Lindy Ruff says the Canadiens are diving. [Sportsnet]
After a quick organizational evaluation that says nothing about Craig Berube’s coaching abilities, they assure you, the Leafs have fired him. His replacement will face some challenges. [NHL] But at least now the Leafs will be able to figure out what they are. [Athletic]
On the 552nd Sporticast episode, hosts Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams discuss some of the biggest sports business stories of the week, including the financial impact of this New York Knicks playoff run and World Cup tickets.
The Knicks are a rare major U.S. sports team owned by a publicly-traded company, which means there’s more public data on the team’s economics than with most other NBA franchises. With the Knicks now eight wins away from their first NBA title since 1973, analysts and investors are starting to take stock of what this playoff run might be worth.
The hosts talk about why a trip to the NBA finals might be worth $140 million in added revenue for the Knicks. They also discuss why the NBA is uniquely structured to give playoff teams a larger piece of the money they generate from postseason ticket sales. They also debate the hierarchy of Madison Square Garden’s limited celebrity courtside seats, whose regulars include director Spike Lee, comedian Tracy Morgan, actor Timothée Chalamet and model Kendall Jenner.
Next they talk about the World Cup ticketing controversy. The price for tickets has become the enduring story of the World Cup so far, but the market is more complex than many fans realize. They talk about how FIFA appears to have approached the event in the U.S., what’s made people so angry, and what might happen next. Will the governing body lower prices, will fans eventually buy the remaining seats at current levels, or will FIFA find a subtle way to move tickets into the secondary market?
They close by talking about the Boston Red Sox and their upcoming promo night centered around the hit HBO show Heated Rivalry. A team exec told Sportico recently that the event, which includes themed merch, was “our largest promotion ever.”
(You can subscribe to Sporticast through Apple, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts.)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 12: Ron Harper Jr. #13 and Jordan Walsh #27 of the Boston Celtics high five during the game against the Orlando Magic on April 12, 2026 at TD Garden 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Despite the ugly ending, one of the most enjoyable aspects of the 2025-2026 Celtics season was watching several unknowns ascend into real contributor territory.
Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez and Ron Harper Jr. formed a reserve wing group that helped establish the team’s revolving door identity. Entering the rotation, falling out, and recapturing a spot again was the standard flow of things.
Watching these four was particularly exciting in contrast to previous wing rooms. They brought a new type of versatility and athleticism, paired with elite effort.
Boston, MA – January 28 – Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) lets the ball get loose as Boston Celtics guards Jordan Walsh (27), Hugo Gonzalez (28) and Baylor Scheierman (55) surround during the second half of a NBA game at the Garden. (Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images). | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
Every few games, one would break out with a performance that made you think “Oh, this guy can play.” Often those big games would secure a temporary spot in the rotation until someone else made a statement of their own. It created a competitive spirit that helped fuel the Celtics to the second seed in the East, and it might’ve been a piece of what was missing in their loss to the Sixers. The shrunken playoff rotation zapped some of their unpredictability.
While they’ve shown flashes, and even stretches of consistent impact, questions remain for each of them. The questions are different though, so where does each one actually stand? Weighing current impact, system fit and long-term ceiling, here’s how I view this group of four.
4. Jordan Walsh
Walsh put together a very strong third season. After his sophomore campaign, it wasn’t even clear if he had a place on this roster. Then he was getting a genuine look off the bench in a playoff series to counter Tyrese Maxey. That’s a testament to his work ethic and growth.
The tools are what got Walsh drafted, and this was the year they finally shined. He has moments of lockdown defense across several positions, winning with lateral quickness and long, disruptive arms. His improved role player IQ allowed him to add value on the offensive end more consistently by finding gaps, making quick decisions and keeping the ball moving.
The challenge is that offensively, he’s still limited. The Sixers weren’t threatened by his shooting, and he finished the series 2-12 from three. Until that changes, it’s hard to justify his minutes when the game slows down.
At 22, the runway is there. Another year proving his jumper is real might force defenders to respect him, and he has the athleticism to develop as a slasher. But right now, he ranks fourth among this group.
3. Ron Harper Jr.
I might be getting ahead of myself here, but I see it with Harper Jr.
We are talking about a newly 26-year-old with under 400 total NBA minutes. Even so, it almost feels like he’s too low on this list.
He has arguably the most well-rounded skill set of the bunch. At 6’5, 230 lbs with a 7’1 wingspan, Harper Jr. has the frame to guard 1-4. He is a switchable defender who can force turnovers both on the ball and in the passing lanes.
The defense is clearly NBA-ready, but it’s the offense that’s difficult to ignore. In the G League, Harper Jr. averaged 25.4 points and shot 38.7% from three on 10.8 attempts per game. The sample at the NBA level isn’t large enough to be certain, but the flashes are hard to dismiss.
Brad Stevens called him a “stud” after his first start, and said nobody inside the organization was surprised. That amount of organizational confidence in a player that was still on a two-way contract means something.
He’s shown comfort launching threes on and off the ball, is a strong and smooth slasher, and can handle the rock or make the quick read to keep things moving.
In some ways, he’s reminiscent of Derrick White. Not to say that’s who he’ll become, but he brings a similar balanced two-way toolkit. Depending on how the offseason unfolds, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him slide into a starting role.
There’s no glaring hole in his game, which makes him a connective piece that works in a variety of contexts. He fits next to all of Boston’s best players, and looks capable of scaling up to take on more offensive responsibility.
With a team option heading into next year, he could be excellent value. If he gets the reps, there’s a realistic chance he becomes a development story similar to Neemias Queta as a player who ascended with enough time in the system and minutes on the court.
BOSTON, MA – MAY 2: Baylor Scheierman #55 and Hugo Gonzalez #28 of the Boston Celtics react during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2026 at TD Garden 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
2. Baylor Scheierman
Baylor is good, and I’m not afraid to admit it.
Some things simply cannot be taught, and Scheierman’s competitiveness is one of them. He’s cut from the same cloth as Payton Pritchard – the type of player who lives for a moment to let the fans, opposing bench, or the broadcast crew hear about it.
His rookie year had fun flashes but the vision wasn’t clear. He looked more like a streaky gunslinger than a real complementary piece. His sophomore year couldn’t have been more encouraging.
He appeared in 77 games, shot 39.9% from three — second on the team behind only Luka Garza — and held that level in the playoffs. The shot was always the selling point, but it’s the ancillary skills that are more exciting. He has a unique array of finishes with floaters, turnarounds, and deceleration on his drives.
He’s a strong playmaker coming off screens and makes instant decisions to attack a scrambling defense. It all blends into a player who extends an advantage or builds upon it without letting it die.
The most important development might be the defense. Settling for playable on that end would have been fine, but he’s genuinely useful. The effort is obvious, but there’s strength, instincts and positioning behind it.
Scheierman has set himself up to be a key rotation piece for the foreseeable future.
1. Hugo Gonzalez
As a 19-year-old, Gonzalez was perfectly comfortable with the speed and physicality of the NBA. That is generally not the case, but his years in professional basketball prepared him well.
There is more to his offensive game than we’ve seen. It isn’t polished yet, but he can finish with finesse or power. He’s flashed floaters, euro steps and explosive gathers in transition and half court settings. He’s still a project in some ways, but he’s starting from a strong foundation.
The numbers paint the picture well. With Gonzalez on the court, Boston posted an 11.9 net rating. It dropped to 5.4 with him on the bench — the third largest swing on the team. The defensive rating improved by six points with him on the floor, with only a -0.7 drop on offense.
That kind of impact from a player still finding his way is striking. His three-point shot will ultimately be the swing skill for how good he can become, but 36% in Year One is not a bad starting point.
His youth is an advantage over everyone else on this list, but his impact is already showing up clearly. At 20, he’s the most intriguing of this group, and the one with the most room left to grow.
Brad Stevens said it plainly: “Hugo had a great rookie year and is, I think, a critical part of us moving forward… His athleticism can meet the moment in big games. That’s a real thing. You can see it.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 18: Jae'sean Tate #8 of the Houston Rockets questions a call by referee Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling #7 during the second half of Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jae’Sean Tate is the longest-tenured player on the Houston Rockets, as he’s been on several iterations of the team. Tate burst on the scene as an undrafted rookie, averaging 11.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists in his debut NBA season. He followed that up with an even stronger sophomore campaign, averaging 11.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
We can disregard the shooting chops (or lack thereof). Those were the good ole days. When the memories were all positive.
It’s also when Tate was getting regular playing time. This year’s Rockets ball club didn’t exactly need Tate, due to a good bit of depth at the wing position. Tari Eason, Jabari Smith, Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, Josh Okogie…it was a crowded rotation, even with Thompson playing lead guard for most of the season.
Tate was even sent down to the G-League at the onset of the season. Even during his time with the Rockets, he played sparingly, having played 20 minutes just once, which happened to be Houston’s final game against the Memphis Grizzlies, when the Rockets rested their key guys ahead of their opening round postseason matchup.
Tate posted 13 points and 6 rebounds in that game. Now onto the good. Following the All-Star break, the Rockets were 11 points better in defensive rating when Tate was on the floor. But again, he didn’t play all that much.
When he did play, he was utilized as a center, once Rockets coach Ime Udoka opted for the all-wing lineup, following the season-ending injury to Steven Adams.
Tate found himself in the Rockets’ rotation during their postseason series against the Los Angeles Lakers also. At least early in the series.
(More bad memories).
Tate was partially responsible for Houston’s historic collapse in Game 3 against the Lakers, as he committed a bone-headed foul on Marcus Smart, which put Smart at the line for three free throws and sent the game to overtime.
It would be a surprise if Tate returned to the Rockets next season, even on a veteran-minimum deal. He’s always been undersized, yet able to maximize his physical tools. But his inability to stay healthy (not to mention his lack of shooting) is not something that Houston will be able to mask.
His hustle, effort and aforementioned defensive tenacity are part of the duplicate conundrum that Houston faces, which was referenced by Udoka at Houston’s end of season presser.
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 13: Max Fried #54 of the New York Yankees pitches during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 13, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
SNY | Alex Smith: The Yankees lost for the sixth time in their last eight games on Wednesday, and that’s not even the worst news: left-hander Max Fried had to leave the game after three innings with left elbow posterior soreness. The pitcher himself told Bryan Hoch of MLB.com that it felt like a hyperextension and revealed that the injury made it difficult to warm up before each inning. Despite vowing to make his next scheduled start, this looks like an injured list situation. Stay tuned.
ESPN | Jorge Castillo: Aaron Judge is once again putting up numbers that would appear incredible for others, but seem pedestrian to him. But having recently celebrated his 34th birthday a few weeks ago, the amount of times he’ll be able to lead the charge in a championship run is dwindling. He’s aware of this, but even as the team outwardly displays more urgency than they have in years with their aggressive roster decisions, Judge insists that the level of urgency is the same as its ever been, and will be so long as he plays.
CBS Sports | Rotowire: Giancarlo Stanton, currently out with a calf strain, hasn’t been cleared to start running as the MRI he recently underwent didn’t show enough healing in the area. The slugger has been swinging the bat, but he won’t be able to return unless he can run, and he’s not there yet. He was replaced by Jasson Domínguez on the roster, but since the ‘Martian’ also went down, Spencer Jones has been playing in their place and figures to continue to do so until Stanton regains full health.
NJ.com | Randy Miller ($): Speaking of Domínguez, his return isn’t imminent, but there is some good news to report. He received a PRP shot in his ailing left shoulder, which he hurt last week while crashing against the wall while making a catch, and has shown no concussion-like symptoms whatsoever. He’s still a few weeks away, though.
Few things hit harder than when someone dedicated to moving humanity toward the light dies too young. Someone like Jason Collins, whose personal quest for goodwill and free expression ended this week when he died at age 47.
After four years as a basketball star at Stanford, playing alongside his twin brother, Jarron, Jason was a first-round selection (18th overall) in the 2001 NBA Draft. In his second season, the 7-footer was the starting center of a New Jersey Nets squad in the NBA Finals. His assignment: 30-year-old Shaquille O’Neal, the league’s most imposing player since Wilt Chamberlain two generations earlier.
Collins neither flinched nor blinked. None of us could have known such fortitude would be a preview of his future.
By the time Collins passed away 23 years later, he had established himself as a widely respected player and, moreover, one of the bravest athletes in American history. He took a path to a sea all others, fearful of drowning, had evaded and dived in.
“I’m a 34-year-old NBA center,” Collins wrote in a first-person cover story in the May 6, 2013 issue of Sports Illustrated. “I’m black. And I’m gay.”
Collins would not allow himself to be influenced by public opinion; it was beyond his control. Any apprehension he might have had would not keep him from sharing his truth. It’s not as if he rolled out of bed one morning, grabbed his courage sweater and announced his authentic self to a basketball world that knew his game but not his life.
“I didn’t set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport,” Collins wrote. “But since I am, I’m happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn’t the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, ‘I’m different.’ If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I’m raising my hand.”
Though American society had been limping forward for nearly two generations, diminishing much of the dark-ages stigma attached to homosexuality, the topic remained a source of unease in certain pockets of our planet. Collins knew that in the hyper-masculine ethos of men’s professional sports, including the NBA, there could be some backlash.
He instead received numerous expressions of support.
Kobe Bryant, whose Los Angeles Lakers twice defeated Collins’ Nets in the Finals, turned to social media to express pride in Collins’ decision. Charles Barkley called it “a great day in the NBA.” Warriors coach Steve Kerr, then an NBA analyst at TNT, said Collins’ “courageous act will impact many lives and help to create more tolerance in sports. Proud to have him representing the NBA.”
Collins’ decision lifted equality in American sports to an unprecedented level. It was greeted with loud applause then and still is broadly celebrated today, particularly among those who knew him well.
“An amazing teammate,” Kris Weems, a Warriors assistant coach who played with Collins for two seasons at Stanford, told NBC Sports Bay Area. “One of the smartest basketball players I’ve played with and been around. Just a really good guy from a really nice family.
“I’m honored that I got to be his teammate and see him grow and mature in his second stage of life, post pro basketball, that was inspiring to so many people.”
Another former Stanford teammate, Mark Madsen, now head coach at Cal, posted on Tuesday X: “Jason was one of the strongest and kindest (people) I have ever met. He was ferocious on the court and full of love and kindness off the court. He welcomed everyone no matter your background. He was the guy who brought fun and energy to life.”
Collins’ announcement also received considerable grace the moment he made it. Kobe Bryant, whose Lakers twice defeated Collins’ Nets in The Finals, turned to social media to express pride in Collins’ decision Charles Barkley called it “a great day in the NBA.” Warriors coach Steve Kerr, then an NBA analyst at TNT, said Collins’ “courageous will impact many lives and help to create more tolerance in sports. Proud to have him representing the NBA.”
Collins’ courageous move was a triumph over fear, rinsing more than 20 years of anxiety and fitful sleep. His name suddenly was bigger than basketball. Nine months passed before the Nets, then in Brooklyn and coached by former teammate Jason Kidd, offered a contract.
Collins signed it on Feb. 23, 2014. On that night, during a Nets-Lakers game in Los Angeles, he made history by stepping onto the floor as the first active openly gay NBA player to do so.
He had evolved from being a fine basketball player to being a man with a higher calling, an ambassador for closeted gay sports figures and open-minded people all over the globe.
Thank Jason Collins for taking that intimidating walk into the unknown, standing over the sea and diving in. May he rest in peace. And may his example guide us to a better place.
In generating a constant stream of outrage, debate and engagement, much-reviled tech has become its own spectacle
“Just keep delaying,” Darren England tells the referee, Chris Kavanagh, at West Ham on Sunday afternoon. The title is on the line, possibly relegation too, and as replay after replay queues up on the tape machine, who could blame a humble video assistant for wanting to savour the moment?
To survey it from all the relevant angles, consider all contingencies. To feel the sensation of all that awesome power at his fingertips. They’re calling it the most important VAR review in Premier League history. Stuart Attwell, you’ll never sing that.
The light-heavyweight is a substitute teacher by day but on Saturday delivered a blistering lesson to Cuba’s David Morrell
Last Saturday night in Manchester, Zak Chelli, a 28-year-old supply teacher from Fulham, produced one of the sporting upsets of the year when he knocked out Cuba’s esteemed David Morrell in a stoppage as shocking as it was compelling. Chelli had been offered the fight two weeks earlier and despite the limited preparation he proved himself a formidable late replacement.
Morrell was ahead on the scorecards, but he was hurt badly in the ninth round. In the 10th and last, Mr Chelli – as he is known to his pupils – delivered a blistering lesson before Morrell was rescued by the referee.
Los Angeles, CA - May 13: Luis Arraez #1 of the San Francisco Giants moved to second on a balk by starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (not pictured) as second baseman Miguel Rojas #72 of the Los Angeles DodgersLooks on in the third inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
The Giants beat the Dodgers 29-2 on Wednesday, with their two best players combining to hit 8-8 with a home run, four doubles, four walks, and a stolen base.
Unfortunately, that was in the Arizona Complex League. In the slightly more competitive, and slightly more meaningful Major League Baseball game, the Giants lost to the Dodgers 4-0.
It was a game where San Francisco got up to all their old tricks: feckless at-bats, wasted opportunities, heaps of strikeouts, and, of course, amateur hour blunders.
They wasted no time putting on that ugly show that we’ve seen so many times this year. In the first inning, Heliot Ramos drew a two-out walk against Shohei Ohtani (who is apparently the best pitcher in the world now), and Rafael Devers smacked a single to put runners at the corners.
But Bryce Eldridge, with the unenviable task of playing sporadically and seemingly only against aces, struck out on three pitches. It was the first out made with runners in scoring position for the Giants, and they would repeat that feat six more times. They would not get any hits.
From there, Ohtani mostly dominated the Giants. He retired the side in order in the second, and again in the fourth, and again in the fifth. The second of those two occurrences featured three strikeouts and just 12 pitches.
But the authentic sign that this was the Real Giants, and not those pesky imposters who somehow entered the day with four wins in five attempts against the defending champs, came in the seventh inning. The Giants already trailed 4-0, so they weren’t looking to erase the lead so much as get back into the game, so they’d have a chance against whatever non-Ohtani pitchers awaited them.
They gave themselves a chance, when Willy Adames smacked a one-out single, and Matt Chapman followed with one of his own, putting runners at first and second with just one out. Ohtani’s pitch count had crested triple digits, and the Giants were knocking on the door.
But they wouldn’t be the Giants if they didn’t do something silly, and not just in the outfield celebration way. Today’s brand of silliness? Adames forgetting how many outs there were, and taking off with reckless abandon when Drew Gilbert toasted a ball to Andy Pages, who could have jogged the ball back to the infield and still turned the double play.
Adames did not shy away from blunder, telling reporters after the game that, “That obviously is a mistake that can’t happen. That mistake is probably the most ashamed that I would feel in a game. I know that that can’t happen. It was my fault. That’s on me.”
Mistakes happen, but it’s hard not to read too much into it when the mistake is one of that level, from a player of that stature. It feels a touch emblematic for a season that has spent more time going off the rails than coming back on them. And given everything else that has happened this season — and what we know of the ship Buster Posey likes to run — it’s hard not to notice the optics here.
Just saying, Willy Adames had his back turned, yapping it up with Mookie Betts for pretty much the entirety of Drew Gilbert's at-bat before he apparently forgot the number of outs and was doubled up at second base.
Meanwhile, Robbie Ray’s meatballs proved a tonic for LA’s struggling offense. Namely, for the players who have been struggling the most. The scoring began in the third inning when, a day after Giants ninth-spot hitter Eric Haase hit a pair of dingers, Dodgers ninth-spot hitter Santiago Espinal went deep, on a 2-1 fastball that could not have caught more of the heart of the plate if it’s name was “tee.” And with that, Espinal rounded the bases in a slow trot for the first time in 21 months.
Four pitches later, in the exact same count, Ray threw the exact same pitch, this time to Mookie Betts. The future Hall of Famer has, shockingly, been one of baseball’s worst hitters this year, and if he breaks out in the coming weeks, we’ll be able to look back at this moment as why. It was a home run derby pitch, and a home run derby outcome.
Los Angeles would score their other two runs just an inning later, when Kyle Tucker led off with a double and scored on a single by Teoscar Hernández who, in keeping with the theme, is having a career-worst year at the plate. In doubling down with the theme, Hernández moved into scoring position on a passed ball by not-Patrick Bailey, and took third when Miguel Rojas hit a single, his first hit since April 26. Hernández would then score on an Alex Call sacrifice fly.
In all, Ray would make it through just 4.2 innings on the night, ceding seven hits and two walks, while only striking out two. He simply wasn’t fooling anyone, and the lone bright spot of the game was how strong the pitching was once Ray left the mound, as Joel Peguero and Tristan Beck handled the rest of the game with ease.
But other than that, it was as ugly as ugly can be. And the way the season has gone, it just might stay that ugly until Josuar González and Luis Hernández save them in a handful of years…
Until then, though, there’s a series to win tomorrow. And that would be a nice thing.
CHICAGO — St. John’s Zuby Ejiofor is about to realize his dream of making the NBA.
He’s almost certain to become the Red Storm’s first draft pick in a decade — maybe even a first-rounder after a solid performance in the NBA Draft Combine.
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“It’s been a great experience,” Ejiofor said. “Having this opportunity is something I dreamed of for a long time and it’s literally right in front of my face.”
St. John’s hasn’t had a first-round pick since Maurice Harkless in 2012, or any draft pick since Sir’Dominic Pointer three years later. But Ejiofor has a shot — because he’s showing that he can shoot.
The defensive-minded bruiser measured 6-foot-7 ½ barefoot and 245 pounds with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, long and bulky but short enough that he’s going to have to develop a jumper.
Apparently he’s been in Las Vegas since St. John’s season ended working on just that, and it’s paying off at the combine.
“I mean, a lot [of practice shots],” Ejiofor said of his daily Las Vegas regimen. “It was like hundreds, thousands even: shots, 3-point shots, midrange, you name it, just trying to showcase a little bit more than I did in college.”
The result was clear.
Ejiofor shot 17-for-30 off the dribble and 12-for-25 in the 3-point star drill. He was 16-for-28 in a side-middle-side drill and 13-for-25 in spot-up shooting.
“I feel like it’s something I could’ve shown a little bit more in college. And then I had the opportunity to just come out here and just prove, not only to myself, but to everybody around that I could do it,” Ejiofor said. “And I had decent numbers. And I was pretty proud of it.”
Zuby Ejiofor participates in a pro lane drill at the NBA Draft Combine on May 11, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. NBAE via Getty Images
The numbers will buoy his stock.
Ejiofor said he met with six teams Wednesday, including the Cavaliers, Hornets, Mavericks, Nuggets and Thunder.
He will meet with the hometown Knicks and Nets Thursday.
Zuby Ejiofor takes part in a shooting drill at the NBA Draft Combine on May 11. David Banks-Imagn Images
The St. John’s senior isn’t participating in the 5-on-5 scrimmages at the combine, with his agent feeling he’s slated to go between Nos. 25 and 35 in next month’s draft.
Ejiofor was mocked to go 43rd to the Nets by Yahoo Sports and 31st to the Knicks by Tankathon.
“New York, obviously it’s a special place. I’ve got to grow a whole lot in the city of New York. And obviously I have a lot of love over there. So, obviously it’d be pretty special to be in a familiar area,” Ejiofor said. “If the opportunity happens, I’m more than excited to be there.
“It’d be a great experience. I spent my last three years in New York. I have a lot of love there in New York City. I’ve been away for a while, but I’m going back to New York on the 17th to walk for graduation. But, yeah, it will be a great experience if it happens. I’m going to be excited and my family is as well.”
Detroit Pistons (60-22, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30, fourth in the Eastern Conference)
Cleveland; Friday, 7 p.m. EDT
LINE: Cavaliers -3.5; over/under is 209.5
EASTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ROUND: Cavaliers lead series 3-2
BOTTOM LINE: The Cleveland Cavaliers look to clinch the Eastern Conference second round over the Detroit Pistons in game six. The Cavaliers defeated the Pistons 117-113 in overtime in the last meeting on Thursday. James Harden led the Cavaliers with 30 points, and Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 39.
The Cavaliers are 11-5 against the rest of their division. Cleveland ranks seventh in the Eastern Conference in team defense, giving up only 115.4 points while holding opponents to 46.4% shooting.
The Pistons are 12-4 against the rest of their division. Detroit is fourth in the league scoring 18.0 fast break points per game led by Cunningham averaging 3.8.
The 119.5 points per game the Cavaliers average are 9.9 more points than the Pistons give up (109.6). The Pistons average 117.8 points per game, 2.4 more than the 115.4 the Cavaliers allow to opponents.
TOP PERFORMERS: Evan Mobley is scoring 18.2 points per game and averaging 9.0 rebounds for the Cavaliers. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 25.3 points and 5.3 rebounds over the last 10 games.
Jalen Duren is averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds for the Pistons. Cunningham is averaging 29.4 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Cavaliers: 5-5, averaging 108.5 points, 43.2 rebounds, 21.7 assists, 7.0 steals and 6.3 blocks per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.6 points per game.
Pistons: 5-5, averaging 106.1 points, 43.5 rebounds, 22.6 assists, 8.8 steals and 7.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 103.2 points.
INJURIES: Cavaliers: None listed.
Pistons: None listed.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
