MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 21: Ronald Acuña Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves has his hand looked at during the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on May 21, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña, Jr. was replaced in the bottom of the sixth inning of tonight’s game against the Miami Marlins by Eli White after dealing with an apparent thumb issue one inning prior.
When getting ready to take the field in the bottom of the fifth, Acuña, Jr. lingered near the dugout while his thumb was examined before jogging back to right field. Acuña, Jr. had singled in two runs in the top of the inning.
The star outfielder has been snake-bitten by injuries throughout his career and hopefully this was purely a precautionary measure with the team leading the Marlins 6-2 at the time of his removal.
Update #1: The Braves official statement was removal due to “pain in his left thumb.”
OF Ronald Acuña Jr. was removed from tonight’s game as a precaution with pain in his left thumb.
Thursday was big for the Mets and especially David Peterson.
After the Mets removed Peterson from the rotation -- having him pitch as a bulk reliever behind an opener -- the southpaw was pegged to start Thursday's series finale against the Nationals. The decision was made partly because Peterson has pitched better of late as a reliever, and the Mets, in the midst of playing 16 straight games, needed length from a starter and the left-handed heavy Nationals lineup was an ideal landing spot to give Peterson his first start in almost a month.
And Peterson rewarded the Mets with arguably his best start of the season.
Peterson allowed just one run on four hits and three walks while striking out three across five innings. The combination of Peterson and four relievers led the Mets to a 2-1 win. It was Peterson's first win as a starter since Sept. 5, 2025.
"I thought he was good. That first inning, he lost the zone a little there. Got a little quick with his tempo but settled in nicely and gave us what we needed," manager Carlos Mendoza said after the win. "
He’s a good pitcher. That’s why he starts. Went through struggles and we believe in him. Now it’s time for him to continue to do that and he will. He’s a big part of this team and we’ll continue to use him."
Thursday's start wasn't all great, as Mendoza mentioned. In the first, Peterson loaded the bases with three straight two-out walks, but got out of the jam by striking out Daylen Lile. He escaped another jam in the fifth, allowing just one run after Washington had runners on second and third and no outs.
"Felt I was a little quick. Just tried to settle in and slow myself down my motion," Peterson said. "Get ahead on the first pitch and go from there... We were on the attack, just tried to fill up the zone and stay on the attack, be aggressive all day."
Entering Thursday's start, Peterson was much more effective as a reliever, pitching to a 2.25 ERA and allowing only four earned runs over his last three appearances (13.0 IP). In his five previous starts this season, Peterson is 0-4 with an 8.10 ERA across 18.0 innings pitched.
With the Mets dealing with injuries and inconsistencies, if Peterson can find his 2025 self (the first half, at least) the rotation would be in much better shape as New York looks to absorb the loss of Clay Holmes.
Peterson pitched to a 6-4 record and a 3.06 ERA in the first half of last season, en route to his first All-Star Game selection. However, his second-half performance was one reason the Mets faltered down the stretch and missed the postseason. Mendoza was asked what it would mean if Peterson returned to that form, and the skipper gushed over the idea.
"A lot. We saw it; he was an All-Star last year. A big part of the success we had last season," Mendoza said. "If he can be that guy, it’ll help us get us to the next level and he’s more than capable of doing that."
"Felt like I’ve been that for a couple of outings now," Peterson said when asked if he feels like his 2025 first-half self. "Good to get the start. Continue to build off of it, look at what we need to work on and move forward."
The 30-year-old says he's confident that he can recapture those performances because he's done it before and knows what he's capable of.
"Trust in my teammates, my catchers and continue to be aggressive and throw a lot of strikes," he said.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 02: Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix Suns plays against the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on April 02, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Phoenix Suns have numerous decisions ahead of them this upcoming offseason, including multiple restricted free agents, unrestricted free agents, and players with trade value. The following series will examine those decisions as our writing team presents both a point and a counterpoint for each.
Grayson Allen arrived in Phoenix right before the 2023 season in that three-team deal involving Deandre Ayton, Jusuf Nurkic, Nassir Little, and Toumani Camara. He has been a steady force, whether off the bench or in a starting role, for Phoenix over the past three seasons; he’s fit right in like a glove.
Grayson has been a low-maintenance role player who has more to his game than you’d think once you get a closer look. He is not “just” a shooter. He is a legitimate athletic downhill threat and secondary playmaker.
Allen missed 32 games, but even with a down year relative to his three-point shooting, he showcased why he is one of the best value contracts on the team, posting career highs in scoring and assists.
Expanded Role, Not Regression
Let’s address the elephant in the room right away. Allen’s 2025-26 season naturally leaves you a bit cautious. Missing 32 games and watching his usually lethal three-point efficiency dip to 34.9% (alongside a 40.3% overall field-goal percentage) are some yellow flags of caution to monitor. That said, he did average a career-high in PPG (16.5), APG (3.8), and 3PFGA (8.9) this season.
The increase in volume, along with a couple of rough shooting stretches and injury woes, is more than likely the culprit for the dip in efficiency. In his expanded role, the volume was there, the aggressiveness was there, and the defense remained mostly steady. On a guard-heavy roster where every single contract matters, a down year from your premium floor-spacer triggers concern; that’s only fair.
Let’s not forget he dropped a career-high 42 points to go with a franchise-best 10 three pointers in a win over the Pelicans in November!
Grayson Allen is an easy player to take for granted. Plenty of teams could use an efficient floor-spacing guard that competes on both ends and makes the right play more often than not. He is athletic and has excellent footwork and deceleration skills on the move.
Grayson Allen concludes his regular season with career highs in points (16.5) and assists (3.8) while playing under 30 minutes per game.
Most drives he’s ever had in his career with 530. Helped generate 517 points off his assists, which is 154 more than last season.
With the Suns’ sudden influx of guard depth, it is incredibly easy to fall into the trap of viewing Allen as expendable. But trading away a high-IQ, plug-and-play volume shooter just to balance out a positional spreadsheet is how good teams accidentally slide back into mediocrity.
1. Perimeter Gravity + Downhill threat
Even in a self-described “down” shooting year, Allen still canned 3.1 triples a night. Opposing coaching staffs don’t look at his season percentage on a scouting report and decide to leave him open; they respect the quick release and the proven history.
When Devin Booker is hunting paint touches or running the offense, the floor geometry completely changes depending on whether Allen is standing on the wing. His gravity is far more than a luxury. It’s a necessity. And he can aggressively attack closeouts and put the ball on the deck. As mentioned above, he is not just a shooter.
The modern NBA is defined by premium wing depth. Teams are constantly scouring the market, desperate to find players who can hit open shots, execute extra passes, and defend multiple perimeter positions without demanding heavy usage.
Grayson Allen is exactly what every contending front office is searching for. Having that piece already in-house is a massive competitive advantage.
Grayson Allen is still on a relatively friendly contract heading into next season at $18.1 million, which accounts for roughly 11% of the salary cap. He holds a player option for $19.4 million the following year. In an era where the second apron and tightening financial restrictions can paralyze a front office, having a highly productive asset locked in at roughly 11% of the cap is an incredibly team-friendly, movable contract sitting right in a mid-tier sweet spot.
And for that same reason, it’s why he’s come up in potential trade talks, which I’m not against if the RIGHT deal comes along that addresses their weaknesses. Trading him just to trade him is a mistake.
Closing Thought
Guard depth is a position of strength, not a flaw that requires a panicked correction. Unless a landscape-altering frontcourt piece becomes available via a consolidated package, keeping Allen’s spacing, elite perimeter gravity, contract flexibility, and competitive fire in the Valley is the smartest path forward.
If the perfect deal comes along that moves the needle, I’m okay dealing from a position of strength. Otherwise, let’s welcome Grasyon back to the Valley with open arms.
"I don't know that."
Grayson Allen when asked about the Suns making roster changes in the offseason.
"I haven't thought about that. I like our group. I think we have a good chance to keep a lot of people together." #Sunspic.twitter.com/3UbYsTcgbH
“Last post before I delete this app,” Robinson wrote on Facebook on Thursday afternoon, just a few hours before Game 2. “I finally have changed my number for many reason [sic] … as I fight through and keep fighting in this playoffs run my focus have to go to another level. This is the start of a new chapter in my life. Love and will miss y’all … Mitch out.”
Robinson has never been shy in letting his thoughts be known on social media.
He has opened up about his mental health and at times complained about his role in the Knicks offense.
On the lighter side, he constantly posts pictures and videos of his trucks.
Mitchell Robinson chases after a loose ball during the Knicks’ Game 1 win over over the Cavaliers on May 19, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg
It’s also hurt his wallet.
Both he and the Hawks’ Dyson Daniels were fined by the NBA for their roles in a heated fracas during Game 6 of their first-round series earlier this postseason.
Mitchell Robinson addresses reporters during a May 3 press conference. Robert Sabo for the NY Post
But Robinson was docked $50,000 — twice the penalty Daniels received — because of a vulgar video shared afterward as an Instagram story.
After such an emotional Game 1, did the coaching staff have to talk about settling down and being ready again for Game 2?
“We have a veteran group,” coach Mike Brown said. “Any time you’re in the playoffs, you obviously need a little bit of talent, you need a little bit of luck and then you need skill. All those things came to play for us coming back from [22] points down with that little bit of time to go. I think our guys understand that we got away with one and we don’t want to put ourselves in that position again because Cleveland is a great team, they’re well coached and they have great players on that team. They’re not gonna let that opportunity slip through their hands again.
“We’ve talked about that but not necessarily about the emotional part.”
The Knicks were not in their normal home uniforms for Game 2 on Thursday night, instead wearing their Statement Edition jerseys.
Talk to people around the league and the running joke is that new Portland Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon is shopping for the team's next head coach at the 99¢ Store, trying to find a bargain. Dundon has denied he is trying to hire a coach on the cheap, and the latest report suggests he's at least looking at a more expensive coach.
Current Clippers assistant and former Knicks head coach Jeff Van Gundy is one of the finalists for the Trail Blazers' job, reports NBA insider Chris Haynes.
Van Gundy's name has popped up in several job searches recently, though he hasn't been a head coach in 19 years (his last head coaching job was with the Rockets in 2007). Since then, he has been a lead broadcast analyst for ESPN/ABC, before becoming the defensive coordinator on Tyronn Lue's Clippers staff the past two seasons.
Portland and team president Joe Cronin are known to be casting a wide net in the search to replace interim coach Tiago Splitter. While Splitter did an impressive job considering he was thrown into the big chair after the arrest of Chauncey Billups one game into the season, the buzz around the league has been that Dundon wanted to go in a different (ideally cheaper) direction.
It is rumored that Timberwolves lead assistant Micah Nori is a candidate for the job. Also, former Portland coach Terry Stotts — who spent last season on Steve Kerr's bench in Golden State — said he would love to come back to Portland.
What all three of those coaches — Van Gundy, Nori and Stotts — have in common is they are not coming cheap. What direction Dundon and the Trail Blazers ultimately go remains to be seen, but this is a roster with some promising young players such as Deni Avdija, plus quality veteran guards in Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard (expected to return after missing all of last season with a torn Achilles).
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 17: James Harden #1 and head coach Kenny Atkinson of the Cleveland Cavaliers speak during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons in Game Seven of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 17, 2026 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. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Game 1 was fun, I guess. Let’s see what pain this one brings.
Share your thoughts as the game unfolds. If you aren’t a member of the community, sign up so you can talk to your fellow Cavalier fans and make your voice heard!
PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 14: Brenton Doyle #9 of the Colorado Rockies takes the field prior to the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Thursday, May 14, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Christopher Denver/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
As the Colorado Rockies prepare to start their three game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks, they announced a series of roster moves on Thursday afternoon.
The Colorado Rockies announced today the following transactions: -Selected the contract of INF Chad Stevens (#39) from Triple-A Albuquerque. -Recalled RHP Blas Castaño from Triple-A. -Placed OF Brenton Doyle on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to May 20 (left oblique…
— Rockies Club Information (@RockiesClubInfo) May 21, 2026
Brenton Doyle was injured on Tuesday while making a diving catch, so his landing on the IL with a left-oblique contusion is not surprising.
Meanwhile, Chad Stevens has absolutely been on fire with the Albuquerque Isotopes. In 168 plate appearances, he’s slashing .362/.435/.523 (.958 OPS). He has stolen six bases. The infielder was an off-season minor league free agent signing for the Rockies. Stevens, 27, was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in 2021 and made his big league debut with the Los Angeles Angels last season.
With his two-run single in the third, Chad Stevens has set the franchise record with a 39-game on-base streak! 😎🙌👏 pic.twitter.com/0xr6sGUkIb
Blas Castaño was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque four days ago. He pitched 2.1 innings for the Rockies and allowed one earned run on two hits. He also struck out three and walked one. The righty fits well into the Rockies current model that relies on relievers who can throw bulk innings.
The Rockies optioned LHP Sammy Peralta to Albuquerque. He most recently served as an opener for Tanner Gordon on Tuesday, and did not get out of the first inning.
Finally, the Rockies designated LHP Carson Palmquist (No. 19 PuRP) for assignment. Palmquist has struggled this season. In 25.0 IP, he has a 7.20 ERA, allowing 12.6 H/9. Originally selected in the third round of the 2022 draft, Palmquist made his MLB debut last season but struggled immensely. He posted an 8.91 ERA in nine appearances—seven of which were starts—with 25 walks to 27 strikeouts and ten home runs allowed over 34.1 innings.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - MAY 9: Danhausen and Minihausen celebrate during WWE Backlash at Benchmark International Arena on May 9, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/WWE via Getty Images) | WWE via Getty Images
If you have children and they watch WWE, you know who Danhausen is.
In case you don’t, he is a professional wrestler who has gained fame for “cursing” opponents. He records copious amounts of YouTube videos in character, which you can view here.
Danhausen debuted back at WWE’s Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event. Since then, he has quickly risen to be the number 2 merchandise seller in the company.
He then went on to ‘curse’ Stephen A. Smith, and the Knicks promptly went down 2-1 to the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA playoffs. A Knicks fan bought a Cameo, which is a way for fans to pay for celebrities to create custom videos, to uncurse the Knicks and curse the Hawks.
He did it for the “human monies,” and now the Knicks haven’t lost, including in a game they were down 22 in the 4th quarter.
Anytime you can pair WWE with BBN, it probably means a successful business venture.
So, when Kentucky announced it would be pairing with Danhausen to create a new collaboration, the internet went into a frenzy.
Now, it may not mean a lot to some of you, and that’s okay. But if you are a wrestling fan, the shirt has already had a couple of restocks today, which means it is selling fast. See the design and get yours below. It comes as WWE SmackDown is live tomorrow night at Rupp Arena; you can get tickets for that here.
May 19, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) celebrates with forward Og Anunoby (8) after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime of game one of the eastern conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The Eastern Conference Finals resume tonight at Madison Square Garden with the Knicks holding a 1-0 series lead after Tuesday’s astonishing comeback victory over Cleveland. Donovan “Spida” Mitchell remains fully capable of carrying Cleveland for stretches, but the Cavs were totally gassed late in Game 1, particularly James Harden, who shot terribly, committed a half-dozen turnovers, and was hunted by Jalen Brunson in crunch time. Tonight, Cleveland will either dig deep and come back with a big swing or roll over like dogs. (We predict some version of the former.)
Tip off is at 8 PM EST on ESPN. This is your game thread. This is Fear the Sword. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Be cool and enjoy the ride. And go Knicks!
On Thursday, he walked the bases loaded in the first inning, escaping unscathed, albeit with an elevated pitch count.
As the starting pitcher, he got the Mets through the fifth with only one run allowed against the Nationals, reversing a recent trend:
In five appearances this season as a bulk reliever, he’s pitched to a 2.25 ERA.
In five as a starter before Thursday, he had an 8.10 ERA.
Peterson’s best start since opening weekend helped the Mets win 2-1 to split their four-game series at Nationals Park and snap a two-game skid.
David Peterson prepares to throw a pitch during the Mets’ May 21 win. Imagn Images
“He’s a good pitcher, that is where you start,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He’s a real good pitcher that went through struggles, but we believe in him. Now it’s time for him to continue to do that and he will. He’s a big part of this team and we are going to continue to use him.”
The lefty had a brutal start against these Nationals on April 29, allowing seven earned runs, but since then has recovered, pitching to a 2.50 ERA over four appearances following an opener.
The Mets have needed him, especially with Clay Holmes’ deployment to the injured list over the last week with a fractured right fibula.
“I feel like I have been there for a couple of outings now,” Peterson said when asked if he felt as if he’s reverted to the pitcher who earned an All-Star appearance last season.
Huascar Brazobán, Brooks Raley, Luke Weaver and Devin Williams each pitched a scoreless inning behind Peterson.
Next stop for the Mets is a three-game series beginning Friday in Miami.
Bo Bichette singles during the Mets’ win over the Nationals on May 21. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Peterson started his day with two fast outs before walking Andrés Chaparro, CJ Abrams and Dylan Crews to load the bases.
Peterson, who threw 28 pitches in the inning, struck out Daylen Lile to escape.
“There’s a couple of things I was feeling, but I was a little quick [in the first inning],” Peterson said. “I just tried to kind of settle in, slow myself down and get in my motion and then continue to try to get ahead with the first pitch and go from there.”
MEts merch shop
47 Brand logo cap
1986 eco tote bag
Mets fiber beach towel
14-ounce sculpted relief mug
Customizable jersey
Color block logo backpack
New York Post receives revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and when you make a purchase.
Bo Bichette’s fielding error to begin the second was overcome as Keibert Ruiz was nailed attempting to steal second, completing a strikeout/throw-out double play to end the inning.
Bichette stroked a two-run single in the third against Cade Cavalli to give the Mets their only scoring.
MJ Melendez got hit by a pitch and Luis Torrens and Carson Benge each singled to load the bases before Bichette delivered with a shot through the middle.
It continued a hot stretch for Bichette, who was 7-for-19 (.368) with three homers over his previous four games.
He finished with six RBIs in the four-game series.
The Nats pulled to within 2-1 in the fifth on Chaparro’s RBI groundout.
Ruiz singled and James Wood doubled to put runners on second and third with nobody out.
After Chaparro brought in the run, Mark Vientos’ diving stop and scamper to first on Abrams’ smash prevented the Nats from tying the game.
“I felt like we were on the attack,” said Peterson, whose outing matched his longest since April 13. “I felt like we had a good game plan and just tried to fill up the zone and stay on the attack, be aggressive all day.”
The Mets loaded the bases with nobody out in the ninth, but couldn’t add insurance.
Melendez struck out, Torrens was retired on a line drive and Carson Benge flied out.
A.J. Ewing broke in the wrong direction on Lile’s fly ball leading off the bottom of the ninth and couldn’t secure the ball in his glove upon recovering.
Lile reached second and advanced to third on a groundout. Williams kept the tying run stranded by striking out José Tena before retiring Ruiz.
“That’s a good team over there,” Williams said. “We were able to split with them and come away with two [wins] and we have got to keep stacking good days.”
May 20, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) dunks over Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) during the second quarter during game two of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
We’re deep into the NBA playoffs, and one former Husky hooper is still playing meaningful basketball.
Stephon Castle and the San Antonio Spurs are in the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2017. Castle has been the number-two option behind the breakout megastar Victor Wembanyama. Castle is doing a little bit of everything this postseason, averaging 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game while providing some highlight-reel dunks, including one over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in their Game 1 win that included a staredown.
As well as he has been playing overall, his turnover numbers in the first two games of the Western Conference Finals have been less than ideal, totaling 20, the most by a player over two postseason games in NBA history. After the Spurs mounted a late comeback in Game 2, Castle threw the ball directly out of bounds, which was the nail in the coffin for San Antonio.
Game 2 also saw one of the best dunks in recent memory. Midway through the second quarter, Wembyanyama fed the ball to Castle, who had an open lane to the rim. The 6 ‘6 guard drove the lane and levitated over the 7-foot Isaish Hartenstein, who had no chance at blocking the dunk. Even Wembyanyama couldn’t believe how thunderous the jam was.
Castle and the Spurs are even at 1 game apiece heading into a crucial game 3 back in San Antonio Friday night. Castle’s key for victory? Hold onto the ball and hit long-range shots. So far he’s 2-for-12 from the three-point range over the first two games. Castle hit his threes in the Minnesota series, going 5-for-7 in the closeout Game 6. Most importantly, the turnovers were the result in over half of the teams in the department. If they played the defending champs close in both games, the Spurs shouldn’t be alarmed. They have a great chance of finishing the series in six games.
David Peterson and the Mets’ bullpen combined to hold the Nationals to one run, which meant that Bo Bichette’s two-run single in the top of the third was just enough for the Mets to beat the Nationals by a 2-1 score and get out of D.C. with a series split.
Peterson might not have been dominant, but he was effective. The lefty went five innings, struck out three, walked three, and gave up one run on four hits. That brought him down to a 5.03 ERA on the season, and he threw 82 pitches in the start. Having struggled mightily in traditional starts so far this year, it was good to see him pitch that well without an opener having pitched before him.
As for the aforementioned two-run single from Bichette, the Mets had loaded the bases for him when MJ Melendez was hit by a pitch, Luis Torrens reached on an infield single, and Carson Benge singled to left. In a series that’s seen his bat finally come to life, Bichette came through with a single to center to bring home the Mets’ only pair of runs.
From there, the bullpen was the story. Huascar Brazobán, who’s been the most vital and versatile reliever on the roster so far this year, spun a scoreless sixth on just nine pitches. Brooks Raley needed just 14 pitches to get through a scoreless seventh with a pair of strikeouts. Luke Weaver issued a walk but notched one strikeout in a scoreless eighth. And following a wind-aided leadoff double in the bottom of the ninth that barely eluded A.J. Ewing in center field, Devin Williams got a ground out, a strikeout, and another ground out to get the save.
The Mets’ lineup remains a concern, but in isolation, there’s nothing wrong with a pitching-fueled win. Depending on the outcome of the Marlins’ game against the Braves, which is ongoing at the time of this writing, the Mets might even wake up tomorrow morning in fourth place in the division.
Big Mets winner: Devin Williams, +20% WPA Big Mets loser: Mark Vientos, -23% WPA Mets pitchers: +70% WPA Mets hitters: -20% WPA Teh aw3s0mest play: Devin Williams strikes out José Tena for the second out in the ninth, +25% WPA Teh sux0rest play: Daylen Lile doubles to lead off the bottom of the ninth, -24% WPA
Last week’s costly defeat to Leeds means Brighton must overcome Manchester United on the final day to ensure they secure a place in Europe for the second time in their history. The good news is that Michael Carrick’s side have nothing to play for and United have a wretched record at the Amex, losing in three of their past four visits in the Premier League including a 4-0 drubbing back in 2022. Danny Welbeck could be key against his former club having enjoyed his most prolific season with 13 league goals. The veteran striker still has a chance of finishing as the highest scoring English player in the division if he can find the net on Sunday, with World Cup rival Ollie Watkins leading the way on 14 as it stands. Ed Aarons
Brighton v Manchester United (all games Sunday 4pm BST)
May 19, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) celebrates with forward Og Anunoby (8) after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime of game one of the eastern conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals are tonight. The Cleveland Cavaliers are at New York Knicks. Watch starting at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Apr 13, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; An exterior stadium view before the game between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images | John Jones-Imagn Images
Just in case I don’t get home before game time, use this as the game thread. I expect to be home before, but best laid plans and all.
I’m looking forward to seeing how Spencer Miles does tonight. He’s been terrific in this role. I’m thinking they could skip the opener thing, but i don’t run things.