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Knicks fire head coach Tom Thibodeau after their best season in 25 years

Knicks fire head coach Tom Thibodeau after their best season in 25 years originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Knicks are parting ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau, who led New York to their first Eastern Conference finals in decades and four playoffs in five years, the team announced Tuesday.

ESPN Insider Shams Charania first reported the news on X. The team issued a statement from Knicks president Leon Rose confirming the development a short time later.

“Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans. This pursuit led us to the difficult decision to inform Tom Thibodeau that we’ve decided to move in another direction,” the statement began. “We can’t thank Tom enough for pouring his heart and soul into each and every day of being the New York Knicks head coach. He led us not only with class and professionalism for the past five seasons, but also to tremendous success on the court with four playoff berths and four playoff series victories.”

“Ultimately, we made the decision we feel is best for our organization moving forward,” it continued. “Tom will always be a part of our Knicks family and we truly wish him nothing but the best in the future.”

The Knicks were eliminated by the Indiana Pacers on Saturday, leaving them without a championship since 1973. The team went further than they’d gone in 25 years, just not as far as they hoped.

They signaled they were serious about making a run at the NBA title when they traded for Mikal Bridges in the summer and then Karl-Anthony Towns in a preseason blockbuster, adding a top perimeter defender and an All-Star center to a lineup headlined by Jalen Brunson.

Their all-in moves just couldn’t get them all the way there.

After Boston rolled to the 2024 title and brought back all its key players, the Celtics were viewed as strong favorites in the East. Yet after building gradually since Rose’s arrival as team president in 2020, the Knicks weren’t conceding anything to the champions.

They re-signed OG Anunoby to the largest contract in team history, then traded five first-round picks in the deal to acquire Bridges from Brooklyn. Just as they were set to begin training camp, the Knicks dealt two starters in All-Star Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, who had just set their single-season 3-point record, to get Towns from Minnesota.

The moves made the Knicks good enough to get past the Celtics in the second round. But it turned out to not be the right roster against the deep and speedy Pacers, who knocked them out for the second straight season.

“You make the moves to win, so it hurts to not be able to bring an opportunity to the city for a championship,” Towns said. “We’ve got a bunch of great guys in that locker room and the plan now is just to put ourselves in this position again and succeed next time.”

First, Rose and the front office will have to evaluate just how close the Knicks really are.

Their 51-31 record left them a distant third in the East behind Cleveland and Boston, and they went a combined 0-8 against those teams in the regular season before they finished off the Celtics in the second round after Jayson Tatum ruptured his Achilles tendon in Game 4.

With two All-NBA selections in Brunson and Towns, the starting lineup is one of the NBA’s strongest. The bench could use a boost, as the Knicks lack the solid depth of the Cavaliers and Celtics — and certainly of the Pacers.

Still, after being mostly miles away for two decades, the Knicks have turned themselves into a contender. They have won 50 games in back-to-back seasons and made the playoffs in four of five under Thibodeau. Even after Saturday’s defeat, there was belief that the Knicks will get another shot soon.

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Christian Yelich and Milwaukee Brewers continue momentum

CINCINNATI — A bruised right hand didn’t have any effect on Christian Yelich.

The Milwaukee Brewers designated hitter — named the National League’s Player of the Week before the game against the Cincinnati Reds — was back in the lineup and continued his hot streak with a solo home run in the third inning to lift the Brewers to a 3-2 victory.

“Sore hand or not, he crushed two balls tonight. So, he’s living up to his Player of the Week (honor),” manager Pat Murphy said.

Yelich left a game against the Philadelphia Phillies during the third inning after being hit by a sinker from Ranger Suarez in the first inning. Once he found out X-rays were negative, the 2018 NL MVP was preparing to make sure he wouldn’t have to take a day off.

“Worked on it the rest of the game (yesterday) did some stuff on the flight (from Philadelphia to Cincinnati) and came in early today. It was fine,” he said. “Once I knew it wasn’t broken it was like yeah, we’ll get back out there. It’s something we all take pride in, showing up for each other and being able to play.”

Yelich is a pivotal reason why the Brewers have won eight straight games. He has a nine-game hitting streak — the second-longest active run in the majors — and is batting .450 (18 for 40) with six home runs and 14 RBIs.

It is the sixth time Yelich has been the NL Player of the Week, but the first since April 2019. He had three homers last week, including his first walk-off with a grand slam on May 27 against the Boston Red Sox.

Yelich extended his hitting streak when he drove Brady Singer’s slider on a full count 417 feet to straightaway center and off the batter’s eye.

“It was a 3-2 count, not really knowing what was going to happen there. He threw a couple sliders that I swung over, so I knew there was a chance it could show up,” Yelich said.

Yelich also lined a ball to center in the sixth inning that looked like might fall for extra bases, but Cincinnati’s TJ Friedl made a leaping grab.

The 33-year-old is a two-time NL batting champion, but missed 81 games last season due to a lower back injury. Yelich was batting .184 on May 21 but has raised his average 49 points during his streak. He has 13 homers on the season, which is tied for eighth-most in the National League.

“I know he’s worked at it. I mean, he takes it really personally,” Murphy said. “He’s been doing it a long time. He feels that responsibility to his teammates. He never gives himself enough credit.”

While Yelich is on one of his best streaks in six years, he is trying to maintain his focus on the present.

“Each year is its own year, they’re all different,” he said. “You just try to stay focused on your work in the day-to-day. You know, flush the previous day whether it is good or bad, and have good focus on what you want to do and your approach that day. Kind of stay locked in and put blinders on.”

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Everything to know about the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to NHL playoff MVP

Everything to know about the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to NHL playoff MVP originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Lord Stanley isn’t the only piece of hardware that will be awarded in the Stanley Cup Final.

One player from the Edmonton Oilers or the defending champion Florida Panthers will be honored as the most valuable player in the 2025 NHL playoffs with the Conn Smythe Trophy. And the rare Cup Final rematch could see a repeat award winner.

Oilers star Connor McDavid earned the 2024 Conn Smythe in a losing Cup Final effort, and the three-time Hart Trophy winner enters this year’s NHL championship round with a playoff-high 26 points (6 goals, 20 assists). McDavid’s co-star, Leon Draisaitl, is also a Conn Smythe Trophy contender as he sits second in points with 25 (7 goals, 18 assists).

The one-time champion Panthers, meanwhile, could have their first Conn Smythe Trophy winner in franchise history. Captain Aleksander Barkov (17 points), forward Matthew Tkachuk (16) and center Sam Bennett (16) lead 10 Florida skaters with at least 10 points entering the Cup Final. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is putting together a strong Conn Smythe Trophy resume as well, as he sports a 2.11 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage.

So, how is the Conn Smythe Trophy winner determined? And has there ever been a back-to-back winner? Here’s everything to know about the NHL playoff MVP award:

What is the Conn Smythe Trophy and when was it first awarded?

The Conn Smythe Trophy is a postseason award given to the most valuable player in the playoffs. It debuted in the 1965 postseason.

Historically, most Conn Smythe Trophy winners have come from the team that also won the Stanley Cup. Though, there have been a handful of instances where a player who lost in the Cup Final was awarded the trophy.

The award is named after former Toronto Maple Leafs owner, president, general manager and coach Conn Smythe. It was under Smythe’s ownership that the Leafs changed their name from the St. Pats and that the Maple Leaf Gardens arena was constructed. A mini replica of the venue and a Maple Leaf are among the trophy’s features.

How is the Conn Smythe Trophy winner determined?

The Conn Smythe Trophy is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Seventeen PHWA members were included in the 2024 vote.

When is the Conn Smythe Trophy winner announced?

The winner is both selected and announced following the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final.

Who won the first Conn Smythe Trophy?

Hall of Fame center Jean Béliveau won the inaugural Conn Smythe Trophy in 1965. Béliveau tallied eight goals, including four game-winners, and eight assists over 13 games as the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup.

Who won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2024?

Connor McDavid was a near-unanimous Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 2024 despite Edmonton falling to Florida in the Cup Final. McDavid earned 16 of 17 first-place votes after racking up the most assists (34) and points (42) in the postseason. He was also the leading scorer in the Cup Final with 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists).

McDavid is one of only a handful of players to ever take home the Conn Smythe Trophy without also winning the Stanley Cup.

Who has won the most Conn Smythe Trophies?

Hall of Fame goalie Patrick Roy owns the most Conn Smythe Trophies with three. Roy won two with the Canadiens (1986, 1993) and one with the Colorado Avalanche (2001).

There are five other multi-time Conn Smythe Trophy winners: defenseman Bobby Orr (1970, 1972), goalie Bernie Parent (1974, 1975), center Wayne Gretzky (1985, 1988), center Mario Lemieux (1991, 1992) and center Sidney Crosby (2016, 2017).

Have there been a back-to-back Conn Smythe Trophy winner?

Parent, Lemieux and Crosby were all back-to-back winners, and McDavid has a chance to do the same this year.

How many Conn Smythe Trophy winners have come from the losing team?

There have been six instances where the Conn Smythe Trophy recipient was on the team that lost in the Cup Final.

Who are the Conn Smythe Trophy winners from losing teams?

Four of the six Conn Smythe winners from non-champions were goalies:

  • 2024: Connor McDavid, center, Edmonton Oilers
  • 2003: Jean-Sebastien Giguere, goalie, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
  • 1987: Ron Hextall, goalie, Philadelphia Flyers
  • 1976: Reggie Leach, winger, Philadelphia Flyers
  • 1968: Glenn Hall, goalie, St. Louis Blues
  • 1966: Roger Crozier, goalie, Detroit Red Wings

How many goalies have won the Conn Smythe Trophy?

The Conn Smythe Trophy has gone to a goalie 17 total times,with Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning being the position’s most recent winner in 2021.

List of Conn Smythe Trophy winners by year

Here’s a full look at every Conn Smythe Trophy winner:

  • 2024: Connor McDavid, center, Edmonton Oilers*
  • 2023: Jonathan Marchessault, center, Vegas Golden Knights
  • 2022: Cale Makar, defenseman, Colorado Avalanche
  • 2021: Andrei Vasilevskiy, goalie, Tampa Bay Lightning
  • 2020: Victor Hedman, defenseman, Tampa Bay Lightning
  • 2019: Ryan O’Reilly, center, St. Louis Blues
  • 2018: Alex Ovechkin, winger, Washington Capitals
  • 2017: Sidney Crosby, center, Pittsburgh Penguins
  • 2016: Sidney Crosby, center, Pittsburgh Penguins
  • 2015: Duncan Keith, defenseman, Chicago Blackhawks
  • 2014: Justin Williams, winger, Los Angeles Kings
  • 2013: Patrick Kane, winger, Chicago Blackhawks
  • 2012: Jonathan Quick, goalie, Los Angeles Kings
  • 2011: Tim Thomas, goalie, Boston Bruins
  • 2010: Jonathan Toews, center, Chicago Blackhawks
  • 2009: Evgeni Malkin, center, Pittsburgh Penguins
  • 2008: Henrik Zetterberg, center, Detroit Red Wings
  • 2007: Scott Niedermayer, defenseman, Anaheim Ducks
  • 2006: Cam Ward, goalie, Carolina Hurricanes
  • 2004: Brad Richards, center, Tampa Bay Lightning
  • 2003: Jean-Sebastien Giguere, goalie, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
  • 2002: Nicklas Lidstrom, defenseman, Detroit Red Wings
  • 2001: Patrick Roy, goalie, Colorado Avalanche
  • 2000: Scott Stevens, defenseman, New Jersey Devils
  • 1999: Joe Nieuwendyk, center, Dallas Stars
  • 1998: Steve Yzerman, center, Detroit Red Wings
  • 1997: Mike Vernon, goalie, Detroit Red Wings
  • 1996: Joe Sakic, center, Colorado Avalanche
  • 1995: Claude Lemieux, winger, New Jersey Devils
  • 1994: Brian Leetch, defenseman, New York Rangers
  • 1993: Patrick Roy, goalie, Montreal Canadiens
  • 1992: Mario Lemieux, center, Pittsburgh Penguins
  • 1991: Mario Lemieux, center, Pittsburgh Penguins
  • 1990: Bill Ranford, goalie, Edmonton Oilers
  • 1989: Al MacInnis, defenseman, Calgary Flames
  • 1988: Wayne Gretzky, center, Edmonton Oilers
  • 1987: Ron Hextall, goalie, Philadelphia Flyers
  • 1986: Patrick Roy, goalie, Montreal Canadiens
  • 1985: Wayne Gretzky, center, Edmonton Oilers
  • 1984: Mark Messier, winger/center, Edmonton Oilers
  • 1983: Billy Smith, goalie, New York Islanders
  • 1982: Mike Bossy, winger, New York Islanders
  • 1981: Butch Goring, center, New York Islanders
  • 1980: Bryan Trottier, center, New York Islanders
  • 1979: Bob Gainey, winger, Montreal Canadiens
  • 1978: Larry Robinson, defenseman, Montreal Canadiens
  • 1977: Guy Lafleur, winger, Montreal Canadiens
  • 1976: Reggie Leach, winger, Philadelphia Flyers
  • 1975: Bernie Parent, goalie, Philadelphia Flyers
  • 1974: Bernie Parent, goalie, Philadelphia Flyers
  • 1973: Yvan Cournoyer, winger, Montreal Canadiens
  • 1972: Bobby Orr, defenseman, Boston Bruins
  • 1971: Ken Dryden, goalie, Montreal Canadiens
  • 1970: Bobby Orr, defenseman, Boston Bruins
  • 1969: Serge Savard, defenseman, Montreal Canadiens
  • 1968: Glenn Hall, goalie, St. Louis Blues
  • 1967: Dave Keon, center, Toronto Maple Leafs
  • 1966: Roger Crozier, goalie, Detroit Red Wings
  • 1965: Jean Beliveau, center, Montreal Canadiens
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Mike Trout bounces back from injury with 3 more hits and his 2nd career homer at Fenway Park

BOSTON — It hasn’t taken Mike Trout long to regain his form after missing a month with a bruised left knee.

Trout had three more hits, including a 454-foot homer that was the longest at Fenway Park this year, in the Los Angeles Angels’ 7-6 victory over the Boston Red Sox — his second three-hit game in three starts since returning from the injured list.

“Anybody that knows Mike Trout shouldn’t be surprised,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “Mike Trout can still do a lot of things that a lot of people can’t do. And he’s showing that.”

Trout hit a three-run homer in the first inning and singled in his next two at-bats. In the seventh, he grounded into a double play but said he had no problem with his left knee as he tried to beat the relay.

In all, the 11-time All-Star and three-time AL MVP is 8 for 14 since coming off the IL to raise his batting average from .179 to .225. It was only his second homer in 35 career games at Fenway Park.

Trout, 33, said he was able to work on his swing while he was out, though he was limited to 30-40 swings per day. The break helped him reset some bad habits he had developed, he said.

The three hits gave Trout 1,675 in his career and moved him into second place on the franchise list, surpassing Tim Salmon. Garret Anderson holds the Angels record with 2,368.

Zach Neto homered leading off the game, Trout added a three-run shot and Jo Adell put one over the Green Monster to make it 6-0 — all in the first. It was the first time in the 114-year history of Fenway Park that a visiting team has hit three homers in the first inning, according to MLB.com.

“Anytime you set records in a stadium like this, it’s pretty special,” Trout said. “It’s pretty crazy.”

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Giants' Ray named NL Pitcher of the Month for stellar May stretch

Giants' Ray named NL Pitcher of the Month for stellar May stretch originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

While the Giants’ offense has struggled immensely as of late, the pitching has been phenomenal.

Many of San Francisco’s arms have pitched well this season, but one in particular was recognized for his strong performance in the month of May.

Giants left-handed starting pitcher Robbie Ray and Kansas City Royals lefty Kris Bubic were awarded National League and American League Pitcher of the Month honors, respectively.

Ray’s 1.38 ERA across six May starts solidified the veteran lefty as a co-ace alongside Logan Webb atop the Giants’ 2025 rotation.

Overall, the 33-year-old is 7-1 with a 2.43 ERA and 78 strikeouts to 30 walks in 70 1/3 innings pitched this season.

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In Hindsight, Maybe The Maple Leafs Are Even Further Away From Winning A Championship

Now that the dust has cleared and everyone's had time to calm down, what is the perception of how things ended for the Toronto Maple Leafs?

Was that Game 7 loss to the Florida Panthers as bad as we initially thought? Or did the fact that the defending Cup champions rolled past the Carolina Hurricanes change anyone's opinion?

In hindsight, maybe the Leafs should not blow things up. Maybe fans should take solace in the fact that the Leafs took a (baby) step forward in the playoffs went further than they have in the past two decades.

Maybe they should re-sign not only Matthew Knies, but also Mitch Marner and John Tavares. Maybe they should roll things back.

That is what Toronto Sun columnist suggested, arguing that the current Leafs might be the third-best team in the NHL. But if it is what GM Brad Treliving is also thinking on the eve of the Stanley Cup final between the Panthers and Edmonton Oilers, then he isn’t the right man for the job.

Which teams, right now, are better than the Toronto Maple Leafs?

You can start with the Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers, then move to the Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers.

But after that, who? The Carolina Hurricanes? No. The Washington Capitals? No. The Tampa Bay Lightning? No. The New Jersey Devils? No. The Ottawa Senators? No. The Montreal Canadiens? No. You move to the Western Conference and you can’t feel good about how the Dallas Stars played against the Oilers. You can’t feel good about the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets or the ease with which Vegas lost to Edmonton in the second round of the playoffs.
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Who's better than the Leafs?

Florida and Edmonton are. Same goes for Washington, Tampa Bay, Montreal, Vegas, Colorado and even St. Louis.

Why? Because those teams actually went all the way to the final in recent years. And in most cases, they won. That's something that the Leafs haven't done. They haven't even reached the third round.

Yes, the Maple Leafs got closer to winning a Cup than they have in the Auston Matthews-era. But they are still so far, far away when it comes to getting the job done.

After all, there is a difference between getting close to beating an opponent and actually beating that opponent and then winning another two rounds for a championship.

What Could Morgan Rielly's Next Year With The Maple Leafs Look Like?What Could Morgan Rielly's Next Year With The Maple Leafs Look Like?The Toronto Maple Leafs need to look deeply at who’s bringing the team closer to success and who isn’t.

Roll things back? Isn’t that what they’ve done for the past nine years.

This wasn’t the first time that the Leafs lost to a team that reached the Stanley Cup final. In 2019, they lost in the first round to Boston, which then lost to St. Louis in the final. In 2021, they lost in the first round to Montreal, which then lost to Tampa Bay in the final. A year later, they lost in the first round to Tampa Bay, which won in the final. The next year, they lost in the second round to Florida, which then lost in the final to Vegas.

Rinse. Wash. Repeat.

This year, they did it again. After losing to the Panthers, the Leafs then watched as the defending champs beat Carolina in five easy games. So, of course, the thinking is that had Toronto won Game 7 then the Leafs could have been looking at a Stanley Cup final match-up against the Oilers.

Except for one thing: the Leafs didn’t beat the Panthers in Game 7. They lost. And like their previous close calls, they lost big.

Stanley Cup champions don’t get embarrassed at home, as they Leafs did in Games 5 and 7 to the Panthers. Their superstars don’t go MIA when the team needs them the most. They don’t point fingers or make excuses. They don’t blame the media, the fans and their opponents.

They just win.

NHL Rumor Roundup: McDavid's Future With Oilers, And Marner To The Golden Knights?NHL Rumor Roundup: McDavid's Future With Oilers, And Marner To The Golden Knights?As hockey fans await the start of the Stanley Cup final between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers, some pundits are pondering Connor McDavid's future in Edmonton. 

That’s why the Leafs need to change their DNA, as Treliving put it in last week's season-ending news conference. That means breaking up the core and making the kind of significant change that could in theory cause the Leafs to take a step backwards in order to take a step forward.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

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Knicks' to-do list for 2025 NBA offseason

The Knicks are back to the drawing board after a season of accomplishment. The club won 51 games, its most since 2013, and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in a quarter century.

But the NBA rarely slows down. Now, it’s time for the Knicks to look at how to rebound for next season. Despite being limited by salary cap constraints, it seems like there’s still endless possibilities this offseason. There’s talk of pursuing stars on the trade market and signing potential free agents.

Here are a few areas of focus the Knicks could have for the 2025 offseason.

Going star hunting

One way the Knicks can shake up the roster is acquiring a superstar-level talent. Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and Phoenix Suns veteran Kevin Durant are among the high-caliber players coming up in the trade rumor mill.

Antetokounmpo specifically is intriguing. He finished third in MVP voting this year and causes constant problems for opponents. But the Knicks don’t have much to trade for the star compared to other teams.

It’s hard to envision Milwaukee having interest in Karl-Anthony Towns. Even if New York is able to cobble together the salaries and draft picks, does the franchise want to further cannibalize an already thin roster? That will be what they have to weigh going into the offseason.

Figure out the coaching situation quickly

Despite support from star Jalen Brunson, Tom Thibodeau’s status as head coach remains one of the largest questions the Knicks will face this offseason. Thibodeau was criticized heavily for rotations, minutes, and strategic decisions throughout the season.

But the results also speak volumes too. New York advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years. The club has won four playoff series in the last three seasons. Before this stretch, the Knicks had won one playoff series from 2001 to Thibodeau’s arrival in 2020.

Also, several players including Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart, Isaiah Hartenstein, Julius Randle and Nerlens Noel have all had career years under Thibodeau. Whatever decision the Knicks make on Thibodeau’s future will be a difficult one.

Find a perimeter playmaker

The Indiana Pacers’ full-court pressure, aggressive defense, and frenetic style of play clearly wore on Brunson throughout the Eastern Conference finals. Though he shot well enough (50.4 percent), Brunson turned the ball over 25 times, the most he’s ever had in a series.

One issue the Knicks had was the lack of another perimeter playmaker to alleviate the pressure on Brunson to initiate everything. Especially with Cameron Payne benched in favor of defensive options like Landry Shamet and Delon Wright, it left New York without a reliable ball-handler and playmaker.

Tyrese Haliburton has Andrew Nembhard. Donovan Mitchell has Darius Garland. Brunson could use that kind of help so defenses can’t just load up and guard him every possession.

Given their salary structure, the Knicks can’t break the bank. The Knicks most likely will have their taxpayer midlevel exception ($5.7 million). There are some guards that could fill the role who are free agents like Tyus Jones and Dennis Schroder. Both players could likely capture more on the market, and that leads us further down the chart to options like Spencer Dinwiddie.

Youth movement

If the Knicks aren’t able to snag a playmaker as a free agent or on the trade market, internal improvement should be a priority for the club. Despite having four picks in last year’s draft on the roster, New York’s contributions from its rookies were limited.

Ariel Hukporti and Tyler Kolek both saw spot rotation minutes due to injury. First round pick Pacome Dadiet spent some time in the G League, and Kevin McCullar Jr. was rehabbing from a knee injury for much of the year. In all, the rookies played just 653 combined minutes.

Thibodeau has often been reluctant to play the younger players on the roster. But for a Knicks team approaching the second apron, drafting well and developing young talent is a differentiating skill that separates winners from losers in the NBA. This might be one of the more important summers for the Knicks’ young players.

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England set to face Fiji, South Africa and Argentina in inaugural Nations Championship matches

  • First three games ‘away’ but Fiji want to play in Europe

  • England would host Australia, NZ and Japan in November

England are set to begin their inaugural Nations Championship campaign in just over a year’s time by playing Fiji – potentially in Europe – as well as away matches against the back-to-back world champions South Africa and Argentina, the Guardian understands.

The 12-team competition, which will be held every two years and replaces traditional tours, is set to break new ground next year in the northern hemisphere summer and while the fixture list is yet to be announced, the Guardian has learned current proposals put England in line to face the Springboks in South Africa for the first time since 2018. A return to Argentina – where Steve Borthwick’s side will face two Tests this summer – is also on the cards.

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Former world No 5 Max Homa carries own bag at US Open qualifier after split from caddie

  • American parted ways with caddie in recent weeks

  • Homa misses out on US Open after fading down stretch

Max Homa stood out more than usual on Monday in a US Open qualifier filled with PGA Tour players. He was the only one carrying his own bag.

Homa didn’t have a caddie and didn’t feel like talking about it, regardless of how much attention it was getting on social media.

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Source: Giants promoting top prospect Eldridge to Triple-A

Source: Giants promoting top prospect Eldridge to Triple-A originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It appears Bryce Eldridge is one step closer to making his MLB debut this season.

The Giants’ top prospect is being promoted from Double-A Richmond to Triple-A Sacramento, a source confirmed to NBC Sports Bay Area on Tuesday after the San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser was first to report the news.

Eldridge began the 2025 MiLB season with Richmond, batting .280/.350/.512 with seven home runs and 20 RBI in 34 games.

This story will be updated …

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Source: Giants promoting top prospect Eldridge to Triple-A

Source: Giants promoting top prospect Eldridge to Triple-A originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Bryce Eldridge is one step closer to making his MLB debut this season.

The Giants’ top prospect is being promoted from Double-A Richmond to Triple-A Sacramento, a source confirmed to NBC Sports Bay Area on Tuesday after the San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser was first to report the news.

Eldridge began the 2025 MiLB season with Richmond, batting .280/.350/.512 with seven home runs and 20 RBI in 34 games.

Originally selected with the No. 16 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft as a two-way player, Eldridge, now just a hitter, has torn through the Giants’ minor-league system, and widely is regarded as the organization’s best prospect since former catcher and current president of baseball operations Buster Posey.

Across four levels in 2024, including a brief stint in Triple-A to end the season, Eldridge hit .291/.374/.516 with 23 home runs, 92 RBI and an .889 OPS in 519 plate appearances.

Now he returns to the Triple-A level, where he is a short bus ride away from San Francisco if/when the Giants are ready to call up their prized prospect.

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Mets call up Ronny Mauricio, slated to start Tuesday against Dodgers

The Mets called up infielder Ronny Mauricio ahead of Tuesday's game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. His season debut with the big league club will also come immediately, as he's slated to bat seventh and play third base with veteran lefty Clayton Kershaw on the mound.

Mauricio has rejoined the active roster as the replacement for Mark Vientos, who suffered a right hamstring strain in Monday's extra-inning win and was placed on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday.

The numbers the toolsy Mauricio put up while with Triple-A Syracuse this season were outrageous. In 39 plate appearances over nine games, he slashed .515/.564/.818 with three home runs, one double, four stolen bases, and eight RBI.

Mauricio's game action a few weeks ago with Single-A St. Lucie was his first time back on the field in a competitive fashion in roughly a year and a half, since undergoing ACL surgery. The Mets had been taking things slowly with him as he built up his reps and stamina.

He had been playing in back-to-back games and recently played three games in four days, but has not yet played three games in a row since returning.

"It's a long process... You learn a lot. I'm a better person, a better player," Mauricio said ahead of Tuesday's game. "The fact I've already played in the minor leagues, had success in the minor leagues, I think that's why I was able to have the success when I went back..."

With the 24-year-old Mauricio up, it would be a bit of a surprise if he isn't given regular playing time out of the gate. Before Tuesday's game, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that the plan is for Mauricio to see time at second base, third base, and designated hitter. His natural position is shortstop, but the path there is obviously blocked by Francisco Lindor.

"He's going to get a lot of opportunities here, but we'll continue to watch him closely," said Mendoza, who's never seen Mauricio play live. "He's going to play, understanding he's coming off a major injury. Obviously, the reports are he's moving well. He's doing everything he was doing before he got hurt. I'm excited to watch him...

"I know there's high expectations. We don't want him to be the savior. Play your game, don't try to do too much. Just have fun. He's still young. Missed a whole year of development last year... We know there's skills there. But we have to be patient with him... It was a long process for him. Really took the time... Very talented player, and not surprised by the success he was having in very few at-bats in the minor leagues."

Mauricio, who flashed high exit velocities and his tantalizing athleticism during his first taste of the majors in 2023, will bring a different dynamic to a Mets team that remains in need of a bit of a jolt offensively.

"I'm feeling great. I'm feeling like I'm the same person I was before my surgery," Mauricio said. "I tried to work every day on the same thing I do to be consistent... I think I'm the same hitter. I think the biggest difference is now I have more experience, more knowledge of the game. All of that helps me when I go onto the field... I'm happy that I'm here and happy to help the team in any way."

In his 26-game stint with the Mets two seasons ago, Mauricio slashed .248/.296/.347 with four doubles, two home runs, seven stolen bases, and nine RBI across 108 plate appearances.

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NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looking to join Hall of Fame company in 2025 Finals

NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looking to join Hall of Fame company in 2025 Finals originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has already taken home the NBA’s highest individual honor this season. Now, he’s four wins away from earning the league’s most coveted team prize.

The Thunder point guard has his team on the verge of its first championship since relocating to Oklahoma City and the franchise’s first since winning it all as the Seattle SuperSonics in 1978-79. To get there, the top-seeded Thunder will need to defeat the Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals, which begin Thursday in OKC.

Gilgeous-Alexander was named NBA MVP for the 2024-25 season after leading the league in scoring (32.7 points per game) and guiding the Thunder to an NBA-best and franchise-best 68-14 regular season record. While being named MVP is an impressive feat, it doesn’t always lead to team success.

It’s been a decade since the regular season MVP has gone on to win an NBA championship. Only a select group of all-time greats have ever pulled it off, and Gilgeous-Alexander is on the verge of stepping into that Hall of Fame company.

Here’s a look back at all the regular season MVPs who went on to win an NBA championship, as well as those who also collected NBA Finals MVP honors.

Players to win NBA Finals and be named MVP in the same season

Fourteen players in NBA history have won a championship and been named league MVP in the same season.

Bob Cousy of the Boston Celtics was the first to do it back in 1956-57. Fellow Celtics legend Bill Russell followed suit in 1960-61 and went on to do it a grand total of four times. Only Chicago Bulls icon Michael Jordan has matched Russell when it comes to such seasons.

Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors was the most recent player to pull off the feat. He has earned two regular season MVPs and four NBA championships in his storied career, but the 2014-15 season was the only one in which he double-dipped.

Here’s a full breakdown of the players to win a championship and be named regular season MVP in the same season:

  • Bob Cousy (1956-57)
  • Bill Russell (1960-61, 1961-62, 1962-63, 1964-65)
  • Wilt Chamberlain (1966-67)
  • Willis Reed (1969-70)
  • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1970-71, 1979-80)
  • Moses Malone (1982-83)
  • Larry Bird (1983-84, 1985-86)
  • Magic Johnson (1986-87)
  • Michael Jordan (1990-91, 1991-92, 1995-96, 1997-98)
  • Hakeem Olajuwon (1993-94)
  • Shaquille O’Neal (1999-00)
  • Tim Duncan (2002-03)
  • LeBron James (2011-12, 2012-13)
  • Steph Curry (2014-15)

NBA MVPs to be named NBA Finals MVP in the same season

Of the 14 players to win a championship and be named regular season MVP in the same year, 10 of them pulled off a trifecta by earning NBA Finals MVP honors:

  • Willis Reed (1969-70)
  • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1970-71)
  • Moses Malone (1982-83)
  • Larry Bird (1983-84, 1985-86)
  • Magic Johnson (1986-87)
  • Michael Jordan (1990-91, 1991-92, 1995-96, 1997-98)
  • Hakeem Olajuwon (1993-94)
  • Shaquille O’Neal (1999-00)
  • Tim Duncan (2002-03)
  • LeBron James (2011-12, 2012-13)

NBA Finals MVP was not created until the 1968-69 season, so Cousy, Russell and Chamberlain did not have a chance to add it to their trophy collections.

Magic Johnson was named NBA Finals MVP in 1980 after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar earned regular season MVP honors, while Andre Iguodala was named NBA Finals MVP when Curry and the Warriors won the 2015 Finals.

Posted on

NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looking to join Hall of Fame company in 2025 Finals

NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looking to join Hall of Fame company in 2025 Finals originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has already taken home the NBA’s highest individual honor this season. Now, he’s four wins away from earning the league’s most coveted team prize.

The Thunder point guard has his team on the verge of its first championship since relocating to Oklahoma City and the franchise’s first since winning it all as the Seattle SuperSonics in 1978-79. To get there, the top-seeded Thunder will need to defeat the Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals, which begin Thursday in OKC.

Gilgeous-Alexander was named NBA MVP for the 2024-25 season after leading the league in scoring (32.7 points per game) and guiding the Thunder to an NBA-best and franchise-best 68-14 regular season record. While being named MVP is an impressive feat, it doesn’t always lead to team success.

It’s been a decade since the regular season MVP has gone on to win an NBA championship. Only a select group of all-time greats have ever pulled it off, and Gilgeous-Alexander is on the verge of stepping into that Hall of Fame company.

Here’s a look back at all the regular season MVPs who went on to win an NBA championship, as well as those who also collected NBA Finals MVP honors.

Players to win NBA Finals and be named MVP in the same season

Fourteen players in NBA history have won a championship and been named league MVP in the same season.

Bob Cousy of the Boston Celtics was the first to do it back in 1956-57. Fellow Celtics legend Bill Russell followed suit in 1960-61 and went on to do it a grand total of four times. Only Chicago Bulls icon Michael Jordan has matched Russell when it comes to such seasons.

Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors was the most recent player to pull off the feat. He has earned two regular season MVPs and four NBA championships in his storied career, but the 2014-15 season was the only one in which he double-dipped.

Here’s a full breakdown of the players to win a championship and be named regular season MVP in the same season:

  • Bob Cousy (1956-57)
  • Bill Russell (1960-61, 1961-62, 1962-63, 1964-65)
  • Wilt Chamberlain (1966-67)
  • Willis Reed (1969-70)
  • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1970-71, 1979-80)
  • Moses Malone (1982-83)
  • Larry Bird (1983-84, 1985-86)
  • Magic Johnson (1986-87)
  • Michael Jordan (1990-91, 1991-92, 1995-96, 1997-98)
  • Hakeem Olajuwon (1993-94)
  • Shaquille O’Neal (1999-00)
  • Tim Duncan (2002-03)
  • LeBron James (2011-12, 2012-13)
  • Steph Curry (2014-15)

NBA MVPs to be named NBA Finals MVP in the same season

Of the 14 players to win a championship and be named regular season MVP in the same year, 10 of them pulled off a trifecta by earning NBA Finals MVP honors:

  • Willis Reed (1969-70)
  • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1970-71)
  • Moses Malone (1982-83)
  • Larry Bird (1983-84, 1985-86)
  • Magic Johnson (1986-87)
  • Michael Jordan (1990-91, 1991-92, 1995-96, 1997-98)
  • Hakeem Olajuwon (1993-94)
  • Shaquille O’Neal (1999-00)
  • Tim Duncan (2002-03)
  • LeBron James (2011-12, 2012-13)

NBA Finals MVP was not created until the 1968-69 season, so Cousy, Russell and Chamberlain did not have a chance to add it to their trophy collections.

Magic Johnson was named NBA Finals MVP in 1980 after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar earned regular season MVP honors, while Andre Iguodala was named NBA Finals MVP when Curry and the Warriors won the 2015 Finals.