Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver DeVonta Smith has been in the lab and debuted a new YouTube series chronicling his off-season training regime
Pacers’ Aaron Nesmith ‘likely’ a game-time decision for Eastern Conference Finals Game 4 against Knicks
The Pacers could potentially be without a big piece for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks.
Sharp-shooting Aaron Nesmith is expected to be listed as questionable and will likely come down to a game-time decision for Tuesday's crucial matchup at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, head coach Rick Carlisle said.
Nesmith, who is still very sore, was seen walking around the Pacers’ locker room with a “noticeable limp” after he suffered a right ankle injury midway through the third quarter of Game 3.
The injury occurred when he landed awkwardly and rolled his ankle on a drive to the basket -- he needed assistance leaving the court and was initially ruled questionable to return for the remainder of the contest.
Nesmith did get back out there for the final seven minutes, but didn’t record a bucket in the loss.
Carlisle said postgame that he was moving without limitations when he came back down the stretch -- but they wouldn’t have any further update on his status until he checked in with the training staff on Monday.
If Nesmith were to miss any time, it would be a huge momentum swing towards the Knicks, who are now trailing just 2-1 in the series.
The 25-year-old former first-round pick has been a significant presence on both ends of the court thus far this series, averaging 16.7 points on 53.6 percent shooting from the field over the first three games.
Nick Saban discusses what Jalen Milroe can give to the Seahawks
The former head coach of the Crimson Tide discusses what his former QB will bring to Seattle
The simple adjustment the Dodgers hope will get closer Tanner Scott back on track
Three times in the ninth inning last Friday night in New York, new Dodgers closer Tanner Scott made the same simplistic, save-blowing mistake.
In an inning that saw Scott blow a three-run Dodgers lead — forcing the team into a 13-inning marathon that, despite eventually winning, their overworked bullpen could ill-afford — Scott got to two strikes against a Mets batter, only to leave a mistake pitch over the plate.
To Starling Marte, it was a 1-and-2 fastball up and over the middle, resulting in a leadoff single.
After a one-out walk to Pete Alonso, Scott had Jeff McNeil 2-and-2 before throwing a belt-high heater on the inner half that was ripped for a two-run triple.
Another two-strike count followed to Tyrone Taylor, but Scott’s 1-and-2 slider hung up around the heart of zone, leading to a tying single that marked Scott’s fourth blown save in 14 opportunities this year and raised his ERA to 3.42 — hardly the numbers expected out of an All-Star left-hander signed to a $72-million contract this offseason.
“I think the stuff is still good,” manager Dave Roberts said afterward. “It's just right now, it just seems like when there is a mistake, they find some outfield grass or put a good swing on it.”
And lately, such mistakes have been coming in more abundance than usual for Scott, highlighting one early-season trend the Dodgers are now working to address.
“Right now, he’s just kind of living in the middle, the midline of the zone,” pitching coach Mark Prior said. “You leave it in that spot, more than likely they’re gonna put a good swing on it.”
For a pitcher who struggled with command issues early in his career — before blossoming into one of the top left-handed relievers in the sport of the last several seasons — Scott is now seemingly suffering from the opposite problem.
So far this year, more than 58% of his pitches have been in the strike zone, a rate that is easily a personal career high (well up from his previous high mark of 52.4% last year) and ranks 18th among qualified big-league relievers.
On top of that, hitters have been on such offerings as well, making contact on 80% of swings against Scott’s pitches over the plate (compared to his 76% career rate) and averaging almost 92 mph of exit velocity on balls put in play (leaving Scott in the seventh percentile of MLB arms when it comes to batted ball contact).
The good news is that Scott has 25 strikeouts and only two walks. Even with his fastball playing a tick down velocity-wise (averaging 96.1 mph this year compared to 97 mph last year), he converted nine of his first 11 save opportunities, squandering only a pair of one-run leads while posting a sub-2.00 ERA through his first 21 appearances.
Read more:How Tanner Scott went from 'revolving door' to marquee Dodgers free-agent signing
This past week, however, Scott was knocked around twice: Giving up three runs on two homers to the Arizona Diamondbacks last week (in another game that necessitated extra innings before the Dodgers came back to win) before his ninth-inning meltdown at Citi Field on Sunday.
“He’s actually been pretty good for us,” Roberts said of Scott’s performance overall. “But the last couple, the last two of three, he’s obviously given up leads.”
Scott said his increased aggressiveness in the strike zone has not been by design.
“I don’t even look at it,” he bristled when asked about his rise in in-zone pitch percentage this weekend. “I don’t even look at it.”
Read more:Teoscar Hernández and Dodgers defeat Mets in 13 innings, but pitching issues loom large
But Prior acknowledged it is something on the coaching staff’s radar.
“Obviously, we want strikes; more strikes than balls,” Prior said. “But he gets in situations where he can get into counts, and I think we’re just leaving too many balls in the zone late in counts, instead of going for more miss.”
Friday’s blown save being Exhibit A.
“I’m not putting [guys] away,” acknowledged Scott, whose whiff rate has also dropped to 26.6% this season compared to his 34.7% career average. “I’m not getting the swing-and-miss, and I’m keeping the ball in the zone too much.”
To Prior, it’s even OK if Scott starts “to walk a few more guys,” he said, “[if] in turn he can get more chase out of the zone when you have leverage.”
“He’s still a really good pitcher,” Prior added. “So we’re going to bank on him.”
Right now, the Dodgers don’t have much of a choice.
Fellow high-leverage relievers Evan Phillips (forearm discomfort), Blake Treinen (forearm sprain), Kirby Yates (hamstring strain) and Michael Kopech (shoulder impingement) are all out injured. And while Kopech is on a minor-league rehab assignment, and Yates and Treinen are both beginning throwing programs, Phillips’ absence is starting to become “concerning,” Roberts acknowledged this weekend, with the team’s former ninth-inning fixture now going on three weeks without throwing because of an injury initially expected to keep him out for only the minimum 15 days.
“I’m getting a little kind of concerned,” Roberts said of Phillips, “but hoping for the best.”
It all makes Scott’s performance in save opportunities particularly crucial for the Dodgers right now.
Read more:Dodgers agree to terms with left-hander Tanner Scott in another splashy offseason signing
Given the team’s MLB-high bullpen workload this year, Roberts has been forced to be selective when it comes to the usage of the few high-leverage relievers still at his disposal. Having Scott blow games in which the team has already burned its best other relief bullets, and could potentially face the added burden of resulting extra innings, are all taxing side effects the Dodgers are not currently equipped to handle.
“To be quite fair,” Roberts noted of Scott, whose 23 ⅔ innings are only fourth-most in the bullpen, “the other guys have been used a lot more than he has.”
Thus, while Scott might only require simple adjustments, such as better locating his fastball up and out of the zone and more consistently executing his slider in locations that induce more chase, enacting such changes quickly is paramount.
After all, the Dodgers made him one of the highest-paid relievers in baseball this offseason to stabilize their bullpen. And lately, he’s instead been one more source of unneeded flux.
Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Six Past NHL Trade Deadline Deals That Land On The Regret-O-Meter
Over the past 15 years, NHL teams that ponied up some high-priced packages to land sought-after players at the trade deadline were left with buyer’s remorse.
Here are six of those trades on the Regret-O-Meter.
By Jared Clinton, Features Writer
Blues Bother
St. Louis Blues: Ryan Miller, 2013-14 (with Steve Ott from Buffalo for 2015 first-round pick, 2016 third-round pick, Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart and William Carrier)
A big splash, Miller floundered in St. Louis. In post-deadline action, Miller put up mediocre numbers, and his post-season performance was downright woeful. He allowed 19 goals on 185 shots as the Blues sputtered out of the first round in six games.
Tanner In The Works
Tampa Bay Lightning: Tanner Jeannot, 2022-23(from Nashville for 2023 third, fourth, fifth-round picks, 2024 second-round pick, 2025 first-round pick and Cal Foote)
Beyond his 24-goal rookie year, Jeannot held appeal with his physicality and toughness, and the Bolts went above and beyond to land him. But in 75 games with Tampa, he had only 18 points – and just one in the playoffs – as the Lightning made consecutive first-round exits.
No Mas, Tomas
Vegas Golden Knights: Tomas Tatar, 2017-18 (from Detroit for 2018 first-round pick, 2019 second-round pick, 2021 third-round pick)
On a per-game basis, Tatar’s regular-season output dipped only slightly after his acquisition. But in the playoffs? Tatar was scratched for 12 of 20 games during the Knights’ run to the final. If he performs, perhaps Vegas has two Cups.
Staaling Out
New York Rangers: Eric Staal, 2015-16(from Carolina for 2016 second-round pick, 2017 second-round pick and Aleksi Saarela)
Staal was a headline-making pickup, but he flopped. He managed just three goals and six points in 20 games to finish the campaign, then failed to hit the scoresheet in the post-season as the Blueshirts flamed out in five games.
Gaborik Rolled
Columbus Blue Jackets: Marian Gaborik, 2012-13 (with Blake Parlett and Steven Delisle from New York Rangers for 2014 sixth-round pick, Derick Brassard, Derek Dorsett and John Moore)
It was a statement trade by the Jackets, who were in the hunt, but it was all for naught. Gaborik excelled, but Columbus narrowly missed the post-season. Injuries then hampered him, and he was dealt to L.A. in March 2014.
Jeez Lu-Weise
Chicago Blackhawks: Dale Weise, 2016-17(with Tomas Fleischmann from Montreal for 2018 second-round pick and Phillip Danault)
Weise ended up a healthy scratch in Chicago and managed one goal and two points across 19 regular-season and playoff outings. Meanwhile, Danault evolved into one of the NHL’s premier two-way pivots.
This article appeared in our 2025 Top 100 NHLers issue. This issue focuses on the 100 best players currently in the NHL, with the Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon sitting atop the list. We also include features on Alex Ovechkin finally beating Wayne Gretzky's goal-scoring record, and former CFL running back Andrew Harris' switch to semi-professional hockey. In addition, we provide a PWHL playoff preview as the regular season nears its end.
You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/Free today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.
Should The Penguins Target Dallas Stars' RFA Forward?
Ahead of the NHL Draft and free agency, the Pittsburgh Penguins - in addition to hiring a new head coach - figure to be busy.
And there is one potential restricted free agent forward who may be falling under the radar.
Dallas Stars forward Mavrik Bourque has only appeared in two playoff games this postseason, and with the Stars cap-strapped heading into the offseason, they're going to have some decisions to make. They will only have $5.87 million in cap space with a lot of pending-RFAs and unrestricted free agents (UFAs) to consider.
The 5-foot-11, 181-pound center, 23, registered 11 goals and 25 points in 73 games in his first full season with the Stars in 2024-25, and - being that he accomplished those numbers in a limited role - he only figures to get better. He had a breakout professional season in 2023-24 as well with 26 goals and 77 points in 71 games for the Texas Stars, Dallas's AHL affiliate.
A 30th overall pick in 2020 by the Stars, he was also a 20-goal scorer as a rookie with Texas, and in 172 career junior games with the Shawnigan Cataractes of the QMJHL, he recorded 93 goals and 236 points.
Because of his projected rise, finishing ability, and high-IQ, the former first-rounder may be worth a look by Penguins' POHO and GM Kyle Dubas in the RFA trade-then-sign market.
And that's something that Dubas has reiterated he will look into. He mentioned in his postseason press conference that they would explore any opportunities to acquire young talent, and the RFA trade-then-sign market was brought up specifically.
Penguins Reportedly In Mix For KHL Star ForwardSoon enough, the Pittsburgh Penguins may be adding another key piece to the puzzle for their NHL roster next season and beyond.
Pittsburgh has also been linked to players such as KHL star Maxim Shabanov and recently re-signed forward prospect Filip Hallander, which signals their desire to infuse young, NHL-ready talent into their system and into the mix for their NHL roster heading into 2025-26.
They have the cap space to be pretty flexible, too. With more than $24.5 million to work with this summer, Dubas can get creative in pursuing young players in the RFA and trade markets. The Penguins are unlikely to spend big in unrestricted free agency, so getting their hands on as many low-risk, high-reward players as possible seems to be the likely route.
Bourque is a player who would immediately make their roster better, and he could figure into a bottom-six role along with several other young players in the mix.
He is the exact kind of player who fits their needs and perceived window of contention, so they should do everything they can to try to land him this summer.
5 RFA Forwards The Penguins Should Pursue This SummerThe Pittsburgh Penguins will certainly be busy this summer, as they are in the market for a new head coach and have 11 picks in the upcoming NHL Draft.
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Mets' Sean Manaea scheduled to throw live bullpen on Thursday
The Mets have received good news on two of their injured players.
Left-hander Sean Manaea is officially set to face hitters for the first time since straining his right oblique during spring training, manager Carlos Mendoza said.
Manaea has been progressing well over the past few weeks, completing a handful of successful bullpen sessions and now he appears set to take the next step.
Among the group of hitters he'll be facing on Thursday will be injured outfielder Jose Siri.
Siri is recovering from a fractured tibia suffered fouling a ball off his leg back on April 12 against the Athletics.
The speedy outfielder is yet to mix running side-to-side into his progression, but the skipper says he's doing well and continues to make progress each day.
"The fact that he's gonna start facing some live pitching, that's good," Mendoza added.
Jesse Winker, on the other hand, is progressing a bit slower.
The left-hander hitting outfielder and DH has begun doing a little bit of running, as we saw pregame Sunday at Citi Field, but Mendoza says that he's still shut down from swinging and is "a ways away before he starts grabbing a bat."
Winker's initial timeline called for a six-to-eight week absence due to his right oblique strain.
Tears and cheers as Crystal Palace celebrate historic FA Cup win with parade
Thousands turned out on the wet streets of south London to catch a glimpse of the club’s first major trophy
Crystal Palace supporters had waited a lifetime for this moment. When the two buses carrying Oliver Glasner and his FA Cup winners rounded the corner of Holmesdale Road, red and blue smoke from flares filled the air as thousands of south Londoners showed their appreciation, with several shedding tears again.
In the days since Eberechi Eze’s winner against Manchester City clinched Palace’s first trophy, a sense of disbelief has been the overwhelming feeling for fans who are excitedly contemplating a foray into Europe next season.
Continue reading...Former Golden Knights First Round Pick Signing With Swiss Team
Former Vegas Golden Knights first-round selection and defenseman Erik Brannstrom has signed a three-year contract with Swiss team Lausanne HC.
Brannstrom was the third of three picks the Golden Knights used in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, selecting Cody Glass (sixth overall) and Nick Suzuki (13th overall) before choosing Brannstrom with the 15th pick.
The Swedish defenseman never played a game with the Golden Knights but was used as a vital piece in acquiring their future captain, Mark Stone. The trade saw the Golden Knights send Brannstrom, forward Oscar Lindberg, and a second-round pick in 2020 to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Stone and Tobias Lindberg.
Following the trade, Brannstrom found it increasingly difficult to make NHL rosters, and when he did, holding down a spot was another challenge. He played 294 NHL games with the Senators and the Vancouver Canucks, scoring 10 goals and 77 points. The 25-year-old signed with the Colorado Avalanchein the offseason but was traded prior to the start of the 2024-25 campaign.
The Canucks couldn't find space for him on their NHL roster and sent him to the New York Rangers as part of the blockbuster J.T. Miller trade. The Rangers also found no use for him outside of the AHL and sent him to the Buffalo Sabres, where he once again served as an AHL player.
Brannstrom routinely showed that he was a top-end AHL player but a low-end NHL player, recording 19 goals and 86 points in just 117 AHL games.
Listed at 5'10, 185 lbs, Brannstrom is considered small for an NHL defenceman, which is why many teams have steered away from using him. He's proven to be an efficient puck mover and skater, but his small frame is considered a liability defensively, especially when defending the front of the net.
Erik Brannstrom is headed to Switzerland. The diminutive puck-moving defenceman put up some solid results in limited minutes but struggled to gain the confidence of his coaches to move up the lineup. pic.twitter.com/6ZGAqrofFF
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) May 26, 2025
He'll head back to Europe, where he's had plenty of positive results, both in the SHL and with Sweden on the international stage. He previously played in the NL, playing 10 games on loan with the SCL Tigers. His stint witnessed him score two goals and eight points.
Brannstrom will join a Lausanne HC team that currently rosters former NHLer Dominik Kahun, Rangers prospect Lauri Pajuniemi and Canucks prospect Basile Sansonnens.
Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.
Golden Knights Reportedly In Two-Team Race For KHL Star ForwardWith the team pressed to the salary cap, Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon continues to find unique ways to add skilled forwards to his lineup and could be doing so again with KHL star Maxim Shabanov.
Marco Rossi Is The Perfect Blackhawks Trade Target
Rumors without action are common at this time of year. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are in the Conference Finals, so there aren’t going to be any substantial moves made by eliminated teams, but the speculation will always exist.
That is the case right now with the Minnesota Wild. One of their young stars, Marco Rossi, is rumored to be on the trade block. If this is correct, the Chicago Blackhawks must be making phone calls.
The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) on XSpeculation about Marco Rossi's future arose following the Minnesota Wild's first-round playoff exit: https://t.co/8Hnp09g1wUMinnesota selected Rossi with the ninth overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. After dealing with some off-ice health issues before beginning his pro career, Rossi has blossomed into a great NHL player.
At 23 years old, he’s played in 185 games with 45 goals, 56 assists, and 101 points. During the 2024-25 season, Rossi set career highs in goals (24), assists (36), and points (60). It is fair to assume that he has some big offensive seasons ahead of him.
Byron Bader (@ByronMBader) on XI would be all in on acquiring Rossi if he's available.
He's small and that's probably half the reason why he might be available. But could be pretty impactful in his prime.
Just had his first star season and his career career is following very similar to Briere (BriereA player like this would fit in quite well with the Blackhawks. Whether he’s a center or a winger in the long term, he’d make hockey magic with guys like Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar. He can make an impact at even strength and on the power play.
Rossi is a restricted free agent and could be the subject of an offer sheet if he isn’t signed quickly. The problem the Blackhawks face with doing that is giving up a ton of draft picks in 2026, which might not be wise based on the potential of that draft.
If the Wild were okay with making a trade with a division rival, one that can appease both sides, this is something worth considering for Kyle Davidson.
Chicago has plenty of defenseman to spare when it comes to making trades. It is at the forward position where they lack youthful organizational depth. Rossi, being just 23, would fit right in with what the Hawks are trying to do.
In acquiring Rossi, the Blackhawks (or any team) would have to get him signed. Based on his high production level for a young player, he will likely command a lucrative deal for a fair number of years. Due to his proven success, there isn’t much risk associated with that method.
With a trade like this, a wise decision with the third overall pick, and a free agent or two, the Blackhawks could have a high-flying offense in 2025-26.
Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.
Injuries causing Panthers to make several lineup changes ahead of Game 4 against Carolina
The Florida Panthers are making a few lineup changes as they look to close out the Eastern Conference Final.
There are a few Panthers players who are nursing injuries and as such, are being held out of Game 4 against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Sam Reinhart, A.J. Greer and Niko Mikkola will all not play on Monday night.
They are each considered day-to-day with their respective injuries, Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice said.
Reinhart also missed Game 3 on Saturday, and he'll continue to be replaced Jesper Boqvist, who logged a goal and two assists in Florida's 6-2 victory.
Filling in for Greer on the left wing of Florida's fourth line will be Nico Sturm, who can also take faceoffs and contribute on the penalty kill.
On the blueline, Mikkola will be replaced in the lineup by Uvis Balinskis. He'll likely be paired up with Nate Schmidt while Dmitry Kulikov would slide up and take Mikkola's spot beside Seth Jones.
Maurice summed up his thought process into the moves as simply trying to put the best and most competitive team on the ice.
"The determination is, the three guys that I'm playing – obviously Boqvist is already in – but those guys would perform better than those three men would tonight," Maurice said.
A victory on Monday would not only punch Florida's ticket to the Stanley Cup Final, but it would also afford them some time to allow players to heal.
The Final is not expected to begin until at least June 4, possibly later depending how long the Western Conference Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars goes.
Following the changes, here is an updated line and pairing projection for the Panthers head of Game 4:
Evan Rodrigues – Sasha Barkov – Jesper Boqvist
Carter Verhaeghe – Sam Bennett – Matthew Tkachuk
Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Brad Marchand
Nico Sturm – Tomas Nosek – Jonah Gadjovich
Gus Forsling – Aaron Ekblad
Dmitry Kulikov – Seth Jones
Nate Schmidt – Uvis Balinskis
Scratches: Mackie Samoskevich, Niko Mikkola, Sam Reinhart, A.J. Greer, Jaycob Megna
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Photo caption: May 24, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola (77) celebrates after a goal during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Prospect News: Kraken Sign Three Draftees, Make Others Wait In Lead Up To 2025 Draft
The 2025 NHL Entry Draft is set to take place June 27th and 28th in Los Angeles, CA. There, a new crop of NHL prospects will be selected over seven rounds (224 players overall). While some draft picks may sign their entry-level contracts immediately, others may remain unsigned as the team watches their development. Since the end of the 2024-25 season, the Kraken have offered contracts to three prospects: Andrei Loshko, Nathan Villenueve, and (reportedly) Tyson Jugnauth.
Andrei Loshko, born in Belarus, spent the 2024-25 season with the Niagara Ice Dogs in the OHL. When their season ended, he signed his entry-level contract and joined the Coachella Valley Firebirds where he scored two goals in his AHL debut.
Also in the OHL, Nathan Villenueve spent his 3rd season with the Sudbury Wolves where he racked up 75 points in 61 games played. It was his highest scoring season thus far, and his improvement earned him some time in the AHL where he played eight games with the Firebirds.
No official announcement has been made about Tyson Jugnauth's entry-level contract, but it is rumored that one has been offered. The 2022 4th-round pick started in the NCAA but spent his past two seasons with the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL, earning the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy as Defenseman of the Year.
Fans are also still waiting for an announcement regarding Everett Silvertips’ Captain Kaden Hammell. Hammell was drafted in the 5th-round in 2023 and a contract announcement was expected when the Silvertips ended their playoff run in late April. If the Kraken do not offer Hammell a contract by June, their rights expire and the defenseman becomes a free agent.
Related:
Kraken Prospect Reportedly Signing NHL ContractSeattle Kraken prospect Tyson Jugnauth is reportedly signing an NHL contract despite committing to play for Michigan State University for the 2025-26 season, according to Nathaniel Bott.
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French Open: US shocks as top-10 seeds Fritz and Navarro lose in first round
Navarro’s campaign at Roland-Garros lasts just 57 minutes
No 4 seed Fritz beaten in four sets by Daniel Altmaier
There were major upsets for two of the top American seeds at the French Open on Monday, as Taylor Fritz and Emma Navarro crashed out in the first round.
Taylor Fritz, the runner up at last year’s US Open, was eliminated 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 by world No 66 Daniel Altmaier of Germany. Altmaier broke the No 4 seed’s big serve five times on Court Simonne-Mathieu and ended the Californian’s 15-match grand slam winning streak against players ranked outside the top 50.
Continue reading...Josh Hart was okay coming off bench because he 'had a hand in that decision' to start Robinson
Tom Thibodeau's starting lineup change worked. In Games 1 and 2, the Knicks started in a hole because the starting five they had used most of the season was -29 in this series, and New York lost both games. For Sunday's must-win game, New York moved Mitchell Robinson into the starting five — forming a two-bigs lineup with Karl-Anthony Towns — and moving Josh Hart to the bench. It worked in that the new starting five got the Knicks off to a 15-10 lead by playing better defense, with the Pacers shooting 2-of-8 to open the game. For the game, the new starting five was +1 in 13 minutes (the old starting five played a little more than five minutes together in this game and was -9).
It also wasn't Thibodeau's starting lineup. Josh Hart said postgame he suggested the idea, here’s his quote via the New York Daily News.
"It was something that I've had in the back of my mind, and I've always wanted to do. Down 0-2, especially with how [Robinson] played last game, that was something that we had to do. And obviously that's a group decision that really boils down to Thibs and myself...
"It was never going to be a tough day for me because I had a hand in that decision. When I'm in a decision like that and kind of got the ball rolling on that, it was funny. Y'all [the media] are scrambling, trying to get answers, and I never really cared because it was kind of my decision. I was comfortable with it."
Not getting into a hole to start the game didn't mean the Knicks avoided the hole altogether, they were still down 20 in the second quarter as the Pacers still found plenty of lineup advantages once the benches came into play. However, Karl-Anthony Towns took over in the fourth and saved the Knicks’ season.
Expect the new starting lineup to be back for Game 2, but also expect some Pacers adjustments in how they attack it. Still, it will be an advantage if the new starting five can keep New York out of a hole to open the game.
NHL Rumor Roundup: Where Could Mitch Marner Go Via Free Agency?
Over a week since the Toronto Maple Leafs' elimination from the Stanley Cup playoffs, the focus of Leafs Nation has shifted toward Mitch Marner's future.
The 28-year-old right winger is UFA-eligible on July 1 and was noncommittal about returning to Toronto during the Leafs' end-of-season media availability. Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment CEO Keith Pelley indicated Friday that the club is taking a wait-and-see approach regarding Marner's plans.
As Marner ponders his future with his family, there is growing speculation over his potential destinations if he tests the free-agent market.
The Hockey News’ Ryan Kennedy listed the Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins as possible landing spots. He noted that the three rebuilding clubs have the cap space to sign Marner to a long-term contract with a hefty raise. The Penguins also have the advantage of GM Kyle Dubas' ties to Marner during his tenure with the Leafs.
Sportsnet's Ryan Dixon included the Blackhawks and Penguins on his list. He also mentioned the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, Utah Mammoth, Vegas Golden Knights, New York Islanders, Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals.
Meanwhile, Sean O'Leary of The Score had the Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers among his list of possible suitors for Marner.
Like the Blackhawks, Red Wings and Penguins, the Kings, Ducks, Mammoth, Sabres and Hurricanes possess the cap room to comfortably sign Marner. However, there's no guarantee that most of them will get into the bidding or have a chance of landing Marner.
The Blackhawks, Red Wings, Ducks, Penguins, Mammoth, and Sabres are in various stages of rebuilding, with the Wings and Sabres mired in lengthy playoff droughts. They might not interest Marner if he prefers signing with a contender, and he might not suit their respective roster needs.
Meanwhile, the Islanders could begin retooling their roster under new GM Mathieu Darche. Marner would provide a much-needed boost to their offense, but they lack the cap room to sign him. The Kings are also under new management, but GM Ken Holland could balk at shelling out over $13 million annually on one player.
Cap space will be an issue for the Golden Knights, Avalanche and Capitals unless they're willing to shed salary to make room for Marner. However, that could weaken their overall depth.
Carolina could be the best match. In a March interview with Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, GM Eric Tulsky said he'd have around $20 million in cap space if he re-signed all his free agents.
The Hurricanes also offered Mikko Rantanen to the Leafs straight up for Marner at the trade deadline before moving Rantanen to Dallas. Tulsky could try again if the Leafs winger is available on July 1.
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