England’s top three of Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope all made hundreds as they piled on the agony for a hapless Zimbabwe in a one-off four-day Test in Nottingham.
"I'd Love To Stay"; Haydn Fleury Hopes To Remain A Jet Despite Log Jam Of Defensemen
Haydn Fleury mentioned during his end-of-season press conference that he'd like to remain a Winnipeg Jet despite the log jam of defensemen the Jets currently employ.
The Jets went into the playoffs with nine defensemen on their roster, dressing eight at some point during their two series. The only defenseman not to dress for a game was 24-year-old Ville Heinola. Fleury played in eight playoff games, recording two assists while averaging 15:16 of ice time, gaining the trust and increasing his role as the playoffs went on.
During the regular season, the 28-year-old played in just 39 games, registering seven assists and averaging 15:56 of ice time. He dealt with a long-term lower-body injury in the midst of the season, but when he returned, he served as a healthy scratch behind Luke Schenn and Logan Stanley.
Of the nine defensemen the Jets brought to the playoffs, Fleury is one of the two defensemen in need of a contract and the only defenseman who is an unrestricted free agent. Dylan Samberg is the restricted free agent the Jets will need to come to a deal with.
To create space on the backend, the easiest thing for GM Kevin Cheveldayoff to do would be to let Fleury walk, but the following season will require him to work out contracts with UFAs Schenn, Stanley and Colin Miller, as well as RFA Ville Heinola, running the risk of losing multiple contributing defensemen. Re-signing Fleury would provide insurance, especially with a defenseman who wants to remain in Winnipeg.
"Being able to play in a city where hockey matters for me is huge," said the 6'4 defender. "And just to be able to show my kids how much a sport can do for a community is something that I'm really proud that I got a show my son this year."
The Jets need upgrades offensively, with glaring needs for a second-line center and more depth scoring in their bottom six. Allocating 30% of their salary cap towards defensemen makes achieving that very difficult, adding more to the plate of Cheveldayoff, who needs to find a way to add offence without sacrificing defence.
Fleury's speed and puck-moving ability proved to be a valuable asset in the playoffs and a trait they may be inclined to keep instead of Stanley's size.
Stay updated with the most interesting Jets stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.
Adam Lowry Hoping To Be A "Jet For Life"Winnipeg Jets forward Adam Lowry becomes eligible for a contract extension on July 1, and is hoping to get a deal done in order to be a "Jet for life."
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Carlos Rodon, Yankees' bullpen continues hot stretch in sweep of Rangers: 'It's a collective effort'
Yankees starter Carlos Rodon had yet another strong performance in Thursday's 1-0 win over the Texas Rangers to cap off the three-game sweep, tossing six scoreless innings with eight strikeouts.
It's Rodon's second straight win, lowering his ERA to 1.90 in May over four starts and 2.88 overall on the year across 11 starts. The left-hander hasn't lost a game since April 13 when he dropped his third straight outing, going 5-0 over his last seven games.
After the win, manager Aaron Boone told reporters that this type of stretch from Rodon was exactly what he warned about earlier in the season, knowing what the lefty is capable of on the mound.
"I tried to tell you this when he gave up the three-run homers and everyone was losing their mind. He's about to roll off a bunch in a row," Boone said. "I think it's been since the start of the season. I think if you go back to Opening Day, you have the two outings that got wrecked by the three-run homer, but even in those it's been (good).
"I don't know, how many starts has he made now? Probably 10, 11? I think they've all been really, really strong. A pitch here and there in a couple of them and it's even at another level, but it's been a lot of really good."
Rodon has tossed six-plus innings in all but three starts this season, saying it's the starting rotation's goal to throw as many innings they can to help the bullpen and get the slugging offense more chances to score.
"Yeah we just got to keep going, just keep going deep into games," Rodon said. "You know, not taxing the bullpen, just getting through six, seven innings, as many outs as we can. Just getting ahead of hitters and giving our offense a chance to get in the dugout and swing the bats."
Once Rodon's day was done, Mark Leiter Jr. came in and tossed a scoreless inning, followed by another dominant outing from Devin Williams. Since losing the closer role on April 27 allowing three runs on May 7 against the San Diego Padres, Williams has an ERA of 0.00 and 10 strikeouts over seven games (6.1 IP), allowing just two hits and one walk. Williams earned his fifth hold of the year with a 1-2-3 eighth inning on Thursday.
"Devin's the man, he's obviously one of the best in the game," closer Luke Weaver said after the win. "There's adjustment periods... you're just trying to minimize mistakes. Sometimes they are completely uncontrollable and they stack up and you're trying to stop that momentum. Sometimes they're minimal and we can make those mistakes quick. Sometimes we get lucky and sometimes we don't.
"With all that being said, it's awesome to have him do his thing. I certainly wasn't worried about him for one second. He's found his rhythm, he's controlling his game, his tempo, and he's just dominant."
Weaver picked up the save (No. 7 on the year), getting two flyouts and a strikeout to seal the deal. The 31-year-old, who's pitching to a career-best 0.40 ERA across 21 games, added that everyone in the bullpen is rooting for each other's success. The Yankees own the majors' seventh-best ERA at 3.42 and are top-10 in bullpen ERA at 3.38.
"It's a collective effort," Weaver said. "Everybody is rooting hard for each other, we want to make sure that we pick each other up. There's different days where, if a guy's down and we got to go one-plus, we got to figure out ways to piece it together. We always want our starter to go nine, we're just there as backup. When the game dictates situations, we just want to be prepared. We'll give hopefully big high fives and hugs after the fact and say, 'Get 'em tomorrow.'"
After going 15-13 in April, the Yanks have gone 12-6 this month and are riding a four-game winning streak heading out West for a three-game series with the Colorado Rockies.
Brendan Shanahan Out: Why the Maple Leafs Are Moving On From Their Longtime President
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Brendan Shanahan are parting ways.
The club announced Thursday afternoon that Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, the company that owns the franchise, would not be renewing the contract of the team's president and alternate governor when his contract expires on June 30.
In a statement, MLSE president and CEO Keith Pelley praised Shanahan's contributions in the 11 years he served in his role, but added his reason to make the change.
"It was determined that a new voice was required to take the team to the next level in the years ahead. The franchise will be forever grateful for Brendan’s contributions and wish him and his family every success and happiness in the future."
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Pelley will address the media at Scotiabank Arena at 1 p.m. ET on Friday, May 22.
The news comes just days after the Maple Leafs were eliminated in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs in seven games at the hands of the Florida Panthers. It had been widely reported that Shanahan was granted permission to speak with the New York Islanders about their executive openings. Permission to speak to an executive for similar positions with other franchises is usually not granted, prompting further proof that Shanahan's time in Toronto was coming to an end.
Report: Maple Leafs Grant Islanders Permission To Speak With President Brendan Shanahan Ahead Of MLSE Board ReviewAs the Toronto Maple Leafs concluded their locker cleanouts on Tuesday, their PR staff said they'd be in touch regarding future media availabilities.
While Shanahan was praised for some positive changes from the beginning of his tenure in 2014,the Leafs were unable to get past the second round during his tenure.
In a statement, Shanahan praised the organization while suggesting that Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving will remain in his role.
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"I greatly enjoyed working with Brad and Craig (Berube), and I firmly believe they are excellent in their roles and have done a great job in their time with the team," Shanhan said. "Also, I want to thank the players, they are committed and passionate about delivering a championship to this city and will do everything within their power to accomplish that goal. I wish them all the very best."
Shanahan inherited a franchise that consistently failed to make the playoffs (except in 2013 when they broke through in a 48-game season before falling to the Boston Bruins in the first round). He restored the franchise back to respectability among a fanbase by restoring relations with Leafs alumni changing previously honored numbers into retired numbers. Shanahan also added Legend Row outside of Gate 6 at Scotiabank Arena. He also changed the logo to the one it uses today ahead of the 2016-17 season, signaling a new era around a team built around it's youthful core players like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander.
'I Haven't Processed Anything Yet': Does Mitch Marner Want To Return To The Maple Leafs Next Season?As soon as the final horn sounded after the Toronto Maple Leafs' 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of their second-round series, Mitch Marner was the very last player to leave the ice. He looked like a player who may have played his last game with the club.
Despite holding the longest active playoff streak at nine years, the Leafs consistently lacked success in the postseason under his leadership, winning just two playoff rounds.
Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.
Toronto Maple Leafs Won't Renew Contract Of Brendan Shanahan, Who Releases Statement
The Toronto Maple Leafs' parent company announced it will not renew the contract of team president and alternate governor, Brendan Shanahan.
The decision comes after the Maple Leafs lost in the second round to the Florida Panthers despite having a 2-0 lead in the series. Shanahan was with the Leafs since the 2014-15 season. Shanahan oversaw all of the team's operations as it made the post-season for nine straight years, but the Leafs won only two playoff rounds in that span.
“Over the past 11 seasons, Brendan Shanahan has made countless contributions to the Toronto Maple Leafs on the ice, off the ice and in the community,” Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment president-CEO Keith Pelley said in a news release. “Brendan is one of the most respected leaders in the game, and he has instilled many of the traits that were the signature of his Hall of Fame career throughout the organization, uniting this storied franchise in the ‘Honor, Pride and Courage’ that it was founded on.”
Pelley said a new voice is needed to take the team to the next level.
Shanahan, meanwhile, released a statement after learning today of MLSE's decision.
"Toronto is where I was born and raised, where my family still lives, and being a part of this historic franchise will always be one of the greatest honors of my life," Shanahan said. "I want to thank the entire Maple Leafs’ staff for their commitment and hard work over the years - they are second to none in the National Hockey League. I want to thank the Alumni for all of their support and the tremendous work they do at our games and within the community. Many of them were my heroes growing up, and it has been a pleasure to get to know them on a personal level."
Shanahan also thanked Leafs fans for their passion and loyalty and the players for their commitment while reflecting on the job done.
"While I am proud of the rebuild we embarked on starting in 2014, ultimately, I came here to help win the Stanley Cup, and we did not," Shanahan said. "There is nothing more I wanted to deliver to our fans, and my biggest regret is that we could not finish the job."
On Wednesday, a Sportsnet report said MLSE granted the New York Islanders permission to speak to Shanahan about an opening on their squad.
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North Florida head coach Matthew Driscoll resigns to become associate head coach at Kansas State
North Florida coach Matthew Driscoll resigned after 16 years with the Ospreys on Thursday and accepted a job as the associate head coach on Jerome Tang's staff at Kansas State. The 60-year-old Driscoll and Tang have known each other for more than two decades, spending six seasons together on Scott Drew's staff at Baylor. Driscoll left to become head coach at North Florida in 2009, and led the Ospreys to three Atlantic Sun regular-season titles, the NCAA Tournament in 2015 and the NIT the following year.
College Football Playoff shifts to straight seeding model, no automatic byes for top league champs
The College Football Playoff will go to a more straightforward way of filling the bracket next season, placing teams strictly on where they are ranked instead of moving pieces around to reward conference champions.
Nuggets remove interim tag, hire David Adelman as next head coach
"He had three games to change something, and I think he changed the energy. I think the guys were woken up a little bit. The guys had more energy. He made us believe in something, and we played good, you know? We played a seven-game series with probably the best team in the NBA, and we had opportunity. We had chances. So I think he did a really good job."
That was Nikola Jokic praising the job David Adelman did as the interim coach of the Denver Nuggets, a sentiment echoed by other veterans such as Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray, with many of them saying they hoped he got the job full-time. You can guess what comes next.
"We're going to move forward with David Adelman as our head coach," Josh Kroenke, the Nuggets vice chairman and interim president of basketball operations (after Calvin Booth was fired), said to open his end-of-season press conference. The two sides have agreed to terms.
Kronke said he originally planned to start looking outside the organization for the next head coach, but as he watched how the team bonded and played through the postseason, he realized he had the guy he wanted already in house.
Adelman was thrust into a difficult position, becoming head coach with three games left in the season when Kroenke fired coach Michael Malone and Booth, a duo that had been feuding for years, casting a cloud over the organization. Kroenke hoped the firing would jolt the team out of its slump and it seemed to as they went 3-0 in the rest of the regular season, then in the playoffs beat the Clippers in seven tough games, then pushed the Thunder seven games before falling short.
Adelman held his own in tactical adjustments with two of the better Xs and Os coaches in the league in Tyronn Lue and Mark Daigneault. He also won over the players, as they told Bennett Durando at the Denver Post.
"I love DA," Aaron Gordon said. "I hope he's here next year. I hope he's our coach. I hope he gets an entire training camp and a whole offseason."
"I'm hoping he gets that job," added Michael Porter Jr. "I think he's a great, personable coach."
Adelman, the son of coaching legend Rick Adelman, got his first NBA job as a player development specialist in Minnesota under his father. After his father retired, the younger Adelman was an assistant coach in Orlando before being hired by Denver and working his way up to being a top assistant under Malone. Adelman had interviewed for multiple NBA head coaching jobs before this one fell in his lap, but he took full advantage of it and gets to keep the gig.
Ottawa Senators Prospect Parts Ways With Organization And Signs Back Home In Sweden
After failing to earn an NHL call-up for the first time in three seasons, Belleville Senators defenceman Filip Roos appears to have put his NHL dreams on hold—for now. Färjestad BK of the SHL recently announced that they've signed Roos to a two-year contract.
Roos played 68 games for AHL Belleville this season, hoping to catch Ottawa's attention. He recorded 17 assists over those 68 games, but the Sens never came calling. With unrestricted free agency now looming, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound Swedish defenceman has opted to begin a new chapter back home.
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"I'm really looking forward to it. It's still been a good season (in Belleville), but it'll be fun to come home and start with a new team, which I'm really excited about," Roos said on his new team's website.
Roos' arrival in the NHL is similar to Finnish defenceman Nikolas Matinpalo. Both 26, the two undrafted defencemen played pro hockey in their home countries for several seasons before NHL opportunities came their way.
But Matinpalo is a right shot and Roos is a lefty. Matinpalo got a chance in Ottawa this season after the right side of their blue line had trouble staying healthy.
Roos broke into the NHL in his first season in North America (2022–23), appearing in 17 games for the Chicago Blackhawks. The following season, he played just four NHL games for the Hawks before signing a one-year, two-way contract with Ottawa last summer.
At the time, after the Sens parted company with left-handers Jakob Chychrun and Erik Brannstrom, Roos and his agent probably saw an opportunity here.
But unlike the injury wreckage on the right side, Senator lefties Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot, and Tyler Kleven missed only seven games this season combined, so there weren't many opportunities.
Färjestad BK is thrilled that Roos is coming home.
"We have had our eyes on Filip for a long time and we believe that he, with his qualities, will strengthen our defense in a good way," Färjestad BK general manager Rickard Wallin said in a club statement.
Steve Warne
The Hockey News - Ottawa
(Image credit: Belleville Senators//Freestyle Photography
Look For Flyers To Stay At No. 6 And Draft A Center: 'We're Open For Anything'
Barring an overwhelming trade offer, the Philadelphia Flyers figure to stay at the No. 6 overall position in the upcoming NHL draft, poised to select a promising center.
Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman known for his dominating play at both ends of the ice, is the consensus best player in the draft.
Keith Jones, the Flyers' president, believes the players ranked "two through eight or nine" are similar in ability, which means his club should get someone to energize their rebuild.
That player will probably be a center, based on GM Daniel Briere's strong hints.
Most draft experts rank OHL center Michael Misa at No. 2 overall. But he isn't a lock to get picked at No. 2, per experts, who have the top five centers closely ranked.
Misa, James Hagens, Jake O'Brien, Anton Frondell and Caleb Desnoyers are generally regarded as the five best centers. Roger McQueen and Brady Martin are also highly talented centers who could be in the top 10.
The first round of the draft will be held June 27, and Jones believes the Flyers are in a solid spot at No. 6.
'Good Position'
"We're sitting in a good position, to be honest with you," he said last week when asked if he expected the Flyers to move up in the draft via a trade. "There's a lot of players who are going to be very good players, but they're in kind of the same group – and sixth doesn't take us out of those six good players."
It's likely Schaefer (defenseman), Misa (center) and right winger Porter Martone will be off the board by the time the Flyers select. That means two of the big five centers could be available for the Flyers at No. 6. And if defenseman Jackson Smith goes before No. 6, the Flyers might have another quality center to choose from.
Finding an elite center is the Flyers' biggest need.
"We're open for anything," Jones said. "There's a couple specific players that we would love to have."
The Flyers have three picks in Round 1 – No. 6, No. 22, and a still-to-be-determined slot based on Edmonton's finish – and four in Round 2.
"It's a good top of the draft, and it's actually good quality throughout the draft, so we're really pumped up that we have so many picks this year – and it's going to continue to build that foundation," Jones said. "And at some point, we'll shift some of those prospects and picks and assets that can help us in acquiring other players as we try to advance this thing."
Another Building Block
Whether that happens this year or down the road is unknown, but the Flyers – who have missed the playoffs in each of the last five seasons – are building for the future.
Like Jones, Briere said the Flyers are "comfortable" at having the No. 6 pick. (They had been at No. 4 but dropped two spots in the draft lottery.)
"We'll be prepared for all of it. It's a little easier" this year, he said. "Last year (when they drafted speedy center Jett Luchanko at No. 13 overall), we were preparing for the first half of the first round. Now we can narrow it a little bit more. We're comfortable there, but we're going to explore with different things – moving up, moving back."
If they stay at No. 6, as expected, will the Flyers draft the top player available or go for a specific position?
"At the top, we'll go with the best player, but it just so happens there are a lot of centers in that range," Briere said. "But if someone fell who is not a center, we're going to go with the best player."
The Flyers have had the No. 6 overall pick three other times in franchise history, drafting a dud (right winger Bob Currier in 1969), a quality defenseman (Behn Wilson in 1978) and a superstar – center Peter Forsberg, who was selected in 1991 and traded in the Eric Lindros deal.
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Philadelphia Flyers Should Sign This Former Avalanche, KHL Goalie
The Philadelphia Flyers are going to be forced to find some goalie reinforcements this offseason, and one underrated option is former Colorado Avalanche goalie Ivan Prosvetov.
Prosvetov, 26, will terminate his contract with KHL outfit CSKA Moskva, according to multiple reports, including from Hockey News Hub, with the intent of resuming his NHL career this upcoming season.
Prosvetov, who last played in the NHL for the Colorado Avalanche in the 2023-24 season, was signed by CSKA to replace the departed Ivan Fedotov, who just completed his first full NHL season with the Flyers. That marriage did not last very long at all as CSKA continues to fall from its former glory in the KHL.
So, what makes the former fourth-round pick an attractive sleeper option for the Flyers?
In parts of five seasons at the NHL level, Prosvetov managed only an 8-9-2 record in 24 appearances to go along with a bog-standard 3.70 GAA and .881 save percentage.
At the same time, though, he played for the Arizona Coyotes and the Avalanche - two teams that have changed goalies like underwear for the majority of the last decade.
Prosvetov alluded to such roster turnover and difficulties with the Avalanche's goalie coach, in particular, in a Dec. 2024 interview with Pavel Lysenkov of MatchTV.
"Honestly, in Colorado, I played the same system as now. There were good matches for the Avalanche, but there the coach did not understand me. It’s as if we talked to him in different languages," Prosvetov told Lysenkov. "All the goalkeepers were removed. For a year now, no goalkeeper can play. Who appeared there after Semyon Varlamov? No one was late there for a long time."
The Avalanche started the 2024-25 season with a tandem of Alexandar Georgiev and Justus Annunen, but both goalkeepers were quickly jettisoned for Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood as Colorado's front office scrambled to find reliable options to buoy their Stanley Cup hopes.
Is Rick Tocchet a 'Quitter'? New Flyers Coach Understands Heavy BacklashAfter leaving the Vancouver Canucks and joining the Philadelphia Flyers a short time later, Rick Tocchet has been labelled a quitter by his own former fanbase. But, is there any truth to such heavy criticisms?
However, the Avalanche previously won the Stanley Cup with Darcy Kuemper, who left the organization as quickly as he arrived.
"They won the Stanley Cup with Darcy Kuemper at the gate, but he also went off-season to Washington. Quickly with him in Colorado said goodbye," Prosvetov noted. "And I don’t think that because of the money they broke up with the goalkeeper, who led the club to the first champion title in 20 years."
As for Georgiev? And for himself?
"Georgiev was good when he was given 10 shots per match, and when they did it 40 times. That is, he is very strong in the head. His mentality is strong. He's a very confident person. But as I know, the coaches in Colorado did not help him at all. So, the goalkeeper coach definitely did nothing.
"Well, if the coach never played hockey how [can you understand]? A complete theorist, and in theory he has gaps (...) But in the end I sat for 10 matches in reserve. And then I was thrown in against Florida, changed after three goals although the score was 3-3. Can you imagine? Why wasn't Sergei Bobrovsky pulled on the other side? Why have I been replaced?
"And that was my last NHL match. I do not know who made that decision. And there, head coach Jared Bednar, too, as I understand it, affects goalies. Decides who to play in which match, and thinks that he understands this topic."
And that is how Prosvetov arrived back home in Russia, playing one (his first) KHL season. In 38 games, the 6-foot-5 goalie posted a 20-16-2 record, a 2.32 GAA, a .920 save percentage, and four shutouts. In five playoff games, Prosvetov was 2-3-0 with a 2.90 GAA and .918 save percentage as CSKA was thrashed 13-2 across their final two games.
Flyers GM Teases Potential Top Pick Ahead of 2025 NHL DraftPhiladelphia Flyers general manager Danny Briere is not ignoring the possibility of selecting Caleb Desnoyers sixth overall at the 2025 NHL Draft in June. In fact, he's embracing it.
The Flyers, like the Avalanche, have struggled to find a consistent goalie. It's unclear if or when Aleksei Kolosov returns, and Sam Ersson and Fedotov have proven unreliable.
Flyers goalie coach Kim Dillabaugh is now squarely in the sights of fans now that disliked power play coach Rocky Thompson has been relieved of his duties, which could also be a challenge for Prosvetov, given Dillabaugh's inability to regularly coax strong performances out of Fedotov and Kolosov.
But, even if the Flyers decide Prosvetov is not suitable for a role at the NHL level, the Russian would still be an upgrade for the AHL squad.
In parts of five seasons in the AHL, Prosvetov was 65-61-13 with a 3.16 GAA, a .898 save percentage, and six shutouts. During his brief stint with the AHL Colorado Eagles in 2023-24, Prosvetov was 11-7-2 with a 2.33 GAA, a .921 save percentage, and two shutouts.
The only Lehigh Valley Phantoms goalie to post a save percentage higher than .899 this season was Army veteran Parker Gahagen (.916), who isn't even signed to an NHL contract. Eetu Makiniemi was limited to five games with a hernia, and Cal Petersen and Kolosov are likely gone this summer.
That leaves Gahagen and 19-year-old goalie prospect Carson Bjarnason to hold down the fort. If something happens to Ersson or Fedotov or if they struggle, you'd probably want to have a better Plan C if you're the Flyers.
Prosvetov is more than likely not going to cost a lot financially and is willing to stick it out in the AHL for an NHL role if necessary. It's now a question of if the Flyers feel they have better options on the table with the same roster flexibility.
Purdy teases NBA playoff game appearance to support Haliburton
Purdy teases NBA playoff game appearance to support Haliburton originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton’s public support of 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is well documented, and now the NFL star is returning the favor for his former Iowa State classmate.
During an interview on 95.7 The Game’s “Willard & Dibs” on Thursday, Purdy excitedly voiced his support for Haliburton after the star point guard’s epic heroics helped spark Indiana’s thrilling comeback win over the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.
“We knew that was going in from the moment it left his hands, lets be real,” Purdy said regarding Haliburton’s game-tying shot at the end of regulation on Wednesday. “I’m so excited for him and what he’s done this playoff run so far. Just the competitive nature that Tyrese has, the energy that he brings to this team.
“I’m pulling for him and I hope they can pull off the whole thing, man. That would be awesome and I’m pulling for him.”
Now flush with $181 million in guarantees after signing a lucrative contract extension, could Purdy take his support to Madison Square Garden and join the row of celebrities sitting courtside in New York City?
“We’re going to have to find out,” Purdy teased. “There’s no promises right now, but this would be an amazing opportunity to go and support my guy, that’s right.”
Haliburton famously rocked Purdy’s jersey as a pregame fit the day after the 49ers clinched a berth in Super Bowl LVIII.
Tyrese Haliburton showing love to fellow Iowa State Cyclone, Brock Purdy 🔥 pic.twitter.com/fNGOZWiIcI
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) January 29, 2024
Might we see Purdy be the one sporting his former classmate’s jersey as they battle on the big stage in the playoffs? Stay tuned.
College Football Playoff changes system to reward top seeds
After an unusuccessful year, the College Football Playoff system is changing to reward higher seeded schools
Carlos Rodon outduels Nathan Eovaldi as Yankees complete sweep of Rangers
The Yankees completed a three-game sweep of the Texas Rangers, winning Thursday’s matinee by a score of 1-0.
Here are the key takeaways…
-Carlos Rodon against Nathan Eovaldi turned out to be one heck of a pitchers’ duel. Rodon came into Thursday’s start on a heater, pitching to a 1.59 ERA over his last seven starts. Eovaldi, meanwhile, has been outstanding all season, coming into the game with a miniscule 1.61 season ERA.
Eovaldi pitched around some traffic on the bases in the early innings, including getting out of a second-and-third, two-out jam in the bottom of the second, when Trent Grisham grounded out to end the threat.
Meanwhile, Rodon got into a groove in the middle innings, striking out the side in the fifth to give him six punchouts on the day, up to that point. In the sixth, Wyatt Langford walked, stole second, and advanced to third on a wild pitch, but Rodon hunkered down and struck out Jake Burger to get out of the inning.
Rodon’s afternoon ended there, as he turned in 6.0 sparkling innings, allowing just two hits while striking out eight and walking two on 105 pitches. With this scoreless appearance, he lowered his season ERA to 2.88.
-The Yankees finally broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth, when Jorbit Vivas lined his first career home run over the wall in right to put the Bombers up 1-0.
Eovaldi went 6.0 innings of one-run ball, allowing five hits while striking out six and walking one.
-Things got a little dicey for Mark Leiter Jr. in the seventh, as Marcus Semien singled and moved to second on a wild pitch. After a Joc Pederson pinch-hit, infield single, the Rangers had the tying run at third and the go-ahead run at second. But Leiter was able to strike out Josh Smith swinging to escape the inning.
-Devin Williams needed just 11 pitches to toss a one-two-three eighth inning, striking out one hitter in the process. Williams has now gone seven straight outings without allowing a run, striking out 10 hitters over 6.1 innings while allowing just two hits.
Luke Weaver, who pitched in all three games against Texas, closed things out in the ninth without a hitch, picking up his seventh save of the season.
-Cody Bellinger went 0-for-4 with a couple of strikeouts, ending his 15-game hitting streak.
Highlights
Five scoreless innings for Carlos Rodón ♨️ pic.twitter.com/AioYnfLIXc
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) May 22, 2025
Jorbit Vivas with his first career home run! pic.twitter.com/u0YuKdhaq8
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) May 22, 2025
Big strikeout from Mark Leiter Jr.! pic.twitter.com/vu6A09A8lO
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Upcoming schedule
The Yankees hit the road for a nine-game trip, starting with a three-game series in Colorado against the Rockies.
Clarke Schmidt will go for the Yankees, while the Rockies have not announced their starter.
Manchester United face urgent dilemma: ditch Amorim or revamp the squad | Jonathan Wilson
Not many at Old Trafford are suited to the manager’s trusty 3-4-2-1 but replacing them will cost hundreds of millions
Everything always seems clearer in the morning, and in the cold grey light of Thursday, the prognosis for Manchester United is bleak. While Tottenham face an awkward calculation – weighing up whether the delirium of a first European trophy in 41 years offsets their worst league season in terms of proportion of games lost – for Manchester United the equation is far starker.
Ruben Amorim will only play in one way. He is committed absolutely, uncompromisingly, irrevocably to the 3-4-2-1. Liverpool considered him, looked at their squad, realised the two things did not go together, appointed Arne Slot and won the league. Manchester United looked at their squad, flinched at the horror, and seem to have reasoned it was such a mess that it was impossible to find a manager whose philosophy would fit. There was a dissenting voice, Dan Ashworth, but at the court of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, reasoned doubts are as unwelcome as a free lunch.
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