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Who is Mark Daigneault? Meet the Thunder's young star head coach

Who is Mark Daigneault? Meet the Thunder's young star head coach originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Just a year after a young head coach won the NBA Finals, the 2025 championship matchup could feature a similar scenario.

Last season, Joe Mazzulla became the youngest head coach since 1970 to win the NBA championship when the Boston Celtics topped the Dallas Mavericks in five games. Mazzulla was 35 years and 353 days old at the time.

In the 2025 NBA Finals, Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault would still be one of the youngest head coaches to win a championship.

Daigneault is in his first NBA head-coaching role after taking over in 2020. He was the head coach of Oklahoma City’s developmental team, the Blue, from 2014 to 2019 following some years as an assistant coach at the college level.

Now in the fifth year of his job, Daigneault can help Oklahoma City make history with a series win when it faces the Indiana Pacers, led by head coach Rick Carlisle, who has two NBA rings to his name (in 1986 as a player and in 2011 as the Mavs’ head coach).

Here’s everything to know about Daigneault, the Thunder head coach:

Who is the Oklahoma City Thunder’s head coach?

The Thunder head coach is Mark Daigneault.

Where is Mark Daigneault from?

Daigneault is a Massachusetts native. He was born in Leominster, Worcester County.

How old is Mark Daigneault?

Daigneault is 40 years old. He was born on Feb. 23, 1985.

Did Mark Daigneault play in the NBA?

No, Daigneault did not play basketball at college or the NBA but attended UConn and Florida.

How many teams has Mark Daigneault coached?

Daigneault has just coached the Thunder at the professional level. He joined in 2020 and has seen a steady growth from record and playoff-run standpoints.

What is Mark Daigneault’s record with the Thunder?

Here’s a year-by-year look at Daigneault’s record since joining Oklahoma City:

  • 2020-21: 22-50
  • 2021-22: 24-58
  • 2022-23: 40-42
  • 2023-24: 57-25 (lost in second round to Dallas 4-2)
  • 2024-25: 68-14 (NBA championship finalists)

What is Mark Daigneault’s coaching style?

Daigneault is a progressive coach who continuously adds to his clipboard with new tactics and schemes. He’s been touted as open-minded and innovative, finding new ways to optimize his players, such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander becoming the league MVP and Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren developing into top-three players on a championship finalist team.

Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe and Cason Wallace are also examples of players on the squad who improved and moved into key roles under Daigneault.

What are Mark Daigneault’s coaching accolades?

Since joining the Thunder in 2020, Daigneault has won the NBA Coach of the Year award once, in 2023-24. He was named an NBA All-Star Game coach in 2025. He could add an NBA title to his resume should Oklahoma City beat Indiana for the franchise’s first ever championship, too.

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What we learned as Giants' offense returns in comeback win vs. Padres

What we learned as Giants' offense returns in comeback win vs. Padres originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – The streaks – yes, plural – finally are over for the Giants in all the right ways. 

Fighting back for a 6-5 victory Wednesday night at Oracle Park, the Giants snapped a seven-game losing streak against the San Diego Padres that dated back to last season. They were 0-4 against the Padres this season prior to the win.

They also showed their most life offensively in weeks. The Giants hadn’t scored five or more runs since May 16, and only had scored four in three games since then. But in the final four innings, the Giants scored all six of their runs.

Starting pitcher Kyle Harrison couldn’t get through the fifth inning. Not to worry, the Giants’ bullpen held it down for the young left-hander. A combination of Sean Hjelle, Tyler Rogers, Ryan Walker and Randy Rodriguez kept the Padres scoreless over the final 4 2/3 innings. Rodriguez earned his first save of his young career. 

Here are three takeaways from the Giants’ much-needed win against the Padres.

Harrison’s Tough Outing 

At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, Gavin Sheets isn’t built for speed. The 29-year-old first baseman is in his fifth MLB season and on his second team. Wednesday night was his 492nd game in the majors, and he entered with exactly one career triple. 

That number doubled in Sheets’ first at-bat of the night. Sheets roped a hanging slurve off the bricks in Triples Alley to score two runs in the top of the first inning. In the top of the fifth inning, Sheets ended Harrison’s night on an odd sequence. 

With one out and runners on second and third base, Sheets hit a one-hopper up the middle that bounced off Harrison’s left throwing elbow and into right field. The single plated both runners and sent Harrison to the dugout. 

It’s not like the Padres crushed balls left and right off Harrison. He got tough luck on multiple infield hits, making his line of five earned runs on nine hits in 4 1/3 innings look worse than it really was. However, the nine hits Harrison allowed were his most ever in a Giants jersey. 

Fresh Faces

On a day where the Giants said goodbye to LaMonte Wade Jr. and looked to inject life into a struggling offense, it was the same result the first time two new players stepped to the plate. Both Dominic Smith and Daniel Johnson struck out in the bottom of the second inning. But Smith followed his disappointing debut at-bat with the Giants by flashing some leather to start the top half of the next inning. 

Padres designated hitter Luis Arraez worked an 11-pitch at-bat to lead off the second inning, and looked to continue extending his battle with Harrison. Smith had other plans. The left-hander made an incredible diving back-handed snag down the first-base line.

Smith grounded out softly to third baseman Manny Machado his next time up, though Johnson had much better luck his second crack at starting pitcher Nick Pivetta. Johnson started his own little two-out rally in the bottom of the fifth when he singled to center field, stole second base and then scored on a Patrick Bailey double to right field.

Johnson again singled up the middle to center field in the bottom of the seventh, this time knocking Pivetta out of the game. He finished the night 2-for-4, and Smith was hitless in four at-bats. Both showed out defensively as Johnson tracked down a big-time catch in the right-center gap to preserve the Giants’ lead in the ninth inning.

Bats Wake Up

Through the first four innings, it looked like the Giants’ offense would continue to be stuck in the mud. Bailey’s double got the ball rolling, and just like that, the Giants remembered what it was like seeing runs scored for their side. 

With one swing, the Giants’ deficit was cut in half in the bottom of the sixth inning. Matt Chapman sent a two-run blast to left field that just barely cleared the fence to make it a 5-3 game. Every inch counts. 

The Giants’ first two batters in their lineup, Heliot Ramos and Jung Hoo Lee, then did something that has seemed impossible as of late. Ramos’ bases-loaded double off the left-field wall in the seventh inning scored two runs to make it a 5-5 game, hyping the Giants and every fan at the ballpark. Lee followed Ramos by hitting a sacrifice fly to center field, giving the Giants the lead and their most runs in nearly three weeks. 

As a team, the Giants went 4-for-10 with runners in scoring position, and Lee and Johnson each enjoyed a multi-hit game in the win.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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Six Panthers And Oilers Players With Something To Prove In The Stanley Cup Final

By Nevan Oliveira, The Hockey News intern

Excitement builds for a Stanley Cup final rematch between the defending champion Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers.

Fans are eager to see if Florida can be the third NHL team to repeat in the last decade or if Edmonton can finally end Canada’s 32-year Cup drought.

Both teams are stacked with talent, but the edge may go to the one playing with more confidence and urgency. That includes players who returned from injury, underperformed last year or are on their first or potentially last deep playoff run.

Here’s a look at some of those players with something to prove heading into this high-stakes matchup starting June 4.

Brad Marchand, LW, $6.125 million AAV

For the first time in his impressive 16-year career, Brad Marchand is heading to the Stanley Cup final as something other than a Boston Bruin. 

Marchand has reached the Cup final three times – winning against Vancouver in 2011, then losing to Chicago in 2013 and St. Louis in 2019. In the 20 games combined from those final appearances, Marchand had seven goals and 12 points.

Marchand got another chance to chase a Cup this year after the falling Bruins moved him to the Panthers in the final moments of NHL trade deadline day – and he’s making the most of it. At 37, this could be his last kick at the can in the Cup final, depending on what happens with his pending UFA status this summer.

Seth Jones, D, $9.5 million AAV

Seth Jones has at last reached the Stanley Cup final in his third month as a Panther.

After a tough stint in Chicago where his performance suffered despite consistent scoring, Jones was traded for Spencer Knight and a conditional 2026 first-round pick, offering a fresh start reminiscent of his more successful Columbus years.

In Florida’s 17-game playoff run, Jones has three goals, seven points and a plus-9 rating alongside Niko Mikkola. Now, with a shot at the Cup, Jones can prove he’s still an elite defenseman at 30.

Evan Rodrigues (James Guillory-Imagn Images)

Evan Rodrigues, C/W, $3 million AAV

Rodrigues has become increasingly noticeable as the playoffs progress, highlighted by a standout series against Carolina, where he tallied one goal and seven of his 11 playoff points in just five games.

In last year’s Stanley Cup final against the Oilers, Rodrigues led the team with four goals and seven points. If Rodrigues can carry that level of confidence and performance against the Oilers once again and deliver a strong showing in another Stanley Cup final, he could significantly boost his next salary when his current contract expires in 2027.

Leon Draisaitl, C, $14 million AAV

As one of the NHL’s most effective players, the only thing missing from Draisaitl’s resume – like Connor McDavid – is a Stanley Cup. 

He underperformed in last year’s Cup final, recording just three points and a minus-2 plus-minus, though coach Kris Knoblauch later revealed he was playing through hand and rib injuries. 

Now, healthier and hungrier, this rematch against the Panthers provides Draisaitl with another opportunity to prove his dominance and bring the Cup back to Edmonton.

Oilers And Panthers' Conn Smythe Contenders Ahead Of The Stanley Cup FinalOilers And Panthers' Conn Smythe Contenders Ahead Of The Stanley Cup FinalThe NHL’s Stanley Cup final starts Wednesday, and players on the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are making a strong case for winning the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Stuart Skinner, G, $2.6 million AAV

With Edmonton placing a stronger emphasis on defense down the stretch of these playoffs, Stuart Skinner has shown his capabilities. Since taking over from Calvin Pickard against Vegas, he’s posted a .931 save percentage and a 1.73 goals-against average over eight games, winning six of them. 

If Skinner can help lead the Oilers to a Stanley Cup for the first time since the days of Grant Fuhr and Bill Ranford, his reputation will be transformed – and so will his future contract value.

Evander Kane, LW/RW, $5.125 million AAV

Before this post-season, Kane didn't play since Game 2 against Florida last year. He recovered from two torn hip adductor muscles, two hernias, two torn lower abdominal muscles and a knee injury to play in this year's playoffs. He’s contributed five goals and 11 points in 15 games so far. 

Now, hopefully close to full health, Kane brings a physical edge and scoring touch the Oilers miss without him. If Edmonton deploys him effectively, he can use his snarl to disrupt the Panthers’ rhythm and chip in with gritty, timely goals, which we saw in the clincher against Dallas.

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Why Celtics should try to hold on to Kristaps Porzingis

Why Celtics should try to hold on to Kristaps Porzingis originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Has Kristaps Porzingis played his final game as a Boston Celtic?

The Celtics must shed roughly $20 million in salary this offseason to get under the second apron of the NBA’s luxury tax. That means they will have to part ways with at least one rotational player, and Porzingis is a prime candidate to be moved.

Porzingis is entering the final year of his contract, which carries a $30.7 million salary cap hit. If the C’s prefer to maintain their core of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White, that might make Porzingis the odd man out.

What would the Celtics get in return for the do-it-all 7-footer? MassLive.com’s Brian Robb laid out a scenario in which Boston would send Porzingis to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for old friend Robert Williams and Matisse Thybulle. Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix and Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor shared their takes on that hypothetical deal during NBC Sports Boston’s The Off C’Season special.

“If Porzingis can play, if he’s shaken whatever this illness was, he brings a lot more value than Robert Williams,” Mannix said. “You want a guy that — on a lesser contract — that has shown he can play with Jayson Tatum, has shown he can fit in alongside Jaylen Brown. If you can keep him around on a better deal, that’s probably better long-term for the Celtics.”

While Porzingis has been key to the Celtics’ success, he has struggled to stay healthy. He missed 25 games in 2023-24 and 40 games in 2024-25. He was limited throughout Boston’s 2025 postseason run due to a nagging illness.

Despite those health concerns, O’Connor believes the Celtics should do everything in their power to avoid trading Porzingis, especially if the Williams/Thybulle return is the best they can get.

“You’ve got to see how he looks with Latvia (in the EuroBasket 2025 tournament), and possibly you take him into the season, because he’s still a major X-factor,” O’Connor said. “Still has shown what he can do to this offense, the layers he brings to this team that loves to shoot 3s. His post-up, his ability with his size, and obviously his defense as well.

“Porzingis is a guy I’d prefer to keep, considering his value is so low right now. And if you’re only getting back Time Lord (Robert Wllliams), who, I love him, but injury-prone, hasn’t shown a lot, and Thybulle, who cannot shoot at all and hasn’t for multiple teams, that’s not a great return for Kristaps Porzingis.”

With Porzingis likely on the trade block, plus Al Horford and Luke Kornet set to hit free agency, the Celtics’ frontcourt could be overhauled this summer. It’ll be an eventful offseason for president of basketball operations Brad Stevens as he navigates the team’s challenging financial situation.

Watch the full episode of The Off C’Season in the video below:

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Oilers' Leon Draisaitl scores OT winner vs. Panthers in Stanley Cup Final Game 1

Oilers' Leon Draisaitl scores OT winner vs. Panthers in Stanley Cup Final Game 1 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Leon Draisaitl scored on the power play in overtime, Stuart Skinner made 29 saves and the Edmonton Oilers erased a multigoal deficit to beat the defending champion Florida Panthers 4-3 in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final rematch on Wednesday night.

After Tomas Nosek’s penalty for putting the puck over the glass, Draisaitl’s goal 19:29 into OT sent the home fans into a frenzy and made sure the Oilers would not start this series like they did a year ago, when they fell behind three games to none.

For a while, it looked like they would at least start out trailing. Draisaitl’s goal 66 seconds in was followed later in the first period by Sam Bennett deflecting a shot in past Stuart Skinner after falling into him.

Edmonton’s Kris Knoblauch unsuccessfully challenged for goaltender interference, with the NHL’s situation room ruling that his own player, Jake Walman, tripped Bennett into Skinner. The resulting penalty paved the way for Florida’s Brad Marchand to score the go-ahead goal on the power play.

Bennett scoring his second of the night early in the second period put the Panthers up 3-1. They entered 31-0 over the past three playoffs since coach Paul Maurice took over when leading at the first or second intermission.

With Connor McDavid leading the way, the Oilers rallied. Fourth-liner Viktor Arvidsson brought the crowd back to life early in the second, and fellow Swede Mattias Ekholm — playing just his second game back from an extended injury absence — tied it with 13:27 remaining in regulation off a perfect pass from McDavid.

At the other end, Skinner made a handful of saves that were vital to keeping the Panthers from extending their lead or tying it late in the third. Florida counterpart Sergei Bobrovsky did the same, in between derisive chants of “Sergei! Sergei!” that followed goals he allowed.

Skinner was greeted with friendlier chants of “Stuuuu” after saves, including one in the first minute of overtime on a quality scoring chance. Bobrovsky stone-cold robbed Trent Frederic nine minutes in but eventually cracked.

Up next

Game 2 is Friday night in Edmonton before the series shifts to Sunrise, Florida for Games 3 and 4.

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Simulating The Edmonton Oilers Versus Florida Panthers Stanley Cup Final In NHL 25

The 2025 Stanley Cup Finals begins tonight between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers and we simulated the series in NHL 25 to see who the game predicts to lift the cup. 

We used the most recent roster update and line predictions for the series in NHL 25 Playoff Mode, with Zach Hyman out of the Oilers lineup and Connor Brown inserted for Jeff Skinner. 

The simulation predicted the Florida Panthers to win the series in five games.

The Oilers took game one before the Panthers roared back to win the next four games to capture the cup. The Panthers won all of their games by at least two goals. 

Matthew Tkachuk led the series with nine points, Sam Reinhart had seven, Leon Draisaitl had six to round out the top three. 

Aleksander Barkov, Connor McDavid, and Sam Bennett each had five points, Barkov led the finals with four goals, just ahead of McDavid and Evander Kane who each had three.

Sergei Bobrovsky outplayed Stuart Skinner by a significant margin in the series, posting a .919 SP and 2.41 GAA while Skinner had a .897 SP and 3.84 GAA.

Florida outscored Edmonton 20-12 with five of them coming on the powerplay. 

While this simulation does not expect to see a close matchup we will see how closely it resembles the real series beginning tonight. 

EA SPORTS NHL predicted the Toronto Maple Leafs to win the Stanley Cup in their official simulation. 

Double Shift Week 2 can be seen here.

For more NHL 25 news make sure you bookmark The Hockey News Gaming Site or follow our Google News Feed. For gaming discussion check out our forum.       

Photo Credit: © Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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Everything Is Reportedly On The Table For Chris Drury and The Rangers This Offseason

The Journal News-Imagn Images

New York Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury is once again open for business. 

During the beginning of the 2024-25 season, Drury was not happy with the way the Rangers were playing, so he sent out a league-wide memo indicating his desire to shake up the roster and make trades. 

Ultimately, the Rangers missed the playoffs and now major change could very well be on the horizon. 

“The Rangers are considering an awful lot of things,” Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said. “Like after the season they had last year, there are very few things that are off the table. Chris Drury has got a lot out there and he basically wants to know if you want to talk to them about something, just reach out because he’s gotta know everything that's on the table for him.”

Over the course of the 2024-25 campaign, Drury traded away multiple players including Jacob Trouba, Kaapo Kakko, Filip Chytil, Ryan Lindgren, and Jimmy Vesey. 

Drury already made a big move to start the offseason by firing Peter Laviolette and hiring Mike Sullivan to be the Rangers’ head coach. 

There are a ton of questions when it comes to how the Rangers’ roster is currently constructed and it wouldn’t be a surprise at all if Drury continued his pursuit of completely re-shaping the team’s core.

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Oilers' Zach Hyman Says He Cried When His Teammates Called Him After Beating Dallas

Zach Hyman didn't travel with the Edmonton Oilers when they went to Dallas to eliminate the Stars in Game 5 of the Western Conference final, but he got to celebrate the win with the team.

After suffering an injury in Game 4 from a hit by Stars left winger Mason Marchment, Hyman watched from afar.

"It was the day after my surgery – I was sitting on my couch with my wife and mother-in-law just watching," Hyman told reporters on Wednesday before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final.

As Oilers players wore their 2025 Western Conference champions hats in the dressing room, the team got on a FaceTime call with Hyman to say they miss him and can't wait to see him back in Edmonton.

Hyman said he didn't expect the call, but it meant the world to him.

"It caught me off guard," Hyman said. "Honestly, I was crying. It was really emotional, to feel so much a part of the team, and for them to do that in that moment, it meant a lot.

"I'm going to be with the team the whole way acting like I'm playing, but obviously not."

Zach Hyman (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images)

Hyman won't play in the final. He gave more details about what happened.

"I just felt my wrist kind of go on me, and even then you still think, whatever it is, you'll be able to play through it or there'll be a chance you can play through it," he said.

"The wrist was dislocated, so a lot goes into that, the ligaments, breaks, whatever else," Hyman added. "I don't want to get into too much of the nitty gritty, but I should be back for the start of next year, but I don't want to put a timetable on it. They'll be rehab involved."

Hyman, 32, had five goals and six assists for 11 points in his 15 playoff games. He had two goals and an assist in Game 3 against the Stars to help Edmonton take the series lead. He also had 27 goals and 44 points in 73 regular-season games.

"Missing him is big," Oilers center Adam Henrique told reporters. "He's a huge piece of this team. His physicality. His net-front presence. In the locker room. All those types of things."

The Hockey News Big Show: Stanley Cup Final Preview With Bruce BoudreauThe Hockey News Big Show: Stanley Cup Final Preview With Bruce BoudreauThe Hockey News Big Show is here to look around the NHL playoffs and beyond with former NHL player and coach Bruce Boudreau providing some unique insight

As Game 1 gets underway in Edmonton at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, the Oilers will look to win one more game than last year, when they lost in seven games to the Florida Panthers. Hyman will travel with the team to every game.

"He's a great person, and we're going to miss him on the ice," Henrique said. "But he'll be there. And we're certainly going to fight for him on the ice."

- With files from Avry Lewis-McDougall

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Former Predators Assistant Dan Muse Hired as Head Coach of Penguins

After an extensive coaching search, the Pittsburgh Penguins have named former Nashville Predators assistant coach Dan Muse the 23rd head coach in franchise history.

Muse, 42, joins the Penguins with 20 years of coaching experience, including five seasons in the NHL as an assistant coach with the Predators (2017-20) and the New York Rangers (2023-25). Muse helped guide his teams to three divisional titles, including two with Nashville in 2017-18 and 2018-19 under head coach Peter Laviolette.

Muse's teams have also earned two President's Trophies in his five seasons in the NHL, with Nashville accomplishing the feat in 2017-18.

Muse ran the Predators' penalty kill, which ranked fourth overall in the NHL over his two full seasons (2017-19) with the club. He assumed the same role with New York from 2023-25, again under Laviolette, helping the Rangers’ penalty kill to the fourth-highest success rate and second-best net penalty killing percentage in that span.

Muse has substantial experience with USA Hockey, serving as a head coach at the National Team Development Program from 2020-23, and is highly touted by Penguins GM Kyle Dubas for his ability to develop young players.

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Flyers Trade Rumors: Big Golden Knights Defenseman Linked to Philadelphia

The Flyers covet size as they look to build a Stanley Cup-contending defense core. (Photo: Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)

A Philadelphia Flyers trade my finally be on the horizon, with a new rumor suggesting a big Vegas Golden Knights defenseman could be on the move.

According to a report from NHL insider Elliotte Friedman via NHL Rumor Report and Sportsnet 590, the Flyers have been linked to 6-foot-6 Golden Knights defenseman Nicolas Hague in trade talks.

This kind of Flyers trade, a "hockey trade," if you will, has been on the team's radar for quite a while, and it makes perfect sense with some added context.

For example, it has been rumored that the Flyers and defenseman Cam York, a pending RFA, have not made a whole lot of progress on a contract extension, which could result in York getting traded away ahead of the start of free agency on July 1.

Although he's a few years older than York, Hague, 26, would be a fine addition to the Flyers' defense. At 6-foot-6, Hague has the size you can't teach, and Flyers management has spoken more than once about having a big blueline capable of withstanding the grind of the NHL playoffs.

York, Jamie Drysdale, and Emil Andrae are all 6-foot or shorter, so the hypothetical addition of Hague makes the Flyers larger and harder to play against.

Hague's name has been dangled in trade rumors for quite a while now, as the Golden Knights continue to explore ways to move around their cap space. The 26-year-old, like York, is a pending restricted free agent, so it's likely the Golden Knights and Flyers each have different ideas of how much they want to spend on their respective defensemen.

And as far as the Golden Knights go, they have only $9.6 million in cap space and need to re-sign forwards like Reilly Smith, Brandon Saad, Tanner Pearson, Victor Olofsson, and Alex Holtz.

If the Golden Knights want to cut some corners and acquire cost-controlled forwards from the Flyers, options like Jakob Pelletier, a pending RFA, and Bobby Brink make some sense.

While he's only 5-foot-8, Brink has played and produced well in a limited role, quietly scoring a career-high 41 points last season. Brink has one more year remaining on his current contract at an extremely friendly $1.5 million cap hit.

If the Flyers cannot work out some sort of solution with York and his camp, it would appear that Hague is at the top of their list of backup plans.

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Will The Canadiens Remain The Last Canadian Team To Win The Cup?

This is it: the Stanley Cup final, featuring the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers, will kick off on Wednesday night in Alberta. Connor McDavid and co. will hope to avenge their Game 7 loss from last season, when the Oilers captain won the Conn Smythe Trophy but lost the ultimate prize.

It’s been 32 years since a Canadian team celebrated a Stanley Cup win. Thirty-two years since the Montreal Canadiens won their 24th Stanley Cup, yesterday marked the 32nd anniversary of the infamous Marty McSorley stick-swinging incident. Legend has it that a member of the Canadiens’ equipment staff had measured the curve of his stick in advance, meaning Jacques Demers knew full well he would be getting a power play from that challenge. According to some, that tactic put a curse on Canadian teams…

Curse or not, one fact remains: no team north of the border has been able to lift Lord Stanley’s Mug since Patrick Roy flashed his winning wink to Tomas Sandstrom. Roy has long retired and now coaches the New York Islanders, which is just one more proof of how long it’s been.

Thirty-two years is long enough, and judging by the chatter around town, Montreal Canadiens fans are ready to see McDavid win his first Stanley Cup, even if it means Montreal is no longer the last Canadian Cup winner. After all, the future is bright in Montreal, and the fans are hoping and expecting that this new generation of players will be able to restore the club to its former glory and deliver a 25th Cup, eventually…

Photo credit:  Jean-Yves Ahern-Imagn Images

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Why Draymond disagrees with LeBron's playoffs scheduling idea

Why Draymond disagrees with LeBron's playoffs scheduling idea originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Warriors icon Draymond Green doesn’t agree with his friend and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James’ recent proposal for the NBA to give teams a month off before the playoffs to address fatigue-related injuries.

Green explained why James’ proposition might be counterproductive on Tuesday’s episode of the “Draymond Green Show” podcast.

“I know Bron talked about there being a month off before the playoffs; I don’t know that that’s possible,” Green said. “A, guys will get a bit out of shape and can have an adverse effect, guys getting back in, and all of a sudden, you pull something because it’s been a month. 

“So I don’t know if a month is the right answer, but two weeks – ain’t no NBA player getting out of shape in two weeks, but you can get a lot healthier in two weeks.”

Green believes a month off might be too much rest for players. Though, as he mentioned, some rest might be desirable.

The four-time NBA champion cited hamstring injuries to superstar Golden State teammate Steph Curry and Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon as proof that moderate recovery time can be helpful, as the pair of players didn’t have enough time to return to near 100 percent amid their respective teams’ eventual eliminations.

Green explained how the current postseason format generally has teams playing every other day, which doesn’t leave much time for rest between travel, rehab and schematics. 

“You look at Steph Curry pulling a hamstring … Aaron Gordon saying there should be two days in between games – I agree,” Green said. “Here’s the thing: if you end up with a series like [against] Houston, and there’s a day in between games, that’s a four-hour flight from San Francisco to Houston on a day in between games, your rest day. 

“By the time you land in Houston, it’s eight o’clock at night … By the time you make it to the hotel, it’s dark. … everything’s quick, you’re trying to get ready for bed. So the recovery process ain’t great.”

James’ proposition probably isn’t the answer. But Green – and probably all of Dub Nation – would like to see an NBA playoffs where rest allows the best players to stay on the floor.

“Is it about bunching in games, or is it about the best team winning and putting your best product out there on the floor for the fans? And I think that’s where you run into the issue,” Green said.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

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Mannix: Spurs the ‘team to watch the closest' for Jaylen Brown

Mannix: Spurs the ‘team to watch the closest' for Jaylen Brown originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Not even Jaylen Brown is safe from trade talks this offseason as the Boston Celtics look to shed significant salary.

Just about everyone from the 2024 championship core is on the table with the C’s aiming to avoid the restrictive penalties associated with being in the second apron of the luxury tax. They will have to move at least one rotational player, but another option is to wipe the slate clean with a full reboot.

Brown, a four-time All-Star and 2024 NBA Finals MVP, has massive value if Boston opts to dangle him in trade discussions. Although sending Brown to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has been a popular talking point, one up-and-coming Western Conference team seems like a more realistic trade partner.

“The team I’d watch the closest with Jaylen Brown is probably the Spurs,” Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated said Wednesday on NBC Sports Boston’s The Off C’season special. “Sure, I think (the Spurs would) love to make a run at Giannis, but do the Bucks ask for Stephon Castle? Like, is that on their wish list? And if it is, I can’t see San Antonio doing a deal like that.

“One of the concerns people in San Antonio told me about is, you go and deal for a guy like Giannis, all of a sudden you’ve created a championship window, but it is a window with a closing date. You’ve got De’Aaron Fox, who’s in his late 20s, Giannis in his early 30s, and the last thing they want is to have a roster after those guys kind of age out where when (Victor) Wembanyama is maybe looking around going, ‘All right, where are the young guys I’m going to play with after that?’

“It certainly is a problem for another day, but that’s on the mind of the San Antonio Spurs. That’s why they want to hold on to Stephon Castle, so he can be that second guy opposite Wembanyama for a long time, assuming they trade that No. 2 pick.”

As Mannix puts it, the Celtics would be a more attractive trade partner for the Spurs because they likely wouldn’t require a player like Castle in return. Instead, the deal would center around the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft — likely Rutgers standout guard Dylan Harper.

“I think if you’re Boston, you’re not going to ask for a Stephon Castle. You’re not going to get a Stephon Castle in a potential Jaylen Brown deal,” Mannix added. “You would get the No. 2 pick back in return. You would get the Devin Vassells, the Keldon Johnsons, future first-round capital. That’s something I’d watch if and when the Giannis Antetokounmpo stuff shakes itself out over the next few weeks.”

Yahoo Sports NBA insider Kevin O’Connor asked Mannix whether the Spurs would put the No. 2 pick on the table for Brown in a potential swap.

O’Connor: NBA sources view Dylan Harper as a franchise-changing talent

“Oh, absolutely. I don’t think Boston does that deal without the number two pick,” Mannix answered. “I think Jaylen — for San Antonio — is worth giving up a player that most people talk about as a potential franchise guy in Dylan Harper.

“People that I talked to really like (Harper), but I think Jaylen Brown is — at his age with his contract status, his playoff pedigree — I think that’s worth it. And all of a sudden, you’ve got Fox, you’ve got Brown, you’ve got Castle, and you’ve got Wemby backstopping that team. That’s a championship contender in the Western Conference next season.”

It will be a fascinating offseason for the Celtics and unquestionably the most challenging yet for president of basketball operations Brad Stevens. Even if Brown stays put, Stevens will have to make some agonizing decisions this summer with other key players — perhaps as soon as this month, with the 2024 NBA Draft set for June 25.

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Latest buzz on Knicks' head coach search: Mike Brown to get second interview

Here's the latest news and buzz on the Knicks' search for a new head coach...

June 30, 5:50 p.m.

The Knicks will have a second interview with Mike Brown for their head coaching job, according to multiple reports.

Brown, 55, is one of four known candidates to have already interviewed for the vacancy along with Taylor Jenkins, Micah Nori, and James Borrego.

SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley noted on June 27 that Brown "has made a good impression during the interview process and garnered support."

ESPN's Shams Charania also mentioned that Brown has "emerged as a strong candidate" for the Knicks' job.

Brown owns a career 454-304 (.599) head coaching record with two Coach of the Year awards (2008-2009, 2022-2023) and has made one trip to the NBA Finals in 2007 with the LeBron James-led Cavaliers.

June 25, 6:26 p.m.

The Knicks have identified another assistant who could potentially be their next head coach.

New York is interviewing New Orleans Pelicans assistant coach James Borrego after the team granted the Knicks permission to speak with him, SNY NBA insider Ian Begley confirmed.

Borrego is the fourth known candidate to interview with the Knicks, joining Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori and former head coaches Taylor Jenkins and Mike Brown. Begley notes that the door is still not closed on Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd.

Borrego, 47, does have head coaching experience. He was named interim coach of the Orlando Magic in February of 2015 and finished with a 10-20 record. After three years as a Spurs assistant, he was hired as the Charlotte Hornets head coach in 2018. In four seasons, Borrego had a 138-163 record.

June 24, 8:58 a.m.

The Knicks are interviewing Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori for the head coaching job, SNY NBA insider Ian Begley confirmed.

This makes three candidates who've interviewed for the vacancy, as New York completed its initial interviews with Taylor Jenkins and Mike Brown last week.

Begley notes that the door is still not closed on Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd.

Nori, 51, has been the lead assistant coach for the Timberwolves under Chris Finch since 2021 after previous stops as an assistant with the Detroit Pistons, Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings, and Toronto Raptors.

June 12, 5:10 p.m.

Former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins remains squarely on the Knicks' radar as they continue their search for a new head coach, per people familiar with the matter, according to SNY NBA insider Ian Begley.

Jenkins, 40, was fired by Memphis after nearly six seasons with nine games remaining in the 2024-25 regular season despite having a 44-29 record at the time. It was reported that the Grizzlies were anticipating on firing him after a first-round playoff exit, per ESPN.

The Grizzlies still made the playoffs with a 48-34, earning the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. They were eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder in four games.

Jenkins owns a career coaching record of 250-214 (.539) with his best season coming in 2021-22 when he led the Grizzlies to a 56-26 record and the No. 2 seed. That team lost in the conference semifinals, falling to the eventual NBA champion Golden State Warriors.

New York is not in any rush with its search and are casting a wide net of candidates, Begley reported Wednesday.

June 11, 9:07 p.m.

The Knicks reportedly asked another team about the status of their head coach and were denied again.

According to the Chicago Sports Network's K.C. Johnson, the Knicks reached out to the Chicago Bulls for permission to speak to Billy Donovan.

Per Johnson, the Bulls "value Donovan highly for his coaching acumen, communication skills and ability to connect with players and all members of the organization."

June 11, 6:03 p.m.

The Knicks requested permission to interview Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder but have been denied, ESPN's Shams Charania reports.

Syder is the fourth currently-employed coach to have their team deny the Knicks' request to speak with them, joining Ime Udoka, Jason Kidd and Chris Finch.

Snyder began his head coaching career with the Utah Jazz (2014-22), amassing a 372-264 record and a 21-30 record in the postseason. Snyder then joined the Hawks, where he's led the team to a 86-93 record in the regular season and a 2-4 record in the playoffs since the 2022-23 campaign.

June 11, 9:22 a.m.

The Knicks requested permission to interview Jason Kidd, which the Mavericks declined, per multiple reports.

New York also recently asked for permission to speak with Rockets head coach Ime Udoka and Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch -- with those requests also denied.

June 7, 2:58 p.m.

Former Villanova head coach Jay Wright is not a candidate for the Knicks job, SNY NBA insider Ian Begley confirms.

Knicks team president Leon Rose and Wright have a close relationship and speak regularly, but because of that, Rose knows Wright is very happy as a retiree, Begley notes.

Of course, many speculated Wright could be a candidate because he coached Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges in college. Wright retired in 2022 after 21 seasons at Villanova and is now a college basketball analyst on CBS and TNT.

June 6, 1:18 p.m.

Ime Udoka, Chris Finch, and Jason Kidd are among the coaches currently under contract who the Knicks have degrees of interest in, reports SNY NBA insider Ian Begley.

Per Begley, the Knicks will request permission from the Mavericks to interview Kidd.

Marc Stein was first to report the expectation that the Knicks would ask to speak with Kidd.

Kidd, 52, has been the Mavericks' head coach since 2021.

Udoka is the head coach of the Rockets, while Finch is the head coach of the Timberwolves.

Kidd wrapped up his Hall-of-Fame playing career with a stint with the Knicks, so there is some familiarity between the two parties.

If the Knicks wind up hiring Udoka, Finch, or Kidd, they will be required to send compensation to their former team.

June 4, 2:41 p.m.

The Rockets have "no interest in entertaining" a scenario where they allow head coach Ime Udoka to leave for the Knicks job, reports Kelly Iko of The Athletic.

Per The Athletic, Udoka and the Rockets are "committed to the long-term project and are actively preparing for a busy offseason."

Udoka, 47, has been the Rockets' head coach since the 2023-24 season.

He served as the Celtics' head coach from 2021 to 2023, and has worked as an assistant for the Spurs, 76ers, and Nets.

June 2, 12:40 p.m.

The Suns are hiring Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott to be their next head coach, which means potential Knicks candidate Johnnie Bryant is still available.

Bryant was reported to be one of the finalists for the job in Phoenix.

June 2, 3:02 a.m.

SNY NBA insider Ian Begley reports that it would be surprising if the Knicks found their next head coach by the end of this week.

Additionally, Begley noted that people recently in touch with the team have downplayed the idea of Mike Malone being a slam-dunk hire.

Begley also noted that the early read is that Dan Hurley isn’t at the top of New York’s initial list, adding that Ime Udoka was a name he had heard mentioned. To hire Udoka, the Knicks would have to get permission from Houston and give the Rockets compensation to let Udoka out of his deal.

As far as Jason Kidd, Begley reported that he can’t see the Mavericks even entertaining the idea of letting Kidd go.