He's recorded 2+ shots on goal in four of five games, and attempted 5+ shots in all of them. Nobody on the team has attempted more shots.
He's playing on the top pairing at 5-on-5 and quarterbacking the No. 1 power-play unit, giving him prime usage to get the job done.
With this being an elimination game, John Tortorella will be even more reliant on his top defenseman. I'd play to -130.
Game 6 Prop #2: Seth Jarvis Over 0.5 points (-140)
Seth Jarvis leads Carolina forwards in time on ice and sits third in expected goals. Carolina has fared very well during his minutes, creating more expected goals and high-danger chances with Jarvis on the ice than any other player.
It has translated to success on the scoreboard — Carolina has scored 10 times with Jarvis on the ice — but only three points for Jarvis. That’s a 30% involvement rate, which is not even half of what he managed over the course of the season.
Look for Jarvis to get back on the scoresheet in Game 6. I'd bet this to -150.
Game 6 Prop #3: Rasmus Andersson Over 1.5 blocks (-180)
Rasmus Andersson is bleeding shots like no other. He's allowed 138 shot attempts at 5-on-5, which is 18 more than the next closest player in the series.
He's played more than all but Theodore and is starting plenty of shifts in the defensive zone. Clearly, that’s making his life difficult.
Andersson blocked multiple shots in four straight games. Playing for their season, Tortorella will be tempted to shorten the bench and sink or swim with his Top-4 defensemen.
Look for Andersson to continue producing blocks and play this to -195.
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WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 09: Anthony Davis #23 of the Washington Wizards reacts on the sideline during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at Capital One Arena on April 9, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Minnesota Timberwolves could make a big splash in the trade market this offseason as they look to try and return to the Western Conference Finals.
Bleacher Report contributor Grant Hughes suggests a trade that would send Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Joan Barringer, and the No. 28 overall pick to the Washington Wizards for Anthony Davis.
“This one is admittedly easier to understand from the Wolves’ side, as they’re giving up a player in Randle who used the most recent postseason to confirm he can’t be a second option on a contender,” Hughes wrote.
“Davis would replace him in the first unit next to Rudy Gobert, perhaps cramping spacing but very likely making up for it on defense. Minnesota would be assured of having a dominant force in the middle at all times, and Naz Reid’s shooting would complement both AD and Gobert.”
Trading for Davis would be a risk for the Wolves given his recent injury history, but it could unlock new potential for the Wolves’ frontcourt. Davis has desired to play the power forward spot recently, but he has been asked to play center. With the Wolves, he could be a legitimate power forward, which is his best position.
It would cost the Wolves a lot for Davis, but given the fact that DiVincenzo has one year left on his deal and Randle can opt out after the 2026-27 campaign, it isn’t a whole lot in the grand scheme of things.
Canis Hoopus community, would you trade Randle for Davis? Let us know in the comments section below.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 16: Drake Baldwin #30 of the Atlanta Braves bats in the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Truist Park on May 16, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Another day, another Eric Hartman homer down in the Atlanta Braves farm system. The day also had Owen Murphy record double digit strikeouts and see Drake Baldwin begin his rehab assignment. However Saturday wasn’t all positive, as Luke Sinnard exited after just one inning. We are still awaiting word on why Sinnard left his start early, but when a player with his injury history leaves a start that early, it is something worth monitoring closely.
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 3, Gwinnett Stripers 2
Drake Baldwin, C: 1-3, HR, R, RBI
Jim Jarvis, SS: 1-4, .301/.395/.435
Owen Murphy, SP: 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 K, 4.43 ERA
You may have missed this one as a rain delay kept this one from starting until after 9 PM, but if you saw it then you got to witness Owen Murphy carving up the Jumbo Shrimp. After allowing a first inning run on three hits, Murphy settled in to allow just one unearned run on no hits and a walk over the next five innings. He also added 10 strikeouts and 24 swings and misses, including 14 on his fastball alone. The next inning and a third went to Hunter Stratton, who would allow the walkoff run to score in the bottom of the eighth, via a sac fly.
It was just his first rehab game, but Drake Baldwin certainly seemed ready to get back to Atlanta when he came up in the top of the sixth down 2-1 and smashed a 110.4 MPH exit velocity homer to tie the game at two. Baldwin finished his day one for three before leaving early, which is normal for a player’s first game on rehab assignment. The rest of the offense had a fairly quiet day as they managed a combined five hits and three walks. With a two walk game DaShawn Keirsey Jr. was the only player to reach base more than once, and Baldwin’s homer was the lone extra base hit. Jim Jarvis ended up one for four in the loss, while Brewer Hicklen singled and scored the Stripers other run.
Pensacola Blue Wahoos 4, Columbus Clingstones 0
Luke Waddell, SS: 1-4, .218/.335/.328
Julio Robaina, SP: 4 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 3.38 ERA
Julio Robaina turned in four innings of three run ball, though only two of the runs were earned. Robaina only struck out three, but did have 11 whiffs. Shay Schanaman followed him with three scoreless innings of relief, allowing just one hit and one walk. Jacob Wallace went the final two innings, and allowed an unearned run but did strike out three hitters.
The Columbus hitters just couldn’t get anything going in this one, managing just three singles and one walk. It is actually even tougher than that as they had just one hit through five innings, and only added the walk over the next two innings. It wasn’t until the final two innings where they were able to record the other two base hits. Luke Waddell, Drew Compton, and Keshawn Ogans had the singles, and Will Verdung took the lone walk.
Bowling Green Hot Rods 5, Rome Emperors 1
Eric Hartman, CF: 2-4, HR, R, RBI, .311/.377/.601
Tate Southisene, SS: 1-4, .217/.357/.348
John Gil, 2B: 1-4, .266/.365/.432
Luke Sinnard, SP: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 2.30 ERA
Isaac Gallegos, RP: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K, 1.99 ERA
Luke Sinnard started and only went one inning, being removed for still unknown reasons. During that inning he allowed one hit and one walk, and struck out one with four whiffs. Sinnard threw 23 pitches, 12 of which for strikes, and also hit a batter. We now await an update on a talented prospect who has had a troubling injury history. Mathieu Curtis took the ball from Sinnard and allowed four runs over two and a third innings. Riley Frey was next, and he allowed one run over two and two thirds as the next man up. The final two innings went to Isaac Gallegos, and he was dominant. Gallegos allowed a hit and a walk, but struck out five and picked up a remarkable 11 swings and misses in the 28 pitches he threw.
Once again Eric Hartman was the biggest storyline, as he went two for four with his 17th homer of the season – a solo shot in the eighth inning. Besides Hartman the bats were pretty much nonexistent, as singles by Tate Southisene and John Gil accounted for all of the hits, and one walk to Mason Guerra was the only other player to reach base safely. It is worth noting that Tate Southisene did get the start at short, his second straight day there but only his 10th start of the season there.
Zach Royse had another solid outing on Saturday, going one out shy of the quality start. Royse allowed two runs on five hits and three walks with seven strikeouts and 15 whiffs to pick up his third win of the season. Kendy Richard followed and allowed a run over his inning and two thirds, before Daniel Brooks pitched a scoreless inning and two thirds to pick up his first save.
Despite scoring four runs the Augusta lineup managed just three hits, all singles. Conor Essenburg, Juan Mateo, and Tanner Smith each singled and walked, with Essenburg and Mateo each scoring a run and batting one in. Both Alex Lodise and Luis Guanipa were hitless, but drew walks, and Lodise came around to score.
The continuation of Friday’s suspended game saw the FCL Rays beat the Braves squad 9-5. Starter Wuilinyer Tovar battled his command, allowing four runs (three earned) over three and a third innings, walking four and striking out five. After two thirds of an inning from Melvin Hidalgo, Victor Duarte allowed a pair of runs in his inning. Will Eldridge was next and kept the Rays off the board for two and two thirds, before Cesar Rodriguez allowed the final three runs to come in during his inning and a third.
Manuel Campos continued showing his hit tool in this one, picking up a pair of hits and stealing his 15th base of the season, while Arlenn Manzanillo had a pair of singles and a walk, scoring three of the Braves five runs. Caden Merritt also reached base three times, walking twice and hitting a single, and also stealing a base. Top prospect Diego Tornes was hitless in four at bats, but did steal a base.
FCL Braves 3, FCL Rays 2
Diego Tornes, DH: 1-4, RBI, .190/.269/.250
Manuel Campos, SS: 1-3, R, SB, .274/.379/.415
Gensi Angeles, SP: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 1.99 ERA
In the second game team ace Gensi Angeles was on the mound and went four and a third, allowing two runs (only one earned) on two hits and three walks. Angeles also struck out four and had seven whiffs as he moved his ERA to 1.99 on the season. Jorge Nunez went the next inning and two thirds and struck out three hitters to pick up the win, while a scoreless seventh inning got Juan Olmos the save.
Manuel Campos collected yet another hit and another stolen base in the second game, giving him a combined three hits and two steals. The lone multi-hit game came from outfielder John Estevez, who picked up a pair of singles in three at bats. Diego Tornes also broke into the hit column and batted in a run.
DSL Braves 7, DSL Royals Fortuna 4
Sherrintely Da Costa Gomez, LF: 3-3, 2 RBI, .440/.563/.800
Edelson Cabral, DH: 2-3, 2 R, .250/.382/.321
Jose Manon, SS: 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, .320/.471/.560
Cesar Navarro, SP: 3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 3.68 ERA
The DSL Braves squad pulled off just their second win of the season thanks to one of their better pitching performances. Starter Cesar Navarro allowed a run over three and a third innings, while Charlis Medina followed with two and a third scoreless. Matthew Luna allowed three runs in his inning of work, and they needed Yostin Pinales to come in to pick up the final out and collect the save.
The fun lineup down here had a strong performance as well. Sherrintely Da Costa Gomez led the way, going a perfect three for three with a pair of runs batted in, while Edelson Cabral and Osmar Torrealba each went two for three. Durban Arnedo walked, singled, stole two bases, and scored a pair of runs, while Jorwin Pulido and Jose Manon each recorded a double in the win.
BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 13: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the San Diego Padres, facing camera, hugs Samad Taylor #0 after Taylor hit a two-run home run in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 13, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Saturday afternoon was the offensive showing that the Friar Faithful have been waiting for. The San Diego Padres erupted for nine runs against the Baltimore Orioles. It’s the most the team has scored since their 10-5 rout of the San Francisco Giants on May 5. More than that, it forced their third consecutive rubber game after a dismal Game 1 to the O’s.
Starter Randy Vásquez pitched well despite some early trouble. He surrendered two runs in the first inning but settled in for the next four. The ‘pen took over from there, allowing just one run and four hits between five relievers.
But the offense stole the show. Baltimore starter Trey Gibson struggled to get through the first, surrendering four runs on two homers before the O’s had even batted. Samad Taylor was one of those home runs (the first of his MLB career). Unfortunately, Xander Bogaerts and Freddy Fermin exited the game after being hit by pitches. The two were removed as a precautionary measure but will be monitored closely.
Taking the mound
Trevor Rogers (BAL) v. Walker Buehler (SD)
Rogers hasn’t had exactly the season that Baltimore hoped he would. He’s pitched to a 6.15 ERA with just 44 strikeouts through 60 innings pitched. His 1.48 WHIP is ridiculously high, even when compared to his 1.32 career WHIP.
The lefty has pitched even worse in his last seven games, with an 8.04 ERA and 1.63 WHIP across his most recent 31 1/3 innings. His last start was decent, pitching 5 2/3 innings of three-run ball against the Seattle Mariners, but Rogers will need to do much more to best the Friars.
Buehler has been on the other side of that pendulum, looking much better in his most recent starts than the rest of the season. Across his last seven outings, the righty owns a 3.62 ERA compared to a 4.33 mark through the season. His last three outings have been spectacular, giving up just four runs in 16 innings.
The right-hander hasn’t had much success against this Baltimore lineup in the past. The club boasts a combined .283 career batting average against Buehler (53 at-bats). He’ll need to limit them if San Diego hopes to take the rubber match.
Batter up!
It almost felt like the recent woes of the San Diego offense disappeared immediately as the team unloaded on the Orioles’ starting pitcher. The lineup went deep five times. Jackson Merrill and Taylor in the first inning, Gavin Sheets in the seventh, Rodolfo Durán in the eighth and Manny Machado in the ninth to cap a nine-run victory.
Fernando Tatis Jr., 2B
Jackson Merrill, CF
Manny Machado, 3B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Gavin Sheets, 1B
Samad Taylor, LF
Will Wagner, DH
Nick Solak, RF
Freddy Fermin, C
Only five of the Padres have faced Rogers before, and none of them to much success. The new additions have certainly stepped up. Taylor is having the best week of his MLB career. Wagner has gone 4-for-8 at the plate with a 1.292 OPS. Nick Solak had a 1-for-2 debut on Saturday with an RBI. They’ll need that to continue to win their second consecutive series for the first time since April.
Relief corps
Plenty of relievers toed the rubber for the Padres on Saturday afternoon in Baltimore. Much of that is due to Vásquez’s inability to pitch deep into games. Yuki Matsui, Bradgley Rodriguez and Jason Adam each pitched an inning of work.
Ron Marinaccio came in to pitch the ninth and recorded two outs before being ejected for hitting Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson. It was likely unintentional, but Marinaccio and manager Craig Stammen were both ejected nonetheless. Adrian Morejon recorded the final out, inducing a ground out by Pete Alonso.
Morejon will likely still be available in today’s game, having only thrown two pitches. The same is true for Marinaccio, who threw four. Behind them remains Mason Miller, David Morgan and Wandy Peralta. Hopefully, San Diego will gift Miller with a lead in the ninth to take the rubber match.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JUNE 13: Starting pitcher Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers pitches during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on June 13, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning and happy Sunday everybody! Nick links are back which means injury news is back too. I want to think it’s not my fault but the evidence is getting overwhelming at this point. I’m heading out of town for a week and I’m hoping that that can help stem the tide. I suppose time will tell.
The Mariners lost a bruiser to the Nationals yesterday 8-3, and need a win this morning to avoid dropping back-to-back series. They go in just a few hours at 10:35 PST.
The Mariners are bringing back Michael Plassmeyer, who was originally drafted by the Mariners in the 4th round of the 2018 Amateur Draft.
Around the league…
The year of the hamate continues, it’s most recent victim being Guardians super star José Ramírez, who broke the bone during an at-bat in the fifth inning of yesterday’s win over Detroit.
The losing pitcher in the Guardians win yesterday was one Tarik Skubal, just 38 days after elbow surgery, back on the mound throwing 99 mph.
Spencer Strider has been placed on the 15-day IL by the Atlanta Braves after only making it through three full innings on Friday. Strider started the season on the IL and has only pitched in eight games, and his right elbow continues to be a massive concern.
Reporting on Garrett Crochet earlier this week resulted in mixed messaging surrounding his rehab, so it fell to Crochet himself to clear the air and announce that he likely won’t be back until after the All-Star break.
Colorado Rockies pitcher Chase Dollander, who has been on the 15-day IL for a month, is expected to get surgery on his right elbow and will miss the rest of the 2026 season.
Speaking of the Yankees, Giancarlo Stanton was expected to return to the team during their next homestand, but may instead may need to go for imaging on his calf after tweaking it while running the bases this week.
While some pitchers on the Giants choose to embarrass themselves and their organization, I think it’s important to ignore them and instead remember the life of a man who devoted a significant part of his life to bettering his community. Meet Rod Beck.
Nick’s pick…
The New York Knicks once again staged a big comeback, albeit smaller then Wednesday’s, to beat the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 and win their first NBA Finals in 53 years!
Game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals is tonight at 5:00 PST in Las Vegas. Vegas needs to win to force a game 7, and Carolina wants to secure their second Stanley Cup in franchise history. and their first in 20 years.
ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 13: Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jose Soriano (59) pitching during an MLB baseball game played on June 13, 2026 against the Tampa Bay Rays at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
One Yankee rival lost early on Saturday as the Yanks took down the Blue Jays 3-1, with Paul Goldschmidt providing a clutch game-winning, two-run bomb in the ninth. Goldy’s heroics meant that Cam Schlittler’s start, wherein he held the Jays down outside of a Kazuma Okamoto solo home run, didn’t go to waste.
All told, Saturday was a good day for New Yorkers. The Knickerbockers capped a magical run to win their first NBA championship in 53 years. And José Soriano and the Los Angeles Angels had the good sense to hang an L on the Tampa Bay Rays, giving the Yanks a full game lead in the American League East.
Tampa Bay Rays (40-27) 0, Los Angeles Angels (29-42) 8
Griffin Jax was really good for Tampa Saturday. He gave up a run in the first, unearned thanks to a Taylor Walls error. Other than that, however, the Angels could not touch Jax. Alas, he couldn’t throw all nine frames for the Rays and they went to their bullpen in the sixth.
And once that happened, the Angels went to work. They scored three runs in the sixth, including putting one on Craig Kimbrel who, in his 17th season is pitching for this 11th club. In the seventh, more of the same. Four more runs, led by a Jose Siri two-run shot, doubled the Angels’ lead.
An eight-run lead is generally pretty insurmountable. It is even more so when you’re facing José Soriano. The Angels’ ace has scuffled of late, but on Saturday night he was nails, throwing five shutout innings before giving way to the bullpen. Unlike Tampa’s pen, LA’s relievers were up to the task, continuing the shutout and providing four innings with just two hits.
Seattle Mariners (37-35) 3, Washington Nationals (36-35) 8: Luis Castillo has had a rough 2026 season. Saturday was more of the same, except his defense did him absolutely zero favors committing three errors in the first five innings. Of the five Nationals runs on Castillo’s ledger, only one was earned thanks to the shoddy glovework behind him.
Seattle fought back from an early 3-0 deficit to tie the game in the top of the fifth. Unfortunately for the M’s, Castillo couldn’t deliver a shutdown inning. A two-run Luis García Jr. home run broke the tie and gave Washington a lead they never surrendered. The Nats put the game out of reach in the home seventh when they plated three more runs. The win nudges them back above .500, something I doubt many fans thought they’d see from the Nationals this year, fresh off a 66-96 record last season.
Cleveland Guardians (39-33) 3, Detroit Tigers (29-42) 1: Tarik Skubal underwent surgery on his throwing elbow to remove loose bodies on May 6th. On June 13th, he took the mound for the Tigers — an absolutely wild recovery timeline. Understandably, he was not at his best in his return, but it’s still incredible how quickly he made it back to the big leagues. He threw 80 pitches Saturday, giving up three runs (two earned) in 4.2 innings. Skubal hit 99.9-mph on the radar run with the heater, so apparently the arm is fine.
It’s not all good news for Cleveland, however. Rookie Chase DeLauter crashed into outfield wall in the top of the first inning and departed the game in the bottom half after a single. Hopefully he’s okay. His replacement, Daniel Schneemann, provided the big blast off Skubal though, with a two-run home run in the third that broke a 1-1 tie.
When looking at this year's pending UFAs, one player who could make a lot of sense for the Blue Jackets to look to sign is Nashville Predators forward Erik Haula.
Haula may not be the flashiest of players, but he would have the potential to be a solid pickup for the Blue Jackets on a short-term deal. The 35-year-old forward showed this season that he is still capable of providing decent secondary offensive production. Due to this, he could be a solid fit if signed by the Blue Jackets.
Former Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic has announced his retirement from professional hockey through the NHLPA's official X account.
Anytime people who follow the Columbus Blue Jackets hear the name Milan Lucic, they immediately go back to a night in November of 2014, when defenseman Dalton Prout served up a bit of humble pie for the rugged Lucic.
NHL Insider Frank Seravalli has cited The Detroit Free Press' Helene St. James, and confirmed that Dylan Larkin has submitted a three team list for a trade out of Detroit.
The three teams are the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, and, to no one's surprise, the Vegas Golden Knights. Shocker, right?
Due to this, in a recent article for The Athletic, Chris Johnston ranked the top 50 pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs) in the NHL. Without much surprise, two notable Columbus Blue Jackets made the cut: Mason Marchment and Boone Jenner.
The Columbus Blue Jackets made a significant move in an attempt to bolster their blue line, acquiring defenseman Damon Severson from the New Jersey Devils. In exchange, the Devils received a third-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.
One way that the Blue Jackets should be looking to improve their depth is through the free agent market. One pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) who could make a lot of sense for the Blue Jackets to pursue this summer if they hit the market is Los Angeles Kings center Scott Laughton.
When looking at this year's pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs), Buffalo Sabres defenseman Logan Stanley is an interesting potential option for the Blue Jackets to consider.
Back in March, ESPN's Rachel Kryshak reported that Don Waddell told her that "the organization believes Ivanov is ready, and he confirmed his intention to come to North America when his KHL contract expires after this season."
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported last month that the Blackhawks have made Mikheyev's signing rights available for trade. With Mikheyev being a solid top-nine forward who provides decent secondary scoring and strong defensive play, the Blue Jackets should consider pursuing him.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski never seems to get the respect he deserves. Even after he was awarded the 2026 Norris Trophy, there were some media and fans who refused to give him his flowers.
The Blue Jackets have announced that they have signed forward James Malatesta to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2026-27 season.
Next Up For Columbus: The NHL Draft is on June 26 and 27 in Buffalo, where the CBJ will own pick #14.
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Three of the Knicks’ most popular WAGs celebrated the team’s NBA championship on Saturday night at the Frost Bank Center.
Ali Brunson (Jalen’s wife), Shannon Hart (Josh’s wife) and Jordyn Woods (Karl-Anthony Towns’ fiancée) took a photo with a large version of the Larry O’Brien trophy that went out on ESPN’s social media channels.
“Knicks royalty,” all three captioned the video on their Instagram Stories.
Shannon Hart (left), Ali Brunson (middle) and Jordyn Woods celebrate Knicks championship. AliBrunson/Instagram
Ali and Jalen were shown embracing on the ESPN broadcast in the moments after the Knicks’ Game 5 win over the Spurs that earned the franchise its first championship in 53 years.
Ali shared a number of posts from behind the scenes of the Knicks celebrating the title and also some celebratory posts from fans.
She also announced when the team arrived home in New York.
The Knicks team plane landing back home. AliBrunson/InstagramShannon and Josh Hart with one of their sons. ShannonHart/Instagram
“We are so back,” Ali wrote with a picture of her exiting the plane.
Shannon also shared a number of videos featuring her and Josh’s 3-year-old twin sons, Hendrix and Haze.
“Wore my shoes with two rings because who’s getting two rings this year,” Woods wrote with her and Towns slated to get married later this year after announcing their engagement on Christmas 2025.
Jordyn Woods was wearing ‘two rings” to the Knicks’ Game 5 win. JordynWoods/Instagram
Brunson, Hart and Towns all played pivotal roles in the Knicks’ title with the team winning 15 of their final 16 games.
Brunson was the NBA Finals MVP after scoring 45 points in the Game 5 clincher and carried the team throughout the postseason.
Hart, who also played with Brunson at Villanova, is the Knicks’ do-it-all forward who averaged 10 points, nine rebounds and nearly five assists per game in the playoffs.
The postseason flipped for the Knicks after falling down 2-1 to Atlanta when they decided to run their offense through Towns, which unlocked their potential and led to a 13-game winning streak before the Spurs finally beat them in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
But that would be the Knicks’ final loss of the postseason, rallying from 29 points down in Game 4 and then securing a 94-90 victory on Saturday night.
The couples and the Knicks raucous fans will celebrate the championship with a trip down the Canyon of Heroes on Thursday with the team’s parade.
“You better be good to her,” Brunson said after joyously bumping McNutt. “I just want to say something to the Swifties: She’s a really good one, cut her some slack. It’s all good. I promise.”
— sports live tweeter yadira (@jonmoxIeys) June 14, 2026
On the Knicks radiocast on Wednesday, which was airing on WatchESPN, McNutt was heard taking a shot at Swift who was among the many celebrities at MSG for Game 4.
“She’s not a Knicks fan,” said McNutt in an apparent hot mic moment. “Get out of here, girl.”
Taylor Swift celebrates the Knicks’ Game 4 win of the NBA Finals. NBAE via Getty Images
Kelce, and to a lesser extent Swift, cheered on Cleveland as they got bulldozed by the Knicks juggernaut, 121-108, on New York’s way to a four-game sweep.
“Swifties, I appreciate your passion, I said what I said,” McNutt said. “Here’s the deal, if I’m wrong, I am wrong apparently because she’s got an original Amar’e Stoudemire [Knicks] jersey. I misspoke. I did not know. But here’s the deal, context, I literally just did a piece on Celebrity Row. I’ve been with his organization for five years. I know these folks — Ben Stiller, his wife Christine [Taylor], Spike Lee, Fat Joe. I had not seen her here this year or last year and we just saw her in Cleveland with her fiancé [Travis Kelce for Game 3 of Eastern Conference finals].
“Obviously Travis supports the Cavs. She didn’t have any Knicks paraphernalia [on at the game], so I didn’t know of her Knicks loyalty. But shoutout to T. Swift, we can be united in orange and blue, it’s fine.
“I did not know, I apologize if I’m wrong and apparently i am wrong and that fine but I did not know, because come on now — every Knicks fan has been in the building this year. So it’s all good.”
Now, McNutt has Brunson publicly on her side. The newly minted NBA Finals MVP’s moment of support could help calm Swift’s rabid fans after he dropped 45 points in a performance for the ages in Game 5.
Swift’s next trip to MSG will be for her wedding to Kelce slated to take place July Fourth weekend.
Jun 13, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Eric Haase (18) comes out to talk with San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Trevor McDonald (72) with men in scoring positions for the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images | Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images
Truly. Nothing new. Same ol’, same ol’ in this one. A 6-1 loss that felt pre-determined, or determined immediately after Pete Crow-Armstrong homered on the first pitch of the game thrown by Trevor McDonald.
PCA continued to be a menace all evening: he collected two more hits, came up a triple shy of the cycle, advanced to third on a flyout to left field, and scored two of Chicago’s six runs.
McDonald, far removed from his early success and efficiency, has officially spent too much time with Landen Roupp and Robbie Ray. After pitching into the 7th inning in three of his first five starts, McDonald hasn’t reached the 6th in three consecutive outings. On Saturday night, 93 pitches didn’t even get him through four complete. He chucked a pair of wild pitches, walked three (his third consecutive game doing so), and hit a batter while surrendering 4 runs on 6 hits.
Some of that ineffectiveness can be blamed on Chicago’s peskiness. They refused to be grounded by McDonald’s sinker-heavy arsenal. But mixed in with the Cubs’ professional approach was a level of Bush League-ness exhibited by the Giants.
McDonald and reliever Reiver Sanmartin helped generate Chicago’s fourth run with this depressing sequence walk – single – HBP – walk — all started with two outs, the bases empty, and an inability to tempt the very temptable, .174 hitting Dansby Swanson to chase out of the zone.
This was actually the second time in as many frames in which San Francisco’s generosity overfloweth. With runners at the corners, Craig Counsell signaled for Ian Happ to steal second, and like many, many Little Leaguers before him, back-up catcher, Eric Haase couldn’t resist the throw down — despite no defender covering.
The Cubs managed just one-hit in 11 at-bats with a runner in scoring position. But free gifts of 90 feet and a trio of homers paced them plenty, as the Giants offense had to play catch-up against Ben Brown. They went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and struggled to get productive outs.
Rafael Devers watched the next three hitters go down in quick succession after his lead-off double in the 2nd. Luis Arraez’s RBI triple in the 3rd (extending his hitting streak to 13 games) got the Giants on the board, but after Bryce Eldridge walked, neither runner advanced further after Casey Schmitt and Rafael Devers both struck out. Willy Adames’s late jump on a loose ball got him cut down at third for a momentum-killing second-out in the 4th.
Right after that bungled scoring opportunity, Ian Happ and Pedro Ramirez both homered off Sanmartin to extend Chicago’s lead and effectively lay the Giants down for the night.
The victory earned the Cubs their first series win since early May. The loss was a rerun for Giants fans.
BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 13: Jackson Merrill (3) of the San Diego Padres hits a two-run home run in the first inning during an MLB game against the Baltimore Orioles on June 13, 2026 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
It was the offensive explosion fans of the San Diego Padres have been waiting for all season. It was a glimpse at what the Friar Faithful thought this lineup could be with big-name stars scattered throughout the order. It was good to see. Jackson Merrill, Manny Machado, Gavin Sheets, Samad Taylor and Rodolfo Duran all hit home runs to lead the Padres to a 9-3 over the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Fernando Tatis Jr. opened the game with a leadoff walk but was not on base long. Merrill followed and hit the fourth pitch of his at-bat over the wall in left-center field to give San Diego a 2-0 lead. Xander Bogaerts drew a one-out walk before Sheets popped out for the second out of the inning. Taylor came to the plate and hit a two-run home run on the fifth pitch of his at-bat to give the Padres a 4-0 lead.
Randy Vasquez took the mound for San Diego and immediately surrendered two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Both runs were scored with two outs with the first Baltimore coming on a Pete Alonso home run. The Orioles scored their second run of the inning when Vasquez allowed a walk and a triple to the next two batters to make the score 4-2.
Taylor added an RBI-single in the top of the fifth inning, which scored Machado to give the Padres a 5-2 lead. Nick Solak, who was called up after Miguel Andujar was placed on the IL, hit a sacrifice fly later in the inning to extend the San Diego lead to 6-2. Gavin Sheets made the score 7-2 with a solo home run in the top of the seventh inning before the Baltimore added a run in the bottom of the seventh to make the score 7-3.
Rodolfo Duran and Manny Machado hit solo home runs in the top of the eighth and top of the ninth innings to make the final score 9-3 and give the Padres a chance to win the series in the final game against the Orioles.
Vasquez completed five innings and allowed two runs on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts. Yuki Matsui pitched a scoreless sixth, Bradgley Rodriguez allowed a run in the seventh, Jason Adam pitched a scoreless eighth and Ron Marinaccio pitched 0.2 innings before being ejected following a hit batter, which led to manager Craig Stammen being ejected and Adrian Morejon got the final out of the game for the Padres.
San Diego takes on Baltimore in the rubber match today at 10:35 a.m.
Padres News:
The Padres got beat up in the win. Xander Bogaerts was hit in the head by a pitch in his first game back from paternity leave and was later taken out of the game and Freddy Fermin was hit on the side of his head behind his ear while warming up Yuki Matsui before the sixth inning and he too left the game early with an injury.
What a morning it is in New York City and the surrounding area!
The Knicks are NBA Champions for the first time since 1973, ending the drought with a historically dominant playoff run that was capped off with a 94-90 win over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday night.
Here's a look at how the back (and front) pages reacted to the Knicks taking home the title...
The New York Mets will try to claim a series win when they host the Atlanta Braves in a rubber game this afternoon.
Atlanta pitcher Bryce Elder has been among the best in the majors this year, and I like him to lead his team to victory in my Braves vs. Mets predictions.
Keep reading to see my full analysis and to get my free MLB picks for Sunday, June 14.
Who will win Braves vs Mets today: Braves moneyline (+102)
Bryce Elder’s analytics look as good as any pitcher in the majors this year, rating in the 99th percentile for pitching run value. He’s been especially good at preventing hitters from getting all of his pitches, allowing barrels on just 3.7% of batted balls.
The Atlanta Braves should hit New York Mets starter Freddy Peralta well. He relies heavily on his four-seam fastball, throwing it 54% of the time, while the Braves are pulling that pitch in the air 18.5% of the time off righties. I see Atlanta as a favorite and would bet them at -120 or better.
I like this Braves offense to carry this total. Atlanta has a wOBA of .330 and is barreling up 9.5% of their batted balls, which will play well on a hot day in New York. Peralta has been particularly poor as of late, throwing to an ERA of 5.65 over his last five starts.
The Braves are 5-2 in Bryce Elder's last seven starts. Find more MLB betting trends for Braves vs. Mets.
How to watch Braves vs Mets and game info
Location
Citi Field, Queens, NY
Date
Sunday, June 14, 2026
First pitch
1:40 p.m. ET
TV
BravesVision, WPIX-11
Braves starting pitcher
Bryce Elder (5-3, 2.66 ERA)
Mets starting pitcher
Freddy Peralta (4-5, 4.04 ERA)
Braves vs Mets latest injuries
Braves vs Mets weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES - 2026/03/27: Nate Ament (R) of the Tennessee Volunteers in action against Nate Heise (L) of the Iowa State Cyclones in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Final score: Tennessee 76, Iowa State 62. (Photo by Nicholas Muller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The Tennessee Volunteers haven’t exactly been a school that you would typically associate with the NBA Draft, but that’s been changing in a big way under Rick Barnes for the past several seasons. Going back to Grant Williams, Admiral Schofield, then Keon Johnson and Jaden Springer…. eventually leading to Dalton Knecht, Chaz Lanier and Jahmai Mashack — Barnes has turned Tennessee into a place where you can develop into a pro.
This year brings perhaps his best pro prospect yet, Nate Ament. The former 5-star prospect took a little while to settle in this past season, but once he did you saw exactly why he was billed as one of the top players in the country. Ament decided to turn pro after one season in Knoxville, as expected, and he’s largely projected as a lottery pick in next week’s NBA Draft.
Tennessee also will likely see point guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie and center Felix Okpara come off the board in round two.
Yahoo Sports: No. 11 overall to the Golden State Warriors
NBADraft.net: No. 7 overall to the Sacramento Kings
Ament’s slow start was quickly forgotten by the time SEC play rolled around as the 6-10 wing really got things going. His late game heroics salted games away late for Rick Barnes as the slender slasher forced his way to the rim and drew fouls at a ridiculously high rate. His perimeter shooting came along as well, becoming much more consistent late in the year. An ankle injury derailed his final games as a Volunteer.
Ament will need to get stronger and more consistent, but there’s quite a bit to work with here.
Gillespie returned home to Tennessee to cap off his college career, filling the shoes of the departing Zakai Zeigler at point guard. He delivered in that role as Tennessee’s go-to playmaker, averaging over 18 points per game. Gillespie added 5.4 assists per game and was a menace defensively, grabbing over two steals per contest. He set a Tennessee record with 79 steals on the year, along with the single-game mark of eight coming against Oklahoma.
Gillespie is undersized at 6-1 and plays a little too streaky in both directions, but his playmaking and shooting should bring some instant value off the bench.
Felix Okpara
Yahoo Sports: No. 49 overall to the Denver Nuggets
NBADraft.net: No. 50 overall to the Toronto Raptors
If you could build a center in a lab for Rick Barnes, it would probably look a lot like Felix Okpara. The 6-11, 242 pound big man was Tennessee’s rim protector for two seasons after transferring in from Ohio State. Okpara registered 243 career blocks over four seasons, locking down the paint for both the Volunteers and Buckeyes.
Okpara worked offensively as a lob-catcher for Gillespie, with his points coming up to average eight per game in his senior season. Okpara averaged just over six rebounds per game in his final three seasons in college.
He now projects as a rotational big at the next level with legitimate, big-time defensive ability.
Also of note: Former Vol Tobe Awaka is projected to land in the second round by Yahoo at No. 51 overall. Cameron Carr is a likely first round pick, being projected as high as No. 13 overall by NBADraft.net.
Derek McInnes is a logical appointment who will thrive on the challenge of rebuilding Rangers, says Dave McPherson.
The Hearts head coach is being strongly linked with a move to Ibrox, with Danny Rohl expected to depart for RB Salzburg.
"Rangers need a bit of stability," said former Scotland defender McPherson, who had two spells with the club, along with two stints with Hearts.
"Derek's proved – not just at Hearts, but in previous clubs he's been at – that he can build a good team, get the best out of players, and get results, and that's what Rangers need at the moment.
"He'd have been my choice as Rangers manager way back, but I think he's proved even more at Hearts how good a manager he is.
"Rangers are there to be rebuilt and I think it's a good time for a Scottish manager and a guy that's played for Rangers to go in there and say, 'right, I can start from the bottom up and build something big here'.
"He's going to have some funds behind him but it will still come down to recruitment. You have to recruit the right players, and I think that's where Rangers have failed in the past.
"If you think of the job that was done at Hearts last year, it was a fantastic set-up, and everybody wanted to play for Hearts. He got the best out of the players, and I think if he can transfer that to the Rangers job, then it'll be a good Rangers team to watch next season."
McInnes moved to Tynecastle from Kilmarnock last summer, with Hearts going so close to a first title in 66 years.
Defeat at Celtic Park on the final day left the Edinburgh side two points behind the defending champions and eight points in front of Rangers.
Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland has already made the switch from Tynecastle to Ibrox and McInnes taking the same path would be "a massive blow", according to McPherson, although he is confident the club is can cope without the key duo.
"I don't have any idea who they're going to go for, but there's big shoes to fill there," he said.
"Having spoken to a lot of people at Hearts last season, they've got a really good set-up. They're built in such a way that if they do lose somebody, then they've got things in the background that's going to be able to replace a player or a manager, so I've got every confidence in Hearts doing really, really well next year again."
Shea Theodore 
Seth Jarvis
COVERS INTEL: Bryce 