Posts

Posted on

It’s time for Preseason Basketball: San Antonio Spurs vs Sacramento Kings

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: De'Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs points during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 17, 2026 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much. The rule against trolling also applies to members of this site that visit other fan sites.

The Spurs got their first win of the preseason on Wednesday night, blowing out the Suns as most of the Silver and Black starters were given a little bit of run while the Suns rested their starters. Tonight, they finish up the games that don’t count with a matchup against De’Aaron Fox’s former team, the Sacramento Kings. The visitors should be better this year than last year, as they’re done tanking [just in time for the tanking rules to change], and should be in the running for a play-in spot this season. They are likely to be bounced out quickly if they actually make it that far, but they are only a few years removed from the ‘Light the Beam’ seasons, and the purple laser stands ready for this season after gathering dust in the basement of the Golden One Center since 2023.

The plan tonight for the Spurs is to play the starters for a while in a full dress rehearsal for the season opener next Tuesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The second half could give Spurs fans their only chance to see Kendall Brown in a Silver and Black uniform, who was signed at the last moment to replace Jon Elmore on the training camp roster. The Spurs could be looking at him for a two-way spot or a candidate for the Austin Spurs. David Jones Garcia hasn’t looked good in preseason, but tonight might give him a chance to break out of his funk against the Kings, who are noted slump-busters.

Due to a previous commitment, I will be missing most of the first week of the regular season, and Marilyn Dubinski has generously volunteered to put up the game threads for the first three games of the season. I didn’t tell her that it’s a bit like an old horror movie when the hero decides to try on the mask that the monster left behind. Don’t do it! When you wear the mask, you become the monster! Just in time for Halloween. She’s a terrific writer, and I’m sure she will do an excellent job.

So enjoy the game, and be thankful that preseason will be over after tonight and the real games are just a few days away. Let’s GOO Spurs!!

Game Prediction:

Will Hardy asks to switch places with Mitch Johnson in the pregame meeting, but the Spurs coach declines.

San Antonio Spurs vs Sacramento Kings (Preseason)
October 16, 2026 | 7:00 PM CT
Streaming: DAZN, League Pass
TV: DAZN
Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.

Posted on

It’s time for Preseason Basketball: San Antonio Spurs vs Sacramento Kings

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: De'Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs points during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 17, 2026 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much. The rule against trolling also applies to members of this site that visit other fan sites.

The Spurs got their first win of the preseason on Wednesday night, blowing out the Suns as most of the Silver and Black starters were given a little bit of run while the Suns rested their starters. Tonight, they finish up the games that don’t count with a matchup against De’Aaron Fox’s former team, the Sacramento Kings. The visitors should be better this year than last year, as they’re done tanking [just in time for the tanking rules to change], and should be in the running for a play-in spot this season. They are likely to be bounced out quickly if they actually make it that far, but they are only a few years removed from the ‘Light the Beam’ seasons, and the purple laser stands ready for this season after gathering dust in the basement of the Golden One Center since 2023.

The plan tonight for the Spurs is to play the starters for a while in a full dress rehearsal for the season opener next Tuesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The second half could give Spurs fans their only chance to see Kendall Brown in a Silver and Black uniform, who was signed at the last moment to replace Jon Elmore on the training camp roster. The Spurs could be looking at him for a two-way spot or a candidate for the Austin Spurs. David Jones Garcia hasn’t looked good in preseason, but tonight might give him a chance to break out of his funk against the Kings, who are noted slump-busters.

Due to a previous commitment, I will be missing most of the first week of the regular season, and Marilyn Dubinski has generously volunteered to put up the game threads for the first three games of the season. I didn’t tell her that it’s a bit like an old horror movie when the hero decides to try on the mask that the monster left behind. Don’t do it! When you wear the mask, you become the monster! Just in time for Halloween. She’s a terrific writer, and I’m sure she will do an excellent job.

So enjoy the game, and be thankful that preseason will be over after tonight and the real games are just a few days away. Let’s GOO Spurs!!

Game Prediction:

Will Hardy asks to switch places with Mitch Johnson in the pregame meeting, but the Spurs coach declines.

San Antonio Spurs vs Sacramento Kings (Preseason)
October 16, 2026 | 7:00 PM CT
Streaming: DAZN, League Pass
TV: DAZN
Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.

Posted on

ALCS Game 4 Open Thread, 8 ET

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 13: Shawn Armstrong #43 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches during Game Two of the American League Championship Series between the Cleveland Guardians and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Today, the AL could get one step closer to joining its Senior Circuit brother in the World Series. The Brewers finished off a sweep of the Dodgers last night, so they’ll be sitting at home waiting to see who comes out of this one. Game 4 is set for 8 pm in Cleveland, if the weather lets it happen. Rain has already delayed this series once, and rain and intermittent showers are expected as the evening goes on.

The Guardians took Game 3, 3-2, thanks to a two-run homer from Petey Halpin, so they lead the series 2-1. Tampa Bay has never trailed an ALCS 2-1 before. A win tonight would put Cleveland one game away from the World Series. A Rays win sends us back to square one as a best-of-three.

Tampa has fiddled with the lineup a little from Game 4, with Chandler Simpson now hitting third and Junior Caminero in the cleanup spot. Tampa’s starter, Nick Martinez, went 15-6 with a 3.10 ERA in 180 regular season innings. Martinez’s history against Cleveland should make Guardians fans nervous: two starts in the regular season, 13 innings, zero runs. The Rays need him to hold the line because their bats went quiet in Game 3. Díaz, Aranda, and Caminero went a combined 1-for-12, and Caminero struck out four times. Chandler Simpson has been their spark plug so far.

Tampa Bay lineup

  1. Yandy Díaz – DH
  2. Jonathan Aranda – 1B
  3. Chandler Simpson – LF
  4. Junior Caminero – 3B
  5. Liam Hicks – C
  6. Victor Mesa Jr. – RF
  7. Jonny DeLuca – CF
  8. Richie Palacios – 2B
  9. Taylor Walls – SS

Cleveland is running it back with the exact same lineup from Game 3. That’s fine because José Ramírez and Chase DeLauter have been on fire, OPS’ing 1.038 and 1.438 respectively this postseason. Cleveland took its time announcing a starting pitcher, and voila, it is none other than old friend Shawn Armstrong, the right-hander who in three seasons in the Baltimore bullpen posted a 5.34 ERA (was it really that high?). Anyway, this is another Cleveland bullpen game. You might expect Joey Cantillo will probably cover a good chunk of it after Armstrong, and Tanner Bibee and Slade Cecconi are available for bulk outings. Also, Cade Smith has been lights out this postseason, with a 1.00 ERA and 13 strikeouts in nine innings.

Cleveland lineup

  1. Steven Kwan – LF
  2. José Ramírez – 3B
  3. Chase DeLauter – RF
  4. Jo Adell – DH
  5. Nathaniel Lowe – 1B
  6. Travis Bazzana – 2B
  7. Patrick Bailey – C
  8. Petey Halpin – CF
  9. Brayan Rocchio – SS
Posted on

ALCS Game Four discussion

Multiple Guardians players celebrate following Thursday afternoon’s victory
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 15: Patrick Bailey #16, Steven Kwan #38, Cade Smith #36, and Brayan Rocchio #4 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrate after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in game three of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field on October 15, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Last night the NLCS ended, but we’ve still got plenty of action left on the AL side. In a series that features a pair of top-half teams in terms of Starting Pitcher fWAR, Game Four will feature one team using a starting pitcher who barely struck out one every two innings during the regular season and just a flat-out bullpen game from the other side.

Nick Martinez gets the start for Tampa Bay. Somehow, he accrued a 2.9 fWAR this season while pitching a 2.90 ERA despite a lackluster 11.5% K-BB% and a barely above-league-average 1.10 HR/9, leading to a frightening 4.63 SIERA. Nick has already made one start this postseason, going 3.2 innings and allowing 2 runs in a series-clinching win over the Yankees.

The Guardians have already used Foster Griffin, Parker Messick, and Gavin Williams in this series, so they’re set to ask their bullpen to deliver the penultimate blow against the Rays before potentially cycling all three of those guys through in the back half of the series. Shawn Armstrong will be the first pitcher out of the gate. I wouldn’t be surprised if Tanner Bibee is asked to pitch a few innings; I also wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t actually pitch that long. Steven Vogt has shown a willingness to go to his bullpen very quickly, and with good reason in a postseason that has featured fewer innings from starting pitchers than any I can recall.

Posted on

League Championship Series Day Six Game Thread

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 15: Fans celebrate after the Guardians defeated the Tampa Bay Rays during Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field on Thursday, October 15, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Last night, the Milwaukee Brewers completed a four-game sweep of the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers, clinching the team’s first National League pennant and first World Series appearance in 44 years. According to MLB, Milwaukee became the first team to sweep an opponent in a postseason series one year after that same opponent swept it out of the playoffs.

The Brewers, who are four wins away from their first World Series title, await the winner of the American League Championship Series between the Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays. The ALCS has been more competitive, with the Guardians leading 2-1 entering tonight’s Game 4 in rainy and windy Cleveland.

Rays at Guardians (8:00 PM PST)

Based off the first three games, this series looks like it could go the distance. What else would you expect from two scrappy young teams like these two? Both organizations are absolutely desperate for the chance to hoist the Commissioner’s Trophy. The Rays are seeking their first World Series title, while the Guardians aim to end MLB’s longest active championship drought.

The visiting Rays will have veteran right-hander Nick Martinez (15-6, 3.10 ERA) taking the ball for this critical contest. The 36-year-old, who turned in a career-best season in his first year with the Rays, will make his second start of the postseason.

Martinez started the third and final Division Series game against the New York Yankees, receiving a no-decision after allowing two runs on five hits in 3 2/3 innings. He exited early after being hit by a comebacker. Having avoided a significant injury, the right-hander will look to deliver a quality start and help his team even the ALCS at two games apiece.

Here’s Tampa Bay’s lineup for this evening’s matchup:

The Guardians will counter with a bullpen game. Right-hander Shawn Armstrong, who has yet to allow a run through his first four appearances this postseason, will serve as the opener. Following an inning or two, left-hander Joey Cantillo or right-hander Tanner Bibee will take over for the hosts.

And Cleveland’s starting nine, courtesy of skipper Stephen Vogt:

Update: Game 4 got postponed till tomorrow.







Posted on

4-star guard Devin Cleveland commits to Mizzou Hoops

In shaping the 2027 recruiting class for the Tigers, Dennis Gates has long wanted to bring in multiple ball handlers. The first target and pledge was Webster Groves, Mo product Scottie Adkinson. The 4-star combo guard committed to Mizzou even before all of the 2026 class. With Adkinson on board, Gates and the Tigers were left to suss out the rest of the recruiting board.

Once the thing spring period passed earlier this year, one target seemed to emerge above the rest of the pack: Devin Cleveland.

The Tigers offered Cleveland in May of this year, and the courtship continued through the summer and a visit in the fall. An original 7 schools fell to just three, with Mizzou facing off with TCU and Michigan for the Chicago 4-star guard. In the end, Dennis Gates pitch was the one which resonated the most. This evening, Cleveland committed to Missouri:

With Cleveland on board, it’s almost a certainty the Tigers are done with their 2027 class. At least within the fall period. A class of Adkinson, Cleveland and Cameron Barnes should push them into or near the top spot in the SEC (for now), and might push them into the top 5 in the country.

You can watch the full commitment video here:

Let’s Meet Devin Cleveland

  • From: Chicago, Illinois
  • High School: La Lumiere School
  • Position: Combo Guard
  • Ht/Wt: 6-3 / 165
  • 247Composite Ranking: 0.9894 (no. 30)
  • On3 Sports Ranking: 95.18 (no. 32)
  • Other scholarship offers: TCU, Michigan, Alabama, Marquette

The most recent scouting report on 247sports.com, from Adam Finkelstein, has a great breakdown of the type of player Cleveland is:

Cleveland is one of the most skilled guards in the national class. He’s a natural shooter with a feathery touch who made 47% of his threes during the EYBL Scholastic season at La Lumiere. He’s also a tough shot-taker and maker, so while those percentages dipped to 30% during the grassroots season, that was more indicative of shot-selection. Ultimately, he can be too willing to settle at times, but is a constant threat to make shots with deep range, on the move, or off the dribble.

While his shooting prowess is the first domino of his attack, he’s not one-dimensional. His gravity and the constant threat of his shot open up other playmaking opportunities. He’s got naturally good hands, including a very good left, and he’s nearly ambidextrous as a passer and around the rim. There’s room for him to better weaponize his handle, but he’s crafty using fakes, footwork, varying his stride length, and able to manipulate space and angles with the ball in his hands. He’s also a deceptively good finisher who made 59% of his attempts at the rim during the EYBL season and then has a floater game just beyond that.

Physically, Cleveland is naturally lean, but has solid length (6-foot-6 wingspan), and is now just starting to build up his frame. He’s younger for his grade, and will turn 18 in March of his senior year, but continuing to add strength will unlock more playmaking potential (he has an assist rate that is consistently relatively low), allow him to pressure the rim more consistently, help him make athletic gains, and continued strides defensively. He made important gains on that end of the floor last season, but has to keep progressing.

The season still has to play out, but it’s easy to see Cleveland stepping into a pretty major role next season. Missouri’s roster might skew a little young in 2027-28, but there should be a wealth of talent.

We’ll have more in the coming days regarding the outlook on the roster with Cleveland and how he fits in. But for now, welcome to the Tigers, Devin!

Posted on

Top-35 overall recruit Devin Cleveland commits to Missouri

Oct 13, 2026; Birmingham, AL, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Dennis Gates speaks during the SEC Basketball Tipoff at Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-Imagn Images

Four-star shooting guard Devin Cleveland has committed to Missouri, he announced.

The 6-foot-3 senior out of La Lumiere School (IN) ultimately chose the Tigers over Michigan and TCU. He also received offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Marquette, Syracuse, and more.

[ $19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage ]

Cleveland, a Chicago native, is ranked as the No. 32 overall recruit in the 2027 class and the No. 5 ranked shooting guard, according to the Rivals Industry Rankings, an average of all three major recruiting media companies (Rivals, ESPN, 247Sports).

He becomes the third player this cycle to commit to Dennis Gates, joining four-star point guard Scottie Adkinson (No. 35 NATL) and four-star power forward Cameron Barnes (No. 114 NATL).

More on Devin Cleveland

Playing on the EYBL Circuit this summer, Cleveland averaged 16.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game for Brad Beal Elite.

“I feel like I’m a winner,” Cleveland previously told Rivals in an interview. “That’s what I’ve been trying to prove this EYBL season. You know, the past couple of years, I haven’t really had much success in winning games, so just coming over here with Bradley Beal, their identity is to win. So, I’m just trying to be a leader. I can score the basketball, and I’m a willing passer. I try to get my teammates involved every game.

“I watch a lot of Devin Booker, Jeremiah Fears, my brother Fred Cleveland, who is a pro overseason. Watching how they score the ball, create contact on the offensive end so I can draw fouls and little things like that.”

Posted on

Updated Flyers Playoff Odds; Is a Run Even Still Possible?

Less than three weeks into the 2026-27 season, the Philadelphia Flyers have lost their first nine games (0-6-3), and already, after making the playoffs last season, face an uphill battle to even have a shot at returning to the postseason this year.

The Flyers and the Los Angeles Kings are the two remaining winless teams in the NHL, though the 0-3-2 Kings have played four fewer games than the Flyers to this point.

By default, the Kings have a better chance of turning things around than the Flyers do, and that is reflected quite starkly in the two teams' playoff odds as things stand now.

In the eyes of MoneyPuck's analytics model, the Flyers are firmly in basement territory.

With their 7.4% chance to make the playoffs, the Flyers are down there with the likes of the Chicago Blackhawks (5.7%), Calgary Flames (3.3%), and Vancouver Canucks (3%).

Those four teams are the only such teams with single-digit chances of making the playoffs; the next closest team to the Flyers is the Nashville Predators, who have them doubled up at 15.2%.

Even the winless Kings, who are in league with the Flyers in the NHL's basement right now, are still very much in the mix.

Los Angeles is currently given a 40.6% chance of making them playoffs, which sandwiches them between hopefuls like Montreal, New Jersey, and Buffalo, and outsiders like Pittsburgh, New York Islanders, Toronto, and San Jose.

Flyers' Ineffective 4th Line Has Been a Silent KillerFlyers' Ineffective 4th Line Has Been a Silent KillerIn just one week, the fourth line of the Philadelphia Flyers has single-handedly lost them three games.

Is a playoff run still possible?

Last season, the Flyers made the playoffs as the third-place team in the Metropolitan Division, going 43-27-12 with 98 total points.

Right now, MoneyPuck predicts that the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils as the two likeliest teams to finish third in the Metro, with a 17.6% and 16.9% chance, respectively.

The Rangers are projected to finish with 95.6 points, and the Devils 96.

In theory, a repeat of the Flyers' performance last year could be good enough to get them into third place again, or perhaps a wildcard spot depending on how the Atlantic Division performs.

To do that, though, they would have to go 43-21-9 the rest of the way, or, in other words, play at a 110-point pace.

The three teams to record 110 or more points last season were... the Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, and Colorado Avalanche.

In an Eastern Conference where the competition is heavy throughout, the Flyers have their work cut out for them, but it's far from impossible to make another storybook playoff run.

Before we talk about winning 43 or more games, though, we have to start with one, first, and the Flyers will have to go through the surging Ottawa Senators on Saturday night to take their first crack at win No. 1.

Posted on

Wizards at Pelicans Discussion

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - OCTOBER 30: Isaiah Joe #11 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots a three point basket during the game against the Washington Wizards on October 30, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MARCH 08: Tre Johnson #12 of the Washington Wizards takes a shot over Jeremiah Fears #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of a game at Smoothie King Center on March 08, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Washington Wizards play their 4th and final preseason game in New Orleans starting at 8:00 p.m. today at the Smoothie King Center. Watch the game on Monumental Sports Network.

Posted on

Wizards at Pelicans Discussion

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - OCTOBER 30: Isaiah Joe #11 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots a three point basket during the game against the Washington Wizards on October 30, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MARCH 08: Tre Johnson #12 of the Washington Wizards takes a shot over Jeremiah Fears #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of a game at Smoothie King Center on March 08, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Washington Wizards play their 4th and final preseason game in New Orleans starting at 8:00 p.m. today at the Smoothie King Center. Watch the game on Monumental Sports Network.

Posted on

Mavericks vs Hawks Preview and Injury Update: Once more before the official games start

DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 18: A detail view of a basketball is shown prior to the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Atlanta Hawks at American Airlines Center on March 18, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks host the Atlanta Hawks for their final preseason match up before the 2026-27 regular season begins. Dallas last played the Pelicans on Wednesday night where they fell despite a late rally. This is the fifth and final preseason game for Atlanta; they’ve won three in a row, most recently beating the Oklahoma City Thunder. Here are the main things you need to know before the game starts:

  • WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Atlanta Hawks
  • WHAT: Last tune up before the real games kick in
  • WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
  • WHEN: 7:00 pm CST
  • HOW: KFAA

There’s not an official injury report but based on my snooping around, here’s what I think will happen tonight with player availability. Dereck Lively and Santi Aldama are definately out. Moussa Cisse is questionable still following the ankle tweak on Wednesday. Jett Howard is another iffy guy, he missed Wednesday with an illness. Morez Johnson is someone I expect to see but he has shin splints somehow. Daniel Gafford missed the Wednesday game with a stinger somehow, but I bet he plays tonight. Marcus Sasser, Cooper Flagg, and Kyrie Irving will see the floor tonight.

The Hawks played six of their top seven on Wednesday in OKC. Curious who all plays tonight. Henri Veesaar and Mouhamed Gueye are definitely out tonight.

It will be great to see Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving play. That’s all I’m really tuning in for.

If you’re checking out this post, it’s for one of two reasons:

  • Injury report news
  • Discussion and comment thread

If you’re part of the former, please consider signing up for an account. You get way fewer ads, and you can comment! If you’re part of the latter group: GO GET THE APP. I’m serious. The app has some real-time features specifically for game threads like this one and you can comment and get notified really, really easily. It’s part of what’s keeping this whole series of sites going. So go do it for us and in doing so, you’ll see why the experience is simply better.

Consider joining me on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube; I will be going live tonight after the game and it’s the show where I need y’all to join and participate!

Posted on

Mavericks vs Hawks Preview and Injury Update: Once more before the official games start

DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 18: A detail view of a basketball is shown prior to the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Atlanta Hawks at American Airlines Center on March 18, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks host the Atlanta Hawks for their final preseason match up before the 2026-27 regular season begins. Dallas last played the Pelicans on Wednesday night where they fell despite a late rally. This is the fifth and final preseason game for Atlanta; they’ve won three in a row, most recently beating the Oklahoma City Thunder. Here are the main things you need to know before the game starts:

  • WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Atlanta Hawks
  • WHAT: Last tune up before the real games kick in
  • WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
  • WHEN: 7:00 pm CST
  • HOW: KFAA

There’s not an official injury report but based on my snooping around, here’s what I think will happen tonight with player availability. Dereck Lively and Santi Aldama are definately out. Moussa Cisse is questionable still following the ankle tweak on Wednesday. Jett Howard is another iffy guy, he missed Wednesday with an illness. Morez Johnson is someone I expect to see but he has shin splints somehow. Daniel Gafford missed the Wednesday game with a stinger somehow, but I bet he plays tonight. Marcus Sasser, Cooper Flagg, and Kyrie Irving will see the floor tonight.

The Hawks played six of their top seven on Wednesday in OKC. Curious who all plays tonight. Henri Veesaar and Mouhamed Gueye are definitely out tonight.

It will be great to see Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving play. That’s all I’m really tuning in for.

If you’re checking out this post, it’s for one of two reasons:

  • Injury report news
  • Discussion and comment thread

If you’re part of the former, please consider signing up for an account. You get way fewer ads, and you can comment! If you’re part of the latter group: GO GET THE APP. I’m serious. The app has some real-time features specifically for game threads like this one and you can comment and get notified really, really easily. It’s part of what’s keeping this whole series of sites going. So go do it for us and in doing so, you’ll see why the experience is simply better.

Consider joining me on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube; I will be going live tonight after the game and it’s the show where I need y’all to join and participate!

Posted on

MLB Championship Series 2026 discussion thread: Day 6

CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 15: Junior Caminero #13 of the Tampa Bay Rays walks back to the dugout after striking out in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians in game three of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field on October 15, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

With the Milwaukee Brewers sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers to claim their first National League pennant since 1982, attention now turns to the American League Championship Series between the Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays.

Cleveland holds a 2-1 series lead following Thursday’s 3-2 victory. The Guardians are looking for their first World Series appearance since 2016 and their first championship since 1948, while the Rays hope to return for the first time since 2020 and capture their first title.

Tampa Bay will turn to Nick Martinez, who posted a 3.10 ERA during the regular season, including 13.0 scoreless innings against Cleveland. The veteran right-hander relies on excellent command and a six-pitch mix featuring a sinking fastball, fading changeup and cutter.

Cleveland will use Shawn Armstrong as an opener. Armstrong has thrown 5.1 scoreless innings this postseason, primarily using his four-seamer, sweeper and cutter. Left-hander Joey Cantillo could follow to handle the bulk of the innings, bringing a low-90s fastball, looping curveball and changeup.

Another night of October baseball is upon us. Enjoy the game and join us in the comments!

Tampa Bay Rays (1-2) at Cleveland Guardians (2-1) — 6:00 p.m. MDT

Pitching matchup: RHP Nick Martinez (4.91 ERA) vs. RHP Shawn Armstrong (0.00 ERA)

SB Nation sites:DRaysBay | Covering the Corner

Radio: ESPN Radio

TV: TBS/HBO Max

Lineups

Join the conversation!

Sign up for a user account and get:

  • Fewer ads
  • Create community posts
  • Comment on articles, community posts
  • Rec comments, community posts
  • New, improved notifications system!

Download the SB Nation app on iOS or Android. 

Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks! 

Posted on

ALCS Game 4 chat and discussion

CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 15: A general view of signage prior to game three of the American League Championship Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on October 15, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Well, it’s looking like the ALCS will be the only baseball we get to see for a while after the Milwaukee Brewers swept the former two-time World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers out of the Postseason in unceremonious fashion. No worries, though, as the Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays have been playing an entertaining brand of baseball so it’ll certainly be interesting to see how this series plays out going forward. Will the Guardians get one step closer to making a shock World Series appearance? Or will the Tampa Bay Rays get it into gear and tie this series up heading into Game 5? Let us know what you think!

Here’s a random clip of my favorite NLCS moment from back when I was a kid. Share yours below if you’d like!

Join the conversation!

Sign up for a user account and get:

  • Fewer ads
  • Create community posts
  • Comment on articles, community posts
  • Rec comments, community posts
  • New, improved notifications system!

Download the SB Nation app on iOS or Android.

Posted on

ALCS Game 4 gamethread: Rays at Guardians, 8:00 p.m. ET

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 15: Junior Caminero #13 of the Tampa Bay Rays looks on during Game Three of the American League Championship Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on Thursday, October 15, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The Cleveland Guardians rode their top arms to a slim 3-2 victory on Thursday, taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Gavin Williams and the Guardians did their thing, racking up 13 strikeouts and allowing just two hits on the night. Williams, however, saw his velocity start to plummet beyond 50 pitches in that outing and manager Stephen Vogt got the hook out after just five innings. That’s a little ominous for the Guardians chances in a long series and perhaps in the World Series if they get there, but at this time of year everyone is gassed and leaving it all on the field. They may have just told Williams to air it out, expecting a shorter outing. Either way, he was dominant as long as he was in the game.

The Rays still went toe-to-toe with them in Game 3, so they won’t be feeling down on themselves either. With the final two games, assuming they go seven, in Tampa Bay, they really just need to stay with the Guardians and make sure they bring the series back home. However, that does mean they really need a victory tonight to even the series and avoid the Guardians riding momentum and running away with it.

The Guardians top relief arms are carrying a lot of the load in the series and Hunter Gaddis and Cade Smith both pitched on Thursday. So a bullpen game tonight is going to lean on them pretty hard. Probably Martinez isn’t going very deep in this one either. Both managers will be trying to keep their top arms fresh and not waste them in a losing effort, so holding a lead into the middle innings will be huge. For his part, Rays manager Kevin Cash probably doesn’t care either way. Unless they get blown out, he’s got to bring his best arms to bear in any close game and try to square the series.

This has been a pretty entertaining matchup. We’ll probably see another close one tonight.

RHP Nick Martinez (0-0, 4.91 ERA) vs. RHP Shawn Armstrong (0-0, 0.00 ERA) at 8:00 p.m. ET on TBS.